CCSI-HAT Soil Health Podcast

Recorded on 9/17/24, Delaware County farmer Joe Hamilton and Fayette County farmer Andrew Bernzott discuss the steps they take when picking up a new field or farm. Hamilton returned to a full-tillage corn/soy family farm after spending 12 years as a mechanical engineer. Bernzott took over a 30-year no-till farm. Both farms are now in a 100% no-till / 100% cover crop system.Both start by taking soil samples, paying close attention to base saturation of calcium and magnesium in addition to phosphorus and potassium needs, because if soil fertility isn't taken to critical levels, one really doesn't have a starting point. Both concentrate on getting cover crops seeded and discuss the details of their strategies, including the importance of covers in their use of poultry litter for phosphorus needs.

Recorded in May 2024, Scott Gabbard, Purdue On The Farm (POTF) Coordinator, and Sarah Brackney, Purdue Ag and Natural Resources Extension Educator (Daviess County) discussed current and future activities of POTF.The POTF has created more opportunities for Extension Educators like Sarah to work with farmers as they create their own on-farm trials with POTF assistance. These efforts are leading to more insight for Purdue staff on farmers' research requests. It is expected that 30-40 Educators will be doing this work across the state each year. These educators have taken soil samples at various depths, pulled leaf foliar samples, scouted for weed/insect/disease pressure. By working closely with plant and pest diagnostic lab, their efforts have helped researchers identify counties exhibiting those pressures. The farmer-participants receive in-season reports on their fields as well as aggregated data with insights from researchers. This has provided opportunities for farmers to as "what if" questions on conservation practices. When a farmer has an idea of a conservation practice, the POTF team has been able to set-up demonstrations - for example, strips of balansa clover seeded at different rates by members of the Purdue UAV team. This has provided an element of learning side-by-side, in essence a bottom-up side of research and extension. Those interested in working with POTF can either reach out to their county Extension or go to the Purdue On The Farm Website

On 08/14/24, FarmAdvisors a truly farmer-designed and farmer-led mentoring program was launched (www.FarmAdvisors.Ag). Four of the founding farmers talked about the development of the program: Jim Mosely, former Deputy Secretary of Agriculture; Rodney Rulon, Hamilton County; Mike Brocksmith, Knox County; and Aaron Johnson, Orange County.The rollout occurred just under a year from the first meeting of farmers - along with a few ag advisors. Rulon - led a group of six individuals, including Brocksmith and Johnson, who met almost weekly OVER PLANTING SEASON to develop a business plan and key points of the program.The farmers involved have dedicated their time and passion to "pay it forward' to help ensure that farmers adopting a soil health practice are SUCCESSFUL.

08/03/24 - Aaron Johnson, Vice-president of Riverview Farms out of Orleans, Indiana - and manages their crop production systems - has been planting double-crop CORN after wheat for several years - with very respectable yield results. Jeremiah Windell, a precision agronomist with Advanced Agrilytics out or Corydon, IN has been working with Aaron for years, including their double-crop systems.Johnson typically plants double crop corn sometime between June 25 - July 1, because of accumulation of GDUs when the double crop is planted, he often uses 109-113 day varieties. He's seen soil organic matter rise faster in a wheat/double crop corn vs wheat/soybean cover crop. Between deeper roots and heavier residue, they have seen returns in subsequent years.

Recorded on 06/18/24 - Hans Schmitz, CCSI / Purdue On The Farm Soil Health and Climate Smart Ag Specialist, and Austin Pearson, Midwest Regional Climate Center Climatologist, talk about what causes a heat dome, the potential of a "flash drought' and steps you can take to build soil health - and therefor resiliency - for your farm.When the podcast was recorded, Indiana was experiencing and early season heat dome. Because of tough spring planting conditions, crop staging was all over the map. Because the crops planted later had not grown to reach deeper soil layers, they were more at risk for the affects of heat and drought. In addition, stress degree days (over 88F) restricted crop growth.Avoiding effects of rapid onset drafts include implementing soil health principles: Maximizing Soil Cover (residue), Minimizing Disturbance, Maximizing Living Roots Year-Round, Maximizing Bio-diversity. Those principles help increase soil organic matter, retain moisture, and improve soil function.

