Organic @Agdays 2026

12:30pm to 1:15pm: Lunch. Get your tickets below.

If you'd like to sponsor the event, see the sponsorship package here:

Speakers

Dr. Laura Telford

Dr. Joanne Thiessen-Martens

Melanie Rivard

Schedule

1:15 - 2:15pm: Transitioning to Organics

Melanie Rivard: Melanie Rivard is an independent organic inspector and evaluator with over a decade of experience in organic certification, having worked in the sector since 2010. She lives near Miniota with her husband, Marc, and various two- and four-legged animals.

• Melanie will be leading a transition workshop for new farmers. You do not have to be an organic farmer to participate, we welcome everyone, including farmers interested in learning to reduce their dependence on synthetic fertilizer and reduce input costs.

  
  

2:15 - 2:30pm: Break.

2:30 - 3:15pm: Market Analysis & Updates

Laura Telford: Laura Telford has spent the past 14 years as Manitoba Agriculture’s Organic Specialist. Her priorities are to work to ensure that organic operators have the skills and the market intelligence they need to build resilient and profitable businesses. Laura has a Ph.D. from Queen’s University in Psychology and spent seven years conducting research in the field of Neuroscience prior to leaving academia to pursue her environmental interests. Laura has authored many reports about the capacity needs of Canada’s organic sector and is co-author of two books on organic livestock and field crop production.

• Laura is the organic specialist with the Government of Manitoba. She will be providing key updates and statistics about the scope and trends within the organic industry.

3:15 - 3:30pm: Break.

3:30 - 4:30pm: Developing High-Phosphorus Organic Fertilizers: Struvite, Compost, and other Organic Phosphorus Management

Joanne Thiessen Martens: Dr. Thiessen Martens is a Professor at the University of Manitoba. She completed both undergrad and PhD degrees at the University. Her research focuses on nutrient flows in agroecosystems, including agronomic and environmental aspects. She is especially interested in phosphorus dynamics in soils and plants, as well as nutrient dynamics in all kinds of ecological farming systems.

Stop by the Upper Curling Club Lounge anytime during our session, your AgDays ticket gets you in at no extra cost. Lunch is optional, and if you'd like to join us for the meal, you will have to let us know ahead of time.