These events were cosponsored by the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service with funding from the USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. In addition, thanks to Albert Lea Seed, Farm Power Implements ad Blue River Organic Seed for supporting OGRAIN Summer events.

Look for announcements about future plans on the OGRAIN Listserv and Events page.

2023 OGRAIN Field Days

In 2023 we visited innovative farmers across the Upper Midwest as well hosted equipment demonstrations and our annual UW-Madison Organic Research showcase. Check out the link below for more details.

2023 OGRAIN Field Days

2022 Field Events

July 27, 2022, 9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Hughes Farms, 4031 S. US Hwy 51, Janesville, WI 53546
This field day will highlight the diversity and innovations at the Hughes Farms in Janesville, WI. Farming over 5000 acres in a parallel operation consisting of both conventional and organic practices, the Hughes have succeeded in developing diverse rotations and markets. This field day, in partnership with MOSES, will discuss and showcase the various innovations on the farm related to the diversity of crops included in the crop rotation.

August 3, 2022, 9:00 am – 2:30 pm
Wilson Family Dairy Farm, 10950 S Galena Rd, Cuba City, WI 53807
This field day will be hosted by the Wilson Family Farm, who milk 400 cows on 2,900 organic acres. Farming organically since 1996, the Wilson’s emphasize soil health, and the connection between soil health, plant health, and healthy people and animals. This field day will discuss and demonstrate the integration of rolled-crimped rye into their soybean crop (which the Wilson’s have done for over a decade), soil health gains on the farm, and the integration cereal grains into a dairy rotation as both quality feed for the herd and off-farm sales. This field day is co-hosted with Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative.

August 21, 2022, 5:00 pm- 8:00 pm
Variety Showcase at Garver Feed Mill, Madison WI
This consumer-facing event will bring together a network of breeders, farmers, chefs, bakers, and beverage manufacturers, to discuss and demonstrate the benefits of participatory breeding, where researchers, growers, and end-users all play an essential role in guiding the development of new crop varieties. Co-hosted by the Seed to Kitchen Collaborative, Culinary Breeding Network, and the Artisan Grain Collaborative, this year’s iteration of Farm to Flavor will have a special emphasis on culinary grains including wheat, rye, oats, barley, and corn. Come learn, taste, and engage!

August 24, 2022, 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
Otter Creek Organic Farm, 6679 Hwy 23 S, Spring Green, WI  53588
This field day will be hosted by the Zimmer Family at Otter Creek Organic Farm, located in southwestern Wisconsin. The farm is adopting an innovative rotations of hybrid rye, cover crops, and corn. This field day will highlight several tours, including compost/fertilizer delivery systems, approaches to soil and plant testing, and the plan and economics behind Otter Creek’s cropping system approach. The day will also highlight the work of Rye Revival, promoting the benefits of cereal rye as a cash and cover crop.

August 30, 2022, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
Organic Agriculture Research Field Day
University of Wisconsin Arlington Agricultural Research Station, N695 Hopkins Rd, Arlington, WI 53911
This field day at the UW Arlington Agricultural Research Station will highlight organic research conducted at the University of Wisconsin, including optimizing equipment and production practices for organic no-till production, interseeding cover crops into corn and soybeans the impact of organic management on soil health, and organic sunflower production.

2019 Field Events

June 12, 2019 Wednesday, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM  Promoting soil health and fertility on organic farms with small grain/legume rotations and approved organic inputs 
Mapleton Community Center – Township of Oconomowoc
N87 W35493 Mapleton Road , Oconomowoc, WI 53066
Join Sandy Syburg of Purple Cow Organics and a dynamic group of presenters as we explore use of crop rotations with legumes, manure and other organic-approved fertility inputs to improve soil fertility and crop yields within organic production systems.  We will review a variety of field experiments illustrating differing fertility management techniques and products.  Learn how attention to soil health using organic methods can build soil while mitigating the negative effects of tillage, resulting in long-term resiliency as well as good crop yields. An OGRAIN event.

June 25, 2019 Tuesday, 12:30-4 PM Growing and milling small grains for home and artisan bread makers
Janie’s Farm, 854 E2300 North, Danforth, IL 60930 and the Mill at Janie’s Farm 405 N 2^nd Street Ashkum, IL 60911
Join us for a tour of one of central Illinois’ leading organic grain farms. Harold and Ross Wilken farm over 2400 acres of certified organic grain crops. Integrating a wide range of crops from small grains like wheat, oats, rye, emmer, einkorn, kernza, and buckwheat to popcorn, black turtle beans, soybeans, field corn and alfalfa, their farm is a paragon of diverse crop rotations. At the field day Harold will share some of his secrets for successfully growing food grade small grains. The tour will continue 10 miles up the road at The Mill at Janie’s Farm, a certified organic milling operation owned and operated by the farm. Miller Jill Brockman will showcase the facility and explore what bakers are looking for to create delicious local breads and confections. The tour will wrap-up with a tasting of artisan breads made by baker Chad Sanders with flour directly from the mill. An OGRAIN event. Cosponsored by The Land Connection, visit them here.

