Summer in the Midwest took a bit of time to get here, but it’s now in full swing! See below for several events happening throughout the region. We hope to see you out in the field and at the table!
August 14 | Cannon Falls, Minnesota
On-Farm Experiments Field Day
Like most farmers, Dana and Karin Jokela of Sogn Valley Farm are constantly innovating to improve the health of their land and quality of their crops. On their farm in Cannon Falls, MN, they integrate on-farm experiments and unique conservation efforts into their commercial organic vegetable production. Join hosts Organic Seed Alliance, Sogn Valley Farm, and The Good Acre for a field day to learn about these efforts and get inspired. Field day participants can expect to learn more about the following on-farm innovations.
- Sap analysis and fertigation of high-tunnel tomatoes. Sap analysis uses a plant’s sap to measure mineral levels and identify nutrient deficiencies, so that they can be corrected with custom fertigation treatments.
- Interseeding cover crops with vegetable crops.
- Trialing and breeding open-pollinated sweet peppers for adaptation to northern climates.
- Basic seed saving for farmers with Koby Jeschkeit-Hagen from Seed Sages.
- Flowering cover crop mixes for pollinator habitat.
August 22 | Verona, Wisconsin
Organic Vegetable Research Showcase
Our research partners at University of Wisconsin–Madison are busy in the field and you’re invited to check it out firsthand. Join OSA, UW-Madison researchers, seed company representatives, and independent breeders for the Organic Vegetable Research Showcase. We’ll look at new varieties bred for outstanding flavor and disease resistance, and that thrive in organic systems along the Northern Tier of the U.S. We’ll get a chance to see trials and breeding plots from several organic research projects, and learn about developing organic varieties and how to conduct variety trials. You’ll also learn how to extend the growing season on your farm, how to reduce tillage, and more!
September 12 | Madison, Wisconsin
Farm to Flavor 2019
Have you tasted a habanero pepper with heat mild enough to showcase its sweetness? Or a deep indigo colored tomato bursting with flavor that beautifies every salad? How about beets that are deliciously mild and sweet? Gnocchi made with colored carrots? Sweet corn ice cream? The creativity that we see at Farm to Flavor events goes on and on. Join OSA and the Seed to Kitchen Collaborative for the 5th annual Farm to Flavor event and taste what the breeders and chefs dream up this year! The tasting event celebrates biodiversity in food through small plate dishes from Madison’s talented chefs.
October 17–18 | Madison, Wisconsin
Upper Midwest Seed Summit
We’re partnering with Seed to Kitchen Collaborative to host a two-day gathering of regional seed leaders to learn, connect, and identify opportunities to advance the regional organic seed system in the Upper Midwest. The retreat-style gathering will include farmers, seed growers, on-farm plant breeders, researchers, and regional seed company representatives. Participants will help lay the foundation for grassroots collaboration and identify shared priorities for future regional seed work.
