August 19–20 • Montfort, WI
Building Profitable & Resilient Farms
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Registration Options
Select your ticket type below to secure your spot
First Attendee
$599
Regular price $699 after July 20th
Full 2-day workshop access
Farm-to-table lunch included both days
Printed workbook to take home
Access to field demonstrations
Recordings delivered digitally post-event
Additional Members
$549
Regular price $649 after July 20th
Full 2-day workshop access
Farm-to-table lunch included both days
Printed workbook to take home
Access to field demonstrations
Recordings delivered digitally post-event
EARLY BIRD ENDS SOON
Secure Your Spot
Register for this event!
Aug 19-20, 2026 | Hardscrabble Farms, Montfort, WI
What's Included
Full access to two days of classroom and field instruction
Recordings of workshop sessions to replay at your leisure
Comprehensive workshop materials and resources
Catered lunches featuring local farm ingredients
Direct networking with expert agronomists
Actionable frameworks for your own operation
TRANSFORM YOUR LAND
Why Attend?
Whether you're just beginning your regenerative journey or looking to take an established operation to the next level, you'll leave with practical, real-world ideas you can start implementing right away — grounded in hands-on field experience, not just theory. Both mornings pair directly with afternoon field sessions at Hardscrabble Farms, so you'll have the opportunity to see and discuss principles and practices in the field.
Soil Health
Unlock natural fertility and drastically reduce reliance on synthetic inputs by cultivating a robust subterranean microbiome.
Profitability
Lower your operating costs dramatically while maintaining or improving overall farm yields and enterprise margins.
Livestock Integration
Harness the power of adaptive multi-paddock grazing to accelerate topsoil regeneration and maximize forage utilization.
Cover Crops
Keep living armor on the soil year-round to drastically improve water infiltration, biology, and aggregate stability.
Hands-On Learning
Step out of the classroom and into the field for real-world demonstrations of soil diagnostics and agronomic principles.
WORLD-CLASS EXPERTISE
Meet Your Instructors
Brian Dougherty
REGENERATIVE AGRONOMY EXPERT
Brian Dougherty is a consultant with Understanding Ag and a former Iowa dairy farmer whose career bridges hands-on farming, ecological engineering, and soil health research. After earning degrees from Oregon State University and Iowa State University, conducting research on soil health and nutrient management, and traveling the world as a Nuffield Farming Scholar, Brian has dedicated his work to helping farmers improve soil function, water quality, and profitability. Drawing on both personal experience and leading regenerative agriculture pioneers, he now partners with producers to transition from chemistry-based farming to biologically driven systems that build healthier soils, more resilient farms, and stronger businesses.
Luke Jones
REGENERATIVE AGRONOMY EXPERT
Luke Jones is a consultant with Understanding Ag and a farmer in west-central Illinois, where he and his family raise Australian White sheep and row crops. After earning a degree in agricultural science and spending seven years in conventional ag retail, Luke was inspired by mentors, regenerative pioneers like Gabe Brown and Allen Williams, and his own on-farm experience to pursue a different path. Today, he helps farmers build resilient, profitable operations by applying regenerative principles that restore soil health, strengthen farm ecosystems, and create lasting success for future generations.
The VENUE
Hosted at Hardscrabble Farms
Jerry and Jennifer Volenec invite you to their family-run operation. Experience first-hand how regenerative agronomy and adaptive grazing are successfully implemented on a working farm in the Upper Midwest.
Hardscrabble Farms
13242 County Rd G, Montfort, WI 53569
2-Day Hands-On Workshop
Building Profitable and Resilient Farms in the Upper Midwest Agenda
Explore the foundations of soil biology and practical strategies to identify and relieve soil compaction.
Hands-on soil structure analysis and infiltration tests in the pasture.
Designing regenerative cropping systems with cover crops, nutrient management, and practical agronomic strategies.
See regenerative cropping systems in action and discuss practical management strategies in the field.
Measure forage biomass, discuss grazing strategies, and learn how to make informed management decisions in the field.
Setting up paddocks, observing animal impact, and managing recovery periods.
Reducing input costs while discussing direct marketing opportunities to build long-term farm profitability.
Open discussion with instructors and local producers sharing their transition experiences.
What You'll Learn
Soil Health
Analyze physical, chemical, and biological indicators of soil function to improve infiltration and structure.
Cover Crops
Master species selection, planting strategies, and effective termination methods for diverse rotations.
Adaptive Grazing
Implement multi-paddock grazing principles to maximize forage utilization and boost animal health.
Agronomy
Optimize nutrient cycling and pest management while strategically reducing synthetic inputs to maintain yield.
Soil Biology
Understand the soil food web and learn practical ways to foster highly beneficial microbial communities.
Profitability
Conduct thorough enterprise analysis to reduce input costs and capture premiums for regenerative products.
TESTIMONIALS
Real Results. Real Farms.
“Understanding Ag is an outstanding consultancy for anyone committed to advancing their agricultural practices through regenerative methods. Their unparalleled expertise, customized solutions, practical implementation, educational focus, proven results, commitment to improvement, and innovative mindset make them a valuable ally in the journey towards a more regenerative and productive future in agriculture.
“I had a budding interest in soil health before the project but had a very limited understanding of both the theory and practical implementation. As I was coached by Understanding Ag, I began to understand both better. Being a part of the UA project has given me hope that there is a better way to farm.”
“Gabe Brown has been one of the most influential people in my life when it comes to regenerative agriculture and soil health. He and the team at Understanding Ag have helped propel our farm forward by leaps and bounds with their great understanding of how the soil functions. We would not be where we are today if it wasn’t for Gabe and the team.”
PREPARE FOR THE WORKSHOP
Common Questions
Got questions before joining us? We've compiled the essentials to help you prepare. If you need more details, we're just an email away.
Who is this workshop for?
Whether you're a seasoned conventional farmer looking to transition, or already practicing regenerative methods and want to optimize your system, this workshop provides actionable insights for all experience levels.
Do I need prior regenerative farming experience?
Not at all. The curriculum starts with core soil health principles before advancing into technical agronomy and grazing management, making it accessible yet valuable for everyone.
What should I bring to the workshop?
Please bring comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear for the field demonstrations. We also recommend a notebook, water bottle, and an open mind. Lunch and learning materials are provided.
Are lodging accommodations included?
Lodging is not included in the registration fee and we do not have a host hotel for this event. The closest lodging options are a few local motels in Fennimore (about 15 minutes from the venue), with several additional hotels available in Dodgeville and Platteville (approximately 25 minutes from the venue).
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
Full refunds are not available. You will still receive the event recordings.
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