Events

May 30-31, 2019
Jefferson City, Missouri
Missouri Tomato School is sponsored by USDA, Webb City Farmers Market, Lincoln Univeristy, and University of Missourui Extension. The event brings together national experts with Missouri experts and successful local tomato farmers to teach growers and serious hobbyists how to better grow Missouri's top-selling vegetable. Thursday will be a full day of presentations at George Washington Carver Farm. Friday morning consists of farm tours and on-site education at area farms.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 1, 2019
Elkhorn, Wisconsin
This is a free open House for Upper Midwest CRAFT members, those interested in joining, or those interested in attending this field day. Zinniker Family Farm was established in 1943 and is the longest-running Biodynamic farm in the United States. Attendees will tour the farm, unearth the Biodynamic preparations that were buried last fall, and prepare new ones for the summer months.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 4, 2019
La Porte City, Iowa
This Practical Farmers of Iowa Cover Crop Field Day visits Terry Ward. Terry plants diverse crop rotations that include cereal rye, which he harvests to use in several ways. He'll share his experience making ryelage, rye hay and rye straw. Hear from Terry's dairy farming neighbors who feed this ryelage to their dairy cattle. The event starts in the field to view some cover crops before moving indoors for further discussion and a meal.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 4, 2019
Missouri Valley, Iowa
This Practical Farmers of Iowa afternoon field day visits Matt and Terra Hall at Rhizosphere Farm. It offers a tour of their high tunnels, tomato arbor, and young food forest. On the vegetable side, they will discuss the heirloom varieties they have tried and like (or don't like!), and their practices for other vegetables. Walking through the food forest, Matthew and Terra will share which trees and shrubs are performing best on their farm through the early years of establishment, and how their designs on paper are playing out on the land.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 5, 2019
Ames, Iowa
Practical Farmers of Iowa offers an opportunity to learn the essentials of livestock parasites from Iowa State University veterinary pathologist Matt Brewer in this hands-on workshop. It will start with an overview of different livestock parasites, placing special emphasis on those that are transmissible to humans. After the discussion, participants will have a chance to practice performing fecal egg counts on manure samples. The workshop will also give farmers a chance to ask questions and share their experiences with veterinarians. Registration is limited.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 6, 2019
Holton, Kansas
Jackson County Conservation District presents an event with soil health expert Shane New. He will discuss the five principles of soil health and adaptive grazing management practices. The morning workshop session will begin with a rainfall simulator demonstration. In the afternoon, travel to the Shane New Farms for a field tour and demonstrations.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 6, 2019
Kewanee, Illinois
At this Practical Farmers of Iowa evening field day, learn how cover crops can positively impact water quality from a diverse mix of perspectives. Hear from a farmer, a soil health expert and an ag retailer's perspective, and view a rainfall simulator demonstration. The farmer, Brian Corkill, will share his playbook for managing soybeans following a cereal rye cover crop, as well as some of the on-farm research projects he's involved in.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 7-9, 2019
Hickory Corners, Michigan
The Chestnut Growers of America Annual Meeting includes presentations on research, management, marketing, and policy, followed by field tours on the second day.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 8, 2019
Thayer, Missouri
This free morning event at Ozark Mountain Ginseng is presented by University of Missouri Extension and The Center for Agroforestry at the University of Missouri. It is designed for beginning and prospective growers of ginseng and other native medicinal herbs. The agenda includes forest farming fundamentals, harvesting and processing, and value-added opportunities. Pre-registration is required; contact Jamie Gundel at Oregon County Extension at 417-778-7490 or email: gundelj@Missouri.edu.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 11, 2019
Bloomfield, Iowa
This Practical Farmers of Iowa field day visits Samuel Maibach, who along with his brother, Daniel, and father, Tim, raises a herd of 90 organic, pasture-raised dairy cows. Their milk is marketed through Organic Valley. This presentation will discuss breeding and ration balancing for higher butterfat and milk components; timely haymaking; grazing high-quality forage; and keeping cows comfortable and full during the summer heat. Samuel will share his experience planting, grazing and baling forage oats and summer annual forages, and the flexibility needed when dealing with wet and dry weather. The Maibachs' veterinarian, Dr. Guy Jodarski, will speak about natural cow care and dairy health issues.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 13-15, 2019
Jefferson City, Missouri
Since 2009, the Comprehensive Elderberry Workshop & Field Tour has been held in central Missouri. Terry Durham gathers the best new knowledge and delivers it during this workshop. Learn from expert researchers and successful growers. At the end of each workshop, Durham teaches the highly detailed handling techniques mandated at harvest so growers can sell their berries. New growers will want to attend the separate afternoon workshop on June 13, 2019, designed especially for them. Learn all about elderberry, its introduction into the modern market, early research, and how to propagate.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 13, 2019
West Union, Iowa
This Practical Farmers of Iowa afternoon field day is hosted by Loran Steinlage. Learn all about the basics of growing hybrid rye, finding markets and feeding livestock with small grains. Loran will also share his experiences with various rye varieties, growing malt barley and relay cropping.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 14, 2019
Elliot, Iowa
This Practical Farmers of Iowa field day visits Ron Mardesen of A Frame Acres to learn about a pasture-based farrow-to-finish pig operation. Drew White, a veterinarian for Niman Ranch, will speak about managing vaccine protocols, record-keeping and preventive health measures to conduct for your swine herd. Learn how the Mardesens pasture-farrow, and incorporate livestock into their field crop rotations.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 18, 2019
Lewis, Iowa
At this Practical Farmers of Iowa field day, join Bob Zimmerman and biologists from Pheasants Forever as they discuss habitat restoration and management activities at the South Place farm. Topics will include prairie restoration; habitat management using prescribed fire and other techniques; landowner-tenant relations and conservation; and the dual benefits of habitat for wildlife and water quality. Information on cost-share programs for conservation will also be available.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 19, 2019
Peterson, Iowa
This Practical Farmers of Iowa mid-day field day visits John Rock and Aaron Nelson, cousins who farm and raise cattle in the Little Sioux watershed and lease ground owned by The Nature Conservancy. John and Aaron will discuss the benefits and challenges associated with grazing native perennials. Amy Crouch, an ecologist and Little Sioux project manager for The Nature Conservancy, will highlight the ecological benefits of managed grazing. With John and Aaron, she will also discuss conservation leasing issues associated with grazing conservancy-owned lands.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 20, 2019
Boone, Iowa
This Practical Farmers of Iowa afternoon field day visits Mike Salama at Salama Greenhouse and Floral. Join Mike on a tour of his greenhouse to learn about growing hydroponic tomatoes and greens, and tips on harvest and packaging. Mike will also discuss their various potted plant offerings, including propagation, preferred media for different plants and container choices. The Salama family has also recently installed photovoltaic panels, and Mike will share information about the financing and installation process.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 20, 2019
Keota, Iowa
This Practical Farmers of Iowa evening field day visits Tim Sieren at Green Iron Farms. This event will showcase a diversified farm with crop rotations, cover crops and livestock. Tim will speak about his crop rotation consisting of corn, soybeans and rye or wheat. Learn how this rotation presents opportunities for diverse cover crops (namely, legumes) and how Tim incorporates a small cattle herd and hog manure. Also, view a couple of on-farm research trials investigating cereal rye cover crops for improving weed control in soybeans.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 21-22, 2019
Dubois, Indiana
Purdue Extension presents Grazing 102, a program designed to help producers understand important concepts needed to make a management-intensive grazing program work for their own operations. Topics will include Understanding Plant Growth and Development, Fencing Systems, Soil Fertility, Forage Identification and Use, Watering Systems, Forage Economics, Extending the Grazing Season, and Determining Forage Needs. There will also be hands-on activities, pasture walks, and field tours
In: North Central SARE Region

