skyline of Portland OR for CANVAS 2026

Tours & Workshops

Hands-on & applied learning: in action

Go beyond the meeting room with CANVAS tours and workshops. Explore innovative research, discover local agriculture and science in action, build practical skills, and connect with colleagues through immersive, hands-on experiences.

Register for CANVAS to sign up for these events, or Manage Your Registration if you'd like to add a tour or workshop to an existing registration!

CANVAS 2026 | Portland, OR | Nov. 1-4, 2026

Student Tours Professional Tours CANVAS Academy Professional Workshops

Professional Workshops

 

Register for CANVAS to sign up for a workshop, or Manage Your Registration if you'd like to add a workshop to an existing registration!

Bayesian Data Analysis for Agriculture Science: What, Why, and How 
(Two-Day Workshop)

Saturday, Oct. 31, 3 p.m.–5 p.m. PT
Sunday, Nov. 1, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. PT
$110 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $125 (Sept. 24 or later)

Bayesian data analysis addresses common limitations in agricultural datasets such as small/uneven sample sizes and missing data, but is underused in agricultural research. This two-day workshop requires attendance at both sessions and will introduce what Bayesian data analysis is, why it is useful for agricultural research, and how to implement it in R using the ‘brms’ package. You will hear researchers share examples using Bayesian methods and implement your own analysis, with the option of bringing an analysis-ready dataset. Participants must bring a laptop with the necessary components installed in advance (instructions provided).

Growing with Biochar: An Agricultural Training Session to Increase US Biochar Adoption

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
12 p.m.–3 p.m. PT
$25 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $30 (Sept. 24 or later)

This session explores biochar and co-composted biochar as soil amendments under NRCS Conservation Practice Standard 336, bridging cutting-edge research, policy, and practical application for researchers, technical service providers, and conservation planners. Attendees will gain foundational knowledge on amendment science and field use, with hands-on guidance on tools such as the Biochar Atlas, Web Soil Survey, and Biochar Toolkit to evaluate product suitability and guide land application. The session will also address sourcing, storage, inoculation, application strategies, and common implementation barriers. Participants will leave equipped with science-based insights and practical resources to confidently advance biochar adoption across diverse agricultural systems.

Data You Can Defend: QA/QC for Research & Commercial Laboratories
 

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
1 p.m.–3 p.m. PT
$25 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $30 (Sept. 24 or later)

Reliable data are essential in agricultural and environmental systems, yet laboratory errors and inconsistencies remain common. This workshop provides practical, hands-on guidance in implementing effective quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures across the analytical workflow. Participants will learn how to design QA/QC plans, identify common sources of error, interpret control data, and troubleshoot issues that compromise data integrity. Real-world examples and interactive exercises will emphasize strategies to improve accuracy, precision, and defensibility of laboratory results. Attendees will leave with actionable tools and frameworks to ensure their data are credible, reproducible, and ready to stand up to scrutiny.

Mapping Soils In Motion: Leveraging Distributed Hydrological Models and Machine Learning for 4D Soil Characterization

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
1 p.m.–4:30 p.m. PT
$25 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $30 (Sept. 24 or later)

Finer spatial-temporal soil water movement is needed to support soil management. Conventional and Digital Soil Mapping at soil-landscape are driven by water movement. Topography is used to capture water dynamics and relate them to soils and properties on a 2-dimensional space. Distributed hydrological model offers an opportunity to characterize soil water movement at multiple scales with depth and over time leading to a 4- dimensional soil mapping. We focus on the use of distributed model output for soil mapping. Topics will include exploring: i) model inputs; ii) use of ML tools for processing model outputs; iii) creating dynamic soil maps.

Women in Science Workshop: Stepping into Your Power - Emotional Intelligence in Science Careers

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026
1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. PT
Professionals: $40 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $45 (Sept. 24 or later)
Students: $20 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $25 (Sept. 24 or later)

The Women in Science (WIS) committee’s 2026 theme, “Stepping into Your Power,” will be explored through webinars and a CANVAS workshop. Career transitions are common in science—across graduate, academic, industry, and government roles—and demand adaptability, leadership, and quick decision-making. Women often face additional challenges balancing professional growth with personal and workplace responsibilities. This workshop focuses on emotional intelligence, self-advocacy, assertiveness, and leadership development. Through reflection, shared experiences, and practical strategies, participants will build confidence and skills to navigate career transitions across all stages.

Deriving Indicators of Crop Production for Eating Well with Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping - Time 1

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026
2 p.m.–4 p.m. PT
$40 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $45 (Sept. 24 or later)

Trying to understand stakeholder thinking with scientific rigor? Expand your social science toolkit with fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM), which combines concepts and causal relationships as perceived by subjects into semi-quantitative models. An agronomist and a quantitative social scientist will demonstrate FCM through expert elicitation to answer, how do we know an agricultural system is productive in the sense of feeding people well? Although the answer seems straightforward – it yields well – people consume many crops and farms rarely produce just one crop. Learn FCM and engage with experts from across the societies through this two-hour workshop.

