2027 Producers Conference
"Working with the Design"
Speaker Biographies
Glen Rabenberg
Glen Rabenberg is the founder and owner of Soil Works LLC. Born and raised in Bancroft, SD, he graduated from Desmet High School in 1980. He was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, General Agriculture and Agriculture Economics from South Dakota State University in 1985. Glen then went to work for Walco International as an Animal Science Technical Advisor. He spent most of the following years with Walco working with animal pharmaceuticals, veterinarians, and farmers. Through his experience he began to notice trends in the animal science industry. He saw that many of the diseases he was employed to treat were the result of nutritional deficiencies from poor grains and forage that the animals were consuming.
​
Rather than conforming to the traditional methods of soil science, Glen brings his knowledge of animal science and applies it to the soil. Many of the same required nutritional ratios shared by humans, animals, and plants are reflected in the soil. He believes that the soil is a living organism and that the health of the soil should be checked in the same manner that humans and animals are checked. Glen heavily relies on the electrical conductivity of the soil to tell him the pulse of the soil. He uses a soil respiration test to tell him how the soil is breathing. And, he uses a penetrometer as a stress test and soil/plant tissue tests as the blood panel/work. Glen has learned to use these simple tests to diagnose virtually every soil problem. He has successfully solved numerous soil problems by treating the soil as a living breathing organism and correcting the cause instead of reacting to symptoms.
​
Glen continues to search for new ways to restore the soil and aid in the production of quality food. He aims to “bring soil back to the way nature intended.” He still maintains his third generation farm in Bancroft, SD and travels the world solving the world’s soil problems with a little bit of simplicity and the “rite” tools.
Dr. Tom Dykstra
Dr. Tom Dykstra is an entomologist whose work focuses on insect behavior, plant health, and the interactions between plants and insects. His areas of interest include insect sensory systems, plant-insect interactions, and the factors that influence insect activity and pressure in agricultural systems. His work brings attention to the biological relationships between plant physiology, environmental conditions, and insect behavior.
​
Dr. Dykstra regularly shares his knowledge and perspectives through presentations and educational events with growers and agricultural professionals. His approach encourages a deeper understanding of the factors influencing plant health and insect populations, providing agricultural audiences with insights into the complex relationships that shape crop production and insect management.
Vivian Kaloxilos
Vivian Kaloxilos is an ecologist and founder of Docterre, a Québec-based soil consulting and laboratory service specializing in soil ecology, microscopy and applied soil-life regeneration. A graduate of McGill University's School of Environment, Vivian further developed her ecological field experience through the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama before studying soil biology under Dr. Elaine Ingham.
She became an international mentor and trainer within the Soil Foodweb community before founding Docterre in 2015. Today, she works with farmers, land stewards, compost producers and agricultural professionals across Canada and internationally, helping them understand, measure and regenerate the biological systems that drive healthy soils. She was also one of the creators of Montréal's Living Soils Symposium.
Dr. Stephan van Vliet
Dr. Stephan Van Vliet is a nutrition scientist and Assistant Professor at Utah State University, where his research explores the connection between agriculture, food quality, and human health. His work brings together farmers, ecologists, and agricultural scientists to examine how production practices influence the nutrient density of food and, ultimately, human health. Dr. van Vliet holds a PhD in Kinesiology and Community Health from the University of Illinois and has completed research training at Washington University School of Medicine and Duke University.
Greg Moline
From the town of Canwood, SK, Greg was raised on the family farm where he developed his rural roots and an appreciation for the important work that all farmers dedicate themselves to. After leaving the family farm in his early adult years, he successfully forged his path in several industries where he became well traveled and well versed. This variety of experience coincidentally led him back to agriculture where he found the purpose of his work was strongest. He shut down his reputable construction company and diverted all efforts to this new direction.
​
Greg’s commitment to agricultural business started at the Soil Food Web in the early 2000’s. Working with Elaine Ingham and other big industry names, he often felt everyone he was working with only had a piece to the puzzle and no one had a complete solution to remedying soil health issues that directly affect farmers and their bottom lines. With lack of continuity and support for alternative solutions, Greg began working on a systems based approach to correcting the cause of soil health concerns. After meeting pivotal people like Glen Rabenberg and Steve Weston, the picture began to become clear. Many years of trials and tribulations that were driven by genuine curiosity and perseverance, resulted in Greg achieving his goal. Providing effective products and philosophies to producers who are looking to regain control of their farms and rejuvenate the health of their soils.
​
20 Years later, Greg lives on a 60 acre saskatoon berry farm in Leduc County, AB, with his manufacturing business being established on the adjacent land. His goal of building his own manufacturing facility was achieved by Jan 2021 where he can now concentrate his efforts with the facilities required to ensure its success. He remains passionate about educating producers and pushing the knowledge base forward towards a future where farmers have regained control of their land and its output. With an uncertain future ahead of us this dedication and knowledge comes at a critical time.
Urs Studhalter
Urs Studhalter is a Québec dairy and crop producer and co-owner of Ferme IRMA in Saint-Albert, Québec. Originally from a Swiss farming family that settled in Québec in 1995, Urs and his brother took over the family farm in 2002 and have since developed it into a large, diversified dairy and cropping operation.
Today, Ferme IRMA encompasses hundreds of hectares of crop production alongside a large dairy herd, with a strong emphasis on forage quality, practical agronomy, technology and continuous improvement. Over the years, Urs has been willing to test new approaches—from direct seeding and crop diversification to innovative calf-rearing and ventilation systems developed through Cornell University.
A respected producer and frequent speaker at agricultural events, Urs brings a practical perspective to the challenges of modern farming: how to continually improve an operation, adopt new ideas and technologies, and remain competitive while building a resilient and progressive farm. In 2024, Ferme IRMA was awarded third place nationally in Québec's prestigious Ordre national du mérite agricole.
Brian Luce
Brian Luce is a longtime Alberta producer who, along with his wife Gail and their family, owns and operates Lucend’s Ranch near Ponoka, AB. With decades of experience in agriculture, Brian has developed a practical understanding of the connections between land, livestock, food and people. His approach reflects a commitment to continual learning, adapting to changing conditions, and looking at the farm as an interconnected living system.
Through years of observation and experience, Brian has developed a perspective that encourages producers to look beyond individual practices and consider how the pieces work together to create healthier, more productive and resilient agricultural systems.