June 21, 2019
Dubois, Indiana
At this morning training session, participants will learn the latest research supported methods for reliable native forage establishment and grazing management to maintain grass vigor and animal performance through the summer. This training is being hosted by the Center for Native Grasslands Management, Dairy AgResearch and Education Center, National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative, Quail Forever, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and UT Extension.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 21, 2019
Albany, Missouri
This Grow Native! workshop is intended for row-crop farmers, livestock producers, recreational landowners, and anyone else interested in the many benefits that native plants offer to farms and recreational land. During the workshop, five experts will present information on how native plants provide benefits to farm revenues, livestock health, pollinators, wildlife, soil health, water quality, and more. The day-long event will also feature information on specific NRCS cost-share programs and a session on invasive plant control.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 21, 2019
Algona, Iowa
This Practical Farmers of Iowa afternoon field day visits Bode's Moonlight Gardens. Beany and Joanne Bode will share their experience designing and building a new multi-purpose packhouse and prep space. They will also discuss weed management strategies they've tried in their 10-acre pumpkin patch.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 22, 2019
Toledo, Ohio
This event is part of OEFFA's 2019 Sustainable Farm Tour and Workshop Series. At the Sofia Quintero Arts and Cultural Center (SQACC), Nana's Garden uses raised beds to grow various pesticide-free vegetables and fruits for use in their community kitchen. In 2015, a 4,080-square-foot, 51-raised-bed Broadway Urban Garden Greenspace (BUGG) was built with local business support and community involvement. For the past three years, more than 2,500 pounds of various pesticide-free produce have been provided to a local food bank.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 25, 2019
Decorah, Iowa
This Practical Farmers of Iowa field day is held in partnership with University of Northern Iowa at Family Flying W Farm. Wayne and Ryan Wangsness have been flame-weeding for about 10 years, and they have used an electric weeder for the last three. They have been very pleased with both tools and invite farmers and the public to come learn from their experience. Guests will get to see two different flame-weeders, and hear how the Wangsnesses use electricity to deal with tall weeds like giant ragweed, pigweed, and shattercane. Brian Lang, the northeast Iowa extension field agronomist with Iowa State University, will discuss current diseases and pests in organic systems.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 26, 2019
Fostoria, Ohio
At this evening event, hear from David Cramer, who has been no-tilling small grains on his family farm for over 30 years, about agronomic advice and variety selection. Learn about incorporating cover crops into a small-grains operation.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 27, 2019
Rocheport, Missouri
The fourth annual joint Missouri Grape Growers Association Viticulture Field Day and Missouri Vintners Association annual meeting presents Dr. Richard Smart as featured speaker. The event features presentations, the business meeting, and field demonstrations on grapevine trunk disease and canopy management.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 30, 2019
Burlington, Wisconsin
At this Upper Midwest CRAFT mid-day Field Day, Paul Maggio of Starry Nights Farm will talk about "the quest for high quality grass-fed beef". Paul will be joined by Altfrid Krusenbaum of Krusen Grass Consulting.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 30, 2019
Ridgeway, Wisconsin
You are invited to join the Uplands Watershed Group and Pecatonica Pride Watershed Association at Meadowlark Organic Farm for the From Grain to Plate Field Day, a rich exploration of why small grains like wheat, barley, oats, and rye matter. Tour small grains in the field, see how different crops and field practices affect erosion and infiltration with a rainfall simulator, engage terrific speakers on a wide variety of topics, and eat a delicious (and free) lunch.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 30, 2019
Castalia, Iowa
This Practical Farmers of Iowa field day visits Caite and Jim Palmer at Prairie's Edge Farm. The Palmers started farming together in 2012 and began Prairie's Edge Farm in 2015 to direct-market meat to local customers. Tour the farm and see how they are raising a cow-calf herd, and a herd of Katahdin ewes and lambs, on pasture supplemented by farm-raised grain.
In: North Central SARE Region

June 30, 2019
Lancaster, Ohio
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association presents an afternoon workshop to help you map out your farm vision, clarify your goals and values, and assess your strengths, resources, and needs before beginning a farming enterprise. Hear from a panel of early-career farmers and receive important planning resources.
In: North Central SARE Region

July 1, 2019
Ada, Michigan
Michigan State University's Farmer Field School events feature in-depth, practical insights from the wealth of knowledge in Michigan's farming community. At this day-long workshop, learn ways to prevent, reduce and control the weeds on your farm. See the tricks and tools in action on Green Wagon Farm, a successful organic vegetable farm.
In: North Central SARE Region

July 2, 2019
Iowa City, Iowa
Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) presents an opportunity to hop on the bus with other beginning and aspiring farmers to tour and learn from three different horticulture farms. Each is a trainer farm in PFI's Labor4Learning program, providing aspiring farmers with employment and additional training on how to run a farm business. Grow your peer network while touring three unique farms and learning about specific business management practices at each one.
In: North Central SARE Region

July 2, 2019
Galva, Iowa
Practical Farmers of Iowa and University of Northern Iowa present a field day with Sam and Danielle Bennett and family at Bennett Farms. Sam and Danielle will share their experience using cover crops as part of their weed control system. They will also discuss growing small grains, soil health and navigating crop insurance and Natural Resources Conservation Service programs. Guests will have a chance to see cereal rye and oats just before harvest, and evaluate the weed-suppressing benefits of cover crops before soybeans.
In: North Central SARE Region

July 5, 2019
Wooster and Fredericksburg, Ohio
This morning event is part of OEFFA's 2019 Sustainable Farm Tour and Workshop Series. It will visit Green Field Farms Processing Plant and Gentle Slope Farm.
In: North Central SARE Region

July 10-11, 2019
Omaha, Nebraska
American Society of Agronomy presents a conference that will provide Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs) and Agri-Sale Professionals with the opportunity to better understand and implement sustainable agronomy in the field. Speakers and moderators will include farmers, CCAs, food company representatives, university faculty, private industry personnel, and non-governmental organization staff. The conference will involve speaker presentations, roundtable and panel discussions, and extensive question and answer periods that will enable CCAs to engage speakers and gain a deep understanding of the topics presented.
In: North Central SARE Region

July 10-11, 2019
Morris, Minnesota
The Midwest Farm Energy Conference will highlight energy-efficient systems for Midwest dairies and cropping systems (on July 10), as well as energy conservation for swine production (on July 11). Additional topics will include solar shading for grazing cattle, bringing solar PV to your farm, and renewable energy tours.
In: North Central SARE Region

July 10, 2019
Slater, Iowa
Lee Tesdell is Practical Farmers of Iowa's 2019 Farmland Owner Legacy Award recipient. This award is granted annually to landowners who help the next generation get started, advance land stewardship, and promote long-term sustainability of farm businesses, environmental quality, and rural communities. Lee and guest speakers will discuss conservation and solar energy generation, and Lee will receive the Farmland Owner Legacy Award at this field day.
In: North Central SARE Region

July 11, 2019
Solon, Iowa
This Practical Farmers of Iowa afternoon field day visits Paul Rasch and Sarah Goering at Wilson's Orchard. Beginning with the cider apples, Paul will discuss his approach to managing these unique varieties in a dwarf system, including the importance of managing to prevent fire blight. After the group caravans to the main orchard location, Paul will lead an orchard walk and further discuss varieties, orchard care, and managing a U-pick operation. The group will then tour the cidery and event center, and have a chance to enjoy samples.
In: North Central SARE Region