LAMOURE, N.D. — Northern Plains Sustainable Ag’s (NPSAS) 39th Annual Winter Conference returns January 25-27, 2018 to Best Western Ramkota Hotel in Aberdeen, S.D. Held each January, the conference is highly regarded for its educational content and networking opportunities.
This year’s conference agenda places a strong emphasis on regenerating soil health by utilizing a diverse combination of crop and livestock management practices. Mixed crop–livestock systems are a key form of ecological intensification necessary for achieving future food security, building environmental sustainability and increasing resiliency on your operation.
The event kicks off Thursday, January 25 with two pre-conference workshops providing you with comprehensive, in-depth information: “Building Back Our Landscape” by Jay Fuhrer, ND NRCS Soil Health Specialist and “Net $4k/acre with Stacked Enterprises & Direct Marketing” by Blake and Blaine Hitzfield, Roanoke, IN. A free meeting entitled “Farmilies – Supporting Farm Women and Families” is open to the public.
Conference workshops run all day Friday and Saturday covering a wide range of topics including healthy livestock management, pastured pork, direct marketing, organic weed control, crop insurance, crop marketing panel, soil health, cover crops, fermentation, wild and medicinal plants, beekeeping, youth workshops (18 and under always attend free), evening entertainment, plus much more. Meals are organic and/or locally sourced.
Keynote speaker, Blaine Hitzfield, Seven Sons Family Farm will be featured on Friday afternoon with “How to Build Your Farm’s Dream Team.” Dr. Jonathan Lundgren, award-winning scientist and founder of Blue Dasher Farm, Estelline, S.D., takes the stage on Saturday afternoon with his keynote presentation on “The Four Principles Underlying Regenerative Farming.”
Join like-minded individuals and a resource-packed exhibitor hall to gain access to valuable tools, innovative solutions and broad perspectives on regenerative practices and food systems that are developing across the Northern Plains.
Register by Wednesday, January 10 and receive a $25 early bird discount. NPSAS members take an additional $25 off of registration as well!
Several options for registering:
- Fill out the registration form in the conference booklet found here and mail to the office (must be postmarked by January 10 to receive $25 discount)
- Call the office at 701-883-4304 and register using your credit card.
- Register online here!
- You can register at the door. Walk-ins welcome.
For more information visit www.npsas.org, call 701-883-4304 or e-mail info@npsas.org.
— Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society
