Thursday, January 5, 2023
8:00 AM Registration and continental breakfast
Sponsored by OCIA MN #1
9:00 AM Breakout sessions
- Ecosystem Services: Credit Where Due – Matthew Fitzgerald & Wendy Johnson (sponsored by Grain Place Foods, Inc.)
- Interpreting the Origin of Livestock Rule – Mary Capehart
- Strawberry Fields Forever: Growing Organically in Minnesota – Mary Rogers & Gigi DiGiacomo
- Farm Marketing 101 – Sarah Carroll & Sarah Wescott
- A Better You for A Better Farm – Emily Krekelberg
- A Pair with Potential: Hybrid Rye + Swine – Carmen Fernholz, Yuzhi Li, & Andrew VanDerPol
10:00 AM Trade show and break
Sponsored by OCIA MN #1
10:45 AM General session
- Conference welcome – MDA Assistant Commissioner Patrice Bailey
- Keynote “Strength from the Soil: How Organic Farmers and Sound Public Policy Can Straighten the Whiffletree of U.S. Agriculture” – Sarah Vogel (sponsored by North Star Hemp DBA Carpe Diem CBD)
11:45 AM Lunch and trade show
Sponsored by Garratt Industries Ltd.
1:15 PM Breakout sessions
- Putting Organic Dairy Research to Work – Brad Heins & Sabrina Portner (sponsored by Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota)
- Worms, Germs, and Nasty Things – Jeff Bender & Colin Yoder
- Improving High Tunnel Soils with Cover Crops – Julie Grossman & Hannah Walsh
- Unleash Biology! The Benefits of Soil Microbes – Adria Fernandez & Marie Schaedel (sponsored by Solar Farm, LLC)
- Keeping Organic Soybean Fields Clean – Jonathan Olson (sponsored by Minnesota Crop Improvement Association)
- Crop Insurance for the Conservation-Minded – Kate Hansen & Megan Vaith
2:15 PM Trade show and break
3:00 PM Breakout sessions
- Grazing for Grassland: Conservation Grazing into the Future – Stephen Thomforde (sponsored by Compeer Financial)
- The Nuts and Bolts of Productive Family Farm Meetings – Alma Jorgensen
- Farm Scale Deep Winter Greenhouses for Market Growers – Claire Cambray, Dan Handeen, & Crispin Phillips
- Small But Profitable: Organic Farm Financial Performance in the Upper Midwest – Gigi DiGiacomo, Erik Heimark, Kevin Knoblach, & Angela & Nate Walter (sponsored by Mountain High Organics)
- Covers That Pay: Kernza®, Camelina, and Other New For-Profit Cover Crops – Carmen Fernholz, Mitch Hunter, & Anne Schwagerl (sponsored by MISA & MN SARE)
- Gaining Market Power and Competitive Advantage through Cooperatives – Kevin Edberg & Mike Schulist (sponsored by Organic Farmers Agency for Relationship Marketing)
4:30 PM Reception and evening social
Sponsored by Minnesota Farmers Union
Friday, January 6, 2023
7:30 AM Registration and continental breakfast
Sponsored by F.W. Cobs Company
8:00 AM Breakout sessions
- Building Organic Grain Markets – Mark Schoenfeld (sponsored by Cargill, Inc.)
