Join Iowa Organic Association and Valent Biosciences for a webinar on Tuesday, August 9, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. This webinar will cover a range of topics on how to effectively use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) biopesticides in your operation.  We'll cover topics like how Bt, like DiPel, work, how to decide which Bt strain best suits your needs, and best practices for mixing and applying.

For generations DiPel® Biological Insecticide has been used in conventional and organic production alike to sustainably control caterpillar pests.  First registered in 1971, DiPel is celebrating 50 years of crop protection, all that time being made in Iowa!

Valent BioSciences is a worldwide leader in the research, development and commercialization of highly effective, low-risk, environmentally compatible technologies and products for the agricultural, public health and forest health markets. The company’s mission is to reimagine agriculture and public health through the power of fermentation and microbiology. Valent BioSciences is renowned for its innovation, best-in-class quality in manufacturing, product performance and consistency, and fully developed portfolio of sustainable solutions. Its product portfolio includes bioinsecticides, biofungicides, bionematicides, mycorrhizal fungi, and plant growth regulators used in sustainable systems around the world.

Dr. Daniel Zommick is the Technical Development Specialist for the Biorational Crop Protection business unit in Valent BioSciences LLC.  Dr. Zommick provides technical support and product use recommendations for DiPel users around the world.

All of the event attendees will receive a free Valent Biosciences notepad. 

There is no cost to participate, however, we ask that you please RSVP below.

Join us at the Okoboji Blue Water Festival on Saturday, August 13, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Preservation Plaza at Arnolds Park, IA.

A Celebration of Water Quality in the Iowa Great Lakes.

CHAD PREGRACKE 2022 KEYNOTE SPEAKER

One of the country’s most dynamic public speakers on the environment will deliver the keynote address at the 2022 Okoboji Blue Water Festival. Event co-chairs Greg Drees and Julie Peterson said bringing Pregracke to the seventh edition of the festival is a coup for the event “Chad embraces the festival’s theme of clean water, and he is excited to come here and share his impassioned journey with us,” Peterson said. Pregracke is the president and founder of Living Lands & Waters (LL&W) and for more than two decades has devoted himself wholly and tirelessly to cleaning up the nation’s rivers. “Chad’s enthusiasm is contagious and his work ethic unparalleled,” Drees said. “He will have festival patrons on the edge of their seats.”

Please join Rodale Institute for an Organic Field Day at the Midwest Organic Center! This free event is perfect for all farmers - whether you are interested in learning more about farming organically, want to connect with our organic crop consultants, or are an existing organic farmer! 

Learn about our research and demonstration projects, enjoy a keynote presentation by Dan Fillius and listen in on our "Crop Diversification and Marketing" panel presentation.

Space is limited and registration is required.

Event Programming:

The day will begin at our farm, located at Etzel Sugar Grove Farm, 3706 St. Peter's Rd, Marion, IA.

Programming will include:

• 8:30 - 9 AM - Pre-event Drone Demonstration
• 9 - 11 AM - Tour of farm and research projects, including:
  • Rye and black beans study 
  • Agroforestry initiative and livestock integration
  • Crop diversity project
  • Corn and buckwheat study
  • Vegetable demonstration plots and prairie strips
• 11 AM - 12 PM - Equipment demonstrations

Join Midwest Organic Center for indoor afternoon sessions at Indian Creek Nature Center, 5300 Otis Rd SE, Cedar Rapids, IA.

• 12:30 - 1 PM - Free Boxed Lunch for registered attendees
• 1 - 1:45 PM - Keynote Speaker: Dan Filllius - Iowa State University Extension Field Specialist for Commercial Vegetables and Specialty Crops
• 2:00 PM - 4 PM Panel Presentation: Crop Diversification & Marketing, moderated by Bridget Gilmore - Rodale Institute Market Coordinator. Panelists include:
  • Jason Grimm - Grimm Family Farm
  • Kim Anderson - Blueberry Bottom Farm
  • Caleb Akin and Noah Wendt - A&W Farms

To register follow this link: https://rodaleinstitute.org/events/midwest-organic-center-field-day-2022/

Ortrude Dial, owner and operator of Three Sisters Farm in Williams will host a field day to share about her journey into organic production and showcase her diverse organic farm.  Three Sisters farm was founded in the early 2000’s with a commitment to family, community and stewardship by integrating organic and conservation practices on the farm. Ortrude has been certified organic since 2010, she produces 330 acres of non-GMO and organic grain under a four-year rotation of corn, soybeans, oats, legumes and cover crops, with the remaining 370 acres used for rotational grazing for over 400 ewes.

