Soil Health and Conservation Strategies for Transitioning to Organic Regenerative Ag
Soil Health & Conservation Strategies for Transitioning to Small Scale Organic Regenerative Ag
Join us on June 18, 2026 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. in Vermillion, S.D. for the field day “Soil Health & Conservation Strategies for Transitioning to Organic Regenerative Ag (Small Scale)” Participants will tour Genesis Gardens, a regenerative urban farm transitioning from conventional to organic production under an NRCS OM-823 interim conservation contract. Speakers from NRCS, Precision Soil, BioFlora, SDSPA, and NPSAS TOPP Plains will discuss soil health, conservation practices, and organic transition strategies. Angela Jackson, SDSPA Organic Ag Transition Advisor, will explain organic certification. The event includes practical demonstrations, networking opportunities, and a free lunch for all attendees.
Participants will gather at Genesis Organic Gardens on June 18, 2026 for “Transitioning to Organic and Regenerative Practices in an Urban Ag Setting,” where they will explore practical steps to build soil health, reduce inputs, and meet organic standards in smaller, community-based production systems. Larry Sax (BioFlora.com), a NDSU-trained agronomist and longtime MN/SD consultant, will share lessons from 37 years in the field and recent work with the living soil biome. Glenn Pulse (Pulse of Life Church) and Angela Jackson (SDSPA) will highlight operations, recordkeeping, and transition timelines. Cooper Miller will demonstrate soil management strategies through soil testing, and Ryan Frickel (NRCS) will demonstrate soil analysis practices and discuss NRCS assistance options. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of what is involved with transitioning to organic and regenerative in an urban setting leveraging NRCS for assistance.
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026
Time: 10am to 2pm Central Time
Host: Pulse of Life Church dba Genesis Gardens
Address: 1314 E. Main Street, Vermillion, SD 57069 | Phone: 605-659-4744 | genesisgardens@pulseoflife.org www.genesisgardens.org
Directions: take Exit 26 off I-29. Go 5.5 miles west on Hwy. 50 into Vermillion. Take first left to go south on Crawford Street 0.5 mi, then turn right on East Main Street and head west for 0.3 mi. Park in the church parking lot and walk over to the big white shed next door at 1314 E. Main..
NOTE: This a joint event between SDSPA, NRCS, RAPP, and NPSAS TOPP PLAINS
Walk With Gabe Brown
Enjoy the wisdom of this inspirational leader talking all about cover crops.
Doubting Thomas Farm – 12506 20th St N,
Moorhead, MN
July 24, 2024
9:30 am – 1:00 pm
This event is full an no longer taking reservations.
High Tunnel Field Day
Learn more about building high tunnels and managing specialty crop production in these unique structures. SDSU Extension and Beadle Conservation District will host a High Tunnel Field Day on Thursday, September 21 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. CDT in Huron, SD (1174 Lincoln Ave SW, Huron, SD). The event is for current and beginning farmers, technical service providers, gardeners, and anyone who would like to learn more about high tunnels.
Stengel Seed Field Day Open House & 50th Anniversary
Learn about the history of Stengel Seed, value-added ag in organic agriculture, and celebrate 50 years with Doug Stengel and the entire staff. Hear about Stengel’s journey, learn about the value-added opportunity they provide for organic producers, the why behind organic production, and hear from a first-generation organic farmer Nate Powell-Palm and his transition to organic production. Best of all, you can network with other organic and ask questions. This is a UDSA Transition to Organic Partnership sponsored event
Johnson Farms Organic Tour Field Day
See a successful organic farm in action. Charlie Johnson will share the successes and struggles of organic farming. You’ll hear from producers about organic production as well as strategies in transitioning to organic farming. Please call Charlie Johnson at 605-270-2665 or Krysti with NPSAS at 605-380-3770 if you’ll be attending. Starting at St. Peter on the Prairie – 24311 452nd Ave. Madison, SD Network and
- Farmer Panel
- SDSU Oat Variety Field Trial
- Tour of Johnson Farm
- Free Lunch
RSVP to
This is a UDSA Transition to Organic Partnership sponsored event.
