GOC 2024: A Systems Approach to Organic Grain and Livestock Production

The Systems Approach to Organic Grain and Livestock Production with Dr. Martin Entz Session Bundle Includes:

• 1 Audio Recording of the 6h Workshop
• PDFs of the Workshop Presentations Organized Into Six Lessons (373 pages total)

*** Disclaimer: The Guelph Organic Conference is an in person event. We have recorded the sessions and provided them to you here at a significantly discounted rate. The quality of the recordings vary and are best enjoyed when downloaded. To hear a sample recording before purchase listen to the 2024 Keynote Panel session here***

By purchasing this file, you are agreeing to the terms of sale, which means you agree not to share this report or recording.

Session Description:

Join Dr. Martin Entz for a full day of Agronomy training, a workshop aimed at meeting the growing demand for Organics in Ontario. Spend a day learning from one of Canada’s top organic experts as he leads us through a program designed for public and private sector agronomists who work with organic producers. This workshop is also suitable for grain and livestock farmers considering a transition to organic or current practitioners who want to learn the theory and latest science. In this workshop, Martin will discuss a systems approach to ecological farming, using practices adapted to location and farming activities. Material covered will include:

•  Nutrient management in organic cropping systems
•  Seeds and seeding systems for organic agriculture
• Insects and disease management in organic agriculture
• Improving soil health in organic systems

The material also includes motivations and processes for transition and crop-livestock integration as a tool for sustainable production. There will be ample opportunity for question and answer periods, as well as group discussions so come prepared to share your thoughts.

Speaker Bios:

Dr. Martin Entz

Dr. Martin Entz is a professor in the Department of Plant Science at the University of Manitoba and seeks to change the future of farming as inaugural Jarislowsky Chair in Natural Systems Agriculture for Climate Solutions. He received his PhD from the University of Saskatchewan in 1988 and worked as a farm manager and research agronomist before embarking on his academic career. Martin’s research focuses on ecologically-integrated farming systems and empowering farmers with the knowledge and other tools required to design sustainable farming systems adapted to where they live. He leads the Glenlea Long-Term Rotation Study – Canada’s oldest organic vs conventional farming systems experiment, which has been completed in 28 years. Together with colleagues, Martin founded the U of Manitoba’s Natural Systems Agriculture program, which explores cropping systems based on processes found in nature — specifically the natural grassland ecosystem of prairie Canada. Martin and his team of grad students, research associates, and technicians work closely with farmers. He seeks to make his research inclusive and applicable to all farms and farmers. He believes that we need to highlight and name the positive practices many farmers are already using, such as good crop rotations, reduced tillage, reduced pesticide use, and incorporating a diversity of crops and livestock on the same farm. Important influences on his career range from childhood pasture walks with his grandparents who showed him the diversity of plants, bugs, and birds on their family farm, to Dr. Wes Jackson who has dedicated his life to breeding perennial grain crops, to the many young people from around the world who come to U of M to study with him.

If you have any questions or require assistance please email communications@organiccouncil.ca .