The Organic Grain Resource and Information Network (OGRAIN) offers an educational framework for supporting organic grain production in the Upper Midwest. Whether you farm 10 acres or 10,000, are an experienced organic grower or just considering the transition to organic, OGRAIN provides learning opportunities to improve your organic row crop and small grain operation. From weed control to marketing, grain storage to termination of specific cover crops, the OGRAIN community of experienced growers, researchers, industry experts and others is here to support you.

OGRAIN works with university researchers, extension experts, and community partners to develop and share resources, build relationships, and connect with farmers and other organic grain stakeholders.

OGRAIN is led by Dr. Erin Silva, UW-Madison Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in Organic Agriculture. UW-Madison partners include Dr. Lucia Gutierrez and the Cereals Breeding and Quantitative Genetics program, Dr. Julie Dawson and the Seed to Kitchen Collaborative and the Division of Extension Emerging Crops Group, as well as nonprofit stakeholders including the Artisan Grain Collaborative, Marbleseed, and Michael Fields Agricultural Institute.

Join the OGRAIN listserv by emailing ograin+subscribe@g-groups.wisc.edu  to enjoy highly informative conversations with experienced growers – or find OGRAIN on Instagram or OGRAIN on Facebook.

Check out OGRAIN’s web educational resources offering numerous videos and fact sheets. Highlights include a wide range of videos on OGRAIN’s YouTube channel, featuring farmer interviews, in-depth discussions of cultivation, and archived presentations from past conferences.

OGRAIN-supported activities include on-farm field events, virtual workshops, and annual winter conference.

OGRAIN offers the latest organic grain research and information generated by UW-Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UW Extension, and collaborating farmers. 

For more information on any of these events, or for further information about OGRAIN, contact Erin Silva, emsilva@wisc.edu, 608-890-1503

This project was supported by the USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, grant number 2017-70017-26856