Updated: 2-2-24

Speaker: Dale Strickler

Topics: 1. Successful Transitions through Soil Health

"Regenerative agriculture is often viewed as a fad that will someday fade away, like pet rocks, mullet haircuts or bell bottom jeans, but regenerative agriculture is here to stay. That is because of two reasons: one, it is based on working with natural principles, and history shows that fighting nature is expensive and doomed to eventually fail. Secondly, regenerative agriculture done correctly is far more profitable than "the way we have always done it". Our current system of thinking about agriculture is based on cheap fuel, cheap machinery, cheap fertilizer and cheap herbicides that actually killed weeds. None of those conditions exist anymore. Come and learn the universal principles behind regenerative agriculture and some techniques and tips to make the transition easy and profitable."

2. Preparing Your Farm for the next Drought

"Drought is an ever-present threat in farming. Failed crops, overgrazed pastures and an inability to keep our livestock fed or watered is devastating to us physically, financially, and emotionally. We often think that we are powerless against the ravages of drought. But there are actually hundreds of strategies that can increase our resilience to drought on both cropland and for our livestock herds. Come learn these strategies and put them into place as soon as possible, so that when the inevitable next drought occurs you are prepared." 

Bio:

Author and consultant Dale Strickler has more than 30 years of experience in agronomy, pasture management, and soil and crop advising. He has developed highly effective grazing systems for numerous ranches with a range of often challenging climates and soil types. Dale also designs crop rotations and advises on cover crop planning to improve soil, maximize crop yields, and reduce the need for expensive crops inputs. He currently serves as lead agronomist for the nation’s premier cover crop–specific seed company and is a featured speaker at many conferences and grazing schools around the country and globally.

Farmer Panel Discussion

Bring your questions regarding the necessary steps for successful transitions incorporating soil health practices.

Overcoming Hurdles and Troubleshooting Transitions to Regenerative Agriculture

February 27, 2024 - Planning For Profit

Speaker: Ashlee Westerhold

Director of Farm & Ranch Transition

K-State Kansas Ag Transitions

Topic: Planning for the Future of the Farm

Ashlee will provide families with tools on how to approach the conversation about transitioning the farm with your family and your team of professionals. Additionally, participants will learn the first steps in the transition planning process in hopes of feeling motivated to start, i.e. how to identify goals and values that will help navigate the planning process. 

Bio:

Ashlee Westerhold earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics and a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Westerhold currently serves as the Director of the Office of Farm and Ranch Transition at Kansas State University. She assists Kansas farmers and ranchers in their decisions regarding transitioning the farm to the next generation. Westerhold meets with individual families to help facilitate family discussions, determine options available and suitable for the transition, explore additional educational resources for the future generations, and correspond with professionals to provide the best service possible. Ashlee manages the Kansas Land Link program.

February 27, 2024 Speaker: William Buessing

Topic: Cover Crops: Profits and Sustainability

Bio:

Bill Buessing and his wife Sandy own and operate BS FARMS INC. He plants primarily corn, cereal rye, soybeans, oats, and wheat for cash crops. 1999 was the first year he planted cover crops. Bill has tried to have something growing on every acre year-round since 2013. Cereal rye, a 25-way cover crop mix, and a hairy vetch, pea, triticale, and cereal rye mix are some of his current cover crop mixes. Not only are his crops diversified, his livestock with several different classes of cattle and his flock of sheep diversify his grazing. Bill is constantly looking for ways to improve soil health and increase profit per acre.

Speaker: Jim Persinger | Prof. Emeritus Emporia State

Topic: Cultivating Resilience: Preventing Suicide in our Farming Communities

This training is specifically for farmers and ranchers, who face unique challenges that can impact mental well-being. In this engaging and practical session, participants will learn how to recognize potential suicide risk, and confidently approach, listen, and have a conversation that may save a life.

Bio:

A lifelong Kansan, Jim was raised on a farm in Paola before becoming an educator. He has more than three decades’ experience as a psychologist, professor and counselor, and 19 years as a prolific crisis interventionist and trainer. He has consulted with dozens of school districts and state agencies and been a first responder in Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, and Oklahoma leading crisis response and recovery efforts. He serves as the Clinical Director for District five (IA, KS, MO, NE, ND, SD, OK) of the National Athletic Trainer’s ATs Care crisis initiative, and is a Red Cross Disaster Mental Health regional team member. His work has been recognized with a KASP Lifetime Achievement Award, and the designation of Distinguished Professor at Emporia State University.

Speaker: Elizabeth Heilman

Topic: Human Ecology

Bio:

Dr. Heilman researches the formation of the most socially powerful belief systems that influence both life directions and policy and the psychological, cultural, and political factors that shape them. Her current work focuses on what is most needed to foster sustainable human flourishing, and this includes environmental ecology, emotional ecology, regenerative agriculture, and food systems. Understanding the beliefs and choices of farmers, teachers, and citizens is crucial to an effective response to climate change. She has also written on global education, gender, race, disability, and neoliberalism.