AgEmerge Podcast

We welcome Taylor Henry, a farmer, entrepreneur, realtor, and the owner of Acres U.S.A. and Henry Pastures. Broadcasting from the Driftless Region of Wisconsin, Taylor shares his remarkable journey from a career as a county sheriff to becoming a leading voice in regenerative agriculture. Taylor dives into his entrepreneurial mindset, inspired by books like Rich Dad, Poor Dad and Dirt to Soil, and how he transitioned from law enforcement to farming by taking bold action. He discusses the economic necessity of regenerative practices, emphasizing that ecological farming must be economically viable to succeed. As the owner of Acres U.S.A., Taylor is revitalizing its legacy, founded by Charles Walters in 1971, by digitizing resources, hosting impactful field days, and planning the 50th annual conference to connect farmers with practical, profitable strategies. Click this link if you'd like to learn more and register for the Farm Weird Event https://conference.eco-ag.com/farmweird?am_id=monte2150 And you can also click here: https://eco-farming.com/home?am_id=monte9926 to learn more about Acres U.S.A. Membership Offers Passionate about empowering first-generation farmers, Taylor shares innovative pathways to enter agriculture, from leveraging virtual jobs and Airbnb rentals to securing grazing leases and mentorship. He challenges conventional commodity farming's reliance on hope and highlights how regenerative systems offer control, resilience, and opportunities for multi-generational success. Taylor shares insights on overcoming paralysis by analysis, the power of books over social media, and his vision for Acres U.S.A. to shape a sustainable future for agriculture. Taylor Henry is a farmer, entrepreneur, and realtor, and the owner of Acres U.S.A. and Henry Pastures. He carries forward a regenerative farming legacy, managing over 250 acres across multiple farms in the Driftless Region. A former police officer turned entrepreneur, Taylor integrates cattle and hogs into his holistic farming system and helps others acquire land for regenerative use. Passionate about supporting the next generation of farmers, Taylor shares pathways for young people to enter regenerative agriculture, from innovative land access models to financing strategies and mentorship opportunities. Through Acres U.S.A., he continues to inspire and educate farmers nationwide. https://www.acresusa.com/ asn.farm And if you'd like to learn more about what we're doing, visit our website at asn.farm and there you can click on links to follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, Linkedin, and YouTube. There's a lot of great things happening and always something to learn.

Today, we welcome Ed Baumgartner, Founder and Breeder at 3rd Millennium Genetics and BASS Hybrids. Ed and his family have been on their corn breeding journey for decades, working on developing native traits resistant to insects and drought. This breeding program has evolved and is focused on developing corn hybrids that thrive in regenerative agriculture practices. Listen in as he and Monte have a great conversation that'll have your gears turning about seed research and development. Ed was born and raised on a cattle and corn farming operation near Olivia, Minnesota, a progressive farming region globally recognized as the “Corn Capital,” where most corn genetics with 105-day maturity or earlier pass through at some point. At its peak, this town of 2,500 people hosted 17 corn seed-related businesses. As a third-generation member of the corn seed industry, Ed's companies are distinct from earlier family enterprises. Since 1984, he has been breeding corn, navigating five corporate mergers before founding 3rd Millennium Genetics in Puerto Rico in 2005. He later expanded operations to Minnesota, establishing 3MG North in 2013 and selling corn seed through Bass Hybrids since 2017. Ed's corn breeding program, initiated in 2005, focuses on developing native traits for insect and drought resistance, evolving to create corn hybrids optimized for regenerative agriculture practices. His wife and three daughters are actively involved in various aspects of the business, and the first of his grandchildren will soon contribute, having already joined him on seed delivery trips. Ed has spent decades breeding corn hybrids that resist pests and drought, and driven by a passion for sustainable farming. His insights on native traits and soil health are a game-changer for agriculture. https://basshybrids.com/ https://www.3mgpr.com/ And if you'd like to learn more about the soil health systems that we are passionate about, check out our website at asn.farm and there you can click on links to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube. There's a lot of great things happening and always something to learn.

Brad Downing is the President and owner of Cross Creek Ag Solutions in Greentown, Indiana. Brad has committed to understanding the “why” behind farming practices. He and his team work to facilitate collaboration and education, helping farmers navigate the complexities of soil health, weather, and sustainable growth. He and Monte dig into the why and the how when it comes to implementation and adoption. Brad grew up immersed in his family's farm, cultivating a deep passion for agriculture alongside sports. Brad's career began in the seed industry, where he spent nearly 14 years with Beck's Hybrids, rising to district sales manager and leading the farm business team. His entrepreneurial drive led him to launch Cross Creek Farms in 2014, farming collaboratively with a neighbor, and Cross Creek Ag Solutions in 2017, a dealership focused initially on seed. Over time, his farm evolved into a research hub, testing bio-nutritional products to uncover what truly works for farmers. Today, Cross Creek distributes innovative products across 11 states and offering custom application, seed, and trucking services. Brad fosters collaboration and education, helping farmers navigate the complexities of soil health, weather, and sustainable growth. Alongside Marcia and a dedicated team, he continues to innovate, ensuring Cross Creek remains a trusted partner for farmers seeking data-driven, practical solutions. Cross Creek Ag Website: https://crosscreekag.com ACRES U.S.A. Farm Weird Event at Jason Mauck farm in Indiana Link: https://conference.eco-ag.com/farmweird And if you'd like to learn more about the soil health systems that we are passionate about, check out our website at asn.farm, and there you can click on links to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube. There's a lot of great things happening and always something to learn. Let us know if you have any questions or guest ideas by emailing kim@asn.farm.

We're making history in the AgEmerge podcast because we are chatting, in real time, with Grok, an AI built by xAI. We think this is kind of a big deal for the podcast, but also for everyone engaged in agriculture, because AI is really pushing us to change our paradigms and the way we think about our management practices and decisions. Think about soil data crunching, smarter grazing plans, and regenerative farming that's next-level sustainable. Monte is pumped to bring this to you. How cool is it to see AI dive into regenerative ag, from soil health to connecting farms with folks who love their food? Not to mention the power of the data analytics for farms - it's mind-blowing. So, thanks for listening as we continue to bring you some out-of-the-box guests. We've included links to Grok here in the show notes, and as always, you can learn more about what we are doing to help you adopt effective soil health practices that fit your context and operation. You can find us at asn.farm, and there you can click on links to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube. There's a lot of great things happening, and always something to learn! Find Grok here at https://grok.com Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Danny Royer is the Farm Coordinator at UC Merced. From smart farms to reimagining supply chains, we'll hear how Danny blends innovation with the art of growing food. He and Monte explore farming that looks at scaling back costs with sustainable practices as well as inspiring the next generation through real-world experience. Instagram: @esf_ucm https://www.instagram.com/esf_ucm?igsh=aml5Z3pmZmlyMXJ1 Danny was born and raised in Merced, California. Merced is located in the heart of California's Central Valley and is surrounded by production agriculture. Not having family ties to agriculture though, Danny found his passion for farming and agriculture through 4-H, FFA and on his best friend's farm just outside of Merced. He started his career in farming by irrigating pistachios in Madera at age 16 and eventually found himself working summers on a construction crew for Merced Irrigation District. After high school Danny took his passion for Agriculture to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. While he was there he continued to focus on broadening his work experience by taking on jobs at the Cal Poly Foundation Dairy and the Cal Poly Farm Shop. Danny Graduated from Cal Poly in 2008 with a degree in Agricultural Systems Management and minor in Agricultural Business. Cal Poly had prepared him for life after graduation, but Danny attributes his summer internships and combined work experiences to preparing him for the grind that would become the next eight years of his career. After graduating Danny worked in management and leadership positions for some of the largest farms and food production companies in California. After years of operational roles Danny transitioned into a new role as the VP of Technology for world renowned Bowles Farming Company. It was ag tech that allowed Danny to start driving change in operations and redefining company cultures. Danny's vast and extensive agriculture operations experience combined with the onslaught of ag tech allowed him to shift his strategy to incorporate ag tech solutions. After years of implementations and improvement iterations though, Danny was ready for something more. Along with being a serial agriculturalist and technologist, Danny is an active member in his Community of Merced. He serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Community Foundation of Merced County and actively engages in community events and initiatives. Lastly and definitely most importantly to Danny, he is very much a family man. Danny is married with three children, who are the light of his life and his mission to create sustainable food systems is driven by a desire to see a more balanced and sustainable world for his family. Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Emily Usher-DeaKyne is a natural resource social scientist at Purdue University working as the Project Manager for the Diverse Corn Belt project. The initiative started in 2021, led by Purdue University, to diversify Midwestern agriculture beyond corn and soybeans in Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa. Her work explores systems like extended rotations, agroforestry, and livestock integration, involving over 30 partners in research, economics, and stakeholder engagement. The project aims to overcome barriers like markets and policy, enhance resilience, and promote sustainability through on-farm studies, education, and outreach. https://diversecornbelt.org/ Emily is originally from the Midwest, she has always valued the economic, environmental, and social opportunities the natural environment provides. Understanding the balance between components drives her research interests in diverse agricultural systems, public policy development, and community engagement. She has B.S. in Plant Biology from Ohio University and a M.S. Natural Resources from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening, grilling, and traveling. Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Two soil science powerhouses from Kansas State University: Dr. Ganga Hettiarachchi and Dr. Charles Rice explore a fundamental but often overlooked question—are all soil nutrients the same? The simple answer, no. Not all nutrients are created equal. The source matters. The form matters. And the way nutrients interact with soil minerals, microbes, and organic matter? It's a whole other level of complexity. We also talk about carbon—how it moves, how it's stored, and how it could be the key to building resilient soils that thrive for generations. Visit their work here: Dr. Ganga Hettiarachchi: https://www.agronomy.k-state.edu/research/faculty-labs/soil-environment-chem/ Dr. Charles Rice: https://www.agronomy.k-state.edu/about/people/faculty/rice-charles/ This episode is packed with groundbreaking insights for scientists and farmers. Click below to watch or listen and as always, let us know if you have any questions or guest ideas by emailing kim@asn.farm.

