Dig in with On-Farm Learning and Trainings
Join us every summer for on-farm learning at Marbleseed Organic Field Days. Field Days hosted by regenerative and organic farmers across the Upper Midwest who are using innovative organic farming practices and feeding their communities. From small urban farms and midscale silvopasture operations to larger scale row crops, we aim to offer field days for every type of farm. Come connect with community and get fresh ideas to try on your farm.
Marbleseed's Trainings connect farmers with the tools they need for a thriving farm business, supporting the growth of organic acreage, generating more revenue for small-scale farmers, and mitigating the impacts of climate change with farming practices that value land stewardship and whole ecosystem health.
Special Instructions for Visiting Farms with Livestock
Biosecurity is important on all farms, clean shoes and clothes are particularly important at field days where livestock are present. Marbleseed asks that all attendees observe the following biosecurity protocols when visiting farms with livestock.
- Wear clean or disinfected shoes that have not been worn on other farms with livestock or livestock buildings, or around a dense population of wild birds.
- Wear clean clothes that have not been worn around other livestock.
- Upon request of the host or staff during the field day, you may be asked to wear disposable plastic boot covers (provided by Marbleseed) over your shoes.
Current Field Days & Trainings
Check back regularly throughout the season as we add field days and trainings!
Mental Health First Aid Training
Thursday, June 26 | 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Online
To support the farming communities coping with the many factors that affect mental health, Marbleseed is offering Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training to farmers, farm technical advisors, and those who work in farmer support roles. This is a full-day, in-person training that will give participants the skills they need to support farmers who may be developing a mental health or substance use challenge or experiencing a crisis. This includes understanding signs and symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, or substance use that may be affecting farmers’ well-being, as well as knowing the appropriate mental health resources available to direct farmers to more support.
Organic Grains to Glass Field Day
Thursday, July 17 | 1 – 7:30 p.m. | Onalaska, Wis.
This field day will showcase organic grains produced by Patrick McHugh and used by La Crosse Distilling in their certified organic spirits. Patrick's composting system where spent grains from La Crosse Distilling are turned into high quality compost and applied to his fields will also be shown at the event. After the farm, join us at La Crosse Distilling for a social hour!
Melanin Urban Garden Field Day
Thursday, July 17 | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Milwaukee, Wis.
Farming in the city not only possible, it can be done in a small space with assistance from the NRCS. Host Brittney Hutcherson will share her efforts to grow abundant, nutritious food in a city yard utilizing a high tunnel, raised beds, vertical growing and more. Join us to learn from UW Extension, NRCS and Brittney and the Midwest Agriculture Network about the possibilities your yard, incubator space or community garden hold!
Changemaker Field Day
Saturday, July 26 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Gary, Ind.
Join us for a Field Day with Marbleseed’s 2025 Changemaker Award winner, Faith CDC at Faith Farms and Orchard in Gary, Indiana. Come learn about the important food justice work Faith CDC is doing through their youth training, fresh/frozen and food is medicine programs. Walk from station to station to tour the farm and infrastructure in place to make these programs possible. Socialize with community members interested in supporting local food systems and nurturing the next generation of farmers and eaters.
Based in Gary, Ind., FAITH CDC (Families Anchored in Total Harmony) is an organization dedicated to uplifting communities through initiatives in food justice, social justice, environmental sustainability, economic development, and health equity. The organization aims to elevate marginalized voices and build a resilient, inclusive community where everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources. The Changemaker recognition was presented to FAITH CDC for their impactful food and environmental justice work in northwest Indiana.
For over thirty years, Marbleseed has been working in community with the Midwest’s regenerative and organic farmers, leveraging our social capital to grow the region’s organic farming movement. Farmer-led and rooted in organic. Marbleseed educates, inspires, and empowers farmers to thrive in a sustainable, organic system of agriculture.
In-Person Mental Health First Aid Training
Thursday, August 7 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Groundswell Cafe
Within the farming community, we know that farmers face unique stressors and challenges, such as financial pressure, unpredictable weather conditions, and isolation. Due to the remoteness of farming, sometimes technical advisors are the only people farmers see besides their family or farm staff.
To support the farming communities coping with the many factors that affect mental health, Marbleseed is offering Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training to farmers, farm technical advisors, and those who work in farmer support roles. This is a full-day, in-person training that will give participants the skills they need to support farmers who may be developing a mental health or substance use challenge or experiencing a crisis. This includes understanding signs and symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, or substance use that may be affecting farmers’ well-being, as well as knowing the appropriate mental health resources available to direct farmers to more support.
We know that technical advisors and people who support farmers in other ways may also experience their own mental health challenges due to the pressures and demands of their roles. Mental health first aid training provides tools and self-care strategies to manage participants’ own mental health needs more effectively so they can better help farmers and be positive role models within their communities.
Welcoming Communities: Allyship Training
Thursday, August 14 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Decorah, Iowa
“When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed, but when we are silent we are still afraid, so it is better to speak.” -Audre Lorde
In response to experiences of racism, discrimination, and lack of safety from farmers of color in our community, Marbleseed is engaging farmers and folks in rural places who recognize that creating a culture of welcome that embraces diversity makes communities vibrant and viable. This training will explore incidents of racism and discrimination in rural communities while providing skills, approaches, and a facilitation guide to address them.
In addition to individual skill building, this training will strengthen the formation of a network of ‘upstanders and allies” that are working to create safety and belonging in communities across the Midwest.
COST: $10.00 to defray the cost of lunch and materials. We have limited scholarships available. Please contact Sam at sam.gutierrez@marbleseed.org for more information.
Field Day Archives
Missed a field day? Read event recaps and watch recordings of some of our Field Days here: