high plains organic conference 2026

2027 Agenda

TIMELocation: Main StageLocation: C121Location: C124
DAY 1, February 16th
7:30am – 8:15amREGISTRATION, Trade Show opens, coffee/tea
8:15am – 8:30amWelcome Remarks
8:30am – 9:00amOrganic Buyer Introduction– Meet companies who are looking to source organic crops in the High Plains. Transitioning Producer? Learn where you can sell your crops once certified.

9:00am – 9:50am



9:00am – 9:50am
Tillage and Crops To Build Soil- What does soil health mean to your bottom line and how can organic producers on the High Plains maximize their potential-





9:50am – 10:00am
Break
10:00am – 10:50am





Controlling Creeping Weeds in Organic Production: Hear about cutting edge research to control Bindweed and Thistles in transitional and organic grain production.

Building Your Organic System Plan – Considerations for Certification success in the High Plains- get the inside scoop on organic certification.


Break (10 Minutes)
11:00am – 11:50pm Marketing Your Organic Grain – How to find buyers, build relationships, how to set up contracts.

Getting Two Crops in 1 Season:
Learn about new researchers to improve soil health AND profit by intercropping field peas and cereal



12:00- 12:50LUNCH
1:00pm – 1:50pmOrganic Cropping Innovation: Utilizing strip cropping to maximize grain yield and soil fertility





1:50pm – 2:00pBreak
2:00pm – 2:50pm
Organic Pulse Production on the High Plains:
Learn from expert agronomists about growing transitional and organic lentils and chickpeas


2:50pm – 3:00p
Break
3:00pm – 3:50pmCrunching the Number on Brewster Ranch: Learn from transitioning-to-organic ranchers about how they put pencil to paper to determine how organic can work for their operation

Vegetable and Weed Control: Learn about progress utilizing Biodegradable Composite Hydromulches for Transitional and Organic Horticulture Weed Control

3:50pm – 4:00pmBreak
4:00pm – 5:00pmFlame Weeder and Zapper – Overcoming annual weeds in cropping systems: Learn from experienced organic farmers about innovative weed control tools

Building Better Organic Grain Varieties– Learn from Researchers about the opportunities for better commercialization for Naked Barley

5:00pm – 8:00pmSocial Hour: Join us at Westby Edge Brewing to keep the conversations of the day going!

Address:
115 W 15th St, Cheyenne, WY 82001
TIMELocation: Main StageLocation: C121Location: C124
DAY 2, February 17th
7:30am – 8:15amREGISTRATION, Trade Show opens, coffee/tea
8:15am – 8:30Opening Remarks Day 2

8:30am – 9:00amWyoming Delegation Meet and Greet: Updates from Wyoming Delegation and Organic Policy Discussion

Confirmed: Sen. Barrasso (staff)


9:00am – 9:50amBuilding The Organic Farm for The next Generation:Learn from experienced organic opera The necessary components to a feasible business plan for transitioning to organic.





9:50am – 10:00amBreak
10:00am – 10:50am Organic Certification Office Hours- How to Make it Work for YOU– Curious who are certifiers near you? Curious how to understand the Organic Integrity Database? Bring ALL your questions and get 1:1 help whether you’re already certified or want to explore the transition to organic.



10:50am – 11:00amBreak
11:00am – 12:00pm


NRCS: Learn about innovative programs for Organic and Transitioning producers designed to help bridge the transition to organic certification.



Crop Insurance- What every Organic and Transitioning producer should know about new insurance products and opportunities


12:00pm
Lunch