August 19th & 20th, 2025 | 9:00AM to 4:00PM | 6679 State Highway 23, Spring Green, WI 53588
Acres U.S.A. Gary Zimmer Field Day - 2025
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Join Acres U.S.A. at Gary Zimmers On-Farm Event
Introducing the 2025 Acres U.S.A. Gary Zimmer On-Farm Event: Join us for a two-day intensive focused on the integration of perennial woody crops into cropping and grazing systems. Hosted by renowned soil health expert Gary Zimmer on his home farm, this event brings together leading thinkers and practitioners in regenerative agriculture.
Learn how to build profitable, resilient farm systems that incorporate trees, shrubs, and perennial crops alongside annual row crops and managed grazing.
Join us at the Acres U.S.A. On-Farm Event
Event Speakers
Gary Zimmer
Gary Zimmer is Founder of Midwestern BioAg. Known as the “father” of biological agriculture, Zimmer is an internationally known author, speaker, and consultant. He owns Otter Creek Organic Farm, a family-operated, award-winning 1,000 acre farm near Lone Rock, WI, and has been on the board of Taliesin Preservation Inc. since 2011. Zimmer is the author of three books, and numerous articles on soils and livestock nutrition. Zimmer holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master’s degree in Dairy Nutrition from the University of Hawaii.
Mark Shepard
Mark Shepard is a leading voice in agroforestry and permaculture, and the author of Restoration Agriculture. He manages New Forest Farm in Viola, Wisconsin—a 106-acre perennial farm transformed from degraded row-crop land into a thriving, commercial-scale ecosystem. Mark is founder of Restoration Agriculture Development and Forest Agriculture Nursery, where he helps farmers design resilient, perennial-based systems. With a background in engineering and ecology, Mark is known for his work in keyline water management, adaptive breeding, and integrating tree crops like hazelnuts, chestnuts, and apples into regenerative farm models.
Erik Hagan
Erik sets the perennial vision for Savanna Institute’s campus in Spring Green, WI. Since 2005, Erik has devoted himself to studying, teaching, and managing agroecological systems across the country. After receiving a B.S. in Agricultural and Ecological Sciences from The Evergreen State College in 2009, Erik coordinated the South Puget Sound Small Farms Program with WSU Extension and Mason Conservation District; providing education, research and farm planning/technical assistance for producers in the region. Erik relocated to Pennsylvania in 2015 to work with the USDA Agricultural Research Service at the Pennsylvania State University while working towards a Master’s in Ecology. His research focused on alternative riparian buffer and water quality management strategies for enhancing ecosystem services within agricultural landscapes. During this time, Erik developed and managed a diversified agroforestry farm while co-coordinating outreach and training programs on agroforestry opportunities specific to the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region. Erik is excited to join the Midwest community in discovering, developing and promoting resilient and regenerative models of agroecosystems for the Midwest and beyond.
Savanna Institute
Since its genesis in 2013, the Savanna Institute has grown to add demonstration farms, educational programs, and research initiatives to develop more diverse, perennial agriculture. Newfound investment in nature-based climate solutions has propelled the organization’s growth and expanded what’s possible for farmers when they integrate trees and shrubs in pasture, in fields, and along waterways.
Location
6679 State Highway 23
Spring Green, WI 53588
Event Schedule
Tuesday, August 19th, 2025 - Free Ograin Event
10 am – 3 pm
Join OGRAIN at Twin Crix Farm in Spring Green, WI, on Tuesday, August 19th, for a day of organic field walks and soil health talks. Gary Zimmer will share how he uses tests to make informed decisions to increase soil health. From soil tests to tissue tests to feed tests, he’ll discuss them all. Sandy Syburg will share results from an on-farm nitrogen and cover crop study led by Michael Fields Agriculture Institute. We’ll also hear an update on the work of Rye Revival. In the afternoon, we’ll discuss grain crop rotations and tour fields of corn, clover, and rye. We’ll end the day with an agroforestry field tour and introduction with Patrick Michaels. For a more in-depth dive into agroforestry, join the Savanna Institute on Wednesday, August 20th.
