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
Organic Academy Road Show – Tappen, ND
The Information is in the Data
FIELD DAY & TRAINING: Join Fellow Farmers for a great field day and conversation in Tappen, ND at the Kevin and Sara Falk Farm. Learn how valuable data can be tracked and used to make some of the best decisions you’ll make for your operation. Included with field day, there’s a great training for those farmers who are new to or interested in transitioning land to organic farming and/or ranching practices. Throughout the day we’ll share organic strategies, equipment, organic standards, marketing, and more.
9:00 am – 10:00 am Registration
10:00 – 12:30 Noon – Falk Farm Tour & Farmer Q & A
12:30 to – 1:30 pm – Lunch
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm – Getting Started and Building a Resilient System
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm – The economics and markets for your organic products
– Grain & Specialty Crops
– Livestock
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm – Panel Govt. organic programs
– NRCS & USDA Organic Programs
– Insurance
3:00 – 3:15 Break
3:15 pm – 3:40 pm – What research tells us and how we can help
3:40 pm – 4:30 pm: Soil Health, Crop Rotation, Equipment, Working with an organic consultant, Q&A, small group discussion, survey plenary
4:30 am – Debrief with participants
If August 28th works better or you’d like to attend both days, feel free to join us in Wessington, SD, at Rocking Z Acres.
Call with questions or sign up today.
Dakota Organic Academy Road Show 2025
The day will begin with registration from 9:00 - 10:00 am and conclude at approximately 4:30 pm. Rolls & coffee will be provided as well as lunch.