Field Day
July 12th, 2025
Join us for our annual Grain Place Foundation Field Day on Saturday, July 12th – a day of learning, inspiration, and community.The event will start with a guided tour of our regenerative organic farm and grain processing plant to see firsthand how we prioritize healthy soil and healthy food at the Grain Place. Then, we’ll head to a local venue for an engaging afternoon program featuring a keynote presentation by renowned soil health advocate Ray Archuleta, a special screening of our documentary Dreaming of a Vetter World, and a delicious farm-to-table lunch made with organic ingredients.
We look forward to welcoming you! The event runs from 8:00am to 4:00pm.
– Morning tours: 1904 N. Hwy 14, Marquette, NE 68854 | 8:00 – 11:00am
– Afternoon program: 2211 Q St, Aurora, NE 68818 | 11:30am – 4:00pm
Feel free to attend only the morning tours, just the afternoon program, or both. Reserve your spot with the links below!
Morning Session
Morning session includes tours of the Grain Place Farm and Grain Place Foods processing facility.
Afternoon Session
Afternoon session includes a film screening of Dreaming of a Vetter World, keynote speaker Ray Archuleta, and farm-to-table lunch.
Afternoon Session Registration
Afternoon Registration is $25 (free for students)
Both Sessions
Morning and Afternoon
This will register you for both the Morning and Afternoon Sessions.
Ray Archuleta
Ray Archuleta is a Certified Professional Soil Scientist with the Soil Science Society of America and has 30+ years experience as a Soil Conservationist, Water Quality Specialist and Conservation Agronomist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Ray received his AS degree in Livestock Science from Northern New Mexico College and a BS degree in Agricultural Biology plus 30 hours of graduate work in soil related courses from New Mexico State University. He served in the Peace Corps for two years in Guatemala as a Livestock Specialist.
After his retirement from the NRCS in 2017, Ray founded Understanding Ag, LLC, and Soil Health Academy, LLC, to teach Biomimicry strategies and Agroecology principles for improving soil function on a national scale. Ray also owns and operates a 150-acre farm near Seymour, Missouri that he operates along with his wife and family.
“Dreaming of a Vetter World”
This award-winning documentary shares the story of the Vetter family, pioneers of organic farming on the 280-acre Grain Place Farm. Dreaming of a Vetter World is the result of the determination, vision, and hard work of filmmaker Bonnie Hawthorne. A crew of one, she performed all tasks apart from music, graphics, and final audio mix. It was truly a labor of love.
In February 2025, Bonnie donated the film to the Grain Place Foundation to keep the Vetter’s story alive for future generations. We are pleased to welcome Bonnie as a special guest for this year’s Field Day.
Meet the Chef
Farm to table lunch prepared by Chef John Boeder at The Leadership Center
JohnBoeder
Executive Chef
As the Executive Chef at The Leadership Center in Aurora, Nebraska, I’ve turned a lifelong love of food into a mission of connection and hospitality. My passion started in the kitchen with my family and has grown through years of hands-on experience, learning alongside talented professionals and always staying curious.
At The Leadership Center, I lead a dedicated culinary team that prepares meals for groups ranging from 10 to over 500 guests. We cater across the state and serve communities through our food truck, bringing quality meals to people from all walks of life.
Teaching is one of the most fulfilling parts of my role. I work with students in the kitchen on everything from candy and chocolate making to smoking meats and baking thousands of Christmas cookies. I’ve led hands-on classes in cake decorating, candy-making, and even sushi rolling. We’re committed to ensuring every guest is well-fed, including those with special dietary needs—because everyone deserves a meal that tastes great and meets their needs.
I believe a good meal can do more than satisfy hunger—it can build community, spark conversation, and create lasting memories. “Creating Moments that Matter”
Lodging is available at The Leadership Center, a premier conference and retreat center located in Aurora, Nebraska.
Become a Sponsor
We are currently seeking additional Sponsors for Field Day 2025. Your donations support not only the Field Day event, but enable the ongoing work of the Grain Place Foundation.
Roots Sponsors
Planter Sponsors
Seed Sponsors
In Kind Sponsors
Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP)
Field Day is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP)