Soil Health Labs

Guest: Dr. Gustavo Lascano, Associate Professor of Ruminant Nutrition, Clemson UniversityHost: Drs. Gabe Kenne & Buz KlootLength: ~70 minutesIn this conversation with Dr. Gustavo Lascano, Ruminant Nutrition Specialist at Clemson University, we discuss integrating ecological principles like succession and diversity into farm management to improve animal, soil, and human health. Dr. Lascano describes intricate details of ruminant nutrition and reinforces that it should focus not only on calories but also on proper nutrient balance and feeding the microbial ecosystem within the rumen. His expertise in this field comes not only from advanced degrees and field and laboratory research, but also from experiencing indigenous agricultural systems firsthand and seeing how they offer valuable insights into sustainable, low-input food production systems.Episode Highlights:Rethinking Production Systems with Ecological SuccessionDiverse Background with Global RootsFree Choice Feeding & Ruminant EfficiencyRumen Microbiology & Soil ParallelsIndustrial vs. Regenerative Feeding ModelsAgroecological Inspirations from the AmazonThe Role of Animals in Regenerative AgTo learn more about Dr. Lascano and ruminant nutrition, check out the below links:Gustavo Lascano at Clemson UniversityFaculty ProfileSoil Health Lab Podcast ArchivesVisit WebsiteFeatured in the episode: Cotton, Country, Conservation (8-year regenerative agriculture study)  

In this episode, Carl Coleman continues his deep dive into the lessons learned from years of soil health experimentation—and how they changed not only his farm but his entire career. Carl shares how the pushback he received from scientists and extension professionals led him to set up a randomized, replicated study on his farm, proving that regenerative practices could reduce inputs without sacrificing yield.We explore some of the biggest surprises from these trials, including how fields with no applied potassium actually maintained or increased soil test levels over five years—completely contradicting conventional wisdom. Carl also discusses the economic and agronomic benefits of cover crops, including how they have helped farmers reduce subsoiling, cut back on herbicide passes, and save thousands in input costs.Carl's transition from farming to the seed business was not planned, but as demand for high-quality, affordable seed grew, he saw an opportunity to help other farmers navigate the complexities of cover cropping. Now, as the owner of Choice Ag, Carl provides tailored cover crop blends based on individual farm needs, ensuring that growers avoid common mistakes and maximize their returns.If you're wondering how real-world farmers are making regenerative agriculture work economically, this episode is packed with practical insights and hard-earned wisdom.

In this episode, Carl Coleman continues his deep dive into the lessons learned from years of soil health experimentation—and how they changed not only his farm but his entire career. Carl shares how the pushback he received from scientists and extension professionals led him to set up a randomized, replicated study on his farm, proving that regenerative practices could reduce inputs without sacrificing yield.We explore some of the biggest surprises from these trials, including how fields with no applied potassium actually maintained or increased soil test levels over five years—completely contradicting conventional wisdom. Carl also discusses the economic and agronomic benefits of cover crops, including how they have helped farmers reduce subsoiling, cut back on herbicide passes, and save thousands in input costs.Carl's transition from farming to the seed business was not planned, but as demand for high-quality, affordable seed grew, he saw an opportunity to help other farmers navigate the complexities of cover cropping. Now, as the owner of Choice Ag, Carl provides tailored cover crop blends based on individual farm needs, ensuring that growers avoid common mistakes and maximize their returns.If you're wondering how real-world farmers are making regenerative agriculture work economically, this episode is packed with practical insights and hard-earned wisdom.

In this episode, Buz and Dickie chat with Clinton Rasmussen about the innovative use of goats for land management, particularly in combating the spread of eastern red cedar in South Dakota. Clinton shares his journey from growing up on a ranch to returning after his military service and discovering the power of goats to clear invasive brush. He discusses how these goats thrive in rough terrain and how their grazing habits can significantly reduce unwanted vegetation, including cedar trees, yucca, and other tough plants.The conversation highlights Clinton's use of electric fencing and his experiments with no-fence collars to manage his goats across different paddocks. The effectiveness of goats in land restoration is contrasted with the challenges posed by eastern red cedar, which not only competes with grazing lands but also contributes to dangerous wildfires.Clinton explains how goats can fit into traditional cattle operations and how they offer a great opportunity for younger ranchers or anyone looking to diversify their operations. For those who may not have the capital to purchase large tracts of land or invest in a big cattle herd, goats provide a way to get started with smaller investments. Running goats alongside cattle allows you to use the same land without the need for major infrastructure or large upfront costs. It's an ideal way for younger ranchers to gain experience and build their business over time, especially since goats can thrive in areas where cattle struggle. Clinton's own experience shows how goats can be a stepping stone to eventually expanding into other livestock, creating a sustainable and profitable operation.One of the great advantages of goats is their relatively low water needs, especially compared to cattle. Clinton points out that once goats are established on a piece of land, they can often go quite a while without a constant water source, relying on moisture from the plants they eat, like yucca and cedar. This can significantly reduce the need for water infrastructure, as goats can be moved across the land without the need to set up multiple water points, which can be a costly part of managing cattle. This flexibility makes it easier to rotate goats through different paddocks and access areas that might be difficult to reach or impractical for cattle. For younger ranchers looking to minimize their infrastructure costs while maximizing their land use, goats offer a smart, cost-effective solution.For further reading, check out the AgUpdate article on "Tackling the Green Glacier" here and the prescribed burn resource here. You can also learn more about Nathan Marker from Plum Creek Ranch and his goat-based land management practices in this 2020 Gathering Talk. Follow Clinton's journey on his Firewatch Ranch Facebook page.AgUpdate article: “Tacking the Green Glacier” https://agupdate.com/tristateneighbor/news/livestock/tackling-the-green-glacier/article_28fc9f42-ab57-11ef-b3f9-33537e86c82e.htmlhttps://www.growingresiliencesd.com/prescribed-burnNathan Marker ~ Plum Creek Ranch ~ 2020 Gathering Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuBzbTEkSQ8Firewatch ranch: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085769701718

In this episode, we chat with Lealand Schoon from the South Dakota NRCS about drought management, grazing strategies, and the long-term health of pasturelands. Lealand covers how subtle factors like trigger dates and residue levels impact grazing decisions, stressing that if land is left with less than 1,000 pounds of residue per acre, it can be much slower to recover. This makes it crucial for ranchers to manage grazing carefully, especially during drought conditions. He also distinguishes between droughts and dry cycles, explaining that while droughts are more extreme, dry cycles are a natural part of the landscape and require adaptive management to cope with.Lealand also touches on the current beef market, where prices are solid, and the availability and cost of hay are favorable. However, he warns against becoming complacent just because things are looking good right now. The market can shift quickly, and the right grazing and land management decisions today will determine how well ranchers are set up for future years, particularly when it comes to managing land during drought. He also talks about de-stocking strategies, noting that if the land is in poor condition, de-stocking will need to be more aggressive to avoid further damage.Throughout our discussion, Lealand emphasizes the importance of being proactive with land management—especially when conditions are good. He stresses that staying on top of things today can help ensure that ranchers can handle the challenges of tomorrow. The ability to adapt to changing conditions now will make all the difference when the inevitable droughts or market shifts arrive.This episode offers essential advice for ranchers looking to maintain healthy, resilient land, no matter the market conditions.For more on drought management and range conservation, check out the links in the show notes:Growing Resilience – Drought Managementhttps://www.growingresiliencesd.com/drought-managementNatural Resources Conservation Service- Range and Pasturehttps://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-by-state/south-dakota/range-pastureAg-Wxhttps://www.ag-wx.comMesonet SD (Go to tools to see Ag Weather, Degree Days, Livestock Stress, etc.)https://climate.sdstate.edu/Rangeland Analysis Platform (RAP)https://rangelands.app/Alexjandro Carillohttps://www.cuencalosojos.org/alejandro-carrillo

Our third and final interview with Fred Provenza unfolds like a symphony in four parts, each movement resonating with deep reflections on human connection, nature, and the inner workings of the mind. With a cadence that mirrors the unfolding of a well-composed piece, Fred takes us through a journey of shifting perspectives and shifting lives, inviting us to hear the music of the earth as it teaches us to reconnect, simplify, and grow. Like the slow movement of a piece, the interview reflects the wisdom of experience, with Fred sharing lessons learned through years of work, struggle, and discovery. Together, these four movements create a harmony of ideas that echo the timeless truths of our relationship with the world around us.Movement 1: Fred Provenza on the Role of Mindsets in Shaping Our Relationship with NatureFred explores how mindsets, shaped by polarized perspectives, can be transformed through respectful dialogue and open-mindedness. Reflecting on his experience as a teacher, he recalls how he helped students transcend the boundaries of their differing views, fostering a deeper understanding of the complex issues surrounding livestock, rangelands, and the land itself.Movement 2: Fred Provenza on Stories that Connect and Inspire ChangeFred delves into the power of stories in creating connections and inspiring transformation. He emphasizes how the act of nurturing relationships with the land can foster a sense of community, grounding individuals in something larger than themselves, while also illustrating how personal experiences—like the shared beauty of a native garden—can bring people together in mutual appreciation.Movement 3: Fred Provenza on the Purpose of His Work and Bringing JoyReflecting on his legacy, Fred speaks candidly about his life's work and its true purpose: to inspire joy and awe in others. He highlights how reconnecting with a sense of wonder, especially after facing life's challenges, can bring peace and meaning. Fred reveals his desire not for grand accomplishments, but for helping people rediscover the joy of being alive.Movement 4: Fred Provenza on the Wisdom of Letting Nature Self-OrganizeIn response to the quotes from John Kenneth Galbraith and Charles Massey, Fred offers profound insights into the wisdom of stepping back as we grow older. He discusses the gift of reduced energy levels and how this shift allows us to embrace a simpler, more hands-off approach to life—allowing nature to regenerate on its own. Reflecting on the importance of humility and learning, Fred advocates for changing mindsets and simplifying life to connect with what truly matters.As you listen to the final movement of this symphonic conversation with Fred Provenza, we encourage you to stay with us until the end. Sometimes, it's not the facts and figures that resonate the most, but the deeper, intuitive understandings that unfold as we reflect, shift, and grow. Fred's insights challenge us to reconsider the way we approach life, nature, and even our own existence—asking us to embrace the wisdom of simplicity, connection, and change. Stay with us to the end, because the most important lessons aren't always found in what we know, but in how we come to understand it.

