Events in the northcentral SARE region.

January 25-27, 2019
Fargo, North Dakota
Connect with others building a sustainable food system across the northern plains at this conference featuring keynote speakers Dan Barber and Steffen & Rachel Schneider. Learning tracks include livestock, crops, specialty crops, marketing, building healthy families, and consumers.

In: North Central SARE Region

January 25-26, 2019
St. Paul, Minnesota
The annual Emerging Farmers Conference (formerly the Immigrant & Minority Farmers Conference) serves to advance the success and sustainability of farmers who traditionally face barriers to the education and resources necessary to build profitable agricultural businesses, including immigrant farmers and farmers of color.

In: North Central SARE Region

January 25-26, 2019
Madison, Wisconsin
This fourth annual conference for those interested in organic grain production in the Upper Midwest will feature expert farmers, researchers, and industry representatives sharing their knowledge, along with ample opportunity for networking and discussion. Fifteen workshops highlighting issues important to organic grain farmers will be offered. This year there is a special focus on organic no-till and reduced tillage systems.

In: North Central SARE Region

January 25-26, 2019
Grand Traverse, Michigan
The Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference includes a full-day Farm School, followed by a day-long conference. There will also be a two-day trade show. This conference promotes and builds a local vibrant agriculture community, equips the small-farm community with the tools to be successful, and provides a forum for the open exchange of ideas within the small-farm community.

In: North Central SARE Region

January 28-30, 2019
Wichita, Kansas
This event features day-long pre-conference workshops on soil health for beginners and on integrating nutrition and biology toward plant and soil health to reduce the fertilizer budget. Main conference topics include soil biology, holistic management, crop rotations, livestock grazing, and more. Conference scholarships are available to women working in agriculture or people of color working in agriculture.

In: North Central SARE Region

January 31, 2019
Columbia, Missouri and livestreamed
The University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry presents the 10th annual Agroforestry Symposium, "Innovation to Entrepreneurship: Fostering a Culture of Research Translation." The Symposium is free and open to the public, but advanced registration is requested.

In: North Central SARE Region, Online

January 31 - February 2, 2019
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
The theme for the 27th annual GrassWorks Grazing Conference on grass-based agriculture is "Surviving the Storm." The conference includes sessions in a dairy track, a sponsor track, and three other tracks. Speakers include Kathy Voth, Dick Cates, Steve Apfelbaum, and others.

