Monday, November 30th

Day 0 | Eco-Ag University

4:00 - 7:00 PM

Registration Desk Hours are 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Eco-Ag U early CHECK-IN

If you have an Eco-Ag U ticket, you are welcome to check in early. All general conference ticket holders are requested to wait until Tuesday afternoon.

Tuesday, December 1st

Day 1 | Eco-Ag University

7:00 - 8:30 AM

Registration Desk Hours are 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Eco-Ag U CHECK-IN

If you have an Eco-Ag U ticket, you are welcome to check in as early as Monday evening. All general conference ticket holders are requested to wait until Wednesday afternoon.

8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Morning break from 10:00 - 10:30 AM

Morning WorkshopS

The Foundations of Nutrient Density with Dan Kittredge @ Oakdale 1

Discover how soil health and biological farming practices can influence the nutrient density and quality of the food we grow. In this workshop, Dan Kittredge explores the relationship between soil biology, plant health, mineral availability, and nutrient-dense crops. Participants will learn about agricultural practices that support healthy plant development, including soil fertility, biological activity, mineral balance, and regenerative growing methods.

Field Tested Fertilization For Land and Crop Improvement with Neal Kinsey @ Oakdale 2

When do soil tests help and when do they hurt? True science begins with observation. After 50 years of field testing and experience, what works and what does not? How effective is the advice being offered to farmers and growers regarding soil fertility to better achieve optimum quality and yield? Hear usable points about N-P-K-S, liming and micro-nutrients based on what is needed for successful, healthful and profitable improvements for soils and the plants that grow on farms, ranches, orchards, and in gardens.

Regeneration Begins with Soil Fertility with Gary Zimmer @ Oakdale 3

Soil fertility and soil health have become buzzwords, but true regeneration starts with understanding how they work together. In this session, legendary agronomist Gary Zimmer explores how to maximize nutrient efficiency, improve the return on every fertility dollar, and unlock the nutrients already present in your soil. Learn why nutrient sources, placement, biological activity, and the carbon cycle all matter—and how practices like cover crops, compost, humates, living roots, proper soil structure, and balanced minerals create resilient, productive soils. Drawing on decades of experience advising farms around the world and managing his own family farm, Gary shares practical insights that can help every farmer build healthier soils and more profitable operations.

Building a Venture Vehicle to Finance Profitable Direct Marketing Infrastructure for Local Farms & Food Businesses with Catherine Austin Fitts @ Oakdale 4

Join former Wall Street investment banker and U.S. Assistant Secretary of Housing Catherine Austin Fitts for a hands-on workshop exploring how farmers, investors, and consumers can work together to finance independent agricultural businesses and strengthen local food economies. From farmland ownership and direct-to-consumer marketing to local processing, distribution, and community investment, Catherine will explore practical alternatives to traditional financing, government subsidies, and conventional agricultural markets. Drawing on her experience in investment banking and economic development, she'll challenge attendees to identify what's already working, connect with potential partners, and begin developing real investment opportunities that can move forward beyond the conference. Come prepared to participate, challenge assumptions, and help build a more independent agricultural economy.

Beyond Inputs: Building Biologically Driven, Profitable Farms with Brian Dougherty & Rodney Saunders @ Oakdale 5

Healthy soil is the cheapest, most powerful tool on your farm. Join Understanding Ag in a discussion of the science of soil function and how to leverage it: feeding biology and enhancing nutrient cycling to cut inputs without cutting profit, designing cover crop mixes that solve real problems, mitigating compaction, and integrating livestock. Leave with practical ideas and things to try on your farm.

Restoration Agriculture for the Zombie Apocalypse with Mark Shepard @ Duke Slater

Restoration agriculture offers a different approach to farming, but making it commercially viable comes with real challenges. In this workshop, Mark Shepard addresses common misconceptions and explores practical strategies for overcoming high upfront costs, delayed returns, labor demands, and complex harvest schedules. He'll examine how perennial crops can be integrated alongside conventional annual crops, the realities of market demand and processing infrastructure, and the risks of relying on niche markets. The workshop will also cover the strengths and limitations of STUN (Sheer Total Utter Neglect), advanced plant breeding and selection, and different plant community models, with a focus on building productive, financially sustainable farming systems

12:00 - 1:15 PM

lunch Break

Check the Iowa River Landing map for nearby dining options and locations.

1:15 - 4:00 PM

Afternoon break from 2:30 - 3:00 PM

Afternoon Workshops

Workshops continue from the morning session

4:15 - 6:00 PM

Eco-Ag U Reception

@ Acres Bookstore and Conference Center Pre-Function

Enjoy cocktails and light bites while mingling with fellow attendees! This reception is for Eco-Ag U ticket holders only.