In this second podcast with Dr. Fred Provenza, professor emeritus of Behavioral Ecology at Utah State University, and author of several important books on animal behavior and land stewardship, we discuss key themes include wildlife nutrition, ecological practices, and the interconnectedness of animal behavior and plant diversity. The discussion opens with Provenza detailing the Welfare Elk Program implemented at Deseret Land and Livestock, a large ranch on the Wyoming-Utah border. Faced with the challenge of elk wintering on neighboring lands and health issues like brucellosis and chronic wasting disease, the ranch transitioned from supplemental feeding to promoting natural foraging. By strategically using cattle to graze specific areas, elk were encouraged to self-sustain, breaking a cycle of dependency on human-provided food. This shift not only benefited the elk but fostered a new generation of calves unfamiliar with artificial feeding, establishing a "culture of welfare elk."Provenza also elaborates on the importance of diverse landscapes for livestock health. He highlights how animals instinctively seek a variety of plant species, which contain secondary compounds (physochemicals) that play a vital role in their nutrition and health. These compounds, once dismissed as mere plant defenses, are now recognized for their potential health benefits, serving as antioxidants and aiding in self-medication. By grazing diverse plant species, animals reduce their reliance on veterinary care, demonstrating a deep-rooted nutritional wisdom that connects them to their environments.A significant anecdote shared is Claire Sylvia's experience following her organ transplant, as recounted in her book "A Change of Heart." Sylvia's story illustrates how organ recipients often experience changes in food preferences that align with those of their donors, suggesting a profound connection between body and identity. Provenza draws parallels between this and the dietary choices of animals, emphasizing that the feedback mechanisms within both animal and human bodies guide their nutritional decisions.Throughout the interview, Provenza emphasizes the importance of understanding animal behavior and ecology as interconnected systems. The wisdom animals demonstrate in selecting their diets reflects an intimate knowledge of their landscapes, akin to the complexities of the human microbiome. He notes that, just as plants transform soil into a diverse ecosystem of nutrients, animals thrive by foraging from varied plant sources, reinforcing the idea that both species are part of a larger ecological web.In essence, the discussion highlights how fostering a more holistic view of animal nutrition—grounded in ecological practices, diverse landscapes, and understanding the innate knowledge of animals—can lead to healthier ecosystems and livestock. Provenza's insights encourage a reevaluation of conventional agricultural practices, promoting a deeper appreciation for the natural instincts that guide animal foraging and well-being.Fred reflects on the limitations and complexities of scientific inquiry, especially in fields like ecology, economics, and sociology. He discusses the concept of "trans-science," which refers to questions and phenomena that lie beyond the capabilities of traditional scientific methods to fully answer. Early in his career, Fred believed that rigorous study would lead to predictable and controllable outcomes, akin to the precision of physics. However, he gradually recognized that science can only provide provisional insights into complex systems.Fred emphasizes that the interactions within ecological systems often defy reductionist approaches. He illustrates this with the example of studying secondary compounds in foods: while individual compounds can be analyzed, the sheer complexity of combinations in real meals makes it impossible to fully understand their effects in isolation. He champions the idea that "food, not nutrient" is the basic unit of nutrition, highlighting that the synergistic effects of various compounds in whole foods are crucial for health.He critiques the historical emphasis on competition within ecological theories, which he argues stems from economic models. Instead, he promotes the concept of cooperation and synergies among diverse species as essential for ecological health. This perspective informs his approach to agriculture, advocating for polycultures over monocultures, as diversity fosters greater resilience and nutrient density.Fred also explores the philosophical underpinnings of scientific inquiry, discussing how science is inherently limited and tentative. He encourages scientists to remain open-minded and to adapt based on data rather than clinging to preconceived hypotheses. He shares personal anecdotes of frustration and learning throughout his research journey, underscoring the importance of integrity in scientific practice.Lastly, Fred highlights the significance of creativity in both nature and human systems, arguing that true understanding emerges from participation in the environment. He suggests that by embracing our interconnectedness with nature, we can cultivate more effective and innovative approaches to ecological and agricultural challenges. Overall, Fred advocates for a holistic, cooperative view of science and ecology, one that values the complex interactions within ecosystems and the creative potential inherent in these systems.Additional Resources:Dr. Fred Provenza's Talk at Utah State University: The Web of Life EventDr. Fred Provenza's Books:NY Times Article: Montana at has more Cows than People: why are Locals eating Beef from Brazil? https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/13/business/montana-meat-old-salt-co-op.html  

This episode of the Soil Health Labs podcast delves into the importance of peer learning among farmers, innovative approaches to soil health, and the implementation of climate-smart practices through the Climate-Smart Grown in SC Program out of Clemson and SC State Universities. Featuring insights from Dr. Lacy Barnette, this episode explores how collaboration, community support, and scientific research drive sustainable agricultural practices.From as early as middle school, Dr. Lacy Barnette was interested in sustainable agriculture. She made the very wise decision of getting her PhD in Environmental Health Sciences from us right here in the Soil Health Lab and has since moved into a position as an Extension Associate at Clemson University where she is a part of the Leafy Greens program of their Climate-Smart Grown in SC project. This Climate-Smart program is a USDA-funded initiative aimed at sustainable practices in four main crops: leafy greens, forage, peanuts, and forestry.In this interview, Dr. Barnette emphasizes the benefits of farmers observing and learning from their peers in implementing effective soil health techniques, and the importance of making scientific research relevant and actionable for farmers, particularly in South Carolina. Dr. Barnette also discusses strategies for leafy green farmers to adopt cover cropping, reduce tillage, and approaches to mulching to enhance soil health. She also touches on market influences and policy barriers that may hinder farmers from adopting perennial systems. In all, it's important to plug oneself into a broad and supportive community, one that is involved in supporting one another's agricultural growth and, preferably, policy that supports regenerative agriculture.Dr. Barnette discusses the many varying and visible benefits of cover cropping, such as improved soil health/productivity and pest deterrent. She goes on to discuss some of the common issues some leafy green farmers may face in cover cropping. Diamondback Moths have posed a threat to some crops, for which Dr. Barnett offers some possible remedies, such as compost tea generated from plant matter of surrounding forests.Lastly, she discusses the Initial challenges and logistical hurdles in the first year of the Climate Smart SC Program, and anticipated improvements for the second year, including summer cover crops.Links and ResourcesClemson Extension Climate Smart Program: https://www.climatesmartsc.org/Rodale Institute: https://rodaleinstitute.org

As we end the growing season, we want to air this podcast that Joe Dickie and Buz Kloot conducted with NRCS's Shane Jordan and Kent Vlieger. This is the fourth podcast of the year that discusses salinity, the others being with Kent Cooley (Soil Scientist), Matt Hubers (Agronomist with Ducks Unlimited), and Lee Brise (Crop Consultant).  We wanted to time this podcast with the end of the growing season to (1) give you more time to listen and (2) help your thinking and planning for 2025, especially if you are farming in the James River Valley. While our previous podcasts (see links below) have dealt with various aspects of salinity, we think this episode does a nice job of tying up all the loose ends.Shane kicks off with his personal history and tenure in Spink County, discussing how shifts in farming practices have affected the salinity issue. He highlights the decrease of small grains in the rotation, the reduction of perennials (like alfalfa), and a decline in the number of livestock on pasture as some of the causes of salinity. These changes, along with the recent wet cycle, have led to a visible change in the landscape that Shane has observed firsthand.Kent then talks about how changes in farming practices, combined with weather patterns, have served to break the water cycle, making salinity a symptom of that broken cycle. As biological diversity decreases due to lands shifting to monocultures, soil structure is further impacted, exacerbating the busted water cycle. Kent discusses how effective water management—through the judicious use of plants—can combat salinity, especially in areas with high water tables, while highlighting the consequences of kicking the can down the road regarding these pressing issues.As we explore solutions, we look at the use of annuals in the form of cover crops, but we also spotlight the potential of perennial systems as a viable alternative to traditional row crops. Kent shares success stories from South Dakota farmers who have embraced these systems, showing how they can stabilize economic conditions over time. We stress the importance of patience, as transitioning to perennials isn't an overnight fix.In the podcast, we emphasize the "Every Acre Counts" initiative as a crucial framework for reevaluating land management practices. We highlight that many farmers often overlook the hidden potential of less productive acres, focusing solely on traditional row crops like corn and soybeans. By adopting a broader perspective, farmers can identify opportunities for integrating diverse practices, such as cover crops and perennials, that not only enhance soil health but also improve long-term profitability. We argue that this approach encourages producers to assess the economic viability of each field comprehensively, revealing surprising insights about their land's true productivity and the potential benefits of sustainable practices. Through "Every Acre Counts," we advocate for a mindset shift that recognizes the value of all land, promoting strategies that support ecological balance and agricultural resilience.A significant part of the conversation involves Kent and Shane expressing frustration over the economic barriers that prevent farmers from adopting more diverse and sustainable practices. They point out that many producers rely heavily on crop insurance instead of addressing the root causes of soil degradation, making it challenging to implement effective solutions. Both emphasize the difficulty in shifting mindsets, particularly among absentee landowners (NOLOs) who may not fully understand the state of their land or be willing to give producers a break on rent to tackle salinity problems. Shane highlights the need for education to change perspectives about soil health and profitability, noting that without this understanding, landowners often prioritize immediate financial returns over long-term sustainability. This disconnect underscores the broader challenge of integrating conservation efforts with economic realities in agriculture.They see many farmers "kicking the can down the road," avoiding the tough decisions needed to address salinity and soil health issues. This tendency to delay action only exacerbates problems, making it harder to achieve long-term sustainability and economic viability in the face of mounting challenges.*insert link for video clip from this podcast discussion showing the soil test numbers change over an 8-year time span (To Be Created)Previous Podcasts on Salinity:59 Soil Expert on the Origins and Impacts of Saline Soils – Kent Cooley: https://www.growingresiliencesd.com/podcasts/episode/251b4e9a/59-soil-expert-on-the-origins-and-impacts-of-saline-soils61 Agronomist Shares Top Strategies to Transform Saline Soils Into Productive Land – with Matt Hubers: https://www.growingresiliencesd.com/podcasts/episode/27cd9227/61-agronomist-shares-top-strategies-to-transform-saline-soils-into-productive-land63 Crop Consultant Shares How to Earn 400 More Dollars an Acre on Saline Soils – with Lee Briese: https://www.growingresiliencesd.com/podcasts/episode/259b1fbd/63-crop-consultant-shares-how-to-earn-400-more-dollars-an-acre-on-saline-soils