Dallas Mount is the Owner of Ranch Management Consultants (RMC), home of the Ranching for Profit School and the Executive Link program. Dig into the business side of ag, the stories, strategies, and insights to help your farm or ranch thrive. Dallas has led RMC since 2019 and worked with thousands of ranchers across North America, Australia and the UK to position their business for economic profit and ecologic health. The Ranching for Profit School is a program that's been helping farmers and ranchers for over 40 years turn passion into profit. From breaking down outdated management practices to unlocking strategies that actually work, Dallas shares game-changing advice for successfully running their operation. www.ranchingforprofit.com After working with University of Wyoming Extension for 18 years, Dallas started teaching the Ranching For Profit School in 2012 and quickly established himself as an elite instructor. Dallas and his wife Dixie, have two adult children and own and manage a grazing operation near Wheatland, WY. RMC is focused on creating profitable businesses, with healthy land and happy families. Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Luke and Thad Bergschneider are from Central Illinois where Luke is a University of Illinois Soil Scientist and Researcher and Thad is the current National FFA President. The future of agriculture is in good hands! These bright, articulate, knowledgeable men are critical thinkers, who are exploring how they can be an asset to agriculture. Growing up on their family farm, these two have grown not just crops and livestock, but also a passion for the future of agriculture. Luke, a crop scientist and researcher at the University of Illinois, is dedicated to studying soil health, water quality, and nutrient cycles—bridging the gap between science and real-world farming. Meanwhile, Thad has taken a bold step into national leadership, serving as the National FFA President, advocating for agricultural education and inspiring the next generation of changemakers. From hands-on experience in the field to cutting-edge research and nationwide advocacy, these brothers are shaping the future of agriculture in their own unique ways. Luke and Thad Bergschneider, two of seven siblings, grew up immersed in agriculture on their family farm in Central Illinois. There they gained firsthand experience raising corn, soybeans, and cattle, along with forays into pigs, turkeys, and sheep. After high school Luke studied agronomy at Western Illinois University and then attended University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he received a MS in Crop Sciences. He now works with the UIUC Soils Lab supporting multiple on-farm research projects studying water quality and nutrient cycles while continuing to contribute part-time to the family farm. Thad, after joining Luke at UIUC for a semester, is now taking a gap year to serve as the National FFA President. In this role, he is dedicating his time to advocating for agriculture, promoting agricultural education, and supporting the next generation of leaders who will change the world. Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Juan Whiting is a 4th-generation farmer, ag entrepreneur, author, and a seasoned expert in navigating the often-complicated world of grant writing and agricultural funding. From working with the Conflict and Development Foundation in East Africa to leading his own consulting company, Stray Acres LLC, Juan has a unique passion for linking farmers, ranchers, and their partners to the funding they need to build better environments, communities, and food systems. As a 4th generation farmer and an ag entrepreneur, Juan has weathered storms, both literal and figurative. Grants have provided a stable foundation to innovate, lead, and build operations even when cashflow was limited. Grant writing started as a job as he led funded projects for the Conflict and Development Foundation in East Africa, it became a source of funding for his own farm management company, and today it is a passion, as he leads top industry leaders and high performing teams in their pursuit of funding with his consulting company, Stray Acres LLC. He spent over 8 years in East Africa working on community and agricultural related projects. Juan is deeply passionate about linking farmers, ranchers and their partners to the funding and support they need to improve their environments, build communities, and strengthen food systems. Whether it is a small community garden or a full-scale ranching operation, there is a story to be told and organizations with the funds to make it a reality. Juan proudly serves as an Agricultural Specialist/Civil Affairs officer in the US Army. He contributes to the army's mission and objectives of winning hearts and minds overseas and promoting the American way of life by feeding empty stomachs. When he is not pushing revolutions in the ag industry, Juan is spending time with his beautiful wife and 5 kids homeschooling, cooking, road tripping or simply connecting with the outdoors the way it was meant to be. If you'd like to learn more about Juan's work with Stray Acres LLC or his holistic funding approach, check out his book, The Holistic Funding Approach, available on Amazon. You can also visit his website at strayacresconsulting.com to explore tools, services, and even take a quiz to see what funding solutions are right for you. Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Andrew is a forward-thinking farmer and entrepreneur based in Chowchilla, California, dedicated to advancing regenerative agriculture practices. Andrew will be one of the speakers at the 4th Annual Regenerative Tree Nut Field Day Jan 21-22, 2025. You can find out more about the event here: https://burroughsfamilyfarms.com/pages/regenerative-almond-field-day Andrew is a forward-thinking farmer and entrepreneur based in Chowchilla, California, dedicated to advancing regenerative agriculture practices. After a career in music in Los Angeles, Andrew returned to his hometown in 2012, where he began his journey in farming by working with his father-in-law. What started as a curiosity about the overuse of chemicals and the lack of biodiversity in traditional farming quickly evolved into a passion for building resilient soil systems. In 2020, Andrew founded EcoThrive Farm Management, a business focused on promoting soil health and balancing agricultural ecosystems. Through the adoption of practices like cover cropping, reduced chemical inputs, and composting, Andrew has demonstrated that sustainable farming not only benefits the environment but also significantly reduces costs and enhances long-term profitability. Andrew's innovative approach has led to remarkable successes, such as saving over $600 per acre in farming costs, reducing water usage by up to 25%, and fostering thriving ecosystems that include improved biodiversity and nutrient cycling. His commitment to working with nature instead of against it has earned him recognition as a leader in sustainable farming. Beyond farming, Andrew is passionate about sharing his journey and encouraging others to rethink conventional practices. He believes in the power of collaboration and learning from failure to push the boundaries of what's possible in regenerative agriculture. In Andrew's own words: “We went from considering ourselves almond or pistachio farmers to ecosystem farmers. We're soil farmers. This is what our focus is.” Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Guest host David Kleinschmidt joined us at the 2024 Big Soil Health Event in Cedar Falls, IA, where we had the privilege of connecting with some incredible attendees. It was a great event where hundreds of farmers and ranchers from all over the country gathered to learn, share, and encourage each other to continue to adopt soil health strategies. We asked attendees to join us in our “on the road" studio to share their soil health journey. Below is our BSHE podcast guest list showing where they are from and how you can connect: Tony Peirick Tony farms lives in south-central Wisconsin and he's also the chairman of a farmer-led group in Wisconsin called Dodge County Farmers Healthy Soil, Healthy Water. Tony is also involved in the Fields of Sinsinawa. https://fishersandfarmers.org/groups/dodge-county-farmers-for-healthy-soil-healthy-water/ https://fieldsofsinsinawa.org/ Blake Vince Blake is a fifth-generation farmer from Merlin, Ontario, Canada. Blake will tell you that soil health is the focus of his farm practices. You may have heard Blake speak at other events - his wisdom and perspective on soil health is certainly an encouragement to growers striving to improve their systems. https://www.notill.org/blake-vince https://www.cpm-magazine.co.uk/sustainable-farming/conversations-with-blake-vince-roots-not-iron/ Grant and Dawn Breitkreutz Grant & Dawn operate Stoney Creek Farm near Redwood Falls, MN. They are also the inaugural Minnesota Leopold Conservation Award. You've seen them on Farmer's Footprint and so many other places. Their story offers so much hope and sage advice to other growers. https://sandcountyfoundation.org/news/2024/dawn-and-grant-breitkreutz-receive-minnesota-leopold-conservation-award https://www.mnsoilhealth.org/mentors/dawn-and-grant-breitkreutz/ https://farmersfootprint.us/grant-and-dawn-breitkreutz/ Phil Smith Phil farms in Minnesota and has a great story of adopting a regenerative system on his farm and encourages growers to know it's never too late to start! Adam Chappell Adam is from Cotton Plant, Arkansas. They grow about 2,500 acres of, corn, soybeans, rice, and occasionally cotton. You've probably seen Adam on YouTube and other avenues as he has been very transparent of their soil health journey and practices. https://farmersfootprint.us/adam-chappell/ Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for listening today, we're digging into the power of regenerative farming, enterprise stacking, and community-driven agriculture with our guest, Lydia Dresbach. Lydia's story is a testament to rethinking what's possible on the farm—from growing heritage grains and running agritourism events to creating a thriving ecosystem of many enterprises! Get ready to be inspired by her vision for stewardship, her dedication to community, and her commitment to crafting a future where farming is sustainable, profitable, and deeply connected to the people it serves. Lydia Dresbach is a young farmer at Dresbach Farms, a multigenerational regenerative farm located in southern Ohio, focused on providing quality food to her community through stacking enterprises, stewarding well, and direct marketing. She currently manages all direct marketing for Dresbach Farms, has her own herd of cattle, has a large role in the agritourism events hosted on the farm, dabbles in vegetable production, is a part of a local heritage grain hub, and assists with the managing of the whole farm operation. https://dresbachfarms.grazecart.com/ Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

As a trailblazer in soil health and regenerative practices, Adam Daugherty, a farmer, educator, and NRCS Soil Health Specialist for the State of Tennessee. Adam has inspired farmers to embrace big, diverse cover crops and innovative no-till practices that challenge the conventional norms. So listen in as we talk about his journey that's full of resilience and practical wisdom. Adam is the new Tennessee State Soil Health Specialist after serving as the district conservationist for the Manchester Field Office since 2013. He began his NRCS career in August 2002 as a soil conservationist at Manchester. He was selected as district conservationist at the Winchester Field Office in 2005 and served as the area resource conservationist in the Murfreesboro Area Office from 2008 until May 2013. Adam operates a small family farm where his wife, Jaime, and two sons, Brady and Tanner, specialize in regeneratively grown produce. They continually experiment with pushing the limits on biomass management and agro-ecological production systems. Recently Adam has begun expanding the application of the soil health principles into his annual wildlife management systems. In his spare time, he is an avid outdoorsman. If not rolling down covers or planting and managing a crop, Adam tries to spend ample time at traditional archery competitions bowhunting whitetail deer, or coaxing in thunder chickens. Adam was born in Cumberland County, grew up in the masonry and stone fabrication industry, and graduated from Cumberland County High School. He has a bachelor's degree in agriculture from Tennessee Tech University and a master's degree in biosystems engineering technology from the University of Tennessee. Adam's Email: adam.daugherty@usda.gov Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

