On January 4 and 5, 2023, Ohio State Extension Fulton County hosted the inaugural Ohio Organic Grains Conference in Archbold, Ohio. The event drew in 185 participants – mostly farmers, as well as Extension and university staff, external speakers, and vendors. Programming included grower panels on nitrogen management, the future of organics, and grain marketing; speakers on soil health, organic crop rotations, weed management options, plus reviews of Ohio State organic corn trial results and organic enterprise budgets; and grower lunch roundtable discussions.
The program was planned by Maddie Newcomb, Fulton County Extension office associate; and Eric Richer, former Fulton County extension educator and one of Ohio State’s new Farm Management field specialists. Excellent attendance, packed programming, and high caliber speakers like Dr. Joel Gruver (Western Illinois University) and Léa Vereecke (Rodale Institute) made this event a resounding success. We hope to repeat it next year. Thanks to all who attended, supported, and helped with the planning of this year’s event! More information about the 2023 Organic Grains Conference can be found at https://fulton.osu.edu/program-areas/agriculture-and-natural-resources/2023-organic-grains-conference. 
Save the Date! The 2024 Organic Grains Conference will be January 4 and 5 at the Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center in Oregon, Ohio. Learn more at go.osu.edu/organicgrains