Wednesday, December 2nd

Day 2 | Eco-Ag University

7:30 - 8:30 AM

Registration Desk Hours are 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Eco-Ag U CHECK-IN

If you have an Eco-Ag U ticket, you are welcome to check in. All general conference ticket holders are requested to wait until the afternoon.

8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Morning break from 10:00 - 10:30 AM

Morning WorkshopS

The Farmer's Field Day: Biohacking Your Own Terrain, Hands-On with Dr. Nasha Winters & Dani Kusner @ Oakdale 1

Please note: This is a half-day session

Join Dr. Nasha Winters and agronomist Dani Kusner for an interactive exploration of the connection between personal health, resilience, and the natural world. Drawing on the same principles farmers use to manage healthy soil and ecosystems, this half-day workshop introduces practical strategies for supporting the body's own terrain. Through educational discussions and guided activities, participants will explore foundational practices including light exposure, breathwork, movement, and key health indicators. Discover simple, accessible ways to support personal health and resilience without expensive equipment. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a towel or yoga mat for experiential activities.

Cattle Genetics and Epigenetics: Two Sides of the Same Coin with Steve Campbell @ Oakdale 2

We will do an in-depth look at how genetic and "everything but genetic" forces affect the shape, health and outcome from your cattle operation. If you do not have "Gabe Brown" type soil, I will cover how a person can go about making up the shortfall today and still work on soil fertility in/for the future. We have to somehow "deal" with the toxins blowing in from your up-wind neighbors. Otherwise, your livestock are trying to perform while being saddled with disease and internal and external parasites. There is a common "profile shape" to more fertile cows. We will dive into what that shape is and what forces give us that fertile look.

The Principles of Agronomy with John Kempf & Keith Berns @ Oakdale 3

Join John Kempf and special guest Keith Berns for a collaborative, full-day exploration of the relationships between cover crops, root systems, soil microorganisms, and plant health. Drawing on emerging research and practical field experience, they'll examine the rhizosphere, microbial communication through quorum sensing, and the biological processes that influence nutrient cycling, plant resilience, and crop performance.

The Tree-Range® Farming System with Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin @ Oakdale 4

During this full-day workshop, the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance team will share what it means to farm with nature. This session will teach you the Tree-Range® Farming system of regenerative farming through an in-person iteration of their 15-chapter online Training. You will walk away from this day with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals, process, and details needed to implement Tree-Range® Farming methodology on your farm.

Farmers & Ranchers as Healers with Ray Archuleta, Dr. Will Winter & Sara Keough @ Oakdale 5

Join a soil-health scientist, holistic livestock veterinarian, and functional medicine practitioner for an immersive exploration of the living connections between soil biology, plant diversity, livestock vitality, nutrient density, and human health. Through emerging science, practical strategies, and real-world case studies, we will follow nourishment from soil microbes to plant medicines, from diverse forage to resilient livestock, and ultimately to the meat, milk, and eggs that nourish people. Producers will discover how regenerative stewardship can reduce costly inputs, strengthen livestock health, improve the nutritional quality of food, and help address the growing epidemic of chronic disease.

Pastured Pork: Piglets, Porkchops & Profit with Jordan Green @ Duke Slater

Putting pigs on pasture is the easy part. Building an enterprise that improves the land, produces healthy animals, and consistently makes money is considerably harder. Join Jordan Green for an exploration of the pastured pork enterprise—from piglets to pork chops. Drawing on nearly two decades of experience, Jordan will explore how pigs can be used to develop productive silvopastures, improve marginal land, and become an integral part of the farm. We’ll dig into practical livestock management, including genetics, farrowing, nutrition, grazing and animal movement, while examining the simple but effective fencing, shelter, water, handling, and feeding infrastructure that makes managing a farrow to finish enterprise at scale possible. Finally, we’ll connect production to processing, pricing, and direct marketing to explore how thoughtful land, livestock, and business management can work together.

Minerals for the Genetic Code with Dr. Richard Olree @ Clark

Join Dr. Richard Olree for an in-depth exploration of the essential role minerals play in soil fertility, animal nutrition, and human health. Drawing on more than 45 years of experience in human and animal remineralization, Dr. Olree will examine the minerals necessary to support healthy biological systems and the connections between mineral nutrition, genetics, and overall well-being. Participants will learn about the functions of key minerals, the consequences of mineral imbalances and deficiencies, and methods for evaluating mineral status. This workshop will offer a unique perspective on the relationship between healthy land, healthy animals, and healthy people, emphasizing the importance of mineral balance from the soil to the cellular level.

12:00 - 1:15 PM

lunch Break

Check the Iowa River Landing map for nearby dining options and locations.

