2024 Organic Grain Conference & Trade Show is scheduled for February 7-8, 2024 at the i-Hotel in Champaign, IL.
In partnership with the Artisan Grain Collaborative (AGC), Illinois FarmLink, and Organic Agronomy Training Service (OATS) we are pleased to offer five unique, educational grain related tracks. Educational tracks will encompass grain commodities, grains for human consumption, farmland access, agronomy training for professionals, current research from the NCR SARE farmers forum and more!
Opportunities in Organics
Shifting markets… Changing consumer preferences… Increased input prices… Unpredictable weather… What’s next?
Every hurdle encountered offers an opportunity. Join us as we explore challenges and opportunities across the organic grain value chain.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2024
Day 1 of the conference will feature five concurrent presentation tracks to choose from, a plenary session, a half day trade show, and will close with a mixer at Rigg’s Beer Company.
- 12pm-Registration/Refreshments/Trade Show
- 1pm-5 Concurrent Presentation Sessions
- 1:45pm-Trade Show/Refreshments
- 2:15pm-5 Concurrent Presentation Sessions
- 3pm-Trade Show/Refreshments
- 3:30pm-Plenary Session
- 5:00-7:00pm-Mixer at Rigg’s Brewery featuring La Paloma Food Truck, sponsored by the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024
Day 2 of the conference will offer plenty of opportunity to engage directly with peers, consultants, researchers, and industry professionals. It will also feature five concurrent presentation tracks to choose from, panel discussion sessions, a keynote address by farmer and scientist Bob Quinn, and a full day trade show. Day 2 will include a light breakfast, full lunch, and refreshments throughout the day.
- 8am-Registration/Refreshments/Trade Show
- 9am-Five Concurrent Presentation Sessions
- 9:45am-Trade Show/Refreshments
- 10:15am-Five Concurrent Presentation Sessions
- 11am-Trade Show/Refreshments
- 11:30am-Five Concurrent Presentation Sessions
- 12:15pm-Lunch/Trade Show
- 1:30pm-Keynote
- 2:30pm-Trade Show/Refreshments
- 3pm-Five Concurrent Presentation Sessions
- 4:30pm-Adjourn
Keynote Speaker: DR BOB QUINN, Quinn Farm and Ranch
Bob Quinn is a leading green businessman, with successful ventures in both organic agriculture and renewable energy. Raised on a 2,400 acre wheat and cattle ranch in Montana, Quinn earned a Ph.D. in plant biochemistry at UC Davis before coming home to farm in 1978. In 1986, he planted his first organic crop, and by 1989, he had converted his entire farm. He served on the first National Organic Standards Board, which spurred the creation of the USDA’s National Organic Program, and has been recognized with the Montana Organic Association Lifetime of Service Award, The Organic Trade Association Organic Leadership Award, and Rodale Institute’s Organic Pioneer Award.
SARE Farmers Forum
The North Central Region-Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) Farmers Forum is a traveling event giving farmers, ranchers, researchers, and others the chance to share information about sustainable agriculture practices with a national audience. These presentations focus on research, demonstration, and education projects that promote profitable practices that are good for the environment and community. The projects highlighted in these presentations and the Farmers Forum are funded by grants from NCR-SARE, a USDA funded program that supports and promotes sustainable farming and ranching by offering competitive grants and educational opportunities. For more information about NCR-SARE, see: www.northcentral.sare.org or contact NCR-SARE by email: [email protected], or phone 612-626-3113.
CONFERENCE LOCATION
All conference activities will take place at the iHotel, located at 1900 South 1st, St, Champaign, IL 61802.
REFUND POLICY
If you are no longer able to attend the conference and need to cancel your registration, please contact us at 217-840-2128.
- Cancellations received by January 24th will receive a full refund minus a $5 processing fee
- Cancellations received after January 24th will receive a 50% refund
- Cancellations received after January 31st will not be refunded.
2024 Event Hosts
Thank you to our 2024 sponsors
Soil Builder Level
Harvester Level
Cultivator Level
Blue River Organic Seed
TH Fabrication LLC
Treffler-Man@Machine
American Organic
Byron Seeds
Planter Level
Clarkson Grain
Prairie Hybrids
USDA-NASS
Marbleseed
The Savanna Institute
Phinite
Grain Millers
Diverse Corn Belt
Illinois Stewardship Alliance
OnMark Certification Services
Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP)
