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SUMMARY:Organic Apple Orchard Academy
DESCRIPTION:Sign up today for this virtual event!\n\n\n\nCommercial Fruit Growers Share Practical Knowledge \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis is a multi day event scheduled for February 9th\, 11th\, 16th and 18th 2026 | 4:30 PM- 7:30 PM Central Time \n\n\n\n\n\nThe Organic Apple Orchard Academy is a virtual event happening the evenings of February 9th\, 11th\, 16th and 18th\, 2026 from 4:30-7:30 PM Central Time. \n\n\n\nThe Academy is designed for aspiring organic growers in the Midwest and Northeast and for anyone interested in learning more about managing a small orchard. Topics will cover content on site selection/site prep\, orchard design and layout\, varieties and rootstock\, horticultural practices\, marketing and organic approaches to pest management. \n\n\n\nLearn from grower presenters with over 50 years’ collective experience managing commercial apple orchards: \n\n\n\n·       Chris McGuire of Blue Roof Orchard and Organic Fruit Growers Association \n\n\n\n·       Rami Aburomia of Atoms to Apples Orchard and the Wisconsin Apple Grower Association \n\n\n\n·       Rachel Henderson of Mary Dirty Face Farm \n\n\n\n·       Peter Werts of IPM Institute of North America \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDownload Event FlyerDownload
URL:https://uworganic.wisc.edu/event/organic-apple-orchard-academy/
LOCATION:WI
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SUMMARY:HARVEST OF IDEAS
DESCRIPTION:You’re invited to join us at this international summit\n\n\n\nOrganic Agriculture as a Solution to Global Challenges!\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThrough UW-Madison’s leadership in organic agriculture\, and building upon the 2022 report “Grow Organic: The Climate\, Health\, and Economic Case for Expanding Organic Agriculture\,” we will be hosting a two-day international summit on the UW-Madison campus\, themed “Organic Agriculture as a Solution to Global Challenges\,” to be held on April 8th and 9th\, 2025. \n\n\n\n\n\nThis event will feature a series of panels and discussions involving both domestic and international experts and discussions will span challenges we face as a global society and highlight how organic agriculture can serve as a solution to these challenges. Panelists will discuss their research and personal experience that document the positive impacts of organic management and markets\, with ample time for audience engagement. \n\n\n\n\n\nCheck the Agenda below… \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSPEAKERS\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nErin Silva\nDr. Erin Silva is an Associate Professor and State Extension Specialist in Organic and Sustainable Cropping Systems in the Department of Plant Pathology as well as the Director for the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at UW-Madison. After completion of a PhD in Horticulture at Washington State University\, Dr. Silva obtained a faculty position at New Mexico State University. During her tenure at NMSU\, Dr. Silva taught courses on organic vegetable production\, an experiential learning course integrating the working student organic Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm on campus. Dr. Silva initiated several organic research projects at NMSU\, including work on cover crop-based reduced tillage for organic vegetable crops and breeding vegetables for organic production systems. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGlenda Gillaspy\nGlenda Gillaspy became the 14th dean of UW-Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences in August 2022. Prior to that\, Gillaspy was a professor of biochemistry at Virginia Tech where she served as department head since 2015. In that role she led novel curricular changes to promote student success and a sense of belonging\, and implemented a mentoring program for new faculty that fostered their teaching and research success. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMatthew Dillon\nMatthew Dillon serves as a co-CEO at the Organic Trade Association. He joined the trade association in January 2024\, bringing a lifetime of work in food and farming. Together with the Board of Directors and co-CEO Tom Chapman\, he is responsible for defining the association’s mission and establishing shared objectives for OTA’s member companies. Matthew leads the associations public relations\, policy agenda\, member engagement\, and fundraising. He represents both the association and the organic trade in an official capacity when interfacing with members of Congress\, the Executive Branch\, media\, stakeholders\, and strategic allies. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTom Chapman\nTom joined the trade association in 2022\, bringing with him 20 years of industry experience and expertise in policy\, organic certification\, and organic supply chains. Throughout his career\, Tom has advanced certification and compliance\, successfully managed global supply chains to source over a billion pounds of organic ingredients\, and worked closely with diverse brands\, growers\, and other stakeholders to promote policies that protect and grow the organic sector. As OTA’s co-CEO\, Tom leads the association’s regulatory\, international\, and technical affairs\, oversees the development of association programs and products\, and is responsible for operations and financial management. Tom has advised the United States Department of Agriculture on organic policy as the chair of the National Organic Standards Board\, served on the California Organic Products Advisory Committee\, and is currently a member of the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee\, advising the Secretary of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative on trade matters. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNicole Atchison\nNicole Atchison\, CEO of PURIS Holdings\, leads PURIS’ portfolio of companies\, which includes ingredient technologies\, processing technologies\, seed genetic strategies\, product development\, go-to-market strategies\, insights and support for plant-based brands. The family-owned company develops and supports continued innovation in a spectrum of pure\, plant-based foods and ingredients from U.S.-based organic and non-GMO soybeans and yellow peas. Nicole also serves as a board member for the USA Pulses commodity group. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAdam Warthesen\nWarthesen joined CROPP Cooperative\, maker of Organic Valley products and more\, in October 2014 and oversees the cooperative’s government affairs and engagement with industry trade groups. His duties include cultivating relations with policymakers\, engaging administrative agencies\, coordinating co-op business grant development and submissions\, and driving forward-facing public relations with numerous food\, farm and media stakeholders. He additionally supports cooperative efforts to develop and implement enhanced organic claims\, such as Certified Grass-Fed Organic Dairy\, that are increasingly prevalent on organic food products. He has extensive experience in U.S. farm policy\, organic and dairy regulatory issues\, direct lobbying\, farmer recruitment and training\, coalition-building\, and in organizing prominent agricultural focused events. Warthesen serves as board vice president for the Organic Trade Association (OTA). Additionally\, he serves as a board member for the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship\, the Organic Marketing Institute\, the Organic Plus Trust\, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture\, Trade and Consumer Protection\, Organic Advisory Council and as a member of the Economic Policy Committee for the International Dairy Foods Association as well as the Policy Committee for the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMathew John\nPassionate about intersection of conservation\, community well being and markets. Co founded Keystone\, a civil society organization and Last Forest\, a social enterprise. Been involved in organic agriculture both at the international and regional levels supporting local governments and institutions to move towards a sustainable and resilient economy. Facilitate small communities to interface with the markets at local levels. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLea Zeise\nLea Zeise belongs to Oneida Nation where she cares for ancestral Indigenous varieties of corn with a non-profit cooperative she co-founded called Ohe·láku (oh-hey-LAH-goo) in 2016. Ohe·láku relies on volunteer labor to cultivate five acres of Tuscarora White Corn for distribution to member families\, Oneida Nation\, and Tribal Elder Food Box. Our operation weaves traditional ecological knowledge with modern approaches to regenerative agriculture and reconnects community members with Oneida cultural foods\, practices\, and perspectives. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRudolfs Pulkstenis\nRudolfs completed his studies in business administration and gained various work experiences. He and his family returned to their hometown five years ago. In 2015\, Rudolfs embarked on his agricultural journey by starting organic cereal farming on both family-owned and rented land. Despite starting from scratch\, he managed to develop the farm while simultaneously working full-time in the financial institutions sector. Three years later\, he expanded his ventures by establishing a logging company. He believes that his deep-rooted passion for agriculture\, forestry\, and the land has been passed down through five generations of his family. After serving on the board of the Latvian Young Farmers club since 2020\, he was elected CEJA’s Vice President in June 2023. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChris Wilson\nChris Wilson is a seventh-generation farmer at Wilson Organic Farms in Cuba City\, Wisconsin\, where he and his family have been pioneering sustainable agricultural practices. With decades of experience in organic dairy and diversified cropping systems\, Chris has been at the forefront of integrating organic no-till\, rotational grazing\, diverse crop rotations\, and cover cropping to build resilient farm ecosystems. Beyond the farm\, Chris serves on the Meat Executive Committee for CROPP Cooperative (Organic Valley) and actively collaborates with research institutions to advance regenerative agricultural solutions. His work bridges practical on-farm management with broader industry efforts to improve soil health\, nutrient efficiency\, and livestock integration within organic systems. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJosefine Pettersson\nJosefine Pettersson is passionate about connecting people\, ideas\, and practices to advance organic agriculture. At Australian Organic Limited\, she works closely with producers\, policymakers\, and industry stakeholders to enhance standards and improve market opportunities. With a Master’s degree in Organic Agriculture and management experience in livestock and horticultural systems\, Josefine brings a deep understanding of the complexities and opportunities within the Australian organic industry. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBrad Heins\nBrad Heins is a Professor of Organic Dairy Management at the University of Minnesota’s West Central Research Center in Morris\, Minnesota. Currently\, Dr. Heins conducts his research and Extension program at the University of Minnesota’s West Central Research and Outreach Center. The Center has a 130-head herd in a certified organic system\, and a 160-head herd in a conventional grazing system. His research and extension program focuses on best management practices for organic dairy production\, forages for grazing\, crossbreeding of dairy cattle\, group rearing of calves\, and renewable energy for dairy production systems.  He serves on the Minnesota Organic Advisory Task Force. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAzizur Rahman\nDr. Azizur Rahman: A Pioneer in Clean Technology and Environmental Solutions. Dr. Rahman is a visionary in environmental science\, serving as the Research Lead\, President\, and CEO of the Centre for Climate Change Research\, A.R Environmental Solutions\, and AR Biotech Canada. Dr. Rahman’s research expertise spans organic agriculture (with a focus on food as medicine)\, global climate change\, biotechnology and human health\, biodiversity\, ocean and marine biology\, urban air pollution\, and food waste management. Renowned for his groundbreaking innovations\, Dr. Rahman has developed cutting-edge technologies to transform food waste into biofuel and bioethanol\, significantly advancing the cleantech sector. His exceptional contributions have earned him prestigious accolades\, including the Presidential Honorary Award for Scientists from the University of Ryukyus in Japan and the Global Peer Review Award from the Web of Science Group in 2018 and 2019. His relentless pursuit of knowledge and innovation is driving transformative changes in our approach to environmental challenges\, making Dr. Rahman a true leader in the quest for a sustainable future. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAsa Bradman\nDr. Asa Bradman is an expert in exposure assessment and epidemiology focusing on occupational and environmental exposures to pregnant women\, children\, and residents living in agricultural communities. In 1998 he co-founded the Center for Environmental Research and Children’s Health (CERCH) in the UC Berkeley School of Public Health and in 2020 he joined the faculty at UC Merced. Dr. Bradman leads exposure and epidemiologic studies examining pesticides\, air quality\, flame retardants\, metals\, emerging pollutants\, VOCs\, and other contaminants. He participates in extensive community outreach and education and interfaces with other scientists\, state and federal agencies\, policy makers\, and industry. He is past member and Chair of the California Biomonitoring Scientific Guidance Panel (appointments by Governors Schwarzennegger and Brown) and just finished a five year term on the USDA National Organic Standards Board. Many years ago Asa worked in agriculture harvesting grapefruits and apples for export\, taking care of chicken sheds\, and was the produce manager for a small grocery store. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKevin Murphy\nKevin is a professor and director of the Breadlab at Washingon State University. HIs research focuses on breeding more nutritious varieties of seed and grain crops\, including quinoa\, buckwheat\, barley\, and spelt. He leads the Soil to Society team\, which integrates soil science\, cropping systems\, and plant breeding with food product development and human health research.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAmber Sciligo\nBorn and raised in the central valley of northern California\, Dr. Sciligo is no stranger to farming and rural life. She grew up in a small town with a population of fewer than 700\, where the region was dominated by conventional\, industrialized tree nut and rice farming. While she loved her rural upbringing and community\, she wanted an educational experience that couldn’t be offered anywhere nearby and became the first person in her family to leave that hometown and pursue a college degree. Dr. Amber Sciligo is now the Senior Director of The Organic Center where she leads the organization and its projects associated with communicating and conducting research related to organic\, sustainable agriculture. During her tenure at The Organic Center\, Dr. Sciligo has worked closely with researchers\, industry\, farmers\, and policymakers to identify organic research needs\, and she has collaborated on a diverse range of research programs to help fill knowledge gaps identified by stakeholders across the industry. The Center’s projects aim to help farmers and businesses more feasibly and successfully transition to\, farm\, and sell organic products. The Center then communicates research and results to the general public to help