PRESTON and CALEDONIA, Minn. — The longest-running, farmer oriented event dedicated to practical soil management in Minnesota is happening soon. The 20th annual Soil Management Summit (SMS), formerly known as the Conservation Tillage Conference (CTC), will be held in Mankato at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center on January 29 and 30, 2025.
The SMS is known in the upper Midwest for its emphasis on proven farmer experience complemented by applied science. Those who register will hear from long-time no-till, reduced tillage and cover crop farmers, researchers, and advisors as they share their experiences.
The cost to attend the conference is $125 when you register before January 7, 2025. The cost increases to $175 thereafter. For more information and to register, visit z.umn.edu/SMS, or contact Marcelle Lewandowski, [email protected].
Attendees at this year’s SMS will have the opportunity to learn about many aspects of soil health in one of the 16 different sessions including fertility considerations for various soil health practices, understanding and harnessing soil biology, the utility of biological amendments, herbicide and nitrogen considerations in cover crop systems, economics of soil health practices, tillage management for soil health, and more.
A highlight of the event will be two panel discussions that explore farmer and stakeholder opinions on trending topics. One panel will feature a discussion among farmers, government employees, and the audience on the pressing issue of nitrates in Minnesota’s waters. In the other panel, farmers will share their soil health journeys and provide insight about troubleshooting soil health challenges.
Attendees will have ample time to talk with researchers, meet farmers, and visit exhibitors during one of the built-in breaks. On the evening of January 29, the Beer and Bull session encourages conversation and networking over beer and tasty hors d’oeuvres.
This year, the Soil Management Summit is partnering with Midwest Cover Crop Council’s Annual Meeting on January 28, 2025 to bring you even more great content, all in one location.
The annual Soil Management Summit is presented by University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota Office for Soil Health with support from Minnesota Corn Growers, Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, and other sponsors and exhibitors listed on the event webpage.
If you have questions or need assistance with registration please reach out to your local Extension Educator. Residents in Fillmore and Houston counties can call 507-765-3896 or 507-725-5807.
–University of Minnesota Extension in Houston and Fillmore County