In a recent interview with Dr. Gabe Kenne, Lance Samuel spoke about his family's farm, ‘Bushels & Bags' near Ridgeway, South Carolina. Co-founded with his wife, Kim, initially the two former personal trainers only intended to start a homestead. Their journey began with a provisional vegetable plot, which gradually expanded into a full-fledged operation centered around microgreens. Their shift towards microgreens was driven by a desire to merge their interests in health, nutrition and agriculture. They soon discovered a strong local demand for organically grown, chemical-free vegetables.Bushels & Bags is "Certified Naturally Grown" (CNG), which is similar to an organic certification, but relies on a more local, grassroots, peer-reviewed process. This method not only supports small-scale farmers but also reduces certification costs. Lance values the collaborative nature of CNG, which fosters idea exchange and mutual support among farmers.Bushels & Bags now operates on approximately 1.5 acres and emphasizes chemical-free farming. They utilize methods such as exclusion netting and no-till farming to maintain soil structure and prevent pests. Lance details their recent experiments with cover crops, comparing crimping versus mowing techniques. He found crimping—rolling cover crops flat before planting—to be superior for controlling weeds and promoting plant health, compared to mowing, which led to increased weed pressure and inhibited growth.The interview also highlights their regenerative practices, including the use of hedgerows composed of native plants and flowering species between crop plots. Lance noticed the hedgerows attracted beneficial insects and birds that help with pest control, reducing the need for chemical intervention. The hedgerows further enhanced biodiversity and managed water runoff by absorbing excess water and preventing soil erosion. In the future, Lance is interested in incorporating rainwater catchment systems to further improve water management and reduce reliance on well water.Initially the farm implemented large amounts of outsourced compost, but in recent years Lance has begun cultivating in-house compost comprised of vegetable scraps, dead leaves and spent grain from local breweries. An experiment to remove wood chips from pathways resulted in increased erosion and water runoff, and Lance has since reverted back to using wood chips on walking paths and refined the application method, which has improved water management and reduced labor.The family plays a crucial role in the farm's operations, as the four Samuel children all contribute to the work necessary to support the farm. Operating in a remote and rural area, however, has its challenges. The farm's location, combined with the prevalence of personal gardens among locals, complicates direct sales. Despite these difficulties, Bushels & Bags has found success through regular attendance at a local farmer's market, a CSA program, and relationships with local restaurants.Looking ahead, Lance aims to further integrate both annual and perennial crops on the farm. To beginning farmers, Lance emphasizes the value of public resources– books, videos and online courses– and heeds new farmers to first find and shadow existing operations that share their agricultural value systems. For more information about Bushels & Bags, visit their website https://www.bushelsandbagsfarm.com/ or visit them at the Kershaw Farmers Market in Camden, SC on Saturdays.

In this episode of the SoilHealthLabs podcast series, Buz Kloot and Joe Dickie chat with Dr. Fred Provenza, professor emeritus of Behavioral Ecology at Utah State University, and author of several important books on animal behavior and land stewardship. Our discussion delves into the profound connections between healthy grasslands and healthy livestock, with Fred sharing personal stories and research that highlight the intricate relationships between soil, plants, animals, and humans.Fred begins by recounting his early experiences working with Henry DeLuca, a rancher who started in the late 1800s. Henry's deep understanding of his land and livestock left a lasting impression on Fred, particularly Henry's practice of retaining his own replacement heifers to ensure they "knew the range." This experience shaped Fred's lifelong exploration of the dynamic interplay between animals and their environments.As the conversation progresses, Fred shares intriguing anecdotes about the mutual learning that occurs between livestock mothers and their young. He describes how a calf might explore and learn to eat a plant that the mother avoids, eventually leading the mother to try it as well. This two-way street of learning is crucial for the herd's adaptability and the health of the landscape.The discussion also touches on the innovative methods used to train livestock, such as using a bitter, non-toxic substance to deter cows from nibbling on saplings. These stories illustrate how thoughtful, experience-based interventions can create sustainable practices that benefit both the animals and the environment.The conversation then moved towards the wisdom of shepherds, contrasting their role with that of herders. Fred explains that while a herder might direct animals where to go, a shepherd observes and learns from the animals, allowing them to naturally select the plants they need. This approach not only supports animal health but also promotes the biodiversity of the landscape, which is essential for maintaining a healthy ecosystem.Fred shares insights from his collaboration with French shepherds, particularly with co-author Michel Meuret (see additional resources below), highlighting how they use sequencing in grazing to optimize both animal and land health. By understanding which plants to graze first and in what order, shepherds can ensure that the landscape is utilized sustainably, preventing overgrazing and promoting a balanced ecosystem.The conversation also explores the broader implications of reconnecting with our food systems. Fred reflects on the disconnect between modern agricultural practices and the land, using the example of Montana—a state rich in cattle but reliant on imported beef, and the talk he gave at Montana's Old Salt Festival. This disconnect, he argues, has weakened our sense of community and our relationship with the land.As the episode concludes, Fred emphasizes the importance of re-establishing these connections. The wisdom gained from shepherds and their relationship with the land and animals offers valuable lessons for how we approach our food systems today. This episode is a call to action, urging listeners to rediscover the value of experiential knowledge in maintaining the health of our ecosystems.Additional Resources:Dr. Fred Provenza's Talk at Utah State University: The Web of Life EventDr. Fred Provenza's Books:Nourishment: What Animals Can Teach Us about Rediscovering Our Nutritional WisdomForaging Behavior: Managing to Survive in a World of ChangeThe Art & Science of Shepherding: Tapping the Wisdom of French HerdersOld Salt Co-Op (Montana) website: https://www.oldsaltco-op.com/NY Times Article: Montana has more Cows than People: Why Are Locals Eating Beef from Brazil? https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/13/business/montana-meat-old-salt-co-op.html

In this conversation with Soil Scientist Buz Kloot, Dwayne Beck— former research manager to Dakota Lakes Research Farm— discusses the destructive effects of some traditional land management techniques, one of which being tillage. Tillage consistently disrupts soil pore structure and leads to the loss of organic matter, initiating a downward spiral towards desertification. He references the Sahara Desert as an example, which was once a grassland but turned into a desert due to the loss of nutrients.Beck highlights the importance of integrated farming practices that consider the land's natural vegetation and climate. On his travels, particularly in Australia, he noticed significant differences in ecosystems based on rainfall patterns and soil water retention. He notes the challenge of farming in regions like Western and Eastern Australia, where the climate and soil conditions differ from grassland regions. He notes that in tree-dominated regions, water moves deep into the soil during winter, beyond the reach of grass-type crops. This creates a challenge under standard agricultural approaches; nutrients being in the soil, but too deep for crops to reach.He shares his insights on potential solutions, such as integrating perennial crops like sorghum in summer to utilize the nutrient cycles effectively. Dwayne mentions Colin Seis, who developed a system called "pasture cropping" or "grain and graze," which integrates tall grass species and winter crops to create a mixed-species system that enhances nutrient cycling and works in tandem with the seasons. He highlights the benefits of having a mix of perennials and annuals, as it more closely resembles natural ecosystems—urging farmers to not grow dependent on perennial grains. While annual crops focus on producing seeds, perennials primarily aim to survive until the next year— noting that Seis' ‘grain and graze' approach, while an insightful guidepost, will not work in every climate.Dwayne addresses the historical importance of megaherbivores in maintaining landscapes, and how the absence of these animals affects current ecosystems. The subsequent deficiency of deep-rooted species contributes to what he calls a leaky system: soil pH deficiencies leading to water and nutrient leakage. He references Randy Anderson's concept of a "death spiral," and emphasizes the need to restore the soil community to as close to its native condition as possible. This involves reintroducing diversity to rebuild soil's capacity and productivity.In a follow-up conversation with Kloot, Beck discusses ongoing challenges and potential solutions for farming in the Jim River region, specifically focusing on salinity issues. Dwayne emphasizes the importance of integrating perennials into farming systems to address these issues, noting that perennials could help manage salinity, although every property will have its own unique needs.Beck highlights the benefits of having a mix of perennials and annuals, as it more closely resembles natural ecosystems. He notes how pH problems often stem from nutrient cycling deficiencies rather than input deficiencies, recounting an instance where he was asked in a conference how far a farmer would need to go to get lime. Beck's answer was “Three feet.” He wants to remind farmers that lime is often in the soil, possibly beyond the reach of their standard crops, rather than miles away in a lime mine.Beck expressed his concern about the increasing emphasis on bio-oil crops like canola, flax, and soybeans, warning that an over-reliance on these crops could exacerbate issues in the Corn Belt. He also mentions innovative uses for crop residues, such as making lumber from corn stalks, and suggests that tallgrass plants could be harvested biennially for biomass production while still benefiting the soil. He acknowledges that while this approach is not as beneficial as grazing, it is still better than many standard agricultural practices.In all, Beck's wealth of understanding on crop management and long-term planning underscores the need for strategic thinking in sustainable farming, and makes for an insightful conversation about regenerative land management.Additional Links:Dr Randy Anderson's Spiral of Soil Regeneration:Part 1: https://www.growingresiliencesd.com/videos?wix-vod-video-id=6mckHaT2Giw&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-l0v2ecy2Part 2: https://www.growingresiliencesd.com/videos?wix-vod-video-id=aoT8x0VWu_I&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-l0v2ecy2Part 3: https://www.growingresiliencesd.com/videos?wix-vod-video-id=jJwtd5UtUak&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-l0v2ecy2Pasture Cropping with Colin Seis:https://www.wool.com/on-farm-research/weather-the-drought-with-regenerative-agriculture/Dakota Lakes Research Farm:http://dakotalakes.com/

