The organic industry is growing rapidly, and the beer industry is growing with it. In 2019, Anheuser-Busch launched the Contract for Change initiative that supports Idaho barley farmers who try organic production for the first time, providing price support through transition and a reliable market for the crop.
Join CCOF and OATS at one of our Organic Malt Barley Farmer Meetings and learn about organic production, the transition process, organic barley, and how the Contract for Change program can work for you. Everyone is welcome, whether you currently grow barley or are just starting to consider adding it to your rotation.
At each of these meetings we will talk about:
- Organic malt barley production;
- Profitability and yield projections through transition and in the long-term;
- Navigating the organic certification process;
- Education and support resources for transition.
Successful organic malt barley farmers will be there to share their reasons for going organic and how they made it work.
Workshop Agenda
8:00am - Doors open / Coffee & Snacks
8:30am - Welcome & Contract for Change
9:15am - Overview of the National Organic Program
10:00am - Organic Barley Production from Seed to Bin
- Planting timing and considerations
- Fertility, weed, and disease management
- Crop rotation, reduced tillage, and soil health
- Strategies for achieving malting specs
11:30am - Lunch
12:30pm - Economics of Transition, Cost of Production, and Long-Term Profitability
1:00pm - Navigating Certification and Record Keeping
1:45pm - Farmer Panel Discussion: how Idaho Barley Farmers Successfully Transitioned to Organic
2:45pm - Q&A - Ask the Experts
3:30pm - Organic Beer Mixer, Courtesy of Anheuser-Busch
Interested in Attending a Workshop?
Option 1: Idaho Falls | Thursday March 12 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Watkins Distributing | 5999 S. Doug Andrus Dr. | Idaho Falls, ID
Option 2: Twin Falls Area | Friday March 13 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Mountain View Barn | 392 E 300 S | Jerome, ID
Register for one of the workshops today!
The Organic Agronomy Training Service (OATS) is a collaboratively managed, science-based train-the-trainer program for agricultural professionals working with organic or transitioning producers in the United States. OATS is sponsored by the Organic Trade Association's industry-invested GRO Organic voluntary research, promotion, and education program with anchor contributions from General Mills, Clif Bar, Organic Valley, King Arthur Flour Co., and Stonyfield Farm, Inc. The consortium aims to grow domestic organic production by strengthening the educational support network of agronomists, certified crop advisors, extension agents, and technical service providers serving certified organic grain producers.