1:15 - 4:00 PM

Afternoon break from 2:30 - 3:00 PM

Trade Show opens 3:30 PM

Afternoon Workshops

Workshops continue from the morning session (with the exception of Nasha Winters' half-day workshop)

General Check-in

All general conference ticket holders are welcome to check-in

5:00 - 6:30 PM

Opening Ceremony & Keynote

Touch Grass: Coherence and Community in an Artificial Age with Dr. Nasha Winters @ Coral Ballroom

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, our need for connection to nature, community, and the living world grows stronger. Drawing on three decades of clinical experience, her personal journey with cancer, and the science of the body as a rhythmic, interconnected system, Dr. Nasha Winters explores the relationship between coherence, health, and human connection. With equal parts science and soul, she makes a hopeful case for returning to the natural rhythms that sustain us—and why farmers may hold an important piece of the path forward.

6:30 - 7:30 PM

Social Hour

with Will Harris @ Coral Ballroom

Continue the conversation! Grab a drink, connect with fellow attendees, and enjoy one-on-one conversations with Will Harris. This is the perfect opportunity to ask follow-up questions, share ideas, and build relationships beyond the classroom.

6:30 - 7:30 PM

Book Signings

Dr. Nasha Winters, John Kempf, and Dr. Richard Olree

Find their tables right outside the Acres Bookstore.

6:30 - 7:30 PM

Opening Reception

Sponsored by Apical Ag @ The Trade Show Floor

Enjoy cocktails and light bites while mingling with fellow attendees!

Thursday, December 3rd

Day 3 | General Conference

7:00 - 8:00 AM

Registration Desk Hours are 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM

General CHECK-IN

All general conference ticket holders are welcome to check-in

7:00 - 8:00 AM

Morning Coffee

with John Kempf @ Coral Ballroom

Start your day with coffee and conversation. Join John Kempf for a casual morning gathering where you can ask questions, dive deeper into session topics, and connect one-on-one before the day's programming begins. Bring your curiosity, grab a cup, and enjoy an unhurried conversation with fellow attendees and industry leaders.

8:30 - 9:45 AM

Morning Keynote

Overcoming the Real Risks We Face with Catherine Austin Fitts @ Coral Ballroom

The central bankers are centralizing control by integrating new technology (surveillance biometrics and cameras, data centers, AI, satellites) that will impact financial transactions across the board - currencies, bank deposits, stocks and bonds and commodities markets. You are well served to have a basic map of what is happening to help you navigate accordingly. What are the risks and opportunities for you, your family and your enterprise? How do we stay informed and organize? What's the action for people who wish to be sovereign and value freedom?

9:45 - 10:30 AM

Morning Break

Refuel with coffee and light refreshments while connecting with fellow attendees and exhibitors. The Café at the Hyatt is open daily from 6:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Enjoy freshly brewed Starbucks coffee, espresso drinks and more. Coffee and pastries will also be available in the Trade Show beginning at 7:00 a.m. Tuesday through Friday.

TRade show Presentation

Less is More with BioChar with American BioChar Company @ Oakdale 5

Mark Mann, owner of American BioChar Company, will share results spanning almost two decades on how microdosing with high-quality BioChar charged with humic/fulvic acid results in a healthier soil microbe population and improved crop yield & resiliency. Additionally, combining field inputs with a small amount of our liquid Biochar amendment increases the input's efficiency and boosts a farm's ROI.

10:30 - 11:45 AM

Breakout Session 1

Unknown Etiology: The History of Glyphosate with Dr. Don Huber @ Coral Ballroom

For decades, glyphosate use has reshaped modern agriculture, raising important questions about its long-term impacts on soil biology, crop performance, and environmental health. In this session, Dr. Don Huber examines the science behind glyphosate residues, their effects on soil function and productivity, and emerging biological remediation strategies that may help restore soil health and recover lost crop potential. Attendees will gain insight into current research and practical approaches for addressing one of agriculture's most debated challenges.

Value Added Products to Add Value to Your Land with Mollie Engelhart @ Oakdale 1&2

How can first-generation farmers build financially sustainable operations without inherited land, equipment, or generational wealth? Regenerative farmer, chef, and entrepreneur Mollie Engelhart shares how Sovereignty Ranch has built multiple revenue streams by stacking complementary agricultural enterprises. From dairy products and herd shares to farm-to-table restaurants, agritourism, hospitality, and value-added products, participants will explore how diversification can increase profitability and resilience. Attendees will learn to identify new revenue opportunities, maximize the value of what they produce, and build sustainable farms that support families for generations.

White Oak Pastures: Our Journey to Regenerative with Will Harris @ Oakdale 3

Join Will Harris to learn about White Oak Pastures' evolution from a commodity cattle operation to a regenerative food system. What began as a passion for raising livestock turned into healing degraded land. Will takes great pride telling others how he rebuilt the soils of his sixth-generation farm while reviving his rural town of Bluffton, Georgia.

