Certified Crop Advisors (CCA) certified through the American Society of Agronomy currently working in organic crop production, and those interested exploring approaches to organic production, can obtain continuing education units (CEU’s) at this year’s Organic Farming Conference and Organic University. The two events, conducted by the Wisconsin-based Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), will be held February 26-28, 2009 at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, WI. A total of 104 CEU’s have been assigned in the areas of Crop Management (65.0), Pest Management (3.5), Soil and Water Management (8.0), Nutrient Management (11.5), and Professional Development (16.0).

 

The Organic Farming Conference (February 27, 28) is billed as the foremost educational and networking event in the organic farming community in the United States and attracts more than 2,400 attendees. The conference emphasizes “practical workshops designed to help beginning, transitional, and experienced organic farmers.” Workshops are led by experienced practitioners as well as researchers and educators from several Midwest universities. There is also a pre-conference Organic University, February 26, which offers intensive day-long sessions on specific topics in organic agriculture. There is also a trade show featuring 140 exhibitors from resource groups, certification agencies, buyers, processors, cooperatives and suppliers in the organic industry. The University of Wisconsin’s Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems is a long-time sponsor and collaborator for this event.

 

Although a relatively small percentage of the U.S. food supply, sales of organic food products have grown 20 percent per-year for the 15 years preceding 2008. Organic farming in Wisconsin grew 90 percent from 2002 to 2007. The 2007 US Ag Census lists sales of organically produced commodities in Wisconsin valued at $80,630,000. Wisconsin ranks second in the United States for number of organic farms. It is among the top five states for organic corn, soybeans, oats, barley and rye, and is first in organic dairy operations and organically raised livestock.¹

 

For more information on the Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference and the Organic University, see the MOSES website at http://www.mosesorganic.org/.   Or, contact MOSES at P.O. Box 339, Spring Valley, WI. 54767. Phone: 715-772-3153. For a listing of CEU assignments for specific conference sessions, see the ASA event calendar at https://www.agronomy.org/calendar/. 

 

¹Organic Agriculture in Wisconsin, 2007 Status Report, Organic Dairy Production, February 2008: UW Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems; Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection; UW Center for Dairy Profitability.