{"product_id":"grain-covercrops","title":"Grain Farmers \u0026 Friends Cover Crops That Work","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"046ebc82-ccb6-4a60-b68e-dd2b33cea08e\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-5\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" data-turn-start-message=\"true\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full light markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"40\" data-end=\"378\"\u003eFrom building soil health to managing weeds and improving resilience, cover crops play a major role in organic grain systems. Join us for a practical discussion exploring how organic grain farmers are using cover crops in real-world rotations, what species and strategies are working best, and the lessons learned from years in the field.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"380\" data-end=\"599\"\u003eHear directly from the farmers growing our food as they share their experiences, challenges, and the thinking behind their decisions — all while cultivating healthier soils and a more sustainable future for agriculture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"601\" data-end=\"617\"\u003eMeet the lineup:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"619\" data-end=\"1306\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eGreg Dineen\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e is a 41-year-old farmer located near Kenilworth, Ontario, currently in his 12th year farming organically. He farms alongside his wife, two young sons, and parents on 430 acres at the edge of the Dundalk Highlands. Their rotation includes corn, soybeans, wheat, rye, and black beans. A self-described “recovering (relapsed?) engineer,” Greg enjoys machinery design and is currently leading a project with the University of Guelph on ultra-low-cost electric grain drying. His farm trials have included top-dressing cereals with hog manure and digestate, twin-row and swathed soybeans, snow-combined corn, and low-population corn in organic production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1308\" data-end=\"1810\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eDean Martin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e and his two sons operate Harrow Organic Farms in Harrow, Ontario, farming 1,500 acres of certified organic grains and oilseeds across Essex County and Pelee Island. Dean has been cash cropping for over 40 years and began transitioning to organic production in 2005. A University of Guelph graduate (83A), he is a former director of The Seed Corn Growers of Ontario and a past speaker at both the Southwest Agricultural Conference and the Guelph Organic Conference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1812\" data-end=\"2222\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003ePhil Oegema\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e transformed his 1,200-acre family farm to organic production in 2012. Today, Oegema Grains grows organic crops using innovative tools and farmer-led practices while also operating an organic elevator supporting fellow farmers. As the 2024 President of the \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eOntario Soil and Crop Improvement Association\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, Phil champions practical solutions and innovation in sustainable agriculture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2224\" data-end=\"2389\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eThe discussion will be moderated by \u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eDr. Erica Shelley\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, helping guide an engaging conversation on organic grain farming and cover crop strategies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2224\" data-end=\"2389\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFree to attend. Registration required.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSupport the Movement\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDid you know Ontario Organic is a member-based organization? By becoming a member, you support our advocacy efforts, educational resources, and the growth of a strong, competitive organic sector—especially in uncertain times.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/guelphorganicconf.ca\/pages\/oco-membership\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJoin us in shaping the future of organic agriculture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Organic Council of Ontario","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51701312258369,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0900\/1769\/4017\/files\/WeedControlDifferentstrategiesandequipment_2.png?v=1778681781","url":"https:\/\/guelphorganicconf.ca\/products\/grain-covercrops","provider":"Organic Council of Ontario","version":"1.0","type":"link"}