Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) will welcome Retired Colonel Kim “KC” Campbell to deliver the keynote address at the 18th annual Conservation in Action Tour Banquet on May 6. This year’s Tour, May 6-7 in Sioux Falls, is a unique planting-season Tour that includes multiple farm stops and behind-the-scenes industry events so attendees can get new perspectives on how management practices in the fall and early spring help optimize crop production for a cropping year.

Kick off with a gripping keynote from an A-10 Thunderbolt pilot: Campbell draws from an extraordinary combat experience to reveal how courage has the power to transform both leaders and teams — whether you’re navigating everyday challenges or high-stakes situations. She will take you inside the cockpit of her fighter jet during a harrowing mission when her aircraft was struck by enemy fire. Through this life-changing experience, Kim shares why courageous leadership and teamwork are essential for elevating performance.

The May 6 banquet also features:

  • Locally Led Conservation: Angela Ehlers, Executive Director, South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts
  • Global Vision for Biofuels Industry: Doug Berven, VP Corporate Affairs, POET
  • Conservation Connector: Connecting Producers with Local Programs and Support
    • Leif Fixen, North American Agriculture Strategy Manager, The Nature Conservancy
    • Drew Kessler, Senior Scientist, Houston Engineering

May 7 Program

The Conservation in Action Tour begins May 7 with an exclusive experience at the U.S. Geological Survey Earth Resources Observation and Science Center (EROS), which manages the flights for the Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 satellites. The images constitute the largest civilian collection of the Earth to show how land use has changed over time and provide insights on drought management, invasive species and managing severe weather events. Speakers include:

  • Terry Sohl, Branch Chief, Integrated Science and Applications, USGS EROS
  • Dr. Heath Hagy, Project Leader, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET)

Get on-farm with Ryan and Christine Larson, producers in Minnehaha County. See first-hand how young farmers evolved from a traditional system to conservation management practices with a focus on economics and efficiency. Speakers and topics include:

  • Technical assistance and incentive programs, Tony Sunseri, South Dakota State Conservationist
  • Crop insurance for conservation management
    • Cristin Weber, Data Strategy Manager, Precision Risk Management
    • Anthony Bly, SDSU Extension Soil Fields Specialist

Lunch program at The Morton Center

  • Public programs to support habitats on private lands, Kevin Robling, Secretary, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks:
  • Family Farm Legacies and Common-Sense Conservation, Governor Larry Rhoden (invited):
  • Featured Panel Discussion: Real Talk on the State of Soil Conservation
    • Brian Hefty, CEO, Hefty Seed
    • Brian Chatham, Manager of Agronomy, Ducks Unlimited
    • Moderated by Mike Lessiter, President of Lessiter Media

The afternoon stop will be at the Stiefvater farm, winners of the American Soybean Association’s 2025 Conservation Legacy Award for the Upper Midwest Region. Kurt and Kathy grow 1,800 acres of oats, corn, soybeans, alfalfa and sorghum in a no-till system that has been in place for 25 years. Cover crops after small grains provide cattle feed in winter, and cows calve in April and May.

  • Tour stations will include infiltration testing, equipment demonstrations, and grazing demonstrations
  • In partnership with South Dakota Soil Health Coalition, Cindy Zenk, Executive Director

End the day with a visit to the Falls Park in downtown Sioux Falls and a closing cocktail reception and CTIC Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Learn how urban planning and agriculture production work together in this success story of shared resource management that ensures water quality and availability for the region.

  • Paul TenHaken (invited), Mayor of the City of Sioux Falls
  • Barry Berg (invited), Senior Watershed Program Manager, The Big Sioux River Project, East Dakota Water Development District
  • Rachel Kloos, Board Member/Treasurer, Friends of Big Sioux River

Closing Reception Presenters:

  • Michelle Hummel, American Soybean Association
  • Alexandra Dunn, President and CEO of CropLife America
  • Louis Aspey (invited), Acting Chief, USDA-NRCS
  • Hall of Fame Inductee Recognition
    • Dr. Dwayne Beck
    • David Brandt (posthumous)

Regular registration is open until April 15, and special pricing for producers is available by contacting Tour Director Elise Koning. Special group pricing is available, and complimentary media passes are limited and available upon request.

A room block at the Holiday Inn City Centre in Sioux Falls is available until April 5.

Learn more about the 2025 Conservation in Action Tour here.

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