- Transitioning to Organic – Nic Podoll (sponsored by Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program)
- Weed Management for Organic Fruits & Vegetables – Erik Heimark
- Organic Dairy Can Store Carbon: Strategies for the Future – Rebecca Larson (sponsored by Cashton Farm Supply – CFS Specialties)
- Organic Hemp and CBD Production: Healthy Business and Healthy Self – Brock Friesen, Neil Hultgren, & Ben Lipkin
- Building a Sustainable Direct-to-Market Farm Business – James Maiocco, & Valerie & Jared Luhman
9:00 AM Trade show and break
Sponsored by F.W. Cobs Company
9:45 AM Breakout sessions
- Nutrient Management Basics for Organic Farms – Glen Borgerding (sponsored by Marbleseed)
- Organic Isn’t Organic if You Can’t Document It – Kenn Jenkins & Pete Kapustka
- Ask a Vet: Grazing Season Health Issues – Greg Brickner (sponsored by Organic Valley – CROPP Cooperative)
- Planning for Change: Are Organic Soybeans and Corn Right for You? – Shane Frederick
- Farming and Food Systems in Uncertain Times: A Conversation – Kathy Draeger
- From Basement to Business: Scaling Our Mushroom Company – Nick Robinson
10:45 AM Trade show and break
11:30 AM Keynote address
- Keynote “Everyone has a Role” – Carmen Fernholz
12:30 PM Lunch and trade show
Sponsored by MOSA Certified Organic
2:00 PM Breakout sessions
- Facing the Future: Marketing Organic Agricultural Products – Discussion group
- Organic or Regenerative or Sustainable: What's in a Name? – Discussion group
- ANOTHER Disease or Pest? Where do we go from here? – Discussion group
- What's New at the U? How can we make research “sexy”? – Discussion group
- Agriculture in a Changing Climate: What's Next? – Discussion group
2023 Schedule
Thursday, January 5, 2023
8:00 AM Registration and continental breakfast
Sponsored by OCIA MN #1
9:00 AM Breakout sessions
- Ecosystem Services: Credit Where Due – Matthew Fitzgerald & Wendy Johnson (sponsored by Grain Place Foods, Inc.)
- Interpreting the Origin of Livestock Rule – Mary Capehart
- Strawberry Fields Forever: Growing Organically in Minnesota – Mary Rogers & Gigi DiGiacomo
- Farm Marketing 101 – Sarah Carroll & Sarah Wescott
- A Better You for A Better Farm – Emily Krekelberg
- A Pair with Potential: Hybrid Rye + Swine – Carmen Fernholz, Yuzhi Li, & Andrew VanDerPol
10:00 AM Trade show and break
Sponsored by OCIA MN #1
10:45 AM General session
- Conference welcome – MDA Assistant Commissioner Patrice Bailey
- Keynote “Strength from the Soil: How Organic Farmers and Sound Public Policy Can Straighten the Whiffletree of U.S. Agriculture” – Sarah Vogel (sponsored by North Star Hemp DBA Carpe Diem CBD)
11:45 AM Lunch and trade show
Sponsored by Garratt Industries Ltd.
1:15 PM Breakout sessions
- Putting Organic Dairy Research to Work – Brad Heins & Sabrina Portner (sponsored by Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota)
- Worms, Germs, and Nasty Things – Jeff Bender & Colin Yoder
- Improving High Tunnel Soils with Cover Crops – Julie Grossman & Hannah Walsh
- Unleash Biology! The Benefits of Soil Microbes – Adria Fernandez & Marie Schaedel (sponsored by Solar Farm, LLC)
- Keeping Organic Soybean Fields Clean – Jonathan Olson (sponsored by Minnesota Crop Improvement Association)
- Crop Insurance for the Conservation-Minded – Kate Hansen & Megan Vaith
2:15 PM Trade show and break
3:00 PM Breakout sessions
- Grazing for Grassland: Conservation Grazing into the Future – Stephen Thomforde (sponsored by Compeer Financial)
- The Nuts and Bolts of Productive Family Farm Meetings – Alma Jorgensen
- Farm Scale Deep Winter Greenhouses for Market Growers – Claire Cambray, Dan Handeen, & Crispin Phillips
- Small But Profitable: Organic Farm Financial Performance in the Upper Midwest – Gigi DiGiacomo, Erik Heimark, Kevin Knoblach, & Angela & Nate Walter (sponsored by Mountain High Organics)
- Covers That Pay: Kernza®, Camelina, and Other New For-Profit Cover Crops – Carmen Fernholz, Mitch Hunter, & Anne Schwagerl (sponsored by MISA & MN SARE)
- Gaining Market Power and Competitive Advantage through Cooperatives – Kevin Edberg & Mike Schulist (sponsored by Organic Farmers Agency for Relationship Marketing)
4:30 PM Reception and evening social
Sponsored by Minnesota Farmers Union
Friday, January 6, 2023
7:30 AM Registration and continental breakfast
Sponsored by F.W. Cobs Company
8:00 AM Breakout sessions
- Building Organic Grain Markets – Mark Schoenfeld (sponsored by Cargill, Inc.)
