9:30 a.m.
Mary Jo Forbord, Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota

• Introductions & Announcements

Overview of Organic Dairy

9:45 a.m.
Meg Moynihan, Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture, Organic & Diversification Specialist

• Scope of organic dairy in Minnesota/Upper Midwest
• Markets, economics and growth potential
• Organic certification and record keeping

Organic Dairy Farmer Insights and Virtual Farm Tours

10:30 a.m.
Steve O’Rreilly, Goodhue, MN
John Bedtke, Altura, MN
Tom & Karen Wencl, Blooming Prairie, MN

• Decision and rationale for going organic
• Management practices--feed, nutrition, livestock health
• Production
• Use of dairy support professionals
• Successes and challenges

11:45 a.m.

• Lunch and Topical Discussions

Building an Organic Dairy System

12:30 p.m.
Guy Jodarski, DVM

• Livestock health and treating disease in organic systems

1:30 p.m.
Glen Borgerding, Ag Resource Consulting

• Soils and fertility management

2:00 p.m.
Paul R. Peterson, Ph. D., U of M Extension Agronomist

• Pasture and grazing management

2:30 p.m.
Dennis Johnson, Ph. D., U of M Dairy Scientist

• Dairy nutrition and cropping

3:00 p.m.
Jack LaValla, Farm Business Management Instructor, Riverland Community College

• Organic dairy farm performance measures

3:30 p.m.

• Wrap Up