Many farmers rely too heavily on inputs and tillage, not realizing the toll — eroded soils, polluted waterways and strained communities, says Monte Bottens. The Cambridge, Ill., no-tiller and AgEmerge Podcast host unpacks the concept of “Principles-First Farming,” evaluating practices through 5 soil health principles to reduce 5 common excesses. “It’s about rethinking our approach for healthier land and stronger profits, not just maintaining the status quo,” Bottens says.

The 2024 NNTC Most Outstanding Speaker shares actionable insights on how “less can be more” with no-till and details how all attendees can step up and make a difference.

You’ll Learn: 5 practices to scale back on, how soil health principles shape smarter choices & the off-farm benefits of this paradigm shift.

The 34th Annual National No-Tillage Conference returns to St. Louis, Mo. on Jan. 6-9, 2026. Whether you're new to no-till or refining your system, this event delivers fast-paced learning from top no-till farmers, agronomists and experts. With 2 Pre-Conference Workshops, 13 No-Till General Sessions, 22 No-Till Classrooms and 40 No-Till Roundtables to choose from, plus opportunities to earn CCA credits, the 2026 No-Till Conference is a must-attend event for anyone looking to enhance their no-till farming practices.

View the full speaker agenda and topics here.

For more information about the 2026 National No-Tillage Conference, to register for the event and to book your hotel room visit NoTillConference.com. Use code SPEAKER50 for $50 off your registration.

The Conference extends its thanks to our 2026 sponsors: Ag Leader, Martin-Till, Yetter Farm Equipment, Bio Till Cover Crops, Copperhead Ag, The Andersons, HORSCH, Titan International, Midwest Bio-Tech, Vulcan Equipment and Total Farm Marketing.