In: North Central SARE Region

January 31, 2019
Jefferson City, Missouri
This day-long event promises to bring you valuable information to enhance the productivity and profitability of your grazing enterprise. The keynote speaker is Greg Judy, and sessions include Multi-Species Grazing, Stocker vs Cow-Calf Economics, Selecting Genetics for the Environment, Weed ID and Economic Impacts, Mineral Supplementation for Beef Cattle, and Soil Testing and Interpretation.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 1-2, 2019
Madison, Wisconsin
This producer-initiated conference is built around farmer to farmer skill sharing and attracts experienced growers from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, and beyond. Farmer panelists representing small, mid, and large-scale operations will cover technical production information on garlic, onions, peppers, and one-cut salad heads. Management topics include vegetable no-till, greenhouse management, training and retaining labor, and variety selection.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 1-2, 2019
Shipshewana, Indiana
LaGrange County Soil & Water Conservation District presents the two-day Northern Indiana Grazing Conference, featuring Sarah Flack and Ray Archuleta, as well as sessions on marketing, animal health, soil health, and more.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 1-2, 2019
Mandan, North Dakota
The 2019 NDFMGA & Local Foods Conference will be a place for farmers and ranchers who direct market what they grow and raise to learn from expert speakers and each other, to help make more informed business decisions. The conference is held in conjunction with the North Dakota Grape and Wine Growers Conference and hosted by NDlocalfoods and North Dakota Department of Agriculture.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, or 22, 2019
Olathe, Parsons, Dodge City, Wichita, Manhattan, or Hays, Kansas
Kansas Department of Agriculture, K-State Research and Extension, and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment are hosting six regional workshops to help farmers market vendors and managers make Kansas businesses more successful.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 2, 2019
Des Moines, Iowa
Each year, Iowa Farmers Market Association hosts a workshop to teach market managers and vendors how to run a successful market. Sessions will include marketing strategies for social media and other websites; a market success and lessons learned panel; an in-depth look at the Farmers Market Coalition and available resources; discussion on cooking demos at markets; insurance options for markets and vendors; questions answered on scales, food sales, and licensing requirements; updates on state programs; and more.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 2, 2019
Madrid, Iowa
In this full-day workshop from Practical Farmers of Iowa, learn from a number of experts about all aspects of chestnut production and marketing. Topics will include site selection, planting and tree management, varietal recommendations, grafted versus seedling trees, harvesting and curing, marketing, and financial resources.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 4-5, 2019
Ames, Iowa
Iowa State University's Soil Health Conference features a wide range of speakers that include farmers with rich experience in implementing management practices and innovative approaches for building a resilient system, and well known scientists and agronomists of national recognition in the area of soil health. The conference agenda will include presentations and group discussions that will address the economics, systems approach, and real life experience for improving soil health and management challenges. There will be a poster session highlighting the current research efforts in soil health.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 5, 2019
Dubuque, Iowa
FarmStarts provides free training for beginning farmers who have been in the business for less than 10 years on organic grain and dairy production and marketing, as well as organic transition and certification, risk management, and farm finances. Conventional and organic producers are welcome. Beginning farmers may qualify for a travel and expense allowance.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 5, 19, or 20, 2019
Winthrop, Hinckley, or Floodwood, Minnesota
This program from University of Minnesota Extension is designed to assist farm families with the necessary preparation to develop and implement their farm transition and personal estate plan. The one-day course is offered in locations across the state.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 6-7, 2019
Dubuque, Iowa
Networking opportunities abound at the 2019 OCIA Annual General Membership Meeting. Everyone is invited to attend educational presentations on February 6, 2019, and OCIA members only will conduct the business portion of their meeting on February 7, 2019. Presentation topics include organic transition, cover crops, organic farming methods, and roller-crimping.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 6 or 20, 2019
St. Charles or Andover, Minnesota
Minnesota Department of Agriculture Produce Safety Program is presenting this day-long course in locations across the state. If your farm is covered by the FSMA Produce Safety Rule, attending this Grower Training Course satisfies the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement. However, all growers interested in learning about produce safety, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and the FSMA Produce Safety Rule are encouraged to attend and will find the course material valuable.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 7-8, 2019
Manhattan, Kansas
The Women Managing the Farm conference provides a supportive setting in which women can develop the skills, resources and knowledge needed for success in a competitive agricultural environment. Conference sessions are designed to keep women up-to-date on the latest advancements in agriculture and thriving within their rural communities. Presentations cover many topics, including farm finances, relationships and health, agricultural and estate law, crop production and marketing, management, and more. Optional pre-conference workshops on February 6, 2019, include sessions about precision agriculture technology, viticulture and enology, and QuickBooks.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 7, 2019
Willmar, Minnesota
This Land Stewardship Project afternoon workshop, "Digging Deeper Into Conservation" is designed for farmland owners, retired farm women and men, those inheriting a farmland investment, and farmers who rent farmland.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 7, 2019
Rochester, Minnesota
Land Stewardship Project offers an opportunity to learn about resources that are helping farmers during these financially stressful times. Hear stories of how farmers have been impacted by stressful situations and what they have learned.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 8-9, 2019
Grand Island, Nebraska
Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society's annual Healthy Farms Conference focuses this year on "Revitalization" for communities, landscapes, food systems, and the NSAS. The conference facilitates farmer-to-farmer training and support with five breakout sessions, two keynote presentations, ample time for meaningful conversation, a fun dinner on Friday night, and the annual NSAS membership meeting.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 8, 2019
Edgerton, Wisconsin
Join Thelma Heidel-Baker from the Xerces Society for this full-day course offered by the Friends of Silverwood. Learn about beneficial insect ecology, habitat opportunities, impacts of different farm practices to beneficial insects, and assessing farms for insect conservation.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 9, 2019
St. Joseph, Minnesota
The Sustainable Farming Association's annual conference includes sessions on soil health, production, agritourism, regulation, livestock, energy, and marketing, as well as children's programming and social events.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 9, 2019
Newton, Iowa
Renewing the Countryside's Farmland Access Bootcamp will provide beginning farmers with a comprehensive overview of land access strategies, tools, and resources and help them plan their next steps towards land tenure. The day-long session is designed for farmers with 10 or less years of experience, who are ready to begin or are actively searching for land or are working to change their current land situation.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 9, 2019
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Farmshed's Local Food Fair brings together Central Wisconsin producers, consumers, local businesses, and educators to celebrate community and the food that's grown within it. More than 70 exhibitors from local farms, businesses, and educational organizations sell their goods or share about their programs at this event. Also enjoy the Chef Competition and the release of the 2019 Farm Fresh Atlas of Central Wisconsin.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 10-14, 2019
Minneapolis, Minnesota
This 72nd annual event, "Gateway to the Prairie," includes speakers, symposia, workshops, poster sessions, a trade show, and special events such as a Sustainable Farmers Association of Minnesota Workshop on Integrating Managed Grazing for Soil Health.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 11-12, 2019
Jefferson City, Missouri
Webb City Farmers Market presents a two-day training on winter production. The demand for locally grown vegetables and fruit knows no season, and the opportunity for innovative farmers to expand into the winter months is huge. Conference presenters include Paul and Sandy Arnold of Pleasant Valley Farm in upstate New York, Dr. Matthew D. Kleinhenz of Ohio State University, Dr. Touria Eaton of Lincoln University, Liz Graznak of Happy Hollow Farm, and Jason Hirtz of Box Turtle Farm. Registration is limited to 100 people.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 12 or 13, 2019
Altamont or Piper City, Illinois
FarmStarts provides free training for beginning farmers who have been in the business for less than 10 years on organic grain and dairy production and marketing, as well as organic transition and certification, risk management, and farm finances. Conventional and organic producers are welcome. Beginning farmers may qualify for a travel and expense allowance.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 13-14, 2019
Champaign, Illinois
The Organic Grain Conference is the largest event in Illinois dedicated solely to organic grain education and networking. Explore advancements and issues facing the industry. Both production and policy sessions are included in the agenda.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 14-16, 2019
Dayton, Ohio
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association hosts its 40th annual conference, "Just Farming: The path before us." The event begins with Food and Farm School and continues with social events, six workshop sessions with multiple concurrent workshops, keynote speakers Elizabeth Henderson and Onika Abraham, and an exhibit hall.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 16-17, 2019
Madison, Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Cut Flower Growers School is a two-day workshop from University of Wisconsin, Madison, designed to help new and beginning growers learn the ins and outs of producing and marketing cut flowers. Learn from experienced growers about variety selection, seed starting, planting and harvest schedules and methods, post-harvest handling, pest management, tools and equipment, and direct marketing. Find out how to turn your passion for flowers into a sustainable small business. Speakers will emphasize sustainable and organic production practices.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 19, 2019
Ann Arbor, Michigan
This day-long workshop is presented by the Michigan State University Farmer Field School. Learn directly from six farmers who are succeeding with wholesale markets. Whether you want to get started with wholesale or take your farm's wholesale business to the next level, this is the workshop for you.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 20-21, 2019
Springfield, Illinois
The annual meeting of the Midwest Cover Crops Council features state reports, listening sessions, poster presentations, speakers, panel discussions, exhibits, and more.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 20, 2019
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
At the Wisconsin Cover Crop Conference, farmers and ag professionals from across the state come together to share and learn about all things cover crop. Topics will include managing manure with covers, termination of covers, and machinery modifications for cover crops and no-till, with sessions for beginners and seasoned cover crop experts. Many presenters will be Wisconsin grain and livestock producers speaking from experience. The conference also offers advanced soil health sessions.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 21, 2019
Minot, North Dakota
North Dakota State University Extension is collaborating with the Drought Mitigation Center to host a free drought planning workshop. During this one-day workshop, participants will learn about the impacts of drought, tools available for drought planning, and how to develop and implement a plan. Ranchers Jim Faulstich of South Dakota and Lynn Myers of Nebraska will share information about the drought plans for their ranches. The workshop is capped at 40 participants.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 21-23, 2019
LaCrosse, Wisconsin
The MOSES conference is the largest event in the United States about organic and sustainable farming, offering 60 workshops over six sessions, inspiring keynotes, engaging roundtables, and a resource-packed exhibit hall with more than 170 vendors.

In: North Central SARE Region

February 21, 2019
LaCrosse, Wisconsin
These in-depth classes take place the day before the MOSES Organic Farming Conference. Nine different topics are offered, including industrial hemp, organic weed management, managing risk, organic mushrooms, grazing, produce safety, soil, specialty cut flowers, and wholesale vegetable production.

In: North Central SARE Region