Soil Health & Nutrient Management School
Advanced Training for Progressive Farmers & Consultants
Reclaiming Profitability: Farming Smarter in 2026
Take your nutrient management skills to the next level with this intensive 2‑day program. Learn hands‑on strategies to optimize biologicals, nutrient management, photosynthesis, and soil health for maximum efficiency and profitability.
“The AG world is always changing,” said Kent Friedrichsen of Perry, Iowa, who has been working with ProfitProAG for more than 30 years. “Jim Ladlie and his team at ProfitProAG have their finger on the pulse of ag and where it’s headed, and they bring in some of the best speakers I’ve ever heard.” Friedrichsen commented after attending ProfitProAG’s winter conference.
Program Highlights:
- Rainfall Simulator Demo– Ray Archuleta, Mark Gutierrez, and Leopold Award winner Tom Cotter show how soil health impacts water holding capacity and drainage.
- New Ecological Nutrient Model – Learn how to move beyond conventional nutrient management into regenerative, ecological approaches.
- Regenerative Soil Health Strategies – Cotter shares practical integration of crops and livestock for resilient systems.
- Cover Crop Design – Hands‑on strategies for building effective mixes and blends to maximize soil health.
- Test Plots & Biological Monitoring – Archuleta explores how to track soil processes in the field
- Soil Testing & Interpretation – Understand the facts behind soil test recommendations and how to apply them.
- Ecosystem Processes & Equipment Logistics – Archuleta explains the four ecosystem processes and practical implementation.
- Reclaiming Profitability in 2026 – Dr. Jim Ladlie shares strategies for farming smarter in the year ahead.
Speakers
We will feature knowledgeable instructors who will share their journey, bringing you the understanding you need on soil health implementation, how nutrient cycling impacts human health, and how regenerative agriculture influences your farming operation and profitability.
But this isn’t a sit-and-listen event — our sessions are designed to be interactive and practical. You’ll have the chance to:
- Ask questions directly during live Q&A segments
- Participate in hands-on demonstrations and group discussions
- Engage with real-world case studies and farmer experiences
- Collaborate with peers and experts to apply insights to your own operation
Ray Archuleta
Certified Professional Soil Scientist
Ray Archuleta (“The Soil Guy”) has questioned everything he’s learned in his formal education in agriculture. His curiosity motivated him to seek
different perspectives—and the journey has been nothing short of revolutionary.
He incorporates a deeply personal perspective as he shares proven, practical
ways to care for the earth’s most fundamental resources, including soil. His
insights have been featured in documentaries including Common Ground, Kiss
the Ground, and Dominion.
Tom Cotter
Cotter Farms
2025 Leopold Conservation Award Recipient
Tom Cotter, a fourth-generation farmer from Austin, Minnesota, has championed cover crops and regenerative practices for more than 25 years. In 2025, he was honored with the prestigious Leopold Conservation Award for his leadership in soil health and sustainable farming.
“Set goals, follow soil health principles, minimize soil disturbance, focus on biodiversity, support continuous living roots in the soil as long as possible each year, grade your crop’s success and keep learning,” Tom says.
Mark Gutierrez
MN Soil Health Coalition Executive Director
Through his many years working in agriculture, Mark has learned and adapted, watching farmers around him. Mark will be speaking about how improving soil health through regenerative ag practices can be the best way to impact farm profitability. Healthier soils also benefit the environment by controlling soil erosion and keeping excess nutrients out of water supplies.
Dennis Klockenga
Crop Management Consultant
ProfitProAG
Dennis has been a crop management consultant for ProfitProAG for over 20 years. Based in Minnesota, he provides farmers with crop-input recommendations for fertility decisions. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy from the University of Illinois and his Master’s degree in soil fertility from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. After college, Dennis worked three years in pesticide and soybean breeding research. For the last 20 years, he has worked for ProfitProAG as a certified crop advisor (CCA). He enjoys on-farm visits and conducts soil and crop evaluations to help his clients improve their profit potential per acre. Dennis formulates a “Recipe for Success” crop production program for his clients.
Dr. Jim Ladlie
Owner – ProfitProAG
Jim has spent a lifetime helping growers increase sustainability and profitability by adapting a regenerative approach to farming. With a PhD in Crop Science from Michigan State University and over 40 years in the agriculture industry. Dr. Ladlie’s foresight, research, knowledge and creative solutions have led to a proven crop management system that produces healthy crops/animals and manages risks while maximizing profits.
