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Regenerative Agriculture Podcast

Regenerative Agriculture Podcast

This is a show for professional growers and agronomists who want to learn about the science and principles of regenerative agriculture systems to increase quality, yield, and profitability.

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Episode 105: Moving From Organic to Regenerative Management with Steven Cardoza

Steven Cardoza is a second-generation organic raisin grape grower. His 400-acre farm is south of Fresno, California. His father transitioned from conventional to organic growing in 1998 after discovering some of the inputs he was using were making him ill. Steven took over the business in 2017 with a massive jumpstart on the pathway to regenerative agriculture. Since moving from an organic to a regenerative approach, Steven has changed his management methods to enact many exciting results such as increased soil organic matter, increased yields and quality, and the elimination of pesticide use.

In this episode, John and Steve discuss:

Tillage reduction 

Spider mite challenges

Nutrition management on organic vs regenerative systems

Cover crop management

Water percolation in sandy soil

AEA products and applications

Additional Resources
To hear more about Steven?s regenerative journey, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItT3FLaAZ6g

The Regenerative Agriculture Podcast with Greg Pennyroyal: https://regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com/episodes/microbial-influences-on-crop-quality-with-greg-pennyroyal-2/ 

The Regenerative Agriculture Podcast with Mike Omeg: https://regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com/episodes/the-regenerative-orchard-cherry-success-with-mike-omeg-2/

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition ? a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA?s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

2024-02-15
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Episode 104: Introducing Integrity Grown? with John Kempf

In this special podcast episode marking the launch of Integrity Grown?, AEA?s verification standard, John Kempf shares the heart behind this new brand.

John advocates for a shift towards verifying outcomes rather than solely focusing on processes. Integrity Grown prioritizes the verification of outcomes across several key areas:

Harvest Quality and Nutritional Integrity: Ensuring the produce meets high quality standards and retains its nutritional value.

Harvest Freedom from Toxins: Guaranteeing that the harvest is free from harmful substances such as molds, mycotoxins, toxic elements, and pesticides above defined thresholds.

Soil Health and Ecosystem Regeneration: Promoting practices that foster soil health and contribute to the restoration of ecosystems

Moreover, Integrity Grown assesses farming processes within the broader context of regenerative agriculture. Practices like tillage, limited livestock incorporation due to regulatory constraints, or the necessity of pesticide applications are evaluated on a spectrum, considering the specific farm and crop context.

Integrity Grown extends its evaluation to the relationships between supply networks and farmers. It emphasizes the importance of developing synergistic relationships with growers, empowering them as stewards of the land, and ensuring fair compensation for producing exceptional quality.

Through Integrity Grown, AEA aims to redefine agricultural standards by prioritizing outcomes, promoting regenerative practices, and fostering mutually beneficial relationships within the agricultural supply chain.

You can learn more about Integrity Grown here

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition ? a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture.

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA?s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

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VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

 

2024-02-09
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Episode 103: Regenerative Cotton and Industry Disruption with Amy Williams

Join us in this episode as Amy Williams, who has three decades of clothing industry experience and currently serving as the CEO of Citizens of Humanity, shares insights into the transformative journey toward regenerative cotton. Amy delves into the organization's commitment to sustainability, emphasizing their shift towards regeneratively grown cotton after recognizing the critical role of raw materials in the sustainability conversation.

Amy sheds light on Citizens of Humanity's aspiration to revolutionize the apparel and fashion industry by advocating for regenerative cotton sourcing. Their goal is to have 50% of the cotton acres in the U.S. verified as regenerative by 2030. The surge in market demand for regenerative agriculture has prompted the Citizens of Humanity Group and its family of brands, Citizens of Humanity, AGOLDE, and GOLDSIGN, to partner with Advancing Eco Agriculture to supply regeneratively grown cotton. 

This collaboration aims to increase awareness about the many benefits of regenerative agriculture, fostering a positive impact for farmers, brands, and consumers alike. The initiative will leverage AEA?s leading practices, products, and services to support farmers in the program to grow regenerative cotton and reap the benefits of healthier soils with year-after-year improvements.

In this episode, John and Amy discuss:

How food and clothing industries can work in parallel to promote regenerative and organic agriculture

How CoH works directly with farmers to source regeneratively grown cotton in the U.S.

Regenerative cotton as a widescale movement within the clothing industry

Partnering with AEA to help farmers transition to regenerative practices

Recycled vs new fiber development

The important role that mills play in the industry and adoption of trends

Additional Resources
To learn more about the partnership, please visit: https://land.advancingecoag.com/integrity-grown

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition ? a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA?s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

2024-02-08
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Episode 102: The Learning Experience of Regenerative Ag with Dr. Allen Williams

Allen Williams is a 6th-generation farmer and founding partner of Grass Fed Insights, Understanding Ag, and the Soil Health Academy. He has consulted with over 4,000 farmers and ranchers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America, and other regions on operations ranging from a few acres to over 1 million.

Allen and his colleagues specialize in whole farm and ranch planning based on regenerative agriculture concepts. Their approach creates significant ?value add? and prepares the landowner for multiple revenue stream opportunities that stack enterprises and acres, enhancing profitability and investment value.

In this episode, John and Allen discuss:

The ideals we seek for a highly functioning soil

Fungal vs bacterial dominate soils

Primary drivers of ecosystem development

The relationships between mycorrhiza fungi, aggregates, and protozoa 

Implementing regenerative practices into your specific situation

The three rules of adaptive stewardship

The performance of livestock in ecosystems

Additional Resources
To learn more about Allen?s enterprises, please visit: https://soilhealthacademy.org/ or
https://understandingag.com/

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition ? a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.
 
AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA?s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

2024-02-01
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Episode 101: Making the Most of Water Variability with Joel Grosbach

Joel Grosbach is a fifth-generation farmer and AEA customer growing dryland and irrigated crops in Southwest Nebraska. Since his area only receives seven inches of average annual rainfall, incorporating regenerative practices such as cover crops, crop rotation, animal grazing, and minimal tillage are critical for water management. Joel grows a variety of crops, including popcorn and dry edible beans, and grows for his neighbor, who owns a seed production business.  

In this episode, John and Joel discuss:

Regenerating local ecosystem rainfall

Structuring his farm only to use 7? of irrigation each season 

Choosing crops based on water needs

Importance of cover crops and crop residue

Reducing inputs and eliminating fungicides

Mindset shifts that occur when transitioning to regenerative agriculture

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition ? a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA?s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

2024-01-25
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Episode 100: Hear from the Host - James Johnson Interviews John Kempf

It?s the 100th episode of the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast! In this special episode, AEA grower James Johnson interviews the voice behind the podcast, John Kempf. 

James Johnson is a fourth-generation farmer in New Mexico and the Vice President of Carzalia Valley Produce. When James finally took over the family farm in the early 2000s, the outlook of his operation seemed grim. After many years of trial and error with various farming practices, James met the Advancing Eco Agriculture team and discovered the many benefits of regenerative agriculture.

John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture. A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition ? a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

In this episode, James and John discuss:

The importance of nutritional and microbiome integrity for plant immunity

How John started and built Advancing Eco Agriculture 

The importance of sap analysis to see product efficacy

How growers who work with AEA reduce inputs

John?s development of the Plant Health Pyramid

Plant health vs soil health

The future of Advancing Eco Agriculture

Additional Resources
To learn more about the plant health pyramid developed by John Kempf, please visit: https://www.advancingecoag.com/plant-health-pyramid

To learn more about Advancing Eco Agriculture, please visit: https://www.advancingecoag.com/ or watch this webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cItpuQDX_M4

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA?s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

 

2024-01-18
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Episode 99: Reshaping How Agriculture Sees Plant Nutrient Uptake With Dr. James White

Dr. James White is a professor of Plant Pathology at Rutgers University. Dr. White obtained an M.S. in Mycology and Plant Pathology from Auburn University and a Ph.D. in Mycology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1987.

Dr. White specializes in symbiosis research, particularly endophytic microbes. He is the author of more than 180 articles and author and editor of reference books on the biology, taxonomy, and phylogeny of fungal endophytes, including Biotechnology of Acremonium Endophytes of Grasses (1994), Microbial Endophytes (2000), The Clavicipitalean Fungi (2004), The Fungal Community: Its Organization and Role in the Ecosystem (2005), and Defensive Mutualism in Microbial Symbiosis (2009).

