Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The agricultural community is invited to attend Soil-Con 2026, a full-day educational event focused on soil health and practical conservation strategies.
Attendance is offered at no charge, but registration is required. Space is limited; registration will close once they have reached their 350 person limit.
The event will take place on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at the Oakwood Event Center in Syracuse. Doors open at 8 a.m.
Soil-Con 2026 will bring together farmers, educators, agronomists, and conservation professionals for a day of learning grounded in both science and real-world application, according to a news release from the Kosciusko Soil and Water Conservation District. The program emphasizes soil as a living system and explores how management decisions above ground influence productivity, profitability and environmental outcomes below the surface.
The event features three nationally recognized speakers:
• Dr. Ray R. Weil, a leading soil scientist known for his extensive research on nutrient cycling, soil organic matter, cover crops, and reduced tillage systems. Weil is co-author of “The Nature and Properties of Soils,” the most widely used soils textbook in the United States and worldwide.
• Dr. Thomas Dykstra, an agronomist specializing in sustainable crop systems and plant–insect interactions. Dykstra teaches that plant health is the foundation of pest resistance, reframing insects as indicators of stress rather than the primary problem.
• Paul Jasa, retired Extension engineer and long-time no-till pioneer, who brings decades of experience evaluating planting equipment, residue management, and system-wide approaches to successful no-till farming.
Throughout the day, attendees will explore current soil health research, ecological approaches to pest and nutrient management, and systems-based strategies that support resilient, productive farms over the long term.
Soil-Con 2026 is made possible through the collaboration of the Kosciusko County Soil & Water Conservation District and a broad coalition of partners, including Clean Water Indiana, The Watershed Foundation, Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative, Hoosier Ag Today, The Nature Conservancy, Louis Dreyfus Company, ADM re:generations, Soil and Water Outcomes Fund, Purdue Extension, Purdue on the Farm, and USDA NRCS & FSA.
Registration is required. To register, visit www.kosciuskoswcd.org/soil-con-2026 or call the SWCD office at 574-267-7445 ext. 3.
