Speakers

Marisol Berti is a professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at North Dakota State University.  Her research is in forages, cover crops and cropping systems for sustainable production. In addition, she conducts life cycle assessment and environmental impact assessment of agroecosystems and industrial crops.

Gabi Bolwerk is a Water Resources and Soil Health Extension Educator with University of Minnesota Extension. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a B.S. in Soil and Land Management and earned an M.S. in Natural Resource Management from South Dakota State University. Through her work, Gabi educates producers and conservation professionals about soil health principles and practices, with a focus on crop and livestock integration.

Lee Briese is employed by Centrol Crop Consulting and works as an independent crop consultant in central North Dakota. He works directly with farmers to provideagronomic advice to help improve their individual systems to grow and manage crops

profitably. He specializes in helping farmers adopt practices to protect and improve their soil, local environment, and economics including reduced till, no-till, cover crops, crop rotation and increased plant diversity. Lee is also involved in projects to help build adviser networks to share knowledge and experiences with how to help farmers implement sustainability practices. Lee earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from North Dakota State University and his Doctor of Plant Health from the University of Nebraska.

Dr. Anna Cates is the State Soil Health Specialist for the University of Minnesota Extension. She studied soil science, agroecology, and agronomy at University of Wisconsin-Madison, receiving an MSc and PhD. Dr. Cates' research focuses on soil organic matter storage and cycling and developing soil health systems for upper Midwest cropping systems. Dr. Cates leads the Minnesota Office for Soil Health, a collaboration between the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources and the Minnesota Water Resources Center.

Jodi DeJong-Hughes has been a Regional Extension Educator at the University of Minnesota for over 25 years. Jodi focuses on tillage systems, soil compaction, and improving soil health. Jodi’s work focuses on reducing soil erosion and building soil health to improve the grower’s bottom line and to reduce the movement of soil and nutrients to our natural waterways. She enjoys working alongside growers, Ag. industry, and government agencies to bring high quality, educational programs and research to the people of Minnesota.

Jerry Doan and his wife Renae own and manage the fourth and fifth generation Black Leg Ranch, and their children are poised to take the reins in the coming years.Jerry’s great grandfather, George H. Doan, moved from Canada to homestead in the Dakota Territory in the late 1800s. What began as a 160-acre homestead with a sod house has grown into a 17,000-acre farm and ranch. After completing his studies in animal science at North Dakota State University, Jerry wanted to learn about ranch management. A holistic management program impressed him with ways to improve rangeland, natural resources, wildlife and his bottom line. The Doans have since made major strides on the ranch thanks to taking a holistic approach. Jerry has an MS in Animal and Range Sciences and a PhD in Natural Resource Management from NDSU.

Greg Endres is a native of Ottertail County, Minnesota where he received significant life experiences as a 4-H and FFA member. He received his M.S. degree in Crop and Weed Science from NDSU. He worked for NDSU Extension beginning in 1983; as Extension agronomist since 1990 at the Carrington Research Extension Center; and retired April 2024. Education and research emphasis included row crops (soybean, dry bean, corn and sunflower) and small grain (spring wheat) plant establishment, nutrition and protection.

Matthew Gammans is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics at North Dakota State University. His research explores the role of policy in shaping agricultural production decisions. He holds a BS in Biosystems Engineering from Michigan State University and a PhD in Agricultural and Resource Economics from UC Davis.

Dr. Brady Goettl is an Assistant Professor of Extension Soil Science at NDSU. Goettl earned his A.S. in Agronomy Management at Chippewa Valley Technical College, B.S. in Crop and Soil Science at the University of Wisconsin, and Ph.D. in Soil Science at NDSU. Before joining NDSU, Goettl worked as a Certified Crop Adviser specializing in soil fertility and nutrient management planning.

Jason Hanson is an independent crop consultant in the Devils Lake, ND area. Working with wheat, barley, canola, edible beans, peas, flax, sunflowers, corn, and soybeans-one of his main goals is reduction in soil erosion. He is a Certified Crop Advisor, member of NAICC, ND Ag Consultants Association and Trusted Advisor Partnership. Holds a BS in Ag Economics from NDSU. 

Ryan Hough is a fourth-generation farmer near Barnesville, in western Minnesota. Along with his brother Michael they started farming in 2008 and took over operation of their family’s farm in 2012. They began their soil health journey in 2014, experimenting with no-till, and cover crops. In 2016 they began integrating livestock into their cropping systems utilizing adaptive grazing management. Currently they grow corn, soybeans, wheat, malt barley, oats, sunflowers and alfalfa. They also run a cow/calf and cattle finishing operation. Ryan and Michael Hough were named the national winners of the Conservation Producer 2023 Hugh Hammond Bennett Awards for Conservation Excellence, and have hosted several field days on their farm. 

Andrew Johnstad farms with his brother James and father David just outside of Beltrami, MN.   They grow sugar beets, corn, soybeans and wheat. They have been 100% strip-tilling their sugar beets for the last few years and they utilize some cover crops.  

Naeem Kalwar has been the Extension Soil Health Specialist for North Dakota State University for over thirteen years, at the Langdon Research Extension Center. Naeem has one Masters in Soil Science from Pakistan and another in Land Resource Science, University of Guelph, Canada. Naeem worked as an Agronomist for Engro Chemical Pakistan Limited for over ten years. 

Peter Kramer is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Waseca and University of Wisconsin River Falls with degrees in Agricultural Business Management and a minor in Agronomy. He has been an independent agronomist with C. B. Agronomics and a farmer for 30+ years. Peter has been strip-tilling and no-tilling for 20+ years and using cover crops on all his acres for 10+ years. He is a past president of the Minnesota Independent Crop Consultants Association and a current board member of the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition.

