The New York Certified Organic field crop and dairy farmer-to-farmer – or “NYCO” meetings – are free to attend, and all are welcome. They are held in Jordan Hall auditorium, 630 W North Street in Geneva. Participants are encouraged to bring a dish to pass for lunch. This year, the meeting schedules will be as follows:

January 14, 2025

10am – Welcome and coffee

10:15am – Organic grain market update – Heath Dewey, USDA

10:30am – Organic dairy market update – Dan Mezzoprete, Wegmans

10:45am – Experiences with new or alternative markets

• Chris Johnson, Tuscarora Grain Company (Bloomsburg, PA)
• Direct market dairy – in communication with several speakers

Noon – Potluck lunch

1:00pm – Guided breakout group discussions based on the morning topics as well as agronomic challenges and any new topics of interest.

2:00pm – Adjourn

March 11, 2025

10am – Welcome and coffee

10:15am – Vipan Kumar, Cornell – harvest weed seed destruction

10:45am – Lightning talks: experiences with alternative fertility sources

• Jean Bonhotal, Cornell Waste Management – On-farm composting
• Adam Murray, PRO Dairy – Integrating animals in a grain rotation
• Thomas Bjorkman, Cornell – Selecting the most suitable cover crops for fertility
• Emily Reiss, CCA – How to compare fertility sources, including off-farm manure

Noon – Potluck lunch

1:00pm – Guided breakout group discussions based on the morning topics as well as agronomic challenges and any new topics of interest.

2:00pm – Adjourn

There is no registration required for this year’s event, but to receive updates on possible weather-related changes, contact Bryan Brown at bjb342@cornell.edu or leave a message at 315-787-2432.

–New York Certified Organic
New York State Integrated Pest Management
Cornell University

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“The Organic Grower Summit provides a platform for collaboration and learning, uniting stakeholders who are shaping the future of organic farming,” said Matt Jungmann, Farm Progress national events director. “This year’s enthusiastic participation underscores the growing interest in sustainable and innovative farming practices.”

The event featured a packed schedule of keynote addresses, educational seminars and live ag-tech demonstrations, all receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback. With 86% of seminar participants awarding the program five out of five stars, the educational sessions covered critical topics like soil health, ag technology and market resiliency.

A major focus of OGS was the increasing importance of regenerative farming practices. Seminar sessions such as “Regenerating Soil Health with Organic Practices” and “Organic, Regenerative, or Both: What Does the Market Want?” attracted packed rooms and sparked valuable discussions among growers and retailers. Esteemed speakers, including Eric Brennan of the USDA Agricultural Research Service and Jennifer Lester Moffitt, USDA Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, emphasized the role of innovation in building a resilient food system.

The summit also celebrated outstanding achievements in organic farming with the prestigious Grower of the Year Award. This year’s honoree, Dick Peixoto of Lakeside Organic Gardens, was selected for his pioneering contributions to the organic farming industry.

On the bustling trade show floor, leading brands and emerging startups showcased innovative solutions to advance sustainability and efficiency in organic agriculture. The expo provided opportunities to explore new products, network with peers and gain insights to enhance growers’ operations.

“It’s inspiring to see the organic community come together to share knowledge and celebrate progress,” said Jungmann. “We’re grateful to our sponsors, partners and exhibitors who made this event a success, and we’re already looking forward to an even bigger event in 2025.”

The 2025 Organic Grower Summit is scheduled to return to Monterey, California, from Dec. 3-4, 2025. For more details and updates, visit www.OrganicGrowerSummit.com.

About Organic Grower Summit
The Organic Grower Summit is a premier event that serves as a hub for organic producers and suppliers to come together and explore the latest trends, techniques and innovations in organic farming, now produced by Farm Progress. Connect with and learn more about Organic Grower Summit online at www.organicgrowersummit.com and on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Thank you to the 2024 Organic Grower Summit sponsors and partners including Western Growers (presenting sponsor), Fendt (Grower of the Year sponsor) Western Farm Press, Strauss (Ag Tech Opening Reception sponsor), and Organic Grower.

