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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.

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

Student Tours

Explore science beyond the meeting rooms with CANVAS student tours—
hands-on, real-world experiences and unique regional excursions designed for students.

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

SASES Tour #1: Fruits, Farms, and Feed

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
8 a.m.–5 p.m. Pacific Time
$80 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $90 (Sept. 24–Oct. 23)

This undergraduate exclusive tour will take students to many of the common agricultural commodities within the Pacific Northwest region. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour Schoch's Dairy & Creamery, Topaz Farms, a 130-acre farm known for its regenerative practices. Attendees will stop for lunch at Cedar Creek Grist Mill, a historic water-powered grain mill, then ending the day at family-owned Dilish Farms.

SASES Tour #2: Roots of Research: Forest, Soil, and Seed Systems

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
7:45 a.m.–4 p.m. Pacific Time
$80 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $90 (Sept. 24–Oct. 23)

This full-day tour introduces students to Oregon State University’s research efforts in natural resources, soil science, and crop production. Students begin at McDonald-Dunn Research Forest, where they learn about forest management, ecosystem research, and environmental stewardship. The tour then moves to the Hyslop Soil Research Pits, providing hands-on experience exploring soil profiles and soil properties that influence agricultural production. The day concludes at the Hyslop Seed Research Farm, where students engage with researchers working in crop breeding, seed production, soil fertility, and precision agriculture. Together, these stops highlight the connections between natural resources, soils, and modern agricultural systems.

SASES Tour #3: Integrated Agriculture: Evergreen, Vineyard, and Agritourism

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
8 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Pacific Time
$80 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $90 (Sept. 24–Oct. 23)

This tour will explore the northwest region of Portland connecting students with the specialty cropping systems that can have an impact on their day-to-day lifestyles but perhaps with unfamiliarity of the production aspects behind them. Touring local evergreen farms used for creation of holiday decorations, a local vineyard and winery, and a specialty crop production research center will culminate in a full day engaging local producers and researchers with their impact on global agriculture.

Graduate Student Tour: From Seeds to Sips to Summit

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Pacific Time
$100 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $110 (Sept. 24–Oct. 23)

This year’s graduate student tour offers an integrated look at agricultural production systems, plant breeding, specialty crops, and natural resource landscapes in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and Columbia River Gorge. The tour highlights how diverse agricultural sectors operate within and respond to the region’s unique environmental conditions. The tour begins at Mountain View Seeds: a seed company located in the heart of the Willamette Valley which is one of the most productive grass seed regions in the world. Participants will gain firsthand exposure to seed production systems, processing and cleaning infrastructure, and breeding programs supporting turfgrass, forage, and cover crop development. This stop emphasizes the role of vertically integrated systems and grower networks in modern seed agriculture. The second stop features Paradis Vineyards, a family-owned vineyard and winery operation. Here, students will explore viticulture practices including vine establishment, canopy management, and harvest logistics, as well as wine production. An optional tasting will be available for participants of legal drinking age. The tour concludes at Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge, one of the tallest year-round waterfalls in the country. This stop provides an opportunity to explore the relationship between Oregon’s agricultural systems and the natural landscapes that shaped them.

Professional Tours

 

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Working Lands with Catastrophic Origins: Andisols, Flood Basalts, and Glacial Outbursts

Thursday, Oct. 29 – Saturday, Oct. 31 
Between 8 a.m.–5 p.m. PT (Exact tour times vary each day)

 Members, Non-Members, Emeritus: 
$740 (On or Before Sept. 23) | $815 (Sept. 24–Oct. 7)
Undergrad & Grad Students:
$550 (On or Before Sept. 23) | $605 (Sept. 24–Oct. 7)

The 2026 Pedology tour will start from PDX airport on Thursday morning and, as a three-day tour (two hotel nights), explore the north central Oregon Cascades: including the dry ashy eastern Andisols, wet and wild Western Cascades, the central Willamette Valley, and volcanic viticulture terroir. Topics and stops include Mt Hood geomorphology, Vitritorrandic Haploxerolls in the irrigated agricultural Madras Plains, the city of Bend, Vitri(xer/ud)ands of the Deschutes NF, Vitri/Haplocryands of the Western Cascades, Missoula Glacial Outburst flood deposits, and Willamette Valley viticulture. Along the way we will discuss the genesis of these soils and how they impact the management, classification, land-use, and taste of these unique soils.

Foray to the Hoyt Arboretum, Portland's Living Tree Collection

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
7:30 a.m.–4 p.m. PT
$0* (May 1–Sept. 23) | $0* (Sept. 24–Oct. 23)

*There is no ticket charge for this tour, but participants will be in charge of paying for their day pass fare ($5.60) for Portland's MAX light rail system

Lace up some hiking shoes and be ready for some conifers! Join us as we hike through Portland's living tree museum, the Hoyt Arboretum. From Abies to Zelkova, the Hoyt Arboretum curates a collection of over 2300 tree and shrub species from around the world across 190 acres and 12 miles of trails. As a group, we will take the MAX light rail from the Oregon Convention Center to the Arboretum. Once there, we will guide ourselves through a list of 20 to 30 highlighted species representing the collection. Entrance to the Arboretum is free, but participants will be responsible for paying their MAX fares ($5.60 round trip, with multiple payment options available). Meals and snacks will not be provided, but on our return we will stop at Pioneer Courthouse Square where multiple food vendors are available. This tour is organized within C08 Plant Genetic Resources, but all are welcome!  Come prepared to be outdoors on your feet for several hours, and bring a sense of adventure.