them understand what organic farming and businesses look like\, including their challenges and successes\, and the benefits they provide to the health of people and the planet. Dr. Sciligo brings the organic voice to communities at international\, national\, and local levels by serving on advisory committees\, councils\, and boards for the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research (FFAR) and the Organic Association of Kentucky\, the state in which she resides. She is currently serving as an IFOAM Organics World Board member. Dr. Sciligo received her B.Sc. at the University of California Santa Cruz in Ecology & Evolution\, and her Ph.D. at Lincoln University\, New Zealand\, also in Ecology & Evolution. Her training specialized in plant/insect interactions\, specifically pollination services to plants. Her extensive postdoctoral work at U.C. Berkeley included several interdisciplinary projects related to the impacts of farm diversification within the organic system on a range of ecosystem services from biodiversity\, pollination\, natural pest control\, soil health\, and climate change mitigation\, as well as the livelihoods of farmers. The main goals of her work have been to inform research and policies to include the needs of agroecological farmers so that their businesses can thrive\, while preserving the land for future farming. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMaike Krauss\nAs an environmental scientist excited about high quality food\, I am able to link both passions working at FiBL. For several years I dived into the topic of nitrous oxides emissions and soil organic carbon stock changes related to conservation tillage systems. Since three years\, I work in the broader area of designing sustainable organic arable cropping systems togehter with a highly motivated group. In a co-lead\, I enjoy enabeling my coworkers in their projects and creating a trusting environment. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAndrew Smith\nOversee research at Rodale Institute. Over 25 years’ experience in the organic industry as a researcher and farmer. Committed to growing the global organic movement through science\, practical knowledge transfer\, and shear will. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMarina Grolz\nMarina Grölz\, born on 14.02.1998 studied Agricultural Sciences at Bachelor’s level and Crop Sciences at Master’s level. Both at the Justus Liebig University in Giessen\, Hesse\, Germany. During her studies\, she focused on plant cultivation\, plant breeding and plant protection. In addition to her university education\, she conducts her own research on the farm and carries out her own smaller and larger trials. While still a student\, Marina took over her father’s 200-hectare organic arable farm at the age of 20 after he died of cancer in 2019. Since then\, the farm has been slowly but steadily changing. New opportunities for farm development\, such as seed propagation for red clover and direct marketing\, have been developed and established. The farm has been certified organic since 2009 and operates in accordance with the even stricter “Naturland” standards. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVanessa Garcia Polanco\nVanessa Garcia Polanco co-designs the strategy and implementation of the National Young Farmers Coalition government relations campaigns\, ensuring equity-driven\, farmer-centric research\, policy\, and programmatic interventions for a more just food system. She also serves as the organizational council member of the US National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. She has previously worked with the US Department of Agriculture\, and the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems. She is an alumna of Michigan State University and the University of Rhode Island. She is a James Beard Foundation Scholar\, an Agriculture\, Food\, Human Values Society Innovation Leader\, and a 2023 Grist Climate Fixer. As an Afro-Dominican immigrant\, she brings her experiences and identities to her policy and advocacy activities. She leads Dominican Food Studies projects and funnels financial and agricultural resources to Dominican food sovereignty projects. She enjoys reading Dominican authors\, cooking and baking\, hosting brunches and thematic parties\, long walks and connecting with folks over food and beautiful landscapes. She likes her coffee without sugar. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLilliana Stefanovic\nLilliana holds a diploma in agricultural sciences and a joint international master’s degree of the University of Kassel and Fulda University of Applied Sciences. In March 2021 Lilliana has completed her PhD on the topic “Basis for monitoring the performance of sustainable development goals in organic food systems: A first approximation”. In her dissertation Lilliana was analysing the organic food systems’ transformation vis-à-vis the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals using three European case studies. Lilliana is a research associate at Section of Organic Food Quality of Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences at the University of Kassel\, Germany. Till end of July 2022 she has been coordinating the research project “How can or­ganic/bio­dy­namic food sys­tems con­trib­ute to the so­ci­etal trans­form­a­tion to­wards sus­tain­ab­il­ity?” supported by the Software AG Foundation. Between October 2022 and June 2024 Lilliana was coordinating the SysOrg project and since August 2023 till present – the “NEUE WEGE” (“New Pathways”) project. Other than this she is involved in teaching in international master degree programmes of the Universities of Kassel and Goettingen as well as bachelor degree programmes at the FH Muenster University of Applied Sciences. Lilliana’s main research focus is on the contribution of alternative food systems to the food systems transformation towards sustainability\, with an emphasis on food sytem outcomes. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJonathan Lundgren\nDr. Lundgren is an agroecologist\, Executive Director of Ecdysis Foundation\, and CEO for Blue Dasher Farm. Lundgren’s research and education programs are helping applied science evolve in ways that foster the evolution of a regenerative food system. He regularly interacts with the public and farmers around the world regarding ecologically intensive farming and how biodiversity fuels the resilience and productivity of an agroecosystem and rural communities. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKarina Garcia\nKarina Garcia is a postdoctoral researcher with Handsome Brook Farms and the University of Kentucky in the Gonthier Agroecology Lab. Born in Salinas\, CA\, an agriculturally productive region of California aptly nicknamed “the Salad Bowl of the World\,” she was raised in a landscape of endless strawberry and lettuce fields. It wasn’t until she started working with agroecologists shortly after graduating from UC Berkeley that she learned about sustainable agriculture and the importance of biodiversity for resilient working lands. Her research interests include ecosystem services and disservices in organic systems\, with her dissertation at the University of Kentucky focusing on wild and managed birds. Her current research focuses on evaluating biodiversity in pastured-poultry agroecosystems. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJulie Dawson\nJulie Dawson is a Professor in the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison\, training students in the plant breeding and plant genetics\, horticulture\, and agroecology graduate fields. Research interests include the use of genetic resources in plant breeding for organic systems and methods for participatory selection and variety development. She is also the state Extension specialist for regional food systems and does applied research for growers serving local food markets. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMwatima Juma\nDr. Mwatima Juma\, the chairperson of the organic agriculture movement in Tanzania\, plays a pivotal role in guiding and supporting the organization in promoting Organic Agriculture\, known as Kilimohai in Swahili. In her role as the Director of the Practical Permaculture Institute\, Dr. Mwatima addresses the existing capacity gap in understanding regenerative and sustainable production systems. She is particularly focused on the impact of climate change and the importance of engaging youth early on in agriculture across its value chain. When discussing organic agriculture\, Dr. Mwatima remarks\, “For me\, it is a holistic way of life. Her mission extends to advocating for sustainable development at both national and international levels\, with the belief that it should be embraced as a way of life for everyone. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBenjamin Dias Osorio Filho\nAgronomist\, graduated from the Federal University of Santa Maria (2003)\, Master in Soil Science from the Federal University of Santa Maria (2006) and PhD in Soil Science from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (2009)\, with a doctoral internship at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Adjunct Professor at the State University of Rio Grande do Sul\, working on the Agronomy course and the Master’s in Environment and Sustainability\, and in research on biological inputs for agriculture\, plant growth promotion by soil microorganisms\, cover crops and organic grain production systems. Organic and regenerative farmer. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEric Gall\nEric joined IFOAM Organics Europe as Deputy Director in 2014\, after five years working in the European Parliament. Previously he worked for Greenpeace\, in France then in Brussels\, where he coordinated the European work of the organisation on agriculture issues. He also worked for other NGOs in France on waste reduction and research policy. He coordinates the advocacy work of the organic food and farming movement towards European institutions on a broad range of environmental and agricultural policy files. With around 200 members across the EU and beyond\, IFOAM Organics Europe represents the whole organic production chain\, from organic farmers organizations to processors\, certifiers\, retailers\, and research institutes. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAGENDA\n\n\n\nDay 1 – Tuesday\, April 8\, 2025 (Location: Pyle Center\, Alumni Room) \n\n\n\nTIMEFUNCTIONSPEAKER8:30 AM – 9:00 AMRegistration & Hospitality9:00 AMWelcomeErin Silva\, Professor\, UW–MadisonGlenda Gillaspy\, Dean\, UW–Madison College of Agriculture & Life Sciences9:15 AM – 9:35 AMKeynote address: Organic as a Solution to Global ChallengesMatthew Dillon\, Co-CEO\, Organic Trade Association 9:35 AM – 10:30 AMU.S. Organic Policies that are Working Tom Chapman\, Co-CEO\, Organic Trade Association Nicole Atchison\, CEO\,  PURISAdam Warthesen\, VP of Government & Industry Affairs\, Organic Valley/CROPP CooperativeModerator: Katie Peterman\, Program Manager\, UW Organic Collaborative10:30 AM – 11:45 AMOrganics as a Solution to Global ChallengesMathew John\, President\, IFOAM Organics AsiaLea Zeise\, Assistant Director of Office of Environmental Resource Management\, United South and Eastern TribeRudolfs Pulkstenis\, VP European Council of Young FarmersModerator: Katie Peterman\, Program Manager\, UW Organic Collaborative11:45 AM –12:45 PMLUNCH12:45 PM – 2:00 PMOrganics as a Solution to Regenerative Livestock Production Chris Wilson\, Farmer\, Wilson Organic FarmsJosephine Pettersson\, Operations Manager\, Australian Organic LimitedBrad Heins\, Professor\, University of MinnesotaModerator: Erin Silva\, Professor\, UW–Madison2:00 PM – 3:15 PMOrganics as a Solution to Health and Nutritional SecurityAzizur Rahman\, Research Head & President\, CEO\, Centre for Climate Change Research\, Professor\, University of Toronto Asa Bradman\, Professor\, University of California MercedKevin Murphy\, Professor\, Washington State UniversityModerator: Erin Silva\, Professor\, UW–Madison3:15 PM – 3:30 PM BREAK3:30 PM – 4:45 PM Organics as a Solution to Climate Change Amber Sciligo\, Director of Science Programs\, The Organic CenterMaike Krauss\, Deputy Head of the Department of Soil Sciences\, FiBL Andrew Smith\, Chief Science Officer\,  Rodale InstituteModerator: Tom Bryan\, Teaching Faculty\, Organic Agriculture and Agroecology\, UW-Madison5:00 PM – 7:00 PMHarvest of Ideas Reception7:00 PM – 9:00 PMInformal Gathering at Camp Trippalindee with participants from Green Lands Blue Waters ConferenceSchedule subject to change. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDay 2 – Wednesday\, April 9\, 2025 \n\n\n\nTIMEFUNCTIONSPEAKER8:30 AM – 9:00 AMRegistration & Hospitality9:00 AMOpening RemarksErin Silva\, Professor\, UW-Madison9:15 AM – 10:30 AMOrganics as a Solution for Rural Development and Supporting the Next Generation of Farmers Marina Grolz\, Farmer\, Rotgrabenholf FarmVanessa Garcia Polanco\, Government Relations Director\, National Young Farmers CoalitionLilliana Stefanovic\, Researcher\, University of KasselModerator: Cathleen McCluskey\, Policy & Advocacy Director\, Organic Seed Alliance10:30 AM – 11:45 AMOrganics as a Solution to Enhance Biodiversity Jonathan Lundgren\, Executive Director\, Ecodysis Foundation Karina Garcia\, Postdoctoral Researcher\, Handsome Brook FarmsJulie Dawson\, Professor\, UW–MadisonModerator: James Crall\, Assistant Professor\, Entomology\, UW-Madison11:45 AM – 12:45 PMLUNCH12:45 PM – 2:00 PM Global Policies to Support Organic Solutions Dr. Mwatima Juma\, Chairperson\, Tanzania Organic Agricultural Movement Benjamin Dias Osorio Filho\, Professor\, Universidade Estadual do Rio GrandeEric Gall\, Deputy Director\, IFOAM EuropeModerator: Katie Peterman\, Program Manager\, UW Organic Collaborative2:00 PM – 3:00 PMSmall Group Participant Idea Exchange3:00 PM – 3:15 PMBREAK3:15 PM – 3:45 PM Report Back\, Framing White Paper3:45 PM – 4:00 PMConcluding RemarksErin Silva\, Professor\, UW-MadisonSchedule subject to change. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nACCOMODATIONS & HOTEL INFORMATION:\n\n\n\n\n\nAC Hotel Madison Downtown\n\n\n\n\n\nUW–Madison has arranged accommodations at AC Hotel Madison Downtown with a special group rate of $131/night within the dates of Monday\, April 7\, 2025 – Thursday\, April 10\, 2025. Please mention “Harvest of Ideas 2.0” block when booking your room. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPARKING:\n\n\n\nWhen you register for the summit\, there is an option to purchase a parking pass to secure parking close to the venue. For additional parking information please visit: https://pyle.wisc.edu/about/parking/. There is ample bike parking around the venue. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBUS:\n\n\n\nThere are a variety of busses that serve the UW-Madison campus. For schedules and routes: https://www.cityofmadison.com/metro/routes-schedules. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nB-CYCLE:\n\n\n\nThere are a variety of electric bike rental stations around town and campus. For bike locations and maps: https://madison.bcycle.com/nav/map. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKEY CONTACT\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKatie Peterman\, Program ManagerUW Organic Collaborative  \n\n\n\npeterman2@wisc.edu \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUW-Madison Land Acknowledgement Statement\n\n\n\nThe University of Wisconsin–Madison occupies ancestral Ho-Chunk land\, a place their nation has called Teejop (day-JOPE) since time immemorial. \n\n\n\nIn an 1832 treaty\, the Ho-Chunk were forced to cede this territory. \n\n\n\nDecades of ethnic cleansing followed when both the federal and state government repeatedly\, but unsuccessfully\, sought to forcibly remove the Ho-Chunk from Wisconsin. \n\n\n\nThis history of colonization informs our shared future of collaboration and innovation. \n\n\n\nToday\, UW–Madison respects the inherent sovereignty of the Ho-Chunk Nation\, along with the eleven other First Nations of Wisconsin.