About Farm Progress
As part of Informa Markets, Farm Progress is the largest, most diversified agriculture information business in North America. Through a robust network of live events, digital products, data, marketing services, broadcasting and local and national publications, Farm Progress enables the nation’s most economically significant farmers, growers and ranchers to connect and do business. It serves 80% of the 2 million farms and ranches in the U.S., and an estimated 85% of the nation’s annual agricultural gross domestic product. Visit our website at www.FarmProgress.com.

— Organic Grower Summit

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The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association’s (OEFFA) annual conference, Boldly Grow, will take place Thursday, February 13 through Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Cherry Valley Hotel and Ohio Event Center in Newark, Ohio.

“The OEFFA conference has a long history of providing high-quality programming in support of sustainable and organic farming in Ohio and beyond,” said OEFFA Executive Director Khara Strum. “We are looking forward to creating community with farmers, consumers, and advocates through workshops and curated social activities.”

Online registration is now open at conference.oeffa.org.

Keynote Speaker

• Gary Nabhan is an Arab-American agroecologist, foodshed restorationist, and internationally celebrated nature writer. Born in the Midwest, he worked on farms and prairie restoration projects there before moving to Arizona. He has been honored with a James Beard Award, a MacArthur Genius Award Fellowship, and lifetime achievement awards from Slow Food, Chef’s Collaborative, Edible Communities, and other professional societies.

Food and Farm School Classes

These five full-day classes are intended for added in-depth learning on Thursday:

• Intentional Investment: Maximizing Your Time and Dollars for Lasting Impact—Holistic Management International will share a management framework to help make the most impactful investment with your time and money.
• Organic Farmer Researcher Network DIY Research—Farmers, researchers, and educators will discuss farmer-led research ideas and resources.
• Organic System Plan Help-Shop—OEFFA educators and certification specialists will guide those planning to certify organic for the first time.
• Farm Succession School: Planning for the Future of Your Farm—Speakers from Land For Good and the Ohio State University will dive into the key components of crafting your farm succession plan.
• Wholesale for All Scales—A wholesale buyer will explore food safety, as well as their requirements and processes for mid-scale growers to enter the market.

Workshops, Food, Networking, and More

A busy schedule of workshops, demonstrations, shopping, and more is offered during the conference, including:

• 50+ workshops on sustainable farming, livestock, homesteading, gardening, and business, covering topics ranging from perennial vegetables to drought mitigation;
• An exhibit hall packed with dozens of businesses, nonprofits, and products, plus flash demonstrations;
• Dedicated spaces for BIPOC farmers, queer farmers, landseekers, and landowners to connect and share;
• Opportunities to socialize, including a seed swap, writers meetup, open mic night, and happy hours; and
• Locally sourced meals, a Kids’ Conference, a Farmers’ Market Vendor Fair, a film screening, a raffle, and much more!

Conference registration includes access to both the in-person event and to recordings of the keynote and workshop sessions. Early bird pricing, scholarships, and volunteer opportunities are available until January 10. Online registration closes on February 1.

For more information, and to register by February 1, visit conference.oeffa.org.

–Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association

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“History, Philosophy, and Sociology of Organic Farming”

Joseph R. Heckman, Ph.D., Extension Specialist-Soil Fertility, Cook Campus, Rutgers University

“Scope and Scale of Organic Farming in PA”

Hannah Brubaker, Executive Director, PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture (invited)

“An Update on the Practice of Organic Farming in PA and the Region”

Alessandro Ascherio, Weaver’s Way (invited)

Logistics

• Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 1:00 pm.
• Virtual on Zoom.
• There is no registration fee but pre-registration is required.  Register by contacting pspaonline@gmail.com with the name(s) of the people attending, their affiliations, and emails and you will receive a Zoom link in return.

Contact Scott Sheely at pspaonline@gmail.com with any questions.  Registrations ends by COB on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.

—Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture

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Focused on building resilience in the face of a changing climate, the conference will feature more than 25 educational workshops and events, the Farmer of the Year keynote, an engaging trade show, evening entertainment, the In Living Color BIPOC Affinity Space, and more.

Register today! Click here.

Workshops will cover topics ranging from financial planning to farmworker housing and agroforestry. Review the full list of workshops here. Meanwhile, the trade show floor will host several companies and organizations including the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, and representatives from USDA NRCS. For a full list, click here.