David Kleinschmidt is the owner of Progressive Agronomy Consulting Services. His experience, keen observations, and thorough scrutiny of data makes for a great discussion as he and Monte explore real-time soil health systems and the tools he uses to evaluate those systems. There are no silver bullets when it comes to the tools and resources farmers implement. But there is a path forward built on informed decisions, adaptability, and a deep understanding of your unique farming system. As David shares, soil health is a journey, not a destination. With his work focusing on better soil testing, nutrient cycling, and the power of timing and diversity, he continues to bridge the gap between conventional and regenerative practices, empowering farmers to make informed decisions that benefit both their present needs and future sustainability. And if you'd like to make informed decisions on adopting effective soil health practices, let us help! You can contact us at asn.farm and find us on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube and Rumble. David Kleinschmidt grew up on a diverse family farm in west-central Illinois, cultivating corn, soybeans, wheat, hogs, and even Christmas trees. Originally pursuing veterinary studies, he shifted to agricultural economics after realizing the importance of managing farms for profitability. From 2004 to 2012, David worked in ag retail, selling seed, chemicals, fertilizers, and installing planter systems. His career took a pivotal turn in 2012 when he began promoting cover crops to farmers, sparking his interest in soil health and the overlooked biological dynamics of farming. This shift led him to a path of observational farming and in-depth research into soil biology. In 2018, David left the corporate ag retail world to start consulting, embracing a purist approach to promoting cover crops, no-till, and holistic soil management. Today, he focuses on empowering farmers with advanced soil testing, optimized nutrient application timing, and fostering microbial diversity, bridging conventional and regenerative practices to enhance both immediate yields and long-term soil health. https://www.facebook.com/progressiveagronomyconsulting Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Dr. Dwayne Beck has driven research on cover crops, no-till, and the dynamics of herbicide resistance in weeds, all while emphasizing the benefits of diverse cropping systems. His efforts have empowered producers to achieve greater profitability while enhancing soil health, conserving water, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting wildlife habitat. Dr. Beck's work continues to shape the future of agriculture, and listeners can experience his knowledge and insights firsthand in this episode. Episode 148 features Dr. Dwayne Beck's powerful 2020 presentation from the AgEmerge stage, where he shared insights from his years of pioneering work in functioning soil health systems at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm. With a background in chemistry and a reputation as a critical thinker, Dr. Beck has profoundly impacted sustainable agriculture practices, especially in profitable no-till farming adapted for producers in the Northern Great Plains. Additionally, for those interested in hearing from Dr. Beck in person, he will be a featured speaker at the 2025 National No-Till Conference this January in Louisville, KY. Details are linked in the show notes. Dakota Lakes Research Farm http://www.dakotalakes.com/ 2025 National No-Till Conference link where Dr. Beck will be speaking. http://www.NoTillConference.com Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Bernie Hansen is the Managing Member of BetterFedFoods. From transforming the precooked meats industry and launching prepared entrée products for food service to dedicating years of research to the benefits of essential fatty acids in animal diets, Bernie's work is far-reaching and includes connecting consumers to the farmers that produce their food. Want to know more about transforming the food industry? https://youtu.be/s9v36OouaIo Food as medicine? Yes. Watch here: https://youtu.be/sWe7VEhUfNM Soil and Human Health are Connected? Watch here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF-Hc8USB_JtS5EQqVuGgK-OueZZEz3vu&si=9iNglYjwNd2XUI4N *** Show notes and Links *** Subscribe to AgEmerge here: https://www.youtube.com/c/AgSolutionsNetwork Ag Solutions Network Socials: https://www.agsolutionsnetwork.com/agemergepodcast https://www.facebook.com/ASN.farm https://www.linkedin.com/company/agsolutionsnetwork https://twitter.com/POWER2GRO https://www.instagram.com/agsolutionsnetwork/ Ag Solutions Network website: https://www.agsolutionsnetwork.com/ Bernie launched BetterFedFoods LLC, a limited liability technology company based in Kansas and chartered in Delaware. It is the creator, developer, and administrative entity providing sponsorship and oversight among a coalition of established stakeholders that each contribute to a program of Better Fed Land, Better Fed Animals, and Better Fed People. With its stakeholders, BetterFedFoods will transform the U.S. agricultural system from one based on subsidies to one based on producer premiums, using Climate-Smart practices. Since 2006, Bernard L. Hansen has devoted his time to researching the beneficial role of essential fatty acids in animal diets. Lowering the Omega 6:3 ratio is essential in reducing inflammation to improve animal performance and production, including beef cattle, dairy, swine, and poultry. Over 10,000 data points and numerous commercial feed trials document that essential fatty acids increase fertility, decrease anti-biotic use, and provide a multitude of associated health benefits. Microalgae play a major role in the delivery of essential fatty acids when included in daily feed rations by feeding the micro-biome to improve gut health. BetterFedFoods partner NBO3 Technologies manufactures a microalgae-based feed nutrient, Great O Plus, which has sold to many feed suppliers across the United States. Other strains of microalgae play a similar role in feeding the microbiome in soil, improving soil organic matter (SOM), and increasing plant biomass and root structure. BetterFedFoods provides the A+ soil amendment for crops and pastureland using microalgae as a bio-stimulant to improve yield and protein. The BetterFedFoods coalition includes AgWise, a technology platform providing complete traceability of food products to educate producers and consumers about the benefits of verifying the BetterFedFoods program. BetterFedFoods was proud to receive the Texas Independent Cattlemen's Association 2024 Agri Business Award. Linking the producers to the consumer is our mission. https://betterfedfoods.com/ https://www.facebook.com/betterfedfoods Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Jay Brandt is a fourth-generation farmer in Ohio, who, along with his family, is passionate about soil health and producing nutritious grains. The Brandt family is on a mission to share how they've diversified their income by growing, milling, and selling heirloom grains directly to consumers. Listen in as we talk with Jay about his family's farm and how they're building a more sustainable and profitable future. Jay farms with his wife Ann, and their two grown children Christopher and Isaac. The Brandt Family Farm is located in central Ohio, just southeast of Columbus. The Brandt Family has been farming in the area for four generations and produces corn, soybeans and wheat. Their farm hosts Walnut Creek Seeds, a dealer of cover crops and forages, and participates as a regenerative grain hub, providing seed cleaning and flour milling for ancient, heirloom and landrace grain. Their current operation has been focused on education of conservation practices, with an emphasis on cover crop adoption, for the last 30 years. Jay's father, David Brandt, has been coined the godfather of the soil health movement and is world-renowned for his passion for soil conservation and the use of soil health principles to reduce reliance on synthetic inputs and farm in nature's image. And if you'd like to learn more about how Ag Solutions Network is working with growers to implement a systems approach to diversity and soil health, check out our website at www.asn.farm, and there you can find ways to connect and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube. There are a lot of great things happening and there is always something to learn. https://www.regengrain.com/ https://www.walnutcreekseeds.com/ https://localmillers.com/ https://fieldsofsinsinawa.org/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082845193929 Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Welcome and thanks for listening, today we welcome Ladd and Zoey Wahlen, fourth-generation Idaho potato farmers with a passion for regenerative agriculture and sustainable practices. Ladd, along with his wife Zoey, returned to their roots in 2015 to start their own farm, growing potatoes, wheat, and alfalfa. They took their love for farming a step further by founding Roots Potato Chips, a company dedicated to creating healthier snacks while positively impacting consumers, the community, and the soil. Ladd and Zoey share their unique perspective on regenerative agriculture, recognizing the importance of context in farming. We'll explore how their approach to farming and their focus on diversity and soil health has transformed their operation. Let's get started! Ladd Wahlen is a 4th generation Idaho potato farmer. He studied general business and agronomy in college where he met his wife Zoey. Zoey and Ladd came back to the family farm and started their own family farm operation back in 2015. They mainly grow potatoes, wheat, and alfalfa. They both have a passion for agriculture and to continually add value to the farm. Roots Potato Chips is owned by Ladd and Zoey and processes some of the farm's potatoes. The mission of the potato chip company is to provide a better-for-you snack that has a positive impact on the consumer, the community, and on the soil. https://rootschips.com https://rootschips.com/pages/the-farm Don't forget to like and share us on your favorite social media platforms! Do you know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Welcome to today's episode! If your passion lies at the crossroads of food, human health, and soil health, you're in for a great listen. Our guests are Jimmy Emmons, Senior Vice President of Climate-Smart Programs at Trust in Food, and Erin Martin, President of the Tulsa Urban Ag Coalition, Director of FreshRx Oklahoma, and co-lead of Oklahoma's Food is Medicine Policy Coalition. They're not just talking about change—they're leading it. From regenerating soils to cultivating nutritious food and promoting human health, these two are at the forefront of a movement that's turning vision into reality. So, get ready to be inspired as we dive into a conversation that's reshaping our food and soil systems. Erin Martin's journey serving others commenced at the age of fifteen when she began assisting older adults. Now, holding a master's degree in Gerontology from the University of Southern California, renowned as the premier institution in this field globally, Erin boasts extensive experience across all facets of long-term care. In 2021, she initiated FreshRx Oklahoma, a pioneering produce prescription program, in collaboration with primary care clinics, sourcing from local, regenerative farmers. Nationally and internationally, Erin provides consultancy on leveraging food as medicine, aiding communities in the establishment and expansion of their own programs, emphasizing the vital connection between soil and human health. Certified in Regenerative Soil Advocacy, she ardently advocates for soil health's impact on human well-being. Jimmy Emmons leads Trust In Food's Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Connected Ag Project, America's Conservation Ag Movement and Trust In Beef, coalition-driven conservation programs developed to accelerate the adoption of conservation agriculture at scale. Jimmy and his wife, Ginger, own and operate Emmons Farm in Leedey, Okla., where they farm 2,000 acres and have 5,000 acres of rangeland where they run 300 head of cows and calves in an integrated row-crop and livestock operation that optimizes water resources, reduces erosion and improves organic material in the soils. He is a public speaker, educator, mentor and advocate for conservation management practices to improve producers' resiliency to weather, operational efficiency and profitability. Emmons most recently served as coordinator for mentoring for the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. Prior to that, he was regional coordinator for USDA's Farm Production and Conservation, where he supported operational and business functions across the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Risk Management Agency (RMA). He has also served as president of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts and led fundraising for the National Young Farmers Education Association. Follow Jimmy and Erin's work here: https://www.trustinfood.com/tif-staff/jimmy-emmons/ www.freshrxok.org https://www.tiktok.com/@foodasmedicine?lang=en https://erinwmartin.com/ https://americasconservationagmovement.com/ Previous AgEmerge Podcast Recordings: Jimmy Emmons https://soundcloud.com/agemerge/122-agemerge-podcast-with-jimmy-emmons-sr-vp-for-trust-in-foods-climate-smart-commodities-connected-ag-project https://youtu.be/1w3ausiWfF0 Erin Martin