Monthly podcast dedicated to soil health practices and systems. The podcast is produced through a partnership between the Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative (ccsin.org) and Hoosier Ag Today. It features farmers and other experts discussing a wide variety of practices: no-till, cover crops, nutrient/manure management, grazing.
Southeast Purdue Ag Center (SEPAC) Superintendent Joel Wahlman and Purdue Entomology research Christian Krupke talk about the work of establishing field-scale regenerative ag plots - alongside existing tillage systems. The projects not only incorporate no-till and cover crops, but also IPM to reduce insecticide and herbicide treatments as well as the impacts of seed treatments on the soil ecosystem. The plots will incorporate a long-term, multidisciplinary approach to research on acres much larger than "traditional research" and will be available for demonstration to farmers, landowners, and other stakeholders. At SEPAC, the long history of no-till and cover crop research makes the leap easier than some of the other PACs that have focused more heavily on higher tillage systems.
Not everyone "leads from the front". Some people make an indelible impact on their day to day efforts. For those who aren't the "front of the room" speakers, this podcast is for you - because you, like Fred Woods get to make a difference every day. Fred Woods was one of those individuals. In this podcast, join Barry Fisher, an independent soil health consultant and one of the first people hired at a newly-fledged USDA-NRCS Soil Health Division, along with Chris Lee, Southwest Indiana NRCS Area Conservationist, as they talk about the long-lasting impressions Fred made upon their careers and conservation ethics.
In this very special episode, David's son Jay Brandt talks with Oklahoma regenerative farmer-rancher Jimmy Emmons about the about the many seeds David planted across the globe and his lasting impact on farming. Not only did Dave's farming practices change the family farm's soil classification from a Cardigan Clay to a "different performing product", he changed the lives of countless people worldwide through his honesty, humility, and great sense of humor. Learn how David and Jay discussed the changes they were seeing on the farm - through a chemists lens and a farmers eye - and how he encouraged people like Jimmy to "just try it somewhere." Also learn about one of David's passions: working with the Dominican Sisters on the Fields of Sinsinawa (WI).
In 1993 the inaugural National No-Till Conference was held in Indianapolis. In 2024, the conference returned to Indy. Expecting 200 attendees, some 800 people attended in that first year and really fast-tracked the adoption of no-till systems. Mike Lessiter, son of Frank Lessiter, founder of No-Till Farmer magazine and the conference talks about that initial conference as well as the history of no-till and the need for farmers to form networks to ensure their success in adoption of the systems. In addition, Hans Kok consultant out of Indiana (and present at the launch of CCSI), talks about the significance of no-till systems and the impacts of the conference - including farmers sharing information about their stumbles... to help others avoid them.
Father-Son duo Cameron and Devon Churchill, Harrison County Indiana, are joined by Pete Huff, Wallace Center/Pasture Project for a slightly mind-bending conversation on grazing croplands. Just for a couple of teasers, the Churchill's have used intensive regenerative grazing to decrease round bale consumption in the cow calf operation from 2000+ to 700-750 bales! They are also turning cattle out into stalk ground after harvest to graze AND take advantage of hoof action to increase seed-soil contact of broadcast cover crops, improving stand establishment. Meanwhile, Huff provides information on additional resources - from grazing exchanges to practical management guides. Take a listen!