The overall hypothesis of this research is that bacterial and fungal endophytes of the plant microbiome function to defend plants from stress and provide nutrients that enhance the growth and development of plants.

In this episode, James and John discuss:

How plants get nutrients through the rhizophagy cycle

Important microbes lost from commercial seed production 

Indigenous wisdom in seed production

Bacteria changing the behavior of fungal populations through nutrients

How endophytes benefit plants 

Reshaping agriculture to be based on how plants actually grow

How plants cannot grow without microbes in their cells

Additional Resources
To take the course led by Dr. James White that teaches the Rhizophagy cycle, please visit: https://kindharvest.ag/courses/ra-ur-understanding-rhizophagy/

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition ? a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA?s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

2024-01-11
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Episode 98: Growing For Nutrition Through Color and Flavor with Bob Jones

Bob Jones is co-owner and chief executive officer of The Chef?s Garden, a family-owned farm in Huron, Ohio, committed to growing exceptional vegetables. Bob leads the farm?s cutting-edge food safety and food quality programs, helping develop the most reliably healthy and nutritionally dense fresh vegetables.

The direction of the farm changed in the 1980s from growing conventional vegetables when his brother, Lee Jones, had an encounter with a chef who asked him if their farm could grow squash blossoms for her restaurant. After that meeting, the family decided to take their farm in a new direction by focusing on the needs and desires of chefs, emphasizing flavor, sustainable farming practices, and quality over quantity. They have worked with chefs for over 40 years and ship produce to all 50 states and 17 countries. They also ship directly to homes in all 50 states and run an on-site retail store.

The Chef?s Garden grows a tremendous variety of vegetables, including microgreens, heirloom vegetables, microgreen herbs, specialty lettuces, and edible flowers.

In this episode, Bob and John discuss:

The importance of having multiple revenue streams

Understanding what the marketplace is asking of you

?Better is better before bigger is better.?

Food as health

The importance of soil and sap testing

Regenerative practices implemented on his farm

Applying observation and knowledge to field production

The nutrition of today?s food

Additional Resources
To learn more about Bob and Chef?s Garden, please visit https://www.farmerjonesfarm.com

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.?

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition ? a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA?s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

 

2023-12-21
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Episode 97: Integrating Trees Into Working Pastures with Austin Unruh

Austin Unruh founded Trees for Graziers to help farmers establish trees in pastures on a large scale. Austin has worked on over 400 acres for 25 different working farms. Getting trees planted at a large scale and an affordable price led to lots of experimentation to ensure protection and integration into pasture that was minimally intrusive.

It?s his goal to make silvopasture as easy and cost-effective as possible for farmers. Trees for Graziers offers everything from planning, planting, and aftercare to growing silvo-specific nursery stock. 

In this episode, Austin and John discuss:

The importance of integrating trees into pasture

How to protect young trees from rodent damage

The many benefits that trees provide

Tree species that have the greatest opportunities in silvopasture

How to best match tree characteristics to farm goals

Additional Resources
To learn more about Austin Unruh and Trees for Graziers, please visit:
https://treesforgraziers.com/

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

?Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition ? a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA?s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

 

2023-12-07
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Episode 96: Revolutionizing the Chicken Industry with Paul Greive

Paul Greive founded Pasturebird after searching for high-quality pasture-raised chicken to feed his family. Unable to find this chicken in stores, Paul and his family took matters into their own hands, setting out to produce nutrient-dense pasture-raised chicken. In the spring of 2012, Paul's brother ordered 50 chicks, marking the inception of their business.

Pasturebird is now the largest pasture poultry producer in the world, with a mission to make nutrient-dense chicken more affordable and accessible to all. Pasturebird is revolutionizing the chicken industry by integrating solar-powered, self-driving chicken coops. This innovation provides their birds access to the outdoors, fresh grass, insects, and sunlight and contributes to soil regeneration for future generations.

In an unconventional move, the company partnered with ?Big Ag? giant Perdue. This strategic partnership granted Pasturebird access to hatcheries, feed mills, and slaughterhouses, sparing them from the significant debt they would have otherwise incurred to build these resources.

In this episode, Paul and John discuss:

Improving the way ?Big Ag? operates

Scaling up operations to reduce costs

Focusing on one thing and outsourcing the rest

Pasturebird?s collaboration with Perdue 

The innovation behind self-driving chicken houses

The importance of effective marketing and messaging

Incentivizing regenerative ag through fractional land ownership

Additional Resources
To learn more about Pasturebird and to place an order, please visit: https://www.pasturebird.com/

Connect with Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgreive/

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition ? a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA?s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

 

2023-11-30
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Episode 95: Regenerative Innovation on a Large-Scale Dairy With Austin Allred

Austin Allred is a dairyman located in the Columbia basin of Washington State and operates Royal Family Farms. His parents started farming 50 years ago, and now Austin, as well as his brothers, own their own operations. Together, their four farms have grown over 1 million tons of potatoes, boxes of apples, boxes of cherries, bushels of corn, and bales of hay, beans, peas, asparagus, and more. Austin?s dairy produces 1 million gallons of milk per month.

Fifteen years ago, the family began their regenerative journey when they decided to become more self-sufficient and reduce their dependency on synthetic fertilizers. Their different farming operations work together to create a self-sustaining loop, a key to their innovation and success. 

Today, Austin Allred is a strong proponent of regenerative agriculture and loves finding innovative ways to work together with his family to further the success and overall health of their soil, crops, and cattle.

In this episode, Austin and John discuss:

Reducing the need for fertilizers by bringing in cattle to his operation

Using byproducts from neighboring farms for nutrient balance feed

Increasing nitrogen independency

Liquid manure management and composting systems

Reducing water consumption by recycling it on the farm

Utilizing marketing to showcase the story of products

Developing other income streams on the farm

The importance of collaboration between growers 

Additional Resources
To learn more about Royal Dairy, please visit: https://www.royaldairy.com/on-the-farm or watch their documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfSzdzgDXjE

Friend Earthworm by George Oliver: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0980297613/ref=x_gr_bb_amazon?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_bb_amazon-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0980297613&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition ? a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA?s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

 

2023-11-09
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Episode 94: Challenging Assumptions About Regenerative Agriculture with John Kempf hosted by Future of Agriculture

In this special episode, hosted by Tim Hammerich and the Future of Agriculture Podcast, Tim and John Kempf will challenge several commonly held assumptions about the future of agriculture. Take regenerative agriculture, which is often defined by the ability to improve soil health and sequester carbon. But John Kempf says these are outcomes, even by-products, not the complete definition of regenerative.

In this episode, Tim and John discuss:

What it means to be regenerative

AEA observations from working with over 10,000 growers and 4 million acres

AEA?s Wefunder campaign

How to look at agriculture problems and solutions through a regenerative lens

Future of Agriculture explores the people, companies, and ideas shaping the agriculture industry's future. Every week, Tim Hammerich talks to the farmers, founders, innovators, and investors to share stories of agtech, sustainability, resiliency, and the future of food. Future of Agriculture believes innovation is an important part of the future of agriculture, and real change comes from collaboration between scientists, entrepreneurs, and farmers. Lead with optimism, but also bring data.

Additional Resources:
To listen to more episodes of Future of Agriculture, please visit: https://www.futureofagriculture.com/

To learn more about AEA?s Wefunder campaign, please visit: https://wefunder.com/advancingecoag

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition ? a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA?s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

 

2023-10-25
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Episode 93: Growing Organic Wheat, Cotton, and Peanuts with Kelton Coleman

Kelton Coleman has been farming since 2011 in the panhandle of Texas. He farms with his dad, grandfather, and father-in-law. He started with conventional agriculture in 2011 but shifted to organic peanuts and wheat in 2013, followed by organic cotton in 2016. 

His initial journey into organic farming was based solely on economics, rather than soil or plant health. That has since changed, and now Kelton is deeply vested in his crops' health. He first got connected to AEA through the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast and then through personal connections in his community. He now uses several programs and products from AEA, and he is seeing many successes on his farm, such as reduced nitrogen usage, 20% more yield on his cotton (including a large increase in 6-lock cotton bolls), and better protection from root rot in his peanut crop.

