Farmers and ag professionals to come together at 3rd annual WI Water and Soil Health Conference

Every growing season presents its own set of challenges; this fall’s dry conditions made it difficult for surface-seeded cover crops to germinate and establish, leaving many fields vulnerable to erosion and nutrient loss as we enter winter. Knowing what to do in adverse conditions like these can be difficult. That’s why sharing and learning from each other`s farming experiences is at the center of the upcoming Wisconsin Water and Soil Health (WWASH) Conference. WWASH brings together farmers, agronomists, conservation professionals, and researchers to engage around soil health and water quality.

This year’s WWASH Conference is set for Dec. 16-17, 2025, at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. This meeting is an opportunity to connect with others in the agriculture community while gaining actionable insights into building soil health and protecting water quality...

...Keynotes include Dr. Anna Cates and Dr. Matt Helmers. Cates is an Associate Extension Professor at the University of Minnesota and the State Soil Health Specialist, and will present on collaborative private-public strategies to expand cover crop adoption statewide. Helmers is a Professor at Iowa State University and Director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center. He will present on nutrient loss reduction strategies across the Mississippi River Basin. Keynote farmers Ken Kayhart (Juneau County) and David Trimner (Marathon county) will share insights from their conservation journeys in both dairy and grain systems...