Spark Your Regenerative Ag Journey at the 2025 Winter Conference

Contact: Dr. Jim Ladlie, 507-383-1325(cell), jladlie@profitproag.com,

ALBERT LEA, MN – Jan. 7, 2025—Are you concerned about the industrial nature of modern ag? Concerned about where the future of farming is going? If you’re ready to explore a more sustainable, profitable approach to crop and livestock production, don’t miss ProfitProAG’s 2025 Winter Conference on Feb. 19-20.

This free event will include a number of nationally-renowned leaders in soil health and Regenerative Ag, including Ray Archuleta, “The Soil Guy.” “For years I defended the old system and pledged allegiance to the industrial ag model,” said Archuleta, a former Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) employee who has embraced Regenerative Ag for more than 20 years. “But that system is destructive to our society. That’s why I became a zealot for regenerative agriculture.”

Registration is open for the 2025 Winter Conference in Albert Lea, Minnesota. There will be time for participants to interact with the presenters and other growers at this event, which features:

• “Ask Me Why I’m All In on Regenerative Ag,” by Ray Archuleta. “Not one of my teachers in my formal education had encouraged me to learn from nature, nurture it, and not forcing things with ag chemistry,” Archuleta said. “I learned that having little or no respect for creation is a moral and spiritual problem.”

• “Enhancing a Regenerative Corn Production Program” by Mike Parkinson, Legend Seeds. Farmers who ask better questions get better answers. These answers are more important than ever as margins tighten and the temptation grows to cut corners with inputs, including seed. “You can trim your seed costs and improve crop performance with natural biocontrol and stay-green traits and other benefits from modern, conventional corn hybrids,” said Parkinson, who will share five key questions to ask your seed dealer.

• “Utilizing Drones to Enhance Regenerative Crop Production” with Duane Davis from SkyDroneUSA and Herbert Dowse from AnswerAg. Today’s drones offer a powerful tool to protect crop health and soil health, while trimming input costs. See how easy it can be to put these high-tech robots to work on your farm. “Drone technology has made some big advances in a short period of time,” Davis said. “It will be a game changer going forward.”

• “Soil Health Equals Human and Environmental Health,” by Jolene Carlson, holistic health and fitness director, Minnesota National Guard. What if nutrient-dense foods could heal people and the environment? It’s not only possible but a reality when you build soil health and farm nature’s way. “I love ProfitProAG’s philosophy of farming the controllables and farming nature’s way,” Carlson said. “Observation and flexibility are key. I try to pay attention to what the land and soil need, as well as the microclimate/ecosystem of my land to see what it needs to thrive.”

• Rainfall Simulator Demonstration. “Does Soil Health Impact Water Holding Capacity and Drainage?” by Ray Archuleta and Mark Gutierrez, Minnesota Soil Health Coalition Executive Director. Gutierrez will also share highlights from the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition, a non-profit that formed in 2019 and now has 1,000 members. “I want to help people learn practical ways to connect soil health with nutrient-dense food production and improved farmer profitability,” he said.

• “Ways I Have Implemented a Regenerative Approach in My Crop and Livestock Production,” by Tom Cotter, Cotter Farms, Austin, Minnesota. When Cotter started growing cover crops in 1998, there was no one to advise him. Through the years, he has learned many tips for success that focus on soil health principles. “Context is important,” Cotter said. “You have to find practical ways to make these soil health principles work in your fields.”

• “A Premium Oat Production and Marketing Program,” with Landon Plagge of Green Acres Milling. Get the latest updates on this innovative business venture that’s under construction in Albert Lea, and visit with Plagge, the farmer-entrepreneur who is spearheading this big project. “The market demand is there for oats, which are a good fit with our cropping systems here in the Upper Midwest,” said Plagge, who follows regenerative ag practices on his northern Iowa farm. “Green Acres Milling creates new opportunities for more resilient, profitable farms, and providing food for human consumption. We’re confident this is going to work.”

• “What is the #1 Way I’ve Learned to Boost Farm Profitability,” a grower panel with Minnesota farmers Tom Cotter, Dale Viktora (Viktora Farms, southern Minnesota), Ryan Welhousen (Welhousen Farms, northern Iowa), Dennis Klockenga, ProfitProAG Agronomist; and Mike Parkinson with Legend Seeds.

• “Implementing a Regenerative AG approach by Farming the Controllables” and “Designing Your Tailored 2025 Recipe for Success” by Dr. Jim Ladlie, ProfitProAG. “Tiny differences in management can lead to overwhelming differences in output and profitability,” said Dr. Jim Ladlie, founder and CEO of ProfitProAG, who has hosted the Winter Conference for roughly 20 years.

To register for ProfitProAG’s 2025 Winter Conference from Feb. 19-20, visit profitproag.net, and go to the “Click Here to Register” link in the Winter Conference information on the homepage.

About ProfitProAG

ProfitProAG is a regenerative agriculture company that uses a biological approach to help farmers get more from every acre and every animal. For more information about ProfitProAG, log onto profitproag.net.