In this episode, Kelton and John discuss:

Memorable failures that led Kelton to where he is today

The unintended consequences of inputs on microbial organisms, insects, and plants

How he implemented regenerative practices on his farm

Working with AEA and their products

Improvements he is seeing in peanuts and cotton

Improving drought and heat resilience

Crop-wide nitrogen reduction

Improving no-till organic systems

Additional Resources
To learn more about developments of no-till organic systems, listen to this podcast episode featuring Helen Atthowe: https://regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com/episodes/episode-87-helen-atthowe/

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition ? a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA?s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

 

2023-10-16
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Episode 92: Growing Regenerative Opportunities with Koen van Seijen

Koen van Seijen has interviewed over 250 investors, investment fund managers, opinion leaders, farmers, and scientists to find out how money can best be used to regenerate soil, people, local communities, and ecosystems. He is currently a member engagement manager of Toniic, the global community of dynamic and active impact investors. Previously Koen supported Aqua-Spark, an impact investing fund focused on sustainable aquaculture companies.

In this conversation, John and Koen discuss:

Current investment activity in agriculture

The role of capital in regenerative adoption

Regenerative practices and topics attractive to investors

Regenerating the water cycle at a local ecosystem level

The benefits of nutrient absorption through foliage

The need for education in the finance world

Areas of opportunities for growers today

Increasing consumer interest through nutrient density

To learn more about Koen and the ?Investing in Regenerative Agriculture and Food? podcast, please visit: https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/

Additional Resources

?Back from the Brink: How Australia's Landscape Can Be Saved? by Peter Andrews ?The Hidden Life of Trees? by Peter Wohlleben  ?The Weather Makers: How Man Is Changing the Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth? by Tim Flannery Walter Jehne YouTube Playlist 

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition ? a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA?s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

 

2023-09-28
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Episode 91: You Are What You Eat: Examining Beef and Plants With Dr. Stephan van Vliet

Dr. Stephan van Vliet performs clinical and translational studies to evaluate the effects of whole food ingestion and physical activity interventions on body composition, physical function, inflammation, insulin action, and intracellular signaling pathways that regulate muscle mass with advancing age. His work has been published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the Journal of Nutrition, and the Journal of Physiology.

Dr. van Vliet earned his Ph.D. in Kinesiology and Community Health as an ESPEN Fellow from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He received post-doctoral training at the Center for Human Nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. Dr. van Vliet also holds a Masters in Nutrition Science.

As a member of the Duke Molecular Physiology Institute within the Duke University School of Medicine, his work focuses on the effects of primary (protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins) and secondary compounds (phytochemicals, polyphenols, antioxidants) and the molecular mechanisms by which they impact human metabolism. His work often involves physical activity interventions and utilizes an integrative approach to improve human health.

In this conversation, John and Stephan discuss:

Nutrient differences in grass-fed beef

Other studies focused on beef, bison, and milk

Implications of plant secondary metabolites being consumed

Variations in phytonutrient density 

Soil health and ergothioneine levels

How different plant species provide different compounds to livestock

Organic production and nutrient density

Additional Resources
Follow Stephan on Twitter: @vanvlietphd
For more webinars featuring Dr. van Vliet, please search ?Dr. Stephan Van Vliet? on YouTube
Stephan's Google Scholar Profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=L5KcySQAAAAJ&hl=en
To learn more, please visit his website: https://stephanvanvliet.com/

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition ? a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture.  

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA?s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

2023-09-08
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Episode 90: Scaling Regenerative Supply Chains with Anthony Corsaro

Anthony Corsaro is an entrepreneur, investor, and regenerative agriculture evangelist whose mission is to help heal our people and planet through ventures that inspire the production and consumption of healthy, nutrient-dense foods. Anthony?s family has been deeply involved in the food system for almost 100 years since his orphaned grandfather started selling produce in the early 1930s. That business grew into one of the country's leading regional fresh produce distributors and today serves 2,500+ retail customers in 20 states.

Anthony is the Founder and Managing Director at Outlaw Ventures: a family office backing the rebels, radicals, and revolutionaries building the better food system of tomorrow. Outlaw Ventures is raising a venture capital fund to invest in early-stage regenerative consumer brands. Anthony is also the Creator and Co-Host of The ReGen Brands Podcast: a podcast about the consumer brands supporting regenerative agriculture and how they?re changing the world. He is also the Founder of Regeneration Nation: a clothing company and community hub for the heroes and advocates of regenerative agriculture.

In this conversation, John and Anthony discuss:

Regenerative vs. extractive relationships in supply chains

Building regenerative infrastructure to create better routes to market

Increasing market accessibility for growers

Nutritional integrity and its impact on buyers

?Upstream Disease? - examining the whole supply chain

Opportunities and limiting factors for growers

The importance of networking to expand market access

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.?

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition ? a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA?s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

 

2023-08-25
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Episode 89: Regenerative Agriculture, Cover Crops and Water Holding Capacity with Jimmy Emmons

Jimmy Emmons is a third-generation farmer from Oklahoma. He and his wife Ginger have been farming and ranching together since 1980. They have a 2000-acre farm with a diverse rotation of crops that include: wheat, soybeans, sesame, sunflowers, irrigated dairy alfalfa, canola, grain sorghum, and several cover crops for seed.

Jimmy has been monitoring soil health with soil testing since 2011 and is a proponent of using multi-species cover crops to enhance soil health. He is currently involved in a multi-year water holding capacity study examining the water use of cover crops. Jimmy also incorporates other regenerative practices, such as companion crops, to attract beneficial insects and decrease the need for additional synthetic nutrients.

In this conversation, John and Jimmy discuss:

The benefits of cover crops for water retention in the soil profile

Drought resilience of crops and plants grown in diverse environments

Companion crop mixes and their benefits

The importance of talking to your legislatures about regenerative farming

The negative effects on quality markers from grower practices and input decisions 

Using nutrient-dense food as medicine

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition ? a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

2023-08-03
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Episode 88: The Relationship Between Fungi, Endophytes, and Native Soil Biology with Dr. Mary Lucero

Dr. Mary Lucero has over 30 years of experience in scientific research and education in agriculture. Her research examines the microbial relationships between plants and soil health and proves that the regenerative approach offers a way forward for growers and consumers. As Co-founder and Systems Biologist at End-O-Fite Enterprises, she works with growers and biostimulant producers to optimize regenerative techniques to restore microbial ecosystems. 

Mary and her husband, David, run Jal Farms, a family-owned fruit and beef operation in Eastern New Mexico. Her farm focuses on regenerative practices to restore soil health and growing nutrient-dense foods and even has an on-farm lab for her research.

In this conversation, John and Mary discuss:

The importance of creating an environment for native biology to thrive

How fungi are great shapeshifters 

The Mycosome Hypothesis developed by Peter Atsatt

The importance and complexity of endophytes

Horizontal organism transfer

Indigenous concepts and principles    

Mary?s experience with farm ownership 

To connect with Mary and her work and to learn more about her online classes, please visit: https://endofite.com/ 

To learn more about the Mycosome Hypothesis developed by Peter Atsat, please visit: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12730709/.

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

?Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition ? a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

To get started, contact AEA here: https://www.advancingecoag.com/contact

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

 

2023-07-20
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Episode 87: Managing Ecological Systems with Living Mulches in Orchard and Vegetable Production with Helen Atthowe

Helen Atthowe is an author and farmer who has worked on developing systems that focus on ecological health by utilizing living mulches and minimal tillage. She is passionate about using the natural nutrient cycles present in ecosystems to reduce system inputs. Her research and experience have shown how focusing on the system can impact weed, disease, and pest management. 

She and her late husband, Carl Rosato, co-owned and operated a certified organic orchard in California, where they pioneered methods for raising apples, peaches, and other crops to replace the need for pesticides. She also farmed and conducted additional research at Wood Leaf Farm in Eastern Oregon until early 2023. Now living in Western Montana, she is starting a new farm where she has planted a no-till orchard. Atthowe has a master?s degree in horticulture from Rutgers University and has worked in education and research at many other institutions.

In this conversation, John and Helen discuss:

No-till living mulch systems in orchards

Managing ecological systems with residues

Strategies for disease and pest management 

Minimizing inputs and maintaining yields

Mowing management and the importance of timing

Thinning and pruning practices

Vole management outcomes

Selective strip-till system in vegetable production 

Click here to check out Helen's new book, The Ecological Farm

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition ? a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology. 

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.  

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits. 

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide. 