In Iowa, organic success relies on strong relationships, connections and shared experiences with other organic producers. This field day will include a farm tour with Ortrude and Matt Miller, another organic farmer from north central Iowa.  Ortrude first met Matt when he was doing organic inspections and then later reconnected after Matt’s PFI Organic Weed Control field day in 2020 where she hired him to help with some weed issues on her farm.  Matt shared cultivation equipment, settings and methods he uses to address weeds so she can manage these situations on her own in the future.

Both organic farmers will share about their organic farming. background, management of organic crops and livestock, machinery used on the farm, the ups and downs of transition and tactics for entering new markets, as well as the many benefits that organic practices provide on the farm. The program will start and end at the small, historic church located on the farm.

COST: Free

REGISTRATION is required for this event, please RSVP below.

FARM HOST:  Ortrude Dial

The Iowa Organic Association is working to advance organic agriculture and food systems in Iowa.  This field day provides an opportunity to learn more about the organic movement and organic practices, and to network with Iowa’s organic community.

FIELD DAY SPONSOR:

Albert Lea Seed began in 1923 and continues to offer strong knowledge and experience in seed and crop production, processing, and cultural practices that benefits any sized farm operation. They provide organic and non-GMO seed for corn, soybeans, pasture & forage, small grains, and cover crops.

Funder Acknowledgement:

This material is based upon work that is supported by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), U.S. Department of Agriculture, under the program agreement with the title "Promoting FSA Programs and Resources Among Women Organic and Small-scale Producers in Iowa". FSA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the FSA and U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Iowa Organic Association, Dakota’s Best Seed and Northbourne Organic Crop Insurance are partnering to deliver Growing Organic Expertise, a full day workshop for farmers, ag consultants and others interested in learning about organic production, tools and resources to broaden participation and success in the organic industry.

Organic is the fastest growing agriculture industry in the U.S., increasing 10% annually, and so fast that consumer demand is outstripping some domestic supplies. As the $62B organic market continues to soar – Iowa and Midwest farmers are in a prime position to meet the growing demand for organic production and products while increasing farm profits, ecosystem services and sustainability for future generations.

This workshop will include presentations in the morning and a field visit after lunch to offer a range of information and resources about the National Organic Program’s standards and requirements, organic transition-certification-inspection, organic production systems, farm management best practices, risk management techniques, organic markets and other tools to encourage success in the organic industry.  

AGENDA

• 9:00 a.m. WELCOME
• 9:15 a.m. About the Iowa Organic Association – Rosalyn Lehman
• 9:30 a.m. National Organic Program | Organic Certification – Olga Reding (IOA) and Mae Petrehn (Dakota’s Best Seed)
• 10:30 a.m. Regenerative Organic Certification – Angela Jackson
• 11:15 a.m. BREAK
• 11:25 a.m. Crop Insurance for Organic Producers – Megan Vaith (Northbourne Organic Crop Insurance)
• 12:00 p.m. Organic Programs and Resources - Amanda Weigel (Iowa FSA)
• 12:30 p.m. LUNCH: travel to farm after lunch
• 1:30 p.m. Farmer Panel: Travis Otto, Paul Mugge, Dan/Lorna Wilson, Scott Ausborn (IOA) - Moderator
• 2:30 p.m. Farm Tour: Travis Otto, organic farmer, Cherokee
• 4:00 p.m. Final Comments/Evaluation/ADJOURN   

COST:  $40 for non-IOA members; $20 for IOA members (includes farm-to-table lunch)

REGISTRATION is required for this event, please RSVP below.

FARM HOST:  Travis Otto

SPONSORS:

Funder Acknowledgement:

This material is based upon work that is supported by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), U.S. Department of Agriculture, under the program agreement with the title "Promoting FSA Programs and Resources Among Women Organic and Small-scale Producers in Iowa". FSA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the FSA and U.S. Department of Agriculture.