https://soundcloud.com/agemerge/086-agemerge-podcast-erin-martin-conscious-aging-solutions-founder https://youtu.be/fAIr5GyUSgU AgEmerge Soil Health Human Health Connection https://soundcloud.com/agemerge/124-agemerge-podcast-soil-health-human-health-connection https://youtu.be/jthNraGP1SY Linkedin Erin: https://www.linkedin.com/services/page/768451314855699587/ Jimmy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmy-emmons-921b7673/ Stay connected: Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us, today we welcome Peter Donovan founder of the Soil Carbon Coalition. We're diving into his inspiring journey and experience in Holistic Management, decision-making, rangeland monitoring, and community development. Peter is a passionate advocate for collaborative learning where farmers and ranchers are sharing knowledge and experiences. His rich background in forestry, farming, and ranching has facilitated his understanding of natural systems and how to skillfully manage those natural resources. Join us as we explore Peter's remarkable work and his unwavering passion for the land while engaging the people and animals that call it home. Peters has a background in forestry, farm, and ranch work, sheep and cattle herding, Holistic Management and decision-making, rangeland monitoring, and community development. His first effort in sharing what he was learning about ecosystem process and function was reporting on holistic managers in the 1990s (see managingwholes.com). In 2007 he founded the Soil Carbon Coalition. This second effort was traveling around the continent for a decade measuring soil carbon change, with open data. Peter was spread too thin, not a good context for sharing or fostering a shared intelligence on the circle of life. Without a coherent group, the context of this work was vague and unfocused. Much of the conversation and buzz about soil carbon quickly turned to the commodification of soil carbon as "offsets" which to him was the wrong question—for both our intentions and our ability to implement them. (Vandana Shiva observes that the financialization of nature equals the rape of the earth.) soilhealth.app is the third try: can this help locally driven efforts to ask better questions, and engage more people in asking and answering? Other Links for Peter: https://soilcarboncoalition.org/pages/about/ https://soilcarboncoalition.org/author/Peter_Donovan/ https://managingwholes.com/ soilhealth.app/about Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for listening, we're excited to welcome Dr. Sivam Krish, CEO of GoMicro to the podcast today to discuss Go Micro's technology that uses phone-based AI assessment enabling on-farm grain quality checks and assessments throughout the supply chain. So let's jump right in as Monte and Dr. Krish explore these great advancements in AI technology. Dr. Sivam Krish is a pioneering figure in the realm of generative AI, having laid the foundational work for autonomous design creation during his tenure at the National University of Singapore. As the CEO of GoMicro, Dr. Krish is at the forefront of revolutionizing agricultural produce assessment. His innovative approach combines patent-pending imaging technology with advanced generative AI, enabling accurate quality and shelf life analysis via smartphone. This breakthrough aims to minimize quality-related disputes in the agriculture sector. Under Dr. Krish's leadership, GoMicro's technology is already making a significant impact in countries like India and Indonesia. It is also being trialed by a major US supermarket chain to assess freshness and reduce food waste, showcasing its global potential. Dr. Krish's vision is to transform agricultural produce into digitally tradable goods, ensuring transparency and efficiency in the market. Dr. Krish's contributions are not only enhancing the precision of quality assessments but are also paving the way for a more sustainable and fair agricultural industry. His work exemplifies the transformative power of AI in solving real-world challenges. GoMicro is a deep tech company developing AI Assessment solutions for the Agri value chain. Our patent-pending technology delivers unparalleled precision in evaluating the quality of agriproducts. Our phone-based AI assessment technology allows you to assess grain quality on farms and throughout the supply chain – leaving no room for quality-related disputes. Go Micro Links: https://www.gomicro.co/ https://www.gomicro.co/in-the-press/ Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us today, we've got a great conversation for you with agronomist, author, and regenerative consultant, Dale Strickler. With over 30 years of experience in agronomy, pasture management, and soil and crop advising Dale has developed highly effective systems for numerous ranches, even in challenging climates and soil types. And what you'll want to listen for is Monte and Dale's conversation about the water cycle, what we've done to it, and the major impact it's had on our entire soil system. So join us as we tap into Dale's vast expertise and insights. Author and consultant Dale Strickler has more than 30 years of experience in agronomy, pasture management, and soil and crop advising. He has developed highly effective grazing systems for numerous ranches with a range of often challenging climates and soil types. Dale also designs crop rotations and advises on cover crop planning to improve soil, maximize crop yields, and reduce the need for expensive crops inputs. He currently serves as lead agronomist for the nation's premier cover crop–specific seed company and is a featured speaker at many conferences and grazing schools around the country and globally. Strickler is the author of the books, The Drought Resilient Farm, Managing Pasture, and The Complete Guide to Restoring Your Soil, which was named a top ten farming book for 2021 by Modern Farmer. Dale's articles have appeared in publications like Mother Earth News, Acres USA, Stockman Grass Farmer, and Grit. John Kempf has featured Dale on the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, and you can read about his work at No-Till on the Plains, Mongabay, and the Atlanta Business Journal and in many Kansas news articles. As President of the Kansas Graziers Association, Dale advocates for greater rancher profits, autonomy, and best pasture practices. Dale is also on the regional advisory committee of the Kansas Water Office and is working on reducing soil erosion and water pollution in area water basin rivers and streams. Dale Strickler grew up on a farm and ranch near the small town of Colony, Kansas. He attended a small high school with 29 members in his graduating class and then received BS and MS degrees from Kansas State University in Science Education and Agronomy. Dale taught agronomy in higher education for 15 years, then entered into private industry. He has worked as an agronomist for Land O' Lakes, Star Seed, and Valent USA before landing his role with Green Cover Seed, the nation's premier cover crop–specific seed company. From 1997 to 2019 he operated his own ranch and, over the years, tested and refined his techniques for optimal land management. The unique management methods used on his farm earned awards, such as the 2013 Water and Energy Progress Award Model of Innovation from the State of Kansas, the Kansas Farm Bureau Natural Resources Award in 2015, and the 2014 Kansas Bankers Association Conservation Program Water Conservation Award. Awards began early when the Strickler family won the American Royal Farm Family of the Year in 1986, and in 2020, after 30 years away, Dale moved back to the area where he was raised. He now resides in Iola, KS, a short drive from his ancestral family farm, now operated by his brother, and where he still maintains a small herd of cattle. https://www.regenerativewisdom.com/ Also, check out their upcoming ranching school: https://www.regenerativewisdom.com/ranching-school Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us! Today we welcome Daniel Pepitone, one of the co-founders of Harpe Bio Herbicide Solutions, where they have developed a series of natural-based herbicides utilizing plant extracts. It's fascinating how this mode of action works and as you might imagine, Monte has a great time digging into the specifics, so let's get started. With more than 15 years of experience in the agricultural product development business arena, Daniel served in a range of senior commercial effectiveness, marketing, and industry relations roles for BASF. His expertise includes the development and implementation of internal and external global launch and branding strategies for new active ingredient molecules as well as establishing differentiated customer experience while advocating in behalf of farmers. His executive management experience includes serving as Vice President and Partner in a privately-owned marketing company whereas part of the senior management team he helped shape company philosophy and led new business acquisition. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Daniel spent time supporting operations on his family's farm as a livestock producer in Modiin, Israel before returning to the United States to complete a Bachelor of the Arts degree (hon) in Marketing and Communications from Rutgers University – The State University of New Jersey. https://harpebio.com/ Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us! Today we welcome Jon Bakehouse from Maple Edge Farm in Hastings, Iowa where Jon farms with his family. We enjoy talking with farmers who are actively engaged in improving soil health on their own operations. Jon has done a great deal of work and on-farm research along with Practical Farmers of Iowa to do just that. Some of that research includes reducing nitrogen rates for corn in soil health systems, cover crops and water infiltration, suppressing waterhemp with cover crops, and roller crimping cereal rye in soybean production. He and Monte dig into these topics and so much more so let's jump right in. Jon Bakehouse farms with his wife Tina, son Anderson and parents near Hastings, Iowa. The Bakehouses raise corn and soybeans and have a cow-calf herd. As the fifth generation farming his family's land, Jon has conducted PFI on-farm research for over seven years and unofficial field trials his entire farming career. Jon has been an incredibly active PFI member and would be a great person to speak about PFI programs, specifically our on-farm research opportunities. Here are some PFI videos featuring Jon: Reducing N Rates to Corn in Soil Health Systems https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ocip4kwlGnQ Cover Crops and Water Infiltration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y9hcBDcQnQ&t=22s Suppressing Waterhemp with Cover Crops https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LarRjStaXGI&t=5s Roller Crimping Cereal Rye in Soybean Production https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp3hVyTmLMg&t=7s Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us! Today we welcome Russ Green, the founder and Managing Director of a network of future agricultural leaders called MACKAYBEN. Russ has made it his mission to help identify and mentor these leaders. In this podcast, he and Monte cover a wide range of topics, including agricultural equipment, artificial intelligence, and discovering the next generation of agricultural leaders, from roles within major corporations to innovations being implemented on the farm. Watch episode here: https://youtu.be/CwiU2-WL6kg Russ has had a 45+ year career supporting the agri-food value chain. Having worked for and lead organizations like AGCO, Claas of America, and Case New Holland, Russ has deep industry knowledge and connections that can only come from a life-long devotion to the industry. Russ completed his undergrad at University of Northern Iowa and his MBA at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Lubar School of Business. Russ credits his success in the agricultural business to being raised with a Midwest work ethic surrounded by people who genuinely cared for each other's interests and community well-being. Named by Farm Industry News as one of the 10 Fascinating People in Agriculture in 2015, Russ has formed a successful 45-year career contributing to the growth and business expansion of several international industry players in North America. ​ Russ is a ‘truth-teller and a sense-maker.” He is as comfortable with his problem-solving and communication skills with the producer in the small cattle feed yard as he is with his executive teammates in the corporate boardroom. One of his industry colleagues stated, that Russ' ability to make strategic progress with the quote, “Russ has great people skills and is comfortable interacting with anyone from the small-scale farmer to the president of a multinational corporation or a State Governor or U.S. Senator.” ​ Russ is the founder and Managing Director of a network of future agricultural leaders in a group named MACKAYBEN. Experienced agriculture mentors need to help our young ag and food leaders, as they have the daunting task of feeding the world and our future generations. ​ Russ was recently featured in a video by Green Mountain Lion Corp. about industry leader success stories. https://youtu.be/UwkFISmui9s ​ Focus Areas: Executive strategic development Rapid improvement Dealer performance group leadership Workforce development Structuring teams Coaching leaders to their greatest potential Russ, named one of the 10 Fascinating People in Agriculture by Farm Industry News in 2015, attributes his success in agriculture to a Midwest work ethic and a community-driven upbringing. With a knack for problem-solving and communication, he's equally at ease in a small cattle feed yard as in a corporate boardroom. Transitioning from a global corporate role to teaching and consulting, Russ brings his extensive industry experience and coaching background to inspire future leaders and align actions with strategy through MACKAYBEN. SATISFYD Presentation: https://blog.satisfyd.com/blueprint-for-attracting-and-retaining-millennial-talent?hs_preview=VlEwCfpx-160998029434 https://mackayben.com/about/ https://www.machineryadvisors.org/russ-green Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