Learn more about AEA?s regenerative programs and products. 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

2023-07-06
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Episode 86: Regenerating Hearts and Minds, The Basis of Regenerative Agriculture with Charles Eisenstein

Charles Eisenstein is a speaker, teacher, and author. A graduate of Yale University with a degree in Mathematics and Philosophy, his work covers various topics, including human civilization, economics, spirituality, and ecology. His published works include ?The Coronation,? ?The Ascent of Humanity,? ?Sacred Economics,? ?The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible,? and ?Climate?A New Story.? In the last-mentioned title, he argues that reducing environmental discourse into the single issue of global warming is a huge mistake for the environmental movement. The book focuses instead on the ?Living Planet? view, envisioning what our relationship to nature might be if we saw that everything is alive, conscious, and sacred. Overall, his primary interest is exploring the boundaries of what is possible according to our received beliefs, habits, technologies, and ways of knowing.

In this conversation, John and Charles discuss:

What defines regeneration

What we need to do to embrace regenerative landscapes

Why the quality of our life depends on the quality of our relationships 

Indigenous knowledge of landscape management 

The understanding of what real wealth is

The differences between control and responsibility 

The Importance of exercising our capacity to create

The growing community and movement of regenerative farmers

To learn more about Charles Eisenstein and his work, please visit his website at https://charleseisenstein.org/ or subscribe to his substack at https://charleseisenstein.substack.com/ 

To learn more about his published work, please visit https://charleseisenstein.org/books/ 

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition ? a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA is on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with their products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers around the world. Learn more about AEA?s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

 

2023-06-22
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Episode 85: The Opportunities That Come From Regenerative Agriculture with Steve Tucker

Steve Tucker is a western Nebraska dryland producer who has been farming for 30 years. He introduced regenerative practices into his operation over 10 years ago and values diversity in his approach. Growing upwards of 10 crops per year while integrating livestock, such as chickens, pigs, and cows. Steve also uses no-till farming practices and biological applications on his farm. Steve advocates for growers to market themselves in order to access more opportunities and advises them to look for alternate streams of income for the crops they are growing. 

Steve runs Agriforce Seed with his business partner Jeff Olsen. Steve grows sunflower, hay millet, oats, yellow field peas, winter wheat, Golden German hay millet, and forage pea/oat hay blends. His ultimate goal is to build soil health by mobilizing soil microorganisms to grow better, higher quality, more nutrient-dense food. 

In this episode, John and Steve discuss:

Being content with the size of the farm you operate

Making connections by marketing yourself 

Selling by the pound vs selling by the bushel

Looking for sales opportunities around you to sell

Pursuing multiple streams of farm income 

Identifying opportunities that come from promoting more life on the farm

Using biologicals, including AEA?s BioCoat Gold

Finding the freedom of doing things on your own terms

AgriForce Seed is Nebraska's largest pulse seed producer. Agriforce provides yellow peas, chickpeas, and many other types of pulse crop seeds. Also available are hay millet seed and a large selection of cover crop seeds and forage products. To learn more, call 308-289-4853

To learn more about AEA?s BioCoat Gold, please visit - https://land.advancingecoag.com/buy-biocoat-gold-now

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in the field of biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition ? a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
The recognized leader in regenerative agriculture since 2006, AEA is on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable. 

AEA works directly with growers on the application of its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with their products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers in North America to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers around the world who thirst for actionable information about regenerative agriculture.

Learn more about AEA?s regenerative programs and products

VIDEO: For more conversations with John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this amazing conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

 

2023-06-08
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Episode #84: Joel Williams

Joel Williams is an independent plant and soil health educator who provides lectures, workshops, and consultations on soil management, plant nutrition, and integrated approaches to sustainable food production. Joel enjoys designing farming systems that focus on managing soil biology along with crop and soil nutrition to optimize plant immunity and soil function. He has extensive experience working in Australia, the UK, and Canada, integrating soil and plant analyses as a joined-up strategy for managing production.

In this episode, Joel and John discuss:

The differences between the chemistry vs. biology approach

The importance of a well-structured soil

Reasons for using biological seed coatings

Efficiencies of foliar applications vs. soil applications

Crop responses to incremental changes over extended periods

Strategies for efficient foliar applications

Nitrogen applications and management

Yield expectations during regenerative transitions

To learn more about Joel and his work, please visit https://integratedsoils.com/

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture. A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition ? a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
The recognized leader in regenerative agriculture since 2006, Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA) is on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with their products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers in North America to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers around the world.

Learn more about AEA?s regenerative programs and products, and check out the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast.

VIDEO: For more conversations with John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this inspiring webinar featuring John and three AEA grower partners that share how regenerative agriculture is changing the way they farm and live: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

 

2023-05-25
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Episode #83: John Warmerdam

John Warmerdam is a third-generation stone fruit grower in the San Joaquin Valley of California. His grandfather came to the area from Holland in 1911 and started a small farming operation that John?s father, John N. Warmerdam, eventually took over. Today John and his dad farm over 350 acres of peaches, plums, nectarines, kiwi, and almonds. The Warmerdams also have one of the largest cherry-growing operations in the southern San Joaquin Valley and have been innovators in the fruit packing industry for 45 years. In this episode, they discuss:

Cultural management practices for stone fruit Transitions in his farming systems Mite management Driving factors for considering regenerative management Pruning and thinning management Future water usage issues Generational shifts in farming

Additional Resources:
Concepts for Understanding Fruit Trees by Theodore DeJong

Learn more about Warmerdam Packing
Learn more about John Warmerdam

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture. A top expert in the field of biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition ? a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
The recognized leader in regenerative agriculture since 2006, AEA (Advancing Eco Agriculture) is on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable. 

AEA works directly with growers on the application of its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with their products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers in North America to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers around the world who thirst for actionable information about regenerative agriculture.

Learn more about AEA?s regenerative programs and products and check out the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast. 

VIDEO: For more conversations with John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this amazing conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

2023-05-23
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Episode #82: Dr. Erin Silva

Dr. Erin Silva is an Associate Professor and State Extension Specialist in Organic and Sustainable Cropping Systems in the Department of Plant Pathology as well as the Director for the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at UW-Madison. 

After completing a Ph.D. in Horticulture at Washington State University, Dr. Silva obtained a faculty position at New Mexico State University. During her tenure at NMSU, Dr. Silva taught courses on organic vegetable production, including an experiential learning course integrating the campus working student organic Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm. Dr. Silva initiated several organic research projects at NMSU, including work on a cover crop-based reduced tillage approach for organic vegetable crops and breeding vegetables for organic production systems.

These research themes continued as Dr. Silva moved into the first organically focused research position at the UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences in 2006. Through her work at UW-Madison, she has developed an internationally recognized program that improves the management of organic production systems and increases the profitability and sustainability for organic producers and rural communities.

In this episode, Dr. Silva and John discuss the following:

To find out more information about Erin?s research, please visit https://uworganic.wisc.edu/ograin/. OGRAIN, The Organic Grain Resource and Information Network, exists to provide farmers access to research and to form a community of organic grain producers.

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture, a plant nutrition and biostimulants consulting company. A top expert in the field of biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who are growing that supply.

?Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition - a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
The recognized leader in regenerative agriculture since 2006, AEA (Advancing Eco Agriculture) is on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable. 

AEA works directly with growers on the application of its unique line of crop nutritional supplements and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting edge plant and soil data gathering techniques, AEA?s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with their products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers in North America to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers around the world who thirst for actionable information about regenerative agriculture.

Learn more about AEA?s regenerative programs and products.

VIDEO: For more conversations with John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this amazing conversation between John and three AEA growers about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

2023-01-19
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Episode #81: Fred Provenza

Fred Provenza, Professor Emeritus of Behavioral Ecology at Utah State University, is the co-founder of BEHAVE (Behavioral Education for Human, Animal, Vegetation and Ecosystem Management), an international research and outreach program that seeks to understand the principles of animal behavior. For the past 30 years, this group has produced ground-breaking research that laid the foundations for what is now known as behavior-based management of landscapes. 

Through his research, books, and speaking engagements, Fred has paved the way for the behavior-based management of landscapes. His work has influenced researchers across disciplines.

