MOSES Organic Field Days give you the chance to see firsthand how other farmers tackle issues on their farms. Often, these half-day workshops include presentations by researchers, educators or Extension agents to give you the latest information and insights to help you grow organic successfully.

Also, visit MOSES Organic Specialists at the Farm Shows and festivals listed here.

   Download a PDF of all the MOSES Organic Field Days happening this year.

Registration: Events with fees require preregistration. For the rest, we appreciate it if you can register in advance so we have an idea of numbers for handouts and refreshments. However, if you can't commit but want to attend at the last minute, you're still welcome!

Solar Electric Production, High Tunnel and Solar Greenhouse Open House
Monday, June 11, 2012   |  2 to 5 p.m.   |  Sweet Earth Farm   |  Gays Mills, Wisconsin   |  Free  
With the help of a variety of grants, Harriet Behar & Aaron Brin Installed a solar electric array to power the various farm activities on this organic vegetable farm with small scale honey and egg production. Come learn about accessing these grants as well as the production of solar electricity that is tied to the electric grid. Also tour the energy efficient solar earth-bermed greenhouse and NRCS-funded plastic high tunnel. (Sponsored by Organic Valley). Download the event flyer for more information.

Organic Sheep Production    More information        
Tuesday, June 19, 2012   |  1 to 4 p.m.   |  Pine Knob Farm   |  Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin   |  Free
Register here                                         
Raising organic sheep can be a challenge. Bonnie Wideman will share what she has learned over the years to produce high quality organic lamb, wool and sheepskins on her farm. Jean Stramel, NRCS grazing specialist will lead a discussion on how to evaluate and improve pasture quality as we walk the pastures. We'll cover how to keep the sheep healthy through all stages of life and manage parasites.

Beginning Market Farming – Young Organic Stewards Program    More information
Saturday, June 30, 2012   |  9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.   |  Radical Root Farm   |  Grayslake, Illinois  | $40
Attendance is limited, register early! Register here
The training will be part “classroom” and part “farm tour.” Speakers will include Alex Needham & Alison Parker of Radical Root Farm, part of the incubator program at Prairie Crossing Learning Center. The farm has a CSA, sells at farmers markets and also direct markets vegetables.Topics will include selecting a business structure; capital and farm financing; planning your year; soil building and equipment selection, plus aspects of production & marketing.

Scaling Up Your Vegetable Operation    More information
Sunday, July 1, 2012   |   Noon to 4 p.m.   |  Radical Root Farm   |  Grayslake, Illinois  |  Free
Register here
As the demand for fresh organic produce continues to grow, there is great opportunity to increase your farm's production. Wholesale distributors, retail stores, restaurants, and even expanding your farmers market or CSA numbers are all excellent opportunities for market growers. Alex Needham and Alison Parker will lead a tour of their fields, reviewing their equipment and providing tips for larger-scale production. MOSES' Harriet Behar will give a short presentation on selling to wholesale accounts.

Saving Labor on the Market Farm – In partnership with Practical Farmers of Iowa
Sunday, July 15, 2012   |  1 to 5 p.m  |   Rock Spring Farm   |   Decorah, Iowa   |   Free
No registration required.
Market farming is all about moving stuff around, whether you're moving vegetables from the soil to the packing house, water from the well to your transplants, or seeds from their packet to the soil. Join  Chris Blanchard of Rock Spring Farm for a tour of the systems he uses to make moving stuff easy.

Organic Dairy Farm Tour – In partnership with CROPP Cooperative
Thursday, July 19, 2012   |  1 to 4 p.m.   |  Flavor Ridge Farm   |  Altura, Minnesota   |   Free
Register here
Laverne, Arlene, Ross & Tiffany Nelson provide a unique opportunity to see a successful multi-generational organic dairy farm in detail. Learn how the Nelsons have expanded their operation to allow the next generation to join their operation and how they have successfully expanded their infrastructure, cropland and pastures to accommodate this growth.

Organic Livestock Production for Beginners – Young Organic Stewards Program
Saturday, July 21, 2012   |  9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.   |  Castle Rock Farm & Creamery  |  Osseo, Wisconsin  | $40
Attendance is limited, register early! Register here
Join Will Winter, DVM and Wayne, Karla and Jake Kostka of Castle Rock Organic Farms for a day-long intensive training designed for beginning farmers. Learn what it takes to produce high quality organic livestock and livestock products. Poultry, hogs, sheep, cattle and goat production will all be covered in detail. The training will consist of a morning/early afternoon classroom session, followed by a lunch featuring local and organic foods, and then a tour of the farm and processing facilities.

Organic Crop Production – In partnership with CROPP Cooperative
Wednesday, July 25, 2012  |  10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  |  Wilson Organic Farms   |  Cuba City, Wisconsin  |  Free
Register here
Join veteran organic crop and dairy farmer Keith Wilson for an in depth look at best organic crop production practices with a special emphasis on soil fertility, soil amendments, feed quality, milk production and profitability over a 3-5 year period.

