MCIA

Identifying Grasses on a Sustainable Farm
2024-07-27 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | South Shore Event Center, 733 6th St, Howard Lake, MN, 55349, United States
Identifying Grasses and Other Plants on a Sustainable Farm: “Gazing at Graminoids”
Join the Crow River Chapter of the Sustainable Farming Association for a day of identifying and learning about plants found on a sustainable and organic farm.
We’ll start the day with a class/workshop focusing on grasses led by Department of MBS Prairie Ecologist, Rhett Johnson, author of the “Field Guide to Minnesota Grasses”. This morning session will be indoors at the South Shore Event Center, and will focus on graminoid (grass) specific anatomy and terminology, some of the major taxa (groups) of grasses that are common in Minnesota, and how to approach learning grasses and identifying them in the field. It will include presentations and looking at actual pressed and fresh collected grasses.
At noon, we’ll have a “working lunch” at the Event Center (included). Provided by Dan & Becky’s Market. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available.
Next, we’ll drive out to Living Song Farm, where Rhett will be joined by Missy Anderson, plant propagation specialist at the Three Rivers Park District native plant nursery. The two of them will lead a walk through the farm’s permanent pasture, field margins and conservation areas, identifying the vast variety of flora, native and introduced, and even the inevitable invasives. We’ll also take a moment to visit the grassfed beef herd and the newly harvested garlic crop.
Registration is required. No walkups.

LSP Twin Cities Cookout and Potluck
2024-07-25 17:30 - 21:00 | Land Stewardship Project, Minneapolis Office, 821 E 35th St Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN, 55407, United States
We here at the Land Stewardship Project are looking forward to connecting with our members and supporters across the region to dream up new ways to move forward our vision of keeping land and people together. While the work we do at the Capitol, out at field days, and in many, many Zoom meetings is essential, we also believe it’s important to connect with each other just for fun too! Community keeps us rooted, and that’s why we’re returning for yet another Twin Cities Cookout & Potluck on Thursday, July 25, from 5:30-9 p.m., in the yard of our Minneapolis office.
This year we are bringing back all the classic cookout favorites: The BEST potluck in the Twin Cities! LSP will provide burgers and brats sourced from member-farms, as well as grilled vegetarian protein; we ask that guests bring their favorite potluck dish to share. Pie and Art Raffle: This year we are enhancing an LSP favorite with the opportunity to win some locally-made art as well! An opportunity to hear from LSP members and staff about on-the-ground organizing and how you can get involved.
Let us know you can make it to ensure we order enough food and supplies.

NWROC Crops and Soils Day
2024-07-17 | Northwest Research and Outreach Center, 2900 University Ave, Crookston, MN, 56716, United States
The Northwest Research and Outreach Center’s Crops and Soils Day provides an opportunity for NWROC’s faculty and staff to show off the important research that takes place each year at our Center. The event is intended for producers, agricultural professionals, and the community to learn first-hand the results of research relevant to farming issues of today.
Crops and Soils Day takes place on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at NWROC’s Maintenance/Farm Operations building south of Polk County Hwy 71 on NWROC’s campus. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. for the morning small grains tours. We will board the buses at 8:00 a.m. to start the tours. Lunch takes place at about noon followed by registration for the afternoon sugarbeet tour at 12:15. We board the buses at 12: 45.

Soil Health Field Day: Understanding Biological Soil Tests
2024-07-10 08:00 - 15:00 | Roosevelt Community Center, Main St, Roosevelt, MN, 56673, United States
This is a 201 level workshop.
Join Sustainable Farming Association consultants Kent Solberg and Jonathan Kilpatrick, along with staff from the Lake of the Woods and Roseau County Soil and Water Conservation Districts for a soil health field day in Northern Minnesota.
We will begin in the classroom, looking over the results of soil health tests (Haney, PLFA, and Total Nutrient Digestion) taken this spring from local producers farms.
We will then tour the 3 farms where the tests were taken to see the crops and do hands-on soil health testing (water infiltration, aggregation, and penetrometer) and visually assess the condition of the soils.
With a better understanding of how soil functions and how biology unlocks nutrients and makes them available to the plants, you can learn how to lower input costs in your cropping rotation!
Lunch is provided. Free admission. Registration requested.
Presented in collaboration with Lake of the Woods and Roseau County Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

MCIA Board of Directors Meeting
2024-07-09 | Alexandria, Alexandria, MN, 56308, United States
Summer meeting of the MCIA Board of Directors.