Southeast Purdue Ag Center (SEPAC) Superintendent Joel Wahlman and Purdue Entomology research Christian Krupke talk about the work of establishing field-scale regenerative ag plots - alongside existing tillage systems. The projects not only incorporate no-till and cover crops, but also IPM to reduce insecticide and herbicide treatments as well as the impacts of seed treatments on the soil ecosystem. The plots will incorporate a long-term, multidisciplinary approach to research on acres much larger than "traditional research" and will be available for demonstration to farmers, landowners, and other stakeholders. At SEPAC, the long history of no-till and cover crop research makes the leap easier than some of the other PACs that have focused more heavily on higher tillage systems.

Not everyone "leads from the front". Some people make an indelible impact on their day to day efforts. For those who aren't the "front of the room" speakers, this podcast is for you - because you, like Fred Woods get to make a difference every day. Fred Woods was one of those individuals. In this podcast, join Barry Fisher, an independent soil health consultant and one of the first people hired at a newly-fledged USDA-NRCS Soil Health Division, along with Chris Lee, Southwest Indiana NRCS Area Conservationist, as they talk about the long-lasting impressions Fred made upon their careers and conservation ethics.

In this very special episode, David's son Jay Brandt talks with Oklahoma regenerative farmer-rancher Jimmy Emmons about the about the many seeds David planted across the globe and his lasting impact on farming. Not only did Dave's farming practices change the family farm's soil classification from a Cardigan Clay to a "different performing product", he changed the lives of countless people worldwide through his honesty, humility, and great sense of humor. Learn how David and Jay discussed the changes they were seeing on the farm - through a chemists lens and a farmers eye - and how he encouraged people like Jimmy to "just try it somewhere." Also learn about one of David's passions: working with the Dominican Sisters on the Fields of Sinsinawa (WI).

In 1993 the inaugural National No-Till Conference was held in Indianapolis. In 2024, the conference returned to Indy. Expecting 200 attendees, some 800 people attended in that first year and really fast-tracked the adoption of no-till systems. Mike Lessiter, son of Frank Lessiter, founder of No-Till Farmer magazine and the conference talks about that initial conference as well as the history of no-till and the need for farmers to form networks to ensure their success in adoption of the systems. In addition, Hans Kok consultant out of Indiana (and present at the launch of CCSI), talks about the significance of no-till systems and the impacts of the conference - including farmers sharing information about their stumbles... to help others avoid them.

Father-Son duo Cameron and Devon Churchill, Harrison County Indiana, are joined by Pete Huff, Wallace Center/Pasture Project for a slightly mind-bending conversation on grazing croplands. Just for a couple of teasers, the Churchill's have used intensive regenerative grazing to decrease round bale consumption in the cow calf operation from 2000+ to 700-750 bales! They are also turning cattle out into stalk ground after harvest to graze AND take advantage of hoof action to increase seed-soil contact of broadcast cover crops, improving stand establishment. Meanwhile, Huff provides information on additional resources - from grazing exchanges to practical management guides. Take a listen!

Bio Strip-till is using a cover crop that will winter kill on rows combined with overwintering cover crops in the middles. Soil Health Specialist and farmer Barry Fisher, Fisher Soil Health, and Research Agronomist John Pike, Pike Ag LLC talk about the ways this kind of system is not only a great alternative to traditional strip-till, but also the impressive results John has seen in his research and feedback from farmers he works with. This system can provide the seed-bed ready results many farmers search for as well as improved soil armoring, nutrient cycling, and weed management.

Saving time is critical during fall harvest. So is managing residue to ensure an even template for the following season's crops. In this episode, southwestern Indiana farmer Ray McCormick and Needham Ag Technologies' Phil Needham had called in to the podcast earlier in the spring to discuss the importance of uniform residue spread for even nutrient distribution, even soil temperature and moisture, and even armoring of the soil surface. In Ray's case, that even distribution also helps emergence of cover crop that is seeded from his combine's head - which save him that critical time during fall harvest.

It's a soundbite filled podcast. Fascinating generational discussions made this recording into a 2-parter. Carrying on from Part 1, Pat Bittner and his father John are joined by Aaron Krueger and his grandfather Ronald. In some ways, it's back to the future - the discussions revolved around pastured proteins, protection of biomes, adopting regenerative ag principles, along with the challenges faced on these farms.

The conversation was fascinating... and became a two-parter. In Part 1, we visit with two southwestern Indiana families who use regenerative agriculture practices on their farms. Pat Bittner and his father John Bittner are joined by Aaron Krueger and his grandpa Ronald Krueger. The four farmers share stories that range from their farms' histories to the results of the soil health practices they implement for their crops and land.

Betsy Bower, a Ceres Solutions Co-op Agronomist, and Mark Kingma, a farmer in NW Indiana and board member of the IASWCD, talk about irrigation system efficiency, the tools used for measure moisture, and the benefits of soil health systems for irrigation and water use efficiency. Kingma uses moisture sensors to manage water applications and they have shown how improved soil health has positive impacts on infiltration and rooting depths of crops.

There's a new program bringing Purdue to the farm to help you make decisions and improve your operation. Purdue On The Farm connects farmers with Extension educators and researchers. Dan Quinn, Purdue Extension Corn Specialist, joins CCSI's Hans Schmitz and Bryan Overstreet on this episode. They discuss the four pillars of the Purdue on the Farm program: crop scouting, surveys, demonstrations, and research. They also talk about how you can become involved with research and demonstrations, as well as the resources readily available for you to succeed in your farming operation.

Planting time is also a time for terminating cover crops, and that's the topic for the latest CCSI-HAT Soil Health Podcast. Kosciusko County farmer Jamie Scott and Purdue Professor of Weed Science Bill Johnson discuss scouting and troubleshooting cover crop termination issues. They discuss the need for patience to avoid poor termination and expensive resprays. That means taking into account the way weather conditions affect active growth of plants as well as effectiveness of herbicides. They also talk about the better herbicide modes of action for challenging weather conditions and other issues, such as avoiding tank mixes that reduce herbicide efficacy.

When farmers encounter challenges, they bring out their most creative and innovative solutions. Beginning farmers and those farming on a small scale can experience several challenges in getting started in their operations, and support is crucial.Join the conversation to learn how Liz Brownlee, farmer and past president of the Hoosier Young Farmers Coalition, found that support as a beginning Indiana farmer. She's joined by Elli Blaine, director of the Urban Soil Health Program, who talks about her work with farmers throughout the state as they rejuvenate their urban landscapes. They provide information on marketing, equipment, conservation practices, available resources and more.

Thinking outside the box about a farm's economics can lead to opportunities, including those created by climate-smart agriculture. Michael Morrow, executive director of the Indiana Farmers Union and land steward who farms with his family, and Hans Schmitz, Conservation Agronomist for the Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative, dive into adopting climate-smart strategies, from carbon markets and agrivoltaics to no-till and cover crops. Morrow and Schmitz discuss securing a farm for the future, reducing volatility and increasing security, the activities of the Indiana Farmers Union and CCSI, the Climate Action Committee, hemp, and how their organizations support farmers in implementing climate-smart practices.

Crops were challenged this past year with intense rains followed by long dry spells, and soil's ability to hold water is one characteristic that will be important for farming in the future. Hans Schmitz, the lead agronomist for CCSI, and Austin Pearson, climatologist for the Midwestern Regional Climate Center (mrcc.purdue.edu), talk this episode about the effects of recent weather events, the differences between climate and weather, what the historical data shows, and what all that means for Indiana farmers.

It turns out that a discussion about insects and soil health isn't just a discussion about how insects affect soil health. It's also about how the disappearance of beneficial insects is affecting the health of plants, wildlife, livestock, crops, rural communities, and ourselves.Jonathan Lundgren, founder and director of Ecdysis Foundation, trains future scientists and farmers at Blue Dasher Farm in South Dakota. In this episode, he exchanges observations about systems approaches with Pat Bittner, a fifth-generation farmer in southern Indiana who grows corn and soybeans.

Join John Jamerson and Denise Greer Jamerson live and farm in historic Lyles Station, Indiana - an historic Black farming community. For years, they have been tapping into their connections and their roots to sell fresh produce in Indiana food deserts and to educate about farming and nutrition. Along with their many local partners, the Jamersons launched the Indiana Black Loam Conference in the winter of 2022. With events in Evansville, Ft. Wayne, Gary, Bloomington, and Indianapolis - the Black Loam Conference reached hundreds of people, providing information and connections about farming, entrepreneurial skills, conservation programs, grants - and of course, soil health.

Hans Schmitz, CCSI Agronomist, and Joe Rorick, Indiana Soybean Alliance/Indiana Corn Marketing Council - both also with Purdue Extension - talk about opportunities to build resilience to extreme weather, participate in programs to try out soil health practices - including INfield Advantage, field days and more.

Recorded at Fisher's Farm where former NRCS Regional Soil Health Specialist Barry Fisher (recently retired) practices what he preachers - Barry was joined by former Indiana NRCS State Soil Health Specialist Stephanie McLain (who just left to be the State Soil Health Specialist in Minnesota) talk about the importance of sound training and technical support to help ensure farmers are successful in adoption of soil health practices - AND the importance of networks to support those efforts.

Recorded live at the Indy Farm Show, Mike Shuter - a seasoned soil health practitioner and NACD Soil Health Champion was joined by Andrew Bernzott, a young farmer and National Wildlife Federation Conservation Champion, and Dan Quinn, Purdue Extension Corn Specialist, to talk about their soil health experiences and the importance of learning from peers.

Everyone knows you can't use cover crops in river bottoms, right? WRONG!Ray McCormick, Knox County, Indiana, farms about 1000 acres of river bottom farmland and uses cover crops on every acre. He is joined by CCSI Director Lisa Holscher to talk about the benefits and challenges of this practice.

SW Indiana IT Professional / Soil Health Farmer Pat Bittner exemplifies the studious mindset of many regenerative ag farmers. His thorough research has allowed the remarkably FAST adoption of more advanced practices. Focusing upon what he wants to nurture vs. what he wants to kill, well-thought out plans of practice adoption, solid business planning, and SEEKING OUT MENTORS is making rapid change on his family's small farm.

Learning from experience soil heath farmers can help shape applied research to help address challenges from farmers newer to regenerative ag. That same critical thinking can be applied to teaching the next generation of growers and agronomists, Dan Quinn, Purdue Extension Corn Specialist, and Susan Brocksmith, Vincennes University Business Division Dean, share their experiences, observations, and the practical application of soil health practices.

Among other things, Purdue Corn Specialist Dan Quinn and Vincennes University Business Division Dean Susan Brocksmith talk about how round table discussions with experience soil health farmers can help tailor applied research and education of ag students.

Cover crops can be a great management tool for vegetable production. Steven Meyers, Purdue Horticulture Asst. Prof. of Weed Science, and Dan Perkins, Perkins Good Earth Farms discuss best practices for termination, residue management, direct seeding, and transplanting when using covers.

No matter how extensively you checked and adjusted your planter over the winter, there are always "game-time" adjustments that will be needed. Barry Fisher, recently retired from NRCS and AJ Adkins, NTM Agriculture, discuss the settings and adjustments they feel are critical to getting a solid stand when no-tilling and/or using cover crops.

From financial to operational to managerial - there are a lot of decisions a farmer has to make before adopting a conservation practice. Understanding that is critical for anyone working with farmers - conservationists, agronomists, and land managers. Indiana farmer Rodney Rulon and Indiana NRCS State Conservationists Jerry Raynor talk about their passions for conservation - and how to help farmers work through decisions about making an operational change.

Just a few years ago, commercial tomato growers might have said, "You can't use cover crops in tomato production." Things have certainly changed. James Rice from Wanatah, IN and Curt Utterback, Senior Agriculture Coordinator for Red Gold talk about how they both use cover crops in their various crop rotations along with the management considerations they have for managing cover crops and other soil health practices.

