[Pacg] Organic Farm Field Day, Wed, Aug 6, Noon-4pm

[qcprogressiveaction]

*WIU/Allison Organic Farm Field Day
"Balancing Organic and Conventional Production"*

Wednesday August 6, 2008 – noon - 4:00 pm

The Organic Agriculture Research program at Western Illinois University will
be hosting its annual field day on Wednesday, August 6th at the WIU/Allison
Organic Farm and the neighboring Kane farm in south-western Warren County.
The theme this year is "Balancing Organic and Conventional Production". The
field day will start at noon in the Kane Farm Shop with a free lunch
featuring local farm products. The lunch will be followed by a slide
presentation by Gary Reding, a pioneering producer of conventional,
specialty and organic crops in central IN. After observing strong demand for
organics in his seed cleaning business, Gary became certified to clean
organic grains in 1997. Continuing to follow the market, Gary began
transitioning land to organic in 2000 and now has almost 50% of his 600
acres certified. In addition to crops, Gary has a 40 head cow/calf herd and
markets natural, no-hormone-fed beef (80% direct market). Gary will share
his experiences and then join a panel of IL farmers with mixed operations to
discuss the unique opportunities and challenges associated with managing
both organic and conventional production systems. Activities at the Kane
Farm will close with short reports on organic markets (Roger Hendricker) and
AgLeader guidance systems (Rex Garthaus).

The field day will then transition 1 mile east to the Allison Organic Farm
for an equipment demonstration by Andy Clayton followed by a tour of
research and production activities led by Dr. Joel Gruver.

If you have ever contemplated organic production or are simply curious about
why some successful conventional farmers diversify into organics and how
they keep their mixed operations in balance - this field day will have
something for you. The presentations will begin after lunch at approximately
1 pm in the Kane Farm Shop (KFS). *This event will occur rain or shine.
*

*Schedule of Events*

*Keynote Presentation ~ 1pm (KFS)*
Langeland Farms: Following the Market to Organic Profits - Gary Reding
(Greensburg, IN, 300 acres conventional, 300 acres organic)
*Farmer Panel Discussion ~ 1:45pm (KFS)*
Gary Reding, Frank McKinley (Flanagan, IL, 2100 acres conventional, 300
acres organic), Roger Hendricker (Arenzville, IL, 200 acres conventional,
110 transitional, 195 acres organic)
*Overview of Organic Grain Markets ~ 2:15pm (KFS)*
Roger Hendricker – Organic farmer and Manager of Clarkson Grain (Beardstown,
IL)
*Overview of AgLeader guidance systems ~ 2:30pm (KFS)*
Rex Garthaus – Ag Leader Sales Representative for IL and WI
*Equipment Demonstration ~ 3pm at the Allison Farm*

Andy Clayton – Research Technician - WIU Agriculture Department

*Tour of Research and Production activities ~ 3:30pm at the Allison Farm*

Dr. Joel Gruver - - Assistant Professor of Soil Science and coordinator of
the WIU Organic Research Program.

*Directions to the Kane and Allison farms:*
If arriving from north of 20th Ave in Warren County, travel on Rt. 67 five
miles south of the Rt. 67 - Rt. 116 intersection in Roseville to County Rd.
20th Ave N, then turn west and travel five miles to the Kane farm.  If
arriving from the south, travel on Rt. 67 seven miles north of the Rt. 67 -
Rt. 9 intersection in Good Hope to County Rd. 20th Ave N, then turn west and
travel five miles to the Kane farm. The Allison farm is located on the
northwest corner of the intersection of County Rd. 20th Ave N and 20th
Street, 1 mile east of the Kane Farm. Signs will be posted at both farms.
Please contact Andy Clayton (217) 322 – 2639 if you need additional
assistance.

*Registration *

The field day is free and open to the public but advance registration is
required for the lunch. To register, please contact Andy Clayton,
AW-Clayton at wiu.edu, (309) 298-1172, (217) 322-2639 or the WIU Ag Office,
(309) 298-1080. The WIU Organic Agriculture Research program website can be
accessed via the following link:
*www.wiu.edu/ag/organicfarm* <http://www.wiu.edu/ag/organicfarm/>.
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