CANVAS Academy

CANVAS Academy offers meeting attendees opportunities to develop new skills and sharpen your scientific expertise. 
CANVAS Academy workshops provide the know-how and skills to enhance your take your career to the next level.
 

Register for CANVAS to sign up for a workshop, or Manage Your Registration if you'd like to add a workshop to an existing registration!

How to Give a Competition-Winning Presentation

Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026
2 p.m.–5 p.m. PT
$30 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $35 (Sept. 24 or later)
CEUs: 3 (Professional Development)

Instructor: Jean-Luc Jannink, Ph.D., Research Geneticist, USDA-ARS. 

What makes a presentation truly effective? This workshop helps students understand how to engage an audience, deliver clear messages, and leave a lasting impact. Using CANVAS student competitions as context, participants will learn key elements of strong presentations and how to apply them in their own work. 

CEUs: 3 (Professional Development)

Experimental Design In the 21st Century

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
8 a.m.–4 p.m. PT
$100 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $110 (Sept. 24 or later)
CEUs: 8 (Professional Development)

Instructors: Josefina Lacasa, Ph.D., Kansas State University Hans-Peter Piepho, Ph.D., University of Hohenheim, Germany, Michael D Casler Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin. 

Rigorous experimental design is the foundation of credible science — yet it remains one of the most underserved skills in graduate education. This intensive all-day workshop brings together an internationally acclaimed faculty to close that gap. Whether you are planning your first study or re-evaluating established methods, you will leave with the framework, vocabulary, and confidence to design experiments that hold up to scrutiny. This all-day workshop offers a deep dive into modern experimental design — from initial planning through data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation. 

CEUs: 8 (Professional Development)

Ethical Use of LLMs in Technical Writing and Data Analysis

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
9 a.m.–12 p.m. PT
$75 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $85 (Sept. 24 or later)
CEUs: 3 (Professional Development)

Instructors: Sushant Mehan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor/Extension Specialist, South Dakota State University, Maysoon M. Mikha, Ph.D., Research Soil Scientist, USDA-ARS. 

Advances in AI technology, including Large Language Models (LLMs), have revolutionized technical writing and data analysis, offering unprecedented efficiency and accessibility, and agriculture is not left behind. However, these tools must be used ethically to ensure integrity, accuracy, and transparency. This workshop will teach participants how to responsibly use LLMs in technical writing and data analysis, so they can harness their potential while following ethical standards.

CEUs: 3 (Professional Development)

Improve Your Presentations with Assertion-Evidence Presentation Design

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
9 a.m.–11 a.m. PT
$40 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $45 (Sept. 24 or later)
CEUs: 2 (Professional Development)

Instructor: Northabo Dube Davis, Ph.D., Implementation Scientist, Bayer Crop Science. 

This hands-on workshop introduces the Assertion–Evidence approach for designing scientific presentations. Participants will learn how to replace title-topic slides with clear, testable assertions and support them using visual evidence (figures, data, conceptual diagrams). Following formal training, students will break into a practice lab where they will apply the concepts to their own slides with real-time coaching and peer feedback.

CEUs: 2 (Professional Development)

There will be an optional deep feedback lab that will give additional opportunities to work on these design principles with this experienced group of instructors. You will need to register for the add-on discussion (free of charge) as you're registering for this workshop. 

The discussion follow-up session will be at the following time:

Monday, Nov. 2
9 a.m.—11 a.m. PT

A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Likes! Improving Your Photography to Present Your Research

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
11 a.m.–1 p.m. PT
$40 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $45 (Sept. 24 or later)
CEUs: 2 (Professional Development)

Instructor: Edwin Remsberg, farmer, and professional photographer. 

This hands-on photography workshop teaches participants how to communicate scientific information effectively using images. Attendees will tackle collaborative exercises focused on lighting, composition, and storytelling, relevant for anyone aiming to improve photo-based work, whether using smartphones or cameras, or working in labs or the field. The universal skills covered will enhance both writing and presentations. Please bring a smartphone and/or digital camera for activities. 

CEUs: 2 (Professional Development)

Simplifying Your Professional Writing
 

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
1 p.m.–3 p.m. PT
$40 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $45 (Sept. 24 or later)
CEUs: 2 (Professional Development)

Instructors: Calvin Trostle, Ph.D., Texas A&M University, Lindsey Slaughter, Ph.D. Texas Tech University.

Simplifying your writing is not about making it less intelligent or less meaningful. Instead, it is about crafting clear, concise, and easy-to-read text that effectively communicates complex ideas. By focusing on accessibility, you can ensure your message reaches a broader audience and is understood by all readers. To get the most out of this workshop, attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop and a recent example of their writing. Come prepared to actively engage and apply the techniques discussed—be ready to roll up your sleeves and work hands-on with your own writing. 

