Annual conference will include updates and new ideas from university and industry experts

IOWA CITY The 19th annual Iowa Organic Conference will be held Nov. 24-25, at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Producers and experts from across the country will share tips for transitioning into organic production and methods to enhance organic operations.

The conference is a joint effort between Iowa State University and the University of Iowa.

Alex Heilman, director of sales at Mercaris, will deliver the keynote called Profitability of Organic Ag: Now and Into the Future. Mercaris is a leading source of organic marketing information in the United States.

The conference begins at 3 p.m. Nov. 24, with a special movie at the University of Iowa Memorial Union, featuring Dreaming of a Vetter World, with David Vetter.

A reception will follow, featuring local and organic food and drinks. The conference lunch on Nov. 24 will highlight local and organic produce, meats and dairy products assembled into a gourmet meal by Barry Greenberg, executive chef at the University of Iowa, with help from his team.

Mondays breakout sessions begin at 8 a.m. and include information on transitioning into organic farming, weed management, organic livestock production, and alternative crops such as hops and hemp.

University scientists and farmers will present sessions on improving soil quality, pest management, and a special Bill Stowe memorial session on enhancing water quality. Stowe is a former CEO and general manager of Des Moines Water Works, who died in April.

Conference registration is available online and is $100 until Nov. 17, and $120 thereafter.

Hotel rooms are available at the Iowa House Hotel for Nov. 24. Guests can access room reservations online by entering group No. 1280, or call the hotel at (319) 335-3513 and mention the Iowa Organic Conference.

For additional conference information and directions, visit the 2019 Iowa Organic Conference webpage or contact Delate at kdelate@iastate.edu or (515) 294-5116.

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