In this episode, Fred and John Kempf discuss:

The consciousness of plants and animals, and our relationships to them
The relationships between domestic animals, crops, and healthy landscapes
Fred?s understanding of the gut microbiome of livestock and how it changes with diverse diets 
The pathway for regenerating millions of arid acres in the US West Appreciating the culture and heritage of animals  The functional significance of both human and animal family structures

Fred has authored three books:

Nourishment: What Animals Can Teach Us about Rediscovering Our Nutritional Wisdom: https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/nourishment Also available on audiobook: https://www.audible.com/pd/An-Original-Audiobook-Adaptation-of-Nourishment-Audiobook/B0BKH5NBF5

Foraging Behavior: Managing to Survive in a World of Change: https://www.amazon.com/Foraging-Behavior-Managing-Survive-Change/dp/0970389922

The Art & Science of Shepherding: Tapping the Wisdom of French Herders: https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/the-art-and-science-of-shepherding

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow

This show is brought to you by Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA), leaders in regenerative agriculture since 2006.

AEA produces the highest quality biological and mineral nutrition products along with offering Plant Sap Analysis, and regenerative program development for your farm. 

If you are a large-scale grower looking to increase crop quality, resilience, and profit ? email [email protected] or call 800-495-6603 today to be connected with a dedicated AEA regenerative agriculture crop consultant. To learn more visit https://www.advancingecoag.com 

VIDEO: For more conversations with John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this amazing conversation between John and 3 growers about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

2022-12-20
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Episode #80: Kelly Mulville

Kelly Mulville, a veteran agricultural consultant, is the Vineyard Director at Paicines Ranch in San Benito County, California. For more than 25 years, Kelly has been obtaining impressive results by merging his experience in viticulture with his understanding of Allan Savory?s holistic grazing management techniques. His approach to extended-season vineyard livestock grazing and other ecological practices continue to capture an audience of vineyard managers around the globe.

Kelly and John discuss in this episode:

How Kelly developed practices around incorporating sheep into his vineyard management. Flooring a wildlife biologist with the bird population data on Kelly?s vineyard after implementing new practices. The role plant-grazing animals play in reducing insect pressures. Kelly?s cover cropping strategy and how it has led to a diversity of 50 species of plants growing in the vineyard. The specific holistic management techniques inspired by Allan Savory?s work that have contributed to vineyard success. The adaptability of these practices on other crops like nuts and tree crops.

 

2022-03-17
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Episode #79: Joe Lewis

Joe Lewis is an internationally renowned scientist recognized for his work in entomology and agricultural studies. His discoveries in the behavioral and chemical interactions of parasitoids, insect herbivores, and plants have played a critical role in our understanding of ecological growing. He is also the author of A New Farm Language: How a Sharecropper's Son Discovered a World of Talking Plants, Smart Insects, and Natural Solutions.

Listen as Joe and John discuss:

Joe?s introduction to agriculture growing up on a Mississippi cotton farm The discovery of plants utilizing chemical compounds to alert parasitic wasps to the presence of caterpillars.  The first demonstration of associative learning in parasitic wasps. Sensitivity of signals between plants and parasitic wasps, including how they differentiate from food and host. Environmental impacts that have led to unbalanced increases in insect pressures. The value of cover cropping to provide a nectar source for insects during production season. Changing the paradigm from ?how to kill this pest? to ?why is this pest a pest??

A New Farm Language by Joe Lewis: https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/a-new-farm-language

2022-02-24
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Episode #78: Adam Chappell

Adam Chappell is a regenerative grower and cover crop advocate from Cotton Plant, Arkansas. Adam started growing with his dad and brother on their 7,500 acre property in 2005, but by 2009 pigweed issues alone had nearly pushed them into bankruptcy. Knowing there had to be a better way, Adam began educating himself about the power of regenerative agriculture, implementing a cover cropping strategy that he claims saved the family farm. Today, Adam?s operation grows a variety of broadacre crops and continues to make strides in ecological health and crop performance.

Throughout their conversation, Adam and AEA Founder John Kempf discuss:

Adam?s start in agriculture and how cover cropping brought the farm ?from the brink of bankruptcy to a profitable enterprise.?  Adam?s current methodologies for crop rotation and cover cropping. How the adoption of regenerative practices has contributed to improved profitability. Adam?s background in entomology and ecology and the shifts in insect populations he has seen over time. Questioning the necessity of soil testing and becoming wary of ?sales tools.? Implementing Dr. Norman Lupo?s root intensification method and other row spacing strategies.  Livestock integration and the story of Adam?s first purchase of cattle. Why Adam?s goals for the future include ?getting smaller.?
2021-12-30
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Episode #77: Rick Clark

Rick Clark is a fifth-generation farmer from Warren County, Indiana. Driven by a desire to work alongside mother nature, Rick has been implementing regenerative practices on his farm for almost a decade. Rick?s commitment to soil health has allowed him to grow his operation to 7000 organic, no-till acres, in part by employing a variety of cover cropping and weed control techniques.

In their conversation, Rick and John Kempf discuss:

Rick?s journey to a fully organic operation Conventional agriculture?s ?dependency on chemistry? and the best practices for conventional burn down  Rick?s humbling experiences experimenting with cover crops in the early days How planting multiple cash crops together could be the future of agriculture  Handling foxtail and other difficult weeds through regenerative practices   The power of diversity and rotation in a no-tillage system Rick?s take on farm economics and how he  is saving almost $1.7 million a year in inputs 
2021-11-24
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Episode #76: Tim Parton

Tim Parton is a regenerative agriculture advocate and Farm Manager at Brewood Park Farm in the United Kingdom. Tim has been implementing regenerative practices on his 300-hectare estate for over 15 years. He has received several accolades for his work, such as being named the Arable Innovator of the Year by British Farming Awards and receiving the Farm Innovator of the Year award from Farmers Weekly.

Throughout their conversation, Tim and John discuss:

Tim?s background and retreat from intensive pesticide use.  How balancing plant nutrition helped Tim cultivate canola seedlings that are resistant to flea beetles. Tim?s experience with Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (or BYDV) and how he manages aphids in an ecological system. Foliar application systems and their economic impacts. Increases in commodity fertilizer prices and what this means for the financial viability of regenerative agriculture. How Tim has managed to not apply any NPK fertilizers for more than a decade. The cultural management practices that have replaced fungicide applications on Tim?s farm. The importance of carbon sequestration, educating consumers, and sharing information among growers.
2021-09-30
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Episode #75: James Johnson

James Johnson is a fourth-generation farmer in New Mexico and the Vice President of Carzalia Valley Produce. When James finally took over the family farm in the early 2000s the outlook of his operation seemed grim. After many years of trial and error with various practices, James found the Advancing Eco Agriculture team where he discovered the benefits of regenerative agriculture.

Thanks to his partnership with AEA, James achieved an outstanding yield of 1,490 lbs/acre for Pima Cotton at the end of harvest season 2020 while his county average was 880 lbs/acre!

In this episode, James and AEA founder John Kempf discuss:

The shift in agronomy management on James? farm over the last 20 years. James? first encounter with John Kempf and the similarities in their personal stories. The long-term effects of herbicide, insecticide, and pesticide use on crops from the perspective of a self-declared ?recovering glyphoholic? Solving onion thrips and western flower thrips pressure with regenerative foliar applications, rather than insecticides. James? observations on chlorpyrifos and diazinon?how their use affects non-target species and overall soil biology. The technology James uses as a self-proclaimed early adopter, including evapotranspiration platforms and an AI robot that pulls weeds.
2021-08-06
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Episode #74: Dale Strickler

Dale Strickler is an agronomist at Green Cover Seed and prominent author primarily focused on soil health. Dale grew up on a family farm outside Colony, KS, and received both his bachelor?s and master?s degrees in agronomy from Kansas State University. Dale has been an advocate for the use of cover crops for over three decades and continues to experiment, achieving increasingly exciting results.

Dale has published two books, The Drought-Resilient Farm and Managing Pasture. His third book, The Complete Guide to Restoring Your Soil, will be released later this year.

In this episode, Dale and AEA Founder John Kempf discuss:

Dale?s agricultural background and what inspired his fascination with cover crops. His experiences with heavy clay soil and implementing a subsurface, drip-irrigated pasture. How regenerative practices can affect water-holding capacity of soils and restore small water cycles. Dale?s most memorable moments in his consulting work with growers across the country. Hand cropping, intercropping, and other practices forgotten by mainstream, mechanized agriculture. The reason farmers need to be ?thinking like a scientist? and the power of self-education.  
2021-07-23
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Episode #73: John Fagan

John Fagan is the Chairman & Chief Scientist at the Health Research Institute, also known as HRI Labs, in Fairfield, Iowa. HRI provides testing services that focus on the nutritional value and biofunctionality of food sources. HRI?s research and collaboration efforts continue to help grow the global regenerative agriculture movement in myriad ways.

Throughout their discussion, Fagan and John discuss:

The scope of Fagan?s work at the Health Research Institute.  How chromatography, mass spectrometry, and other analytical tools allow Fagan to identify plant and animal compounds. Fagan?s research in comparing conventional vs organic production methods and his key takeaways. The diversity and variability of plant compounds and their potential for innovation in the world of agriculture. Fagan?s tentatively named ?Farmer Led Innovation Network? and how it is combining cutting-edge science and data collection.   How evidence of glyphosate presents across different crop types, agricultural products, and soil profiles. The evolution of glyphosate detection and what science can tell us about glyphosate levels in our food.

Check out the glyphosate research mentioned by Fagan here: https://johnkempf.com/perspective-on-glyphosate-challenges/

2021-07-07
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Episode #72: Nicole Masters

Nicole Masters is an internationally recognized agroecologist from New Zealand. Fortified by her studies in ecology and plant physiology, Nicole currently serves as the Director of Integrity Soils, a collection of regenerative agriculture coaches that assist growers around the globe. Nicole is also the author of ?For the Love of Soil: Strategies to Regenerate Our Food Production Systems.?

In this episode, Nicole and John discuss:

Nicole?s background in vermicompost and her strategy of customizing microbial applications to produce specific outcomes. The current rise in research on microbial quorum sensing and quorum signaling. Many case studies and examples that explain relationships between soil life and nutrition profiles and weed populations. The function of biology in response to plant signals and in enhancement of plant immune systems. The practice of bio-priming seeds or land, and how it helps to produce disease-suppressive soils, and to regenerate native plant populations.
2021-06-25
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Episode #71: Harriet Mella

Harriet Mella is an independent Austrian researcher known for her work uncovering the unexplained phenomena of plant growth and development. Informed by her background in microbiology, mycology, and biochemistry, Harriet has a unique capacity to describe little-known connections between emerging biological research and agriculture.

During the interview, Harriet and John discuss: 

Observations on epigenetic expressions and the role of optimal nutrition. The flexibility of plant architecture and its direct correlation with microbiome health. Harriet?s insights on zodiac rhythms, humic substances, Biodynamic methods, and numerous first-hand agricultural experiences. When a plant is no longer absorbing nitrate and how this affects water use efficiency and carbon cycling. Harriet?s findings on biophotonics and dark septate endophytes, and her explanation of their impact on plant health.   Building stable humic substances during the winter months with the assistance of specific fungal groups.

Harriet Mella?s new online course, ?Carbon Micro Cycling,? explores the connections between soil carbon and soil fertility. Sign up for the course on Kind Harvest today! https://kindharvest.ag/courses/ra-cc-carbon-course/

2021-06-09
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Episode #70: Steven Bierlink

Steven Bierlink is an apple grower located in Quincy, WA. When Steven returned to work on his family operation after graduating with a business degree, he was driven to meet the many challenges their orchard faced. Looking for solutions to bitter pit, cork spot, and lenticel rot, Steven sought out the management practices that could renew the health of their orchard.

Today, Steven abides by meticulous observation in his management practices that have brought many exciting successes, notably on his Honeycrisp blocks which have packed out at a stunning 160 bins per acre.

On this episode, Steven and John discuss:

Overcoming bitter pit in Honeycrisp apples by altering the interplay among excessive potassium applications, calcium timing, and manganese availability.  Steven?s focus on observation resulted in a shift away from his previous conventional operational methods.  How Steven balances data collected from fruit analysis and sap analysis to maximize marketable fruit production. Managerial philosophies for happy, engaged employees, healthy work-life balance, and why he chooses to maintain a smaller-scale farm. Virtually elimination of alternate-year bearing, through a combination of pruning, bud and spur management, PGR?s, nutrition, and lime-sulfur sprays. The importance of growers owning the decision-making process, working alongside consultants.
2021-05-27
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Episode #69: Jason Hobson

Jason Hobson is one of the initial Regenerative Agriculture Consultants at AEA, working alongside John Kempf in the early years and becoming the Chief Executive Officer in 2015. Jason joined AEA in 2011 and quickly became the lead consultant for larger scale operations, building relationships with distributors and other partners along the way. He gained his knowledge of soil fertility and plant nutrition through hands-on experience, developing a passion for agronomy and regenerative practices that fuels him today.

Throughout their conversation, Jason and John discuss:

How one Wendell Berry book would change Jason?s career path forever. AEA?s approach to nutrient and crop management, how it differed from conventional wisdom. Highlights from the last decade of working together: organizational victories and new agronomic discoveries. Jason?s thoughts on the ?layering of silver bullet solutions? and how farms can degrade in search of a cure. Common themes among growers and organizations that have seen success while working with AEA. The fallacy of nitrogen and other limiting factors for healthy crops.
2021-05-04
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Episode #68: Alvin Peachey

Alvin Peachey is an Amish organic dairy farmer from central Pennsylvania. Over the course of more than a decade, Alvin has grown his operation to 90 100% grass-fed cows on 92 acres, implementing regenerative practices that flips the script of the status quo for dairy farmers.

In this thought provoking and practical conversation, Alvin and John discuss:

Alvin?s background as a dairy farmer starting with only 25 cows and 10 replacements.  The difference between rotational grazing and management-intensive grazing. How Alvin tracks and manages his cost of production and how his economic models diverge from the mainstream. Unique approaches to creating balanced and diverse nutritional profiles, not just in grazable forages, but also in stored winter feeds. Important considerations for maximizing sugars and proteins in baleage.  The genetic and structural qualities Alvin looks for in dairy cows. Alvin?s thoughts and observations on the financial future of dairy farming.

?For the crop production acres, we have no budget on fertilizer? because we have unlimited potential, so why would we have a budget? Right?? -Alvin Peachey

  

2021-04-23
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Episode #67: Jesse Frost

Jesse Frost is the Co-Owner of Rough Draft Farmstead in central Kentucky and host of the No-Till Market Garden Podcast. Jesse?s rich background in researching and experimenting with no-till practices lead to his first book, ?The Living Soil Handbook: The No-Till Grower?s Guide to Ecological Market Gardening,? which will be published this summer.

Throughout their conversation John and Jesse discuss:

How Jesse got his start as a farmer and how a mission to uncover regenerative techniques lead to a promising career in market gardening. The economic opportunities surrounding market gardening, including the positive impact of collaboration and Jesse?s thoughts on land ownership. The best way to strategize and implement a direct-to-consumers business model. Two management styles that work for no-till growers on a smaller scale: Jesse?s thought on the basic cover crop model and the deep compost mulch system An overview of the four different types of compost: inoculating compost, fertilizing compost, nutritional compost, and mulching compost. The current state of the average farmer?s psyche and the power of relationships and community building. Jesse?s current intercropping practices and how they are implemented for pest and disease control.

Pre-order Jesse?s book here: https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook/d9z5gkf1bbnhu0w5xxb3trngiqhwgo

Check out ?The No-Till Organic Vegetable Farm: Human-Scale Methods for Intensive Commercial Production and Ecological Health? by Daniel Mays here: https://www.frithfarm.net/book.html

 

2021-03-31
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Episode #66: Jon Stika

Jon Stika is an agronomist and former soil health instructor with the USDA?s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Officially retiring in 2015, Jon now spends his time as environmental consultant for those looking to gain insight on the biological systems of agriculture. Jon is also the author of ?A Soil Owner?s Manual: How to Restore and Maintain Soil Health,? which was published in 2016, yet continues to have an impact on agricultural thought leaders around the globe.

Throughout their conversation, Jon and John discuss:

Jon?s realization that soil is not a chemical system, but a biological one. The impact of using synthetic fertilizers for several decades and how this has ?sidelined? the true biology of our fields. What it means to be energy inefficient and the impact on mainstream agricultural systems and practices. Jon?s 15-year journey to a regenerative approach; how rapid implementation and economics can inspire other growers to transition to integrating biological methodologies. The differences between building soil from the foundational bedrock versus the act of regenerating soil. Jon?s belief in the power of educating beyond the growers, working with lenders, banks, agronomists, and landowners to help them understand and support the transition to regenerative agriculture. How models used in mainstream agriculture?and even sustainable agriculture?operate on a foundation of ?dysfunctional soil.?

