By Blake Jackson
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension will host the 2026 Wisconsin Water and Soil Health (WWASH) Conference on December 15-16, 2026, at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells.
The two-day event will bring together farmers, crop consultants, Extension professionals, and agency representatives to exchange ideas and explore practical approaches for improving soil health and water quality.
Attendees can expect discussions centered on real-world data, on-farm research, and innovative farming practices being adopted across Wisconsin.
A major focus of this year’s conference is helping producers become involved in on-farm research while learning about the latest technologies that support conservation agriculture.
A new feature for 2026 is a dedicated cover crop track, offering three breakout sessions tailored to different experience levels. Topics will include getting started with cover crops, overcoming common management challenges, and advanced strategies such as grazing cover crops.
The conference will feature keynote presentations from Dr. John F. Tooker, professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Entomology at Pennsylvania State University, and Dr. Steven Hall, associate professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences at UW–Madison.
Tooker will discuss how no-till farming, cover crops, and integrated pest management work together to strengthen natural pest control, while Hall will present science-based strategies to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen losses and improve water quality through collaborative research and Wisconsin case studies.
“Bringing Dr. Steven Hall and Dr. John Tooker to WWASH puts our attendees at the cutting edge of modern conservation agriculture,” WWASH Conference Co-Chair and Crops and Soils Outreach Speciaist Dane Elmquist says.
“Their research will give farmers concrete steps to curb nutrient losses and build pest-fighting agricultural systems.”
To encourage participation, organizers are offering 90 full scholarships that cover conference registration, one hotel night, and dinner.
First-time farmer attendees will receive priority, with scholarship applications due September 14. Conference registration opens in September with discounted early-bird pricing.
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Categories: Wisconsin, Business, General