The Iowa Organic Association's Annual Meeting will be held virtually this year, on Tuesday, Dec 1 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.  IOA's Annual Meeting provides a great opportunity for members to connect, network, and help strengthen Iowa’s organic community.  

IOA board president, Gary Huber and executive director, Roz Lehman will share highlights from IOA's work in 2020 and present an organic farmer panel to share about the impacts of the pandemic, derecho and other challenges experienced over the year. We look forward to hearing from you and a broader discussion and conversation following the presentations.  

You must RSVP to participate in the Annual Meeting, there is no cost to participate. RSVP below.

Farmer Panel

Kathleen Delate, Ph.D., Iowa State University professor and Extension organic specialist
Dr. Delate leads the ISU Extension organic research and extension program. Her research focuses on nutrient and pest management strategies that enhance production while lowering agriculture’s environmental footprint. She works in Ames, Iowa, and at the ISU Neely-Kinyon Farm in Greenfield, Iowa. In addition to hosting the Annual Iowa Organic Conference each November, she offers a “Transitioning to Organic” course every other year at ISU, starting January 26, 2021: https://www.agonline.iastate.edu/content/organic-agricultural-theory-and-practice

Rob Faux, Ph. D., Genuine Faux Farm, Tripoli, Iowa
Dr Faux owns and operates Genuine Faux Farm, a diversified produce and poultry operation near Tripoli, Iowa. Rob and his spouse, Tammy, have been committed to organic and sustainable practices while producing food for local consumption since 2004. Rob was born and raised in Iowa, returning after working and pursuing further education elsewhere. In a former life, Rob earned doctoral degrees in Computer Science and Adult Education and has worked as a post-secondary educator in the field of Computer Science.

Nelson Smith, Springtown Ranch, Brighton, Iowa
Nelson was raised on a farm and took over the management of his family’s 1000 acre farm in 1996, and started certifying organic crops in 1997. On their farm, they have 200 acres of Forest Reserve, 300 acres in row crops and alfalfa. The farm’s Conservation Reserve Program acres include 44 acres of Pheasant Habitat Restoration with food plot, 25 acres of Pollinator CRP, Riparian CRP planting of 11,000 trees and shrubs, with 4 tiled terraces, 6 ponds, 7 water retaining basins and 5 dry basins. The 4 crop, organic rotation includes soybeans, corn, oats and alfalfa, with buckwheat and rye occasionally injected in the rotation. Nelson utilizes the EQUIP program practice of cover crops, rye aerially applied to standing corn, rye drilled and broadcast in fall. He has 102 acres of Skunk River bottom land that are in the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) with enhancements.

Andy Dunham, Grinnell Heritage Farms, Grinnell, Iowa
Andrew is a 5th generation Iowa farmer who farms with his spouse, Melissa, on their 80 acres which has been in his family for 163 years. Andrew and Melissa made the difficult decision to scale back operations in January 2020, going from 20 to 3 acres of certified organic produce. The remainder of the farm includes a fruit and nut orchard, cover crops, habitat, and hay. Andrew began an off-farm job, as the Prairie on Farms Program Manager at the Tallgrass Prairie Center and helps Melissa with farm operations when he can. They are still in the process of deciding what the farm will look like going forward.

Prize drawing for participants - must RSVP by Mon, Nov 30 and be present to win. We want to shake things up a bit and have a little fun during the program. We have six prize bundles to offer, here’s a peek at what to expect:

• IOA organic t-shirt and IOA Klean Kanteen 20 oz insulated water bottle
• IOA Klean Kanteen 20 oz insulated water bottle and a dozen 16 oz Steaz organic teas
• Olga's Organics “Relax” Organic Body Oil and organic cocoa from Lake Champlain Chocolates
• Organic cornmeal and local honey from Early Morning Harvest in Panora and seasonal organic veggies from Grade A Gardens in Johnston
• $25 Gift Certificate to Bluestem Organic in Webster City and an IOA organic t-shirt
• Organic center cut pork chops (4) from Becker Lane Organic in Dyersville and an IOA Klean Kanteen 20 oz insulated water bottle

Thank you to our generous sponsors for donating prizes for the Annual Meeting:  Becker Lane Organic, Bluestem Organic, Early Morning Harvest, Grade A Gardens, Olga’s Organics and Ai Wen, IOA board member

TOPICS & SPEAKERS

Hybrid Development & Organic Testing | 10 am – 10:30 am • Albert Lea Seed

Choosing Organic Seed for Your Goals and Your Ground | 10:30 am – 11:00 am •
Albert Lea Seed

Transitioning the Mindset: Strategies of Successful Organic Farmers | 11:00 am – 11:45 am
Nate Powell-Palm • Farmer & Rancher

Turning Grain into Dough: The Economics of Organic Transition | 12:00 am – 12:30 pm
Paul Dietmann • Senior Lending Officer, Compeer Financial

U.S. Organic Market Outlook: A Path Beyond 2020 | 12:30 pm – 1 pm
Ryan Koory • Director of Economics, Mercaris

Organic 60″ Corn Panel Discussion | 1 pm – 2 pm
John Sather, Sandy Syburg, Dr. Joel Gruver (Western Illinois University)

Join Zoom Meeting via Computer or Device: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87673992827

Savanna Institute (SI) will host the 2020 Perennial Farm Gathering which will be held December 6th-9th, 2020 online.