Improving Dairy Profitability through Better Grazing – with Practical Farmers of Iowa
Saturday, August 4, 2012   |  1 to 4 p.m.  |  Jeremy & Jodi Peake Organic Dairy Farm  |  Waukon, Iowa  |  Free
No registration required.
The Peakes will talk about their grass-based organic dairy farm and how they are seeking to improve profitability through reducing their reliance on purchased inputs such as hay and grain. They hope to achieve this mainly by improving grass and hay quality on their farm.

In Her Boots: Sustainable Agriculture for Women, By Women
Saturday, August 11, 2012  |  10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  |  Hilltop Community Farm  |  La Valle, Wisconsin  |  $25
Attendance is limited, register early! Register here                             
Hosted by Erin Schneider of Hilltop Community Farm along with Laura Mortimore of Orange Cat Community Farm and Donna Neuwirth of the Wormfarm Institute, this workshop focuses on beginning an orchard, selling value-added under the Pickle Bill, small-scale CSA start-up, farming as a single woman, starting a non-profit, and farmstays. We'll also have a farm tour and lunch (sponsored by Organic Valley Family of Farms). The first 15 registrants receive a free copy of the book Renewing the Countryside-Wisconsin.

Organic ‘Blue Fruits’ Production
Thursday, August 16, 2012  |  1 to 4 p.m  |  Blue Fruit Farm  |  Winona, Minnesota  |  Free
Register here
Spend an afternoon with Jim Riddle & Joyce Ford learning about the organic growing requirements of highly nutritious perennial fruits, including soil fertility, planting distances, weed, insect, and bird control. See solar-powered rain water collection and irrigation system. Jim and Joyce are knowledgeable organic producers and will share how they planned and implemented this new multi-acre venture on their farm. We'll also tour their native prairie plantings.

In Her Boots: Sustainable Agriculture for Women, By Women
Friday, August 17, 2012  |  10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  |  The Bridge-Between Retreat Center  |  Denmark, Wisconsin  |  $25
Attendance is limited, register early! Register here         
Hosted by the women running The Bridge-Between Retreat Center, this event covers retreat and workshop operations, non-profits, outbuilding retrofits and green design, developing a farm vision, growing in hoop houses, and agritourism. We'll also have a farm tour and lunch (sponsored by Organic Valley Family of Farms). The first 15 registrants receive a free copy of the book Renewing the Countryside-Wisconsin.

Organic Field Crops: What Works
Thursday, September 6, 2012  | 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.  |  Butler Farms Organics  |  Malta, Illinois
Register here
Fourth-generation farmer, Paul Butler and his son, Aaron (fifth generation) have more than 1600 acres in a rotation of corn, soybeans, wheat, oats and hay. Certified organic since 1997 and always looking to improve their organic system, they are conducting field trials of two new inputs for corn: organic seed-coating and soybean meal as a nitrogen source. Also, they are experimenting with tillage radishes as a cover crop for the first time this year, as well as the old tried and true cover crops of alfalfa and clover. The Butlers also have invested in an RTK guidance system to enhance their cultivating capabilities. They'll talk about how the system is working out, share other details about what’s working on their farm and allow time for discussion about two on-farm research studies with the University of Illinois. The first, led by Michelle Wander, is studying carbon sequestration in organically managed soils withe two years of soil samples comparing organic to conventional soils; and, the second project, led by Dan Anderson, is studying the effects of cover crops on compaction. This field day provides plenty to think about for both new and experienced organic farmers who want to improve their operations.

In Her Boots: Sustainable Agriculture for Women, By Women
Sunday, September 9, 2012  |  10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  |  Grassroots Farm  |  Monroe, Wisconsin  |  $25
Attendance is limited, register early! Register here
Hosts Lindsey Morris Carpenter & Gail Carpenter of Grassroots Farm welcome Andy Hazzard of Hazzard Free Farm and Kriss Marion of Circle M Farm to share their experiences with small-scale CSA, diversified produce, farming as a single woman, starting a farm business post-retirement, diversifying through teaching workshops, and adding value through farmstays/B&Bs. We'll also have a farm tour and lunch (sponsored by Organic Valley Family of Farms). The first 15 registrants receive a free copy of the book Renewing the Countryside-Wisconsin.

Farm Shows and other events:
MOSES staff also will be participating in many farm shows and conferences throughout the Midwest. Stop by and see us!

• WI FFA State Convention - June 13, Madison, Wisconsin
• Farm Technology Days (WI) – July 17, 18 & 19, New London, Wisconsin
• Kickapoo Country Fair – July 28, La Farge, Wisconsin
• FarmFest (MN) – August 7, 8 & 9, Redwood County, Minnesota
• Midwest Bio-Ag Field Day - August 21, Blue Mounds, Wisconsin
• Farm Progress (IA) – August 28, 29 & 30, Boone, Iowa