MCIA Office Closed: Independence Day
2024-07-04 08:00 - 17:00 | MCIA Office, 1900 Hendon Ave, Saint Paul, MN, 55423, United States
The office of the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association will be closed in observance of the Independence Day holiday.

Small Grain Summer Plot Tour—Benson
2024-06-19 17:00 - 19:00 | Lee’s Seed Farm, 670 50th Ave NE, Benson, MN, 56215, United States
The small grain summer plot tours provide farmers and crop consultants with the tools to make small grain production successful and profitable. Learn how to manage wheat, barley, rye, triticale, and oats at these in-person, free events across the state. Farmers will get to see up to 180 varieties in the field, participate in hands-on demonstrations, and ask questions of UMN experts.
Pests, diseases, and what to expect from this crop after a record warm winter and a wet spring will be top of the agenda. Crop variety selection and other production concerns such as herbicide carryover will also be highlighted during each of the tours. Participants are highly encouraged to bring any field samples for diagnosis and/or conversation. Stay for brats after the tour.
Plot GPS coordinates: 45.38939, -95.52145

Small Grain Summer Plot Tour—Le Center
2024-06-19 09:00 - 11:00 | Ruth Hoefs/Ron Pomije Farm, 20676 340th St, LeCenter, MN, 56057, United States
The small grain summer plot tours provide farmers and crop consultants with the tools to make small grain production successful and profitable. Learn how to manage wheat, barley, rye, triticale, and oats at these in-person, free events across the state. Farmers will get to see up to 180 varieties in the field, participate in hands-on demonstrations, and ask questions of UMN experts.
Pests, diseases, and what to expect from this crop after a record warm winter and a wet spring will be top of the agenda. Crop variety selection and other production concerns such as herbicide carryover will also be highlighted during each of the tours. Participants are highly encouraged to bring any field samples for diagnosis and/or conversation.
Plot GPS coordinates: 44.457107, -93.679389
Lunch will be served at the farm shop after the plot tour.

Small Grain Summer Plot Tour—Rochester
2024-06-17 12:30 - 15:00 | Lawler Farms, 1301 70th Ave NE, Eyota, MN, 55934, United States
The small grain summer plot tours provide farmers and crop consultants with the tools to make small grain production successful and profitable. Learn how to manage wheat, barley, rye, triticale, and oats at these in-person, free events across the state. Farmers will get to see up to 180 varieties in the field, participate in hands-on demonstrations, and ask questions of UMN experts.
Pests, diseases, and what to expect from this crop after a record warm winter and a wet spring will be top of the agenda. Crop variety selection and other production concerns such as herbicide carryover will also be highlighted during each of the tours. Participants are highly encouraged to bring any field samples for diagnosis and/or conversation.
A boxed lunch will be served before the tour.
The plot is located near the corner of Collegeview Rd E. and 70th Ave. NE (GPS: 44.023910, -92.341220).

AOSCA Annual Meeting
2024-06-16 - 2024-06-19 | Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, 9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy W, Miramar Beach, FL, 32550, United States

Marbleseed Organic Field Day
2024-06-05 16:00 - 19:00 | Sinsinawa Mound Collaborative, 585 Country Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI, 53824, United States
From Basic to Better (to Best) – Wash/Pack Area Construction
Good post-harvest handling is essential for food safety as well as the appearance and shelf life of your market produce. It doesn’t take a lot of time or money to get started on improving your own farm’s cleaning and packaging. Join us to take at look at how Sinsinawa Mound Collaborative farmers are continuously improving their collective and individual capacity to cool, clean and package the produce they grow and sell.
We’ll see how different cooling and washing methods can be employed from the field to the packshed. With minor investments, farmers can begin to implement good post-harvest practices to ease their workload and improve harvest quality. The farmers at Sinsinawa showcase the creative use of common tools and everyday objects to make harvests easier and more efficient while improving the quality of their produce.

