Water, Soil and Biodiversity: Building Farming Systems that Maintain Ecosystem Services

This year’s Innovation Series explores how innovation and sustainability are shaping the future of farming. For our first Innovation Series event in 2026, we turn our focus to water soil and biodiversity: how can New Zealand farmers continue to produce food and fibre while protecting the natural systems their businesses depend on?

With growing pressure from freshwater regulations, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss, the challenge lies in finding a balance between productivity and long-term resilience. Farms that support ecosystem services — such as clean water, fertile soils, and thriving habitats — are better equipped to withstand environmental and economic shocks. But achieving this balance requires fresh thinking, innovation, and collaboration across disciplines.

Join us as leading researchers and practitioners share practical strategies for integrating water, soil, and biodiversity management into modern farming systems. Together, we’ll explore innovative tools, land-use practices, and business models that reduce environmental impact while safeguarding productivity — offering a glimpse into what truly sustainable, future-ready farming looks like.

This special Innovation Series event will bring together experts from across research, industry, and farming communities for an insightful and solutions-focused discussion on how we can align profitable food production with the health of our natural environment.

Wednesday 8 April
9.00am - 1.30pm
S1, Stewart Building, Lincoln University

Programme

9.00am: Welcome - MC Prof. Alison Bailey

9.15am: Session 1: Foundations of Resilient Farm Ecosystems
Understanding water, soil, and biodiversity as productive assets

9.15am Keynote Speaker 1- Dr. Alistair Black (Lincoln University)
Soil health, pasture resilience, and water efficiency under climate pressure
Alistair can explain how soil structure, pasture species, and water-use efficiency influence productivity and resilience, drawing on dryland and irrigated systems research.

9.35am Keynote Speaker 2 - Dr. Rick Stoffels (New Zealand Institute for Earth Science)
Nutrients, waterways, and farm-scale mitigation
Rick can outline current freshwater challenges, nutrient losses, and what works in practice to protect waterways while maintaining production.

9.55am Keynote Speaker 3 - TBC
On-farm biodiversity as a production asset
TBC can show how shelterbelts, wetlands, and native plantings enhance ecosystem services, pest control, and farm resilience.

10.15am Q&A - led by MC Prof. Alison Bailey

10.20am: Break 

10.35am: Session 2: Innovation in Integrated Land Management
Tools, technologies, and practices for sustainable production

10.35am Keynote Speaker 1 - Dr Catriona McLeod (Bioeconomy Science Institute)
Precision nutrient and environmental management
Catriona can discuss modelling tools, farm systems analysis, and how data is helping farmers reduce losses and optimise inputs.

10.55am Keynote Speaker 2 - Justin Kitto, (Dairy NZ)
Practical tools for water and soil stewardship in dairy systems
Justin will share how DairyNZ is supporting farmers to improve water quality and soil health through practical tools, on-farm monitoring, and system design. He will highlight proven approaches to nutrient management, environmental reporting, and integrating biodiversity into productive dairy systems.

11.15am Keynote Speaker 3 - Innovative Farmer TBC
Integrating biodiversity and water management on farm
A respected farmer shares practical experience: wetlands, riparian planting, soil regeneration, and what’s actually feasible.

11.35am Q&A - led by MC Prof. Alison Bailey

11.40am: Break

11.50am: Session 3: Future-Proofing Profitable Farming Systems
Aligning environmental performance with business success

11.50am Keynote Speaker 1 - Professor Alan Renwick (Lincoln University) 
Balancing science, policy, and farm economics
Jacqueline can speak to trade-offs, regulatory realities, and how farmers can remain competitive while improving environmental outcomes.

12.10pm Keynote Speaker 2 - Sam Friggens (ASB)
How environmental performance affects finance and risk
Sam will share a banking perspective on ESG, lending criteria, climate risk, and why natural capital matters to investors.

12.30pm Keynote Speaker 3 - TBC
Valuing ecosystem services and incentives for change
TBC can explain how biodiversity, water quality, and soil carbon may be rewarded through markets and policy mechanisms.

12.50pm Q&A - led by MC Prof. Alison Bailey

12.55pm: Summary - MC Prof. Alison Bailey

1.05pm: Lunch and networking

1.30pm: Event finishes

Find our speaker profiles on the State of the Land website here.