Chuck Mohler, AKA "Sweet Corn Charlie" and Joe Rorick, CCSI Agronomist, talk about the many benefits of diversity in production, including use of a wide mix of cover crops - better tasting produce, disease suppression, and nutrient efficiency, just to name a few.

Explaining soil health investments to your ag lender can be challenging for some farmers. Join Indiana farmer Ken Rulon (Rulon Enterprises) and Kansas Farmer Keith Berns (Green Cover Seed) as they dig deeper into the numbers on economic returns. Thanks to the Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Soybean Alliance for supporting this episode!

Explaining soil health investments to your ag lender can be challenging for some farmers. Join Indiana farmer Ken Rulon (Rulon Enterprises) and Kansas Farmer Keith Berns (Green Cover Seed) as they give advice on talking to loan officers - especially if you're relatively new to a soil health practice. Thanks to the Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Indiana Soybean Alliance for supporting this episode!

The soil microbiome - the invisible part of the soil - relates directly to the health and quality of plants. Dr. Lori Hoagland, Purdue University and Dan Perkins, Perkins Good Earth Farm, discuss their investigations into composts - specifically leaf mould - on soil microbiome communities and performance... and plant performance.

Buckle up. There's a lot to unpack in this conversation with David Brandt's 50 year soil health journey. The listen is worth it... and then some. Brandt's focus on soil health systems and continuing willingness to learn and expand his knowledge has provided the farm with economic stability, the ability to weather global weirding, and allowed the operation to bring younger generations on - even in the face or urbanization pressures.

Cover crops aren't just for large scale commodity crop production. Smaller scale specialty crop farmers can integrate covers throughout their intense and diverse cash crop rotations to manage their lands in a more sustainable/regenerative manner. Join Kevin Allison, Marion County SWCD, and Dan Perkins, Perkins Good Earth Farm, as they talk about big picture strategies for cover crop inclusion.

Sweet corn farmers Chuck Mohler from Northern Indiana and Tom and Victor Hackman from Southern Indiana agree: cover crops are a benefit on any farm.The Hackmans moved from a wheat cover crop on no-tilled sweet corn to a cereal rye cover crop about 5 years ago. They like the way the rye residue helps to conserve soil moisture - even without irrigation. The residue also suppresses weeds - often helping them eliminate post-emergence herbicide applications.Mohler also agrees that cereal rye is a good cover crop; one of many that he uses on his heavier soils. And after early corn is harvested, he plants a cover crop of sudangrass and oats; watering and fertilizing as if it were a cash crop.

Beyond grazing, opportunities abound for those with out infrastructure like fencing and watering facilities to use cover crops for forage. Purdue Extension Forage Specialist Keith Johnson and Cisco Seed Forage Agronomist Greg Downing talk haylage, species breeding, timing and more.

Did you know that 70% of pollination in watermelon crops comes from NATIVE bees and other pollinators? It makes economic and environmental sense to focus on Integrated Pest Management as a core strategy to control pests and improve yields. Join Elizabeth Long and Laura Ingwell, Purdue Entomology, and Dennis Nowaskie, Southwest Purdue Ag Center, as they discuss the impacts of neonics and fungicides - including from prior and neighboring commodity crops like corn and soybeans.

When we talk about pollinator strips, we typically think about bees and butterflies. However, pollinator strips also attract a host of other beneficial insects that bring value to crop production. Listen to Rick Clark, West-central Indiana Farmer, and Christian Krupke, Purdue University Professor of Entomology wax poetic about the positive impacts of planting insect habitat.

Amanda and Jacob Baird, beginning pumpkin farmers join University of Illinois Extension Educator Nathan Johanning and long-term no-till pumpkin farmer Rod Johnson of Hobart, Indiana to learn the tips and tricks of successful u-pick no-till pumpkins - from cover crops to dealing with rodents.

