This event has been cancelled.
The Iowa Organic Association is excited to host a "Getting Started in Organic" workshop on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 in Story City, IA, that will introduce attendees to USDA Organic Standards, explore current organic market trends, and highlight new USDA programs supporting organic transition in Iowa.
The workshop, one of two held this September, will offer valuable insights into organic farming practices and available support, presentations from industry experts, and an organic producer panel discussion about TOPP mentorship.
Food & Drink
Light refreshments and snacks will be available.
Workshop Speakers
-
Jamey Meyer Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Comprehensive overview of organic inspection requirements, regulations and certification -
Al Smith Optimum Service Group
Overview of organic crop insurance tools through the USDA Risk Management Agency -
Organic Farmers' Agency for Relationship Marketing (OFARM) Representatives
Information on organic crop markets and effective marketing strategies.
Organic Producer Panelists
- Noah Wendt (TOPP Mentor, A&W Farms)
-
Dylan Farrell (TOPP Mentee)
TOPP Mentorship program participants Noah and Dylan will talk about the organic production on their farms, how their TOPP mentorship relationship is helping Dylan with his organic production transition, and answer questions about organic farming in central Iowa. Noah, along with his partner Caleb Akin, run A&W Farms, which has about 2,100 certified organic acres near Cambridge, IA. Dylan, a beginning organic farmer, works at A&W Farms while starting his own small-scale organic venture. Their mentorship, supported by the TOPP mentorship program, pairs experienced organic farmers with those new to or transitioning into organic farming.
Schedule
| 12:00 - 12:20 pm | Welcome and Introductions |
| 12:20 - 1:00 pm | USDA Organic History and Background |
| 1:00 - 1:45 pm | Organic Regulations and Certification Overview (Jamey Meyers, IDALS) |
| 1:45 - 2:00 pm | Break |
| 2:00 - 2:30 pm | Organic Crop Insurance Tools through USDA RMA (Al Smith, Optimum Service Group) |
| 2:30 - 3:00 pm | Organic Grain Marketing (OFARM) |
| 3:00 - 4:00 pm | Organic Producer Panel: Noah Wendt & Dylan Farrell |
Need more information?
Please contact Ethan Book, IOA Education & Outreach Coordinator at 641-321-3352.
Funding Acknowledgment
This material is based upon work that is supported by the Risk Management Agency (RMA), U.S. Department of Agriculture, under the program agreement with the project number 15061 titled "Risk Management Outreach and Education for Beginning, Transitioning and Organic Producers". 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 RMA and U.S. Department of Agriculture.
