The Soil Health Nexus partners with Extension educators and integrated faculty across the region to host workshops and trainings to help agricultural educators connect with their peers, learn from other states, and understand the latest research and tools to help farmers on their soil health journeys.
Soil Health and Water Management Workshop
November 4-5, 2026
Join us for a two-day workshop to balance and build connections
between drainage, irrigation, soil health, and more!
What to expect:
- Hear from experts on climate, water management, and soil health.
- See real-world examples through farm tours and farmer conversations.
- Take home practical tools and strategies to improve farm resilience.
Location: Elkhart County State Fair Grounds in Goshen, Indiana
Agenda
Wednesday, November 4th – 9:30am – 7:00pm
- Registration and Welcome
- Climate Trends and Agricultural Implications – Austin Pearson, Purdue University Agriculture Meteorologist & Climatologist
- Drainage Water Quality and Agricultural Resilience – Ben Reinhart, Conservation Planner at Ecosystems Exchange
- Lunch
- Biosecurity on Today’s Farms – Kathryn Jennings, Purdue Extension
- Farm Tours
- Dinner and Networking
Thursday, November 5th – 8:30am – 3:00pm
- Digging into Soil Health: A Facilitator’s Guide to Real-World Decisions – Leslie Johnson, Nebraska Extension
- Irrigation Management: Making Every Drop County – Brenden Kelly, Michigan State University Extension
- The Economics of Cover Crops and No-Till – Michael Langemeier, Purdue University
- Farmers’ Perspectives: Soil Health, Livestock & Water Management
- Lunch
- Farm Tour