Cultivating soil productivity and health
The Soil Management Summit emphasizes proven farmer experience and applied science. Straight from the fields, learn how heavier, colder soils aren’t necessarily the challenge they’re made out to be. Hear from long-time no-till, reduced tillage, and cover crop farmers as they share their experiences, so you can be spared the same hard-learned lessons.
The summit features presentations and Q & A with researchers, farmers and agricultural advisors, information from sponsors, and conversations with farmers experienced in different soil health practices.
Those who attend the entire conference will be offered CCA continuing education units (CEUs).
Registration scholarships will be available for interested producers. Contact Shane for more information at sbugeja@umn.edu.
For more information about this event, contact Jodi DeJong-Hughes at dejon003@umn.edu.
The Soil Management Summit is presented by University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota Office for Soil Health with support from Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District.
2022 Summit
December 15-16 at the Park Event Center (500 Division St, Waite Park, MN 56387)
Our format includes plenty of opportunities to interact with experienced producers and researchers. Break-out sessions provide presentations from researchers and practitioners. Table talk discussions give you a chance to ask questions of practitioners and specialists and panels of farmers and agronomists will share their practical experiences.
Confirmed break-out sessions include:
- Jodi DeJong-Hughes, U of MN Extension, strip-till systems
- Matt Ruark, University of Wisconsin, nitrogen and cover crops
- Kenny Blumenfeld, Climatologist at the MN State Climatology Office
- Eric Young, farmer, low disturbance manure applications
- Fabian Fernandez, U of MN Dept of Soil Water and Climate, managing fertility in soil health systems
Additional topics will include managing controlled traffic, Kernza production, planting green, insect management, planter settings, farm economics, and more.
- $160 Early bird rate (includes CCA credits)
- $125 Early bird rate for farmers and anyone not seeking CCA credits
- $180 After November 30
Two hotels are connected to the event center:
- Hilton Garden Inn St. Cloud, 550 Division St, Waite Park, MN 56387
- Reserve online or call the hotel at 320-640-7990
- Residence Inn St. Cloud, 450 Division St, Waite Park, MN 56387
- Reserve online or call 320-640-0200
As a sponsor for the Soil Management Summit, you will network, gain exposure, and market directly to customers who are interested in successfully reducing their tillage or incorporating cover crops into their system.
Our in-person event draws between 200-250 attendees each year who are all interested in a range of topics related to soil health, soil management, and farm transfer. Most of our attendees are full-time farmers, and many are Ag advisors who support hundreds of farmers.
As a sponsor, we invite you to share promotional materials and videos to show throughout the conference during breaks, the welcome, and the closing talk.
Protocols for protecting participants' health will be based on risk levels and official recommendations near the time of the event. Look here for updated information.
Testimonials
“The best part of the meeting was the networking with growers from a wide array of operations and listening to the top-notch speakers that were presenting.”
“This is one of the best conferences I have been to. It is run like a well-oiled machine.”
“Having so many differing opinions and experts in one place, if you had a question to ask, someone there would have an answer for you or find the answer.”