Submitted by Dana Schmelzle

Producers, ag professionals and community members are invited to a Soil Health Event on Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Meadowlark Extension Woolsoncroft Center (1615 Branch, Seneca). The program starts at 10 a.m., includes a free lunch, and features keynote speaker Lance Gunderson, Founder and President of Regen Ag Lab.

Gunderson is widely recognized for advancing soil health testing and developing agronomic tests that support producers adopting a regenerative agriculture model. His career began at Ward Laboratories in 2002 while earning a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Nebraska–Kearney. He launched the Soil Health Testing Department there in 2011, leading development and implementation of Haney, phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA), soil enzymes, aggregate stability, and water holding capacity tests. Over eight years as Director of Soil Health and New Test Development, he reviewed more than 75,000 Haney and PLFA samples. Gunderson earned his Doctoral degree in Agronomy with emphasis in Soil Microbial Ecology and Soil Health from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and now brings that expertise to Regen Ag Lab.

The event will also feature a Soil Health Producer Panel led by Gunderson, offering practical insights and real-world experiences from producers actively implementing soil health practices. In addition, there will be a discussion on the District’s newly acquired roller crimper, available for rent. This equipment purchase was made possible in part by the State of Kansas Water Plan Fund, courtesy of the Kansas Water Office.

This event is hosted by the Nemaha County Conservation District. Please register in advance by calling 785-336-5748 or 785-285-4352. Farmers, ranchers, crop advisers, conservation district staff, Extension, lenders, students and anyone interested in practical, science-based approaches to soil health are encouraged to attend.

Media Contact or if you need special accommodations, please contact Dana Schmelzle, Nemaha County Conservation District, at 785-336-5748 or dana.schmelzle@usda.gov.