Southeast Minnesota
Soil Health Bus Tour

About the Event

Join us for a three-day educational and networking experience to the 2026 National Strip Tillage Conference in Springfield, IL, Aug 05 – Aug 07, 2026.

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This event is sponsored by the Minnesota Office of Soil Health, Rice SWCD, Steele SWCD, NRCS, and the Freeborn Area Soil Health Team. Download the flyer here.

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Tour includes:

• Pre-Conference Workshop at the Bayer Crop Science Research Farm in New Berlin, IL

• Charter Bus Travel

• Two full days at the National Strip-Tillage Conference

• Hotel Accommodations, some meals (See Agenda for details)

• Snacks and Beverages on the Bus

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Registration is required, and space is limited to 50 participants. Registration is open to all farmers, ag industry professionals, and agency staff in southeastern Minnesota. Deadline to register is July 15, 2026.

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Cost: $100.00 Registration Fee. (This is a $900.00 value for travel, meals, and hotel). Your registration for this event is not secured until we receive your registration fee.

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To register and reserve your seat, click on the link below or call the Rice SWCD at 507-332-5408 or the Steele SWCD at 507-451-6730. (You will not be charged the registration fee during signup at the link below.)

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Please mail your registration fee to:

Rice Soil and Water Conservation District

2211 2nd Avenue NW, Suite 200

Faribault, MN 55021

Please include the note “Soil Health Bus Tour” with your registration.

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Cancellation Policy: The registration fee is fully refundable if you cancel by July 15, 2026. If you cancel after July 15, 2026, the $100 registration fee per participant will be forfeited.

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Draft agenda (will be updated as more details become available)

Wednesday, August 5th

• Leave Owatonna, MN, early AM (TBD)

• Stop in Rochester – pick up attendees

• Lunch, beverages, and snacks provided on the bus

• Pre-Conference Workshop at the Bayer Crop Science Research Farm in New Berlin, IL

• Arrive ~2:00 pm

• On-site discussions, demonstrations, and networking

• Leave the Bayer Crop Science Research Farm

• Travel to the National Strip-till Conference at the Springfield DoubleTree Hotel & Convention Center in Springfield, IL

• Dinner – Attendees pay their own

 

Thursday, August 6th

• Breakfast – Attendees pay their own

• Conference begins at 9 am

• Lunch – provided at the conference

• Conference sessions stop at 5 pm

• Dinner – Attendees pay their own

 

Friday, August 7th 

• Breakfast – provided at the conference

• Conference sessions begin at 8:00 am

• Conference ends at 12:30 pm

• Leave Springfield, IL ~1:00 pm

• Lunch, snacks, and beverages are provided on the bus for the return trip

• Arrive in Rochester, MN ~ 7:00 pm

• Arrive Owatonna, MN ~8:00 pm