April 28, 2026, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (US Central)
Soil health is shaped by a dynamic interaction of physical, chemical, and biological components. Together, these interactions can support agricultural productivity, strengthen soil ecosystems, and reduce the environmental impacts of farming. Exploring how these factors work together and what motivates producers to adopt soil health practices is the focus of the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation’s (JSWC) special issue on Soil Health and Conservation.
In this webinar, two researchers featured in the special issue share insights from their work. Dr. Dianna Bagnall and colleagues looked at how management practices affected soil health measurements across seven cotton-producing regions in the southern United States and considered. They also consider how soil health data can be contextualized to guide region-and soil-specific goals.
On the other side of soil health are those who use these data—the farmers. Dr. Tayler Ulbrich and colleagues talked with row crop farmers in Michigan to learn how they define soil health, what assessments they rely on, and what motivates them to adopt different management practices.
Join us to take a closer look at these studies and what they reveal. Attendees will gain insight into the application of soil health measurements, learn how one group of farmers perceives soil health practices, and come away with ideas for further soil health research and outreach.
Speakers
- Clare Lindahl, CEO, SWCS
- Dr. Dianna K. Bagnall, Soil Health Institute
- Dr. Tayler C. Ulbrich, Michigan State University
What You’ll Leave With
- Overview of soil health research and findings of two JSWC papers
- Insight into application of soil health measurements and farmer perceptions of soil health practice
- Recommendations for soil health research, outreach, and education
Cost
- Free for SWCS members
- $15 for nonmembers
Bonus: Need CEU credits? A certificate of attendance will be provided upon request. Just email events@swcs.org after the webinar.
About the Speakers
Dr. Dianna Bagnall is a research soil scientist and program director, leading the US Regenerative Cotton Fund and other projects at the Soil Health Institute. She is an applied soil physicist specializing in soil physical health and socioeconomic dynamics of soil management. Her research includes developing functions that show the effect of soil carbon on plant-available water, selection of the most effective soil health indicators for the North American continent, on-farm soil health assessments, qualitative analysis of farmer interviews, development of novel soil structure scanning methodology, and both measurement and modeling of preferential water flow in shrink-swell soils. Dr. Bagnall received her PhD from Texas A&M University. She is an adjunct assistant professor at Texas A&M University, the 2024 recipient of the Agronomy Society of America’s Early Career Award, and an Associate Editor for both Vadose Zone Journal and Soil Security.
Dr. Tayler Ulbrich earned a PhD at the Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) in 2022 before starting her role as associate director for engagement with the KBS Long-Term Agroecosystem Research program (LTAR) in 2023. Tayler's PhD took an interdisciplinary approach to agroecosystems, focusing on both the ecological dynamics of plants and microbes, as well the social science of how Michigan farmers' perceive and value soil health. In this work, Tayler recognized the need to connect farmer and scientist ways of knowing. Tayler identifies herself as an interdisciplinary scientist, systems thinker, and boundary spanner passionate about transforming our agricultural systems. In her current role with the LTAR she leads efforts to co-produce research with scientists and agricultural professionals.
JSWC, the multidisciplinary journal of the Soil and Water Conservation Society published by Taylor & Francis, focuses on natural resource conservation research, practice, policy, and perspectives. For more information on the journal, visit www.tandfonline.com/uswc.