Keynote: Roots So Deep: Stories from Farmers and Scientists about Soil Health and Farmer Wealth

February 3, 2026  9:15AM-10:30AM

Guided by director and wrangler of scientists Peter Byck, “Roots So Deep (you can see the devil down there)” is a 4-part documentary series all about adaptive cattle farmers and their conventional neighbors across the fence – and a group of maverick scientists conducting ground-breaking research that explores the costs and benefits of grazing in harmony with nature versus grazing in conflict with nature.
In this presentation, Byck screens clips from the series, and discusses research results from the decade-long, $10m research project conducted in the Southeast USA; research that asks: can this simple change in grazing practice help farmers get out of debt, restore their depleted soils, rebuild wildlife habitat and draw down huge amounts of carbon?

Keynote: Is A Hidden Killer Lurking In Your Soil?

February 3, 2026  11:00AM-12:30PM

More and more often, farmers are doing everything right nutritionally and seeing their crop die because residual soil glyphosate becomes an active herbicide absorbed through the roots. With the indiscriminate application of 250 million pounds of glyphosate-based herbicides in agriculture and a comparable quarter billion pounds in forestry, parks & recreation, utility rights of way and homesteads each year, we now have very high levels of residual glyphosate accumulating in many soils. These herbicides accumulate over time because the microorganisms that can degrade these synthetic chemicals are not commonly present. In addition to chemical residue from direct application for weed control, crop management or crop desiccation prior to harvest; contaminated surface or ground water, contaminated fertilizers and drift are additional sources of concern. Previous recommendations to manage toxic levels of glyphosate have included the application of cationic nutrients like calcium (lime), magnesium, iron, etc. that will chelate and detoxify it as an herbicide; however, this merely ‘kicks the can down the road’ because phosphorus fertilizers, needed for optimum crop production, can desorb the chelated glyphosate to release the active herbicide. Research the past three years has shown the benefits of biologically degrading residual soil glyphosate to release immobilized nutrients and increase crop yield and nutrient density.

Keynote Panel: Phil Jerde and Don Huber

February 4, 2026  12:00PM-12:45PM

Don Huber and Phil Jerde will close out the symposium with a conversation on soil health and production challenges. This final session is a chance to look back on what you have learned, ask questions, and leave with fresh ideas to take home to your operation.

Keynote: Buffalo, Birds, Beetles and Beavers

February 3, 2026  2:00PM-3:15PM

Phil Jerde and his family have been using the principles of holistic management for over 20 years. Using buffalo, cattle, and kids as tools, they have seen remarkable changes in the health of their land. With holistic planned grazing and the tools of grazing, animal impact, and especially recovery time, they have increased the diversity of plants and wildlife, increased stocking rates, created healthy riparian areas that are improving and increasing in size and diversity, thus causing a rise in birds, beetles, and beavers. Phil encourages you to jump into your role as a keystone species.

Keynote Panel: Phil Jerde and Don Huber

February 4, 2026  12:00PM-12:45PM

Don Huber and Phil Jerde will close out the symposium with a conversation on soil health and production challenges. This final session is a chance to look back on what you have learned, ask questions, and leave with fresh ideas to take home to your operation.

Breakout Session: Good for the Soil and for the Soul
February 3, 2026  11:00AM-12:30PM

Cody Kologi and his wife Medora operate a livestock ranch in North Dakota and have been transitioning their operation toward regenerative management. Cody will share his story and walk through the practical decisions behind their ranch, including ranch business management, livestock marketing, managing yearlings, and using cover crops as forage rather than farming cash crops, along with the economics of that approach. This session offers a clear look at how adaptive grazing and management choices come together in a working regenerative livestock system.

Breakout Session: Graze the Covers, Grow the Soil
February 3, 2026  11:00AM-12:30PM

Brad McIntyre is the fourth generation to work McIntyre Pastures in southern Idaho, a diverse farm built on no-till, cover crops, and livestock integration. In this session, Brad will share how he uses cover crops in both irrigated and dryland systems and how grazing those covers after cash crops has helped build soil health and add value to the rotation. With a passion for mimicking natural systems and helping others improve their soil, Brad offers a practical look at the benefits and trade-offs of integrating livestock into cropping systems on a working farm.

Breakout Session: Bale Me Out: Grazing in Heavy Clay Soils
February 3, 2026  11:00AM-12:30PM

Bale grazing and improved grazing management can reduce costs, improve soil health, and support livestock nutrition, but it takes careful planning to make it work. Adam Courtney will share how he uses bale grazing on their ranch, his experiences with adaptive grazing management and implementing intensive/mob grazing in heavy clay soils, and the challenges and successes he’s had with water systems. This session will focus on the economic outcomes of a regenerative system and the practical considerations that help balance animal needs with long-term grass management goals.

Breakout Session: Nutrient Management To Control Plant Diseases
February 3, 2026  11:00AM-12:30PM

The 18 essential nutrients for plants become components of the plant’s roots, stems, leaves, reproductive structures, enzymes, enzyme co-factors, and metabolites. A deficiency of any essential nutrient will have a deleterious effect on the plant to compromise growth, quality, reproduction, and pest resistance. Pests and diseases are frequently symptoms of induced nutrient deficiency and can be managed through timely availability of specific nutrients that are critical for their defense. I will present six ways to use nutrition to manage plant diseases.

Breakout Session: “I Have Questions”
February 3, 2026  3:45PM-5:00PM

Rick Caquelin runs a small ranch outside Stanford, Montana, where he uses bale grazing and careful rotation to build soil health, support forage production, and adapt to drought. He regularly conducts range monitoring and soil biology monitoring to track conditions and guide management decisions. All of that said, Rick has questions (like how cows decide who will be the babysitter)! In this session, he will share how observation and recordkeeping have helped him improve the long-term health of his pastures and how simple, well-timed adjustments can lead to lasting impact.

Breakout Session: Making the Tools Work for You
February 3, 2026  3:45PM-5:00PM

This follow-up breakout takes a closer look at the tools of holistic management and how to use them effectively. Building on Phil Jerde’s keynote, the discussion will dig into practical steps for planning recovery periods, using animal impact, and adjusting grazing decisions as conditions change. Participants will leave with ideas for how to match tools to goals, measure results, and keep improving over time. Bring your questions and examples to spark conversation and problem-solving with others who are working toward similar outcomes.

Breakout Session: Vision Into Action on a Regenerative Farm
February 3, 2026  3:45PM-5:00PM

Travis and Melissa Stuber are the owners and operators of a seed potato farm in Manhattan, MT. After dedicating over a year to in-depth research and assembling a knowledgeable team, they stepped out in faith to put their vision into action. Since 2023, the Stubers have been transitioning their operation from conventional farming methods to regenerative. Their approach includes no-till cover crops in rotational years, cattle grazing, Johnson-Su bioreactors, pollinator borders, and compost teas and extracts. They also use SAP sampling, chelating their own trace minerals, adding biological amendments, and using a drone for foliar application. They are already seeing improved soil structure, increased worm activity, better water infiltration, and unlocked nutrients—all signs of a healthier, more resilient farm ecosystem.

Breakout Session: Taking the Economic Pulse on Towering Residues
February 3, 2026  3:45PM-5:00PM

McKade Mahlen is a generational farmer currently growing pulses, oilseeds, and cereal grains north of Sidney, MT. McKade has recently transitioned to no-till practices and added a stripper header to improve soil health and profitability. In this session, he will:
– Share an economic breakdown of the changes he’s been making.
– Offer strategies for managing disease risks in pulse crops.
– Share how he manages his work/life balance as a farmer and engineer.