Ray Flickner started strip-tilling almost 20 years ago in Moundridge, Kan., after installing sub-surface drip irrigation — which delivers water directly to roots underground. Ray and his late wife, Susan, received the prestigious Leopold Conservation Award in 2023 for their commitment to soil health practices and sustainable water use. “We estimate we use about 40% less water than the county average of farmers using center pivot systems,” Flickner says. Always striving to “farm smarter,” the family established the Flickner Innovation Farm, which hosts 10-15 research trials at any given time and puts cutting-edge technology to the test.

Hear directly from the top strip-till operator in the country, as determined by an independent panel of judges, when Flickner takes the stage as the 2025 Strip-Till Innovator Award recipient. Flickner details his striptill system, including the process of splitapplying nitrogen (N) with his strip-till rig, planter and irrigation system, reflects on the challenges of being an early adopter in the region and shares agronomic takeaways from dozens of on-farm trials.

You’ll Learn: Innovative ways to increase nutrient & water use efficiency with strip-till & key takeaways from experiments with cover crops & precision technology.

View the full speaker agenda and topics here.

A proven & practical “think tank” for success-minded strip-tillers, planned by strip-tillers seeking the best income-expanding strategies & guidance …

• 6 thought-provoking general sessions
• 13 expert-led classrooms on specific topics
• 14 interactive farmer-to-farmer roundtables
• Meals & networking events
• Pre-conference workshop
• Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) credits
• 5 high-impact attendee bonuses to further build your knowledge … AND MORE!

For more information about the 2025 National Strip-Tillage Conference, to register for the event and to book your hotel room visit StripTillFarmer.com/NSTC