- Transitioning to Organic – Nic Podoll (sponsored by Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program)
- Weed Management for Organic Fruits & Vegetables – Erik Heimark
- Organic Dairy Can Store Carbon: Strategies for the Future – Rebecca Larson (sponsored by Cashton Farm Supply – CFS Specialties)
- Organic Hemp and CBD Production: Healthy Business and Healthy Self – Brock Friesen, Neil Hultgren, & Ben Lipkin
- Building a Sustainable Direct-to-Market Farm Business – James Maiocco, & Valerie & Jared Luhman
9:00 AM Trade show and break
Sponsored by F.W. Cobs Company
9:45 AM Breakout sessions
- Nutrient Management Basics for Organic Farms – Glen Borgerding (sponsored by Marbleseed)
- Organic Isn’t Organic if You Can’t Document It – Kenn Jenkins & Pete Kapustka
- Ask a Vet: Grazing Season Health Issues – Greg Brickner (sponsored by Organic Valley – CROPP Cooperative)
- Planning for Change: Are Organic Soybeans and Corn Right for You? – Shane Frederick
- Farming and Food Systems in Uncertain Times: A Conversation – Kathy Draeger
- From Basement to Business: Scaling Our Mushroom Company – Nick Robinson
10:45 AM Trade show and break
11:30 AM Keynote address
- Keynote “Everyone has a Role” – Carmen Fernholz
12:30 PM Lunch and trade show
Sponsored by MOSA Certified Organic
2:00 PM Breakout sessions
- Facing the Future: Marketing Organic Agricultural Products – Discussion group
- Organic or Regenerative or Sustainable: What's in a Name? – Discussion group
- ANOTHER Disease or Pest? Where do we go from here? – Discussion group
- What's New at the U? How can we make research “sexy”? – Discussion group
- Agriculture in a Changing Climate: What's Next? – Discussion group
Thursday, January 5, 2023
8:00 AM Registration and continental breakfast
Sponsored by OCIA MN #1
9:00 AM Breakout sessions
- Ecosystem Services: Credit Where Due – Matthew Fitzgerald & Wendy Johnson (sponsored by Grain Place Foods, Inc.)
- Interpreting the Origin of Livestock Rule – Mary Capehart
- Strawberry Fields Forever: Growing Organically in Minnesota – Mary Rogers & Gigi DiGiacomo
- Farm Marketing 101 – Sarah Carroll & Sarah Wescott
- A Better You for A Better Farm – Emily Krekelberg
- A Pair with Potential: Hybrid Rye + Swine – Carmen Fernholz, Yuzhi Li, & Andrew VanDerPol
10:00 AM Trade show and break
Sponsored by OCIA MN #1
10:45 AM General session
- Conference welcome – MDA Assistant Commissioner Patrice Bailey
- Keynote “Strength from the Soil: How Organic Farmers and Sound Public Policy Can Straighten the Whiffletree of U.S. Agriculture” – Sarah Vogel (sponsored by North Star Hemp DBA Carpe Diem CBD)
11:45 AM Lunch and trade show
Sponsored by Garratt Industries Ltd.
1:15 PM Breakout sessions
- Putting Organic Dairy Research to Work – Brad Heins & Sabrina Portner (sponsored by Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota)
- Worms, Germs, and Nasty Things – Jeff Bender & Colin Yoder
- Improving High Tunnel Soils with Cover Crops – Julie Grossman & Hannah Walsh
- Unleash Biology! The Benefits of Soil Microbes – Adria Fernandez & Marie Schaedel (sponsored by Solar Farm, LLC)
- Keeping Organic Soybean Fields Clean – Jonathan Olson (sponsored by Minnesota Crop Improvement Association)
- Crop Insurance for the Conservation-Minded – Kate Hansen & Megan Vaith
2:15 PM Trade show and break
3:00 PM Breakout sessions
- Grazing for Grassland: Conservation Grazing into the Future – Stephen Thomforde (sponsored by Compeer Financial)
- The Nuts and Bolts of Productive Family Farm Meetings – Alma Jorgensen
- Farm Scale Deep Winter Greenhouses for Market Growers – Claire Cambray, Dan Handeen, & Crispin Phillips
- Small But Profitable: Organic Farm Financial Performance in the Upper Midwest – Gigi DiGiacomo, Erik Heimark, Kevin Knoblach, & Angela & Nate Walter (sponsored by Mountain High Organics)
- Covers That Pay: Kernza®, Camelina, and Other New For-Profit Cover Crops – Carmen Fernholz, Mitch Hunter, & Anne Schwagerl (sponsored by MISA & MN SARE)
- Gaining Market Power and Competitive Advantage through Cooperatives – Kevin Edberg & Mike Schulist (sponsored by Organic Farmers Agency for Relationship Marketing)
4:30 PM Reception and evening social
Sponsored by Minnesota Farmers Union
Friday, January 6, 2023
7:30 AM Registration and continental breakfast
Sponsored by F.W. Cobs Company
8:00 AM Breakout sessions
- Building Organic Grain Markets – Mark Schoenfeld (sponsored by Cargill, Inc.)
