REGISTER HERE

On Tuesday, Jan 28th, join the Land Stewardship Project for an all-day Small Grain Markets Workshop to give producers confidence and practical know-how into raising and selling other crops.

Once a staple of farms across the Corn Belt, small grains have nearly disappeared from the landscape—along with the markets and infrastructure farmers need to support them. This makes it challenging, even for innovative farmers, to reintroduce small grains into their operations. Yet the benefits are clear:

Natural Weed Control: A simple, biological solution.
Feed & Fertilizer Savings: Grow a quality cover crop that offsets costs.
Efficient Labor Management: Spread work across the year.
Ecologically Sound: Increased carbon sequestration and lowered water nitrate levels

During the event’s morning session, attendees will hear from expert speakers, including Bob Quinn, a farmer, scientist, author, founder of Kamut International and a leading advocate for sustainable farming practices. Also presenting will be Roy Pfaltzgraff , owner of Pfz Farms, a family farm recognized globally for innovation in no-till practices and soil health research. Finally, Landon Plagge, founder of Green Acres Milling and an experienced farmer, will share insights on grain processing and sustainable crop rotation.

An afternoon Q & A panel involving the keynote speakers as well as local experts will address pressing questions and practical challenges farmers in the region face. There will also be farmer-to-farmer breakout sessions where producers can share challenges, swap solutions and collaborate on strategies for success.

The Bottom Line: We’re creating economic incentives for farmers to diversify their crop rotations. A more diverse farm means greater resilience and exponential benefits for our communities and the environment.

Workshop Details:

Date: Tuesday, January 28th

Time: 9 AM – 3 PM, Sign-in begins at 8:30 AM

The morning session will feature 3 talks from our keynote speakers and the afternoon consists of a Q & A panel discussion followed by farmer-to-farmer breakout sessions where producers can share challenges, swap solutions and collaborate on strategies for success.

Location: Edgewater Bay Pavilion at 1940 Edgewater Drive, Albert Lea MN 56007

Registration: This event is free, with lunch provided. Must register by 8 a.m. on January 23.

REGISTER HERE

Questions? Contact

-Shea-Lynn Ramthun, LSP Soil Health Organizer, at slramthun@landstewardshipproject.org

Meet Our Featured Speakers:

Bob Quinn
Bob Quinn’s roots run deep into the rich soil of Big Sandy, Montana, where he returned after earning a PhD in plant biochemistry from UC Davis to apply his scientific knowledge to the family farm. Bob Quinn’s vision extends beyond agriculture, embodying a holistic approach where local minimal processing, community, health, and education intertwine to redefine success in farming.
By championing the idea that every grain and every harvest should enhance health, Bob has positioned The Quinn Institute as a leader in transforming agriculture into a health-giving enterprise

Listen to Bob’s podcast with LSP’s Brian DeVore here.

Roy Pfaltzgraff
Roy Pfaltzgraff is the current head of PFZ Farms in Colorado. PFZ Farms’ mission is to help educate fellow producers and consumers about how food is grown and to provide high-quality products for their community. The third-generation family farm produces quality agricultural products with sustainable methods for a healthier world. While they produce a number of dry-land crops, they also have a number of smaller production focuses that support their overall vision of a regenerative farm.

Landon Plagge
Landon holds nearly 30 years of hands-on farming experience growing corn, soybeans, livestock, and oats, as well as managing a grain handling facility, stewarding 1 million bushels of grain annually. Landon studied Investment Banking at Bentley College and holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Northern Iowa. Landon brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in sustainable farming practices and crop rotation, and frequently shares his experiences to help others improve their own practices. He is also one of the founders of Green Acres Milling, a farmer owned oat processing facility under construction in Albert Lea, MN.