Registration Opens

Breakfast

Welcome Remarks

Tracey Dion, Montana Organic Association

OPENING KEYNOTE: Minimize Inputs and Maximize Crop Nutrition by Growing Your Own Fertilizer and Mineral Balancing

Helen shares results from her on-farm research about growing-your-own fertilizer, reduced tillage, and application timing and optimum carbon-to-nitrogen ratios for no-till residues, cover crops, and living mulches. She also discusses her experience using low-input, ecological farming methods for over 40 years and how these details affect beneficial insects and pest, disease, and weed populations to build a resilient and abundant farm.

Coffee & Networking Break

Provided by Mercurys Coffee Co.

Breakout 1: Livestock Markets Overview

Speakers:
Glenn Elzinga, Alderspring Ranch
Nate Powell-Palm, Cold Springs Organics

Breakout 2: Grain Markets Overview

Speakers:
Sam Schmidt, Montana Milling
Bruce Schultz, Farmer

Breakout 3: Vegetable Markets Overview

Speakers:
Laura Granland, UM dining Services
Lyndsay Gutierrez, Nourish / Montana Food Hub
Tammy Howard, NCAT

Moderator: Judy Owsowitz, Terrapin Farm

Plenary Session: Add-On Labels in Organic

Speaker:
Georgana Webster, Montana Department of Agriculture
Emily Moose, A Greener World
Nate Powell-Palm, Cold Springs Organics
John Wicks, Timber Ridge Organics

Moderator: Becky Weed, Montana Organics Association

Coffee & Networking Break

Provided by Mercurys Coffee Co.

Breakout Session 1: Landowner / Land Seeker Current Affairs

Speakers:
Ellie Costello, CFAC Operations & Financial Director / Owner of Black Bear Soups & Trust Land Farms
Mary Ellis, Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program Director
Britta Janssen, Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator

Breakout Session 2: CREEP STOP: Integrating Biological, Cultural, and Mechanical/Physical Tools for Long-Term Suppression of Creeping Perennial Weeds in Montana (Final Summary)

Speaker:
Dr. Pat Carr, MSU Central Ag Research Center
 
Sponsored by: Organic Advisory & Education Council (OAEC)

Lunch

Building A Local Plant-Based Economy

Speakers:
Teresa Morales, Cool Earth Creamery
Georgana Webster, Montana Department of Agriculture

Moderators: Nate Powell-Palm & MDA Organic Certifier

Breakout 1: Mentorship Opportunities for the Non-Certified Producer

Speakers:
Laura & Alex Duvelius, Amyloidosis Research Consortium and Children's National Health Foundation
Gizem Nance, Eagles Acres LLC
James Keys, Farmer's Market Support Specialist, CFAC | Owner, Primrose

Moderator: Nate Powell-Palm
 
Sponsored by:

Breakout 2: Sunburst Farm: Our journey into regenerative agriculture

Speaker:
Korey Fauque, KW Insurance, Inc.

Coffee & Networking Break

Provided by Mercurys Coffee Co.

Roundtable Discussions

Attendees will join table hosts for targeted discussions on topics discussed that day. Table assignments will be provided when you check in at registration.

Closing Remarks

Speaker:
Becky Weed, Montana Organic Association
Josh Slotnick, Missoula County Commissioner | Farmer, Clark Fork Organics

Happy Hour

Banquet Dinner

Live Auction

Movie: Organic Rising

Movie: Organic Rising
Directed By: Anthony Suau

Breakfast & MOA Business Meeting

Opening Remarks

Becky Weed, Montana Organic Association

Remarks On Policy from Our Elected Officials

Competition and Innovation Efforts Within the Seed Industries inside the Biden Administration

Speakers:
Kiki Hubbard, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Paulina Jenney, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Plenary Session

Speaker:
Glenn Elzinga, CEO, Alderspring Ranch
 
Sponsored by:

Coffee & Networking Break

Provided by Mercurys Coffee Co.

Breakout Session 1: NOFENCE Project

Speaker:
Brandon Schlautman, Perennial Legume Research Program at the Land Institute
 
Sponsored by:

Breakout Session 2: The Biocontrol Project

Speaker:
Dr. Alan Dyer, Montana State University
 
Sponsored by: Organic Advisory & Education Council (OAEC)

Breakout Session 1: The Beef Nutriton Project with MSU

Speaker:
Dr. Mary Miles, Montana State University
 
Sponsored by: Organic Advisory and Education Council (OAEC)

Breakout Session 2: Grant and Capital Funding for 2024

Speakers:
Ali Moxley, Grant Consultant
John Wicks, Tiber Ridge Organics
Sam Blomquist, Prospera

Lunch

Breakout Session 1: Developing Dual Purpose Perennial Grains (Kernza) & Forage (Sainfoin) Production Systems in the Intermountain West

Speakers:
Casey Bailey, Clearlake Organic Farm
Jody Manuel, Prairie Grass Ranch
Erik Engellant, Sqaure Butte Farms

Breakout Session 2: FSA Presentation

Speaker:
Bill Evans, Chouteau County FSA

Closing Plenary Soil Health

Speakers:
Catherine Zabinski, Montana State University
Tim Seipel, Montana State University

Closing Remarks

Tracey Dion, Montana Organic Association