David Kruger lives in NE South Dakota on the eastern edge of the Coteau hills. He began using no-till practices in 1993 slowly transitioning fields as he gained confidence in the system. David has 20 years of side by side comparisons with no-till 3 crop rotations compared to a corn/bean rotation in a tillage system and will share how he is making more money with the 3 crop no-till rotation.

Sarah Lancaster began as an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in the Kansas State University Agronomy Department in November 2019. Her efforts are focused on weed management extension and research in agronomic crops. Sarah was raised on an integrated crop and livestock farm in east central Missouri and holds degrees from the University of Missouri, North Carolina State University, and Texas A&M University.

William and Rachel Mack, along with their four children—Mackenzie, Caleb, Henry, and Amelia—run a diverse and ever-evolving farming operation grounded in soil health and family involvement. The Macks manage about 275 acres of crops and 45 acres of pasture, growing crops such as canola, oats, corn, millet, rye, triticale, peas, proso millet, winter camelina- there are few MN crops they haven't tried. Their land includes both irrigated and dryland acres, where they use variable-rate seeding to match the soil’s water-holding capacity.

The family practices no-till farming and plants cover crops like rye, radish, and turnips after oats are harvested. Those covers not only improve soil health but also provide quality fall grazing for their sheep, which stay on pasture until around Christmas.

Miranda is an Associate Professor in the School of Natural Resource Sciences, the Extension Livestock Environmental Stewardship Specialist and the Extension Disaster Education Coordinator at North Dakota State University. The focus of her research and extension program is livestock and environmental interactions; including integrated crop livestock systems, grazing management, riparian ecology, brine spill remediation and reclamation.

Paul Overby is a regenerative farmer from Wolford, North Dakota operating 1250 highly diversified no-till crop acres and has 550 acres of pasture and hay land, CRP, buffer zones, and wildlife habitat. Paul has B.S. in Ag Education from NDSU and is completing a master’s degree in Sustainable Management from UW-Superior.

Dr. Lindsay Pease is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in Nutrient and Water Management. She is stationed at the University of Minnesota Northwest Research and Outreach Center in Crookston, MN. Her work focuses primarily on nitrogen and phosphorus management in row crop systems with an emphasis on reducing nutrient loss in agricultural runoff. She also works alongside Red River Valley farmers to build resilient, sustainable agricultural production systems through efforts including strip-tillage, cover cropping, and biologicals.

While born, raised and educated in field crops plant pathology in Wisconsin, University of Minnesota Extension crops educator Angie Peltier is proud to call Crookston, MN home. Angie is driven to conserve the precious Red River Valley soil that has taken so long to build but can be quickly degraded or lost.  

Matt Pfarr has experience in agriculture production, agriculture sales, and enjoys networking within the industry. He holds a Master of Science in Agronomy from the University of Minnesota where he focused on soybean physiology. Matt is currently a University of Minnesota Extension Educator with the Crops team.

Dr. Carlos Pires' research expertise includes regenerative agriculture, soil health, nutrient management, and applied soil biology. As an Assistant Professor and Extension Soil Health Specialist at North Dakota State University, his primary objective is to monitor and improve soil health by identifying agricultural practices that promote integrated and resilient agroecosystems. These practices include no-tillage, strip-tillage, cover cropping, manure application, and crop-livestock integration. Much of his research is based on on-farm research, providing data-driven recommendations to help farmers enhance the profitability and sustainability of their operations.

Samuel Porter is an Agricultural economist focused on the economic benefits of environmental practices. He earned his B.S. in Water and Soil Science at the University of Florida and his M.S. from the Cornell Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management. 

Luke Ressler has a crop and weed science degree from NDSU. After college, he worked as a technician for the NDSU Soil Health Department for two years. Luke and his wife, Elli started farming and raising cattle in 2019. They heavily focus on soil health and utilize cover crops to limit erosion, manage moisture and for grazing.

Dr. Chuck Rice is a University Distinguished Professor at Kansas State University and is a Professor of Soil Microbiology in the Department of Agronomy. He earned his degrees from Northern Illinois University and the University of Kentucky. Dr. Rice teaches courses and conducts research on soil carbon and nitrogen, soil health, microbial ecology, and the impacts of climate change on agricultural and grassland ecosystems. 

Mikayla Tabert and her family operate a diverse crop and beef cattle farm in Red Lake Falls, Minnesota. The farm uses soil health practices such as interseeding, cover crops, no-till, and grazing. She loves learning and received her M.S. in Plant Sciences studying sunflower-alfalfa intercropping at NDSU in 2023.

Chris Walberg, along with his wife Sarah and 5 daughters, is a fifth-generation farmer on their ranch that was established in the 1890's.  He has been farming for 20+ years and has been transitioning to regenerative farming and ranching practices the last 6-7 years.  He operates about 4000 acres of cropland and pastureland in southeastern North Dakota.

Dr. Wade Webster is the Extension Soybean Pathologist at North Dakota State University (NDSU). Before starting at NDSU, Wade had received his PhD in Plant Pathology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison working on white mold in soybeans. His program now focuses on the management of the most important soybean diseases across the region primarily focusing on seedling diseases, white mold, and SCN. 

Tyler Zimmerman is a third generation farmer in southeastern North Dakota on the edge of the Red River Valley with 3,000 cropland acres. He transitioned all his acres to no-till and cover crops in 2015. The farm has adopted a complex crop rotation with over 10 different crops, including polycropping. Tyler is continuing his soil health journey by finding ways to reduce synthetic inputs by building better biological environments in the soil. Tyler is learning how to regenerate the soil today for the future generations.