PANEL DISCUSSION: Forages in Organic Crop Rotations---Making it Work

Forages fit well in organic crop rotations where livestock are part of the farm enterprises. Would adding a livestock enterprise dovetail with your organic crops? Opportunities for marketing forages off the farm will also be included in the discussion. Panelists include Brett Runde, Michael Dolan, and Dr. Margaret Smith. Dr. Margaret Smith is the Forage Agronomist for Albert Lea Seed in Albert Lea, MN. She earned her PhD at the UW-Madison in Cropping Systems and Crop Ecology and previously worked for Iowa State University Extension and taught in the ISU Agronomy Department. Her professional interests include profitable forage and small grain production, growth or organic food systems in the U.S., and international agricultural development with small-holder farmers. Margaret and her husband also operate an organic grain farm in northcentral Iowa. Michael Dolan and his family farm in southwest Wisconsin. Seven Seeds Farm is an 800 acre diversified pasture-based livestock operation. They raise grass fed beef, pastured pork and chicken. The livestock is certified organic and they grow row crops, hay and small grains to feed the livestock and sell to other farmers. Brett Runde, along with his wife Laurie and four children, milk 150 cows and farm 450 acres on their 5th generation dairy farm. They became certified organic in 2018 and continue to enjoy this lifestyle. Brett has stayed involved in the agricultural community by being a leader in the local 4-H club and by being a board member for Fields Of Sinsinawa, a local regenerative ag group.