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 ***

CANVAS in the Field brand logo
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Partner: Platform for Agriculture and Climate Transformation

Sponsorship Prospectus

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

Conference agenda

Day 1 |  Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Morning

  • 7:30 – 8:30: Registration & networking breakfast (included)
  • 8:30 - 9:30 | General Session #1 

Opening Session: What Farmers Actually Consider When Making Decisions
   CEU: 1.0 Crop Management

Industry breakout: From Data to Decisions: Making Precision Ag Pay in the Northeast
   CEU: 1.0 Precision Ag

Research breakout: Coordinating Research Across Farms: Networked Science
   CEU: 1.0 Crop Management

  • Kayla Driver, Cover Crop Council
  • 11 AM - 12 PM | Breakout Session #2

Industry breakout: Alternative Soil Amendments: Biochar and Biosolids
   CEU: 1.0 Nutrient Management 

Lunch break

  • 12:00-1:30 PM | Lunch included

Research breakout: Reduced Tillage Systems: What the Data Shows
   CEU: 1.0 Nutrient Management

Afternoon

  • 1:30 - 2:30 | Breakout Session #3

Industry breakout: Ethics in Farm Decision-making
  CEU: 1.0 Ethics

 Research breakout: Ethics in Agronomy Research
  CEU: 1.0 Ethics

  • Jerry Hatfield, Retired USDA-ARS Laboratory Director for National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment, currently Agricultural Consultant
  • 2:45 - 4:00 | General Session #2

Industry breakout: Conservation Under Pressure: Water Quality & Emerging Contaminants
  CEU: 1.0 Soil & Water 

Evening connect / collaborate

  • 6:00 PM | Offsite dinner included at Axemann Brewery

Day 2 - Thursday, July 23, 2026

Morning

  • 8:30 - 9:20 | General Session #2

Studying and Improving Nitrogen Management on Manured Farms 
  CEU: 1.0 Nutrient Management

  • 9:30 - 10:30 | General Session #3

Ag Retailer’s Role in On-Farm Research
  CEU: 1.0 Precision Ag

  • 10:45 AM - 12 PM | General Session #4

Closing Session: Designing Research That Works on Real Farms
  CEU: 1.0 Crop Management 

Conclusion

12:00 PM | Event concludes

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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.

Emily Ball, MS

Emily Ball, MS

Soil Health Institute

David Bullock, PhD

David Bullock, PhD 

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Andrew Mark Lefever

Andrew Mark Lefever 

The Nature Conservancy

Elizabeth Hawkins

Elizabeth Hawkins, PhD

Ohio State University

Jerry Hatfield

Jerry Hatfield 

Retired USDA-ARS Laboratory Director for National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment

Eric Rosenbaum, CCA

Eric Rosenbaum, CCA

Rosetree Consulting

Femeena Pandara Valappil

Femeena Pandara Valappil, PhD

Assistant Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Penn State

Bob Waring

Bob Waring 

Co-Owner at Brandon Farms

Just a sampling of the impressive speaker line up!

Emily Ball, MS | Soil Health Educator, Soil Health Institute

  • Session: Coordinating Research Across Farms: Networked Science

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

Heather Karsten, PhD | Associate Professor of Crop Production / Ecology, Penn State

  • Session: Manure Cover Crops & Nutrient Efficiency in Livestock Systems

Armen R. Kemanian, PhD | Interim Department Head and Professor of Production Systems and Modeling, Penn State

  • 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

Pat Sherren | Metzler Forest Products / Metzler Biochar

  • Session: Alternative Soil Amendments: Biochar and Biosolids

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

Register now
CANVAS in the Field