Full Circle Organic Experience
2024-06-01 10:00 - 16:00 | Full Circle Community Farm, W2407 Hofa Park Rd, Seymour, WI, 54165, United States
Join the 2024 Marbleseed Farmers of the Year for a tour of their farm! Learn from their diversified enterprises including organic vegetables, grass-fed beef, pastured pork and poultry as well as conservation practices implemented on the farm. Come at any point during the day to see these different enterprises and learn more from these amazing farmers.
The Adamski family’s roots stretch back five generations on their 240-acre farm in Seymour. Rick and Valerie use managed grazing as the cornerstone method for raising certified organic beef. The farm provides a balanced ecological system to protect waterways, increase soil health and sequester carbon, and increase wildlife and biodiversity.

Organic Swine Field Day
2024-05-30 12:00 - 15:00 | West Central Research & Outreach Center, 46352 State Hwy 329, Morris, MN, 56267, United States
We will showcase how integrating hybrid rye into organic swine production may help with reducing feed and bedding costs in organic pig production based on data collected at the WCROC over the last two years.

MCIA Office Closed: Memorial Day
2024-05-27 | MCIA Office, 1900 Hendon Ave, Saint Paul, MN, 55423, United States
The office of the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association will be closed in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.

National Organic Standards Board Meeting
2024-04-29 09:00 - 2024-05-01 18:00 | Hilton Milwaukee City Center, 509 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) assists USDA in the development of standards for substances to be used in organic production and advises the Secretary of Agriculture on any other aspects of the implementation of the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA).
The NOSB typically meets twice per year in various locations around the United States. The meeting is also broadcast live. Prior to meetings, the NOSB reviews written public comments and listens to oral public comments. During meetings, the NOSB discusses agenda items, and then votes on recommendations to the Secretary in a public forum.

Minnesota State FFA Convention
2024-04-27 - 2024-04-29 | University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, United States
In April more than 6,000 FFA members and guests from across the state participate in general sessions, competitive events, educational tours, leadership workshops, visit with colleges, and more.

Women's Agricultural Leadership Conference
2024-04-10 | Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Dr, Chaska, MN, 55318, United States
An agricultural leadership conference focused on the integral roles women play in agriculture. Organized by a broad coalition of women and organizations and held in Minnesota each spring. The theme of the 2024 conference: Elevate, Empower, Evolve.

AOSCA North & West Regional Meeting
2024-04-08 - 2024-04-10 | State Game Lodge, Custer State Park Resort, 13389 US Hwy 16A, Custer, SD, 57730, United States

MCIA Office Closed
2024-03-29 | MCIA Office, 1900 Hendon Ave, Saint Paul, MN, 55423, United States

MCIA Board of Directors Meeting
2024-03-28 | MCIA Office, 1900 Hendon Ave, Saint Paul, MN, 55423, United States
Spring meeting of the MCIA Board of Directors.

Midwest Soil Health Summit
2024-03-13 - 2024-03-14 | Courtyard Mankato, 901 Raintree Rd, Mankato, MN, 56001, United States
This is SFA’s biggest soil health event of the year, drawing together local and national experts in the field with attendees for discussion, networking, and education. Farmers, ag resource professionals, agency staff, hungry learners and more – all are welcome to attend and learn together.

Small Grains Update Workshop: Grand Rapids
2024-02-26 12:30 - 15:30 | North Central Research and Outreach Center, 1861 Highway 169 East, Grand Rapids, MN, 55744, United States
If you’re a farmer or crop consultant already producing small grains or are looking for another crop to add to your rotation, these small grains management workshops are for you. The UMN Extension will offer workshops at several regional locations in January and February. The focus will be on production agronomics, variety selection, and economics. Time will be reserved to answer your production questions.
Lunch starts at noon. Contact Jochum Wiersma at 218-281-8629, please register by February 23 for meal count.