The Perennial Farm Gathering brings together farmers, researchers, specialists and enthusiasts for three days of networking, knowledge-sharing, and festivities. Join SI for all of your favorite events and networking opportunities anywhere you have internet access!

Share your work through a 5-minute Nutshell Show & Tell
Network and build community
Take part in interactive workshops
Expand your knowledge through breakout sessions

Join SI for fun events including cooking demos! yoga! and more!This year's gathering will be co-hosted with the Association for Temperate Agroforestry and will also feature talks from leading scientists in the field of agroforestry. Stay tuned for more information!

To register follow the link here.

What does the recent election mean for protecting organic standards and growing organic? Join Organic Farmers Association Policy Director, Patty Lovera for a review of election results, how agriculture committees might shape up, and what to look for in the months ahead. Register here

More details and information to come.

The Iowa Organic Association's Growing Organic Expertise (GOE) workshops will be held virtually in 2021, with an emphasis on certain cities within the state. Our first GOE workshop is set for Tuesday, January 26th, from 12 - 3 p.m. with emphasis in the Sioux City area.

Through these GOE workshops IOA will provide the information, tools and resources to support farmers interested in organic transition, diversification and expansion.

Who should attend: Technical Service Providers (IDALS, ISU Extension, FSA, NRCS, RC&D, County Conservation and SWCD), Agency Personnel, Agronomists, Crop Insurance Agents, Ag Educators, Extension Staff, Farmers, Lenders.

What will you learn: An introduction to Organic, Background about the National Organic Program (NOP), Organic Certification and Transition Processes, Organic Standards and Production Practices, Organic Market Trends and News, First-hand Experiences from Local Organic Farmers.

You must RSVP to participate to join this workshop, there is no cost to participate. RSVP below.

FARMER PANEL (TBD)

The Iowa Organic Association's Growing Organic Expertise (GOE) workshops will be held virtually in 2021, with an emphasis on certain cities within the state. Our first GOE workshop is set for Tuesday, January 26th, from 12 - 3 p.m. with emphasis in the Seymour area.

Through these GOE workshops IOA will provide the information, tools and resources to support farmers interested in organic transition, diversification and expansion.

Who should attend: Technical Service Providers (IDALS, ISU Extension, FSA, NRCS, RC&D, County Conservation and SWCD), Agency Personnel, Agronomists, Crop Insurance Agents, Ag Educators, Extension Staff, Farmers, Lenders.

What will you learn: An introduction to Organic, Background about the National Organic Program (NOP), Organic Certification and Transition Processes, Organic Standards and Production Practices, Organic Market Trends and News, First-hand Experiences from Local Organic Farmers.

You must RSVP to participate to join this workshop, there is no cost to participate. RSVP below.

FARMER PANEL (TBD)

The Iowa Organic Association's Growing Organic Expertise (GOE) workshops will be held virtually in 2021, with an emphasis on certain cities within the state. Our first GOE workshop is set for Tuesday, January 26th, from 12 - 3 p.m. with emphasis in the Hazleton area.

Through these GOE workshops IOA will provide the information, tools and resources to support farmers interested in organic transition, diversification and expansion.

Who should attend: Technical Service Providers (IDALS, ISU Extension, FSA, NRCS, RC&D, County Conservation and SWCD), Agency Personnel, Agronomists, Crop Insurance Agents, Ag Educators, Extension Staff, Farmers, Lenders.

What will you learn: An introduction to Organic, Background about the National Organic Program (NOP), Organic Certification and Transition Processes, Organic Standards and Production Practices, Organic Market Trends and News, First-hand Experiences from Local Organic Farmers.

You must RSVP to participate to join this workshop, there is no cost to participate. RSVP below.

FARMER PANEL (TBD)

The Iowa Organic Association's Growing Organic Expertise (GOE) workshops will be held virtually in 2021, with an emphasis on certain cities within the state. Our first GOE workshop is set for Tuesday, January 26th, from 12 - 3 p.m. with emphasis in the Hazelton area.

Through these GOE workshops IOA will provide the information, tools and resources to support farmers interested in organic transition, diversification and expansion.

Who should attend: Technical Service Providers (IDALS, ISU Extension, FSA, NRCS, RC&D, County Conservation and SWCD), Agency Personnel, Agronomists, Crop Insurance Agents, Ag Educators, Extension Staff, Farmers, Lenders.

What will you learn: An introduction to Organic, Background about the National Organic Program (NOP), Organic Certification and Transition Processes, Organic Standards and Production Practices, Organic Market Trends and News, First-hand Experiences from Local Organic Farmers.

You must RSVP to participate to join this workshop, there is no cost to participate. RSVP below.

FARMER PANEL (TBD)

The 2021 MOSES Conference will be a virtual event in partnership with GrassWorks, Iowa Organic Association, OGRAIN, the University of Wisconsin, and Fairshare CSA Coalition.

Growing Stronger: Collaborative Conference on Organic & Sustainable Farming

5-in-1 Virtual Event: Feb. 22-27, 2021

Registration opens Dec. 1, 2020.

Admission will be $125, with a $25 discount through December.