Schedule
Hear Wisconsin organic dairy farmer Melissa Weyland share how she started a dairy in just ten days. Other speakers will cover dairy farming, produce growing, direct marketing, soil health, maximizing yields, rented land, mentorship, farm succession, and whether dairy farming is still a viable option in today’s economy.
You’ll also hear from Jesse Frost, Alvin Schlabach, Ferman Troyer, Alvin Peachey, and many others as they share experience, challenges, and practical solutions.
The Organic Home section offers engaging topics for women, including container gardening, healthy coffee drinks, caring for the elderly, and baby nutrition with Sheryl Leinbach, author of High Chair Baby.
Come learn, ask questions, exchange ideas, and connect with others who are passionate about farming, family, and sustainable living.
Thursday, November 12
8:30am
8:45AM
10:00AM
10:30AM
11:30AM
Opening
Breakout Sessions
Room 1: Starting a Dairy in Ten Days by Melissa Weyland
From an unsuccessful succession plan to 100 cows in four years.
Room 2: Market Garden & No-till Practices by Jesse Frost
Breakout Sessions
Room 1: Panel – Rented Fields: Opportunity or Liability by Scott Meyers, Jeff Miller, and Abe R. Yoder with moderator Reuben J. Yoder
What are my first steps? Can I afford to use inputs?
Room 2: Cover Crops and Fertility of the Soil by Jesse Frost
Lunch
1:00pm
2:00pm
2:30pm
Breakout Sessions
Room 1: Panel – Dollars and Sense by Reuben Mast, Samuel
Weaver, and David J. Yoder with moderator Noah Yoder
What mentors can do to help direct our farm in a profitable direction.
Room 2: Challenges and Opportunities of Direct Marketing by Ferman Troyer
Ferman will be talking about direct marketing dairy products, pork, beef, and eggs, from their farm, as well as products from other local companies.
Vendor Break
Breakout Sessions
Room 1: Maximizing Yields by Alvin Peachy
Fertility management for high quality forage and pasture production.
Room 2:Intensive Vegetable Production and Companion
Planting by Jesse Frost
Maximizing space using various no-till techniques, including inter-planting.
Thursday, November 12
8:30AM
Opening
8:45AM
Room 1: Starting a Dairy in Ten Days by Melissa Weyland
From an unsuccessful succession plan to 100 cows in four years.
Room 2: Market Garden & No-till Practices by Jesse Frost
10:00AM
Vendor Break
10:30AM
Breakout Sessions
Room 1: Panel – Rented Fields: Opportunity or Liability by Scott Meyers, Jeff Miller, and Abe R. Yoder with moderator Reuben J. Yoder
What are my first steps? Can I afford to use inputs?
Room 2: Cover Crops and Fertility of the Soil by Jesse Frost
11:30AM
Lunch
1:00PM
Breakout Sessions
Room 1: Panel – Dollars and Sense by Reuben Mast, Samuel
Weaver, and David J. Yoder with moderator Noah Yoder
What mentors can do to help direct our farm in a profitable direction.
Room 2: Challenges and Opportunities of Direct Marketing by Ferman Troyer
Ferman will be talking about direct marketing dairy products, pork, beef, and eggs, from their farm, as well as products from other local companies.
2:00PM
Vendor Break
2:30PM
Breakout Sessions
Room 1: Maximizing Yields by Alvin Peachy
Fertility management for high quality forage and pasture production.
Room 2: Intensive Vegetable Production and Companion
Planting by Jesse Frost
Maximizing space using various no-till techniques, including inter-planting.
Friday, November 13
8:30AM
Opening
8:45AM
Session
Room 1: A Year on Our Farm by Marcus Martin
Marcus will talk on spring planting, haymaking, cultivating, harvest, fall calving, and more.
Room 2: Nature: God’s Gift to Mankind by Menno Troye
Exploring and appreciating our natural world.
10:00AM
Vendor Break
10:30AM
Breakout Session
Room 1: How Many Cows Can My Farm Support? by Allen Weave
Hear how Allen went from 60 to 90 cows, grassfed, without adding acreage.