Full Conference Sponsorships, the Josh Levine Memorial Scholarship, and SUNY Morrisville Student Scholarships are available as well. The deadline to apply is December 20, 2024.

–NOFA-NY

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Doors will open at 8 AM, with the program kicking off at 9 AM and concluding at 4 PM. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from keynote speaker Dave Campbell, owner of Lily Lake Organic Farm and Organic Advisor with the Rodale Institute. In his talk, Campbell will share his rich history in organic farming, discussing valuable lessons learned over the years both as a farmer and an agricultural professional in his more recent work with Rodale.

“We’re thrilled to have Marbleseed’s 2022 Farmer of the Year, Dave Campbell, as our keynote speaker,” said Ashley Adair, Extension Organic Agriculture Specialist at Purdue. “Dave’s experiences farming in northern Illinois and advising across the Midwest will enrich our program this year.”

Throughout the day, participants can look forward to engaging sessions led by fellow farmers and industry experts, highlighting the latest research and issues in organic agriculture. Exhibitors from the organic industry and service organizations will be on-site, providing resources and networking opportunities for attendees.

A highlight of the Indiana Organic Grain Farmer Meeting will be a buffet lunch catered by The Juniper Spoon, featuring locally sourced ingredients, emphasizing the importance of supporting local and organic agriculture.

Event Details:

• Date: February 19, 2025
• Location: Beck Agricultural Center, 4550 US-52, West Lafayette, IN 47906
• Time: Doors open at 8 AM; Program from 9 AM to 4 PM

Registration is open! Sponsorship is encouraged for this year’s event. Prospective attendees and sponsors can visit the IOGFM website for more information and to register.

About Purdue Extension/DFFS:
Purdue Extension enriches Indiana communities through comprehensive programs in Agriculture and Natural Resources, promoting sustainable practices; Health and Human Sciences, enhancing well-being; Community Development, fostering economic growth; and 4-H and Youth Development, empowering the next generation. We deliver practical, research-based information that enhances lives and livelihoods. The Diversified Farming and Food Systems Team works to connect programming, research and learning focused on urban agriculture, community wellness, local food, beginning farmers, small farms, and organic agriculture.

— Purdue Extension

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The conference will once again bring together diverse stakeholders and farmers to explore advancements and emerging issues in grain farming from a practical perspective. The event kicks off on February 5 with a half day of sessions and will conclude with a National TOPP Buyer/Seller mixer at Riggs Brewery, providing an invaluable opportunity for grain buyers and Midwest-based farmers to connect, share insights, and build relationships. The mixer will also feature complimentary food from local organic grain buyer, Maize Mexican Grill, fostering a relaxed and engaging atmosphere for meaningful conversations and networking.

Day 2, Thursday, February 6, will offer plenty of opportunity to engage directly with peers, consultants, researchers, and industry professionals. Day 2 brings four concurrent presentation tracks to choose from, a keynote address from the “father” of biological agriculture, Gary Zimmer, and a full day trade show. 

Early bird registration for the conference runs through January 17, with one-day registration starting at $75 and a two-day conference package starting at $125. Snacks will be provided throughout Day 1. Lunch and a light breakfast are included on Day 2. After January 17, registration for a single day is $90 or $150 for both days. 

The 2025 OGC is made possible by the generous support of The Illinois Farm Bureau, Farm Credit Illinois, and Compeer Financial. For a full list of sponsors, please visit the event website.

Learn more and register online at https://www.thelandconnection.org/event/2025-organic-grain-conference/

About The Land Connection

The Land Connection supports farmers, food businesses, and consumers so that, together, we can build a more resilient food system, from soil to supper plate.

For more than 20 years, The Land Connection has equipped farmers with the training and resources they need to become better stewards of the land and build resilient enterprises. We have fought to ensure our neighbors have year-round access to nutritious local foods through our farmers markets, and offered training to turn those foods into a nourishing meal.

