An on-farm field day with lessons from organic farming
An in-person workshop by OATS
Managing weeds is a serious issue on many farms. It is helpful for farmers to have many weed control options instead of (or in addition to) herbicides. This on-farm event brings a wide variety of experienced organic farmers and ag professionals together to share what works in non-chemical weed management - including techniques that can be used on both organic and conventional operations. This event will help ag advisors (CCA’s, NRCS, SWCD, Extension, Farm Managers, Ag Business, etc.) give their clients a wider perspective of weed management tools, a deeper understanding of organic principles, and an opportunity to network. Attendees will learn through presentations, facilitated discussions, and a farmer-led tour of fields and equipment.
When: July 18th, 9:30am - 3:00pm CT
Where: Krug Family Farms, 148 E Main St, El Paso, IL 61738
Who: Ag advisors in Illinois such as CCAs, NRCS, Extension Educators, SWCDs, local agribusiness - and farmers, too!
How Much: $0 - free (funded by TOPP), $20 - to order lunch
Registration Deadline: July 17
Local Host Organizations: University of Illinois Extension, The Land Connection, Krug Family Farms
AGENDA
9:30 - 10:00 Registration (coffee and pastry provided)
10:00 - 10:15 Welcome, introductions
10:15 - 10:45 Mallory Krieger - Introduction to organic certification and agronomy
10:45 - 11:30 Dr. Adam Davis on ecological weed management
11:30 - 12:15 Farmer Hans Bishop on European weeding tools and camera-guided cultivators
12:15 - 1:00 Lunch and Networking
1:00 - 2:00 Farmer Brett Krug leads a tour of his fields and machinery
2:15 - 3:00 Farmer panel shares organic weed management experience, with Q&A
3:00 Adjourn
SPEAKERS
Hans Bishop
Hans grew up on the farm in Atlanta, IL and started a vegetable operation with his wife, growing quickly from just one acre to 60. A leader in mechanical weed control, Hans has left the vegetables behind and grows organic corn and soy. He speaks around the country on organic weed management.
Dr. Adam Davis
Dr. Adam Davis is professor and head of the University of Illinois Department of Crop Sciences. He is internationally known as a scholar of agroecology, with an emphasis on ecological weed management.
Mallory Krieger
Mallory Krieger is the National Program Director for OATS | the Organic Agronomy Training Service. She is committed to driving environmental improvement and farm resiliency in agriculture. With more than 10 years’ experience in the organic industry, she has served as an organic educator, consultant, and inspector. She has extensive experience developing educational programs for organic and regenerative farmers and ag. advisors. Previously, Mallory served as the Farmer Training Program Manager at The Land Connection and as the Sustainable Local Food Coordinator at John Wood Community College. In addition to her work as an agriculture educator, Mallory owns and manages an 85 acre farm in western Illinois.
Brett Krug
Brett is a Grain farmer in Central Illinois raising organic corn, soybeans, and wheat. He is married with three children, all boys. Brett is not only a farmer, but is also active in his local community as the Fire Chief for the Secor Fire Protection District and also serves as a board member for the Village of Secor.
This event is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).