Water Quality & Conservation Through Innovation with Loran Steinlage @ Oakdale 4

Loran Steinlage will share lessons from decades of on-farm experimentation, equipment modification, emerging technology trials, and work connecting farmers with startups, researchers, and manufacturers. The session will explore how agriculture can better connect with robotics, sensing, biotechnology, water management, medicine, defense research, AI, and advanced manufacturing to solve real-world problems and create new opportunities. Participants are encouraged to bring a problem—a production challenge, equipment limitation, soil or water issue, labor constraint, or idea that has never quite worked—and use the session to troubleshoot what the real problem is, what assumptions may be limiting the solution, and what people or technologies from other industries might help solve it.

Optimizing Cover Crop Mixes for Soil Health and Nutrient Management with Rodney Saunders @ Oakdale 5

Cover crop performance starts with species selection. This session examines how carbon:nitrogen ratios drive residue breakdown and nutrient release, and how to design a cover crop mix suited to your soil health goals and next cash crop. Topics include improving pit manure use efficiency, reducing reliance on commercial fertilizer, and integrating livestock onto cover crop acres for added value — with practical guidance for translating these principles into cover crop decisions that support both soil health and farm profitability.

11:45 AM - 1:15 PM

lunch Break

Want to get out and explore? Iowa River Landing offers a variety of nearby restaurants within walking distance of the Hyatt, with options ranging from pizza and ramen to salads, pub fare, coffee and more.

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Book Signings

Mollie Engelhart, Gary Zimmer, and Will Harris

Find their tables right outside the Acres Bookstore.

12:55 - 1:15 PM

TRade show Presentation

Global Essential Oil Farms Network & Measurable Net Positive Environmental Impacts with Young Living Essential Oils @ Oakdale 5

Join Executive Director Of Young Living Farms Brett Packer on a journey across the globe of Essential Oil Research Farms. For over 30 years our farms have researched Agricultural Practices that partner with nature’s living systems and have continually operated as educational and experience centers in agricultural tourism. Please come learn more about how we document and quantify our positive impacts, such as living soils health, reforestation, native pollinators habitat building, rural community support and turning Farms into Net Positive Micro Ecosystems.

1:30 - 2:45 PM

Breakout Session 2

The Science and Practice of Soil Fertility with Neal Kinsey @ Coral Ballroom

Neal Kinsey shares insights from over 50 years of working with growers around the world. He offers practical perspectives on soil testing, mineral balance, and fertility management to improve soil health, crop quality, and farm profitability.

Beyond Cheap Oil: Preparing Your Farm for an Energy Constrained Future with Brian Dougherty @ Oakdale 1&2

Cheap oil built modern agriculture—and the era of cheap oil is coming to an end. This session cuts through the noise on energy, materials, and food system limits to show why the extraction-based, input-heavy farming model is running on fumes, and why regenerative agriculture is your best insurance against a fossil energy constrained future.

Marketing and Business Strategies for Pick-Your-Own Agritourism with Megan Neubauer @ Oakdale 3

In this session, Megan Neubauer will share the marketing and business strategies used at their successful Texas pick-your-own, Pure Land Farm. Topics will range from identifying consumer motivations and values to creating a high-quality experience that keeps them coming back season after season.

The Solo Cup Cow with Steve Campbell @ Oakdale 4

Are you looking for a more fertile cow that requires less feed? This session is for you. We will go into the natural influences that tend to give you cows that all resemble a particular wedge shape. Some cows digest 40% of what they ingest while others digest 70% of what they ingest. Stop wasting your grass and hay on inefficient cows!

Meat Is Medicine with Sara Keough @ Oakdale 5

Red meat has spent decades in the nutritional crosshairs—but does its reputation match the evidence or the outcomes we see in clinical practice? Drawing on real patient case studies, this presentation explores how strategically incorporating nutrient-dense red meat into individualized diets can support improvements in cardiometabolic risk markers, blood-sugar regulation, inflammation, nutrient status, gut health, and recovery. We’ll examine what makes pasture-raised, regeneratively grazed meat unique—from its highly bioavailable protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin B12 to differences in fatty-acid profiles and beneficial plant-derived compounds.By connecting soil health, animal health, nutrient density, and measurable patient outcomes, this presentation challenges conventional nutrition narratives and asks a provocative question: What happens when we stop judging meat by headlines—and start looking at patients, biomarkers, and biology?

3:00 - 4:15 PM

Breakout Session 3

The "Slow Flip" with Mark Shepard @ Coral Ballroom

Mark Shepard introduces the “Slow Flip,” a simple, low-risk approach to purchasing farmland as an anchor business that generates steady cash flow over the next 30 years. Without the responsibilities of managing tenants or rental properties, this strategy offers a different path to long-term financial independence while allowing landowners to run a profitable farm as a side hustle.

