Collaborative Farm Tour Highlights Importance of Conserving Endangered Species

The third annual Endangered Species Act (ESA) Farm Tour took place from September 14-16, 2026, accommodating around 40 participants in Minnesota and South Dakota. Organized by prominent organizations such as the National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants (NAICC), the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA), and the Foundation for Environmental Agriculture Education (FEAE), this event brought together key stakeholders in agriculture, conservation, and technology.

Participants embarked on a journey to the Hiebert family farm near Iroquois, South Dakota. This visit emphasized the use of rotational grazing and cover crops as effective methods for enhancing soil health, water quality, and livestock production. Dawn Refsell, Ph.D., who serves as President-Elect of WSSA and participated in this year’s tour, articulated the essence of the event: “Every ESA farm tour underscores the value of bringing regulators, researchers, crop consultants, conservation specialists, and agricultural practitioners together in the field. This collaboration aids in identifying viable approaches that promote environmental stewardship alongside agricultural productivity.”

The diverse background of attendees contributed to insightful discussions, with representatives joining from noteworthy entities like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and renowned universities. Over three days, the focus was on how to harness conservation practices and technological advancements to balance productive farming with the protection of threatened species.

The event kicked off at Split Rock Creek State Park near Jasper, Minnesota. Discussions highlighted the ongoing habitat restoration efforts for the Topeka shiner, an endangered freshwater minnow. Participants were educated about ESA mitigation measures and their significance in safeguarding such species.

A fascinating aspect of the tour involved discussions on precision agriculture. University of Minnesota researchers provided updates on current studies tackling soil conservation, soil health, and erosion mitigation. A pivotal moment was a visit to Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative in Renville, where attendees explored pest management solutions for combating weed and disease challenges, and learned how crop rotation systems contribute to soil health by reducing erosion in low-residue crops.

On the second day, the focus shifted back to the Hiebert farm, showcasing how rotational grazing and cover cropping are employed to regenerate soil health and improve water quality, while ensuring sustainable livestock production. Participants also experienced an aerial application demonstration, observing how fixed-wing aircraft can efficiently manage pesticide applications around sensitive areas.

The group reconvened in Brookings, South Dakota, where discussions centered around the challenges presented by ESA requirements for weed management. Innovative technologies designed to target weeds and variable-rate nitrogen application methods were discussed as potential solutions for local farmers.

Steve Hoffman, Managing Agronomist at Indepth Agronomy in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, expressed optimism about the collaborative efforts among agency leaders and agricultural practitioners. “The open discussions we had during the tour made it clear to me that crop consultants have a central role to play in helping farmers implement the new pesticide ESA requirements. I came away from the tour feeling that this dialogue is essential for building trust and developing collaborative solutions that benefit both agriculture and species conservation.”

James Todd from Plainview, Texas, an independent crop consultant who attended the tour, valued the real-world interactions that took place. “The chance to discuss pest-management decisions and conservation practices in the field was incredibly beneficial. Integrating field experience and science forms the basis of informed agricultural decision-making while protecting the ecosystem.”

As we move forward, the insights gained from the ESA Farm Tour serve as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that effective collaboration across regulatory, academic, and agricultural sectors is critical in addressing the complex challenges of endangered species conservation. For more information on the WSSA and its initiatives, visit WSSA Endangered Species. To learn about NAICC and FEAE, check out NAICC and FEAE.