2026 MWCG Schedule

Schedule

Time	Session	Presenter
8 a.m.	Conference registration and check-in
8 – 9 a.m.	Breakfast and network with exhibitors
9 – 9:10 a.m.	Welcome and opening remarks
9:10 -10:10 a.m.	Plenary 1: Choosing Cover Crops to Meet Your Field’s Needs	Brad Zimmerman
10:10 -10:30 a.m.	Break and network with exhibitors
10:30-11:30 a.m.	Plenary 2: Principles of Soil Health: Expanding Diversity in Corn Belt Agriculture	Monte Bottens
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.	Networking Activity
12:15 -1:30 p.m.	Lunch and network with exhibitors
1:30-2:30 p.m.	Breakout sessions
	Breakout 1: Cover Crop Dates and Rates in Illinois	Nathan Johanning
	Breakout 2: Setting the Stage for High-Performing Wheat	Ken Dau Brad Zimmerman
	Breakout 3: Feeding Pigs With Small Grains	Levi Laird
2:30-2:50 p.m.	Break and network with exhibitors
2:50- 3:50 p.m.	Breakout sessions and closing remarks
	Breakout 1: Cover Crops: Roots of Resilience	Brian Corkill
	Breakout 2: Scaling Up Small-Grain Infrastructure To Grow a Business	Andy Hazzard Jeff Hake & Katie Funk
	Breakout 3: Grazing Cover Crops: A Conversation	Justin Rahn Doug Hanson
4 p.m.	Social begins!

Help guide the conversation

Interested in leading a small roundtable on a focused and relevant topic during the pre-lunch network time? Email solveig.orngard@practicalfarmers.org to share your idea.

Join us for a post-conference happy hour

Attend a farmer social immediately following the conference from 4 to 7 p.m. at Kep’s Sports Bar & Grill located at 313 Muller Rd, Washington, Illinois.

Grab a drink and continue conversations from the conference!

Practical Farmers of Iowa will provide drink tickets.