CANVAS in the Field Program | Science Societies

Program & schedule

Real application. Real connections. Real regional impact.

CANVAS in the Field is a unique 2-day conference with an optional 1-day tour that brings together the regional expertise and experiences that will deliver immersive, hands-on, and tangible learning that emphasizes regional relevance. 

Located in Central Pennsylvania, the event is built for hands-on, deep collaborative experiences that provide attendees the opportunity to ask the questions that directly relate to their needs and challenges. 

  • Conference: July 22 - 23 2026
  • Conference attendees can add optional tour that takes place on July 21, 2026

***Space is limited: 150 for conference & 100 for tour ***

Registration will open April 15, 2016

CANVAS in the Field brand logo

Registration opens: 
April 15, 2026

Partner: Platform for Agriculture and Climate Transformation

Dates & deadlines:

  • Registration opens: April 15, 2026
  • Standard registration closes: June 15, 2026 (prices increase)

Registration fees:

  • Standard registration for conference: $300 for members and certified professionals | $470 for non-members
  • After June 15, 2026: $400 for members and certified professionals | $570 for non-members
  • Optional tour: $75

Earn up to 16 CEUs | Conference: 10 CEUs and optional Tour: 6 CEUs

Location:

The Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center | State College, PA 16803

Day 1 |  Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Morning

  • 7:30 – 8:30: Registration & networking breakfast (included)
  • 8:30 – 9:30: Opening plenary/keynote (joint session)
  • 9:30 - 10:00: Coffee break
  • 10 - 10:50 am: Breakout #1
    • Industry breakout #1
      • Soil health, water quality, and regulations/ Policy panel
      • 4R Strategy under tight margins
    • Research breakout #1
      • Translating soil health indicators and edge‑of‑field practices into farmer‑friendly recommendations
  • 11 am - 11:50 am: Breakout #2
    • Industry breakout #2
      • Pest Identification tools: AI and drones
      • Biologicals and new innovations in ag
    • Research breakout #2
      • Hybrid and variety Selection in an era of stress: drought, disease, and variable Soils
      • Weed Management, Insecticide, Plant Pathology, Entomology,

Afternoon

  • 12:00 – 1:30: Networking lunch (included)
  • 1:30 - 2:30: General Session 2
    • Farmer/CCA/Industry panel that incorporates on-farm research
  • 2:30 - 2:45 break
  • 2:45 - 4:00: Breakout Session 3
    • Industry Breakout #3 - case studies of on-farm research here
      • Panel/interactive session
      • Q&A/Case Studies
    • Research Breakout #3 - data collection
  • TBD DINNER OR EVENING EVENT

Day 2 - Thursday, July 23

Morning - 4 CEUS

  • 7:30 – 8:30: Networking breakfast (sponsorship opportunity)
  • 8:30 – 10:30: Breakout Sessions - SAC Day 3 could be here
    • Industry breakout #4
    • Research breakout #4
  • 10:30 - 10:45: Break
  • 10:45 - 12:00: Joint plenary + closing remarks (e.g., policy update, funding landscape, cross-cutting challenge)

PACT schedule: 8:30- 10:30 - set next steps/protocols/handbooks/getting everything into action

  • How do they build a network or group of on-farm researchers? Beginnings of network with Societies for on-farm research coalition

Hands-on Tour

Gain hands-on experience directly form the producers and workers who are implementing on-farm tactics and programs. This is an optional add-on available to those attending the conference. 

Start the event in the field with an optional one-day farm tour highlighting innovative on-farm research. 

Beginning at 1:00 PM (after lunch) and concluding with dinner; participants will visit regional farms and research locations (TBD) to explore soil health practices, crop management strategies, and collaborative research efforts. 

Designed for Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs), researchers, extension professionals, farmers, and industry innovators. 

This tour offers a unique opportunity to see research in action, exchange ideas, and build connections.

Speakers

Our speaker lineup features regional leaders who bridge the gap between theory and practice. These experts bring a wealth of Central Pennsylvania insight and proven strategies, offering attendees actionable solutions tailored for regional context necessary to solve today’s challenges.

David Bullock, PhD

David Bullock, PhD 

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Eric Rosenbaum, CCA

Eric Rosenbaum, CCA

Rosetree Consulting

Bob Waring

Bob Waring 

Co-Owner at Brandon Farms

TBD - coming soon

Coming Soon!

Ag leader & problem solver

Just a sampling of the impressive speaker line up!

Ekaterina Bazilevskaya | Assistant Research Professor, Director of SRCL, Penn State

  • Session: Alternative Amendments: Biochar and Biosolids

David Bullock|  University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

  • Sessions: Designing Research that Works on Real Farms | Farmer Decision Making

Nick Cizek |  Growers Edge

  • Session: Designing Research that Works on Real Farms

Tyler Groh | Associate Research Professor, Penn State

  • Session: Conservation Under Pressure: Water Qual & Emerging Contaminants 

Elizabeth Hawkins |  Ohio State University

  • Session: From Data to Decision: Making Precision Ag Pay in the NE

Andrew Mark Lefever | The Nature Conservancy, Penn State

  • Sessions: From Data to  Decision: Making Precision Ag Pay in the NE  | Manure Cover  Crops & Nutrient Efficiency in Livestock Systems

Heidi Reed | CCA Agronomy Educator Penn State Extension

  • Session: No-Till vs. Compaction

Jennifer Reed-Harry | PennAg Industries Association

  • Session: Ethics in Action: Farm Decision-Making

Erick Rosenbaum | Rosetree Consulting

  • Session: From Data to Decision: Making Precision Ag Pay in the NE

Frank Schneider | Bureau of Plant Industry, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

  • Session: Ethics in Action: Farm Decision-Making

Grant Troop |  AgXplore, CPAg, CCA

  • Session: Ag Retailer's Role in On-Farm Research

Bob Waring | Co-Owner at Brandon Farms

  • Session: Conservation Under Pressure: Water Qual & Emerging Contaminants

 

Don't just study the sciences — see it in action.

Join us for CANVAS in the Field

July 22 - 23, 2026 | The Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center, State College, PA  

Optional Tour: July 21, 2026