In this week's SoilHealthLabs podcast, Gabe and Buz have a chat with Russell Hedrick, a first-generation farmer who began his agricultural journey in 2012 with a focus on no-till farming to minimize equipment costs. Introduced to cover crops by NRCS's Lee Holcomb, he faced skepticism from older farmers but garnered interest from younger peers curious about his methods.Since then, Hedrick's farm has expanded significantly, collaborating with distilleries and diversifying into cattle and pasture pigs, although they've scaled back livestock due to time constraints. They also produce and sell grits and cornmeal under their brands, ensuring financial security with premium prices far exceeding market rates.Their diverse crop portfolio includes specialty corn varieties like Jimmy Red and Blue Hopi, favored by distilleries for superior taste profiles and tested for nutrient density despite lower yields.Buz praises Hedrick's innovation and asks about agroecology and soil health. Hedrick humorously shares a story about a Missouri farmer's struggle with soil health understanding, reflecting on the financial pressures in commodity agriculture that hinder risk-taking.Reflecting on his early farming days, starting small allowed Hedrick to experiment and learn, boosted by resources like the "Undercover Farmers" video and supportive farmer networks. He details initial challenges with cover crops but notes significant soil health improvements over 12 years, emphasizing increased microbial activity.Gabe queries the condition of Hedrick's land pre-cover crops, described as degraded despite decades of conventional farming. Hedrick credits cover crops for reducing nitrates in soil and controlling weeds, enhancing water table health.Buz shifts to community support in farming innovation. Hedrick stresses the importance of addressing specific farmer concerns like finances or erosion, fostering change and practice adoption.The interview delves into consumer-farmer disconnects, technology's role, and collaborative learning's value. Hedrick shares urbanite struggles on the farm and advocates for knowledge-sharing within farming communities, citing mentorship benefits from peers like Gabe Brown.He reflects on past errors like overly dense cover crops and excessive organic matter, urging balance in farming practices. His farm's large-scale trials yield data-driven improvements in fertilizer efficiency, influenced by university and private sector collaborations.Discussing technology integration, Hedrick mentions AI for accessing agricultural research insights, enhancing farm decisions. He extols a lab service offering precise nutrient deficiency corrections, countering generic fertilizer use.Hedrick highlights regenerative farming's scientific evolution, balancing tradition and innovation. His farm innovations, from Australian compost methods to fertility enhancers, underscore sustainability and yield success.Hedrick's dynamic farming blends tradition with modern innovations for sustainable productivity. His insights on soil health, consumer education, and farmer collaboration illustrate a progressive approach to agriculture.To see more about farmer experiences like Russell's, check out our “Under Cover Farmers” video that he mentions influenced him.To find out more about Russell and his ag. support and consulting company with Liz Haney, visit https://www.agsoilregen.com/.Have a question for Russell? Contact him here: russell@agsoilregen.com or through Facebook messenger (fb.com/russell.e.hedrick)

In a lively interview with Buz Kloot, Joe Dickie and Lynn Betts, Maygen and Noah of the band Maygen & the Birdwatcher delve into the origins and evolution of their musical journey and their collaboration with the South Dakota Grasslands Coalition. The discussion began with Maygen recounting her unexpected path into music, having grown  up with 90's country music in the house thanks to her mother. After having children, she overcame her fear of performing and began as a studio vocalist, eventually forming a duo called Sparrow's Rising. This partnership led to an opportunity to open for the Indigo Girls, where she met Noah, a talented guitarist who shared her passion for music.Noah's background contrasted Maygen's as he grew up disliking country music, influenced by his father's farm boy roots but personally drawn to classic rock and metal. His appreciation for country music grew over time, and when Maygen and Noah met, they clicked immediately, both musically and personally, leading to the formation of Maygen & the Birdwatcher around 2018.Their collaboration matured, with Noah stepping into songwriting and contributing significantly to their melodies, lyrics and message. The pair continually pushed each other to learn and grow, resulting in a dynamic and evolving musical partnership.The conversation then shifted to their acclaimed project, "Where Good Things Grow." Lynn Betts, a consultant for the South Dakota Grassland Coalition, recounted how he discovered Maygen & the Birdwatcher while searching for the perfect band to create a song for a campaign promoting the benefits of grasslands. He spent considerable time listening to various Midwest artists before finding their sound ideal for the project.Maygen and Noah eagerly embraced the challenge. Inspired by the coalition's work and their own experiences touring the grasslands, they crafted lyrics that captured the essence of the landscape and the interconnectedness of its ecosystem. They wrote two songs initially and combined elements from both to create the final version of "Where Good Things Grow," which resonated deeply with the themes of the campaign.The intention from the start was to produce a music video, which eventually featured the band performing amidst the prairie, visually complementing the song's message. The result was a powerful and evocative portrayal of the grasslands' beauty and significance.In recognition of their outstanding work, Maygen & the Birdwatcher received an award from the South Dakota Grassland Coalition, underscoring the impact and excellence of their contribution. The project not only showcased their musical talents but also highlighted the importance of preserving natural landscapes, blending art and advocacy in a compelling way.Overall, this interview highlights the band's journey, their creative process, and this meaningful and innovative collaboration with the South Dakota Grassland Coalition that defines new ways music and advocacy can intertwine.Links: https://wheregoodthingsgrow.org/Watch the full video for ‘Where Good Things Grow” athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FklZNJWNxcYTo find out more about Maygen and Noah, go to: https://www.maygenandthebirdwatcher.com/or follow them on Facebook or Instagram. @maygenandthebirdwatcher

In this podcast episode, we chat with Greg Brown, a market gardener at Greenleaf Farms in Columbia, South Carolina. Greg's farm spans about an acre, where he grows a variety of flowers and produce organically, despite not being certified organic. He sells his products at a local farmer's market and to some local restaurants, but his main focus is a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program he runs with another farmer.Greg began his farming journey in Atlanta, Georgia, before moving to Columbia due to health issues that necessitated a heart transplant. Post-recovery, he resumed farming in Columbia about five years ago. He rents an acre of land where he grows various crops, including unique and lesser-known ones like ginger and lemongrass, to keep his farming interesting and to offer something different at the market.In addition to growing crops, Greg practices companion planting and uses various soil health techniques. He uses lemongrass as mulch and creates his own compost and plant extracts to enrich the soil and manage pests. Greg emphasizes the importance of soil health and regenerative practices, like using cover crops and Korean natural farming techniques, to improve soil organic matter and nutrient levels. He also highlights the role of flowers in attracting pollinators and beneficial insects to his garden.Greg's approach to farming includes creating natural treatments from plants like comfrey and yarrow, which he ferments into sprays to enhance soil and plant health. He is also enthusiastic about using locally available materials like fall leaves and rice hulls for mulch and composting.Overall, Greg's focus is on maintaining a sustainable and organic farming practice, enriching the soil naturally, and providing unique, high-quality produce to his community.Helpful LinksFollow Greg and Greenleaf farms on social media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greenleaffarmsscInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenleaf_farms_scFor more podcast episodes, videos, blogs and other free resources, check out our website: soilhealthlabs.com

In this first-of-its-kind episode on the Soil Health Labs podcast, we share big news on our expansion into South Carolina. Join us as we introduce Dr. Gabe Kenne, a molecular biologist turned soil health advocate, who will be leading our efforts in the Southeast. This episode sets the stage for what's to come, sharing insights into the different agricultural landscapes and practices of South Carolina while maintaining our commitment to soil health principles that benefit land managers everywhere.We start by discussing the podcast's new focus, emphasizing the universal applicability of soil health principles and the value that South Carolina's unique agricultural conditions will bring to our audience. Dr. Kenne provides an overview of his work in South Carolina, highlighting his transition from molecular biology to hands-on soil health advocacy.The conversation covers several key projects, including the Cover 5 Project, which demonstrates the benefits of cover crops on poor land, and the Evaluate, Quantify, and Share Project, aimed at helping producers adopt soil health practices with tailored support. Dr. Kenne also shares updates on the Soil Health Labs website, which now features a wealth of archived and new content, and highlights our active social media presence on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.We also preview our first SC episode (coming soon) featuring Greg Brown. Greg is a successful small-scale vegetable and flower producer in South Carolina. Greg's innovative marketing strategies and strong community presence provide a fascinating case study in successful agricultural practices and community engagement.As we close, we express our excitement for the upcoming South Carolina-focused episodes and encourage our South Dakota listeners to stay tuned for valuable content. We invite everyone to explore the updated Soil Health Labs website and connect with us on social media for more soil health insights. Thank you for joining us, and stay tuned for more from the Soil Health Labs podcast!To learn more about what we're up to (and for more free content and resources), visit our website: soilhealthlabs.com

