As the snow gets a bit soggy around the edges, thoughts of spring aren't far from the minds of Wrenshall area farmers, and many have been planning for the coming season by attending conferences and symposiums. My husband, Janaki Fisher-Merritt of the Food Farm, signed up for the virtual option of last month's organic vegetable production conference run by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and presented remotely to the Quebec ministry of agriculture.

We had a few representatives from Wrenshall attend the 33rd annual conference of the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service, or M...