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 Montana Organic Association Glasgow Seminars 2010
October 9, 2010
Cottonwood Inn, Glasgow, MT
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GLASGOW SEMINARS 2010 - AGENDA
Saturday, October 9, 2010
8:30 Registration
9:30-9:40 Introduction
MOA’s Board Chair, Ole Norgaard, gives an introduction to the day, as well as an update of what MOA is working on.
9:40-11:10 Key Note: Farm Sustainability: A Journey or a Destination?
David Granatstein of Washington State University will take us on a journey by taking a look at sustainability of the whole farm, including environmental, social, and economic aspects. What have we learned about making farms more sustainable? How far beyond the farm boundaries do we look (e.g. Life Cycle Assessment)? What assumptions are we using when we talk about sustainability? What strategies augment production of small grains in eastern Montana? What can we learn from research in other regions (for example, the Palouse region of Washington state)? This session will give a hard look at the concept of sustainability and how it relates to economics and the environment.
11:10-12:00 Grain Buyers Panel
The grain buyers that are sponsors of the event will be on this panel. Each company is given a couple of minutes each to introduce their company as well as speak about the current market, explain what they are doing in the organic grain industry/market and share their outlook at the current market...both short- and long-term. Then we open up for questions and answers.
12:00-1:00 Lunch Buffet
1:00-1:30 Introduction to FARRMS
Karri Stroh from the project will introduce participants to FARRMS. The organization, headquartered in North Dakota, is a nonprofit education center for sustainable agriculture. Karri will speak about educational program and mentorship opportunities that have been implemented to aid farmers in organic and sustainable farming practices.
1:30-2:45 Keynote Presentation: Dr. David Granatstein of Washington State University presents Dryland Grain Cropping Systems that Support Farmers and their Soils
Dr. David Granatstein of WSU will examine organic grain production under dryland management. What is the effect of fallow, and how does it line up with the NOP standard to “maintain or improve soil quality?” What are some alternatives to fallow and their pros and cons? Are imported organic amendments realistic in eastern Montana? Carbon is the fuel for the living component of soil: How do we get it, conserve it and manage it? And carbon and nitrogen change in tandem: Since N is generally limiting in dryland regions, how do we best manage it? The session will discuss indicators of soil improvement that can be used over time. Soil is the foundation of organic agriculture, yet it remains one of the remaining biological frontiers on our planet.
2:45-3:05 Afternoon Break
3:05-3:35 NRCS/EQIP:
Presenters will give an overview of the funding that the Montana Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has available to assist farmers and ranchers to convert to organic production with the EQIP program, as well as help existing organic farmers to utilize this program. Speakers: Kris Berg, EQIP Program Coordinator, and Mark Bruckner, an organic farmer from Malta, will give a short perspective on his experience with the EQIP program.
3:35-5:00 Video Farm Tour and Farmer Roundtable Discussion:
Herb Sands will present a video of his organic farm though the growing season of 2010 followed by Herb talking about his farm and the video. The video and Herb’s talk will be the foundation for the Farmer Roundtable discussion, moderated by Michal Lund.
If you would like to volunteer or have any specific questions about the conference, please email Jim Lindquist or phone 406-583-7722.
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