Hotel information:
Hilton Garden Inn - Mankato
Hotel Alexander
Cost: $139/night
Arch + Cable Hotel
Cost: $149/night
Sponsors
Premier
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. Founded in the U.S. through grassroots action in 1951, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has grown to become one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than a million members and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and over 400 scientists, we impact conservation in 79 countries and territories: 37 by direct conservation impact and 42 through partners.
Soil Champion
Grain Millers
From day one Grain Millers' mission has never changed: To make good things for and with good people. The ways in which we accomplish this goal have expanded across the continent, been invented and reinvented as needed, and embraced the supply chain more fully than ever. With each step, the roots of our original mission continue to grow. We began in 1986 as a small oat milling company in Oregon. With an eye for finding the right fit at the right time, we have grown steadily ever since. Today, Grain Millers is a leading international agri-business with diversified interests in whole grain manufacturing and merchandising, organic and conventional consumer food products, and the import and export of commodities.
Bass Hybrids
We know farming, and we know corn. With over 75 years and 4 generations in the seed business and crop research, our family is qualified to work with farms big and small, young and old. Bass Hybrids understands the value of legacy information, legacy values, and the importance of moving the family business to the future for the next generation. Our focus is on farming, not chemistry. We are dedicated to helping farmers build resilience in their operations, not reliance.
Exhibitor
Seedling
Speakers
Joe Ailts
An independent crop consultant/agronomist and owner of Ailts Agronomy where he serves farmers in NW WI. Prior to starting his own business, he worked as a field agronomist for Pioneer Seed for 8 years. He is a WI Certified Crop Advisor with the Sustainability specialty certification. Driven by a combination of a green thumb, insatiable curiosity, and a competitive spirit, he researches and implements soil health and regenerative agriculture practices on the farms he consults for. Joe, his wife Ilisa, and 4 boys live on a 3 acre hobby farm in Deer Park, WI where they grow pumpkins, sweet corn, cover crops, and soil.
Blake Vince
Blake is a fifth generation farmer from Merlin, Ontario, Canada. Working with his father Elwin, they produce commercial corn, soybeans and winter wheat, cover crop for seed on approximately 1,200 acres. Their farm management practices are centered on soil health. The Vinces are considered to be no-till pioneers in their corner of Canada. They adapted to no-till farming techniques in the early 1980s. This was prior to John Deere entering the no-till marketplace with their single disk opener. Blake is a 2013 Canadian Nuffeld Scholar.
Carolyn King
Carolyn King is the Vice President of Operations at Continuum Ag. Having joined the team in January 2021 as an Operations Agronomist, Carolyn has played a pivotal role in the development and delivery of Continuum Ag’s products, including RightWay, Regen Roadmap, and CI Certification. Over time, she has risen to the position of VP of Operations, where she effectively manages the team responsible for delivering these innovative products. Carolyn’s academic journey includes earning a bachelor’s degree in Agronomy from Iowa State in 2018, followed by a Master’s in Agronomy from the same institution in 2023. Her early career saw her as a Research and Field Agronomist for a seed company before making the transition to Continuum. Rooted in agriculture, Carolyn remains actively involved in her family’s farming operation in Western Illinois. Her grandfather, an early adopter of no-till and cover crops in the region, influenced her commitment to sustainable farming practices. Currently residing in Keota, IA, Carolyn brings a wealth of experience and a deep connection to agriculture to her role at Continuum Ag.
Kris Nichols
Dr. Kris Nichols is a leader in the movement to regenerate soils for healthy food, people and a planet. She is currently the founder and principle scientist of KRIS (Knowledge for Regeneration and Innovation in Soils) Systems Education & Consultation and a sub-contractor with Soil Health Consulting, Inc. Her current focus is to address current and future agricultural needs by exploring the similarities between the soil and gut microbomes by looking at the carbon key. Kris builds upon a soil health foundation to identify biological methods for agricultural production and tools and practices to reduce pest issues, soil erosion, fossil fuel use, and greenhouse gas emissions. These systems are resilient and adapt to climatic uncertainty by increasing nutrient and water use efficiencies; improving pollinator activity and food security; and providing long-term solutions to agricultural economic viability, food insecurity, and the loss of ecosystem services. Kris continues to develop and evolve methodology and tools farmers, home-owners, and students may use to examine and appreciate their soil. Throughout her career, Kris has given over 250 invited presentations to a wide variety of audiences, authored or co-authored more than 25 peer-reviewed publications, been cited or interviewed for more than 50 magazine or newspaper articles, highlighted in five books, and has numerous videos on-line.
Pete Kramer
Pete Kramer farms near Gibbon, MN in western Sibley County. His journey with soil health started with implementing fertilizer efficiencies through banding with strip-till in 2004. Since that beginning, he added multi-species cover crops behind the combine after small grain harvest in 2006 and started no-tilling soybeans in 2013. Now every acre has cover crops planted since the fall of 2018. He and his wife Linda were selected as Sibley County Soil Conservationist of the Year in 2012.
Pete works with many farmers as an independent crop advisor with C. B. Agronomics. Helping farmers willing to learn about cover crops and soil health principles is an enjoyable part of his job. He is currently the president of the Minnesota Independent Crop Consultants Association.