Market Gardening Without Plastic or Irrigation with Jeff Poppen @ Oakdale 1&2

Is it possible to grow a productive market garden without plastic or irrigation? Drawing on more than 30 years of experience, this session explores traditional dryland farming practices that produce abundant, in-season vegetables while building resilient soils. Learn the principles behind developing a stable clay-humus complex through composting, cover cropping, remineralization, thoughtful tillage, and other time-tested techniques, with additional insights into cold frames, subsoiling, and keyline plowing.

The Farmer's Free Lunch (And How to Actually Eat It) with Keith Berns @ Oakdale 3

God has already given you much of what you need to grow a better crop. Sunlight pours down on every acre for free, and most rotations only capture half of it. Nitrogen sits above your fields by the tens of thousands of tons, waiting on the right biology to unlock it. Carbon gets blamed for a lot these days, but it's simply food for your soil in the wrong place, and the fix is putting it back where it belongs. Oxygen, minerals, water, and the soil biology tying it all together round out the list. This talk walks through all seven of these freebies and shows how cover crops and the soil health principles help you actually put them to work on your own ground. Find out if you're getting your share.

American Agriculture: Why is Change so Hard? with Joel Hollingsworth @ Oakdale 4

American agriculture is at a crossroads. Rising costs, shrinking profit margins, and an increasingly consolidated food system are making it harder for farmers and ranchers to succeed. Joel Hollingsworth, founder of Smoke River Ranch, is challenging the status quo through ultra-high-density regenerative grazing practices, resilient cattle genetics, and innovative ownership models. Drawing on his firsthand experience, Joel will explore how American agriculture arrived at its current state, the challenges threatening its future, and the innovations needed to build a more resilient and economically viable industry. Can American agriculture be saved, and what will it take to get there?

Minerals for the Genetic Code: 20 Years Later with Richard Olree @ Oakdale 5

Twenty years after publishing Minerals for the Genetic Code, Dr. Richard Olree revisits the minerals explored in his original book, their connections to the genetic code, and their role in human health. Discover how our understanding of mineral balance and biological function has evolved over the past two decades.

4:15 - 4:45 PM

Afternoon Break

Take a break, recharge and connect with fellow attendees before heading into the evening activities. Enjoy refreshments, explore the Trade Show and keep the conversations going!

4:25 - 4:45 PM

TRade show Presentation

Organic: Still A Good Bet For Your Operation with MOSA Certified Organic @ Oakdale 5

Certified organic production is still a good and proven route to marketplace success. Learn about the organic industry’s growth, the top food categories, and the best way to go organic and get certified successfully.

Book Signings

Mark Shepard, Jeff Poppen, Megan Neubauer, Neal Kinsey, and Keith Berns

Find their tables right outside the Acres Bookstore.

5:00 - 5:30 PM

Eco-Ag Achievement Award

Join us for a special Eco-Ag tradition as Acres U.S.A. presents the 2026 Eco-Ag Achievement Award, an honor given annually since 1994 to recognize a pioneer whose work has helped advance ecological, organic and regenerative agriculture. Celebrate this year’s recipient and their contributions to the movement!

5:30 - 6:30 PM

Evening Keynote

Title TBD with Ray Archuleta @ Coral Ballroom

Renowned soil health expert, former NRCS agronomist, and passionate advocate for regenerative agriculture shares insights from decades of working with farmers across the country.

6:30 - 7:30 PM

Social Hour

with Ray Archuleta @ Coral Ballroom

Continue the conversation! Grab a drink, connect with fellow attendees, and enjoy one-on-one conversations with Ray Archuleta. This is the perfect opportunity to ask follow-up questions, share ideas, and build relationships beyond the classroom.

Sponsored by Sea-90 Ocean Minerals

Evening Reception

@ The Trade Show Floor

Enjoy cocktails and light bites while mingling with fellow attendees!

7:30 - 9:00 PM

Movie Showing

Groundswell @ Coral Ballroom

The third and final chapter in the documentary trilogy on soil and regenerative agriculture, following Kiss the Ground and Common Ground. The film travels across five continents to examine grassroots farming, Indigenous practices, and scientific efforts to restore damaged soil. Narrated by Demi Moore and Woody Harrelson, with additional voice work from Jason Momoa, Jaden Smith, Adrian Grenier, and Ian Somerhalder.

Friday, December 4th

Day 4 | General Conference

7:00 - 8:00 AM

Registration Desk Hours are 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

General CHECK-IN

All general conference ticket holders are welcome to check-in

7:00 - 8:00 AM

Morning Coffee

with Gary Zimmer @ Coral Ballroom

Start your day with coffee and conversation. Join Gary Zimmer for a casual morning gathering where you can ask questions, dive deeper into session topics, and connect one-on-one before the day's programming begins. Bring your curiosity, grab a cup, and enjoy an unhurried conversation with fellow attendees and industry leaders.

