Schedule / Events

November 24, 2008

8th Annual Iowa Organic Conference

3rd Annual Iowa Organic Association State Convention

More details to come.

Location: Iowa State University, Ames, IA

September 23, 2008, 9:00AM-5:00PM

Transitioning to Organics Workshop

Featured speakers:
Dr. Kathleen Delate, ISU Extension Organic Specialist
Craig Chase, ISU Extension Field Ag Economist
Lowell Rheinheimer, Organic Valley Family of Farms

12:30 Lunch
Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center
2773 290th Street, Orient, Iowa
1:30PM-5:00PM Organic Fruit and Vegetable Production
Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center
Featured speakers: Diane Weiland, Director, and Jayne Livingston, Garden Manager
5:00PM Dinner (optional)
Please register be September 15!

Location: Neely-Kinyon Research Farm, Greenfield, IA
Contact: Kathy Rohrig: (641)743-8412 or email at krohrig@iastate.edu

August 20, 2008, 4:00PM-7:00PM

PFT Field Day: Organic Cropping Systems, Soybean Rust
Discussion: Finishing cattle on grass with self-fed byproducts, long-term comparison of organic and conventional crop rotations, evaluation of soybean rust treatments for organic soybean production

Location: Neely-Kinyon Research Farm, Greenfield, IA
Directions: From Greenfield, go 2 miles south on Hwy 25; .5 miles east on 260th St; .5 miles north on Norfolk Ave.
Contact: (712)769-2402
Web: www.practicalfarmers.org

August 7-17, 2008, All day

IOA at the Iowa State Fair
The IOA will be at the state fair this year. Be sure to stop by the booth to say hello and show your support.

Location: Booth #133 on the balcony of the Agriculture Building, Iowa Stae Fair Grounds, Des Moines, IA
Web: www.iowastatefair.com

July 29, 2008, 6:30AM-9:00PM

PFI Field Day: Row Crops and Grazing
Discussion: Turnips for grazing and cover crops, transitioning to organic production, launching the next generation: discussion about PFI's Next Generation Program, monitoring water quality to improve pasture management, breeding corn for sustainable agriculture.

Sponsored by The McKnight Foundation with support from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and IOWATER.

Location: Craig and LaVon Griffieon, 11655 NE 6th St., Ankeny, IA
Web: www.practicalfarmers.org

April 26-29, 2008, 10:00AM-5:00PM

All Things Organic Conference and Tradeshow
The All Things Organic™ Conference and Trade Show is the only show in the industry that gives chain and independent retailers, manufacturers, distributors, chefs and foodservice establishments access to more organic companies and more certified organic products than any other industry trade event. Be sure to stop and see the IOA in section 3401!

Location: McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois
Web: www.organicexpo.com

April 16-25, 2008, 4:00-8:00PM

IOIA Organic Inspector Trainings
IOIA and Iowa Organic Association will cosponsor Basic Organic Crop and Processing Inspection Trainings and Basic Livestock Inspection Training. Each course includes 4 days of instruction including a field trip to a certified organic operation, plus ½ day for testing. Livestock field trip options will include dairy operations. Poultry operations will be included if possible. IOIA Organic Inspector Training courses are recommended for inspector trainees, certification agency staff, and regulatory agency staff who want to better understand the organic inspection and certification process.

Location: Marriott Hotel & Confernece Center, Coralville, Iowa
Web: www.ioia.net

Tuesdays, January 8 - April 29, 2008, 6:00-9:00PM

Transitioning to Organic Course
A new course to help producers transition to organic agriculture will be offered from January 8 to April 29, 2008, from the ISU Extension Organic Ag Program. Classes will be held every Tuesday from 6 to 9 PM. Attendance at all 16 sessions will not be required unless the individual wishes to take it as a three-credit campus course. A nominal fee of $10 per session will be charged to attendees to cover costs of technology and managing the program. Click here for more details

Location: Online or at Iowa State University
Contact: Kathleen Delate, ISU Organic Ag Program or call (515) 294-5116

Friday, January 11, 2008

PFI Annual Conference: Come to the Table - more details

Location: Airport Holiday Inn, Des Moines, Iowa

Monday, November 19, 2007

7th Annual Iowa Organic Conference - more details

2nd Annual Iowa Organic Association State Convention
More details to come.

Location: ISU Scheman Center, Ames, Iowa

Wednesday, August 29, 2007, 2:00-5:00PM

Practical Farmers of Iowa Field Day
A Discussion on Farm Policy, Organic Weed Management and Tree Plantings. Events will include a policy discussion including beginning farmer incentives and the Conservation Security Program (Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture), Organic weed management: ridge tillage and tree plantings with Trees Forever. Light meal will follow the events.

Location: Rosmann Family Farms - Ron, Maria, David, Daniel and Mark Rosman. 1222 Ironwood Road, Harlan, Iowa 51537. From the intersection of Hwy 59 and 44 in Harlan, drive 2 miles west, then 2.25 miles north on Ironwood Road. 1222 is on the west side of the road.
Contact: Ron Rosmann or call (712) 627-4653

Saturday, August 25, 1:30-9:30PM

Taste of Country's 4th Annual Organic Farm, Family and Health Conference
Organic lunch will be served 4:00-8:00PM

Location: 5161 130th Street, Holstein, Iowa 51025
2 miles north of Holstein on Hwy 59 and 2.25 miles west on 130th Street on the north side of the road.
Contact: Taste of Country at (712) 368-2391

Friday-Saturday, August 24-25, 2007

Iowa Farmers Union State Convention

Location: Des Moines Airport Holiday Inn and Convention Center, 6111 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, Iowa
Web: Iowa Farmers Union State Convention

Wednesday, August 22, 2007, 4:00-8:00PM

ISU Neeley-Kinyon Farm Field Day
Organic Row Crops: Tenth Anniversary of the Long-Term Agroecological Research (LTAR) Site-Comparing Organic with Conventional Crops

Location: Greenfield, Iowa
Contact: Dr. Kathleen Delate, Associate Professor/Organic Specialist, Depts. of Agronomy/Horticulture, Iowa State University
Phone: (515) 294-7069
Web: Iowa State University Organic Agriculture or Wallace Foundation: Neeley-Kinyon Research and Demonstration Farm