Keynotes, breakouts, and hands-on sessions for Soil & Water Revival, hosted by Fairfield Good Earth Works — speakers will be announced here as they are confirmed.
Peter Byck, director and producer of the documentary series Roots So Deep
Peter’s presentation opens with curated clips from Roots So Deep Episodes 1, 2, and 3 that introduce key farmers and scientists from the project (40 min). That’s followed by a screening of Episode 4 in full (70 min) and a Q&A with Peter after the screening.
Speaker to be announced
The opening keynote frames soil health and water quality as a single connected system, setting the stage for the sessions that follow.
Speaker to be announced
A look at how to measure real progress through soil tests, water quality, and carbon claims, now including water quality from the field edge (tentative).
Tentative — sessions subject to change. Homestead track sessions are tentative; theater use pending FACC confirmation. See the full agenda.
How to read soil test results and turn them into variable-rate decisions that fit your fields.
Presenter: TBA
Choosing, seeding, and terminating cover crops that hold up through Iowa’s unpredictable seasons.
Presenter: TBA
Practical soil building for small plots: compost, no-till beds, and low-cost soil testing.
Presenter: TBA
Why arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and year-round living roots matter for soil structure and nutrient cycling.
Presenter: TBA
Building nutrient plans from your own soil data and goals rather than one-size-fits-all rates.
Presenter: TBA
Capturing, storing, and managing water on a homestead scale.
Presenter: TBA
A look at conservation programs and how to judge whether they make financial sense for your operation.
Presenter: TBA
Integrating livestock into crop ground to support soil health and diversify the operation.
Presenter: TBA
What changes, and what to plan for, when growing from a homestead into a commercial operation.
Presenter: TBA
Equipment setup and application practices that support soil and water goals.
Presenter: TBA
A moderated discussion on the research, industry support, and policy that would help Iowa producers most.
Presenter: TBA
Engaging young people and new farmers in caring for land and water.
Presenter: TBA
How to set up on-farm trials and demonstrations that produce results you can trust.
Presenter: TBA
Getting started with small livestock and poultry; leads into the afternoon outdoor sheep session.
Presenter: TBA
An overview of building and running a soil consulting business.
Presenter: TBA
Hands-on session covering practical sheep herd maintenance, a live shearing demonstration, and hoof care techniques. Weather backup: Expo hall.
Presenter: Clayton Ubben, Ubben Shearing & Wool, LLC — Jewell, Iowa
Clayton Ubben is a professional sheep shearer based in Jewell, Iowa, serving flock owners across the state and throughout the Midwest. Through Ubben Shearing & Wool, LLC, he provides mobile shearing services to operations of all sizes—from small homestead flocks to larger commercial and show flocks—with a practical focus on animal welfare, efficient handling, and clean results. He regularly works across Iowa and into Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Minnesota, and is listed in the American Sheep Industry Association Shearer Directory. At the conference, Clayton will share hands-on guidance on maintaining a healthy herd, including proper shearing technique and timing, hoof care, and practical tips for keeping sheep in good condition year-round.
We’re looking for presenters to share practical knowledge on soil and water. Send us a proposal that includes:
Or email IowaSoilGuy@gmail.com with the subject “Session proposal - Soil & Water Revival”.