On Thursday, February 26, 2026 we’ll gather at the Ovintiv Centre in Dawson Creek, BC for the 4th annual Below Ground Soil Health Conference — a full day built around what producers in the Peace are actually trying to do: protect their soils, raise good forage, run cattle, and make the numbers work.

This isn’t a conference about theory. It’s about what works here.

Why “Below Ground” still matters

Soil health isn’t a one-and-done topic. In the Peace Region we deal with short growing seasons, variable moisture, and a wide range of soil conditions within a single farm — even within a single field. That makes every management decision matter: how we graze, whether we feed biology, how we fertilize, how we manage for compaction, and how we set up our fencing and water systems.

“Below Ground” started four years ago because producers asked for local, practical information — not a generic soil lecture pulled from a different province. Each year we’ve added more producer voices, more regional research, and more space to ask honest questions. This year we’re doubling down on that.

Our goal for 2026 is simple: we want at least 80% of the people in the room to be working farmers and ranchers.Agrologists, industry, and land managers are absolutely welcome (we need you!), but we want the conversations to be driven by the people who are actually seeding, grazing, calving, and putting up feed.

What’s on the program?

Here’s a look at the 2026 lineup.

1. Producer Panel — local and current

We’ll open with a producer panel featuring farmers and ranchers from northern BC and Alberta who will talk about what they tried in the last year — what paid off, what didn’t, and what they would do differently. It’s always one of the most popular parts of the day because it’s field-tested, not hypothetical. Expect to hear about forage stands, grazing tweaks, water set-ups, and how people are dealing with tight labor and tighter margins.

Why it matters: you get to benchmark against people farming the same climate, same markets, and often the same soil series as you.

2. Tim Repas (Fixed Earth) — The Plant as a Microbial Ecosystem

We’re really excited to bring in Tim Repas to talk about something we don’t always break down clearly: what’s actually happening around the root, and why that matters for yield, pasture performance, and resilience.

Plants aren’t just sitting in soil — they’re managing a whole microbial ecosystem around their roots. The better we are at supporting that biology (through living roots, reduced disturbance, smart fertility, and good grazing), the more our soil can cycle nutrients on its own.

Take-home: you’ll leave with a clearer mental model for what you’re trying to encourage below ground, and how to make your management line up with that.

3. Agri-Tech Breakouts — variable rate or virtual fencing

Not every operation is going to jump into every technology. That’s why this year’s conference has breakout sessions so you can pick what’s most relevant to your farm or ranch:

• Variable Rate: where it actually pencils for annual crop operations, where to start small, and how to use your soil data.

• Virtual Fencing: real-world use in our region, costs, collar logistics, base stations, and where it makes sense in rotational or targeted grazing.

Why it matters: these technologies can save time, fuel, and labor — but only if they match your scale and terrain. We want you to be able to say, “Yes, this is for me,” or “Not yet,” with confidence.

4. Mental health for farmers and ranchers

It’s hard to talk about improving soil health if the people managing that soil are running on empty. We’re including a farmer mental health piece again this year — practical, local, and respectful. It’s not about telling you what to feel; it’s about showing what support exists in ag communities, how to recognize when the load is too heavy, and how to help a neighbor.

Why it matters: healthy people make better long-term decisions for their land.

5. Managing a store without staff & agri-business economics

We heard from several producers who are diversifying — farm stores, on-farm sales, small direct-to-consumer setups — but who can’t afford to staff it five or six days a week.

So we’re showcasing how to manage a store without staff and pairing it with agri-business economics. Think systems, margins, and cashflow that doesn’t keep you up at night. If you’ve ever thought, “Could we sell more of our own product if we made it easy for people to buy?” — this breakout is a good place to start.

6. Vermicomposting potential

This is the “what else can we do with what we already have?” session. Vermicomposting (using worms to break down organic material) is a simple way to turn waste streams into biology-rich material that can help improve soil structure and plant health. It’s not just for gardeners — there are practical, scalable versions for ag.

7. Closing inspiration — a farmer’s view on regenerative agriculture

We’ll close the day with a look at regenerative agriculture from a local farmer’s perspective. Not a 200-page manifesto — just what’s working, what’s realistic in the Peace, and how to try one or two new things in 2026 without risking the whole farm.

Event details

Event: Below Ground 2026 – Soil Health Conference
Theme: Farmer First, Results-Focused
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (doors & coffee at 8:30)
Location: Ovintiv Centre, Dawson Creek, BC
Host/Partners: Peace Region Living Lab and its 8 partner groups
Tickets & registration: https://BelowGround2026.eventbrite.com
Early-bird pricing until January 31

Lunch, coffee, and networking are included.