- Transitioning to Organic – Nic Podoll (sponsored by Minnesota Ag Water Quality Certification Program)
- Weed Management for Organic Fruits & Vegetables – Erik Heimark
- Organic Dairy Can Store Carbon: Strategies for the Future – Rebecca Larson (sponsored by Cashton Farm Supply – CFS Specialties)
- Organic Hemp and CBD Production: Healthy Business and Healthy Self – Brock Friesen, Neil Hultgren, & Ben Lipkin
- Building a Sustainable Direct-to-Market Farm Business – James Maiocco, & Valerie & Jared Luhman
9:00 AM Trade show and break
Sponsored by F.W. Cobs Company
9:45 AM Breakout sessions
- Nutrient Management Basics for Organic Farms – Glen Borgerding (sponsored by Marbleseed)
- Organic Isn’t Organic if You Can’t Document It – Kenn Jenkins & Pete Kapustka
- Ask a Vet: Grazing Season Health Issues – Greg Brickner (sponsored by Organic Valley – CROPP Cooperative)
- Planning for Change: Are Organic Soybeans and Corn Right for You? – Shane Frederick
- Farming and Food Systems in Uncertain Times: A Conversation – Kathy Draeger
- From Basement to Business: Scaling Our Mushroom Company – Nick Robinson
10:45 AM Trade show and break
11:30 AM Keynote address
- Keynote “Everyone has a Role” – Carmen Fernholz
12:30 PM Lunch and trade show
Sponsored by MOSA Certified Organic
2:00 PM Breakout sessions
- Facing the Future: Marketing Organic Agricultural Products – Discussion group
- Organic or Regenerative or Sustainable: What's in a Name? – Discussion group
- ANOTHER Disease or Pest? Where do we go from here? – Discussion group
- What's New at the U? How can we make research “sexy”? – Discussion group
- Agriculture in a Changing Climate: What's Next? – Discussion group
September 18, 2023
Minnesota farmers, educational institutions, individuals at educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations interested in researching sustainable agriculture practices and systems can now apply for funding through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA).
The Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant Program funds innovative projects that explore the energy efficiency, environmental benefits, or profitability of sustainable agricultural techniques or systems, from production through marketing. The MDA will award up to $350,000 in grants using a competitive review process.
Applicants may request up to $50,000 per project. The first $25,000 does not need to be matched by the applicants. For requests between $25,000 and $50,000, applicants must provide a dollar-for-dollar match on the amount above $25,000.
Past grants have funded a wide range of projects, such as exploring cover crops and crop rotation; conservation tillage; input reduction strategies; integrated pest management; and alternative energies such as wind, methane, and biomass.
Projects may last two to three years and need to take place on Minnesota farms, and grantees must be willing to share what they learn with others. Grant projects are published annually in the MDA’s Greenbook, which provides a summary of each project along with results, management tips, locations of previous projects, and other resources.
Funding for this program is made available through the AGRI Program, which administers grants to farmers, agribusinesses, schools, and more throughout the state of Minnesota. The AGRI Program exists to advance Minnesota’s agricultural and renewable energy sectors.
Applications will be accepted through 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 7, 2023, and funding will be awarded in early 2024. For more information and application details, visit the AGRI Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant webpage.
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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us