In this episode, South Dakota rancher Dan Rasmussen discusses the evolution in practice and mindset needed to sustain ranching in South Dakota. Rasmussen emphasizes the importance of maintaining certain traditional elements of cowboy culture, like community cooperation, while adapting modern, sustainable practices for the benefit of the land, people, and livestock.Rasmussen's family has been on their South Dakota ranch since 1914. He expresses the need for ranchers to operate their businesses efficiently to preserve the prairie and its ecosystem. He highlights the role of healthy soil, achieved through improved grazing management, as the key to sustainable ranching. Rasmussen's approach involves increasing stocking rates, protecting native prairie, and enhancing soil health to maintain the ranching culture and benefit the environment.Rasmussen's involvement with the South Dakota Grassland Coalition, where he manages a consulting program to help ranchers implement conservation practices, reflects his commitment to these principles. He discusses the value of education, openness and curiosity in transitioning from conventional season-long grazing to rotational grazing practices that enhance soil health.Rasmussen also emphasizes the importance of working with nature within ranch management. He discusses the value of rotational grazing, explaining how moving cattle through different pastures in a systematic way helps maintain soil health and supports natural processes. This method allows grass to grow, get grazed, and recover, which ensures better insulation for the soil and longer periods of microbial activity, even in winter.When addressing the challenges ranchers face in transitioning to new grazing practices, Dan introduces the Dunning-Kruger effect. This psychological phenomenon describes how people with limited knowledge often overestimate their competence, while those with more experience recognize the complexity and feel less confident. Dan explains that new ranchers often get excited and invest heavily after attending a grazing school, only to face difficulties and become disillusioned. To combat this, he stresses the importance of making small, manageable changes and building a support network of mentors and consultants. Overall, Dan advocates for gradual change, continuous education, and collaboration to achieve healthy soil and successful ranch management while preserving the beneficial elements of traditional ranching culture.Links:Downloadable file with 3 graphics that Dan discusse namely (1) Cowboy Life (2) continuum of grazing practices and (3) Dunning-Kreuger effect.https://f128aa36-278c-4eaa-b840-56a99c2a36ae.usrfiles.com/ugd/f128aa_93829f834b9746e0896f54759b2946f5.pdfOur Amazing Grasslands Video of the 33 ranch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXWZhkOiyZ4SD Grasslands Coalition: https://sdgrass.org/SD Grasslands Coalition Range Consulting program: https://sdgrass.org/range-consulting-program/SD Grasslands Grazing School: https://sdgrass.org/grazing-school/

Dwayne Beck is the former Research Manager at Dakota Lakes Research Farm in Pierre, South Dakota. Soil Health Labs researcher Buz Kloot spoke with him in 2013 and again in 2023 about his journey at Dakota Lakes.When Dakota Lakes Research Farm was first established by local farmers in the early 1980s, the aim was to address irrigation challenges exacerbated by rising energy costs. Dwayne Beck was a graduate student at the time studying irrigation research and ushered the farm toward emphasis on efficient water usage, not only in irrigated but also dryland areas. Over time, the farm's focus expanded beyond irrigation to encompass both dryland and irrigation research, its current goal being to identify, research, and demonstrate methods of strengthening and stabilizing the agriculture economy.Over time, through the Dakota Lakes property, Beck expanded the regional pool of research on blossoming topics in regenerative agriculture: holistic no-till approaches, effective uses of irrigation, and the conditions necessary to bolster a native mixed-grass prairie ecosystem.“Farmers are doing ‘no till' in the US in some ways that don't make much sense, because there's no diversity and there's no attention to water cycles and nutrient cycles and sunlight, they're just not doing tillage– basically just a conventional system with the tillage taken out.”Now, ten years after first speaking to Beck, he has witnessed a local rebirth in small agricultural communities. There has been a noted increase in those working in fertilizer, cropping support businesses, and grain elevators, alongside a heightened understanding of the farmer's power in soil health issues. Land value has increased, and with it, a broader understanding that healthy soils mean for a healthy community.“How do you change the social moorings, so to speak, of a whole area? In the old days, if we had soil erosion happening, ditches filling with dirt-- which was common-- that was just seen as an act of God, something beyond the farmer's control. And that part has changed.”Beck hopes in the future to engage non-farming members and absentee landowners in issues of local agriculture. Particularly absentee landowners that rent local land don't often have an intimate understanding of how the land is being managed— Beck would like to engage these landowners and invite them to express a vested interest in what's happening on their land and within their soils.Engage with Dakota Lakes' Virtual Field day through the 2020 video series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTZDoxH1GkisubbRzKxg2XA_PIzzPE8PMGet in touch with Dakota Lakes Research Farm through their website, http://www.dakotalakes.com/contact/ where there is also information on membership.

In this interview segment between Buz Kloot and Joe Dickie of Lee Briese, Lee Briese discusses his background as an independent crop consultant in East Central North Dakota, specializing in managing salinity issues. He explains how salinity affects crop yields due to osmotic pressure, which makes it difficult for plants to absorb water. Lee emphasizes the complexity of managing salinity, debunking myths such as the belief that tillage improves the situation.He attributes the worsening of salinity issues to factors like changes in crop rotations, emphasizing that certain crops like corn and soybeans are less tolerant to salinity compared to wheat and barley. Lee discusses the impact of wet and dry cycles on salinity levels, noting that while some actions may temporarily dilute salts, they don't solve the underlying problem.Lee also addresses the concentration of salinity along roadways due to poor drainage, highlighting the need for watershed-based solutions. He compares managing salinity to managing a wildfire, emphasizing the importance of coordinated efforts across different properties to effectively address the issue.Overall, the interview provides valuable insights into the challenges of managing salinity in agricultural landscapes and the need for holistic, watershed-based approaches to address this complex issue.Briese delves into the concept of "Lean Acres," areas of farmland that fail to yield any profit despite receiving inputs. He compares these unproductive areas to hired workers who consistently fail to show up for work, emphasizing the need for farmers to address them promptly. According to Briese, these areas essentially drain resources without providing any return, akin to an unproductive employee.He illustrates this point by posing a rhetorical question: How long would it take a farmer to fire someone who never shows up for work? The implication is clear - such inefficiencies cannot be tolerated in a business setting, and the same principle should apply to farming operations. Briese suggests that Lean Acres, which have been receiving full inputs without generating any yield, should be treated similarly.Briese highlights the swiftness with which unproductive workers are typically let go, often within a week. He draws a parallel to the agricultural context, noting that farmers have been allowing these unproductive acres to persist for several years before taking action. This delay in addressing the issue only exacerbates the problem, prolonging the drain on resources.To remedy the situation, Briese advocates for reassigning these unproductive acres to different tasks that are more suitable. He proposes alternative jobs such as creating wildlife habitat or planting high-tolerance crops like barley or sunflower. By giving these acres a new purpose, farmers can mitigate their negative impact and potentially even derive some value from them.Moreover, Briese stresses the importance of managing expenses effectively, especially in areas where crops consistently fail to thrive. He suggests that farmers should refrain from investing further resources into these unproductive areas and instead focus on optimizing input usage elsewhere on the farm.Furthermore, Briese discusses the significance of adjusting expectations when transitioning to alternative land management strategies. While the shift may not result in the same level of profitability as traditional crop production, it can still yield positive outcomes in terms of cost savings and environmental stewardship.In conclusion, Briese emphasizes the need for proactive management of Lean Acres and encourages farmers to explore alternative land use options. By reevaluating their approach and making strategic adjustments, farmers can mitigate losses and potentially turn unproductive areas into assets for their operations. Briese's insights underscore the importance of adaptability and resourcefulness in modern agricultural practices.

We're excited for the second podcast in this series that we call “Atlas Brainstorming with Dr. Dwayne Beck”.  The original interviews we conducted were in 2013 at Dakota Lakes Research Farm (DLRF) and then Buz Kloot followed up with Dr.  Beck in 2024 to see what had happened in the interim.In this second 2013 interview between Buz and Dwayne, they discuss Dwayne's philosophy of science, particularly focusing on soil health and agriculture. Dwayne explains his systems approach, which is influenced by his upbringing on a farm and his background in chemistry and physics. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of biological systems and using basic ecological principles to guide agricultural practices.Dwayne also talks about the challenges he faced in transitioning to sustainable agriculture, especially during a time when funding for research was declining. He highlights the need to balance environmental sustainability with economic viability, acknowledging the real-world constraints faced by farmers.Throughout the conversation, Dwayne emphasizes the importance of practical research that yields tangible results, contrasting it with purely theoretical or PR-driven approaches. He emphasizes the need for research to be grounded in practical application and tested in real-world conditions, using the metaphor of whether "the dog hunts" to illustrate the concept of effectiveness in agricultural practices.Overall, the interview provides insights into Dwayne's pragmatic and interdisciplinary approach to agricultural research, highlighting the importance of integrating scientific principles with practical considerations for sustainable farming practices.In the 2024 interview between Buz and Dwayne Beck regarding progress at Dakota Lakes Research Farm, Dwayne Beck emphasizes the long-term nature of the results achieved, particularly in response to effective management practices. He highlights the importance of sustainable agricultural management strategies that not only deliver immediate benefits but also contribute to long-term success and resilience.Dwayne stresses the significance of implementing management practices that are environmentally friendly while also being economically viable. He discusses how their approach at Dakota Lakes involves a combination of ecological principles, practical farming experiences, and scientific research to develop sustainable solutions. This approach, according to Dwayne, is essential for ensuring that the results achieved are not short-lived but have lasting impacts on soil health, crop productivity, and overall farm sustainability.Furthermore, Dwayne underscores the need to continually evaluate and adapt management practices based on ongoing research and practical outcomes. He discusses the collaborative efforts with researchers from South Dakota State University, indicating a commitment to integrating academic insights with on-the-ground experiences to drive continuous improvement and long-term success at Dakota Lakes Research Farm.Overall, Dwayne's perspective emphasizes the crucial role of effective and forward-thinking management in achieving sustainable agricultural outcomes that endure over time.Engage with Dakota Lakes' Virtual Field day through the 2020 video series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTZDoxH1GkisubbRzKxg2XA_PIzzPE8PMGet in touch with Dakota Lakes Research Farm through their website, http://www.dakotalakes.com/contact/ where there is also information on membership.

