Midwest Covers and Grain Conference
The Midwest Covers & Grains Conference includes farmer-led sessions for experienced practitioners and for those looking to add small grains and cover crops for the first time. Come explore these topics and network with other farmers and service providers!
The Midwest Covers & Grains Conference brings together Midwestern farmers to promote successful farming using extended rotations and cover crops with or without livestock.
March 4 Schedule
8 AM: Conference registration and check-in
8 AM: Breakfast and network with exhibitors
9 AM: Welcome and opening remarks
9:10 to 10:10 AM
Plenary 1: Choosing Cover Crops to Meet Your Field’s Needs Brad Zimmerman10:10 AM: Break and network with exhibitors
10:30 to 11:30 AM
Plenary 2: Principles of Soil Health: Expanding Diversity in Corn Belt Agriculture Monte Bottens11:30AM: Networking Activity
12:15 PM: Lunch and network with exhibitors
1:30 to 2:30 PM: Breakout sessions
Breakout 1: Cover Crop Dates and Rates in Illinois Nathan Johanning
Breakout 2: Setting the Stage for High-Performing Wheat Ken Dau and Brad Zimmerman
Breakout 3: Feeding Pigs With Small Grains Levi Laird
2:30 to 2:50 PM: Break and network with exhibitors
2:50 to 3:50 PM: Breakout sessions and closing remarks
Breakout 1: Cover Crops: Roots of Resilience Brian Corkill
Breakout 2: Scaling Up Small-Grain Infrastructure To Grow a Business Andy Hazzard, Jeff Hake, and Katie Funk
Breakout 3: Grazing Cover Crops: A Conversation Justin Rahn and Doug Hanson
4 PM: Attend a farmer social immediately following the conference from 4 to 7 p.m. at Kep’s Sports Bar & Grill located at 313 Muller Rd, Washington, Illinois. Grab a drink and continue conversations from the conference! Practical Farmers of Iowa will provide drink tickets.