Pick up a copy of Jon?s book, ?A Soil Owner?s Manual: How to Restore and Maintain Soil Health,? today! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30084638-a-soil-owner-s-manual 

2021-03-18
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Episode #65: Jay Fuhrer

Jay Fuhrer is a Conservationist & veteran Soil Health Specialist from the Natural Resources Conservation Services, located out of Bismarck, North Dakota. With over 4 decades of experience, Jay?s work has been critical to the widespread implementation of regenerative agriculture across the globe. Of his many contributions, Jay is most known for developing the 5 Soil Health Principles: establishing soil armor, minimizing soil disturbance, continuing live plant and root presence, and integrating livestock grazing systems.

Throughout their conversation, Jay and John discuss:

Jay?s early years at the NRCS, and his desire to move forward with agriculture?s best interest at heart. The story of how Jay and his colleagues started a 150-acre demonstration farm with a focus on natural resource education. Examples of new research and discoveries being made at Menoken Farm, including the implications of water hydrology systems and the power of encouraging soil biology. Jay?s observations from conducting Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis and measuring infiltration rates over the years. Assisting growers by ?starting with the geology? and how Jay?s soil recommendations are rooted in the history of the land. Proper livestock integration and the benefits of diversity when it comes to grazing. The shortcomings of agricultural system labels and Jay?s reasoning for working with growers of all backgrounds. Jay?s concerns with shrinking native range land in the Dakotas and why he believes it is an ecosystem that we should maintain into the future. 
2021-03-12
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Episode #64: Ben Taylor-Davies

Ben Taylor-Davies is a farmer and regenerative agriculture consultant from the United Kingdom. Ben was a conventional agronomist until his wife persuaded him to apply for an award through the Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust which enables farmers to travel and learn agricultural methods from around the globe. This ignited Ben?s passion for regenerative agriculture and discovering better ways to treat soils, crops, and livestock. Ben currently shares his stories, both personal and professional, on his website RegenBen.com. He is also currently finalizing his first book, ?MORE-ON: How to get off the UK agriculture?s treadmill of input farming.?

Throughout their conversation, Ben and John discuss:

How the Nuffield scholarship program allowed Ben to broaden his views on successful ways to farm from around the globe. The current management practices being implemented on Ben?s 500-acre farm in the UK and how these practices have evolved over the years. Ben?s ?three free things? (sunlight/energy, precipitation, and carbon dioxide) and why they should be priority number one for all growers. Perspectives on carbon dioxide delivery and how farmers can improve their CO2 supply. The vast diversity of soil types and climates found within the UK. The UK?s current mainstream agricultural methods and financial shortcomings of managing an ecosystem through high input costs. John and Ben discuss their recommended reading lists for growers.

Check out Ben?s website at www.regenben.com!

For more information on his latest book, go to https://www.regenben.com/about/the-book/

2021-02-25
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Episode #63: Cannon Michael

Cannon Michael is a 6th generation family farmer in California?s Central Valley. When Cannon first started working at the Bowles Farming Company, it was a broad-acre row crop operation, focused on cotton, barley, and alfalfa. After 15 years of overhauling the farm?s management practices, Bowles now incorporates both organic and conventional methods as he raises a vast array of vegetable crops: tomatoes; watermelons; garlic; onions; herbs; and many more.

Throughout their conversation John and Cannon discuss:

The major changes over the 160-year history of Cannon?s family farm, as well as the current scope and scale of his growing operation. What it means to be a grower in California: The culture of innovation, interacting with a rigorous business climate, strict regulations, and interest in promoting fair practices for people and the environment. A prediction around agriculture?s decentralized, technology-driven future and how it will impact growers. The power of branding partners, communication, and the advantages of telling your story to end consumers. How bandwidth and a fluctuating environment can lead to significant limitations on operational efficiencies.
2021-01-29
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Taking Charge Of Your Farm?s Future With Jay Hill

Jay Hill is a conventional farmer and agricultural visionary from the American Southwest. Jay is a new breed of American farmer, focused on reinvigorating the industry through a new perspective on what is possible for large-scale growers. Through his social media presence and weekly podcast, Jay is calling on farmers across the globe to abandon their old ways of operating and take back the role of ?business owner? from outdated intermediaries.

Throughout their conversation, John and Jay discuss:

How Jay?s growing operation has evolved over the years to be less resource exhaustive.    Why farmers need to position themselves as both marketers and business owners Jay?s transition from ?Price Taker? to ?Price Maker,? and how partnerships in processing give growers more control over their operation. The public perception of American farmers and what needs to be done change the narrative. Strategies to incentivize growing a more nutritious and agronomically beneficial product, and the role of the federal government in this process.  
2020-12-08
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Reversing Soil Degradation with Dwayne Beck

Dr. Dwayne Beck is well known for being one of the pioneers of no-till agriculture in central South Dakota and across the High Plains. For more than three decades, Dr. Beck has been creating comprehensive systems for both irrigated and dryland crop production throughout the region, educating growers on the power of crop rotation, diversity, and other regenerative practices. He currently serves as the Research Manager at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm, a non-profit made up of farmers committed to sustainable land practices.

On today?s episode, John and Dwayne discuss:

Dwayne?s background and his earlier work assisting local growers with their irrigation systems The continuing decline of the Ogallala Aquifer and how water infiltration can be improved by implementing no-till agricultural practices. Addressing the often-overlooked aspects of irrigation, such as percolation and water delivery, and how it affects soil health. Dwayne?s observations on lake bottom soils, the power of macropores, and the prevalence of summer fallowing in the High Plains.  Utilizing de-percolation strategies to maintain proper nutrient levels in your soil. Using competition, sanitation, and rotation to control weeds, diseases and insects.   Dwayne?s historical research on nutrient cycling and fertilizer placement.  Dwayne offers up a broader historical perspective on how agriculture, human nature, and mother nature  work together. A discussion on why moving to no-till options for all crops including potatoes, carrots and sugar beets are engineering and genetics problems. The shared vision, but much different methods, between regenerative agriculture vs. organic agriculture.
2020-11-03
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Updating Soil Analysis to Consider Microbial Influence with Rick Haney

Rick Haney is a renowned researcher at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the creator of the Haney Soil Analysis, an innovative extraction procedure to assess overall soil health and plant mineral availability. Today, John sits down with Rick to hear his story and discuss a future of agriculture centered around agronomic realities and biological processes.

Throughout the episode, John and Rick cover a wide array of topics:

The journey Rick took to discover an improved system for analyzing soil health, eventually leading to the development of his namesake soil assay. How Rick?s work and an emphasis on data can help growers save an average of $20 per acre in nitrogen applications. Over-fertilization and what soil respiration says about the fertility of a field. Rick?s battle with calibrations and the industry?s collective leaps in agronomic understanding since the 60?s. The work of Dr. Richard Mulvaney, namely the Illinois Soil Test, and how it compares to Haney?s soil nitrogen report.  The shortcomings of mainstream agronomic research and the power of ?listening to nature.? The importance of using water and biological activity as the gauge of soil mineral release rather than acids and extractants to judge soil mineral content. Why many growers are routinely able to reduce Nitrogen and Phosphorus inputs. The importance of looking at real yields rather than soil test data as the sign of a well-functioning fertility program. The power of  embracing new developments in ag research and the future of in-field sensors.
2020-10-06
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Rebuilding Rural Economies with Ancient Grain and Regenerative Practices with Bob Quinn

Bob Quinn is a 30-plus year veteran of Regenerative Organic practices and founder of Kamut International, an organization devoted to high quality Khorasan wheat and sustainable agricultural practices.

After receiving his PhD in plant biochemistry from UC-Davis, Bob returned home to work on his family?s wheat and cattle ranch just outside of Big Sandy, Montana. In the mid 80?s, the farm became his ?laboratory? as Bob began implementing regenerative organic systems long before they rose to prominence. The Quinn?s began planting a Khorasan wheat they would call ?Kamut??an ancient Egyptian word for ?wheat??which would end up seeing a lot of success with whole grain bakeries in Southern California.

?My business philosophy is start small and build on your success. I don't have a big pile of money, so I can't go out and just try big experiments, so I try small experiments. If they're successful, then I build on those. And that's what we did, we started with a half an acre [of Kamut®] which was all that seed that we had in 1988?30 years later, we are contracting with 250 organic regenerative farmers in Montana, Alberta, and Saskatchewan for over 100,000 acres of this stuff.?

Kamut® is a distant relative to the modern wheat crop that is known for its unique flavor and health benefits. Ancient Grains like Kamut® see much lower yield potential than modern wheat, which over time lead some manufacturers to mix Kamut® with lower quality grains. In an attempt to protect the quality of the grain and the end consumer, Bob decided to trademark the grain, guaranteeing an unhybridized, unmodified, and organic product for their growing list of customers?in fact today, a staggering 75% of their grain goes to Italy.

