Getting Support for Regenerative, Organic Urban Ag Production

Join us at The SHED on Main Street in Vermillion for an indoor education and discussion-focused field day event highlighting how NRCS assistance and conservation planning can support organic and transitioning vegetable farmers. Using the Pulse of Life Genesis Garden urban ag project, developed in collaboration with Prairiesun Organics, we’ll walk through the journey of moving ground from a conventional corn–soybean rotation into a regenerative, certified organic vegetable system under a current EQIP contract with NRCS.

Learn how conservation practices are being used in an urban agriculture setting to improve soil health, protect natural resources, and reduce the financial barriers of transition.

Whether you are already certified or considering the transition, this field day offers honest insights, peer-to-peer learning, and helpful planning resources for producers looking to get into certificate organic small-scale vegetable production in an urban ag setting.

Who Should Attend?

• Farmers (organic, transitioning, and conventional)
• Agricultural professionals & extension educators
• Conservationists & sustainability advocates
• Students & researchers in regenerative, organic, and sustainable agriculture

AGENDA

11:00 – 11:15 a.m. – Welcome & Introductions

• Speaker: Angela
• Overview of Pulse of Life Genesis Garden project and purpose of the workshop
• Introductions of speakers and partners (Prairiesun Organics, SDSPA, NRCS Clay County)

11:15 – 11:45 a.m. – Project Story: From Corn–Bean Rotation to Organic Vegetables

• Speaker: Glenn Pulse, Prairiesun Organics & Pulse of Life Genesis Garden
• Site history and prior corn–soybean rotation
• Vision for a regenerative, certified organic vegetable system in an urban setting
• Key lessons learned

11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – EQIP Conservation Practices & Cost-Share Opportunities

• Speakers: NRCS Clay County staff (2)
• Overview of EQIP support for organic and transitioning farmers
• Conservation practices used on this project
• How to apply and what to expect from the planning process

12:30 – 1:00 p.m. – Networking Lunch (Free Meal Provided)

• Informal networking over lunch
• Meet with NRCS staff, SDSPA advisor, and project partners

1 – 1:45 p.m. – Pathway to Organic Certification & Transition Planning

• Speaker: SDSPA Organic Ag Transition Advisor
• Steps in transitioning from conventional to certified organic in an urban ag setting
• Aligning EQIP conservation practices with organic system plans
• Common challenges and available resources

1:45 – 2:00 p.m. – Closing & Informal Conversations

• Final questions and takeaways
• Optional one-on-one follow-up with NRCS, SDSPA, and project partners