URL:https://uworganic.wisc.edu/event/harvest-of-ideas/
LOCATION:Pyle Center\, 702 Langdon St\, Madison\, Wisconsin\, 53706\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://uworganic.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/396/2024/12/HOI-featured-image.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250319T180000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250319T190000
DTSTAMP:20260404T104318
CREATED:20250319T073114Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250319T073939Z
UID:4563-1742407200-1742410800@uworganic.wisc.edu
SUMMARY:Climate and the Future of Agriculture
DESCRIPTION:Join us for our virtual town hall on climate and the future of agriculture in the Great Lakes region and beyond. We’ll check out an excerpt of “Weathered: Earth’s Extremes” from PBS Digital Studios and tune in to a panel discussion featuring agriculture experts. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFeatured guests include:\n\n\n\n–Professor Douglas Jackson-Smith\, Kellogg Chair of Agroecosystem Management at Ohio State – College of Food\, Agricultural\, and Environmental Sciences \n\n\n\n-Lea Zeise\, coordinator at Ohe∙láku – Among the Cornstalks and assistant director of United South and Eastern Tribes\, Inc.‘s Office of Environmental Resource Management \n\n\n\n-Dr. Erin Silva\, professor and state extension specialist in organic and sustainable cropping systems in the UW-Madison Department of Plant Pathology and director of the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems at University of Wisconsin-Madison \n\n\n\n-Georgina Gustin\, journalist covering agriculture for Inside Climate News specializing in the intersections of farming\, food systems and the environment \n\n\n\n-Tepfirah Rushdan\, director of the City of Detroit Office of Sustainability
URL:https://uworganic.wisc.edu/event/climate-and-the-future-of-agriculture/
LOCATION:WI
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://uworganic.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/396/2025/03/480742054_1166560038815626_1878045957544394872_n.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250123T073000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250125T180000
DTSTAMP:20260404T104318
CREATED:20241214T081627Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241214T082237Z
UID:3874-1737617400-1737828000@uworganic.wisc.edu
SUMMARY:2025 OGRAIN Winter Conference
DESCRIPTION:Registration is now open for the 2025 OGRAIN Winter Conference! \n\n\n\nJoin us January 24th and 25th\, 2025 at the Monona Terrace in Madison\, WI! The annual OGRAIN Conference is an opportunity to learn from local organic grain growers\, hear about the latest research\, and connect with other organic\, transitioning-to-organic\, or inquisitive-about-organic grain growers and end-users. \n\n\n\n\n\nBoth Days: $130.00. Early Bird: $120 \n\n\n\nConference Details\n\n\n\nThursday\, January 23\, 2025: There will be an evening regenerative organic gathering at the Monona Terrace led by Erin Silva. Join us for an evening of dinner and discussion (this requires an additional registration).  Friday\, January 24\, 2025: Breakfast at 7:30 am; sessions and trade show (lunch included) from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm; roundtables and exhibit hall 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm.Saturday\, January 25\, 2025: Breakfast at 7:30 am; sessions and trade show (lunch included) from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm; organic grain market update and buyer-seller mixer 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm. \n\n\n\nRegister now for early bird registration$90 for a single day\, $120 for the full conference\, $60 for the regenerative organic gathering. \n\n\n\nConference Hotel Details.
URL:https://uworganic.wisc.edu/event/2025-ograin-winter-conference/
LOCATION:Monona Terrace\, One John Nolen Drive\, Madison\, Wisconsin\, 53703
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://uworganic.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/396/2024/12/OGRAIN-2025-event-hero.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20241009T170000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20241009T193000
DTSTAMP:20260404T104318
CREATED:20241001T072502Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241001T073313Z
UID:3796-1728493200-1728502200@uworganic.wisc.edu
SUMMARY:Food and Agricultural Connector 2024
DESCRIPTION:Considering a career in the Food or Agricultural Industries? Come to the Food and Agricultural Connector! This casual networking event will be on Wednesday October 9th\, from 5-7:30 PM at the Great Hall in the Memorial Union. Meet with alums and organizational representatives to learn about career options and potential opportunities. Find out what it takes to be a chef in the Kwik Trip test kitchen\, how Culver’s handles their supply chain\, or how State Governments ensure we have safe food.  \n\n\n\nMore details and register: https://wisc.joinhandshake.com/stu/events/1562120
URL:https://uworganic.wisc.edu/event/food-and-agricultural-connector-2024/
LOCATION:Great Hall in the Memorial Union\, 800 Langdon St.\, Madison\, Wisconsin\, 53706
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://uworganic.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/396/2024/10/Student-employer-connector-2-2.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Kristina Vack":MAILTO:vack@wisc.edu
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240826T093000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240826T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T104318
CREATED:20240813T044229Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240813T045006Z
UID:3780-1724664600-1724684400@uworganic.wisc.edu
SUMMARY:Organic Research & Climate-Smart Commodities Field Day in partnership with Marbleseed
DESCRIPTION:Join OGRAIN and Marbleseed at Arlington Agricultural Research Station. We’ll spend the morning touring the station to check out the latest research in organic grains and forages. This year’s field trials include roller crimping\, strip tilling\, planting into hairy vetch\, and dry bean variety testing. Afterwards\, we’ll talk about climate-smart commodities opportunities. What are they? How do they work? What programs are out there? \n\n\n\n\nThis field day is free to attend and lunch is included\, but please register in advance to help us plan!
