By Blake Jackson
The 2026 OGRAIN Organic Grain Conference is scheduled for January 23-24 at the Monona Terrace in Madison, Wisconsin, with an optional pre-conference session on January 22 focused on emerging technology for organic row crop production.
Now in its tenth year, the conference is organized by the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s OGRAIN program, which supports organic grain growers across the Upper Midwest, from beginners to experienced producers.
Participants will have access to more than 15 educational sessions covering topics such as organic weed control, soil testing, livestock integration, financial resources, marketing strategies, business planning, and agricultural policy.
Presenters will include farmers, researchers, and industry representatives. Along with formal sessions, the conference will feature networking opportunities, farmer roundtables, and an exhibit hall designed to encourage peer learning and industry connections.
Philip Taylor, executive director and co-founder of Mad Agriculture, will serve as the keynote speaker. His organization provides services to support organic transition, business planning, financing, and marketplace development.
The January 22 pre-conference event will highlight new technologies designed to support organic crop production and explore how they can complement ecological practices. The session runs from 3 to 8 p.m.
“There’s a really good mixture of elements [at this] conference, [including] the panel discussions and the keynote and the roundtable section,” shared a 2025 conference attendee. “All throughout there have been a lot of good opportunities for Q&A, and it’s just a really nice size that does allow for that one-on-one conversation.”
Early bird registration is $180 through December 22. More details and registration are available online. For questions, contact Kelly Debbink at kelly.debbink@wisc.edu or (608) 262-4592.
Photo Credit: istock-fangxianuo
Categories: Wisconsin, Business