Organic University
Montana Organic Association Organic University 2019
December 5, 2019 – 8:30 AM– 5:15 PM
The Commons, 1794 Baxter Lane East, Bozeman, MT 59718
Organic University (Organic U) is offered to beginning farmers and those new-to-organic as an almost day-long workshop as part of the MOA Annual Conference and Business Meeting. It offers the chance to meet seasoned inspectors, producers, and other professionals to learn about how organic certification and production can work for you. The instructors have experience in diverse operations; from small scale direct-to-market, to large scale grain, pulse, and livestock operations, as well as experience with alternative crops such as hemp and other oilseeds.
As part of Organic U, Organic Inspector Margaret Scoles will help you develop your own Organic System Plan. Clif Bar & Company is supporting this outstanding opportunity to help you on the path to become certified organic. The sessions are also appropriate for those with questions about their existing certified operation. Registration is free if you plan to attend Organic U only. To register visit the Organic U Registration page
If you plan to stay for the Thursday evening activities, please register for the Thursday Only Rate of $65 or stay for the whole conference! for more information please contact Jamie Ryan Lockman, [email protected] or (406) 546-6572.
8:30 AM “Welcome & Introductions “Why am I Organic & Why are you interested in Organic?”
Doug Crabtree – Vilicus Farms and MOA Board Chair
9:00 AM “Organic Standards, Certification, and Inspection: Fitting it all together”
Margaret Scoles – International Organic Inspectors Association, Executive Director
Nate Powell Palm – Cold Springs Ranch and Organic Inspector
9:30 AM “Systems Thinking: What about Crop Rotations and Weed Management?”
Tim Seipel – MSU, Weed and Invasive Plant Ecology and Management Group, Adjunct Professor
Becky Weed – Thirteen Mile Lamb and Wool, Co. and MOA Board Vice Chair
10:15 AM Break
10:30 AM “Organic Round Table Discussions”
Grain/Pulses: Doug and Anna Crabtree, Vilicus Farms
Livestock: Jess Alger – Alger Ranch and Georgana Webster,
Direct Market Fruits & Vegetables: Judy Owsowitz – Terrapin Farm & Margaret Scoles
Hemp and other Alternative Crops: Ty O’Connor – O’Connor Ranch
11:00 AM “Developing and Preparing Your Organic Systems Plan”
Margaret Scoles, IOIA
12:00 PM Lunch
12:30 PM “Open Mic: What Questions do you still have?”
Facilitated by Doug Crabtree
1:00 PM “Is Organic Farming Risky? How to Protect the Farm with Federal Crop Insurance”
Jeff Schahczenski – National Center for Appropriate Technology Agricultural and Natural Resource Economist
2:00 PM “Financing Options from the Farm Services Agency”
Shelley Rolando – Farm Program Chief, FSA
4:00 PM “Marketing Panel: Meet up with Organic Buyers and Producers”
Thank you Clif Bar & Co for sponsoring Organic U.
