Join us for a two-day workshop to balance and build connections between drainage, irrigation, soil health, and more!

Nov. 4-5, 2026

Hosted by Purdue University 
Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds 
17746 County Rd. 34, Goshen, IN 46528 

Join educators from across the Midwest to build skills for communicating soil health concepts. In the field, we’ll evaluate the relationship between soil health and water management focusing on irrigation and edge of field practices.

Participants will learn from professional communicators and share best practices on how to engage diverse audiences on soil management topics. The in-service will have both classroom and on farm demonstrations. 

Program Highlights: 

Audience: Conservation and agricultural professionals interested in soil health and water management. First time attendees eligible for a $25 discount 

What to expect: 

• Hear from experts on climate, water management, and soil health.
• See real-world examples through farm tours and farmer conversations.
• Take home practical tools and strategies to improve farm resilience.
• 9 Soil and Water CCA Credits pending 

Workshop Schedule: 

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026 | 9:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. 

• Registration and Welcome Coffee
• Climate Trends and Agricultural Implications
  • Austin Pearson, Purdue University Agriculture Meteorologist & Climatologist
• Drainage Water Quality and Agricultural Resilience
  • Ben Reinhart, Conservation Planner at Ecosystems Exchange
• Lunch
• Biosecurity on Today's Farms
  • Kathryn Jennings, Purdue Extension Educator
• Farm Tours featuring:
  • Keith Miller Farm: Nearly 50 years of no-till and cover crop management
  • Irrigation management and water-use efficiency
  • Entomology of No-Till & Cover Crops,
    • Dr. Christian Krupke
  • Conservation Drainage in Action: Planning for Better Water Management,
    • Dr. Eshan Ghane
• Dinner and Networking

Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

• Digging into Soil Health: A Facilitator's Guide to Real-World Decisions
  
  • Leslie Johnson, University of Nebraska Extension Educator
• Irrigation Management: Making Every Drop Count
  • Brenden Kelly, Michigan State University Extension Irrigation Educator
• The Economics of Cover Crops and No-Till
  • Michael Langemeier, Purdue University Professor of Agricultural Economics
• Farmers' Perspectives: Soil Health, Livestock & Water Management Farmer Panel
• Lunch
• Farm Tour: Martin Organic Dairy | Goshen, Indiana

Registration fee: 

Regular Registration: $135 | Onsite $165 

First Time Attendee Registration: $110 | Onsite $165 

Registration includes meeting attendance, lunch both days and dinner on Nov. 4  The optional tour Wednesday afternoon is available to participants that pre-register to carpool or participants may drive themselves.

If you need financial assistance with registration, please contact Christina Curell at curellc@msu.edu to learn more about available scholarships and other potential funding opportunities. 

Cancellation Policy: Soil Health Nexus In-Service registration fees are refundable until Oct. 23, 2026. After that date, refunds will no longer be available.

Hotel Information: 

Fairfield Inn & Suites Goshen
2110 Keystone Dr.
Goshen, IN 46526

Rooms are available for $129 per night from Nov. 3–6, 2026.

Rooms must be booked by Oct. 13, 2026, to secure the special group rate.

Visit the Fairfield Soil Nexus Room Block to book your room today.