Ohio State conference helps organic producers manage risk and protect profits in a steady but demanding market

SANDUSKY, Ohio - Organic grain farming in Ohio is growing - but so are the risks. From complex certification requirements and volatile markets to mounting weed pressure and unpredictable weather, the decisions farmers make today can shape the future of their operations.

And making the wrong decisions can cost real money.

To help Ohio's organic grain producers stay ahead, researchers and educators with The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) are working to bridge the gap between scientific innovation and on-the-ground production.

The 2026 Ohio State Organic Grains Conference, held Jan. 7-8 in Sandusky, is organized by Ohio State University Extension's Farm Office and Ohio State's Organic Food & Farming Education and Research (OFFER) program. OSU Extension is CFAES' outreach arm.

Registration is $175 per person through Dec. 26, with an additional fee for on-site registration. Certified Crop Adviser credits will be offered. To learn more or to register, visit go.osu.edu/OrganicGrains .

"The challenges facing organic grain farmers are specific and steep," said Eric Richer, CFAES field specialist in farm management and the event's director. "They're managing weeds without synthetic herbicides, they're navigating niche markets, and they're making rotation and fertility decisions that impact their bottom line. They need research-backed strategies they can apply immediately."

Ohio ranks among the top states in the nation for organic production, and demand for organic grains - corn, soybeans, wheat and others - continues to outpace supply. But producing those grains requires a different approach to agronomy, equipment and business planning. That's especially true in the Eastern Corn Belt, where few neighbors may be farming organically and information tailored to large-acreage organic grain systems can be hard to find.

That's where CFAES is stepping in.

At the conference, farmers will have access to sessions focused on the most pressing issues in organic production: ecological weed control, climate impacts, integrating livestock, organic certification and finding the right markets.

"The goal is not only to share the latest research but to foster a community where farmers can learn directly from one another," Richer said, emphasizing that the conference is "as much about community as it is about classroom-style learning, especially for farmers who may be the only organic grain producers in their county."

Organic grain production comes with its own set of constraints and opportunities - from certification and recordkeeping to fertility and marketing - and having a space where growers can compare notes and strategies is critical, Richer said. Farmer panels will explore topics such as using new technology to manage weeds, integrating livestock into grain systems, identifying and controlling the toughest weeds, and lessons from Ohio State's eFields on-farm research.

Among the featured speakers will be Aaron Wilson, CFAES climate specialist with OSU Extension and the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center. Wilson will share tools and insights to help farmers understand shifting weather patterns and how climate trends are changing the timing and management of organic cropping systems across Ohio.

Other speakers include longtime Wisconsin organic farmer Willie Hughes, Cornell University agroecologist Matt Ryan and consultant Nate Powell-Palm of Montana. All bring experience and expertise from across the organic grain supply chain.

"Organic production can offer significant returns, but it comes with added complexity," Richer said. "We want to make sure Ohio farmers have the tools, knowledge and support network to make it a viable, long-term business decision."

More than 95% of past attendees said they applied at least one new practice on their farms after the conference, underscoring the value of farmer-to-farmer learning combined with university research. For CFAES, the event is part of a larger mission: to serve all Ohio farmers, regardless of production system, and to ensure that agricultural innovation leads to on-farm impact.

Through programs like OFFER, OSU Extension and statewide farm management education, CFAES continues to deliver practical tools that help organic growers succeed - and to keep Ohio agriculture competitive in a changing marketplace.

"Ohio's food and farming economy is stronger when farmers of all types have access to research-based information," Richer said. "This conference is just one way we're making that happen."