By Blake Jackson
Growing consumer demand for organic food continues to create new opportunities for organic grain producers, with U.S. organic food sales in 2025 increasing at three times the rate of the overall food market.
The strong interest in organic beef, eggs, and dairy products has also increased the need for organic feed grain production.
To help both current and prospective organic grain farmers, the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Organic Grain Resource and Information Network (OGRAIN) will host five educational field days across Wisconsin and Illinois from June 22, 2026, through September 17, 2026. The events will highlight innovative farming practices, research projects, and emerging technologies at working farms and university research stations.
“Each farm is unique and requires a tailored management plan,” said Kelly Debbink, OGRAIN outreach specialist in the UW–Madison Department of Plant Pathology. “We aim to share farmer and researcher first-hand experiences with these new technologies and techniques to help attendees make informed management decisions for their own farms.”
The series begins with the Organic Cereals Field Walk on June 22, 2026, in Madison, Wisconsin, followed by the Organic Seed to Spirit Field Day on July 24, 2026, in Paxton, Illinois, featuring field tours, grain demonstrations, and distillery activities
On August 6, 2026, the Arlington Agricultural Research Station will host two sessions covering no-till soybean research, weed management, and introductory organic production topics.
Additional programming includes the UW Organic Agriculture Research Field Day on August 18, 2026, in Arlington, showcasing reduced-tillage systems, soil health studies, and livestock integration research
The final event, Virtual Fencing: Takeaways From Year One, will take place on September 17, 2026, at Seven Seeds Organic Farm in Spring Green, Wisconsin, highlighting virtual fencing technology and perennial pasture management.
“Field days are a key opportunity to see the trials and exchange knowledge in-person,” said OGRAIN program leader Erin Silva, professor and extension specialist in UW–Madison’s Department of Plant Pathology, and Clif Bar Endowed Chair in Organic Agriculture and Outreach.
“Fortunately, there’s also a lot that can be gleaned year-round from online communities, such as the OGRAIN listserv. These kinds of connections help make the entire transition and learning process easier,” said Silva.
For more information and registration, visit https://ograin.cals.wisc.edu/2026-field-days/
Photo Credit: istock-fotosipsak
Categories: Wisconsin, Crops, Education, Livestock, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Poultry