Connection Events

Bringing organic farmers together for over 20 years!

The Minnesota Organic Conference offers learning and networking opportunities for people new to organic production as well as folks who are old hands at it. We welcome farmers, researchers, educators, consultants, advisors, businesspeople, and anyone else who wants to learn more about organic agriculture. The educational program is complemented by an 80+ vendor tradeshow.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources works closely with Minnesotans to conserve and manage the state's natural resources, provide outdoor recreation opportunities, and provide for commercial uses of natural resources in a way that creates a sustainable quality of life.

Every year, in support of this mission, the DNR holds “the Roundtable,” a gathering of stakeholders and conservation leaders to discuss fisheries, wildlife, and ecological and water resource issues in Minnesota.

The 2026 Roundtable will be held Friday, Jan. 9. Anticipated topics include the science behind fish and wildlife limits, the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Wildlife Management Areas, balancing management of aquatic vegetation, wake impact research, the future of fair chase and more. Program details will be available closer to the event.

MN Ag Expo is a unique chance to focus on the big picture while learning how the ag industry continues to grow and evolve. Each year, Expo hosts inspirational keynote speakers and breakout sessions that cover everything farmers need to know to keep their operations prosperous.

Tying it together at MN Ag Expo Is a full trade show floor with nearly 100 booths. The floor is easy to traverse and hosts commodity groups, state agencies, agribusinesses, industry organizations, legislative leaders and guest speakers.

The 2026 GrassWorks Grazing Conference, January 22–24, 2026, at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The GrassWorks Grazing Conference brings together hundreds of farmer graziers, researchers, and agriculture and conservation professionals for three days of learning, networking, and innovation. This premier annual event features over 30 expert-led sessions covering everything from managed grazing techniques and animal care to strategies for building sustainable and profitable grazing businesses.

Our 2026 theme is Pastures to Prosperity: Building financially smart grazing systems for today’s land stewards focusing on practical, innovative, and profitable approaches to grass-based livestock production.

We are excited to announce 2026 GrassWorks Grazing Conference keynote speakers Melinda Sims, a cattle rancher in Wyoming and Ranching for Profit instructor, and Dwayne Estes, Executive Director of the Southeastern Grasslands Institute.

Make plans to join us January 25-28, 2026, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, for the 86th Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference!
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The Full Conference Registration and Student Registration fees include the following meals and social events: Welcome Reception on Sunday evening; Student/Professional Networking Lunch on Monday (RSVP required, complimentary for students, nominal fee for professionals); Poster Session & Tradeshow Social Tuesday evening; Continental Breakfast Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and coffee breaks daily.

The One-Day Registration fee includes meals and social events on the day they are attending.

The Iowa Ag Expo will inspire you with the biggest names and newest innovations in agriculture. With more than 700 exhibitors spanning 7.25 acres, the Iowa Ag Expo is the third largest indoor ag show in the country—and it’s right in your backyard!

Over four, two-day sessions spanning 12 months, participants will gain hands-on experience in both classroom and field settings. Participants will work directly with leading soil health experts to study successful soil health management.

Session dates: Feb 9th and 10th; March 24th and 25th; June 16th and 17th; September 22nd and 23rd.

Full scholarships are available on a limited term basis to new conservation professionals or beginning farmers. Please don't hesitate to inquire about this!

Spaces are limited to the first 35 registered.
Cost: $300 for all sessions. This includes all meals and travel to field days.

The Upper Midwest Stream Restoration Symposium (UMSRS) brings together regional stream restoration professionals for 2.5 days of networking and knowledge exchange. This single-track event fosters collaboration among diverse disciplines—engineering, hydrology, ecology, geomorphology, and regulatory fields—through shared sessions and discussions. This year’s event will be February 22-25th at the Radisson in La Crosse, WI.

We invite proposals for oral and poster presentations on all aspects of stream restoration, including design, implementation, monitoring, planning, and regulatory or funding contexts. Presentations will be organized into topical sessions, and a broad range of speakers is encouraged to support an interdisciplinary approach.

Registration includes all meals and evening networking opportunities, with frequent breaks to promote interaction among attendees.

The annual Wetland Science Conference is a program of Wisconsin Wetlands Association. The conference typically runs for 2-3 days and includes a keynote address, topical oral sessions, a poster session, workshops, working groups, a Wednesday evening networking event, and field trips to area wetlands.

