Humans have been farming for over 10,000 years, but some studies say that we only have 60 years of farmable soil left on the planet. The topsoil is being killed on a large scale by the forces of deforestation and chemical-laden agriculture. As the amount of living soil decreases on Earth, so does the potential for carbon sequestration via photosynthesis. The fate of life and soils are intimately intertwined. Thankfully, there is a straightforward way to both reverse the effects of climate change and restore our soils. The answer? Decreased carbon emissions paired with real organic farming. Yep, even the real organic beef and dairy farms are good for the climate.

Save the date! The Iowa Specialty Producers Conference is set for Tuesday and Wednesday, January 19-20, 2021. This year’s conference will be held virtually. Join the Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and the Iowa Wine Growers Association for two days of learning, networking, and fun! Registration opens in December.

*Funded by a grant from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

For three days of the deep winter, be safe and easy in your home while PFI gathers via a virtual conference platform to engage with old friends and new, invited speakers and exhibitors. PFI will bring familiar elements you expect of the conference – like practical, farmer-led sessions, roundtables and moderated panels on the issues that matter to you and your farms.

PFI will also have some new offerings, including youth sessions, lightning talks, farmer-to-farmer conversations, a night of storytelling and PFI’s first feature-length film, “Livestock on the Land.” There’s even a virtual potluck.

The Coming Home annual conference features three days of farmer-led sessions, roundtables, and evening features delivered live Jan. 21-23. Morning sessions run from 10:00 a.m. to 12:10p.m. Evenings begin at 6:00 p.m. with a virtual happy hour, followed by the evening feature at 7:00 p.m. All times are Central Standard Time (GMT-6).

To Register for the event follow this link: https://practicalfarmers.org/events/annual-conference/2021-annual-conference/registration/

Stuart McMillan of Legend Organic Farm once said, "Organic agriculture is more than simply the presence or absence of pesticides." While the elimination of toxic pesticides and herbicides from food is certainly a step in the right direction, there's more to the equation when it comes to consumers' health. Let's take the example of an egg. An egg from a bird with limited outdoor access and an all-grain diet differs from a truly organic egg in more ways than just taste and appearance. The concentration of healthy cholesterol and omega-3's is also much higher in a truly pasture-raised bird. Our health depends upon knowing the difference.

Ralph Tate and Randy Holmquist, Certified Holistic Management Educators, will be offering a Holistic Management workshop in Mitchell, South Dakota January 25-30th, 2021. Program and registration is attached.

Please contact Randy Holmquist, randy@zhvalley.com, for accommodation information and either Ralph Tate, tater2d2@cox.net,or Randy for additional details.

Bob Shields will be handling registrations and will be happy to respond to any questions: bob.shields01@gmail.com, (308) 379-1361.

WHAT: You are invited to join Randy Holmquist & Ralph Tate for six days IN PERSON; exploring the depths of Holistic Management, to understand how it can revolutionize your farm/ranch operations.

The first two days are spent understanding the fundamentals of Holistic Management, with time to write, review or revise your holisticgoal (worksheet included). The second two days focus on financial planning (software included), helping you develop a financial plan that works for you!  The final two days focus on grazing planning (software available at a discount), helping you develop a grazing plan for your operation that you can put into practice in 2021.  These are designed to be fun and interactive sessions, so nobody gets left out and everyone gets their questions answered!!  This week is a perfect opportunity to re-energize the most important resource on your farm/ranch – You!

WHERE:

Blarney's Sportsbar & Grill
2100 Highland Way
Mitchell, SD  57301

DATES AND COST:

Family has a special place in Holistic Management, so there is a special discount for spouses and family members!  Members of your immediate family or farm/ranch employees can participate for the entire week for an additional $300.00 each.

Maybe it has been a while since you have taken a Holistic Management class and you just want a refresher.  Good news!  If you have taken any one of these courses from either Randy or Ralph before, there are special discounts for you as well!  If you can’t attend the whole week, come for the sessions that you can!

NOTE:       A minimum enrollment number will be required to cover basic expenses. Registration discounts may be available after minimum enrollment is reached.

NOTE:       Workshop will begin at 8:00 AM and conclude by 5:00 PM each day. Lunch, break food and drinks for each day are included.

WHY HOLISTIC MANAGEMENT (HM):

Holistic management decision making concepts were developed by while reducing operating costs. If you are interested in revolutionizing your production systems and enhancing your life, this is for you Alan Savory and have been practiced and proven worldwide. Proper application of HM principles will enhance the health of your land and increase productivity!

WHO ARE THE LEADERS:

Randy Holmquist is a Certified Holistic Management Educator and 3^rd generation grazier in South Dakota.

Ralph Tate is a Certified Holistic Management Educator and grazier. Ralph transitioned the Holistic Management Grazing Plan into a software program to make it easier to use.  The software has been purchased by farmers/ranchers from 35 states and 15 countries on 6 continents.

The Iowa Organic Association (IOA) and regional partners will deliver a series of “Growing Organic Expertise in Iowa” organic workshops in January and February 2021 to provide the information, tools and resources needed for agriculture service providers and consultants to support farmers interested in organic transition, diversification and expansion.

This full-day workshop has been condensed to a three-hour virtual program to accommodate for safety and greater accessibility. We hope to offer small, in-person field events in the Spring/Summer (COVID depending) to follow-up these virtual workshops.

