Learn in the Field
Morning coffee, lunch will be served on-site both days and dinner will also be served on the first day. Parking will be available. Water and restrooms will be available, but we encourage you to bring extra water and snacks. Please dress appropriately for the weather, wear closed-toed shoes, and bring a hat and sun block.
Agenda
The 2023 On-Farm Intensive will take place August 15-16 in Lone Rock, Wisconsin. Schedule is subject to change.
DAY ONE: Tuesday, August 15, 2023
8:00 A.M.
Welcome
8:30 A.M.
Introductions
9:30 A.M.
Presentation: 6 Rules of Biological Farming
Speaker: Leilani Zimmer-Durand
This session will cover all there is to know about biological farming. Attendees will learn the six principles of biological farming practices that will help you on a path toward rebuilding your soils, including:
- building soil biology
- managing carbon in your soils
- balancing soil minerals
- the role of key minerals in building soil health
- finding the best tillage practices to build loose, crumbly soils
- the role of plant diversity for soil health, and
- how to add diversity to your farm.
10:30 – 10:45 A.M.
BREAK
10:45 A.M.
Field Learning: Introduction to the Farm System
Speaker: Gary Zimmer and Leilani Zimmer-Durand
In the first field learning session attendees will take a field walk and look at some of the cover crops growing on the farm this year. Attendees will learn:
- the role of different types of cover crops
- the practical aspects of managing cover crops in your crop rotation, and dig in the soil to look at some of the improvements on this farm’s soils from adding a diversity of cover crops
12:30 P.M. – 1:30 P.M.
LUNCH
1:30 P.M.
Presentation: Physical & Biological Soil Management and Testing
Speaker: Gary Zimmer
This session will address soil carbon and the role it plays on the farm. Attendees will learn:
- the different types of carbon on a farm and their different roles in soil health, nutrient cycling and organic matter production
- an overview of the carbon-trading marketplace
- what’s coming with the Climate-Smart Commodities grant and how that will impact farmers’ abilities to make some of the sustainable practices they’ve already been following more profitable
- how the current crop rotation system at Otter Creek builds more soil carbon than a traditional organic farming rotation, and why that makes a difference for yields and quality
2:30 – 2:45 P.M.
BREAK
2:45 P.M.
Field Learning: Learning From Your Soils in the Field
Speaker: Gary Zimmer & Leilani Zimmer-Durand
For this learning session Gary and Leilani will look at the economics of how to make these systems run productivity and profitability while maximizing land use, building healthy soil, and creating resilient operations.
3:45 P.M.
Presentation: Physical & Biological Soil Management and Testing
Speaker: Gary Zimmer & Leilani Zimmer-Durand
For this field learning session, attendees will take a walk out to the fields to look at some of the perennial crops Gary has added to his farm over the last couple of years, and learn more about when, where and why he planted them, and how they fit into his overall farm management and soil health plan. The Savanna Institute will also lead this session to share about the perennial cropping movement and teach attendees why more farmers are adding perennial crops to their farms and what benefits they bring.
4:45 P.M.
Presentation: Integrating Cover Crops
Speakers: Gary Zimmer & Karl Dallefeld
Soil biology and fertility are foundational principles of biological farming, and this session dig a little deeper into what they mean. Leilani and Gary will address:
- What are the roles of key microbes on your farm, and what can you do to promote beneficial soil life?
- Why is soil fertility using balanced minerals so important?
- What management practices Gary follows each year to keep his soils healthy and resilient
- What changes have occurred on Gary’s farming by building soil biology and fertility
5:30 P.M.
Happy Hour and Questions
While dinner is being prepared, enjoy open conversation with fellow attendees over drinks.
6:15 P.M.
DINNER
DAY TWO: Wednesday, August 16, 2023
8:00 A.M.
MORNING COFFEE
8:15 A.M.
WELCOME COMMENTS / ABOUT DAY 2
8:30 A.M.
