Microbes, Minerals and Myths

Join us at Flat Lake Hall on August 13, 2025 at 9:00 AM for an exciting event diving into the world of soil microbes, minerals, and myths. Get ready to explore the fascinating world of soil microbiology, assess the impact role of mineral nutrition in plant health and understand the role conventional agriculture practices have on long-term soil health and function.

 

Dr. Huber will be joined by Dr. Yamily Zavala, Manager of the CARA Soil Health Lab in Oyen Alberta. Dr. Zavala will be delving into the results of the province-wide research project assessing the impact of various agriculture management practices on numerous soil health parameters and what this means for future management decisions.

 

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to hear from one of the worlds leading plant pathologists to expand your knowledge and meet like-minded individuals. See you there!

 

$10/LARA member of $20 for non-members.

 

Register today by calling (780) 826-7260 or Clicking Here!

 

 

 

Presenter Information:

 

Dr. Don Huber

Dr. Don Huber is a leading plant pathologist and Professor Emeritus at Purdue University. He has filled classrooms for years at Eco-Ag Conferences where attendees learn from his 55 years of researching the epidemiology and control of soilborne plant pathogens with emphasis on microbial ecology, cultural and biological controls, nutrient-disease interactions, pesticide-disease interactions, physiology of host-parasite relationships; impact of GMOs and pesticides on soil, crop, animal and human health; and techniques for rapid microbial identification. He is author or co-author of more than 300 journal articles and three books.

 

“Is a Hidden Killer Lurking in Your Soil?”

• In this session, Dr. Huber will explore a theory that certain shifts in microbial life, nutrient dynamics and input use may be silently weakening soil health. He’ll share his concerns about what may be overlooked in conventional management and invite participants to think critically about unseen threats in the soil.

“Nutrient Management to Control Plant Disease”

• Dr. Huber will focus on the role of mineral nutrition in strengthening plant immunity and reducing disease pressure. He’ll outline strategies that, in his view, can lead to healthier crops through targeted nutrient support.

 

 

 

Dr. Yamily Zavala

Dr. Yamily Zavala has managed the Chinook Applied Research Association’s crop and soil program for the past seven years and now manages the Soil Health lab. Prior to joining the CARA staff, she was a crop production consultant based out of Ottawa where project work took her to Central and South America as well as points in the south and west of Africa. Early in her career, Yamily was a Soil Scientist for the National Agricultural Research Foundation at the Táchira State Research Center in Venezuela. Yamily’s extensive international experience in restoring soil fertility and improving cropping systems is supported by an education focused on agriculture and soils. She obtained an Agricultural Engineering degree at a university located in the Venezuelan Andes Mountains. She attended Missouri University achieving a Masters in Agronomy (with minor in Soil Science) and earned a PhD in Soil and Plant Nutrition from Cornell University. Her passion for understanding and improving the health of soils has contributed to improvements in the local agricultural economies where she has worked. In addition to applied research projects, she manages CARA’s Soil Health Lab (CSHL), the first lab of its kind in Western Canada. The CSHL focuses on the evaluation of physical and biological soil properties and allows producers the opportunity for hands-on evaluation of their soils. She is a sought after speaker and has addressed producers across Western Canada on various soil health topics and demonstrations.

 

“Alberta Benchmark Verification Project Results: Evaluating the Effect of Management on soil Health Parameters”

• Dr. Zavala will provide an in-depth review of the soil Benchmark Verification Project and how different management practices impact long-term soil health.