2026 Nebraska Soil Health Conferences
Nebraska producers, landowners, and agricultural professionals are invited to attend the 2026 Nebraska Soil Health Conferences, a pair of free, one-day events in February focused on practical, research-based strategies for improving soil health and regenerative agricultural systems.
The events are free to attend and include lunch, but pre-registration is required. Pre-register by Monday, Jan. 26 for the Auburn conference and by Wednesday, Feb. 11 for the Hastings conference.
Southeast Nebraska Soil Health Conference
Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 — Auburn Christian Church Family Life Center, 1407 Courthouse Ave., Auburn
Time | Registration, coffee and vendor exhibits open | |
8:00 am | ||
9:00 am | Welcome and Announcements Katja Koehler-Cole and Ritika Lamichhane | |
9:10 am | Soil health from a farmer perspective | |
10:00 am | Farmer Panel | |
10:50 am | Networking Break | |
11:10 am | Winter peas in the rotation Nicolas La Menza, assistant professor, UNL | |
12:00 pm | Lunch and networking Visit our vendors! | |
1:10 pm | Small group discussion Room 1 Soybean seed treatment: Results from on-farm studies | Small group discussion Room 2 Exploring the potential for double or relay cropping |
2:00 pm | Networking Break | |
2:10 pm | Soybean seed treatment: Results from on-farm studies | How can regenerative practices reduce input costs? |
3:00 pm
| Upcoming Events, Research, and Evaluation | |
3:30 pm | Closing | |
Central Nebraska Soil Health Conference
Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 — Lochland Country Club, 601 W. Lochland Rd., Hastings
Time | Registration, coffee and vendor exhibits open | |
8:00 am | ||
9:00 am | Welcome and Announcements Katja Koehler-Cole and Ron Seymour | |
9:10 am | Grazing annual forages under pivot | |
10:00 am | Farmer Panel | |
10:50 am | Networking Break | |
11:10 am | Biochar: Opportunities for Regenerative Corn and Soybean Systems | |
12:00 pm | Lunch and networking Visit our vendors! | |
1:10 pm | Small group discussion Room 1 Soybean management using regenerative practices | Small group discussion Room 2 Hands-on soil health tests |
2:00 pm | Networking Break | |
2:10 pm | Soybean management using regenerative practices | Group activity: How can regenerative practices reduce input costs? |
3:00 pm
| Upcoming Events, Research, and Evaluation | |
3:30 pm | Closing | |
Contacts
- For questions about the Southeast Nebraska conference, contact Ritika Lamichhane, 402-274-4755.
- For questions about the Central Nebraska conference, contact Ron Seymour, 402-461-7209.
- General questions may also be directed to Katja Koehler-Cole, 402-504-1016.
Interested in being an exhibitor?
- Please click here if you would like to reserve a table at the Auburn conference: https://cvent.me/VakRrY
- Please click here if you would like to reserve a table at the Hastings conference: https://cvent.me/DaRbEq
Past Events
2025 Nebraska Soil Health Conferences
Central Nebraska Soil Health Conference
Jan. 29, 2025
8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Adams County Fairgrounds, 947 S. Baltimore Ave., Hastings, Nebraska
Eastern Nebraska Soil Health Conference
Feb. 11, 2025
8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
West Point Nielsen Community Center, 200 Anna Stalp Ave., West Point, Nebraska
Attendance is free for both Soil Health Conference locations, but registration is required for planning purposes.
Register for an exhibitor booth
| Time | Central Nebraska Hastings Wednesday, Jan. 29 | Eastern Nebraska West Point Tuesday, Feb. 11 |
|---|---|---|
| 8 a.m. | Registration, coffee and vendor exhibits | |
| 9 a.m. | Welcome and Announcements Dr. Charlie Stoltenow, UNL Extension Dean | |
| 9:10 a.m. | Keynote speaker Meagan Schipanski, PhD associate professor, Colorado State University Title: Soil health principles, practices, and measurements: Lessons from the higher and drier Central Great Plains | Keynote speaker Lisa Schulte Moore, PhD professor, Iowa State University Title: Striving Toward Climate-smart Agriculture for the Corn Belt |
| 10 a.m. | Farmers’ Panel Topic: Synergies in Action: Farmers’ Journeys in Crop-Livestock Integration | |
| 11 a.m. | Networking Break | |
| 11:10 a.m. | UNL Soil Health Research Crop-Livestock Integration and Nitrogen Management | |
| 12 p.m. | Lunch, vendor exhibits, posters | |
| 12 – 12:10 p.m. | Nebraska Ag Highlights Andy Chvatal - NE Soybean Board Director | |
| 1:30 p.m. | Multi-sector Panel Topic: Covering All Bases: A Panel on Resources for Cover Crop Adoption | |
| 2:30 p.m. | Future UNL Soil Health Events, Research, and Event Evaluation UNL Soil Health Leaders | |
| 3 p.m. | Networking / Students’ posters / Booths | |
| 3:30 p.m. | Adjourn | |
Key Topics for This Year’s Conferences
This year's conference will explore four critical areas of sustainable agriculture: carbon stocks, crop-livestock integration, nitrogen management, and cover crop resources. Participants will dive into innovative strategies for enhancing soil health, including increasing carbon sequestration, improving nutrient cycling, optimizing nitrogen application, and implementing effective cover crop systems. Join us to gain cutting-edge insights from leading experts and discover practical approaches to advancing agricultural sustainability.
This conference presents an invaluable opportunity to engage with experts, share experiences, and gain insights into these critical topics in sustainable agriculture.
Pre-register to reserve your seat!
For More Information:
Caro Córdova, PhD, assistant professor, statewide soil health specialist
Katja Koehler-Cole, PhD, statewide soil health extension educator
2025 Soil Health Assessment Training
Producers are invited to attend a soil health assessment training workshop, hosted by Nebraska Extension, on April 22 at ENREEC, near Mead, Nebraska. Details and registration below:
Time |
|
8:30 a.m. | Registration, coffee and vendor exhibits |
9 a.m. | Welcome and Announcements |
9:10 a.m. | NRCS Adaptive Management for Soil Health & Soil Health Testing CEMA 204 & 216 Carlos Villareal, MS – NRCS Soil State Scientist
|
9:50 a.m. | Soil health assessment strategies (UNL Big Scale) – Step by Step Caro Córdova, PhD – UNL Soil Health Specialist
|
10:30 a.m. | Transition to Field Activities |
10:35 a.m. | Cropland Soil Health Assessment UNL & NRCS instructors
|
11:50 a.m.
| Cover crop demo plots and soil health report Katja Koehler-Cole, UNL Soil Health Educator
|
12:30 p.m.
| Lunch & Networking |
1:30 p.m.
| Interpretation of soil laboratory analysis Richard Ferguson, UNL Soil Fertility Specialist |
2:10 p.m. | Future UNL Soil Health Events, Research, and Event Evaluation
|
2:20 p.m. | Adjourn |
2025 Crop Production and Soil Health Clinic
Join Nebraska Extension for a hands-on Crop Production and Soil Health Clinic on Thursday, Aug. 28 at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center, near Mead. Learn about regenerative practices, in-field demos, and boost your profitability with research-based insights for corn and soybean systems. CCA credits available. More details below:
