Earth Precision Agriculture
August 10-14, Calgary, AB, Canada
Soil Health Conference Track
Cultivating the foundation of sustainable agriculture through science-driven soil health practices that enhance productivity, conserve resources, and build resilience for future generations
Aboout this track
The soil health conference track welcomes research and innovations that demonstrate how scientific innovation and on-the-ground practices are advancing sustainable agriculture through the enhancement of soil vitality and conservation. The conference seeks research and case studies that provide actionable insights to improve soil structure, conserve natural resources, and build long-term resilience in our global food systems.
The track emphasizes how complementary, multidisciplinary approaches can generate richer insights into agricultural soil management. We invite submissions that explore a wide range of research, from the dynamics of soil organic matter and carbon sequestration to cutting-edge investigations into emerging contaminants like nanoplastics and microplastics in agricultural soils. The conference connects fundamental soil microbiology with climate-smart agricultural practices and policy dimensions.
Attendees of this conference track will benefit from the broader Earth Precision Agriculture environment, gaining access to 20 complementary tracks. This cross-pollination ensures that soil conservation strategies are integrated with the latest advancements in precision technology, accelerating the transition toward truly sustainable farming systems.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
Soil Health and Ecosystem Function
- Soil Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Research on the diversity and function of soil organisms and their contribution to nutrient cycling, pest suppression, and overall ecosystem resilience.
- Soil Organic Matter Dynamics: Studies on the formation, stabilization, and management of soil organic matter and its role in carbon sequestration and soil fertility.
- Soil-Plant Interactions: Investigations into the complex relationships between soil properties, microbial communities, and plant health, growth, and nutrient uptake.
Sustainable Agricultural Practices
- Regenerative Agriculture and Agroecology: Research and case studies on the implementation and outcomes of regenerative and agroecological farming systems.
- Cover Cropping and Conservation Tillage: Studies on the impacts of cover crops, no-till, and reduced tillage systems on soil health, water management, and crop yields.
- Integrated Nutrient and Pest Management: Innovations in managing nutrients and pests to optimize crop production while minimizing environmental impacts.
Climate-Smart Agriculture and Soil Carbon
- Soil Carbon Sequestration: Research on practices and methodologies for enhancing soil carbon storage in agricultural landscapes.
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Studies on the measurement and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural soils.
- Climate Resilience: Investigations into how healthy soils contribute to the resilience of farming systems to climate change impacts such as drought and extreme weather events.
Soil and Water Conservation
- Erosion Control and Prevention: Research on innovative practices and technologies for controlling soil erosion by water and wind.
- Water-Use Efficiency and Irrigation Management: Studies on improving water-use efficiency in agriculture through soil management and advanced irrigation techniques.
- Watershed-Scale Conservation: Case studies and modeling of the impacts of agricultural conservation practices on water quality and watershed health.
Emerging Contaminants: Nanoplastics and Microplastics in Agricultural Soils
- Sources and Pathways in Agricultural Systems: Research on agricultural plastic mulch films, plastic-coated fertilizers, irrigation water, atmospheric deposition, and infrastructure as sources of micro- and nanoplastic contamination in soils.
- Detection, Characterization, and Quantification: Development and application of advanced analytical methods (spectroscopy, microscopy, mass spectrometry) for detecting and characterizing micro- and nanoplastics in soil matrices, including standardized sampling and extraction protocols.
- Impacts on Soil Health and Ecosystem Function: Studies examining effects on soil physical and chemical properties, microbial communities, soil fauna, and interactions with other soil contaminants.
- Plant Uptake and Food Chain Transfer: Research on root uptake mechanisms, translocation to edible plant parts, phytotoxicity, and food safety implications of micro- and nanoplastics in agricultural systems.
- Mitigation and Remediation Strategies: Studies on biodegradable alternatives, bioremediation and biodegradation approaches, soil amendments for immobilization, and best management practices to minimize plastic pollution in agriculture.
- Policy and Risk Assessment: Development of environmental risk assessment frameworks, regulatory standards, life cycle assessments, and stakeholder engagement strategies for managing micro- and nanoplastic contamination.
Technology and Innovation in Soil Management
- Precision Agriculture and Digital Soil Mapping: Application of GPS, remote sensing, and other digital tools for site-specific soil management.
- Soil Health Assessment and Monitoring: Development and application of novel sensors, indicators, and methods for assessing and monitoring soil health.
- Data Analytics for Soil Management: Use of data analytics and machine learning to inform soil management decisions and predict outcomes.
Policy, Economics, and Social Dimensions
- Economic Benefits of Soil Health: Research on the return on investment and economic advantages of adopting soil health and conservation practices.
- Farmer Adoption and Decision-Making: Studies on the social and economic factors influencing farmer adoption of new practices.
- Policy and Governance: Analysis of local, national, and international policies and programs designed to promote soil health and conservation.
Track Chairs
Prof. Adrian Unc
Agronomist, Soil scientist, and Environmental Microbiologist
School of Science and the Environment
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Dr. Henry Chau
Research Scientist
Soil Conservation and Land Resilience
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Dr. Farhad Maleki
Director
Centre for Precision Agriculture
University of Calgary
At a Glance
- Conference Track: Soil Health Conference at EPA 2026
- When: August 10-14, 2026
- Where: BMO Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Partner Airlines: Air Canada, WestJet, and Lufthansa Group (exclusive discounts available)
- Partner Hotels: Hyatt Regency Calgary and Sandman Signature Downtown, both within walking distance
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What are the dates and location for the Soil Health Conference 2026?
The conference is scheduled for August 10-14, 2026, at the BMO Centre in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We offer exclusive travel discounts through our partner airlines (Air Canada, WestJet, and Lufthansa Group) and discounted rates at our partner hotels (Hyatt Regency Calgary and Sandman Signature Downtown), both within walking distance of the venue.
Q2: What topics will be discussed at the soil health conference?
The key focus areas include soil biodiversity, sustainable agricultural practices, climate-smart agriculture, soil and water conservation, emerging contaminants (nanoplastics/microplastics), and the policy and economic dimensions of soil management.
Q3: Who should attend the soil health conference?
This conference track is designed for agronomists, soil scientists, environmental microbiologists, conservationists, and agricultural policymakers dedicated to improving soil vitality and building resilience in food systems.
Q4: Can I publish my research presented at the soil health conference?
Absolutely. This program offers excellent publication opportunities. All accepted abstracts will be published in the official EPA proceedings. Furthermore, selected submissions that meet the scope and rigor of the special issues dedicated to the conference tracks of EPA 2026 will be invited to submit to a long list of reputable peer-reviewed journals.