Organic Crops Days

Register for Organic Crops Days

These events are intended for row crop and livestock farmers who are currently certified organic, using organic practices, are considering transitioning to organic, or are simply interested in learning more about organic row crop and forage production. Each event will feature researchers and organic farmers presenting about nutrient management, weed management, marketing, and new or emerging technologies in organic farming. Participants will learn more about organic nutrient management, weed management techniques, organic crop marketing, and will have the opportunity to hear from a panel of organic farmers local at each event location. Networking time is built into each event to allow participants to learn from one another as well. Please register by Sunday, March 1, 2026.

Sessions

• Organic Row Crops Day in Lamberton, MN
  UMN Southwest Research and Outreach Center 
  Thursday, March 5, 1–6:30 p.m.
• Organic Row Crops Day in Clearwater, MN
  Warner Lake County Park 
  Tuesday, March 10, 2:30–7:30 p.m.
• Organic Row Crops and Livestock Research Day in Morris, MN
  UMN West Central Research and Outreach Center 
  Tuesday, March 17, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Organic Row Crops Day in Owatonna, MN 
  North American Farm and Power Show at the Steele County Four Seasons Centre 
  Friday, March 20, 12:30–5 p.m.

Organic Row Crops Day in Lamberton, MN

UMN Southwest Research and Outreach Center 
Thursday, March 5, 1–6:30 p.m.

Topics and speakers

• Organic manure management and updates - Melissa Wilson, University of Minnesota Extension
• Fitting alternative and emerging crops into the rotation - Matt Leavitt, University of Minnesota Forever Green Initiative
• What’s new and what's working in organic row crop production technologies - James Schroepfer, Crop Fertility Services
• Organic crop marketing - Richie Breeggemann, Grain Millers
• Organic weed management panel - Ryan Batalden, organic farmer and Ryan Miller, University of Minnesota Extension 

Organic Row Crops Day in Clearwater, MN

Warner Lake County Park 
Tuesday, March 10, 2:30–7:30 p.m.

Topics and speakers

• Soil fertility and nutrient management - Paulo Pagliari, University of Minnesota Extension and James Schroepfer, Crop Fertility Services
• Weed management considerations - Sam Oschwald Tilton, Glacial Drift Consulting and Matt Fitzgerald, organic farmer
• Organic crop marketing - Representative from Organic Farmers’ Agency for Relationship Marketing (OFARM)
• Farmer panel and discussion - James Schroepfer, Matt Fitzgerald, Stan Vanderkoi

Organic Row Crops and Livestock Research Day in Morris, MN

UMN West Central Research and Outreach Center 
Tuesday, March 17, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Topics and speakers

• Organic dairy research updates - Brad Heins, University of Minnesota Extension
• Organic swine research updates - Yuzhi Li, University of Minnesota Extension  
• High tech organic tools and practices - Matt Fitzgerald, Eric Buchanan
• Weed suppression with winter cereal rye - Eric Yu, University of Minnesota Extension
• Minnesota organic needs assessment survey results - Claire LaCanne, University of Minnesota Extension
• Organic weed management farmer panel - Matt Fitzgerald, Andrew Barsness, Jerry Matzner

Organic Row Crops Day in Owatonna, MN 

North American Farm and Power Show at the Steele County Four Seasons Centre 
Friday, March 20, 12:30–5 p.m.

Topics and speakers

• Nutrient management considerations - Paulo Pagliari, University of Minnesota Extension
• Weed management on the organic farm - Jim Possin, organic farmer
• Fitting alternative and emerging crops into the rotation - Matt Leavitt, University of Minnesota Forever Green Initiative
• Farmer panel and discussion - Jon Jovaag, Tom Cotter, and Jim Possin

These events are made possible with support from the US Department of Agriculture’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program.