IOA will provide information from organic experts and resources about the National Organic Program, organic certification and transition, organic standards and production practices and insight into current organic market trends and demands. 

The target audience for the workshop includes: NRCS, Extension, IDALS, FSA, SWCD, RC&D, County Conservation, crop insurance agents, farm lenders, farming organizations, farmers, agriculture educators and students, and others interested in learning more about organic opportunities.

The Sioux City-area will be the region of focus (target outreach and promotion) for our first Growing Organic Expertise in Iowa workshop on Tues, Jan 26 from 12 – 3 p.m.  You do not have to be from this region to participate – anyone is welcome. The region focus to help develop community and support beyond the workshop. 

There is no cost to participate, but, you must RSVP to join this workshop.  RSVP below.

AGENDA

Every year, the OAK conference is a place to connect with and support each other, share knowledge, and celebrate the work of our farmers, good food advocates, and businesses. Now is a time of unprecedented challenges for our communities and incredible opportunities to strengthen local food systems. The demand for staying connected, honing organic practices, developing your farming business and sharing challenges and successes is greater than ever. And so, the OAK Conference will continue to deliver the inspiration, community connection and practical tools you need. The 10th Annual OAK Conference, Health Soils, Healthy Farms: Reshaping Kentucky with Organics, is scheduled for five days with no simultaneous workshops – giving you the opportunity to participate in every session, all from the comfort of home! Register now for access during the event – and up to one year afterwards!

The agenda features national leaders and regional experts, offering over 25 live sessions. Join discussions on no-till production systems, the connection of soil health to human health, racial equity in agriculture, regenerative grazing management, market farming, agroforestry, climate change, organic production, seed sovereignty, and more! Full program available at https://www.oak-ky.org/2021-conference.

Keynote speakers include Leah Penniman, Jean-Martin Fortier, Dr. Daphne Miller, Will Harris and Judith D Schwartz. Additional invited guest presenters include Sarah Flack, Dr Elaine Ingham, Justin Duncan, Dr Erin Silva, Beth Bridgeman, Elizatbeth Whitlow, Jeff Mattocks, and Daniel Mays. Evening farmer roundtable discussions are open to all and will focus on specific production topics.

The virtual platform is user friendly on desktop and mobile devices, offering live Q & A, file downloads, recordings and easy networking with attendees, presenters and Trade Show vendors. Conference sessions provide tools, techniques, research and knowledge you can use on the farm. CEUs are available for Certified Crop Advisers, as well as from KY Cooperative Extension Agents and KY Department of Agriculture.

Early bird registration available through 12/15/2020. Register now to reserve your spot. Get ready to interact live AND to have access to recordings for a year following the event!

Sponsorship and Trade Show opportunities available. Contact Brooke Gentile with questions at brooke@oak-ky.org or 502-219-7378.

The Iowa Organic Association (IOA) and regional partners will deliver a series of “Growing Organic Expertise in Iowa” organic workshops in January and February 2021 to provide the information, tools and resources needed for agriculture service providers and consultants to support farmers interested in organic transition, diversification and expansion.

This full-day workshop has been condensed to a three-hour virtual program to accommodate for safety and greater accessibility. We hope to offer small, in-person field events in the Spring/Summer (COVID depending) to follow-up these virtual workshops.

IOA will provide information from organic experts and resources about the National Organic Program, organic certification and transition, organic standards and production practices and insight into current organic market trends and demands. 

The target audience for the workshop includes: NRCS, Extension, IDALS, FSA, SWCD, RC&D, County Conservation, crop insurance agents, farm lenders, farming organizations, farmers, agriculture educators and students, and others interested in learning more about organic opportunities.

The Seymour-area will be the region of focus (target outreach and promotion) for the second Growing Organic Expertise in Iowa workshop on Tues, Feb 2 from 12 – 3 p.m.  The region focus is to help develop community and support beyond the workshop. You do not have to be from this region to participate – anyone is welcome.

There is no cost to participate, but, you must RSVP to join this workshop.  RSVP below.

AGENDA

The Iowa Organic Association (IOA) and regional partners will deliver a series of “Growing Organic Expertise in Iowa” organic workshops in January and February 2021 to provide the information, tools and resources needed for agriculture service providers and consultants to support farmers interested in organic transition, diversification and expansion.

This full-day workshop has been condensed to a three-hour virtual program to accommodate for safety and greater accessibility. We hope to offer small, in-person field events in the Spring/Summer (COVID depending) to follow-up these virtual workshops.

IOA will provide information from organic experts and resources about the National Organic Program, organic certification and transition, organic standards and production practices and insight into current organic market trends and demands. 

The target audience for the workshop includes: NRCS, Extension, IDALS, FSA, SWCD, RC&D, County Conservation, crop insurance agents, farm lenders, farming organizations, farmers, agriculture educators and students, and others interested in learning more about organic opportunities.

The Hazleton-area will be the region of focus (target outreach and promotion) for our first Growing Organic Expertise in Iowa Workshop on Tues, Feb 9 from 12 – 3 p.m.  The region focus is to help develop community and support beyond the workshop. You do not have to be from this region to participate – anyone is welcome.

There is no cost to participate, but, you must RSVP to join this workshop.  RSVP below.

AGENDA