Room 2: Growing Produce Family Style by Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Schlabach
Working together as a couple raising organic vegetables
11:30AM
Lunch
1:00PM
Session
Room 1: Tough Choicesby Alvin Peachy
Is dairy farming still a viable option with today’s dairy economics?
Room 2: Our Story on Farm Succession by Lester Byler
Preparing yourself, your farm, and your children, for the possibility of someone taking over the family farm.
2:00PM
Vendor Break
2:30PM
Breakout Sessions
Room 1: A Successful Farmer by Atlee Raber
Is farming a fit? What is success?
Room 2: Balancing Soil for Animal Health by Martin Gingerich
Better understand the basics of soil, crop, and livestock health and performance from soil up.
Friday, November 13
8:30am
8:45AM
10:00AM
10:30AM
11:30AM
Opening
Breakout Session
Room 1: A Year on Our Farm by Marcus Martin
Marcus will talk on spring planting, haymaking, cultivating, harvest, fall calving, and more.
Room 2: Nature: God’s Gift to Mankind by Menno Troye
Exploring and appreciating our natural world.
Breakout Session
Room 1: How Many Cows Can My Farm Support? by Allen Weave
Hear how Allen went from 60 to 90 cows, grassfed, without adding acreage.
Room 2: Growing Produce Family Style by Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Schlabach
Working together as a couple raising organic vegetables
Lunch
1:00pm
2:00pm
2:30pm
Session
Room 1: Tough Choices by Alvin Peachy
Is dairy farming still a viable option with today’s dairy economics?
Room 2: Our Story on Farm Succession by Lester Byler
Preparing yourself, your farm, and your children, for the possibility of someone taking over the family farm.
Vendor Break
Breakout Sessions
Room 1: A Successful Farmer by Atlee Raber
Is farming a fit? What is success?
Room 2:Balancing Soil for Animal Health by Martin Gingerich
Better understand the basics of soil, crop, and livestock health and performance from soil up.
The Organic Home Schedule, Thursday
9:00am
9:15AM
10:00AM
11:00AM
01:00PM
02:00PM
Introduction
Benefits of Tallow by Rebecca Miller
Handcrafted Dollsby Wilma Yoder
High Chair Baby by Sheryl Leinbach
Sheryl will talking on nutrition for babies.
Container Gardening by Reuben & Jenny Miller
A Heritage from our Family Table by Lydia Kline
Creating your own cookbook.
The Organic Home Schedule, Thursday
9:00AM
Introduction
9:15AM
Benefits of Tallow by Rebecca Miller
10:00AM
Handcrafted Dolls by Wilma Yoder
11:00AM
High Chair Baby by Sheryl Leinbach
Sheryl will talking on nutrition for babies.
01:00PM
Container Gardening by Reuben & Jenny Miller
02:00PM
A Heritage from our Family Table by Lydia Kline
The Organic Home Schedule, Friday
9:00AM
Introduction
9:15AM
Tips on Plant Propagation by Lavern & Grace Brubaker
10:00AM
Answers for Learning Disabilities by Sharla Horst
11:00AM
“Use It Up” by Rhoda Chupp
Creating healthy foods out of bountiful garden veggies.
01:00PM
Panel – Caring for our Elderly– by Miriam Miller, Elsie Mullet, and Bertha
Yoder with moderator Emily Hershberger
02:00PM
Healthy Coffee Drinks by Laurel Miller & the Hershberger girls
The Organic Home Schedule, Friday
9:00am
09:15AM
10:00AM
11:00AM
01:00PM
02:00PM
Introduction
Tips on Plant Propagation by Lavern & Grace Brubake
Answers for Learning Disabilities by Sharla Horst
“Use It Up” by Rhoda Chupp
Creating healthy foods out of bountiful garden veggies.
Panel – Caring for our Elderly– by Miriam Miller, Elsie Mullet, and Bertha
Yoder with moderator Emily Hershberger
Healthy Coffee Drinks Laurel Miller & the Hershberger girls
Pricing & Lodging
For special conference lodging rates contact:
Sleep Inn, Mt. Hope OH | 330.294.9977
Comfort Suites in Berlin, OH | 330.893.7400
1 Day
($10 more at the door)
Children 5 and under are free
2 Day
($10 more at the door)
Children 5 and under are free