–The Land Connection

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Since its inception in 1993, the Spring Conference has grown into the Southeast’s largest gathering of farmers, gardeners, educators, and sustainability advocates. The 2025 event combines OGS’s hallmark practical education with new offerings tailored to meet today’s challenges, including:

• New Workshop Tracks: Explore three tailored tracks focusing on urgent topics related to rebuilding. These include solar and other off-grid systems, mutual aid, resilience practices such as cooking and food preservation, and understanding water and soil contamination, among others.

• Core Curriculum: OGS will continue to offer a familiar core curriculum for gardeners, farmers, and those interested in sustainable living. It will feature over 32 workshops across eight tracks, including Gardening, Soils, and Mushrooms.

• Expert Speakers: Learn from leading voices like Dan Brisebois (The Seed Farmer), Pam Dawling (Year-Round Market Farming), and Chris Smith & Chris Keeve (The Collard Atlas).

Special Features

This year’s conference offers more ways to connect, learn, and enjoy:

• Community Room: A welcoming space for networking, coffee breaks, and conversations, featuring a café and an onsite bookstore featuring workshop references and books by participating authors.

• Food and Fun: Savor meals from Cecilia’s Kitchen and Mëhfil while exploring the exhibitor hall and Southeastern Seed & Plant Exchange.

• Friday Intensives: Dive deeper with full-day workshops, including Food Preserving for Self and Community.

For a limited time, OGS offers a 50% discount on tickets for the whole weekend and single-day passes. Don’t miss this opportunity to join the region’s most inspiring gathering of sustainability enthusiasts.

Join Us

Whether you’re a seasoned farmer, beginner gardener, or advocate for sustainable living, the 2025 Spring Conference offers an engaging weekend of education, connection, and practical skills.

Registration Details:
Online registration is open now. For more details and to secure your discounted tickets, visit www.organicgrowersschool.org/spring-conference.

About Organic Growers School:
Organic Growers School, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is dedicated to empowering communities through education. With programs supporting farmers, gardeners, and food justice advocates, OGS envisions a healthier, more resilient future for all.

–Sarah Collins, Organic Growers School

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Featured speakers for 2025 include Erin Silva, University of Wisconsin-Madison State Extension Specialist in Organic and Sustainable Cropping Systems; Damon DeSutter of DeSutter Farms in Attica, Ind.; Osler Ortez, Ohio State Corn and Emerging Crops Specialist; and Sophie Rivest-Auger, Organic Field Crop Advisor for Quebec’s Centre for Expertise and Transfer in Organic and Local Agriculture. Additional farmers, researchers, and educators from Ohio and beyond will also present on a wide range of topics. In addition to the educational program, the event also features a trade show and ample opportunities for networking.

The Ohio State Organic Grains Conference is planned by Ohio State Extension’s Farm Office and Organic Food & Farming Education and Research (OFFER) program. Continuing education credits will be available for Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs). For more information, visit go.osu.edu/OrganicGrains.

— Cassandra “Cassy” Brown, Ohio State University CFAES

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The OAK Conference focuses primarily on production systems, techniques and practices, regional research on organic practices and supportive community connections among farmers. OAK’s 2025 Conference is open to anyone interested in organic farming practices. The event features three days of inspiration from local and regional speakers, trade show resources and networking opportunities to support farmers and food system allies.

The conference offers in-depth learning with half-day Pre-Conference Workshops on Thursday, January 23, including immersion into silvopasture in hardwood forests, walk-behind tractors, farm profitability, storage crop production, agroforestry practices and an intensive session for experienced growers. Invited farmer presenters include Greg Brann, Daniel Mays, Ellen Polishuk, Jeff Poppen, Brett Chedzoy and many inspiring Kentucky farmers and growers. See the full agenda and speakers online: oak-ky.org/agenda.

The conference offers inspiration from keynote speaker Jesse Buie of Ole Brook Organics and an opening session panel of organic farmers. Local and regional farmers and experts lead sessions and roundtables on topic-specific crop production, on-farm conservation, rotational grazing, policy, on-farm research, marketing, soil health, pest and disease management and more.

Conference scholarships are available, and discounted early-bird pricing extends through December 13, 2024. Registration information is available at oak-ky.org/annual-conference. Contact OAK with any questions: conference@oak-ky.org or 502-709-8732.

–Jenny Howard Owen, Organic Association of Kentucky

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