CEUs: 2 (Professional Development)

Own Your Voice: Personal Branding and Digital Presence for Scientists Workshop

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
2 p.m.–4 p.m. Pacific Time
$45 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $50 (Sept. 24 or later)
CEUs: 2 (Professional Development)

Instructor: Anna Paltseva, Ph.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Purdue University.

In today’s digital era, visibility is as crucial as research excellence. This interactive workshop helps scientists and professionals build a personal brand, boost engagement, and expand the impact of their work through strategic social media use. Drawing on evidence-based communication strategies and real-world examples, Dr. Paltseva covers digital self-presentation—from defining a brand to creating compelling content on platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram. Participants will learn to make science relatable through visual storytelling, behind-the-scenes content, and clear, accessible language that bridges the gap between research and public understanding. 

CEUs: 2 (Professional Development)

Maximize the Impact of Your Published Work
 

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
3 p.m.–5 p.m. PT
$40 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $45 (Sept. 24 or later)
CEUs: 2 (Professional Development)

Instructors: Avriel (Avy) Licciardi, PhD, Publisher, Life Science, John Wiley & Sons; Alison Jennings, Writer/Editor, CSA News; Eleanor Smith, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Journal Program Manager.

Once your article has been published, it is essential to ensure that your work receives the attention it deserves. To achieve this, you need to actively position yourself to be discovered by your target audience. This workshop will guide you through various strategies to enhance your article's visibility and impact. Including Understanding and applying Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to drive traffic to your work, creating effective social media to get you noticed, and introducing additional visibility strategies to maximize the reach and influence of your published work.

CEUs: 2 (Professional Development)

Recognizing Experimental Designs from Published Methods

Monday, Nov. 2, 2026
9 a.m.–11 a.m. PT
$40 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $45 (Sept. 24 or later)
CEUs: 2 (Professional Development)

Instructors: Julia Barra Netto-Ferreira, Ph.D., University of Maine, Luana M. D. Queiroz, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin.

Can you identify an experimental design just by reading the Materials and Methods section — without seeing its name? This hands-on workshop trains that skill. Participants work through published examples to develop an instinct for recognizing experimental design structures, a core competency for statisticians, agronomists, and applied researchers. This workshop builds on the tradition of Daily Design (DD) problems pioneered by James P. Geaghan at LSU. His method uses experimental problems to sharpen design recognition. The workshop presenter has extended this approach with original consulting examples, including challenging real-world cases that defy easy classification. Be prepared to do some pre-workshop exercises.

CEUs: 2 (Professional Development)

Time to Get Stuff Done! Boosting Productivity In the Workplace

Monday, Nov. 2, 2026
11 a.m.–12 p.m. PT
$40 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $45 (Sept. 24 or later)
CEUs: 1 (Professional Development)

Instructor: Anita Giabardo, Graduate Research Assistant, University of Georgia.

Email inbox full, pile of manuscripts to review, that dataset has been sitting there for a couple of weeks while various tasks keep stockpiling - and field season's coming up. Sometimes in our professional life it feels like lots of things are going on but there is no real progress. In this 1-hour workshop, participants will learn (and share) simple techniques to improve time management and productivity in the workplace. The goal: take back control over how working hours are spent and go back home after the meeting with renewed energy and a plan to tackle those tasks and projects.

CEUs: 1 (Professional Development)

Designing Impactful Tables and Graphs
 

Monday, Nov. 2, 2026
2 p.m.–4 p.m. PT
$40 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $45 (Sept. 24 or later)
CEUs: 2 (Professional Development)

Instructors: Julia Barra Netto-Ferreira, Ph.D., University of Maine, Luana M. D. Queiroz, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin.

Well-designed tables and graphs serve as powerful communication tools, elevating your research paper from ordinary to extraordinary. By presenting information visually, these elements can clarify complex data and highlight key findings, making your work more accessible and compelling to readers. During this workshop, you will explore essential principles for creating effective tables and figures. The focus will be on clarity, accuracy, and visual appeal, helping to present your data to support your research narrative. Participants will apply design principles through practical exercises. This hands-on approach ensures you gain experience and confidence in constructing impactful visual elements. 

CEUs: 2 (Professional Development)

Relatable Science: Strategies for Communicating with the Public

Monday, Nov. 2, 2026
2 p.m.–4 p.m. PT
$40 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $45 (Sept. 24 or later)
CEUs: 2 (Professional Development)

Instructor: Calvin Trostle, Ph.D. Professor & Extension Agronomist, Texas A&M University.

Communicating science presents both opportunities and challenges. Scientists are eager to share their stories, convey the significance of their work, and help others understand why it matters. This task can become particularly challenging when engaging with audiences who may not have a strong background in science. The goal of this workshop is to introduce and practice effective strategies and methods, enabling scientists to strengthen their communication skills and gain confidence when discussing or writing about their scientific endeavors. 

CEUs: 2 (Professional Development)

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