We are excited to bring you this special podcast. It's the live recording from the very first AgEmerge Event that was held in Monterey California in 2019. It all began when Monte read a paper Dr. White had written about the rhizophagy cycle and he knew he needed to get this powerful research and information in the hands of farmers and ranchers. Dr. White had everyone on the edge of their seats as he shared this groundbreaking research. We've included Dr. White's main stage presentation along with his breakout session but first we bring you a special clip of Monte and Gabe Brown discussing that day because Gabe was both a presenter and listener when Dr. White was on the stage. Enjoy! Dr. James F. White is Professor of Plant Biology at Rutgers University where he and students conduct research on beneficial microbes that inhabit plant tissues. Dr. White obtained the M.S. in Mycology and Plant Pathology from Auburn University, Alabama, and the Ph.D. in Botany/Mycology from the University of Texas, Austin. Dr. White specializes in the study of endophytic microbes and how they affect plants. Dr. White is the author of more than 200 articles, and author and editor of reference books on the biology of 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, 2017), Defensive Mutualism in Microbial Symbiosis (2009), and Seed Endophytes: Biology and Biotechnology (2019). Dr. White is a fellow of the AAAS, and Associate Editor for journals Fungal Ecology, Symbiosis, Mycoscience, and Scientific Reports. Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

AgEmerge Podcast Episode 136 is dedicated to David Brandt, of Brandt Farms and Walnut Creek Seed. If you know your soil health, no-till history, and follow the leaders in these areas then you know how fortunate we were to get to visit with David before his passing. Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/Hmsi9yDDtbM We lost David in a tragic vehicle accident on May 21st, 2023. Earlier that year he'd made a 2023 visit to Sinsinawa Mound in Wisconsin, where the Sinsinawa River begins its 21-mile journey to the Mighty Mississippi. He recognized the Mound as a place where this message of holistic land stewardship could flourish. He planted the seed. This vision has taken root at Sinsinawa Mound in Southwest Wisconsin. Aptly named Fields of Sinsinawa: A Farmer-Led Learning Center, brings the message of healthy soil for a healthy planet to the Midwest and beyond. David is often referred to as the “godfather” of conservation agriculture and soil health. His message has had worldwide impact. He mentored many farmers who admired his practical approach and the ways he generously shared what he learned from the soil during his 50-year farming career. You'll find more information on how to connect with the Fields of Sinsinawa: A Farmer-Led Learning Center here: https://mcusercontent.com/d34a1e6b8b607f4dc0d40fa39/files/eb5a6547-135e-e5f2-cea2-5ac0f4d75e45/Fos_Funding_Packet_d9.pdf Donate to the Fields of Sinsinawa: A Farmer-Led Learning Center here: https://mcusercontent.com/d34a1e6b8b607f4dc0d40fa39/files/d4beeef8-68e3-3555-c5db-5a7b19a20fd3/FoS_Donation_Sheet.pdf More about David's Farming Legacy: David had been no-tilling since 1971, back when they called it trash farming and a whole list of other things. But David would not be deterred, he continued to test systems, implemented cover crops and utilized livestock to improve soil health. Listen in to this great conversation as he and Monte talked about the history, the present, and the exciting future on their farm. David Brandt farmed 950-acres all no-till, in Fairfield County, which is located in central Ohio. He began no-till farming in 1971 and had been using cover crops since 1978. David participated in yield plots for corn, soybeans, and wheat into various covers. This information has been used by seed growers as well as county agents and universities to encourage other farmers to adapt no-till practices in their farming operations. He had also been planting various blends of cover crops to find out what benefits they provide to improve soil health. David was co-owner of Walnut Creek Seeds, LLC with his son and daughter-in-law Jay and Ann Brandt. David had articles published in Farm Journal, Ohio Farmer, Country Journal, and numerous no-till journals. He worked in cooperation with The Ohio State University, the University of Illinois, Penn State University, Purdue University, and Milan Research Farm in Tennessee. David was most recently working with OSU Randall Reeder and Dr. Islam on reducing input costs of fertilizers and herbicides using various cover crops which improve soil health. The results of this study have been published in the International Soil and Water Conservation Research journal. (March 2014, Vol. 2, No. 1) He was also working with the regional NRCS soils lab in Greensboro, North Carolina on the benefits of cover crops to improve soil health. www.walnutcreekseeds.com Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you

Thanks for joining us! Today we welcome Brad Rosen the COO and Co-Founder of NODAR, a leading provider of next generation of stereo vision technology. Technology developments in agriculture continue to create effective ways for automation and sensing providing farmers with useful information and working to improve operation efficiency. Today Brad and Monte discuss the power of the type of sensing technology NODAR has developed. It's a great conversation so let's jump right in. Brad Rosen is the COO and Co-Founder of NODAR, a leading provider of next generation of stereo vision technology. Brad is a seasoned business executive and entrepreneur. With seven tech startups under his belt, Brad has a proven track record of taking ideas from inception to product market fit, to exit. Prior to NODAR, Brad started, ran, and sold Drync, a venture-backed B2B platform for retailers of beverage alcohol. Before Drync, Brad served as VP Product at Where, a mobile-first LBS company that was sold to eBay. Earlier in his career, Brad held roles at Cognio, a full-stack spectrum analysis system that was sold to Cisco, Ucentric Systems (sold to Motorola), and PureSpeech (sold to Philips). Brad has an Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Colorado and an MBA from MIT's Sloan School of Management. Brad lives in Lincoln, MA with his wife and 3 kids. Company Info: NODAR's Founder, Leaf Jiang, spent 8 years getting his BS, MS, and PhD at MIT studying and implementing optoelectronic systems. He then spent 12 years at MIT Lincoln Laboratory building laser ranging systems for the military - putting them on Humvees and robots for various 3D sensing applications. In short, he's been thinking about this 3D perception problem for a very long time! From his extensive work with time-of-flight ranging systems (such as LiDAR), Leaf knew that they would not be a good fit anytime soon for many of the autonomous uses being discussed today, such as autonomy for the billion passenger vehicles out there. Laser-based systems are too expensive, too prone to failure, and have insufficient resolution to accurately detect objects. So Leaf set out to build something better and the answer was NODAR! Website: https://www.nodarsensor.com/ Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us! Today we welcome Jeanne Carver, Founder and President of Shaniko Wool Her story is one of successful adaptation to changing market needs. Jeanne and her late husband Dan have been using sustainable / regenerative practices for decades. Jeanne shares with us that Dan was an engineer and a systems thinker which is key to how they understood the land, soil and their operation. From her family's Imperial Stock Ranch, she and Dan transitioned from selling commodity lamb and wool to selling retail products that are ecologically sensitive. With the founding of Shaniko Wool Company, she has overseen the expansion of the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) certified American wool into a variety of products and markets by working first with the ranchers, and with designers, brands and exclusively U.S. supply chain partners. There is so much packed into this wonderful discussion so let's jump right in. Jeanne is at the forefront of an economic and rural revival, helping rebuild the importance of traditional skills, connections to the origins of food and fiber, and strengthening local, regional and domestic supply chain partners. Her story is one of successful adaptation to changing market needs. From her family's Imperial Stock Ranch (est. 1871), she and her late husband Dan transitioned from selling commodity lamb and wool to selling retail products that are ecologically sensitive. With the founding of Shaniko Wool Company, she has overseen the expansion of RWS certified American wool into a variety of products and markets by working first with the ranchers, and with designers, brands and exclusively U.S. supply chain partners. In an era of outsourcing and disconnect, she has led tirelessly with traceability and accountability, building relationships across the domestic textile industry. Jeanne Carver, 2023 Hall of Fame Award Jeanne serves on several boards related to agriculture, and in 2014, Jeanne became the source and voice of American wool for Ralph Lauren's first Made in America Winter Olympic uniform program, and again in 2018 and 2022. Jeanne believes the most important story she has shared is how well-managed herds of grazing animals on their ranch have revitalized grasses and contributed to healing streams and the restoration of traditional salmon runs in Buckhollow Creek, a major tributary to the designated wild and scenic Deschutes River. With the Carbon Initiative, she is investing in the research and measured and verified results of an even greater story: the positive ecosystem impacts of Shaniko Wool Company ranches across a broader piece of the American landscape. Points of Interest: - Jeanne and her husband Dan have been using sustainable / regenerative practices for decades. - Her late husband was and engineer and was a systems thinker which is key to how they understood the land, soil and their operation. - They operated Imperial Stock Ranch which was established in 1871. - Her husband charged Jeanne with finding a market for selling their harvest. - They evolved through the Value added journey, Jeanne understood that they needed to measure and monetize ecosystems deliverables - They've done amazing things for the water and the whole basin, restoring salmon as one example - She and her company are mentioned in King Charles book about food and farming https://www.shanikowoolcompany.com Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us! Today we welcome Chris Jones a Retired Research Engineer from the University of Iowa and author of The Swine Republic, Struggles with Truth About Agriculture and Water Quality. Today he and Monte discuss the agricultural efficiencies and practices that we can make happen in more environmentally responsible ways. That includes a system approach to our entire management practices. Chris talks about how we can work to deploy these practices in enough areas that they can make a difference at the landscape scale. It's a powerful conversation so let's jump right in. Chris Jones retired in May of 2023 as a Research Engineer from IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering at the University of Iowa, where his work focused on water quality and water monitoring in agricultural landscapes. Previous to that he worked at the Des Moines Water Works and the Iowa Soybean Association. Chris has a BA in Biology and Chemistry from Simpson College and a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from Montana State University. He has authored 55 scientific journal articles, several book chapters and is author of the book The Swine Republic, Struggles with Truth About Agriculture and Water Quality. He also writes a weekly column posted on Substack at Riverraccoon.substack.com. He lives in Iowa City, Iowa. Tell us your background and how you reached today's line of work. I was born in Illinois and spent most of the rest of my life in Iowa and have observed firsthand how the state and its agricultural production systems have changed since the 1960s. While some things about agriculture's impact on the environment have improved, the environmental consequences of cornbelt agriculture are still severe and affect the quality of life of the region's residents. Consolidation in agriculture since that time has also had dire consequences for the prosperity and vitality of small-town Iowa. My work has focused on these consequences and how the condition of our environment can be improved within the backdrop of intense crop and livestock production. Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us! Today we welcome Pamela Tanner Boll an artist, filmmaker, writer as well as the Director and Executive Producer of several films including To Which We Belong. She is also the Founder and CEO of Mystic Artists Film Productions. We're excited to explore her vision as she worked to, in her words, “shine a light on the amazing possibilities for restoring our lands. And how we could fix our water problems and our climate issues.” She loves farmers and all of that was what brought her to this film. We think you'll be inspired as you listen to the stories and vision not only from the film but from the possibilities and hopes we have to address the challenges in agriculture we are facing today. Pamela is the Co-Executive Producer of the Academy Award-winning documentary, Born into Brothels. Pamela has executive produced the following film projects: Living in Emergency: True Stories of Doctors Without Borders; In a Dream; Connected: A Declaration of Interdependence; Our Summer in Tehran; Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields; Close to the Fire; She's Beautiful When She's Angry; E-Team; Teen Press; Obit; Navajo Nation; and Storm Lake. Pamela directed and produced Who Does She Think She Is?, a feature-length documentary film that follows five women who are mothers and artists. Pamela also directed A Small Good Thing, a film that asks the question, how can we live in a better way? She is currently working on a new film project, To Which We Belong, highlighting farmers and ranchers who are improving the health of their land with regenerative practices and helping to reverse climate change. Pamela grew up in Parkersburg, WV. She received a BA in English from Middlebury College and a Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies from Lesley University. Pamela raised three sons in Winchester, Massachusetts, and now lives in Boulder, Colorado. https://www.towhichwebelong.com/ Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us! Today we welcome Kevin Helash to the podcast. Kevin is the CEO of Biotalys an AgTech company developing protein-based biocontrol solutions for crop and food protection. Listen in as he and Monte discuss these exciting advancements in science and the technology. Kevin has a 30-year career committed to supporting the agriculture industry and its most innovative advancements. Kevin is passionate about the future of sustainable agriculture. I think Kevin said it best when he said the most valuable asset a farmer has is their soil. From growing up on a farm in Manitoba, Canada, to a 30-year career committed to supporting the agriculture industry and its most innovative advancements, Kevin is passionate about the future of sustainable agriculture. In his new role, his focus will be on accelerating the development and global commercialization of the company's breakthrough protein-based biocontrol solutions for crop and food protection. Kevin Helash said: “I am excited to begin my journey with Biotalys and was delighted to meet the team in Ghent, Belgium, this week. With Biotalys' groundbreaking technology platform and a diverse group of skilled professionals, I am confident we will be able to materially contribute to a more sustainable agriculture.” “At the same time, I want to warmly thank my predecessor Patrice Sellès for where he has brought the company during his leadership over the last four years, as we are moving closer to entering the market with our first protein-based biofungicide, Evoca. I am grateful that Patrice will support me during the initial phase, before taking the well-deserved opportunity to spend more time with his family, as was his wish.” Kevin Helash' experience will be instrumental in leading the acceleration of Biotalys' development. He is a results-driven corporate executive who brings more than 30 years of international experience in agriculture and biological products to Biotalys. His experience spans commercializing numerous breakthrough technologies in the agricultural industry on a global scale, including in positions as CEO of EnviroKure, Marrone Bio Innovations - previously listed on Nasdaq - and Agrinos. He built his career at Agrium (now Nutrien) where he became vice president and corporate officer. Kevin Helash grew up on a farm in Canada and his family was active in farming until a couple of years ago. https://biotalys.com/ https://biotalys.com/media/news/kevin-helash-commences-role-chief-executive-officer-biotalys Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us, today we welcome Dr. Steven Chen, Chief Medical Officer of Alameda County Recipe4Health, an award-winning “food as medicine” model that intentionally brings together health care, food systems, and agriculture to improve food/nutrition insecurity, chronic conditions, and health/racial equity, while leading the scale and spread of Recipe4Health (R4H). Dr. Steven Chen is Chief Medical Officer of Alameda County Recipe4Health, an award-winning “food as medicine” model that intentionally brings together health care, food systems, and agriculture to improve food/nutrition insecurity, chronic conditions, and health/racial equity. While leading the scale and spread of Recipe4Health (R4H), Dr. Chen and his team successfully implemented one of California's first Medically Supportive Food and Nutrition services as a covered Medi-Cal (Medicaid) service in California. His experiences as a son of immigrants and a 2nd generation Taiwanese American have informed his commitments to better serve vulnerable populations. He developed integrative medicine services to offer acupuncture and osteopathic manipulative medicine services in Federally Qualified Health Centers. As a former Medical Director at Alameda Health System trained in LEAN process improvement, he led the design of a state-of-the-art clinic replete with a teaching kitchen, group rooms to support group medical visits, and pod-based care teams. Dr. Chen serves on the Board of Integrative Medicine for the Underserved (IM4US), is active on California's Medically Supportive Food and Nutrition Steering Committee, helped craft two bills for the California legislature, and given testimony to the U.S. Congressional House Rules Committee Roundtable on Food as Medicine. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Stanford University and Stanford School of Medicine, Dr. Chen is a board-certified family medicine physician who completed his residency training at UCSF-San Francisco General Hospital. He completed additional fellowship training at the University of Arizona's Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, leadership training through the California Health Care Foundation's Leadership Program, acupuncture training through the UCLA-HMI Physicians' Medical Acupuncture program, and advanced training in osteopathic manipulative medicine. Recipe4Health Website https://recipe4health.acgov.org/ Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us! Today we welcome Dr. Jonathan Lundgren, Founder and Director of the Ecdysis Foundation and Director and CEO of Blue Dasher Farm. Jonathan was one of our speakers at the very first AgEmerge event and his presentation was so powerful. Watching the work that he and his whole team are doing at Ecdysis and Blue Dasher Farm inspires us to continue to learn and understand the biodiversity necessary to nurture our land. In this episode of the podcast Jonathan says, “you know those entomology problems, those insect pest problems? The reason we don't solve them is because they're not entomology problems, they're soil problems. And until we heal the soil, we're just going to continue to have problem after problem after problem.” Take a listen as he and Monte talk about their research, discoveries and passion to solve those problems. Dr. Lundgren is an agroecologist, Founder of the ECDYSIS Foundation, and CEO for Blue Dasher Farm. Lundgren's research program focuses on assessing the ecological risk of pest management strategies and developing long-term solutions for sustainable food systems. His ecological research focuses heavily on conserving healthy biological communities within agroecosystems by reducing disturbance and increasing biodiversity within cropland. He received his PhD in Entomology from the University of Illinois in 2004 and was a top scientist with USDA-ARS for 11 years. Lundgren's research and education programs focus on assessing the ecological risk of pest management strategies and developing long-term solutions for regenerative food systems. Ecdysis Foundation & Blue Dasher Farm as a research foundation as well as training ground for future scientists and farmers. He is an Agroecologist, Farmer, Rancher, and Beekeeper. ECDYSIS https://www.ecdysis.bio/ Blue Dasher Farm https://www.bluedasher.farm/ Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us! Today we welcome Dr. Don Reicosk. Dr. Reicosky is a retired Soil Scientist for the USDA-ARS, North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory, Morris, MN, and Adjunct Professor in the Soil Science Department, University of Minnesota, St. Paul. He has an exciting discussion with Monte about the foundational research he conducted back in the late 1990's finding that tillage releases carbon into the atmosphere in sudden rushes of CO2 as the soil is opened up. And now, more than ever, Dr Reicosky uses his time to help growers know this critical information, whether it's conservation, agriculture, regenerative agriculture or soil health farming, he says we've got to adopt these practices so we don't destroy all of our soil resources. It's a great conversation so let's jump right in! Early research involved describing crop response and water use on conventional till and no-till systems with and without irrigation and later focused on tillage and crop biomass management as related to global change issues with emphasis on measuring carbon dioxide and water losses following intensive tillage with a portable chamber. The short-term tillage-induced gaseous losses of carbon were related to the volume of soil disturbed in the tillage operation and help explain the long-term decline in soil carbon associated with intensive tillage agriculture. These results suggest need for improved Conservation Agriculture Systems for enhancement of soil resources and environmental quality that resulted in numerous international invitations. In retirement, he continues to write about Conservation Agriculture Systems, soil carbon management and environmental issues and to travel and talk about carbon cycling and carbon management in agricultural production systems. Research and articles by Dr. Reicosky: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Don-Reicosky?mc_cid=a3d5482833&mc_eid=UNIQID https://www.jswconline.org/content/70/5/103A?mc_cid=a3d5482833&mc_eid=UNIQID https://www.jswconline.org/content/78/5/105A?mc_cid=a3d5482833&mc_eid=UNIQID Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Welcome to the podcast, today Dr. Jason Rowntree joins Monte as they have a great discussion about Jason's research that focuses on identifying the metrics and management that reflect ecological improvement in grazing land and other agricultural systems. And just like many of our guest, he had a moment where his paradigm shifted and it came in the form of a series of hurricanes. And that got him thinking about resilience and what does it mean to look at resilience in agriculture. Jason is also the co-director of the Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Michigan State University. Jason Rowntree is a professor of Animal Science at Michigan State University where he holds the Charles Stewart Mott Distinguished Professorship for Sustainable Agriculture. Rowntree's research focuses on identifying the metrics and management that reflect ecological improvement in grazing land and other agricultural systems. Rowntree has given presentations throughout the United States, Australian, Canada, Europe, Saudi Arabia, Africa and New Zealand. Rowntree has led or been a co-investigator on $27.75 million in funding to conduct food system research. Jason is also the co-director of the Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Michigan State University. Center for Regenerative Agriculture Link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/regenerative-agriculture/mc_cid=35b4197d89&mc_eid=UNIQID His work in beef sustainability was featured in the movie Sacred Cow and he too has been highlighted in The Washington Post, New York Times, Forbes and many other popular media publications. Sacred Cow Link: https://www.sacredcow.info/?mc_cid=35b4197d89&mc_eid=UNIQID Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us! At the end of 2023, we took the AgEmerge Podcast on the road to the Big Soil Health Event in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It was a great event where hundreds of farmers and ranchers from all over the country gathered to learn, share, and encourage each other to continue to adopt soil health strategies. We asked attendees to join us in our “on the road" studio to share their soil health journey and I want to tell you, get a tissue. These are heartfelt, raw stories of family, legacy, and amazing soil health. Thanks so much to our guests for sharing! Don't miss a single story, let's jump right in! Check out our awesome guest list: Sue Kuennen from Iowa Tom Rudolph from Indiana Seth Watkins from Iowa Liz Haney from Texas https://www.agsoilregen.com/ Emily Kamala from Colorado https://farmrebel.org/ Lance Irving from Wisconsin https://sandcountyfoundation.org/about/staff Jeremy and Kelly Slack from Ohio Jerry and Jen Volenec from Wisconsin Evan and Rochelle from Wisconsin https://craftgrainswi.com/ Nick Sennert from Iowa Roger Wenning from Indiana Cameron Mills from Indiana http://millsfamilyfarms.com/ Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us, today we welcome Doniga Markegard a wildlife tracker, regenerative rancher, speaker, and author. Doniga and Monte have a wonderful conversation discussing the methods Doniga and her family are using to graze their animals, how they observe and interact with nature, to lead towards a more biodiverse and balanced ecosystem and they are seeing incredible results. Along with her husband and four children, Doniga owns and operates Markegard Family Grass-Fed raising grass-fed beef, lamb, pastured pork and chicken supplying the Bay Area with local, nutrient dense foods. The family ranch leases land through out the Bay Area spanning over 11,000 acres. Doniga Markegard is a wildlife tracker, regenerative rancher, speaker, and author of Dawn Again: Tracking the Wisdom of the Wild and Wolf Girl: Finding Myself in the Wild. Her teen years in nature school started her on a path that led to a career in animal tracking and then permaculture and ranching in at her farm in California, Markegard Family Grass-Fed, where she works to regenerate both soil and community through farming. Using the innovative, carbon-storing methods of regenerative ranching, she's restoring the land she tends, bringing native grasses and wildlife back. Doniga is a consultant and guest instructor at Nature Awareness Programs around the country, has led retreats in places such as 1440 Multiversity, Canyon Ranch and is a regular speaker at events such as the Bioneers Conference, Food Inspiration Trendsummit, and The Grassfed Exchange. She is a certified educator with Holistic Management International. She has worked with companies such as Patagonia, Tesla and Google, and has been featured in articles from Civil Eats, FastCompany, GreenBiz, The San Francisco Examiner, and NPR. Most recently she has been featured in the film Kiss the Ground available on Netflix. Along with her husband and four children, Doniga owns and operates Markegard Family Grass-Fed LLC raising grass-fed beef, lamb, pastured pork and chicken supplying the Bay Area with local, nutrient dense foods. The family ranch leases land through out the Bay Area spanning over 11,000 acres. Doniga's work expands beyond her family ranch into policy and advocacy. She has organized a stakeholder working group at the State Capital for small dairy herds. She then took the lead on legislation that would enable family farms to be more sustainable and utilize pasture in an economical and productive way. Doniga's deep observation experience aids in her ability to monitor grassland health, biodiversity and to manage land based on the principles and patterns found in nature. Doniga is passionate about large-scale restoration of Western Rangelands through cattle grazing. The Markegard Family has forged partnerships with some of the largest land trust groups in California, private landowners, as well as regional open space parks. Each ranch has a grazing plan and conservation management plan developed in conjunction with landowners and the Natural Resource Conservation Service. She is dedicated to finding ways to regenerate lands and community through ranching practices that build soil, sequester carbon, capture and purify water and enhance habitat. Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us! As the year draws to a close, we often find ourselves evaluating the results of this year's harvest and reflecting on the systems and practices we've adopted to improve soil health. Some of our guests have shared with us that they've changed their practices not only for soil health and water quality but also because of a health event in their lives that prompted an examination of their current systems. Today, we're bringing you a medley of guests who explore the human health and soil health connection. We've picked out some great highlights, with Seth Watkins, a farmer and inaugural Iowa Leopold Conservation Award recipient in 2022. Anthony Corsaro, the Founder and Managing Director at Outlaw Ventures working on building a better food system for tomorrow. Dr. Stefan van Vliet a human physiologist studying the effects of food and physical activity on human health. and Erin Martin, gerontologist and founder of Conscious Aging Solutions. You'll find links to the full episodes of each of these guests in the podcast notes. There's no question that we're still learning about all of the human and soil health relationships and we remain committed to bringing you guests who contribute to our understanding of these connections. Full AgEmerge Podcast links for each guest can be found here: Seth Watkins https://youtu.be/qjXlJmpTjEY?si=oq6Uwt2N9oJP1gIe Anthony Corsaro https://youtu.be/iJvIjyJbSaU?si=_3ded2srFLEjWK1s Dr. Stephan van Vliet https://on.soundcloud.com/mWXaR Erin Martin https://youtu.be/fAIr5GyUSgU?si=Emxr7VeK6yqA5vkC Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us, today we welcome Dr. Dianna Bagnall a Research Soil Scientist for the Soil Health Institute. Her current work includes integrating research and outreach to secure the global soil resource. Some of her specific research includes developing functions that show the effect of management on soil physical properties, on-farm soil health assessments, qualitative analysis of farmer interviews, and outreach to farmers in the United States. She and Monte discuss the importance of being able to quantify and assess the practices that are being used to build soil health across the country. Listen in to this powerful conversation. Dr. Dianna Bagnall serves as a Research Soil Scientist for the Soil Health Institute. She is an applied soil physicist specializing in soil physical health and socioeconomic dynamics of soil management. Her current work includes integrating research and outreach to secure the global soil resource. Specific research includes developing functions that show the effect of management on soil physical properties, on-farm soil health assessments, qualitative analysis of farmer interviews, and outreach to cotton farmers in the United States. Dianna is an associate editor for Vadose Zone Journal, the 2023 Soil Health Community Leader for the American Society of Agronomy, and the Early Career Representative to the Soil Science Society of America Board. Soil Health Institute Website: soilhealthinstitute.org Soil Health Institute and Cargill Partner to Advance Water Stewardship Through Improved Soil Health Website: https://soilhealthinstitute.org/news-events/soil-health-institute-and-cargill-partner-to-advance-water-stewardship-through-improved-soil-health/?fbclid=IwAR2IwKGj1LIvf63sCmEZvNURdxOVYIg252o6afWor8BrLpO9bakEU07RTJk Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us, today we welcome Jimmy Emmons, Jimmy is the SR Vice President of Trust In Food and leads their Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Connected Ag Project, America's Conservation Ag Movement and Trust In Beef, coalition-driven conservation programs developed to accelerate the adoption of conservation agriculture at scale. Monte and Jimmy discuss what the successful implementation of these practices looks like and how leaving a legacy is so much more than leaving a piece of property. They've got a lot to cover so let's jump right in. Jimmy Emmons leads Trust In Food's Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Connected Ag Project, America's Conservation Ag Movement and Trust In Beef, coalition-driven conservation programs developed to accelerate the adoption of conservation agriculture at scale. Jimmy and his wife, Ginger, own and operate Emmons Farm in Leedey, Okla., where they farm 2,000 acres and have 5,000 acres of rangeland where they run 300 head of cows and calves in an integrated row-crop and livestock operation that optimizes water resources, reduces erosion and improves organic material in the soils. He is a public speaker, educator, mentor and advocate for conservation management practices to improve producers' resiliency to weather, operational efficiency and profitability. Emmons most recently served as coordinator for mentoring for the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. Prior to that, he was regional coordinator for USDA's Farm Production and Conservation, where he supported operational and business functions across the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Risk Management Agency (RMA). He has also served as president of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts and led fundraising for the National Young Farmers Education Association. https://www.trustinfood.com/ Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us, today we welcome Dr. Jack Schultz, Research Professor in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry at the University of Houston. His research has focused on the chemical and molecular interactions between plants and insect herbivores. And those relationships are what Monte and Dr. Schultz explore as they discuss the amazing communications being discovered between plants and insects. It's a fascinating conversation so let's jump right in. Dr. Schultz's research has focused on the chemical and molecular bases of interactions between plants and insect herbivores, integrating insect physiology and behavior with plant chemistry, molecular biology and ecology. He (with undergraduate Ian Baldwin) was the first to demonstrate volatile signaling by and among plants. He also studied the role of plant tannins induced by insect attack in defending plants against pests and found that some interfere with biocontrol. Gene expression underlies defense induction by plants. The Schultz lab demonstrated the relationship between gene expression, resource allocation, defense compound production and plant defense using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. They also found that salivary signals allow some insects to block plant defense responses. Some insects induce the development of unique organs on plants called ‘galls.' Galls house the insect and provide concentrated food resources. A team led by Schultz demonstrated that development of the gall formed on grape leaves by grape phylloxera involves plant genetic pathways unrelated to leaf development and requires relatively undifferentiated leaf cells and manipulation of plant hormones. In 2007, Schultz became Director of the Christopher Bond Life Science Center at the University of Missouri, where he led interdisciplinary research by faculty from 8 departments in 6 colleges. Funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and NSF, he developed and taught in a training program in science communication for graduate students. Schultz has also taught tropical ecology and studied plant defenses in Costa Rica, primarily at the La Selva Biological Station. https://uh.edu/nsm/biology-biochemistry/people/profiles/jack-schultz/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15923339/ Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us, today we welcome Dr. Kelsey Griesheim, Assistant Professor of Soil Fertility at North Dakota State University. She completed her PhD at the University of Illinois, where she worked under Dr. Richard Mulvaney conducting field evaluations to measure fertilizer uptake efficiency of various application types. Monte and Dr. Griesheim take a deep dive into her studies of nitrogen. She gives us a lot to think about like when we apply nitrogen, we're fertilizing our crops, but we are also fertilizing the microorganisms. And that, Dr. Griesheim points out, is why nitrogen management is so difficult, because we have to take into account the fact that that nitrogen is not just being used by the plants, it's also being used by microorganisms in the soil. And they're often, a lot better at scavenging nitrogen than the crop is. We'll cover that and so much more so let's get started. Kelsey Griesheim grew up in Mt. Pulaski, Illinois and completed her BS, MS, and PhD from the University of Illinois in Urbana, Champaign. She was