8:30 - 9:45 AM

Breakout session 1

Turning Healthcare Dollars into Healthy Soil and Rural Prosperity with Erin Martin-Hollingsworth @ Coral Ballroom

Regenerative farmers already understand that healthier soil can produce healthier plants, animals, ecosystems, and communities. But what happens when that food becomes part of a healthcare intervention? Erin Martin, founder of FreshRx Oklahoma, shares how regeneratively grown food is being prescribed to people living with chronic disease—and how Food is Medicine can create a new, values-aligned market for farmers. Drawing from five years of clinical programming, local food purchasing, and farmer partnerships, this session explores what it will take to connect soil health, nutrient density, patient outcomes, and healthcare dollars without compromising the integrity of regenerative agriculture.

Mortgage Lifters: It Starts with the Pigs with Jordan Green @ Oakdale 1&2

What if marginal ground wasn’t a liability, but a stack of unrealized revenue streams? In this session, farmer Jordan Green explores how pigs can become the first tool in transforming underutilized land into a productive farm asset. The process begins by carefully managed pig disturbance to clear invasive vegetation, cycle nutrients, expose soil, trample in seeds and prepare the ground for what comes next. But disturbance is only valuable when followed by intentional succession. We’ll explore how disturbed ground can transition into productive silvopastures with light forestry work and how high-energy annual forages can capture fertility and sunlight while providing exceptional feed for cattle and other herbivores. This is about more than raising pigs. It’s about learning to see land differently—stacking enterprises, capturing value at each stage, and using livestock and ecological succession to turn marginal acres into productive, profitable landscapes.

The New Paradigm of Crop Nutrition with David Knaus @ Oakdale 3

Upgrade your agronomy knowledge with data, logic, technology, horticulture techniques and hard science. Learn how the puzzle pieces of soil health, crop performance, lab analysis, crop inputs and grower profitability fit together for better or for worse in multiple cropping systems. Attendees will discover how science got skewed to the detriment of soils, plants and consumers, the key scientific gaps in the agri-science systems that the world depends on for food, appropriate process controls for farms to prevent degeneration, ways to overcome common industry roadblocks, methods of improving crop and soil health stepwise in fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains and how to build bridges between Organic, Regen, Conventional farmers, scientists and advisors. This session is appropriate for growers of fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains.

Organic Grain Flow Principles & Market Update with Brandon Gutzmann @ Oakdale 4

This session will explore the fundamentals of efficient organic grain movement from producer to end user, with a focus on communication, logistics, market timing, and strong partnerships throughout the supply chain. We’ll also provide an update on current organic grain market conditions, including supply and demand trends, pricing influences, and opportunities ahead. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of how producers, grain companies, and end users can work together to create a more reliable, efficient, and sustainable organic grain marketplace.

The Cold War Against Organic with Anneliese Abbott @ Oakdale 5

Join Acres U.S.A. editor and author Anneliese Abbott for a behind-the-scenes look at her new book, The Cold War Against Organic. Learn how concerns about health started the organic farming movement, how that movement came to America, and how it grew during the 1940s–60s despite intense opposition from scientists, the chemical industry, and even the government.

9:45 - 10:30 AM

Morning Break

Refuel with coffee and light refreshments while connecting with fellow attendees and exhibitors. The Café at the Hyatt is open daily from 6:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Enjoy freshly brewed Starbucks coffee, espresso drinks and more. Coffee and pastries will also be available in the Trade Show beginning at 7:00 a.m. Tuesday through Friday.

TRade show Presentation

Labels, Standards and Process of Organic Certification with OnMark Certification Services @ Oakdale 5

Curious about organic certification or consumer labeling requirements? Join us for a practical overview of specialty certification and labeling standards, along with common sense approaches to managing farm records and documentation. Veteran farmer and organic inspector, Mark Seeley will share firsthand experiences, practical insights, and strategies to help farmers successfully navigate specialty market certification requirements.

10:30 - 11:45 AM

Breakout session 2

Healing the Earth by Growing Food As Medicine with Bob Quinn @ Coral Ballroom

There is a lot of buzz today about “food as medicine” but most of it centers around reducing the intake of the bad stuff (i.e. soda, sugar, vegetable oil, processed meat) and increasing the intake of good stuff (i.e. fruits and vegetables). There is little focus on where food comes from and how it is grown including what kind of seed is used in the first place as well as how it is processed. This presentation endeavors to bring balance to the discussion using research comparing the effects of ancient and modern wheat as a door to a whole new way of thinking.