Tuesday, August 19th, 2025 - Paid Ticket
3:00 – 4:00 PM - Welcome + Farm Introduction from Gary Zimmer
4:00 - 6:00 PM - Farm Tour with Patrick Michaels (Savanna Institute & Canopy)
Wednesday, August 20th, 2025
Morning Schedule:
8:00 – 9:00 AM - Registration - Get Checked in at door
9:00 – 10:00 AM - Gary Zimmer - soil fertility - evaluating and creating the best condition to do your plantings
10:15 – 11:45 AM - Mark Shepard
12:00 – 1:00 PM - Lunch
1:00 - 3:00 PM - Tour of Savanna Institutes North Farm - Led by Erik Hagan
3:15 - 4:00 PM - Closing Remarks
4:00 PM - Event Ends
Farm Tour Info
Savanna Institute
North Farm
E6856 WI-60 TRUNK
Spring Green WI 53588
Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather which could include: hat, sunglasses, sturdy walking shoes, sunscreen, bug repellent, rain gear, and/or water bottle.
Bathrooms on site.
Water available.
First Aid-trained staff.
No dogs allowed.
Is This Event For me?
A row crop or livestock farmer looking to diversify your operation with perennials
Interested in agroforestry or silvopasture but unsure where to start
Managing land and want to build long-term soil health and resilience
Exploring how trees, shrubs, and perennial crops can add profitability and ecological value
Curious about integrating grazing livestock with tree crops
A consultant, land manager, or educator seeking practical field-based learning
Ready for a hands-on, intensive experience with leading experts in regenerative agriculture
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Refund Policy
All items are non-refundable, all sales are final. Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions on this. Thanks!
What is Acres U.S.A.®?
Acres U.S.A.® is North America's oldest publisher (est. 1971) on production-scale organic and sustainable farming. Founded by Charles Walters, for more than 50 years, our mission has been to help farmers, ranchers and market gardeners grow food profitably, sustainably, without harmful chemicals.
WE OFFER a full range of educational products — including books and pamphlets, a monthly magazine, webinars, podcasts, online courses and both large-venue and on-farm events — to help producers find timely, practical and well-tested knowledge and advice on just about any agricultural topic
Acres U.S.A. is committed to providing information about agricultural production systems that can regenerate the soil, support the farmer and rancher, and bring healthy, nutritious food to the consumer. We bring both new and time-tested voices to the discussion of “what is to be done” when it comes to building soil health, raising healthy animals and growing nutritious crops. We amplify the work of modern agricultural leaders and innovators, and we support all efforts to increase the resilience of our farms and ranches — and the people who anchor and feed our nation.
The books we sell, and the spWhat sets us aparteakers at our events, and the editors of our monthly eNewsletter and farmer-facing website represent generations of experience in building — not mining — soils. The lessons they teach are fundamental: to farm economically, one must do so ecologically.
You Need To JOIN US
Consulting Halls
The education never stops. In between conference sessions, you will have the unique opportunity to choose from a selection of instructors available for Q&A. These more informal roundtable-style talks will allow you to connect with the instructor and others who may have shared experiences. Consulting halls are a favorite for our attendees.
On-Site Bookstore
Acres U.S.A. displays hundreds of books on ecological and regenerative farming, from practical how-to’s to in-depth conceptual reads. We’ll have many of our bestselling titles on-site for you to purchase. Often, our speakers are also authors, and their books will be available for purchase. We also host book signings for many of our authors between sessions at the conference! Start your farming library at our conference, so the learning never stops.
Consulting Halls
The education never stops. In between conference sessions, you will have the unique opportunity to choose from a selection of instructors available for Q&A. These more informal roundtable-style talks will allow you to connect with the instructor and others who may have shared experiences. Consulting halls are a favorite for our attendees.
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