Roots Around the World: Dr. Jill Clapperton’s Global Soil Health Journey
- Sara (Hessenflow) Harper
- Sep 19
- 4 min read
From South Africa to Australia and Upcoming U.S. Events
Soil health is more than a concept — it’s something you see, touch, and taste when you spend time with farmers in their fields and communities around the world. And while the challenges are similar for farmers everywhere, the specific soil type, climate and crops grown mean that things are very different from one place to the next. That’s why on-the-ground experiences are so valuable for experts like Dr. Jill Clapperton, a rhizosphere ecologist who has spent her career helping farmers, ranchers, researchers, and chefs understand the living world beneath our feet.
By traveling globally and engaging directly with producers, Jill not only deepens her own expertise but also brings back richer insights to help farmers, researchers, and food leaders apply soil health principles across diverse climates, soils, and farming systems. These travels enrich her presentations and workshops everywhere -- making them deeply practical, evidence-based, and globally informed. In this post, we catch up on some of Jill's recent trips and preview upcoming events.
Recent Journey: South Africa
Recently, Jill traveled to South Africa, where she visited farms and engaged with local producers to explore regenerative agriculture in action. During the trip, she connected with longtime collaborator Shorty Fensky to discuss how soil health practices support resilient farms and thriving communities. You can hear more about her experiences and insights from this journey on our podcast episode here: South Africa Soil Tour + Shorty Fensky.
Ongoing Journey: Australia
Jill is now spending the month of September in Australia, engaging with farmers, food leaders, and researchers through a series of events focused on regeneration, flavor, and farming with purpose.
Perth, WA — Regenerative Agricultural Practice Panel - On September 15, Jill joined fellow leaders in Perth for the Regenerative Agricultural Practice Panel Discussion. It was more than just a conversation about the future of regenerative agriculture — it was also an opportunity to reconnect with her long-standing friends and collaborators, Di and Ian Haggerty, who were named WA Australians of the Year for 2025. The Haggertys have pioneered Natural Intelligence Farming since 1994, transforming over 13,000 hectares of farmland by integrating natural ecological processes with modern farming techniques — an inspiring example of regeneration in action.
Roots Around the World -- Next Up in Australia:
Jondaryan, QLD — Foodie Extravaganza: Farming for LIFE – Paddock to Flavour (Sept 23)
Next week, Jill will team up with her longtime collaborator and friend Sarah Fea of BEAR Biologics for a Foodie Extravaganza Dinner Event at the Woolshed in Jondaryan. Sarah has been a driving force in connecting farmers directly with consumers, creating experiences where people not only taste local food but also meet the producers who grow it. This evening of canapés, courses, and conversation will showcase how soil health, farming practices, and terroir shape the flavors on our plates. Jill’s presentation will highlight why you literally are what you eat by exploring how farming practices influence both taste and nutrient density. Together, Jill and Sarah are helping communities rediscover the profound link between healthy soils, thriving farmers, and delicious food.
Field Days & Masterclass
In addition to these marquee events, Jill will also be part of two field days and one masterclass designed for farmers, agricultural consultants, and students across Queensland. These sessions will focus on practical soil health strategies, companion cropping, and understanding the interactions between soil organisms, roots, and plants. For details and to sign up, visit BEAR Biologics
Upcoming U.S. Event in November
Following her Australia trip, Jill will return to the U.S. this fall for a newly announced event in Wellington, Kansas, hosted by the USDA NRCS and Sumner County Conservation District.
This interactive soil health tour, lunch, and presentation will explore how plant roots, soil organisms, and cropping practices work together to transform dirt into soil. Attendees will tour examples of healthy soil systems and gain practical insights into designing yield-supporting, soil-building crop rotations.
📅 Date: November 17, 2025
📍 Location: Wellington, KS💡
Details & RSVP:
Call (620) 326-2269 ext. 3072 or email sccdbu@gmail.com
🌐 Stay Connected
For updates on future roots around the world events and resources related to soil health, visit Rhizoterra's Events Page. You’ll find information on upcoming workshops, webinars, and conferences featuring Dr. Clapperton and other soil health experts.
Stay connected with Jill Clapperton and the latest on soil health, regenerative agriculture, and food systems:
Blog: rhizoterra.com/blog
Facebook: @jillclappertonsoilhealth
Instagram: @jillclappertonsoilhealth
X (Twitter): @jill_clapperton
If you would like to inquire about booking Jill to present at your next event or to conduct a soil health workshop for your organization, please fill out this form.
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