RMA Conference

The Hilton is sold out of rooms with 2 Double Beds and the reduced room rate has expired. Our overflow hotel is the Ramada Inn City Centre which is a block away from the Hilton. Call 414-272-8410 for reservations and ask for the Growing Power Room Block.

Ramada Milwaukee City Centre
633 W. Michigan St
6th Street & Michigan Street
Milwaukee, WI 53203 US
Phone: 414-272-8410

The goal of the conference is to promote the success and viability of small and beginning farmers and ranchers. Producers and potential farmers and ranchers, and people that work with these individuals are invited to attend and participate in this exciting conference and learn the latest strategies that contribute to the success of America's small farms.

The Conference Committee is developing the tracts and sessions for the conference. This information is subject to change.

The days when small and beginning farmers and ranchers could effectively sustain themselves by simply selling farm products as general commodities are rapidly fading away. Instead, many small and beginning farmers and ranchers have to think of marketing their farm products with a view toward developing greater value to the buyer and better profit opportunities for their enterprises. Alternative marketing is one way small and beginning farmers and ranchers can create increased value in their niche products while enhancing the profitability of their farms.

The goal of the Alternative Marketing Workshop Track is to assist small and beginning farmers and ranchers learn how to improve the marketability of their products and enhance their knowledge of the risk management tools, techniques and resources available to them so they can have successful and profitable enterprises. This track will provide information on the various marketing tools available such as: Community Supported Agriculture (CSA’s); Cooperatives; Niche marketing; Processing & Handling; Farm to School Programs; International Markets; Organics Certification-Planning; and Agri-Tourism.

Providing assistance to the next generation of farmers and ranchers is one of the Secretary of Agriculture's program priorities. To this end, we are creating a separate track for beginning farmers and ranchers at this conference. Topics will include: new and alternative enterprises; mentoring; strategies for passing on and acquiring land; and development and evaluation of beginning farmer programs.

While this conference have identified tracks that will provide strategies to address risks associated with being successful in the agriculture industry; there are issues affecting small and beginning farmers and ranchers that expand beyond the topics prescribed for the Conference. This track will identify strategies to address issues that continue to be at the national forefront and will have a community impact when implemented. The issues will include workshops on grant writing; elected office and committees' participation; funding opportunities; farm bill and policy development; good farming practices; certifications processes and the importance of diversity.

Several challenges are raising new risk management issues that provide opportunities for innovative energy-efficient technologies. They are - reducing dependency on imported oil, making clean energy alternatives affordable as well as available in agriculture, and improving the environment. In addition, rapidly rising and volatile energy prices are causing farmers, ranchers, and particularly limited resource producers to rethink using traditional risk management tools when dealing with these new sources of risk. Therefore, this track will provide information on various strategies and programs for agricultural producers and rural small businesses to support sustainable agricultural operations, increase economic viability, reduce greenhouse gases through renewable energy opportunities, develop value-added agricultural business ventures, and make energy efficient improvements to operations.

Farming today is an inherently risky business. When a small or beginning farmer borrows money from various sources they create an obligation to repay the debt. Uncertain weather conditions, changes to markets, rising interest rates, credit availability, changes to the Farm Bill, and many other events beyond a small and beginning farmer and rancher's control --can affect the prices they receive for their crops and can have a profound affect on their farm finances and ability to pay back their farm loans. This track will provide information on the various financial risk management tools available such as: Record Keeping Skills, Debt Reconstruction, Farm Management Planning, Estate Planning and Wills, Agricultural Credit, Micro-loans, and Tax Management for small farms and beginning farmers and ranchers.

Enhancing the viability and economic livelihood of America's small farms and beginning farmers and ranchers is one of USDA's top priorities. This track provides an opportunity for USDA agencies to discuss the programs and services they administer. Agency representatives will explain the benefits of their programs for small and beginning farmers and ranchers; how to apply and participate in their programs. Understanding and utilizing USDA resources should be an important strategy of any producer's risk management plan.

Urban agriculture contributes nutritious, flavorful food to communities through year-round local food production of fruits, vegetables, fish, soil, and other plants. The ability to produce and distribute food throughout local neighborhoods is important in urban areas and rural towns as the demand for nutritional, good-tasting food continues to grow throughout the country. Additionally, urban farmers and residents benefit as both the economic and social impacts strengthen neighbors and neighborhoods. Growing Power will lead tours that demonstrate urban and year-round growing techniques while the sessions will cover urban land issues and an urban agriculture roundtable discussion.