Nutrition is the Key to Genetic Expression with Kenneth Hamilton @ Oakdale 1&2

Using the fundamentals of naturally occurring elements, soil minerals, and soil biology, farmers can create the conditions for growing nutrient-dense plants and forages that support livestock and human health. This session will explore the connection between soil mineral balance, microorganisms, plant nutrition, fermentation, and livestock production. Kenneth will discuss how high-quality forages can be fermented with beneficial biology and minerals to enhance livestock nutrition and help animals more fully express their genetic potential. With a primary focus on meat production—including beef, bison, and lamb—the presentation will examine how these principles can help producers raise more animals with less feed, improve production efficiency, increase the nutritional quality of the end product, and ultimately improve profitability.

Building Better Soils for Better Yields with Gary Zimmer @ Oakdale 3

Decades of research and on-farm experience have revealed what healthy, resilient soils truly need to produce thriving crops and top yields. This session explores how balanced minerals, active biology, and strong soil structure work together to create productive farming systems—often with far less reliance on synthetic fertilizers and chemical crop protection. Learn the practical principles behind building resilient soils that support both profitability and long-term sustainability.

Heal the Food Supply, Heal the Nation with David Stelzer @ Oakdale 4

This is a vision for restoring health from the ground up. It begins with clean, nutritious food and a healthier food system, but it goes beyond what we eat. Food is only part of the healing. True health is also built through strong families, meaningful relationships, connected communities, purpose, and greater responsibility for our own well-being. By making better food more accessible, supporting responsible producers, and helping people reconnect with their food, their communities, and one another, we can create healthier households and stronger communities. When we heal the food supply, we create a foundation for healing the people, and ultimately, the nation.

Breaking the Mold for Regional Development of Regenerative Agriculture with Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin @ Oakdale 5

Beginning with poultry processing as a systems framework anchor point. This session will build the logic, methodology, and planning process involved in assembling independent community-owned and controlled food value networks. Attendees will walk away with a clear understanding of system design and the ability to assert their role and function (farmer, manager, worker, marketer, distributor) within a complete food system design framework.

11:45 AM - 1:00 PM

lunch Break

Want to get out and explore? Iowa River Landing offers a variety of nearby restaurants within walking distance of the Hyatt, with options ranging from pizza and ramen to salads, pub fare, coffee and more.

Book Signings

Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin, David Stelzer, and Bob Quinn

12:30 - 12:50 PM

TRade show Presentation

Farm Smarter: Turning Agricultural Information Into Better Decisions with Golden Horizon Ag, LLC @ Oakdale 5

Agriculture is changing, and the amount of information available to growers continues to grow. But how do we turn all that information into something useful? Join us for a practical look at how artificial intelligence and modern agricultural technology can help simplify farm management, improve access to agronomic research, organize farm data, and support better decision-making.

1:00 - 2:15 PM

Breakout session 3

Rethinking the Quality of Our Food with Dan Kittredge @ Coral Ballroom

Join Dan Kittredge, founder of the Bionutrient Food Association, as he shares insights from decades of experience in biological farming and nutrient density. Explore the connections between agricultural practices, soil and plant health, and the nutritional quality of our food, and consider how a greater focus on quality could shape the future of agriculture.

Cracking the Code with Jason Mauck @ Oakdale 1&2

What happens when we stop treating crops, livestock and soil as separate pieces and start designing them to work together? Large-scale Indiana farmer, Jason Mauck is constantly experimenting with ways to capture more sunlight, keep living roots in the ground, cycle nutrients and get more production from every acre. In this session, Jason will explore what it means to use life to grow more life, drawing from his work with relay cropping, constant canopy systems, livestock integration and on-farm nutrient cycling. He’ll share how observing natural systems—and challenging conventional assumptions about time, space and competition—can help farmers reduce dependence on inputs and create more productive, resilient farms.

Iowa Farmers Panel with Wendy Johnson, Robby Jewell, Loran Steinlage & Rick Matt @ Oakdale 3

Join actual Iowa farmers Wendy Johnson, Robby Jewell, Loran Steinlage and Rick Matt for a candid conversation about the realities of farming in Iowa today. Hosted by Joy Van Wyngarden, this panel will explore the practices, challenges, lessons, and opportunities shaping their operations—from soil health and regenerative management to navigating risk, economics, and change on the farm. Hear directly from farmers putting new ideas into practice and learn what’s working, what's not, and where they see Iowa agriculture heading.

Total Soil Health: The Multiple Benefits of Soil Organic Matter, Mineral Balance & Cover Crops with Andre Leu @ Oakdale 4

This presentation goes into detail about how to increase soil organic matter and explains the common mistakes people make that prevent them from achieving good results. It also details its importance for fertility, water capture and retention, and soil structure and health. It explains how it works with mineral balance and cover crops to produce maximum yields at minimal production costs, thus significantly increasing profitability.