The conversation begins with Matt sharing a bit about his background, growing up on military bases in Germany and having ties to agriculture through his family's farming history. He then talks about his education and work experience in fisheries, water quality, and conservation, leading up to his current role as an agronomist at Ducks Unlimited. Matt also briefly mentions his personal experience with livestock and land management.The podcast interview between Buz Kloot, Matt Hubers, and Joe Dickie delves into the pressing issue of salinity in agricultural systems, particularly in South Dakota. Matt Hubers, an agronomist at Ducks Unlimited, brings valuable expertise and insights into the discussion, drawing from his background in natural resource management and personal involvement in agriculture.Matt discusses the historical and current factors contributing to salinity problems, such as changes in cropping practices and increased tillage. He highlights the detrimental effects of salinity on soil health and crop productivity, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to mitigate these issues. Matt suggests strategies like diversifying cropping systems, reducing tillage, and incorporating perennial grasses to address salinity and maintain soil cover.The conversation also touches on the escalating salinity issues in specific regions, such as the James River Valley, and the importance of early diagnosis and intervention. Matt stresses the role of technical and financial assistance from organizations like Ducks Unlimited, emphasizing that now is the opportune time for farmers to seek help and implement solutions.Joe Dickie raises questions about the broader implications of salinity issues and government assistance for non-farmers. Matt underscores the interconnectedness of agriculture with clean water, clean air, and healthy food, highlighting the benefits of supporting sustainable agricultural practices for all residents of South Dakota.In summary, the interview underscores the urgency of addressing salinity problems, provides practical insights into mitigation strategies, and emphasizes the importance of collaborative efforts to sustain agriculture and preserve the state's landscape for future generations.

Dwayne Beck is the Research Manager at Dakota Lakes Research Farm in Pierre, South Dakota. Soil Health Labs researcher Buz Kloot spoke with him in 2013 and again in 2023 about his journey at Dakota Lakes.When Dakota Lakes Research Farm was first established by local farmers in the early 1980s, the aim was to address irrigation challenges exacerbated by rising energy costs. Dwayne Beck was a graduate student at the time studying irrigation research and ushered the farm toward emphasis on efficient water usage, not only in irrigated but also dryland areas. Over time, the farm's focus expanded beyond irrigation to encompass both dryland and irrigation research, its current goal being to identify, research, and demonstrate methods of strengthening and stabilizing the agriculture economy.Over time, through the Dakota Lakes property, Beck expanded the regional pool of research on blossoming topics in regenerative agriculture: holistic no-till approaches, effective uses of irrigation, and the conditions necessary to bolster a native mixed-grass prairie ecosystem.“Farmers are doing ‘no till' in the US in some ways that don't make much sense, because there's no diversity and there's no attention to water cycles and nutrient cycles and sunlight, they're just not doing tillage– basically just a conventional system with the tillage taken out.”Now, ten years after first speaking to Beck, he has witnessed a local rebirth in small agricultural communities. There has been a noted increase in those working in fertilizer, cropping support businesses, and grain elevators, alongside a heightened understanding of the farmer's power in soil health issues. Land value has increased, and with it, a broader understanding that healthy soils mean for a healthy community.“How do you change the social moorings, so to speak, of a whole area? In the old days, if we had soil erosion happening, ditches filling with dirt-- which was common-- that was just seen as an act of God, something beyond the farmer's control. And that part has changed.”Beck hopes in the future to engage non-farming members and absentee landowners in issues of local agriculture. Particularly absentee landowners that rent local land don't often have an intimate understanding of how the land is being managed— Beck would like to engage these landowners and invite them to express a vested interest in what's happening on their land and within their soils.Engage with Dakota Lakes' Virtual Field day through the 2020 video series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTZDoxH1GkisubbRzKxg2XA_PIzzPE8PMGet in touch with Dakota Lakes Research Farm through their website, http://www.dakotalakes.com/contact/ where there is also information on membership.

In this, our first series on salinity, we talk to Kent Cooley, area resource scientist in Rapid City, SD.  We discuss some of the causes of salinity in South Dakota, where it's estimated that 7.5 million acres of land are affected by saline soils, with almost a million more acres added in the past 10-15 years due to management practices. Kent helps is dive into the geology aspects of the region, explaining how the presence of an ancient inland sea and subsequent sedimentation left a high concentration of salts in the soil. We also look at the natural processes that contribute to the formation of saline and sodic soils, including the role of parent material, climate, and water movement. Natural salinity can occur due to the upward movement of water dissolving salts in the soil, which then accumulate on the surface as the water evaporates. This process is exacerbated by certain agricultural practices that incorporate high disturbance, and low diversity. Our conversation also addresses the critical difference between saline and sodic soils, with sodic soils being particularly challenging to remediate due to their impact on soil structure and water infiltration. Kent stresses the importance of soil testing to accurately diagnose the condition affecting the soil, which in turn informs the appropriate remediation strategies.We briefly touch on remediation (the subject of future podcasts) and these include diversifying crop rotations, adopting no-till farming practices, and perennial systems to make better use of soil moisture and keep salts deeper in the soil profile. The podcast underscores the significance of managing the recharge areas (upslope of the salinity area) to prevent the movement of salts to the surface in lower areas. Additionally, Kent touches on the challenges and potential solutions for managing salinity in irrigation districts, where the use of water with moderate to high salt content can further exacerbate soil salinity issues.Kent emphasizes the need to be proactive and taking a comprehensive approach to addressing salinity including soil testing, appropriate residue management, crop selection, and the adoption of farming practices that preserve soil health and prevent the accumulation of salts in the soil profile.

Laura Kahler is the director of the South Dakota Grasslands Initiative (SDGI), pushing South Dakotan agriculture toward sustainability and heightened reverence for the natural landscape. Laura's mission is to provide resources and support to landowners, helping them keep their pasture lands not just profitable, but also sustainable and ecologically sound.The SDGI aims to manage grasslands effectively while balancing profitability and environmental conservation. Grasslands are more than just land; they are ecosystems that require attentive, informed management to thrive. Laura emphasizes that the initiative is more than a conservation effort; it's a collaborative platform where hunters, ranchers, conservation groups, and others converge to share perspectives and solutions.A key aspect of SDGI's approach is the integration of local knowledge with scientific research. Farmers and landowners bring generations of experience, while scientific insights offer new perspectives on soil health and ecosystem management. This blend of knowledge is crucial for developing effective, sustainable land management strategies.Education forms the backbone of the SDGI. By educating landowners and the public about the importance of soil health and sustainable practices, the initiative aims to create a ripple effect, one that spreads awareness and action across communities. This educational component is vital in cultivating a shared understanding and commitment to land stewardship.At its heart, the success of the SDGI hinges on collaboration. By bringing together diverse groups, each with their own perspectives and interests, the initiative fosters a sense of community and shared purpose. This collaborative spirit is essential for addressing complex environmental challenges.The real-world impact of the SDGI and regenerative practices is profound. Farmers report healthier soils, increased biodiversity, and improved yields. Environmentally, these practices contribute to carbon sequestration, water retention, and habitat preservation - essential components in the fight against climate change.Looking ahead, Kahler intends to continue expanding the initiative, deepening the understanding of regenerative practices, and fostering a community where every stakeholder has a voice in shaping the future of our grasslands.The South Dakota Grasslands Initiative stands as a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration and a deep commitment to our planet. Regenerative practices and collaborative effort not only impact today's soils, but have ripple effects into plant, animal and human life for years to come.Links:SD Grasslands Initiative Homepage: https://sdgrassinitiative.org/SDGI Summit and Introduction Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikpzs8sA4xUNew Feature Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAoqp0cYwPc

In this, our first series on salinity, we talk to Kent Cooley, area resource scientist in Rapid City, SD.  We discuss some of the causes of salinity in South Dakota, where it's estimated that 7.5 million acres of land are affected by saline soils, with almost a million more acres added in the past 10-15 years due to management practices. Kent helps is dive into the geology aspects of the region, explaining how the presence of an ancient inland sea and subsequent sedimentation left a high concentration of salts in the soil. We also look at the natural processes that contribute to the formation of saline and sodic soils, including the role of parent material, climate, and water movement. Natural salinity can occur due to the upward movement of water dissolving salts in the soil, which then accumulate on the surface as the water evaporates. This process is exacerbated by certain agricultural practices that incorporate high disturbance, and low diversity. Our conversation also addresses the critical difference between saline and sodic soils, with sodic soils being particularly challenging to remediate due to their impact on soil structure and water infiltration. Kent stresses the importance of soil testing to accurately diagnose the condition affecting the soil, which in turn informs the appropriate remediation strategies.We briefly touch on remediation (the subject of future podcasts) and these include diversifying crop rotations, adopting no-till farming practices, and perennial systems to make better use of soil moisture and keep salts deeper in the soil profile. The podcast underscores the significance of managing the recharge areas (upslope of the salinity area) to prevent the movement of salts to the surface in lower areas. Additionally, Kent touches on the challenges and potential solutions for managing salinity in irrigation districts, where the use of water with moderate to high salt content can further exacerbate soil salinity issues.Kent emphasizes the need to be proactive and taking a comprehensive approach to addressing salinity including soil testing, appropriate residue management, crop selection, and the adoption of farming practices that preserve soil health and prevent the accumulation of salts in the soil profile.

