2022 Presentations and Workshops
The 2022 Mid-America Organic Conference will consist of three days filled with national speakers, educational workshops, and networking opportunities to connect farmers across the state. The goal of the conference is to help educate farmers and producers on the value and importance of learning organic principles of production for specialty crops that preserve natural resources and add value to their farming operations. We also strive to educate beginning and existing farmers on successful business practices, including methods of direct marketing, wholesale marketing, and value-added marketing of organic and sustainably grown specialty crops.
More presenters and workshops are coming! Be sure to check back as the list grows!
Conference Hours
Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. each day. Exhibit Hall open from 8 am to 5 pm.
Coffee will be available in the morning. Lunch will be served from 12pm-1pm on Tuesday and Wednesday.
There will be an Annual MOA Membership Meeting Tuesday evening starting at 4:00 p.m. All conference attendees are invited to attend as we plan for the future of MOA and how we can better serve our community!
Tuesday, February 1
Alternative Sales Outlets for Small Farms: How We Quit the Farmers Market and Still Increased Our Sales
Katie Nixon, Certified Organic Grower - Green Gate Family Farms
Katie Nixon has a long history of working with people interested in making local foods more accessible to area residents, most notably overseeing the completion of the Kansas City Food Hub Feasibility Study, as 2010 Chair of the work-group. Her passion lies with helping small to medium size farms gain access to a variety of markets, thereby helping farmers be more successful. This interest extends this to her own company—Green Gate Family Farm—a certified organic fruit, vegetable, and egg farm in Wheatland, Missouri, which she co-operates with her husband, Ken Barber. Katie is the Secretary of the Kansas City Food Hub and a founding farmer/partner.
Organic Certification Process
Mark Seeley, OnMark Certification Services LLC
Mark Seeley is the Executive Director at OnMark Certification Services LLC. OnMark provides certification services to farmers throughout the U.S., mainly in the Upper Midwest. In his presentation he will be sharing about the steps to become certified organic.
Intro to Regenerative Agriculture: A Common Sense Approach to the Future of Farming
Farmer Dan Krull
Let's talk about the future of farming. And honestly, regenerative agriculture IS that future.
Dan Krull is a Farm Systems Design Consultant for FW Capital, and president of Manheim Park Garden Conservancy. Dan has a passion for self-sufficient agriculture and ecosystem mimicry, and is currently working with FW Capital, Heartland P5, and Restoration Ag Development on a project to train young farmers, and convert low quality land into productive, profitable regenerative farm systems. Dan is also a father of six, an avid outdoorsman, and lover of all things natural.
Regenerative Cannabis
Nate Schneider, Sierra Living Organics
In this presentation, Nate Schneider will be discussing regenerative agriculture and its relationship to Cannabis, practical implementation of Korean Natural Farming (KNF), Jadam, permaculture, and other natural farming techniques.
Labor & Hiring on a Small Scale Diversified Vegetable Farm
Liz Graznak, Happy Hollow Farm
5 Women on Tiny Ranchers Sequester Soil Carbon
Susan Jaster, Lincoln University's Innovative Small Farm Outreach Program
The key to regenerative agriculture is that it not only “does no harm” to the land but actually improves it, using technologies that regenerate and revitalize the soil and the environment. This presentation will be focused on a SARE Grant FNC20-1224 of two years of catching bugs, identifying plants, collecting soil health samples, and grazing livestock on 5 ranches! What does it all mean? In other words: Results from Regenerative Practices in a Pandemic!
Susan Jaster is a sheep rancher and has worked as a Farm Outreach Worker for Lincoln University's Innovative Small Farm Outreach Program since 2009. In the West-Central region of Missouri, she provides research-based agricultural information to small, non-traditional, woman-centric, specialty, and underserved farmers and ranchers. She assists producers with adaptive grazing, high tunnels, small ruminants, poultry, soil health, regenerative agricultural practices, and the Missouri AgrAbility Program.
