The Iowa Organic Conference is set for Nov. 24-25, 2019, at the Iowa Memorial Union in Iowa City. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

The Iowa State University Organic Agriculture Program’s 18th Annual Organic Conference will be held Sunday, Nov. 24, and Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, at the University of Iowa’s Iowa Memorial Union.

Keynote Speaker Alex Heilman, of Mercaris, will address the profitability of organic agriculture, now and into the future. Mercaris is a leading source of organic marketing information in the United States.

Topics during the conference include attracting pollinators and other beneficial insects, alternative crop production, weed control and more.

Related: Indian Creek Nature Center, Rodale Institute open Midwest Organic Center

Learn more about the conference from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach:

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The 19th annual Iowa Organic Conference will be held Nov. 24-25, at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Producers and experts from across the country will share tips for transitioning into organic production and methods to enhance organic operations.

The conference is a joint effort between Iowa State University and the University of Iowa.

Alex Heilman, director of sales at Mercaris, will deliver the keynote called “Profitability of Organic Ag: Now and Into the Future.”

Alex Heilman

The conference begins at 3 p.m. Nov. 24, with a special movie at the University of Iowa Memorial Union, featuring “Dreaming of a Vetter World,” with David Vetter.

A reception will follow, featuring local and organic food and drinks. The conference lunch on Nov. 24 will highlight local and organic produce, meats and dairy products assembled into a gourmet meal by Barry Greenberg, executive chef at the University of Iowa, with help from his team.

Monday’s breakout sessions start at 8 a.m. and include information on transitioning into organic farming, weed management, organic livestock production, and alternative crops such as hops and hemp.

University scientists and farmers will present sessions on improving soil quality, pest management, and a special Bill Stowe memorial session on enhancing water quality. Stowe is a former CEO and general manager of Des Moines Water Works, who died in April.

“The Iowa Organic Conference is the largest university-sponsored organic conference in the country,” said Kathleen Delate, professor and extension organic specialist in horticulture and agronomy at Iowa State University. “Despite the challenges of wet weather at planting, organic farmers are anticipating successful organic yields with organic soybean prices currently averaging $18.95 per bushel and organic corn at $8.20 per bushel.”

Conference registration is available online and is $100 until Nov. 17, and $120 thereafter. Click here to register.

Hotel rooms are available at the Iowa House Hotel for Nov. 24. Guests can access room reservations online by entering group #1280, or call the hotel at 319-335-3513 and mention the Iowa Organic Conference.

For additional conference information and directions, visit the 2019 Iowa Organic Conference webpage or contact Delate at kdelate@iastate.edu or 515-294-5116.

Related: Corporate ag puts organic program at crossroads