Turfgrass Tour: Turfgrass Science and Culture In the PNW

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
8 a.m.–3:30 p.m. PT
$85 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $95 (Sept. 24–Oct. 23)

Join us for a tour of the PNW Turfgrass and Culture Scene. We will have 4 stops on this tour including: 1. Waverly Country Club, 2. Nike Headquarters, 3. Willamette Valley Winery, 4. Portland Japanese Gardens.

Commercial Hop Production Tour
 

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
11:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Pacific Time
$105 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $120 (Sept. 24–Oct. 23)

Commercial hop production, brewery tour and hop research opportunities. Coleman Hops family hop farm tour showcasing the hop production process, hop field tour (crop will be post-harvest), on farm hop harvest and processing, hop industry background and challenges, and potential research opportunities. Featuring presentations by Oregon Hop growers, Oregon Hop Commission and Hop Research Council. Hop harvest will be complete by the tour; however, there is still great value in visiting a farm to see the field trellis design, farming equipment, and on farm hop processing facilities. Followed by a brewery tour at the historic Benedictine Brewery, showcasing the utilization of hops in the brewing process. The tour will conclude with personal time in the Benedictine Brewery taproom where drinks and snacks will be available for purchase.

Sustainability in Urban and Antrhopogenic Soil Systems in Portland or Metro Area

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026
9 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Pacific Time
$85 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $95 (Sept. 24–Oct. 23)

Portland, Oregon stands at the forefront of progressive, nature-based urban solutions, transforming climate policy into tangible green infrastructure that safeguards watersheds and strengthens resilience across the greater metropolitan area. The city implements a variety of green strategies—including green streets, street trees, and eco-roofs—to effectively manage stormwater and mitigate urban heat. Habitat restoration efforts and Environmental Overlay Zones play a crucial role in guiding responsible urban growth. Portland’s approach combines robust regulation with practical, measurable outcomes that benefit both the environment and the community.This tour will highlight several of Portland’s sustainability programs through the lens of urban soil and anthropological contamination. Participants will have the opportunity to observe sustainable practices in action throughout the city.-Visit to composting facilities-Exploration of urban forest and watershed issues-Discussion of trenching and infrastructure contamination challenges-Examination of sustainable food and fiber production-A potential sustainability discussion with outdoor fashion design experts based in the Portland metropolitan areaThrough this structured exploration, attendees will gain insight into how Portland integrates sustainability across various sectors, showcasing the city’s commitment to nature-based solutions and urban resilience.

Land Management and Conservation Section Tour

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026
7 a.m.–6 p.m. PT
$60 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $70 (Sept. 24–Oct. 23)

The bus tour will explore cover crop and soil health topics in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, with stops highlighting the region's diverse agricultural landscape. The tour will travel through the scenic Highway 99 corridor, offering views of the valley's rich farmland shaped by the ancient Missoula Floods — whose deposits formed the foundation of this productive agricultural region. Stops include one or more commercial seed companies to examine cover crop variety trials and seed production, and Oregon State University's research farm in Corvallis to explore ongoing soil health research. The tour will also feature at least one producer stop along the route to highlight working farm operations representative of the many types of agriculture the Willamette Valley is known for. Soil pits will be available at select stops to observe soil formation and management.

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).

Do It Right! Conducting a Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
 

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
8 a.m.–4 p.m. PT
$70 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $75 (Sept. 24 or later)

The workshop will cover the steps of a SR from question development and search strategies to data extraction/meta-analysis. The course is collaboratively taught by a team of experts in agricultural sciences, information studies and statistics. The focus will be on questions concerning management, technology, and agricultural impacts on ecosystem services. Course materials are open access. Participants will use an array of tools to synthesize literature. Workshop participants will be introduced to the underpinnings of meta-analysis. Hands-on exercises include developing search strategies, extracting data from the primary literature, and conducting and interpreting meta-analyses using various R packages.

Planning a Technical Field Tour, 2027 Centennial Transcontinental Soil Congress

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
8 a.m.–1 p.m. PT
$70 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $80 (Sept. 24 or later)

 

This workshop will focus on field-tour planning, offering practical guidance and best practices using the Centennial 2027 field-tour proposal as a demonstration. Participants will explore AI tools and social media techniques for research and planning, along with guidance for lectures on media use, technology enhancements, and effective on-site collaboration.

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.

Tailoring Geographic-Specific Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategies Using National Nutrient Inventories

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026
1 p.m.–4 p.m. PT
$75 (May 1–Sept. 23) | $85 (Sept. 24 or later)

Nutrient loss reduction strategies require region-specific information. National trends often obscure local realities that drive water quality outcomes, particularly where legacy phosphorus and long-term nutrient accumulation dominate watershed responses. Publicly available national datasets can be a powerful tool for mapping baseline nutrient deficits and surpluses, setting nutrient reduction goals, and tracking progress, especially when paired with field-scale and monitoring data. This workshop will provide participants with hands-on experience using the U.S. EPA National Nutrient Inventory (NNI) to identify dominant nutrient sources, map legacy nutrient accumulation (with an emphasis on phosphorus), and explore data-driven modeling approaches for tracking nutrient pollution impacts.

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.

Deriving Indicators of Crop Production for Eating Well with Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping - Time 2

Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026
1 p.m.–3 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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