Treecrops Breeding and Selection for Regional Agroforestry Systems
Mark Shepard, Restoration Agriculture Development and Forest Agriculture Nursery
Presentation on State and Federal Assistance Opportunities
Missouri Department of Agriculture & NRCS
Missouri Pawpaws
Patrick Byers, Horticulture Field Specialist at the University of Missouri Extension
Specialty Crop Production Practices for Soil Health Regeneration and Preservation: An Historical Timeline
Dr. Linda Hezel Ph.D., R.N., Prairie Birthday Farm & Dr. Bob Kremer Ph.D.
Collaboration between Dr. Kremer and Dr. Hezel began with soil sampling and analysis in 2003. This presentation will highlight the production practices implemented and corresponding soil health measurements documented over fifteen years.
Wednesday, February 2
High & Low Tunnel Production On A Diversified Year Round Vegetable Farm
Liz Graznak, Happy Hollow Farm
The Economics of Restoration Agriculture
Mark Shepard, Restoration Agriculture Development and Forest Agriculture Nursery
Maintaining Livestock Health Organically
Dr. Tom Rosco, DVM
Dr. Tom Roscos is a practicing veterinarian from west-central Wisconsin with 38 years of experience. His emphasis has been cattle, sheep, and goats. Being well-versed in organic methods and products, he incorporates them in organic and conventional farms alike.
Doc has been actively operating the family farms with his wife Sue and son Hawken. Their land is certified organic and is home to cattle, sheep, goats, bees, and poultry. The combination of a lifetime of farming and decades of veterinary practice gives him a unique and comprehensive perspective of animal health and husbandry. As an animal health educator, Doc works with Dr. Paul’s Lab and the Impro Company to provide advice to farmers and ranchers across the country. He also shares information through his website, blog, newsletters, and writings.
Cover Crop-Based, Rotational No-Till Organic Grain Production: How to Make it Work
Lea Vereecke, Rodale Organic Consultant
Using Essential Oils in High Tunnels for the Control of Aphids, Spider Mites, and Thrips
David Middleton, Nahshon Bishop, and Dr. Clement Akotsen-Mensah - University of Missouri
A Missouri Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Block Grant giving the results of a 2-year study using Orange, Lemongrass, Cedarwood, Peppermint, and Lavender in high tunnels during winter production for control of Aphids, Spider Mites, and Thrips. Information learned on essential oils for insect control, farmer results, dilution rates, and product combinations.
Being Sustainable While Building for the Future
Edwin Blosser, Midwest Bio-Systems
Missouri Pawpaws
Patrick Byers, Horticulture Field Specialist at the University of Missouri Extension
Intro to Herbalism Workshop
Crystal Stevens, Tend and Flourish School of Botanicals
Specialty Crop Production Practices for Soil Health Regeneration and Preservation: An Historical Timeline
Dr. Linda Hezel Ph.D., R.N., Prairie Birthday Farm & Dr. Bob Kremer Ph.D.
Collaboration between Dr. Kremer and Dr. Hezel began with soil sampling and analysis in 2003. This presentation will highlight the production practices implemented and corresponding soil health measurements documented over fifteen years.
Panel Discussion: Organic Row Crops - Transitioning to Organic
Panelists: Edwin Blosser - Midwest Bio-Systems, Mark Seeley - OnMark Certification Services, Nick Schlotzhauer - Creekside Farms LLC, David Yoder - Five Star Family Farms
Panel Discussion: Adding Value to Your Farm Business
Panelists: Sue Baird - Mid-America Food Hub, Terry Durham - River Hills Harvest, Dan Kuebler - The Salad Garden, Christine Williams
Thursday, February 3
Soil Regeneration for Climate Resilience and Nutrient Dense Food
David Yarrow, Earth Advocate
Soil is a battery that we charge with carbon, minerals, water and microbes. Learn how to best protect it and use it for high production yields.
Creating Natural Cleaning Products Workshop
Crystal Stevens, Tend and Flourish School of Botanicals
A workshop focused on creating natural cleaning products.