RAPID CITY, S.D. – Each year the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition hosts a conference to bring regional and international soil health experts to South Dakota, providing agricultural producers, business professionals, agency personnel, students, and all others interested, the opportunity to learn about the importance and functions of soils. Soil is the foundation of all life and the need to protect this valuable resource and continue to work to increase its health, is only growing.
The 2024 Soil Health Conference will be held at the Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel in Rapid City, January 23-24, 2024, with a full day and a half of speaker sessions, awards, producer panels, and time to engage with sponsors. Keynote speakers include Jay Fuhrer, Jerry Hatfield, Zach Smith, and Glenn Elzinga.Â
Smith will discuss strip cropping and multi-species livestock integration while Elzinga, the co-founder of Alderspring Ranch, explains what happens in a regenerative system when life gets in the way. Dr. Jerry Hatfield, a retired director of the USDARS National Laboratory for Agriculture and the environment will answer the question, “Why is soil health a critical need for producers?” Jay Fuhrer, a Menoken Farm lead educator looks at cropping and grazing systems and gardening to ask, “How can we foster life?”
Breakout session speakers include Riley Kammerer, Piedmont, S.D. producer, Scot Eisenbraun, Wall, S.D. producer, Mimi Hillenbrand, Southwestern South Dakota bison producer, Brent Ireland, Martin, S.D. producer, Pete Bauman, SDSU Extension natural resources and wildlife field specialist, Cody Jorgensen, Jorgensen Land & Cattle chief livestock officer, Lyle Casteel, Keystone, S.D. producers and others.
The Coalition will also announce the winners of the annual Legacy Award and Friend of Soil Health Award as well as the results of student essay and video contests.
There is a registration fee for adults. Register on line or at the door. Students attending any secondary South Dakota education institutions are invited to attend free of charge. This is an accredited event.
Learn more about the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition.
