2020 OGRAIN Organic Winter Conference

This two-day intensive offered by the Organic Grain Resources and Information Network (OGRAIN)at UW-Madison features expert farmers, researchers and industry representatives sharing information about organic grain production in the Upper Midwest. This fifth annual conference features 15 workshops, two keynotes and ample opportunity for networking and discussion.

The 2020 Organic Grain Winter Conference will be held Friday and Saturday, January 24-25, 2020 on the UW-Madison campus. The event will begin Friday at 7:30 AM, conclude for the day at 6:30 PM, and resume again from 7:30 AM through 4 PM on Saturday.

Keynote presentations will be offered this year by Thor Oechsner of south central New York, sharing insights gained from raising a diversity of organic grains for food-grade and craft beverage markets on 1,200 acres, and Iowa farmer and philosopher Fred Kirschenmann bringing inspirational thoughts on building resiliency when times are tough.

Workshops, including farmer panels, will discuss organic soil health, fertility, cover crops, alternative grain crops, quality control, habitat enhancement, implements, weed management, economics of transition, strategies for working through troubled times, and more.

The event is available to anyone with an interest in learning more about organic grain production. We offer sessions specific to the needs of beginning farmers (farming for fewer than 10 years)as well as sessions relevant to those already engaged in organic production. <p style="color:#E3890F";><b>SCHEDULE:</b></p>Complete workshop descriptions and more information is available at <a href="https://ograin.cals.wisc.edu/events/ograin-winter-conference/">visit this page</a><p style="color:#E3890F";><b>HOTEL INFORMATION:</b></p>
For hotels near UW-Madison, <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/HotelsNear-g60859-d280438-University_of_Wisconsin_Madison-Madison_Wisconsin.html">visit this page</a>
<p style="color:#E3890F";><b>PARKING INFORMATION:</b></p>The event will be held in UW-Madison Gordon Dining and Event Center. Please reference this map <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=downtown+Madison+parking&npsic=0&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=43073353,-89391204,500&tbm=lcl&ved=0ahUKEwj63ZKujrLXAhUr64MKHVF9CrIQtgMINQ&tbs=lrf:!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:2&rldoc=1#rlfi=hd:;si:,43.077647530378286,-89.39519003016358;mv:!1m3!1d6087.030351612394!2d-89.3945463!3d43.07322750000002!3m2!1i1500!2i802!4f13.1to. html"> to identify lots where you can park.</a>
<p style="color:#E3890F";><b>PAYMENT INFORMATION:</b></p>Cost for the conference is $80 for the two days if paid through January 10, and $90 if paid between Jan 11 and 20. A light breakfast, snack, and lunch are included. Evening meal is on your own and not included in the registration fee.

Online registration with payment by credit card is available via this website. Those wishing to register using a mail-in form and check can contact Harriet Behar at harriet.organic@gmail.com or 608-872-2164 to receive instructions. We expect some walk-in registrations will be available, but the price will increase to $100.00.

Refunds will be honored before Jan. 20. There will be no weather-related refunds for the event. Contact Harriet with any refund questions.

<i>This conference is made possible by a grant from the USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. OGRAIN is a collaborative effort of the UW-Madison/UWEX Organic and Sustainable Cropping Systems lab, UW-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS), Farm and Industry Short Course (FISC), and Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES).</i>
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