County Conservationists, farmers, and students came together at Schmeeckle Reserve at UW-Stevens Point on Tuesday, October 6th to discuss organic farm management in Wisconsin.

The training was designed to provide an introduction of organic farm production and help those who were currently practicing, transitioning to, or had an interest in organic farming. Students in attendance looked to gain more knowledge on organics for personal reasons while County representatives wanted to become more aware of what organic farmers in their counties needed.

Commenting on her reason for attending, Melanie Boone, Conservation Engineering Technician for Fond du Lac County, said:

“I always drive past Park Ridge Organics on the east side of Lake Winnebago and I always think, ‘I’d like to stop in there and see if I can offer anything to them—be a point of contact for organic producers in the county.'”

Speakers at the training included Harriet Behar from the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), Joe Pedretti from the Midwest Organic Services Association (MOSA), Stephanie Schneider from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), and Bob Stuczynski, an organic farmer in Wisconsin.

Another training session is planned to be held next Spring to continue the discussion of organic farming in Wisconsin and continue to provide resources to those interested in working with organic farmers.