Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 04:00 PM
Bridgewater Farm in Bridgewater, IAPFI Field Day: Of High Tunnels and Wholesale: Organic Vegetables at Bridgewater Farm
Dale Raasch started Bridgewater Farm in 2007 and obtained his organic certification in 2013. Today, he runs the largest organic certified farm in Iowa with 25 acres of vegetables. During this field day, Dale will show attendees how he has been able to extend his growing season and develop year-round income with 12 high tunnels, some of which are heated. We'll hear how he's working to grow more produce without increasing acres. Finally, Dale will share how he manages the wholesale side of his business and has worked with schools to access K-12 markets.
Meal
Dinner will follow the field day.
See & Discuss
- Managing wholesale, K-12 and farmers markets
- Growing in multiple high tunnels and managing season extension
- Producing more without increasing acreage
Sponsors
- Center for Rural Affairs
- Farming for Public Health
- Golden Hills RC&D
- Iowa Organic Association
SEE DETAILS & REGISTER
Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 10:00 AM
A & W Farms in Cambridge, IAPFI Field Day: Organic Kernza, Sunflowers and Oats - Seeking Financial and Agronomic Sustainability
Central Iowa farmers Caleb Akin and Noah Wendt began farming together through their partnership, A & W Farms, in 2006. They began transitioning acres to organic in 2015, drawn by the higher prices of organic crops. As they have continued to transition more of their acres, Caleb and Noah have come to appreciate opportunities to grow niche crops and decrease reliance on external inputs.
As markets have become available, Noah and Caleb have been able to grow crops beyond corn and soybeans, such as oats, sunflowers and Kernza. They also use cover crops and limit tillage whenever possible. Come to their field day to see their Kernza, a perennial grain crop, in its second season of growth. You’ll also see sunflowers growing for oil production and food-grade oats nearing or at harvest stage.
Meal
A light meal will follow the field day, sponsored by Mad Capital.
See & Discuss
- Kernza as a means of reducing tillage in organic fields
- Baling straw to make the most of a grain crop
- Challenges with marketing diverse crops
- Fitting sunflowers into a crop rotation
- The benefits of a 24-row camera-guided cultivator, and how to time its use
Sponsors
- Albert Lea Seed House
- Continuum Ag
- Farming for Public Health
- Farm Nutrients
- Forever Green Initiative
- Iowa Organic Association
- Iowa State Agronomy
- Iowa State University Organic Agriculture Program
- Mad Capital
- OCIA Chapter 1 of Iowa
- Rodale Institute
SEE DETAILS & REGISTER
Sunday, August 09, 2026 at 04:00 PM
Bridgewater Farm in Bridgewater, IAIOA Field Day: Organic Certification Best Practices & Marketing Organic Vegetables with Bridgewater Farms
Join IOA and Bridgewater Farm for a free field day at their 40-acre organic fruit and vegetable for a farm tour and a discussion of the organic certification best practices and how they are able to market their organic certified fruits and produce.The field day will include a tour of Bridgewater farm and plenty of time for questions and answers about their organic practices and experiences. There will also be a discussion about the benefits of transitioning to organic certification for the farm: what markets it opened up, consumer response, best practices for maintaining certification records, and more!
Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about an exciting Iowa organic fruit and vegetable farm that is doing a great job not only growing, but also marketing their organic certified produce.
About Bridgewater Farm
Located in southwest Iowa (Adair County), Bridgewater Farm is a 40 acre, diversified farm that specializes in producing sustainable, high quality, organic food for their customers and self-sufficiency for themselves. The family farm has been farmed since 1978 by Dale Raasch. This is when he moved from his parents family farm just 3 miles up the road. Bridgewater Farm became USDA certified organic in 2013! Dale's son Tyler, along with 5-15 employees depending on the season plant, weed, harvest, and package 40+ fruits and vegetables from apples to zucchini. The farm markets directly to consumers through a CSA and farmers' markets, as well as wholesale to multiple locations.
Email [email protected] if you wish to sponsor or exhibit at this event.
Funding Acknowledgement
This material is based upon work that is supported by the USDA's Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). 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 TOPP and U.S. Department of Agriculture.Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 09:30 AM
O'Connell Organic Acres in Durango, IAIOA Field Day: A Diversified Direct Market Meat Business with Organic Row Crops at O’Connell Organic Acres
Join IOA and O'Connell Organic Acres for a free field day at their diversified organic row-crop and organic livestock farm!The field day will include a pasture and field tour discussing the benefits and challenges of integrating organic row-crops and organic livestock on one farm. Beyond raising the crops and livestock the O'Connell family also direct markets their organic farm products to consumers. There will be plenty of time for questions about organic certification, having organic certified meats processed for retail sales, farming with multiple generations, and so much more.
This is going to be a very exciting field day and we can't wait to have you join us at O'Connell Organic Acres!
About O'Connell Organic Acres
O’Connell Organic Acres is located in the rolling hills of the Bankston farming community in Eastern Iowa. The farm has been in the O’Connell family for over 150 years, making it a certified Heritage Farm of Iowa. Currently the farm is owned and operated by fifth and six generation O’Connell families. The farm is fairly diverse with a mixture of pastures, cultivated crops, and timber.
With a desire to keep his farm profitable, without joining the trend of becoming more industrialized, John decided to certify the farm Organic in 2003. This seemed like a natural choice aligning with his views on sustainable and community based farming practices. At first, the focus of the farm was producing different organic crops for animal and human consumption as well as raising cattle for the numerous benefits to the operation. Seeing the benefits that the cattle brought to the land, John’s son, Chris, decided to devote his efforts to expanding the herd and providing 100% grass-fed organic beef to the community in 2011. The farm continued to diversify with John’s youngest son, Kevin, adding hogs, broiler chickens, and sheep in the years to follow. Providing locally and responsibly produced pasture-based organic meat is very important to the O’Connells. They continually strive to educate themselves and improve their farming practices to better serve their land and the community.
Email [email protected] if you wish to sponsor or exhibit at this event.
Funding Acknowledgement
This material is based upon work that is supported by the USDA's Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). 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 TOPP and U.S. Department of Agriculture.Monday, September 21, 2026 at 02:00 PM
Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, IAIOA Field Day: The Importance of Seed Saving and Heirloom Seeds at Seed Savers Exchange
Join IOA and Seed Savers Exchange for a free field day at their amazing farm focused on preserving genetically diverse vegetable and food crop seeds!The field day will include a farm tour focused on the amazing work being done by Seed Savers Exchange and how they are working to preserve vegetable and food crop seeds for generations to come. You will have a change to learn more about the seed saving process, the history of Seed Savers Exchange, and the exciting work that is moving this organization and farm forward.
If you have ever wanted to have behind the scenes tour of Seed Savers Exchange this is the perfect field day for you!
About Seed Savers Exchange
Seed Savers Exchange stewards America’s culturally diverse and endangered garden and food crop legacy for present and future generations. They educate and connect people through collecting, regenerating, and sharing heirloom seeds, plants, and stories.
Seed Savers Exchange has been saving and sharing seeds with gardeners since 1975. You can learn more about Seed Savers Exchange by watching this brief video.
Email [email protected] if you wish to sponsor or exhibit at this event.
Funding Acknowledgement
This material is based upon work that is supported by the USDA's Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). 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 TOPP and U.S. Department of Agriculture.