In this insightful episode, Tate Lantz joins hosts Joe Dickie and Buz Kloot to discuss the Central Grasslands Roadmap. Lantz shares his personal journey from a childhood on a South Dakota cattle ranch to his current role in conservation, reflecting a deep connection to the grasslands. Tate grew up on a cattle ranch near Winner, SD and after high school attended SDSU majoring in range science. His career began at the Conservation District in Kingsbury County, after which he joined the NRCS in 1998 and currently serves as Assistant State Conservationist for field operations in Rapid City, SD since 2016. Lantz first got involved in the grasslands roadmap mission when the operation was temporarily housed in the Sturgis field office where he was positioned. He was immediately drawn into the aim: to combine the efforts of three countries and eight sectors to save one of the most vital ecosystems on earth- the grasslands. Grasslands face threats from urban sprawl, agricultural conversion, and tree encroachment, leading to grassland loss (32 million acres since 2012) as well as significant biodiversity loss. The Roadmap aims to raise awareness of grasslands' value in carbon sequestration and climate mitigation. To do this, the Roadmap emphasizes community involvement, including indigenous voices and industry partnerships. The Roadmap highlights the interconnection between grassland health and economic resilience of rural communities. It aims to bolster collective understanding and action, influence and push forward impactful legislation, heighten efficiency of resource use and allocation, refine shared progress monitoring standards and construct sustainability models to support scaling programs in grazing, regenerative agriculture, and industry. Tate Lantz's conversation sheds light on the Central Grasslands Roadmap's importance in preserving one of America's most vital ecosystems. Stay tuned for more discussions on grassland conservation and the roadmap's impact across North America. Useful Links: Central Grasslands Roadmap Home page: https://www.grasslandsroadmap.org/ Our recommendation for understanding the roadmap: Roadmap Executive Summary New Feature Video on Grasslands loss and reclamation: Two Regenerative Ranchers Share Shocking Soil Health Discovery (growingresiliencesd.com/videos) Other Notes on the Central Grasslands Roadmap: History 2018- Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (backbone organization) – Tammy VerCauteren's (exec director of BCoR) vision. Need/Context 50 million acres (size of SD?) lost in last 10 years? “Measures of human community health and healthy grassland ecosystems across the biome continue to decline. The time to act is now.” Scale – Mexico, US and Canada, 600 million acres, eight sectors (e.g., indigenous communities, landowners & ranchers federal agencies, industry/ag and private sector, state and provincial agencies, NGO's, academia, foundations and funders). Diverse ecosystems and diverse communities What is the Central Grasslands Roadmap? A hub for information and connection across countries and sectors - “We must think, collaborate, and act differently.” Vision: Eight outcomes – all look like related to thriving economic, environmental and equity (3 tectonic plates of sustainability) outcomes for these communities, beginning with indigenous populations, but includes ranchers/landowners, NGOs policymakers.. Principles: Respect, priorities to sustain indigenous communities, ranching and rual communities, science priorities, eight sectors.

In this insightful episode, Tate Lantz joins hosts Joe Dickie and Buz Kloot to discuss the Central Grasslands Roadmap. Lantz shares his personal journey from a childhood on a South Dakota cattle ranch to his current role in conservation, reflecting a deep connection to the grasslands. Tate grew up on a cattle ranch near Winner, SD and after high school attended SDSU majoring in range science. His career began at the Conservation District in Kingsbury County, after which he joined the NRCS in 1998 and currently serves as Assistant State Conservationist for field operations in Rapid City, SD since 2016. Lantz first got involved in the grasslands roadmap mission when the operation was temporarily housed in the Sturgis field office where he was positioned. He was immediately drawn into the aim: to combine the efforts of three countries and eight sectors to save one of the most vital ecosystems on earth- the grasslands. Grasslands face threats from urban sprawl, agricultural conversion, and tree encroachment, leading to grassland loss (32 million acres since 2012) as well as significant biodiversity loss. The Roadmap aims to raise awareness of grasslands' value in carbon sequestration and climate mitigation. To do this, the Roadmap emphasizes community involvement, including indigenous voices and industry partnerships. The Roadmap highlights the interconnection between grassland health and economic resilience of rural communities. It aims to bolster collective understanding and action, influence and push forward impactful legislation, heighten efficiency of resource use and allocation, refine shared progress monitoring standards and construct sustainability models to support scaling programs in grazing, regenerative agriculture, and industry. Tate Lantz's conversation sheds light on the Central Grasslands Roadmap's importance in preserving one of America's most vital ecosystems. Stay tuned for more discussions on grassland conservation and the roadmap's impact across North America. Useful Links: Central Grasslands Roadmap Home page: https://www.grasslandsroadmap.org/ Our recommendation for understanding the roadmap: Roadmap Executive Summary New Feature Video on Grasslands loss and reclamation: Two Regenerative Ranchers Share Shocking Soil Health Discovery (growingresiliencesd.com/videos) Other Notes on the Central Grasslands Roadmap: History: 2018- Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (backbone organization) – Tammy VerCauteren's (exec director of BCoR) vision. Need/Context: 50 million acres (size of SD?) lost in last 10 years? “Measures of human community health and healthy grassland ecosystems across the biome continue to decline. The time to act is now.” Scale: Mexico, US and Canada, 600 million acres, eight sectors (e.g., indigenous communities, landowners & ranchers federal agencies, industry/ag and private sector, state and provincial agencies, NGO's, academia, foundations and funders). Diverse ecosystems and diverse communities What is the Central Grasslands Roadmap? A hub for information and connection across countries and sectors - “We must think, collaborate, and act differently.” Vision: Eight outcomes – all look like related to thriving economic, environmental and equity (3 tectonic plates of sustainability) outcomes for these communities, beginning with indigenous populations, but includes ranchers/landowners, NGOs policymakers.. Principles: Respect, priorities to sustain indigenous communities, ranching and rual communities, science priorities, eight sectors. 

Most folks have heard of the Haney test, but who are the people behind the test, what is the test and how did it all get started? In this episode, Buz Kloot and Joe Dickie talk to Drs. Liz and Rick Haney both soil scientists who live in Texas. Rick and Liz met during their graduate studies at Texas A&M – he was doing his PhD at the time and Liz her Masters. We begin by asking about the philosophy behind the Haney test and Rick walks us through his background as a farmer, student and soil health advocate. As Rick says, “My main objective was to come up with something that would help [land managers] do something… Soil science seemed to be the place.” Rick takes us through some of the steps of the development of the Haney Test that included looking at organic nitrogen, soil respiration and using an alternative extractant to look at soil minerals. Rick's driving philosophy was to mimic in the lab what was happening out in the field. While the middle part of the discussion does get technical, Joe and Liz bring us back to reality with examples, for instance, of talking about how soil respiration may resemble a party. We end the conversation discussing what this means for producers and how the soil test provides a different look at their soils, how this has allowed many producers to save on inputs (especially nitrogen) and how mimicking nature in soil tests encourages producers to improve farm management practices. Rick concludes the discussion with: “The biggest takeaway that I've had in the last 15 years is seeing farmers that had no hope have hope. That is been the most dramatic thing that I've seen in that instead of doing it the same old way over and over and over, you know, try, try different test and I'd have to be the hey, just try something.” After retiring from the ARS, Rick continues his work as a technical director for a commercial soil test lab. After leaving a job in the corporate world Liz now is co-owner of a company called RegenAg that educates and consults with farmers and nonprofits on their regenerative journey. To learn more about what Liz and Rick are up to, visit them at: regenag.com For more free links and resources, visit our website: growingresiliencesd.com

In this podcast, Buz Kloot, Joe Dickie, and Gabe Brown discuss Gabe's motivation behind his mission to help farmers and ranchers. Gabe shares that his dedication to the mission was solidified during the three years of extreme difficulties he faced. At that time, there were few resources for farmers and ranchers to learn about the principles, rules, and processes required for regenerative agriculture. Gabe felt a calling to help others avoid the difficulties he faced and made a commitment to dedicate his life to this mission. Throughout the podcast, Joe and Buz reflect on their own experiences working with Gabe and express their admiration for his unwavering dedication to this mission. Gabe's work is about more than just farming and ranching—it's about making a positive impact on the planet. The discussion turned to regenerative agriculture, and Gabe shared his experience in showing visitors his garden before the farm: "And I often get this puzzled look, 'Well, why the garden?' [visitors ask]. And I tell them, 'Every single thing you need to know about regenerative agriculture can be shown in this garden.'" He notes that the transformational movement towards regenerative agriculture has been driven by farmers who are leading a grassroots effort to change the industry. Gabe adds to the discussion by sharing a story about how Maker's Mark bourbon announced that their farm has been certified as regenerative, which received 2.47 million views in five hours. This indicates a high demand for regenerative certified products, which can be profitable for producers. He also notes that regenerative principles can significantly reduce input costs for producers, which is why the industry has experienced explosive growth. What drives producers towards regenerative agriculture? Gabe explains that profitability is the main driver for producers, as regenerative principles can reduce input costs. He also points out that education is crucial to promoting regenerative agriculture. "I always tell people that, you know, if I went out and polled farmers and ranchers and asked them to write me one paragraph about how a soil aggregate was formed, 95 plus percent of them wouldn't be able to answer that simple question. Yet 100% of those producers, their livelihoods depend on that soil aggregate," says Gabe. How do we shift the mindset of farmers and ranchers towards regenerative agriculture? Initially, Gabe says, producers make decisions based solely on money. However, when they start working with regenerative practices and see positive changes in their soil health, water infiltration, and nutrient cycling, they have an "aha moment" and realize the broader impact of their actions. This realization leads to a shift in priorities towards a more holistic approach to farming and ranching, where they consider the positive impact on the landscape, wildlife, and their families. Gabe and his team take clients through a process that includes a shovel and infiltration test in the field and nearby woods, followed by soil testing, split trials, and profitability tracking, which helps farmers and ranchers recognize the benefits of regenerative agriculture. Positive compounding effects, such as increased soil aggregation, improved water infiltration, and increased insect populations, further reinforce the idea that regenerative agriculture is not just about making money but also about improving the environment. The shift towards regenerative agriculture leads to more diversified operations, with farmers and ranchers adding more crops and livestock. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of a holistic approach to farming and ranching, where producers consider the impact of their actions on the environment and their communities. Link to Six principles of Soil health, Three Rules of Adaptive Stewardship, and Four Ecosystem Processes: https://understandingag.com/resources/fact-sheets/

