Organic Grower Magazine – TOP STORIES
National biochar survey finds soil health benefits, adoption barriers among U.S. farmers
American Farmland Trust (AFT) and research partners released results from the first national survey of U.S. farmers using or interested in biochar, finding that 80% of users planned to continue applying the soil amendment despite challenges involving cost, availability and technical assistance. Conducted online in 2025, the National Biochar Survey collected responses from 367 farmers …
2027 EcoFarm Conference to focus on ecological farming, soil health
The Ecological Farming Association will host its 47th annual EcoFarm Conference Jan. 20-23, 2027, at the Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove, California. The conference, themed “Farming Like Life Depends on It,” will bring together more than 1,500 farmers, ranchers, researchers and food system advocates to explore ecological farming practices, soil health and agricultural sustainability. …
USDA awards $32.2 million to 99 local and regional food projects
The USDA awarded more than $32.2 million to 99 projects aimed at expanding market opportunities for farmers and local food businesses while improving consumer access to locally produced food. The funding, announced Nov. 5, was distributed through three grant programs under the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP): the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), Local Food …
Great Lakes Tek Flex showcases AgTech at SWMREC
Great Lakes Tek Flex brought growers, researchers and agricultural technology companies together Sept. 10-11 at Michigan State University’s Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center (SWMREC) in Benton Harbor. The event combined educational presentations and networking opportunities with exhibits and hands-on demonstrations of technologies for specialty crop production.
