The VBCD is excited to host our nineteenth Farming for the Future Conference! Supporting your farm, business, and stewardship is important to us. We bring you the resources, experts, and topics to support your vital work. We’re excited for you to join us!
Farming for the Future
Date & Time: March 11, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Van Buren Conference Center | 490 S Paw Paw St., Lawrence, MI 49064
Registration required. Lunch will be provided. To register, click the link below.
Keynote Speaker John Pike: “Why Cover Crop Systems Make Sense: Overcoming Myths About Cover Crop Adoption”
John Pike is a sixth generation farmer from Marion, IL, and operates Pike Ag, LLC, providing agronomic consulting and contract research services for the ag industry. He coordinates nitrogen research in southern Illinois in collaboration with the IL Fertilizer and Chemical Association and the IL Nutrient Research and Education Council. He is also involved with a statewide cover crop management project, as well as other initiatives focusing on wheat management, water quality and nutrient management. He is a former Research Agronomist with the University of Illinois, has worked in Extension, taught agronomy at a community college and worked in ag retail.
John will be kicking off the conference talking about how cover crops are a tool that can move you to a more regenerative farm. With years of cover crop and nutrient management research under his belt, John will demystify the challenges perceived by farmers. You won’t have any excuses not to use them on your farm after you hear John’s research.
Breakout Sessions
We will have 3 breakout tracks:
- Livestock
- Perennial Crops
- Grain Crops
Questions & Assistance
For questions or assistance, contact us or Senior Conservation Specialist Colleen Forestieri.
AgConservation@VanBurenCD.org
269-657-4030 x3093
info@VanBurenCD.org
Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)
269-657-4030 x5
1035 E Michigan Ave, Paw Paw, MI 49079
Cancellations
In the event of inclement weather or other changes, we will notify registered attendees of event cancellation.
Accessibility
This event is held indoors. We encourage all attendees to be mindful of their abilities and needs and other conditions that could affect their ability to participate. When able, the VBCD is committed to providing accommodations.
- Clothing & footwear: We encourage all participants to wear the proper clothing and footwear when attending our events.
- Interpretation: For folks needing interpretation, we ask that you contact us prior to the event. With advance notice, we strive to accommodate interpretation requests, including but not limited to, Spanish and American Sign Language.
- Parking: Parking is available on paved surfaces and with marked and accessible parking spaces.
- Terrain: Parking is available on paved, even surfaces but may be icy and snow-covered depending on the weather. Indoors, the floor is carpeted or tiled.
- Physical ability: This event is held indoors and is primarily seated with options to stand. There will be transitional times to move around and change rooms during session changes.
- Sensory: The indoor environments may have lighting, scents, sounds, sights, and other stimuli which could affect those with sensory sensitivities.
- Restrooms: Restrooms are available with accessible stalls. Contact us for event site information.
- Other accommodations: For any accommodation-minded considerations not covered above, please contact us.
To check on event-specific accessibility, or for general questions, please contact us.