June 30, 2019 Sunday, 10:30 AM-3:30 PM From Grain to Plate
Meadowlark Organics, 3036 Ridgevue Rd, Ridgeway, WI
Growing small grains like wheat, rye, barley and oats can help farmers prevent nutrient run off and protect water quality- but the “grain chain” is a complex network of growers, processors, bakers, chefs and consumers. How can farmers add these crops to their rotation and access the food grade market? Can eating more of these locally grown foods help change the agricultural landscape for the better? And how do we make these healthful foods accessible to all? We invite farmers and consumers alike to come explore these issued and discover ways to get involved in our burgeoning grain economy. For questions please contact Margaret Krome, Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, 608-628-2503 or Halee Wepking at Meadowlark Organics, 608-636-6794.  Organized by Uplands Watershed Group, co-sponsored by OGRAIN.

July 10, 2019 Wednesday, 1-4:30 PM Growing crops for distilling
McHugh Farms, N6245 County Road XX Onalaska, WI 54650
Patrick McHugh farms 150 acres of organic row crops and small grains with more acres in transition.  In his second year of growing specialty rye and corn for La Crosse Distilling Company, Patrick will discuss his organic growing techniques, crop rotation and fertility management. A representative of La Crosse Distilling Company will explain the types of grains needed by artisan distillers (vodka, gin, brandy, whisky). An OGRAIN event. Read more about the farm here.

August 14-15, 2019, Wednesday and Thursday, all day Organic Agronomy Training Series
Presented by the OATS collaborative- $85  more information here
Radisson Hotel, La Crosse WI 200 Second Street South La Crosse, WI 54601
A science-based education program for agronomists, technical service providers, extension staff, agency personnel, consultants, educators and farmers to increase understanding of organic production systems and USDA-NOP regulatory compliance. This two-day event included presentations, interactive discussion and an organic farm, providing practical information on organic practices. While farmers are welcome, this event is geared towards organic educators and consultants. More information: https://organicagronomy.com This series is generously supported by Pipeline Foods, Clif Bar and the Organic Trade Association’s Organic Grains Council.

August 29, Thursday, 9:45 AM-3:00 PM Organic agriculture research field day
University of Wisconsin Arlington Agricultural Research Station, N695 Hopkins Rd, Arlington, WI 53911
This field day will highlight organic research conducted at the University of Wisconsin, including optimizing equipment and production practices for organic no-till production, interseeding cover crops into corn, soybeans and cereal grains, the impact of organic management on soil microbial communities, and weed management for organic hemp production.

September 18, 2019, All Day Midwest mechanical weed control field day
Gwenyn Hill Organic Farm and Gardens, W294 N 130 Bryn Drive, Waukesha, WI 53188
Learn the principles and tools for precise mechanical weed control from farmers and industry experts for both crop and vegetable growers. Discussion of soil health in conjunction with low impact cultivation will be the focus. A wide array of companies will showcase unique and practical implements for tillage, planting and cultivation.  A full day of in-field demonstrations along with many exhibit booths will provide information on the various special attributes of each implement, as well as how best to mount and adjust them for best effect. Cosponsored by OGRAIN and The Land Connection, among others. Read more about the farm here.

2018 Field Events

July 12, 2018, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm Small grains, modest gains: A pragmatic approach to profitability and sustainability
Hughes Farms, 4031 S. US Hwy 51, Janesville, WI 53546
This field day highlighted the diversity and innovations at the Hughes Farms in Janesville, WI. Farming over 5000 acres in a parallel operation consisting of both conventional and organic practices, the Hughes have succeeded in developing diverse rotations and markets. This field day, in partnership with Practical Farmers of Iowa, MOSES, and the Organic Seed Alliance, will discuss and showcase cover crops for green manures, weed control, soil erosion reduction and water quality improvements; tips for trialing varieties for performance under organic management; and basics of transitioning to organic certification.

July 16, 2018, 10:00 am- 3:00 pm Mechanical weed management field clinic
University of Wisconsin Arlington Agricultural Research Station, N695 Hopkins Rd, Arlington, WI 53911
This field-based summer clinic, hosted by the UW Arlington Research Station, will demonstrate several weed management tools, including tine-weeders, rotary hoes, row cultivators, and roller/crimping equipment. We will be late-planting corn and soybeans, allowing us to take the equipment in the field and demonstrate set-up and field operations. Experts will be on-hand to discuss best weed management strategies for different crop stages and field conditions.

July 31, 2018,9:00 am – 2:30 pm  Integrating Cereal Grains into an Organic Dairy Rotation
Wilson Family Dairy Farm,10950 S Galena Rd, Cuba City, WI 53807
This field day be hosted by the Wilson Family Farm, who milk 400 cows on 2,900 organic acres. Farming organically since 1996, the Wilson’s emphasize soil health, and the connection between soil health, plant health, and healthy people and animals. This field day will discuss and demonstrate the integration of rolled-crimped rye into their soybean crop (which the Wilson’s have done for almost a decade), soil health gains on the farm, and the integration cereal grains into a dairy rotation as both quality feed for the herd and off-farm sales. This field day is co-hosted with MOSES and Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative.

August 23, 2018, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm UW Organic Agriculture Research Field Day
N695 Hopkins Rd, Arlington, WI 53911
This field day will highlight research conducted on the certified organic land at the UW Arlington Research Station. Research highlighted will include: equipment modifications for rolling/crimping rye; interseeding cover crops into corn; interseeding soybeans into spring-seeded cereal rye; and cover crop strategies to reduce tillage in organic corn production.