Liz Haney
Liz Haney is a soil and ecosystem scientist with experience in soil testing and analyses, carbon and conservation practice modeling, and is the co-developer of the Haney soil health test. Liz’s purpose, drive and passion are helping to improve producer profitability, environmental sustainability, and human health through regenerative practices and soil health. Liz loves nothing more than creating community and is skilled at coordinating and conducting educational events, workshops and conferences bringing together today’s leading innovators in regenerative agriculture.
MORE SPEAKERS COMING SOON!
Minnesota Leopold Conservation Award
We will be announcing the 2025 Minnesota Leopold Conservation Award winners!
Four finalists have been selected for the 2025 Minnesota Leopold Conservation Award®.
The award honors farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land.
Named in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, this award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to environmental improvement. In his influential 1949 book, A Sand County Almanac, Leopold advocated for “a land ethic,” an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.
Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 28 states. In Minnesota, the $10,000 award is presented with state partners: Minnesota Soil Health Coalition and Soil Regen.
The finalists are:
Hannah Bernhardt
of Finlayson in Pine County
At Medicine Creek Farm, Hannah Bernhardt uses a rotational grazing system to raise beef cattle. The rotation is adjusted annually to promote biodiversity above and below the ground. By improving the soil’s health and capacity to hold water, the farm is more resilient to drought and excess waterfall. Hannah installed two ditch crossings for livestock to protect the Medicine Creek, which is in the St. Croix River watershed. Portable solar arrays power most of the fencing used for the farm’s grazing paddocks.
Didrikson Farms
of Badger in Roseau County
Dana, Michelle, Thor and Kelsey Didrikson rotationally graze yearling beef cattle. By carefully managing the grazing patterns of their cattle, they have improved soil health, reduced erosion, and promoted the growth of native vegetation that benefits livestock and wildlife. They have improved seeded native grasses on 160 acres of pasture. They utilized a Conservation Stewardship Program contract to grow 80 acres of perennial wildflowers to support butterflies and beneficial pollinators.
Tom Cotter
of Austin in Mower County
The combination of reduced tillage, cover crops, and livestock grazing have led to a dramatic improvement to soil health at Cotter Farms. In 2016 it became the first in Mower County to be certified as a Clean Water Farm. Tom grows a multi-species mix of cover crops to protect the soils of his corn, soybean, sweet corn, green pea, alfalfa, sunflower, hemp, and oat fields. Every acre of cover crops is grazed by his grass-fed beef cattle. Tom is a Minnesota Soil Health Coalition Mentor and actively promotes to soil health to other farmers at state and national events.
Meadowbrook Dairy
of Sartell in Stearns County
John, Mary Lou, Alex, Krissy, and Jake Udermann practice no-till and grow cover crops to minimize soil erosion, enhance biodiversity, and improve soil’s fertility and organic matter. Buffer strips along streams and ditches have been expanded to 50 feet to collect runoff from crop fields. About 100 acres of wetlands have been restored by seeding native grasses and wildflowers, which enhances pollinator and wildlife habitat. Meadowbrook Dairy hosts research projects and conservation outreach events.
Minnesota landowners were encouraged to apply, or be nominated, for the award. An independent panel of Minnesota agricultural and conservation leaders reviewed the applications. The award recipient will be recognized at The Premier Soil Health in December.
The recipients of the inaugural Minnesota Leopold Conservation Award last year were farmers Dawn and Grant Breitkreutz of Redwood Falls.
The Leopold Conservation Award in Minnesota is made possible thanks to the generous support of American Farmland Trust, Minnesota Soil Health Coalition, Soil Regen, General Mills, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Minnesota, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, Audubon Minnesota, Compeer Financial, Minnesota Corn, Minnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota Farm Bureau Foundation, Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association, Minnesota Wheat Research & Promotion Council, Pheasants Forever in Minnesota, Renovo Seed, Saddle Butte Ag Inc., and The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota.
“Soil Regen is proud to be a part of the Minnesota Leopold Conservation Award as we honor and celebrate great stewards of the land who are leading the way in conservation and regenerative agriculture,” said Liz Haney of Soil Regen.
“The work these finalists are doing to grow healthy, nutrient dense food through practices that lead to clean water, nutrient cycling and reduced emissions in Minnesota is nothing short of amazing. These finalists are true leaders in the future of agriculture,” said Mark Gutierrez, Minnesota Soil Health Coalition Executive Director.
“The Minnesota Leopold Conservation Award contenders are a testament to the strong conservation ethic of Minnesota farmers and ranchers. These operations are good examples of innovation within the sustainable agricultural world and set a great example for all of us,” said Troy Daniell, State Conservationist for Minnesota NRCC.
“These award finalists are examples of how Aldo Leopold’s land ethic is alive and well today,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and CEO. “Their dedication to conservation is both an inspiration to their peers as well as a reminder to all how important thoughtful agriculture is to clean water, healthy soil, and wildlife habitat.”
“As the national sponsor for Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award, American Farmland Trust celebrates the hard work and dedication of the award recipients,” said John Piotti, AFT President and CEO. “At AFT we believe that exemplary conservation involves the land itself, the practices employed on the land, and the people who steward it. This award recognizes the integral role of all three.”
For more information, visit www.leopoldconservationaward.org.
Source: Sand County Foundation