Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
La Crosse Center, La Crosse, Wis.
These in-depth classes take place the day before the MOSES Organic Farming Conference.
Dig into a topic at Organic University, then stay on for all the activities of the MOSES Conference (requires separate tickets).
2020 Pricing |
Early Bird (through 1/7) |
Pre-Registration (through 2/18) |
On-Site (if available) |
| Organic University (Thursday) | $160 | $180 | $220 |
2020 Classes
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Fee includes class, breakfast, lunch, & snacks, and a custom-made resource book with space for notes. New this year, participants can select a full-color PDF as a “green” alternative to the standard black and white spiral-bound books.
Rotations for Reduced Tillage & Resilience
Sound and strategic crop rotation plans set the foundation for successful organic grain production. Creating a purposeful crop sequence that integrates cash crops, cover crops, and soil-building phases can minimize the need for tillage while reducing weed and pest pressure and improving soil fertility and health. Get expert advice to help you plan your organic grain rotation. Read more.
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Financial Impact of Organic Grain Transition
Organic grain nets double the price of conventional—nearly triple for corn—in the current market. If these premium prices have your attention and you’re considering a switch to organic, you need a clear picture of your path forward. This class will help you understand the opportunities and challenges in the organic grain market and give you the tools to forecast your potential profits and prepare for a smooth transition. Read more.
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Conservation Programs to Support Organic Farms
Organic standards emphasize protecting and improving the natural resources of agricultural land. Fortunately, there are many conservation programs farmers can tap for either technical assistance, financial support, or both to achieve their goals. Read more.
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Healthy Small Ruminants
Learn the principles of small ruminant health from Gianaclis Caldwell, author of Holistic Goat Care and the Small-Scale Dairy. Read more.
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Five Steps to a Fair Farm
Join the movement of family-scale farms following Agricultural Justice Project guidelines and show your customers and staff that you run a fair, safe business. Read more.
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Managed Grazing for Healthier Dairy & Beef Herds
The quality of your pastures impacts rumen fermentation and the health of your animals. When you understand the biology behind this relationship, you can make management decisions that benefit your animals, pastures, and human health. Read more.
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Start a Producer-Owned Cooperative
If you find that the local infrastructure isn’t supporting your operation the way you need, starting a producer-run cooperative can be just the ticket to getting the job done. Read more.
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Manage Your High Tunnels for Long-Term Success
In this session designed for experienced high tunnel growers, you’ll learn how organic management strategies and rotation choices can affect soil health, nutrient management, water salinity, and pest pressure in your high tunnels. Read more.
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Strategies for Successful Organic Tree-Fruit Production in Midwest
Raising organic tree-fruit is tricky in the Midwest where growers must manage more insects, diseases, and weeds than in arid regions. Timely management and a clear understanding of the pest complex of tree fruit are essential to the success of small and midsize orchards. Read more.
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Highs and Lows of Growing CBD Hemp
The robust demand for CBD hemp products is creating opportunities for farmers who grow hemp for CBD. Before you jump into the “green rush,” join this discussion of lessons learned and pick up tips to avoid the pitfalls that can happen when growing CBD hemp. Read more.
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History
Organic University began in 2001 with six courses on transitioning to organic, organic transplant production, soil management, organic market gardening, organic livestock production, and an introduction to organic farming.
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