New event will focus on soil health, economic viability, and farm succession in Mid-Atlantic region

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HARRISBURG, Pa. — Mid-Atlantic farmers focused on long-term soil vitality, operational resilience, and farm succession will gather in Pennsylvania’s capital next winter for the inaugural GROUNDWORK: Mid-Atlantic Soil Health Conference.

Scheduled for February 24–25, 2027, at The Central Hotel & Conference Center in Harrisburg, the two-day event is designed as a farmer-curated alternative to traditional agricultural trade shows. Organizers emphasize peer-to-peer learning, applied science, and candid group discussions rather than commercial sales pitches.

Illustrated farm landscape with sunlit fields, river, cows, and barn; text reads GROUNDWORK 27 and Mid-Atlantic Soil Health Conference.

The speaker lineup features prominent agricultural voices including Rick Clark, John Kempf, Trey Hill, Steve Groff, Jason Mauck, and Dr. Dave Kohl, alongside breakout sessions led by regional growers sharing practical field experience. Networking events, including the GROUNDWORK Gathering on the evening of February 23 and a Cover Crop Social on February 24, will bracket the main conference sessions.

Who is the conference for?

The event web page states the event is for "farmers who are already doing things differently – or who want to. If you've been experimenting with cover crops, no-till, or regenerative practices, you'll find your people here."

GROUNDWORK is a joint initiative of the Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance and Vantage: Virginia No-Till Alliance, with additional support from regional partners such as the Northeast Cover Crops Council, American Farmland Trust, Sustainable Chesapeake, and the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.

Producers and agricultural professionals interested in attending can join the registration waitlist or review sponsorship details online at groundworkagconference.com.