Strategies for Transitioning to Small Scale Organic Regenerative Ag

Join us on June 18 from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. in Vermillion, South Dakota for the field day “Soil Health & Conservation Strategies for Transitioning to Organic Regenerative Ag (Small Scale)”

Participants will tour Genesis Gardens, a regenerative urban farm transitioning from conventional to organic production under an NRCS OM-823 interim conservation contract.. Speakers from NRCS, Precision Soil, BioFlora, SDSPA, and NPSAS TOPP Plains will discuss soil health, conservation practices, and organic transition strategies. Angela Jackson, SDSPA Organic Ag Transition Advisor, will explain organic certification. The event includes practical demonstrations, networking opportunities, and a free lunch for all attendees.

• Farmers (organic, transitioning, and conventional)
• Agricultural professionals & extension educators
• Conservationists & sustainability advocates
• Students & researchers in regenerative, organic, and sustainable agriculture

AGENDA:

10:00 – 10:10 a.m. - Welcome & Opening Remarks

Angela Jackson, SDSPA Transitioning to Organic Advisor- Overview of the day, introductions, and goals for transitioning producers.

10:10 – 11:40 a.m. - NRCS Rainfall Simulator Demonstration (90 minutes)

NRCS Conservation Specialists - Live rainfall simulation demonstrating soil health principles including infiltration, soil structure, erosion control, residue management, and conservation practices commonly used in OM-823 conservation planning.

11:40 – 12:00 p.m. - Session – Conservation Programs for Organic Transition

Overview of NRCS conservation programs, including OM-823, and how producers can access technical assistance and financial support for conservation planning during organic transition.

12:00 – 12:30 p.m. - Session – Transitioning to Certified Organic

Angela Jackson, SDSPA Transitioning to Organic Advisor - Steps to transition to certified organic and connecting with technical assistance resources.

12:30 – 1:00 p.m. - Free Lunch & Networking

1:00 – 1:20 p.m. - Session – Soil Biology & Microbial Health

Larry Sax of BioFlora - Understanding microbial activity and biological inputs that support soil health in regenerative and organic systems.

12:40 – 1:10 p.m. - Session – Precision Soil Management

Cooper Millar of Precision Soil - Comprehensive soil analysis strategies for setting soil health goals.

1:30 – 2:00 p.m. - Farm Tour of Genesis Gardens

Guided tour of conservation practices and regenerative production systems being implemented as the farm transitions from conventional to organic production.

Directions: Take Exit 26 off I-29. Go 5.5 miles west on Hwy. 50 into Vermillion. Take first left to go south on Crawford Street 0.5 mi, then turn right on E. Main Street and head west for 0.3 mi. Park in the church parking lot and walk over to the big white shed next door at 1314 E. Main.

This program has been funded under a Conservation Collaboration Cooperative Agreement NR246740XXXXC008 between the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and South Dakota Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA), to promote sustainable agriculture practices and environmental stewardship. This event is also co-hosted by Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).

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Host or Publisher South Dakota Specialty Producers Association