DEPART FOR THE VALLEY FARM
8:45 A.M.
Field Learning: Transitioning Your Farm to Regenerative
Speakers: Gary Zimmer & Leilani Zimmer-Durand – with The Savanna Institute
For this field learning session, attendees will take a walk out to the fields to look at some of the perennial crops Gary has added to his farm over the last couple of years, and learn more about when, where and why he planted them, and how they fit into his overall farm management and soil health plan. The Savanna Institute will also lead this session to share about the perennial cropping movement and teach attendees why more farmers are adding perennial crops to their farms and what benefits they bring.
9:45 A.M.
RETURN TO TWIN CREEKS FARM
10:00 A.M.
Presentation: Integrating Agroforestry/Perennial Crops Into Your System
Speakers: The Savanna Institute
For this field learning session, attendees will take a walk out to the fields to look at some of the perennial crops Gary has added to his farm over the last couple of years, and learn more about when, where and why he planted them, and how they fit into his overall farm management and soil health plan. The Savanna Institute will also lead this session to share about the perennial cropping movement and teach attendees why more farmers are adding perennial crops to their farms and what benefits they bring.
11:00 – 11:10 A.M.
QUICK BREAK
11:10 A.M.
Field Learning: Planting Trees/Elderberries/Blueberries, Permanent Ag
Speakers: The Savanna Institute
For this field learning session, attendees will take a walk out to the fields to look at some of the perennial crops Gary has added to his farm over the last couple of years, and learn more about when, where and why he planted them, and how they fit into his overall farm management and soil health plan. The Savanna Institute will also lead this session to share about the perennial cropping movement and teach attendees why more farmers are adding perennial crops to their farms and what benefits they bring.
12:15 P.M.
LUNCH
1:15 P.M.
Breakout Sessions: Looking at Your Own Soil Tests/Farm Info
Speakers: Gary Zimmer, Leilani Zimmer-Durand, Patrick Michaels, Savanna Institute Representative
Attendees will divide into small groups – each led by either Gary, Leilani, Patrick or a Savanna Institute representative – to go over the results of their own soil tests or information specific to their own farms.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own soil test for this session, though it is not required.
Here is a list of soil testing labs that Gary and Leilani recommend:
- Midwest Laboratories -Omaha, NE
- Brookside Laboratories – New Bremen, OH
- A&L Great Lakes Laboratories – Fort Wayne, IN
- Ward Laboratories – Kearney, NE
2:30 – 2:45 P.M.
BREAK
2:45 P.M.
Presentation: How to Start the Transition to Regenerate the Land
Speakers: Gary Zimmer, Leilani Zimmer-Durand & Patrick Michaels
For this field learning session, attendees will take a walk out to the fields to look at some of the perennial crops Gary has added to his farm over the last couple of years, and learn more about when, where and why he planted them, and how they fit into his overall farm management and soil health plan. The Savanna Institute will also lead this session to share about the perennial cropping movement and teach attendees why more farmers are adding perennial crops to their farms and what benefits they bring.
3:15 P.M.
Presentation: Economics of Running Your Farming System / Radical Approach for Everyone!
Speakers: Gary Zimmer & Leilani Zimmer-Durand
Soil biology and fertility are foundational principles of biological farming, and this session dig a little deeper into what they mean. Leilani and Gary will address:
- What are the roles of key microbes on your farm, and what can you do to promote beneficial soil life?
- Why is soil fertility using balanced minerals so important?
- What management practices Gary follows each year to keep his soils healthy and resilient
- What changes have occurred on Gary’s farming by building soil biology and fertility
4:00 P.M.
FINAL THOUGHTS AND Q&A
4:30 P.M.
ADJOURN
Speakers
The 2023 speakers are in the process of being finalized. Sign up for the Acres U.S.A. email newsletter to get the latest updates on all things On-Farm, plus other Acres U.S.A. events. Sign up here!
