The 8th Organic Grain Conference & Trade Show is scheduled for February 5-6, 2025 at the i-Hotel in Champaign, IL. Join us for two days of dynamic grain content!
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.
We are pleased to offer four unique, educational grain related tracks. Educational tracks will encompass grain commodities, agronomy training for professionals, cultivating resilience, current research from the NCR SARE farmers forum and more!
2025 KEYNOTE
We are thrilled to announce our Keynote Speaker for 2025’s Organic Grain Conference! Gary Zimmer is Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Midwestern BioAg. Known as the “father” of biological agriculture, Zimmer is an internationally known author, speaker and consultant. He owns Otter Creek Organic Farm, a family-operated, award winning 1000-acre farm near Lone Rock, WI. Zimmer is the author of three books, The Biological Farmer, The Biological Farmer (Second Edition) and Advancing Biological Farming, plus numerous articles on soils and livestock nutrition. Zimmer holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master’s degree in dairy nutrition from the University of Hawaii. Anyone who attends a meeting featuring Gary will see that he is one of the world’s leading authorities on biological farming. After several decades as a farmer, agribusinessman, educator and author, Zimmer is recognized around the world for his dedication to improving farms by restoring soils.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2025
Day 1 of the conference will feature four concurrent presentation tracks to choose from, a research farm tour, plenary session, a half day trade show, and will close with a mixer at Rigg’s Beer Company.
- 10:30am-Registration/Refreshments
- 11:00am-UIUC Research Farm Tour with Dr. Carmen Ugarte
- 12:00pm-Trade Show/Registration/Refreshments
- 1:00pm-Concurrent Presentation Sessions
- 1:45pm-Trade Show/Refreshments
- 2:15pm-Concurrent Presentation Sessions
- 3:00pm-Trade Show/Refreshments
- 3:30pm-Plenary Session
- 5:00-7:00pm-Organic Grain Buyer/Seller Mixer at Rigg’s Beer Company sponsored by the National Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) Markets
Organic Grain Buyer/Seller Mixer Sponsored by National TOPP Markets
Join us for an evening of organic grain supply chain networking, food, and refreshments! This is an opportunity for organic grain buyers and Midwest-based farmers to connect and share insights with one another. Whether you are an established buyer, a farmer exploring organic practices, or a certified organic farmer, this event is designed for you. Meet fellow organic grain supply chain actors, discover new partnerships, and engage in discussions about the future of organic agriculture in the Midwest. Enjoy complimentary food from Maize Mexican Grill, a beloved local eatery dedicated to supporting our local farming community. Guests will enjoy mouthwatering dishes crafted using locally grown organic corn. This event is free (attendees must register) and open to all who are interested in the organic grain marketplace.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2025
Day 2 of the conference will offer plenty of opportunity to engage directly with peers, consultants, researchers, and industry professionals. It will also feature four concurrent presentation tracks to choose from, panel discussion sessions, a keynote address by farmer and educator Gary Zimmer, and a full day trade show. Day 2 will include a light breakfast, full lunch, and refreshments throughout the day.
- 8:00am-Registration/Refreshments/Trade Show
- 9:00am-Concurrent Presentation Sessions
- 9:45am-Trade Show/Refreshments
- 10:15am-Concurrent Presentation Sessions
- 11:00am-Trade Show/Refreshments
- 11:30am-Concurrent Presentation Sessions
- 12:15pm-Lunch/Trade Show
- 1:30pm-Keynote
- 2:30pm-Trade Show/Refreshments
- 3:00pm-Concurrent Presentation Sessions
- 4:30pm-Adjourn
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.
Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors!
Soil Builder Level
Harvester Level
Cultivator Level
Diverse Corn Belt
Treffler-Man@Machine
American Organic
Blue River Organic Seed
Rovensa Next
Earlybird Goodfield
TH Fabrication, LLC
Byron Seeds
Planter Level
Prairie Hybrids
Artisan Grain Collaborative
Henke Buffalo
OnMark Certification Services, LLC
Grain Millers
Crop Fertility Services
Marbleseed
Mad Capital
