Conference to focus on organic grain farming

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The annual Indiana Organic Grain Farmer Meeting will be Feb. 19-20 at the Beck Agricultural Center in West Lafayette.

Michael O’Donnell, Purdue Extension organic and diversified agriculture educator, said the meeting started in 2016 as an informal half-day event to see how much interest there was in organic grain farming and transitioning to organic grain farming.

O’Donnell said that because of growing interest in the organic grain farming industry, the annual meeting has grown into a two-day conference.

“The first day of the workshop focuses on transitioning into organic grain and is geared at those who are interested in getting in or already started transitioning to organic grain farming,” he said.

O’Donnell said the first day of the conference isn’t just geared toward farmers interested in organic farming, but those involved in farm management, agriculture lenders and individuals who have clients interested in learning how to transition their farm to an organic grain operation.

“The second day typically covers more advanced topics on organic grain and marketing it,” he said.

O’Donnell said besides several sessions featuring experts and farmers involved in the industry, there also will be a trade show featuring grain buyers, organic seed sellers and agriculture lenders.

The conference also will have a session covering a research update on organic no-tillage systems and a farmer panel featuring organic grain farmers from both Indiana and Illinois.

O’Donnell said the conference serves as an opportunity for farmers, researchers and others associated with the organic grain industry to learn more.

For more information or to register for the conference, visit www.purdue.ag/organicgrain2020.