Small Grains Update Workshop: Benson
2024-02-23 10:00 - 12:00 | McKinney’s on Southside, 300 14th St S, Benson, Minnesota, 56215
If you’re a farmer or crop consultant already producing small grains or are looking for another crop to add to your rotation, these small grains management workshops are for you. The UMN Extension will offer workshops at several regional locations in January and February. The focus will be on production agronomics, variety selection, and economics. Time will be reserved to answer your production questions.
Lunch follows the meeting. Contact Scott Lee at 320-760-6129, please register by February 22 for meal count.

Small Grains Update Workshop: Slayton
2024-02-22 13:00 - 15:00 | Murray County 4-H Building, Slayton, MN, United States
If you’re a farmer or crop consultant already producing small grains or are looking for another crop to add to your rotation, these small grains management workshops are for you. The UMN Extension will offer workshops at several regional locations in January and February. The focus will be on production agronomics, variety selection, and economics. Time will be reserved to answer your production questions.
Join the morning crops program from 9:00 am – 12:15 pm with lunch following. Contact Murray Co. Extension Office at 507-836-6927, please register by February 20 for meal count.

Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference
2024-02-22 - 2024-02-24 | La Crosse Center, 300 Harborview Plaza, La Crosse, WI, 54601, United States
The Marbleseed (formerly MOSES) Organic Farming Conference is widely known as the largest organic farming conference in the United States. Every year regenerative and organic farmers from a wide range of farm sizes, experiences, and backgrounds gather to learn the latest in organic farming methods, build community, and shape the future of the organic farming movement.

Small Grains Update Workshop: Cold Spring
2024-02-20 10:00 - 12:00 | The Great Blue Heron, 305 5th Ave S, Cold Spring, MN, 56320, United States
If you’re a farmer or crop consultant already producing small grains or are looking for another crop to add to your rotation, these small grains management workshops are for you. The UMN Extension will offer workshops at several regional locations in January and February. The focus will be on production agronomics, variety selection, and economics. Time will be reserved to answer your production questions.
Lunch follows the meeting. Contact Joe Krippner at 320-980-2915, please register by February 19 for meal count.

Small Grains Update Workshop: Le Center
2024-02-19 13:00 - 15:00 | MN
If you’re a farmer or crop consultant already producing small grains or are looking for another crop to add to your rotation, these small grains management workshops are for you. The UMN Extension will offer workshops at several regional locations in January and February. The focus will be on production agronomics, variety selection, and economics. Time will be reserved to answer your production questions.
Lunch starts at noon. Contact Shane Bugeja at 507-357-8232, please register by February 16 for meal count.
Venue: Le Center 4H Building

Small Grains Update Workshop: Rochester
2024-02-19 09:00 - 11:00 | University of Minnesota Extension—Rochester, 140 Elton Hills Lane NW, Suite 201, Rochester, MN, 55901, United States
If you’re a farmer or crop consultant already producing small grains or are looking for another crop to add to your rotation, these small grains management workshops are for you. The UMN Extension will offer workshops at several regional locations in January and February. The focus will be on production agronomics, variety selection, and economics. Time will be reserved to answer your production questions.
Contact Ryan Miller at 507-280-2863.

SFA Annual Conference
2024-02-10 | Gorecki Conference Center, College of Saint Benedict, 37 S College Ave, Saint Joseph, MN, 56374, United States
The Sustainable Farming Association’s annual gathering, with topics that you pick, learning and sharing the wisdom of our sustainable community, and lots of social time.

2024 Organic Vegetable Production Conference
2024-02-02 - 2024-02-03 | Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison, WI, 53713, United States
This producer-initiated conference is designed for advanced growers and attracts participants from throughout the Midwest and beyond.