During the episode, Bob goes into detail about how improved testing equipment led to a surprising discovery about minute glyphosate levels in their crops. Kamut International has been organic since its inception, but at one point almost a third of their farmers were sending grain that tested slightly higher than ten parts per billion in glyphosate. Bob was astounded when he discovered that glyphosate is so prevalent in American agriculture that trace amounts can be found in the rain during the growing season. Since this discovery, Kamut International has overhauled their testing protocols and mitigated trace glyphosate levels whenever possible.

Whether you are the buyer, the manufacturer, or the consumer, Bob believes in a ?everybody wins? approach to business. He believes his impact and scale was achieved by paying farmers more, so he prides himself in the ability to implement economic incentives anywhere he can. Bob recalls in his conversation with John that almost 30 years ago, he began offering three times the amount of the commodity wheat price for Kamut® wheat, which proved to be a very effective business move. Today, that incentive has grown to five times the commodity price.

Bob?s expertise goes way beyond wheat, for a farmer located in the Upper Great Plains he has an unlikely variety of successfully growing dryland produce. Throughout the episode, Bob goes into detail about how this production came to be and how regenerative organic practices allow him to grow things like watermelon and summer squash in Montana. Bob and John also discuss nutritional value of ancient grains, how the western diet has led to a jump in autoimmune disorders, and the concerning rise of glyphosate levels in our food. Bob also tells the story of how his company accidentally came upon creating cooking oil in the search to create a better diesel fuel. 

2020-09-15
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Facilitating Large Scale Transitions to Regenerative Agriculture with Terry McCosker

In our latest episode, John sits down with one of Australia?s most recognized thought leaders in Regenerative Agriculture, Dr. Terry McCosker. Over the course of three decades, Terry has worked with about 10,000 Australian farmers?a staggering 10% of all farmland on the continent?coaching them through an agricultural approach that emphasizes both soil nutrition & pasture ecology.

Terry currently serves as the director of RCS, an Australian agriculture consulting firm, but his career started at an early age when he had the opportunity to work on an Australian cattle station. Driven by a fearless pursuit of excellence, Terry found that most of the problems that faced the cattle station, as well as other operations across the country, stemmed from an outdated reductionist view of farming. As he continued his research, which included traveling to farms across the globe, he saw firsthand the power of holistic practices and their effects on livestock. Terry began challenging the paradigms of conventional farming and what he observed were results like an increase in livestock reproduction and mortality rates.

Throughout the episode, John and Terry discuss the work of Stan Parsons and Allan Savory, the importance of cell grazing alongside other regenerative practices, the proper strategies farmers use to approach succession planning, and the fascinating future potential of carbon sequestration.

?A client of mine once said that he thought he was a livestock producer. And then he came to one of our programs and went away thinking that he was a grass producer. And then over time, as he's learned more and more, he now believes he's a soil manager. If you understand that you're a soil manager, the production and the economics of your farm will actually look after itself?to be truly regenerative, a farmer needs to understand that they are a part of the ecosystem, not apart from it.? -Dr. Terry McCosker

2020-09-02
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In Defense of Biological Systems with Robert Linderman

In our latest episode of the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, John interviews plant pathology veteran & agricultural visionary, Dr. Robert Linderman, discussing the benefits of mycorrhizal fungi and other bio-control agents that protect crops from soil-borne pathogens. 

After receiving his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from U.C. Berkley in 1967, Robert would spend the next 40-plus years contributing pivotal research findings to the USDA and other agricultural organizations. During his time with the USDA, Robert was introduced to a colleague who was fascinated by the power of mycorrhizal fungi and their ability to keep pathogens at bay. Their conversation ignited Robert?s pursuit to understand mycorrhizae symbiosis.

Throughout the episode, John and Robert discuss the benefits of building up antagonistic organisms in the soil to create a disease suppressive environment, allowing crops to thrive. In addition to other educated approaches to battling pathogens in your soil, Robert also takes listeners into a deep dive of the Ashburner System, telling the story of how one Australian avocado grower utilized a mycorrhizal fungi strategy?without even knowing it?to suppress phytophthora outbreak across his orchard. 

?Farms, whether they're seeding or transplanting or planting bulbs or whatever, need to treat that material where the infection is going to happen?to have something there waiting for the pathogen when it tries to get into the plant is the best chance. It's like immunizing a child for infections that might come. You build up some kind of resistance and the resistance is in a biological form.? -Linderman

Robert and John also discuss the thoughtful inoculation of propagules, mycorrhizal fungi?s effect on photosynthesis, concerns about single factor analysis found in agricultural research, and the true price of the ?instant gratification? chemical fix.

2020-08-11
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Building Soil While Cash Cropping with Loran Steinlage

In this episode of the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, John interviews Loran Steinlage of Flolo Farms in Iowa. They discuss his experience in relay cropping, interseeding, cover crops, and controlled traffic farming. Loran grows grain crops for seed, has implemented youth programs on the farm, and has experimented with 60-inch corn. Listen for practical advice from a current grain farmer. 

Loran grew up planning to be a livestock farmer like his father, but was hit by a semi at the age of 14, causing him to change his plans. Today Loran grows corn, beans, wheat, rye, barley, buckwheat, sunflowers, and oats. Typically, they do relay cropping and interseeding, though this year they have not been able to do relay cropping due to a freeze in May of their cereal crops. 

In 2006 Loran began interseeding while his whole farm was corn on corn. Through interseeding, he found his way into cover crops and relay cropping. In the fall there are cereal crops such as winter wheat, rye, spring malt barley, or oats. Loran watches for stand quality, sometimes rolling over into corn if the stands aren?t good enough. Otherwise, he sows soybeans at the normal time. Loran uses a 30-inch planter to give more room for the combine. In July winter wheat is harvested, then cereal rye, then malt barley. If there is a window with good weather, they add buckwheat and harvest it and the soybean crop together. 

Loran?s method has long been to focus on seed quality for economic viability. Uniform emergence is the key that ensures all the heads mature at the same time for a high-quality harvest. Once cereal crops dry and re-wet, germination quality goes down, so they try to harvest the cereal as it dries. For a few years, they were making $7-$8 per bushel on malt barley. Food grade wheat can earn a $2-$3 premium, but with grain cleaners the value can be almost doubled. Loran receives a minimum of $10 for cereal rye seed. He utilizes controlled traffic and stays on the tramlines to avoid creating compaction or driving on the crop. 

Controlled traffic has great results in a field, but it requires more forethought and careful management to be successful so it has not been widely adopted. Even if there?s a small yield loss, Loran avoids straying from the tramlines as much as possible. About 5 or 10 farmers participated in a tramline study with Bob Recker, with only Loran interseeding cover crops. The extra biomass in the tramlines was very valuable, and a 60-inch gap provided extremely high quality cover crops. Bob Recker did further testing of his ?barcode plot? and saw that the 60-inch gap was significantly better than the 30-inch gap for cover crop production. This year, he plans to relay cereal crops into standing 60-inch corn, which in his experience has yielded equivalent or better to 30-inch corn. He attributes some of that to having a precise planter. He also questions if yield should be the ultimate goal. Loran believes growers around him who sacrifice some yield for grazing days can attain 2-3 months of grazing instead of one, which can substantially lower feed costs. 

Loran believes kids belong in agriculture today, and that it isn?t happening enough. He believes in self-education and the importance of allowing kids to learn on-farm, rather than going off to college. In pursuit of this goal, Loran?s started a 4-H program on his farm and increased field days. Having the children working with soil scientists can inspire them so they want to enter the field, and he?s seen some success stories already. He thinks that more people need to step out of the way and let young people take their place. 

Loran sees the future of agriculture being focused on niche markets. He wants people to build an operation to fill voids in the market, rather than taking other people?s ideas and trying to make them fit their operation. He would change government intervention in agriculture if he could. If inherent risk was returned to farming, he believes competition and innovation would return. He also wants people to learn more about practices used after the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression and to combine those with current knowledge to improve fertility and soil health. 

Resources:
The Steinlage Way
Loran Steinlage on Twitter
Growing Crops 365 Days a Year - Loran Steinlage
Corn Maverick: Cracking the Mystery of 60-Inch Rows
Jill Clapperton, Rhizoterra

2020-08-04
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