Animal Health Issues Related to Glyphosate Overuse with Dr. Art Dunham @ Oakdale 5

Fifty plus years of large animal veterinary practice have shown Art Dunham DVM that good soil health leads to good plant health which then leads to good animal and human health in a circle of life. Land Grant college experts determined that we could separate livestock and crop farming in the USA Midwest back in 1965 and because of the quality of our soil get by for 40-50 years. In 2010, Goss's wilt in corn and sudden death in soybeans showed up. Now it is a tar spot. All are abiotic deficiency diseases of plants that need the trace minerals as cofactors for enzyme systems just as animals do. We need a shift to regenerative ag that puts biology ahead of synthetic chemistry and a departure from the 2-crop corn and beans system. According to the speaker this would make livestock farming easier and plant, animal, and human health better.

2:15 - 3:00 PM

Afternoon Break

Take a break, recharge and connect with fellow attendees before heading into the evening activities. Enjoy refreshments, explore the Trade Show and keep the conversations going!

2:25 - 2:45 PM

Trade show Presentation

Harvest the Wind. Power Your Freedom. with Verigreen @ Oakdale 5

Your land produces crops, livestock, and income—but what if it could produce your electricity, too? Join renewable energy industry expert and entrepreneur James Downing to discover how small wind turbines can help protect your farm, homestead, or agricultural business from rising utility costs. Learn how to harvest the wind, reduce your dependence on the grid, and take control of your energy future.

3:00 - 4:30 PM

Closing Panel

No One Is Coming to Save You: The Path to Farm Profitability in 2027 moderated by Taylor Henry @ Coral Ballroom

As Eco-Ag 2026 comes to a close, join us for a candid discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing farmers in 2027. Explore what it will take to build profitable, resilient operations and take greater control of your farm's future.

Trade Show & Bookstore Hours

Tuesday

Acres Bookstore

8:00 AM - 7:30 PM

Trade Show

CLOSED

Wednesday

Acres Bookstore

8:00 AM - 7:30 PM

Trade Show

3:30 PM - 7:30 PM

THursday

Acres Bookstore

8:00 AM - 7:30 PM

Trade Show

8:00 AM - 7:30 PM

FRiday

Acres Bookstore

8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Trade Show

8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Copyright © 2026. All Rights Reserved.

But don’t just listen to us, here’s what past attendees have said!

To learn about the 2023 Eco-Ag Conference & Trade Show, read the recap here.

Program

The Eco-Ag Conference & Trade Show is filled with engaging keynote speakers, 1- to 2-hour breakout sessions in regenerative agriculture topics ranging from soil health – including making the most of the microbiome, composting, cover cropping and more, to farm management to livestock and beyond.

Stay tuned for our agenda as these sessions come online.

Eco-Ag U

Get the most out of your experience by signing up for an Eco-Ag U workshop (or two!) – the registration fee includes your choice of pre-conference workshops plus the entire conference and trade show. Spend a full day with an instructor diving deep into a topic that’s important to you.

You will have direct, small-classroom access to the top minds in eco-agriculture, where you can learn the real details behind their success, and ask questions specific to your farm or operation.

Trade Show

Complement your education with learning at our trade show, bustling with innovative products and services in every specialty that will help you launch your operation to the next level in regenerative agriculture.

Our trade show also includes innovation presentations and demonstrations and complimentary coffee.

Want to become a sponsor or exhibit in the trade show? Visit our Trade Show page to learn more!

Past Speakers

Tony Robbins

Dan Kennedy

Jocko Willink

Jaime Kern Lima

Marcus Lemonis

Kaelin Poulin

Garrett J. White

Alex & Leila Hormozi

Brooke Castillo

Perry Belcher

Ben Hardy

Dean Graziosi

Eric Thomas

Jenna Kutcher

Kristine Mirelle

Setema Gali

Prince EA

Myron Golden

Kiana Daniel

Eileen Wilder

Stay Informed

If you would like to stay informed about our annual events, including the Eco-Ag Conference & Trade Show, sign up for our News & Announcements email newsletter.

General Terms

  • Event registration prices include all service fees.

  • By registering for the AcresUSA Eco-Ag Conference and Trade Show, you agree to receive email updates from the event producers and partners

  • This transaction will appear on your credit card statement under AcresUSA Eco-Ag Conference and Trade Show

    Acres USA will never sell your data to third parties. Please be aware of phishing scams that claim to be selling a list of our attendees.

Refund Policy

What if I have to cancel?

Sorry, no refunds.** Your registration can be transferred to someone else’s name if you cannot attend; please contact our office.

For Eco-Ag U all-day workshops: Due to limited space, cancellations received through November 1st, 2024 are entitled to an 80% credit to be applied to AcresUSA subscriptions, books, DVDs, audio CDs, or future conference fees.

Item Transfer Policy

Can I transfer my registration if I can’t make it?

Yes. You can transfer your registration up to the day before event by calling Rebecca Gerwig at the AcresUSA office at 970-392-4464 or by emailing [email protected].