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. <br> <img src="https://montanaorganicassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Mercury-Coffee.jpeg" style="width: 100px; padding-top: 5px;" height="100px;">

Breakout 1: Livestock Markets Overview

<b>Speakers:</b><br> Glenn Elzinga, Alderspring Ranch<br> Nate Powell-Palm, Cold Springs Organics

Breakout 2: Grain Markets Overview

<b>Speakers:</b><br> Sam Schmidt, Montana Milling<br> Bruce Schultz, Farmer

Breakout 3: Vegetable Markets Overview

<b>Speakers:</b> <br> Laura Granland, UM dining Services <br> Lyndsay Gutierrez, Nourish / Montana Food Hub <br> Tammy Howard, NCAT <br><br> Moderator: Judy Owsowitz, Terrapin Farm<br>

Plenary Session: Add-On Labels in Organic

<b>Speaker:</b> <br> Georgana Webster, Montana Department of Agriculture <br> Emily Moose, A Greener World <br> Nate Powell-Palm, Cold Springs Organics <br> John Wicks, Timber Ridge Organics <br> <br> Moderator: Becky Weed, Montana Organics Association

Coffee & Networking Break

Provided by Mercurys Coffee Co. <br> <img src="https://montanaorganicassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Mercury-Coffee.jpeg" style="width: 100px; padding-top: 5px;" height="100px;">

Breakout Session 1: Landowner / Land Seeker Current Affairs

<b>Speakers:</b> <br> Ellie Costello, CFAC Operations & Financial Director / Owner of Black Bear Soups & Trust Land Farms <br> Mary Ellis, Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program Director <br> 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)

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

Lunch

Building A Local Plant-Based Economy

<b>Speakers:</b> <br> Teresa Morales, Cool Earth Creamery <br> Georgana Webster, Montana Department of Agriculture <br><br> Moderators: Nate Powell-Palm & MDA Organic Certifier

Breakout 1: Mentorship Opportunities for the Non-Certified Producer

<b>Speakers:</b><br> Laura & Alex Duvelius, Amyloidosis Research Consortium and Children's National Health Foundation<br> Gizem Nance, Eagles Acres LLC <br> James Keys, Farmer's Market Support Specialist, CFAC | Owner, Primrose <br><br> Moderator: Nate Powell-Palm <br>  <br> Sponsored by: <img src="https://montanaorganicassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Screen-Shot-2023-11-13-at-8.19.54-PM.png">

Breakout 2: Sunburst Farm: Our journey into regenerative agriculture

<b>Speaker:</b> <br> Korey Fauque, KW Insurance, Inc.

Coffee & Networking Break

Provided by Mercurys Coffee Co. <br> <img src="https://montanaorganicassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Mercury-Coffee.jpeg" style="width: 100px; padding-top: 5px;" height="100px;">

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

<b>Speaker:</b> <br> Becky Weed, Montana Organic Association <br> Josh Slotnick, Missoula County Commissioner | Farmer, Clark Fork Organics

Happy Hour

Banquet Dinner

Live Auction

Movie: Organic Rising

Movie: Organic Rising <br> 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

<b>Speakers:</b> <br> Kiki Hubbard, University of Wisconsin - Madison <br> Paulina Jenney, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Plenary Session

<b>Speaker:</b> <br> Glenn Elzinga, CEO, Alderspring Ranch <br>  <br> Sponsored by: <img src="https://montanaorganicassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Screen-Shot-2023-11-13-at-8.19.54-PM.png">

Coffee & Networking Break

Provided by Mercurys Coffee Co. <br> <img src="https://montanaorganicassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Mercury-Coffee.jpeg" style="width: 100px; padding-top: 5px;" height="100px;">

Breakout Session 1: NOFENCE Project

<b>Speaker:</b><br> Brandon Schlautman, Perennial Legume Research Program at the Land Institute <br>  <br> Sponsored by: <img src="https://montanaorganicassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Screen-Shot-2023-11-13-at-8.19.54-PM.png">

Breakout Session 2: The Biocontrol Project

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

Breakout Session 1: The Beef Nutriton Project with MSU

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

Breakout Session 2: Grant and Capital Funding for 2024

<b>Speakers:</b> <br> Ali Moxley, Grant Consultant <br>John Wicks, Tiber Ridge Organics <br>Sam Blomquist, Prospera

Lunch

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

<b>Speakers:</b> <br> Casey Bailey, Clearlake Organic Farm <br> Jody Manuel, Prairie Grass Ranch <br> Erik Engellant, Sqaure Butte Farms

Breakout Session 2: FSA Presentation

<b>Speaker:</b> <br> Bill Evans, Chouteau County FSA

Closing Plenary Soil Health

<b>Speakers:</b> <br> Catherine Zabinski, Montana State University <br> Tim Seipel, Montana State University

Closing Remarks

Tracey Dion, Montana Organic Association