The 31st annual Wetland Science Conference will be held February 24-26, 2026, at the Ho-Chunk Hotel & Convention Center Baraboo, WI.

Registration: https://conference.wisconsinwetlands.org/registration/

Do you coordinate or support efforts to improve water quality in an agricultural watershed in the Midwest?

Join us for discussions and updates on corporate initiatives, innovative state programs, and farmer-driven efforts yielding tangible environmental and economic co-benefits. We will have an engaging agenda of presentations, panel discussions, interactive sessions, and ample time for networking.

Leadership for Midwestern Watersheds on February 25-26 in Baraboo, Wisconsin.
Get a $25 early bird registration discount by registering before January 16th, 2026.
Watershed coordinators and farmers will receive an additional $40 discount.
Registration will be capped at 100 attendees.

Trout Unlimited welcomes you to the 19th annual Driftless Area Symposium Feb 25 – 26, 2026!

Please join us in person at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center in Onalaska, WI. There will be a full agenda with speakers on trout science, current management & policy challenges, emerging threats, project activities and more! Tickets for the conference and meals are available now. Feel free to book a room on the 25th with instructions and discount code below.

Marbleseed's 37th Organic Farming Conference
Theme: Abundance Grows in Solidarity
February 26-28, 2026
La Crosse Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin

We are excited to announce that planning is underway for 2026! The Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference is one of the largest organic farming conferences in the United States. Every year regenerative and organic farmers from a wide range of farm sizes, experiences, and backgrounds gather to learn the latest in organic farming methods, build community, and shape the future of the organic farming movement.

Join us for an inspirational lineup of educational content covering diverse production types, business management, soil health, and more to advance resilient organic farms and regenerative food systems. Whether you’re certified organic, using organic practices on your regenerative farm, or considering the switch to organic, you’ll find the people, partners, and skill-building opportunities to help your farm business thrive.

This annual conference provides valuable networking opportunities, forums to discuss current work and new ideas with colleagues, a chance to build technical knowledge, and space to be re-inspired by the passion for conservation across the state. Registration for our 2026 conference will open soon.

Located at the Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI.

Attendees will learn about best practices for managing and restoring lakeshores. This will be followed by an interactive board game challenge.

Through this engaging and educational activity, attendees will put their newly acquired knowledge to use as they design their ideal shoreline project. Attendees will also listen to several case studies to learn about common lake misconceptions, lake dynamics, and why data collection matters.

Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center
One Civic Center Plaza
Mankato, MN 56001

Over four, two-day sessions spanning 12 months, participants will gain hands-on experience in both classroom and field settings. Participants will work directly with leading soil health experts to study successful soil health management.

Session dates: Feb 9th and 10th; March 24th and 25th; June 16th and 17th; September 22nd and 23rd.

Full scholarships are available on a limited term basis to new conservation professionals or beginning farmers. Please don't hesitate to inquire about this!

Spaces are limited to the first 35 registered.
Cost: $300 for all sessions. This includes all meals and travel to field days.

Over four, two-day sessions spanning 12 months, participants will gain hands-on experience in both classroom and field settings. Participants will work directly with leading soil health experts to study successful soil health management.

Session dates: Feb 9th and 10th; March 24th and 25th; June 16th and 17th; September 22nd and 23rd.

Full scholarships are available on a limited term basis to new conservation professionals or beginning farmers. Please don't hesitate to inquire about this!

Spaces are limited to the first 35 registered.
Cost: $300 for all sessions. This includes all meals and travel to field days.

This year’s conference theme is:

The Heart of Sustainability: Habitat as the Foundation of Productive Fisheries and takes place in Columbus, Ohio on the banks of the Scioto River. More information on sessions and hotel accommodation’s found on registration page.

Over four, two-day sessions spanning 12 months, participants will gain hands-on experience in both classroom and field settings. Participants will work directly with leading soil health experts to study successful soil health management.

Session dates: Feb 9th and 10th; March 24th and 25th; June 16th and 17th; September 22nd and 23rd.

Full scholarships are available on a limited term basis to new conservation professionals or beginning farmers. Please don't hesitate to inquire about this!

Spaces are limited to the first 35 registered.
Cost: $300 for all sessions. This includes all meals and travel to field days.