No-Till Farmer founder and editor Frank Lessiter returns to the National No-Tillage Conference stage, Jan. 7 in St. Louis, to moderate a thought-provoking discussion with No-Till Innovators Jim Moseley, Rodney Rulon and Lisa Holscher on the critical role farmer-to-farmer mentorship plays in advancing no-till, cover crops and other conservation practices.
The panel will shine light on the true value of existing mentorship programs and share new ideas on where you can find real opportunities to connect, learn and grow with fellow no-tillers.
Session: Farmer Mentorship & Conservation Innovation
Date & Time: Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 12:30 p.m.
Format: Networking Lunch (included with registration)
Location: General Session Room
The National No-Tillage Conference runs Jan. 6–9 at the Hyatt Regency at the Arch in St. Louis. Registration is now open at NoTillConference.com.
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About the Speakers
Frank Lessiter
The only editor of No-Till Farmer since its first edition in 1972, Frank Lessiter has been dubbed the “Johnny Appleseed of conservation tillage” for publishing the only independent vehicle dedicated to growers learning directly from one another about the do’s and don’ts of no-till farming.
Jim Moseley
Jim Moseley is a third-generation farmer from Clarks Hill, Ind., where he grew corn and soybeans across 2,800 acres for over 30 years. He was also managing partner of Infinity Pork, LLC, raising 50,000 hogs per year.
Moseley was sworn in as the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture in July 2001. He oversaw the day-to-day operations of the agency and supervised its budget. Moseley left his post in April 2005 to return to farming full-time.
Moseley has played a key role in developing public policy for agriculture, the environment and natural resources conservation at the state and national levels throughout his storied career. In 2024, he was one of the co-founders of the Farm Advisors mentorship program.
Rodney Rulon
No-Till Innovator Rodney Rulon runs a family farm — Rulon Enterprises — in Arcadia, Ind., where he continues a seven-generation tradition of sustainable and environmentally responsible farming. Rulon Enterprises was honored by the American Soybean Association with the 2012 National Conservation Legacy Award.
Rulon has been responsible for leading his farm’s development of a production system focused on Maximum Economic Yield. He manages the farm’s drainage system design, soil sampling and fertility, and conservation programs. He currently serves as chairman of the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Lisa Holscher
No-Till Innovator Lisa Holscher was raised on a farm in southwest Indiana, where her family continues to use no-till and cover crops. Holscher joined the Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative (CCSI) in 2012 as a program manager and the lone full-time employee.
Officially launched in 2009 as an Indiana Conservation Program, CCSI promotes soil health on Indiana cropland. Over the past decade, CCSI has expanded from a single employee and a pair of contractors to a team that includes 4 program managers and 3 Purdue Extension agronomists.
The organization provides a full soil health training curriculum and also works with partners to promote and execute the partners’ outreach events, reaching up to 8,000 people per year.