It's April and lawns may have greened up, but that doesn't mean cover crops are actively growing. Understanding effects of night time low temperatures, that different cover crops species may break dormancy at different times, and other considerations are key to successful termination.Walton, Indiana farmer Cameron Mills and Pierceton, Indiana farmer Jamie Scott talk about key considerations in their farming operations - including Plans A, B, C, and D...Their plans change because they are always looking ahead. Jamie and Cameron also talk about looking ahead to fall... and winter. Some residual herbicides can affect emergence. In addition some may affect root growth to an extent that cover crops may not overwinter well. These Penn State articles may prove useful in making those residual herbicide selections: Corn SoybeansThese articles from Penn State may be usefull

Mike and Susan Brocksmith of Vincennes, Indiana received the American Soybean Association Conservation Legacy Award at the 2020 Commodity Classic.They have always been strong conservationists. With time consuming hog and cow-calf operations, Mike began no-tilling in 1977 as a way to save time. Through the 80's, 90's, and on the Brocksmiths continued to evolve their operation.In addition, Mike and Susan use their farm as a field classroom for Susan's students from Vincennes University, as well as groups of farmers and agronomists.

Vole damage to crops is dependent on several variables - palatability and density of cover crops, soil types, field borders, and... raptor perches.Abby Prieur and Megan Zagorski recently wrapped their Masters Studies at Purdue University where they focused on practices and field qualities that could impact the probability of vole damage in Indiana cropfields.They discuss their findings and how farmers, agronomists and others can use this information to help focus scouting and management efforts.

In 2019, a lot of new clients walked through the doors of USDA Service Centers looking for options on their prevent plant acres - for resources on managing those fields. Many turned to cover crops for the first time. Even though each of the podcast guests was representing a conservation organization - a consistent theme was tapping into a vast network of experienced soil health farmers as a resource.These interviews were recorded at the 2020 IASWCD Annual Conference and included 5th generation farmer and USDA-NRCS Chief Matt Lohr, Northern Indiana Farmers and SWCD Supervisors Cameron Mills and Andy Ambriole, and former Indiana NRCS State Conservationist and now International Soil and Water Conservation Society Board Member Jane Hardisty.

Decatur County, Indiana farmer Kevin Horstman is a relative rookie to soil health farming, but with the help of neighbors Roger Wenning and son Nick, he hopes to ramp up his farming system in 5 years to levels similar to those achieved by the Wennings in 25 years.These farmers are joined by CCSI Agronomist Joe Rorick and Indiana USDA-NRCS Soil Health Specialist Stephanie McLain to talk about where they go for information on practices, the money saved on fuel, equipment, fertilizer, herbicides... and labor. This cropping system saved Roger's farm in 1983. Fast forward to 2018 - struggling with manpower, Kevin convinced an older generation to try no-till and cover crops, His family went from "being efficient" with 6 guys planting down to 3 and saved $3000 in fuel alone that first year.

By strategically planning a cover crop and high-density grazing system, growers can stretch winter feedstocks, improve pasture utilization, and improve the health of their livestock - both above and in the soil.Jason Tower, Southern Indiana Purdue Ag Center Superintendent, and Robert Zupancic, Southeast Indiana USDA-NRCS Grazing Specialist, discuss various considerations in both pasture management and livestock integration in a cropping system - from cool season vs warm season cover crops to how different livestock utilize forages and even baleage.

About 50% of the farmland in Indiana is rented. Twenty-five percent of the leased property is owned or co-owned by women.The image of a farmer has been embossed as an older male. However, more women are becoming farmland owners through family inheritance, marriage, and property purchases. Stepping into a male-dominated industry can be intimidating for some women. Organizations like American Farmland Trust (AFT) and Women for the Land (W4TL) are available to help women with any questions they may have about farming and managing their property.Often women are surrounded by men in the farming industry and don’t feel empowered to speak up. Women may feel this way talking to a male farmer or a male family member. W4TL and AFT have created robust women’s networks where women can feel at ease, share, and learn from each other.Women4theLand State Coordinator Heather Bacher and American Farmland Trust Midwest Regional Director Jen Fillipiack discuss those networks, some of the research behind their founding - and stories of empowerment to advance adoption of soil health practices