Sustainable Agronomy Conference program and schedule

Growers and agronomists are navigating new frontiers in nutrient and soil management. 

Day 1 focuses on the basics of soil testing and interpretation, innovations in macronutrient and micronutrient management, and biological amendments including prebiotics and probiotics that support nutrient efficiency and soil function.

Session 1 - Wednesday, July 8, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. (CDT)
Topic: Soil testing, nutrient management, and fertilizer innovation
Speakers: Dr. AJ Foster, ICL North America; Markus Braaten, CCA, Yara North America

Session 2 - Wednesday, July 8, 12–1 p.m. (CDT)
Topic: Soil biology and biological inputs
Speakers: Tuesday Simmons, AgriGro Marketing; Nathan Kleczewski, Syngenta 

As extreme weather intensifies, agronomists play a critical role in designing systems that remain productive under increasing heat, drought, and rainfall variability. 

Day 2 focuses on adaptive management strategies including soil-water dynamics, nutrient cycling, and emerging systems like agrivoltaics that help farms remain resilient while supporting food, energy, and ecosystem goals.

Session 3 – Wednesday July 15, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. (CDT)
Topic: Soil, water, and agroecology in regenerative farming systems
Speaker:  Dr. Heather Darby, University of Vermont; Taiwo Osoko and Dr. Alvaro Durand-Morat, University of Arkansas

Session 4 – Wednesday July 15, 12–1 p.m. (CDT)
Topic: Agrivoltaics and integrated crop-livestock systems
Speaker: Dr. Serkan Ates, Oregon State University; Dr. Jose Dubeux, University of Florida

Data is transforming how agronomy is practiced from how variability is detected in the field to how management decisions are executed in real time. 

Day 3 highlights practical applications of remote sensing, emerging and AI-enabled technologies that are changing how agronomists, CCAs, and researchers approach agricultural decision-making.

Session 5 – Wednesday, July 22, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. (CDT)
Topic: Precision application: Drones, optics, and spray technology
Speakers: Dr. Ignacio Antonio Ciampitti, Purdue University; Tyler Steinkamp, Winfield

Session 6 – Wednesday, July 22, 12-1 p.m. (CDT)
Topic: AI & Decision Support Systems
Speakers: Amir Zipori, Taranis; Ryan Raguse and Nick Horob, Acre Almanac

Resilient farms must be both profitable and environmentally responsible. 

Day 4 examines how agronomists and producers connect economics, environmental stewardship, and innovation through diversified cropping systems and real-world case studies.

Session 7 – Wednesday, July 29, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. (CDT)
Topic: Profitability under pressure
Speakers: Mario Ortez, Virginia Tech; Dr. Larry Godsey, University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry

Session 8 – Wednesday, July 29, 12–1 p.m. (CDT) 
Topic: Specialty and alternative crops
Speakers: Dr. Liz Carlisle, UC Santa Barbara; Brett Hundley, Agroforestry Partners