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.

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

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 Kalona-area will be the region of focus (target outreach and promotion) for our first Growing Organic Expertise in Iowa Workshop on Tues, Feb 16 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

Registration is now open for this 5-in-1 event that combines the MOSES Organic Farming Conference, GrassWorks Grazing Conference, OGRAIN Organic Grain Conference, the Iowa Organic Association’s Midwest Organic Pork Conference, and Organic Vegetable Production Conference into one virtual conference experience with more than 60 workshops and opportunities to connect through roundtables, meet-ups, and socials. The conference includes a virtual exhibit space featuring suppliers, buyers, certifiers, consultants, and more. 

The virtual conference takes place Feb. 22-27, 2021. Admission is $125, with a $25 discount through December. Scholarships for farmers are available. This team approach gives you access to expertise across a broad range of organic and sustainable farming systems without having to attend half a dozen conferences! 

All the details are on the Growing Stronger website: https://mosesorganic.org/conference/

2021 MIDWEST ORGANIC PORK CONFERENCE: Despite the 2020 Midwest Organic Pork Conference setback, we are excited to share content from last year’s conference as part of the 2021 Growing Stronger Collaborative Conference.

Organic Pork Topics:

• Workshop: Lessons Learned about Parasites in Pastured Pigs, Diane DeWitt, University of MN
• Workshop: Becoming an Organic Processor, Ty Gustafson, Story City Locker
• Workshop: Economics for the new and transitioning organic pork producer, Dave Stender, ISU
• Workshop: Hazelnut Finished Pork in the Upper Midwest, Pete Lammer, University of Wisconsin-Platteville
• Workshop: Profitable Production Flow for the Organic and Pasture Based Pork Producer, Jude Becker, Becker Lane Organic
• Roundtable: The 10 Alternative Veterinary Tools, Dr. Paul Dettlof

Organic Broadcaster (Nov/Dec 2020):  Demand for organic pork creates opportunity for producers plus processors, by Roz Lehman

It wasn’t that long ago when livestock roamed the landscape and rural communities thrived on a local producer-to-consumer food system. We don’t see pig huts or herds of grazing cows along our Midwest highways much anymore, but change is on the horizon. The demand for organic meat is growing, and the U.S. organic livestock sector needs to boost production and infrastructure to meet that demand.

… Currently, the U.S. market for organic pork is pushing American farmers to expand production and transition to organic hog production. Iowa and Wisconsin are the top two states for organic pork, placing Midwest farmers in a prime position to meet consumer demand. The organic market continues to provide consistent and reliable returns for organic products, and we know consumers are willing to pay higher prices for organic food. Likewise, adding livestock to a crop production system can prove profitable by diversifying income streams and utilizing farm resources for feed and land management. The on-farm environmental and regenerative benefits include improved soil and water from a range of practices such as varying crop rotations, grazing, and holistic land and manure management methods. Full Article