URL:https://uworganic.wisc.edu/event/organic-research-climate-smart-commodities-field-day-in-partnership-with-marbleseed/
LOCATION:University of Wisconsin Arlington Agricultural Research Station\, N695 Hopkins Road\, Arlington\, Wisconsin\, 53911
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://uworganic.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/396/2024/08/Organic-Research-Climate-Smart-Commodities-Field-Day.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Kelly Debbink":MAILTO:kdebbink2@wisc.edu
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240820T103000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240820T153000
DTSTAMP:20260404T104318
CREATED:20240727T035934Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240813T020902Z
UID:3746-1724149800-1724167800@uworganic.wisc.edu
SUMMARY:A Producer’s Guide for Success: How to Produce Cider Styles from Standard to Specialty
DESCRIPTION:Award winning cider maker\, Charles McGonegal\, will share his years of experience and expertise on how to produce the different cider styles from Standard (Heritage\, Traditional\, and Modern) to Specialty (Fruited\, Botanical\, Spiced\, etc.). You will learn the nuts and bolts of producing each cider style: apple selection\, specific chemistry\, fermentation strategies\, yeast selection\, and nutrient management. The afternoon will host a panel discussion with experienced cider producers about the lessons they have learned as a cider producer: Deirdre Birmingham (The Cider Farm)\, Walker Fanning (Hidden Cave Cidery)\, Richard Ihrig (String Theory)\, and Charles McGonegal (AEppelTreow Winery).\n Register for this workshop here. \n \n\nCharles McGonegal\, Certified Pommelier started AEppelTreow Winery (pronounced “apple true”) in 2001 as an elaborate ploy to buy his wife more jewelry. Starting with a biochemistry degree from Michigan Technological University\, a modicum of food analytical chemistry experience\, a burgeoning relationship with a grower of heirloom apples\, and carboy of insanity\, Charles leveraged a basement cider operation into the smallest nationally distributed cider brand. Charles practices an esoteric branch of cidermaking\, growing traditional bittersweet European cider cultivars and perry pears and exercising the fine art of the methode champenoise. Charles has been an active participant in the developing American cider community\, as Vice President of the Great Lakes Cider and Perry Association\, judge-educator for the Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition\, contributor to the BJCP Cider Style Guidelines and presenting at cider seminars in Michigan\, Pennsylvania and Virginia. In 2009\, AEppelTreow branched into the world of nano-distilling.\n The UW-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems and Department of Food Science and have teamed up to bring you this workshop. 
URL:https://uworganic.wisc.edu/event/a-producers-guide-for-success-how-to-produce-cider-styles-from-standard-to-specialty/
LOCATION:(WMARS) West Madison Agricultural Research Station\, 8502 Mineral Point Rd\, Verona\, Wisconsin\, 53593
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://uworganic.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/396/2024/07/Hard-Cider-Workshops-Aug-2024-1.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240820T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240820T150000
DTSTAMP:20260404T104318
CREATED:20240813T042445Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240813T043930Z
UID:3758-1724148000-1724166000@uworganic.wisc.edu
SUMMARY:Cover Crop Conversations at Hoffman Organic Farm In partnership with IDEA Farm Network & The Land Connection
DESCRIPTION:Let’s get together and talk cover crops while checking out fields with Paul Hoffman at Hoffman Organic Farm. We’re excited to host this field day in partnership with IDEA Farm Network and The Land Connection. \n\n\n\n\n\nWe’ll focus on Paul’s organic field crops\, but this family farm has much more to offer including organic vegetables and grass-fed lamb and beef. Our cover crop conversations will include frost seeded red clover post wheat harvest\, pasture grasses with winter wheat\, and cash cover cropping for buckwheat seed production while including pearl millet and sunn hemp. We’ll also look at using solar corridors for growing winter squash interseeded into corn. We’ll also spend some time talking about The Land Connection’s Organic Grain Mentorship Program with Paul and Vickie. This mentorship program pairs experienced organic farmers with experienced conventional farmers looking to transition acres into organic to facilitate peer support and information sharing. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis field day is free to attend and lunch is included\, but please register in advance to help us plan!
URL:https://uworganic.wisc.edu/event/cover-crop-conversations-at-hoffman-organic-farm-in-partnership-with-idea-farm-network-the-land-connection/
LOCATION:Hoffman Organic Farm\, 4279 E. 12th Rd\, Earlville\, Illinois\, 60518
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://uworganic.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/396/2024/08/Cover-Crop-Conversations-Hoffman-Organic-Farm-field-day.jpg
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