Regenerative Grain Agriculture Field Day

This event will be an in-depth workshop about regenerative approaches to growing grain in the Mid-Atlantic led by Heinz Thomet, the farmer behind Next Step Produce. This event is hosted by Common Grain Alliance in partnership with the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.

Heinz will share what he has learned in his two decades of experience with intensive, small-scale regenerative grain farming, including topics such as microbial application, composting, cover cropping, crop rotations, and others. This event is designed for small and medium sized grain farmers who are interested in learning from Heinz and sharing their own experiences with different soil health practices. Also welcome are those who are interested in better understanding regenerative agriculture in the Mid-Atlantic and what is needed to expand these farming practices.

Once the farm tour has concluded, the group will sit down for a discussion about priority needs for advancing regenerative grain agriculture in the Mid-Atlantic, including research needs, market development, knowledge dissemination, infrastructure financing, and other areas. This discussion will result in a list of priority topics, which will inform future activities by Common Grain Alliance and partners.

Space is limited and advanced registration is required - see below for details and to register.

Schedule

• 9:45am - 10:00am - Arrive and Welcome

  • Location: Next Step Produce (10615 Benton Rd, Newburg, MD 20664)

• 10:00am - 11:00am -  Evolution of the Sustainable Agriculture Movement

• Farmer Heinz Thomet will begin the day with an overview of how he has seen the sustainable agriculture movement evolve over the past several decades, including the focus on organic, sustainable, and regenerative farming. Heinz will share how he has developed his personal philosophy over time and how that influences the agriculture he practices at Next Step Produce.

• 11:00am - 12:30pm - Regenerative Farm Tour - Part One 

• Farmer Heinz Thomet will do a walk through of his farm, highlighting his use of composting, microbial application, cover cropping, and other regenerative farming methods. He will also highlight the diversity of crops grown at Next Step Produce in order to develop and maintain soil health. This will be an in-depth overview of regenerative farming practices at Next Step Produce.

• 12:30 - 1:30pm - Lunch 

• Lunch will be a hearty vegetarian meal.

• Discussion about what other farmers in attendance have learned through practicing regenerative techniques on their farms, including questions and experiences that arose from the morning farm tour. 

• Attendees are invited to comment on regenerative interventions they have practiced, which practices worked well, which didn’t, and why

• 1:30pm - 2:30pm - Regenerative Farm Tour - Part Two

• Part two of the Next Step Produce Farm Tour

• 2:30pm - 4:00pm - Discussion: What is needed to advance regenerative grain agriculture in the Mid-Atlantic?

• Once the farm tour has concluded, the group will identify priority needs for advancing regenerative grain agriculture in the Mid-Atlantic, including research needs, market development, knowledge dissemination, infrastructure financing, and other areas.

• The discussion will result in a list of priority topics related to regenerative grain farming in the Mid-Atlantic, which will inform future activities by Common Grain Alliance and partners.

Registration

Please plan to bring a refillable water bottle and a camp chair!

• General Public - $30

• CGA Members - Free

  • CGA Members should still register to attend the event. Visit this webpage for information about becoming a Common Grain Alliance member: Join Common Grain Alliance.