hired as assistant professor of soil fertility at North Dakota State University (NDSU) in February of 2023. While at Illinois, she worked under Dr. Richard Mulvaney conducting field evaluations to measure fertilizer uptake efficiency of various application types using 15N as a tracer. She is currently building a research program at NDSU to tackle the same issues for North Dakota producers. https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/ag-home/directory/kelsey-griesheim https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/saj2.20503 https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/saj2.20531 Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us, today we welcome Dr. Christian Krupke a professor in the Dept of Entomology at Purdue University where he focuses on insect pest management in field crops. His research has concentrated on illuminating the strengths and weaknesses of the primary pest management approaches used in corn and soybeans. And he has a special focus on Bt corn and neonicotinoid seed treatments. Dr. Krupke and Monte discuss the resilience of nature and how fast it bounces back. They discuss what we've learned about preserving the biology in the soil and how to reconsider those pest management systems. He completed his doctoral degree in entomology at Washington State University in 2004, and since 2005 has worked at Purdue with responsibilities in insect pest management in field crops (i.e. corn, soybeans, wheat, and other small grains), where he leads active applied research and extension programs. Dr. Krupke also teaches a graduate-level course in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). His research has focused on elucidating the strengths and weaknesses of the primary pest management approaches used in corn and soybeans, with a special focus on Bt corn and neonicotinoid seed treatments of corn and soybeans. Dr. Krupke has published over 50 peer- reviewed manuscripts and given dozens of talks on these subjects to fellow researchers, members of USDA, EPA, USFWS, and a range of stakeholder groups including growers of these commodities, beekeepers, and a wide range of conservation organizations. Important links: https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/fieldcropsipm/index.php https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2108429118 Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us, today we welcome Anthony Corsaro, 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. This is a powerful conversation including Anthony's personal intense health journey and how he walks the walk when it comes to food as medicine. 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 in the process of 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. Follow these links for more content from Anthony: https://www.regencoalition.com/ https://regen-brands.com/ https://regen-brands.beehiiv.com/subscribe https://www.outlaw.ventures/ Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

What an exciting conversation today with Erin Meyer. As you know, we think exploring soil health is of critical importance, as it sheds light not only on its own vitality but also on how it influences ecosystems, food systems, and human well-being. We think this conversation really nails it. Erin is the Founder and President of Basil's Harvest (BH), a nonprofit sharing the message that soil health impacts human health by bringing people together in agriculture, health, and food systems to grow regional systems that are good for people and the planet. She is also a Clinical Associate at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Peoria, IL, where she enjoys training residents in the Food is Medicine experiential program she co-developed. Erin is a chef and registered dietitian with a Master of Sustainable Food Systems. Before founding BH, Erin developed on-farm experiential sustainable food system education and outreach to culinary professionals and health care professionals, owned a wholesale and retail food business that supported regional organic growers that created made-from-scratch goods, and was a certified diabetes educator. Erin loves to ride her bike, play pickle ball, cook with friends and family, and spend time with her husband and two daughters around the table enjoying lively talks and eating tasty food. Check out the links to Basil's Harvest, the research Erin mentioned, as well as Janies Mill. https://basilsharvest.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/092221_BH_Report_RM_MP_OneUp_Digital.pdf https://basilsharvest.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Soil-Factsheet-2023-Final-Draft.pdf www.basilsharvest.org https://www.linkedin.com/company/basilsharvest/ https://www.janiesmill.com/ Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us, today we're focusing on the soil health principles that so many of our guests encourage growers to adopt and where it's so important for us to first understand our context, knowing what plants and animals flourish in our specific environments. From there we work to not disturb the soil, reducing and eliminating both mechanical and chemical disruption. Next, we focus on armoring the soil by keeping it covered at all times. As well as keeping a living root in the soil to feed that soil biology. Then we add diversity, including diversity of plants, insects, microbes, wildlife and finally adding livestock to the land. From understanding water and mineral cycling, to how energy flows Monte says often, the practices may vary from location to location but the principles remain the same. On the AgEmerge Podcast, we strive to bring content that helps growers understand how they can adopt, improve and regenerate their soils. After all, soils really are the foundation of the work we are doing and it's also the life work of many of our podcast guests. Some of our guests have had major epiphanies when it comes to soil health. And the great thing is, they put their money where their mouth is and share what they've learned. This podcast is meant to whet your appetite by revisiting some of the great guests we've had to understand how they shifted their paradigms, how they've come to the conclusion that adopting these changes were and are necessary in our production systems. We've picked out some great highlights, with Dr. Dwayne Beck from the Dakota Lakes Research Farm, Conservationist Jay Fuhrer, Entomologist Dr. John Tooker, Erin Martin founder of Conscious Aging Solutions, and Dr. Allen Williams from Understanding Ag. These folks are a powerhouse of knowledge, you can find their full podcasts here: Dr. Dwayne Beck https://www.agsolutionsnetwork.com/agemergepodcast/episode/c292f019/049-agemerge-2021-podcast-dr-dwayne-beck-dakota-lakes-research-farm Jay Fuhrer https://youtu.be/7UuWtSiyIZk Dr. John Tooker https://youtu.be/l43o5aca-do Erin Martin https://youtu.be/fAIr5GyUSgU Dr. Allen Williams https://youtu.be/23UrqBEJZ1o Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us, today we welcome Tom Willey. Tom, along with his wife Denesse, operated T&D Willey Farms from 1981 until 2016, a seventy-five-acre Certified Organic farm in Madera, California, growing a wide array of Mediterranean vegetables the year round. Tom says, “we've got to figure out how to live on agriculture without destroying the natural systems that support its productivity.” He says organic is all about living biology and the diversity of biology and and the all of the living organisms in your soil. Monte and Tom have a great conversation about all these things and so much more. T&D Willey Farms produce was appreciated in specialty markets and fine restaurants up and down the U.S. West Coast as well as on the tables of over 800 weekly Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscription members in their own community. Tom was, for nearly a decade, Slow Food USA's governor for California's Central Valley and he passionately advocates for local food prominence through his writing, speaking, radio, and event organizing activities. His monthly "Down on the Farm" radio interview program features the work of progressive farmers and others prominent in San Joaquin Valley's agriculture and food communities. Tom has served over the years on the boards of directors of the Ecological Farming Association (EFA) and California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and presently is a member of CCOF Certification Services' five-person LLC Management Committee. He currently serves as a Policy Advisor to The Cornucopia Institute which monitors integrity of the U.S. organic industry. He has been collaborating with several California organic growers to develop no-till and reduced-till organic vegetable production systems over the last three years. https://tdwilleyfarms.com/ Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us, today we welcome Garth Mulkey. Garth and his wife Susan are fourth-generation seed farmers in the Willamette Valley of Western Oregon and have been growing, conditioning, and marketing seeds at the same location since 1966. As dedicated seed producers, they are always focused on seed purity and quality, combined with proven genetics. Today Garth and Monte have a great conversation about the work Garth is doing. A fourth generation family-owned business, GS3 Quality Seed Inc. is owned by Garth and Susan Mulkey. They are fourth-generation seed farmers in the Willamette Valley of Western Oregon and have been growing, conditioning and marketing seeds at the same location since 1966. As dedicated seed producers, they are always focused on seed purity and quality, combined with proven genetics. Garth and Susan have been no-till farming for 23 years and know firsthand the benefits of planting radishes and other cover crops. Even in seed production fields, radishes provide the same great benefits as they do for row-crop producers. https://www.tilthpro.com/ Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us, today we welcome Eric Fuchs, a consultant for Understanding Ag. Eric's work and experience make for a great conversation. He lives in Southeast Missouri on a diversified livestock operation where they raise hair sheep and contract graze cattle. He's been using Holistic Planned Grazing for over eight years and has had a managed grazing system on his operation for more than 20 years. In addition to that, Eric also works in the water and wastewater industry as a source water protection technician. He works with small and large small communities and with agricultural producers to help ensure community water protection. We've got a lot of ground to cover so let's jump right in. Eric Fuchs lives in Southeast Missouri on a diversified livestock operation where he raises hair sheep and contract grazes all classes of cattle. He has been using Holistic Planned Grazing for over eight years and has had a managed grazing system on his operation for more than 20 years. Eric also works in the water and wastewater industry as a source water protection technician. He works with small and large small communities and with agricultural producers to help ensure community water protection. His efforts help save millions of dollars in costly water treatment system upgrades while also negating the need for long-term regulations. He has seen firsthand the problems with agriculture land use and its effect on drinking water. Eric's journey into regenerative ag began on his own operation when he discovered how soil health focused practices could benefit water resources. He also realized that more regulation is never the answer but that the solutions for clean water are easily attainable by changing how we operate. Graduating from the University of Missouri in 1994 with a degree in agronomy, Eric served in the U.S. Air Force for five years, during which time he received a master's degree in human resource development. I began my farming career as a conventional grazing and livestock owner, which I quickly realized was not profitable or sustainable for our environment. When I started my career in source water protection, I quickly realized the problems created by conventional agriculture were rampant. Most problems I saw with poor drinking water quality could be attributed to agriculture. I had been using regenerative techniques on my own operation for many years but when I saw how these could also save our waterways and provide clean safe reliable drinking water, it became a passion of mine to let others know there were practical solutions to these problems. It was apparent that the same techniques used to make my own operation sustainable and profitable could be used on a large scale to clean up our drinking water. My passion now is to share with others the solutions to these problems. Through my experience as a regenerative farmer and source water specialist, I bring an understanding to a range of groups on the current and future scene of pending regulations. Additionally, I can work with communities, businesses and individuals to improve drinking water quality, AND save money and mitigate the need for additional burdensome regulations. www.understandingag.com Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we'd love to hear from you.