We were delighted to get back with Pete Bauman who is a Natural Resources and Wildlife Field Specialist for SDSU Extension. Pete specializes in range, pasture, and grassland management with an emphasis on educating producers about how profitability and ecological balance are complimentary. Pete's focus areas include alternative grassland management tools such as fire, biological control, controlled grazing, and reduction of inputs for systems health. We got together specifically to discuss contract grazing and structuring of grazing leases. Pete, who wrote an SDSU Extension article on Structuring Grazing Leases (see link below), explains that at the core of contract grazing is an agreement between two parties with parameters that are beneficial and acceptable to both parties. Contract grazing can be beneficial if both parties are committed to mutual goals and objectives, leading to better resource management and a recognition of the other's needs and goals. Pete warns against the conventional paradigm of prioritizing short-term income and profit maximization over the long-term relationship and ecological impact, what happens then is the land “gets trampled in the dust” and the relationship between lessor and lessee is either strained or broken. The time that lands – and relationships – are most vulnerable are when cropland rental prices are high, driving grazing land rental prices up. This mechanism is explained by Pete in the podcast. Overgrazing, often leading to costly weed problems, and pressure on water systems and fences, leading to costly repairs, can often lead to unexpected costs that the landowner has to bear – it is these unexpected costs that can have negative effects on the relationship between lessor and lessee. Parameters can and should be established in the lease agreement to prevent such consequences, and both parties should have a clear understanding of their partners' contract's goals and objectives - good communication between the landowner and the livestock owner is key to this process. If you take nothing else from the podcast, get the agreement down on paper, a handshake agreement may work for a while, but when things go wrong, the more that is spelled out, the less there is to dispute. Pete talks about the importance of setting goals (e.g., financial, input cost, aesthetic, ecological goals) for managing grazing land and how landowners should assess the current state of their property and set a desired future condition, based on their gals – this ought to be communicated to the livestock owner as well. A good lessee's role is to enhance the long-term viability, productivity, and ecology of the leased property to keep it or improve it toward being a well-functioning system; when the lessor's goals should align with the current lessee's goals, they can create a mutually beneficial agreement between the parties. As long-term relationships build, many good landowners consider the value of their lessee beyond short-term arrangements; a landowner who values their lessee is often willing to take less, conversely some lessees are willing to pay more – all of this points to the inherent (financial and other value) of a good partnership. Bauman believes that instead of renting by acre, it is better to rent per head, per day, which is based on the amount of grass consumed by the lessee's livestock. By having a predetermined agreement, both parties can avoid misunderstandings and conflicts over conflicting goals. Buz and Pete also discussethe services provided by the landowner and lessee during the grazing period. He provides examples of both extremes, where some lessees are responsible for everything, while others have contract graziers that provide all services, including infrastructure, rotation labor, water systems, and even medical treatment. Links: SDSU Extension Article on Structuring Grazing Leases: https://extension.sdstate.edu/structuring-grazing-leases South Dakota Grazing Exchange: https://sdgrazingexchange.com/

Barry and Eli Little are a father and son team farming near Castlewood, SD located in the eastern part of South Dakota. Together they have close to 1600 acres of crop land, and farm this along with another 1300 acres of Barry's brother's land. Though cropland is still the centerpiece of their business model, Barry and Eli run close to 500 head of cattle – while they have 800 acres of dedicated pasture, their operation is designed for the integration of livestock. In the previous episode, Joe Dickie and Buz Kloot spoke at length to the Littles about their operation. In this bonus podcast, we ask them ten (10) questions like “what was the most important thing you have done to advance soil health in your operation?”, “when did the light bulb go on for you?” and “what would you say is the biggest misconception people have who are not managing their crop farming systems for soil health and resiliency?”. We were so delighted by their witty and diverse responses that we thought we'd air these as a bonus to the Little's main podcast. Enjoy! Videos featuring Barry and Eli: A New Approach to Farming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZsZgMSGLeU&list=PLg6Jx7lcOmB3kQyswC5iP2YuY6rWQfLSP&index=45 Incorporating Diverse Enterprises: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RzqzjNtRyY Additional Resources: Stress Reduction through Soil Health: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAG2ouCZjFk Follow Barry and Eli's operation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bliouxriverranch/ For more info on regenerative, climate smart ag, get in touch with your local NRCS: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/south-dakota

Barry and Eli Little are a father and son team farming near Castlewood, SD located in the eastern part of South Dakota. Together, they have close to 1600 acres of cropland, and farm this along with another 1300 acres of Barry's brother's land. While cropland is still the centerpiece of their business model, Barry and Eli run close to 500 head of cattle – and though they have 800 acres of dedicated pasture, their operation is designed for the integration of livestock into their operation. While a herd of cattle was on the land when Barry's father farmed, 2011 was the first time the Littles deliberately planted cover crop with an eye to utilizing the cover for grazing. Their first cover crop, planted behind winter wheat did so well that it encouraged the Littles to double down. In this podcast, Joe Dickie and Buz Kloot hear from Barry and Eli on their livestock integration journey, some of the things they have tried with cover crops, inter-seeding and their pastures. We then move on to talk about some of the economics of cover crops and livestock integration and how, while maintaining and increasing yields, they've managed to cut back on inputs. Barry and Eli also talk about the fact that if a decision is motivated with an eye to soil health, decisions become a lot simpler, and intergenerational conflict is lowered. Eli attributes his ability to farm full-time with his dad to soil health (livestock integration has played a huge part of that too). Finally, if you think the Littles have it figured out, Barry's take on his operation is: “There's been several times in my life when I thought we had it all figured out and then something comes along and we have to change our paradigm one more time. We're on a journey. It gets better every year, but I'm pretty sure that we're not even a quarter of the way there.” Enjoy the show! Videos featuring Barry and Eli: A New Approach to Farming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZsZgMSGLeU&list=PLg6Jx7lcOmB3kQyswC5iP2YuY6rWQfLSP&index=45 Incorporating Diverse Enterprises: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RzqzjNtRyY Additional Resources: Stress Reduction through Soil Health: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAG2ouCZjFk Follow Barry and Eli's operation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bliouxriverranch/ For more info on regenerative, climate smart ag, get in touch with your local NRCS: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/south-dakota

We sat down to chat with Chris Coreil, now the National Erosion Specialist based at the NRCS's Central National Technology Support Center in Fort Worth, TX. Chris is originally from Louisiana where he was state agronomist for ten years before going to Fort Worth. On May 12, 2022, a derecho wind hit eastern South Dakota and west central Minnesota (see May 12 derecho summary below. Note that a derecho (pronounced similar to "deh-REY-cho") is a widespread, long-lived windstorm where damage is typically directed along a relatively straight swath (see description in derecho link for more below. The May 12th derecho as Chris describes “the event really occurred during about a 10 to 15 minute period, immediately following that tremendous wind event, which, had sustained winds of maybe 60 miles per hour, gusts, around a hundred miles per hour. Right after that event, rain occurred. You could clearly see that and again, settled a lot of the dust and, prevented, erosion from occurring at quite an intense level for the rest of the day.” After the derecho, Chris was contacted by NRCS in South Dakota to help quantify and explain what happened during this event, and what could be done to prevent some of the damage in the future. Chris used a wind erosion model called SWEEP to estimate the erosion of bare tilled soils in that 15-minute window on the day of the derecho. While the derecho was a spectacular 15-minute event, Chris talked about modeling for the 12-hour day of May 7th where wind held steady between 20 and 30 mph, yet the amount of erosion on one day exceeded that of the derecho. While the numbers for bare ground were eye-popping, Chris did point out that if the ground were covered by residue or a cover crop, the soil loss would be considerably lower. We will leave the numbers to the podcast. We next turned to the ways in which the soil health principles can be used to mitigate soil loss through wind – Chris does a nice job of explaining these interactions to lay people. We finally reflected on the fact that while there is a long way to go, we have made much progress in the last 10-15 years – adoption rates of cover crops may be the best indicator. If you want to understand more about the effects of a derecho or wind erosion on bare soils, and how to reduce the damage, this podcast is for you. References: Description of a Derecho: https://www.weather.gov/lmk/derecho May 12 derecho summary: https://www.weather.gov/abr/StormsummaryMay122022

In this podcast, Buz Kloot talks to Dan Mehlhaf, District Conservationist for the USDA NRCS, currently stationed at Yankton, South Dakota. Dan was raised on a farm and has a degree in agriculture from South Dakota State University and he actively farms with his son on land they own in Hutchinson County, about 30 miles from his work. The discussion centers around Dan's experience in April and May 2022, that culminated in the May 12, 2022, windstorm (or derecho) that occurred in South Dakota. Prior to the derecho, the entire spring was extremely windy and warm; and on April 14, 2022 there was a day of constant 40-50 mile an hour winds that caused wind erosion in the fields. Dan went to investigate a relative's report of severe wind erosion about 30 miles northeast of Yankton and saw soil coming off the field due to the tilled, dry soil and the absence of any residue or canopy cover. Dan looked up the soil to find this was an Egan-Ethan soil, which is a silty clay loam, considered a very good soil. Five days later, Dan revisited the site on a sunny day, and the road ditch was completely full of soil that had come off the field, Dan noticed that the soil in the road ditch was sand, not the texture on the field which was a silty clay loam. Dan realized that the silts and clays that made up the soil had gone airborne and disappeared, and the only particle left was the sand left in the ditch. He took a soil sample to be tested and found high to very high levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and other nutrients which ought not to be in a sand, and calculated that over $900 of fertilizer per acre were in the ditch sand, what about the rest of the silts and the clays that blew off the property? Buz and Dan turn to the topic of the importance of cover (small grains, standing residue, cover crops) and no-till agriculture in the context of wind erosion was raised. Dan highlighted his experience on April 14th, 2022 (a full month before the May 12th 2022 derecho) in the significant difference in wind erosion between two fields of the same soil series (Egan-Ethan), where one was bare ground and tilled, while the other had a cover crop of cereal rye. The field with the cover crop experienced virtually no erosion compared to the other field, which was blowing soil around even with a moderate wind. Dan emphasizes that the adoption of no-till and the use of cover crops are slowly changing farmer's attitudes towards conservation tillage. Dan does note that a well-planned cover crop can protect against a 25 mile an hour wind fairly easily, while a 50 mile an hour wind requires a good, intact residue from the cover crop to prevent significant erosion. Dan notes that adoption of no-till and the use of cover crops is slowly gaining momentum, in both and wet dry years, and that the attitude of farmers towards reduced tillage is changing. Dan hopes that the change in attitude towards cover crops and no-till agriculture is a long-term change and not just a temporary response to the dry years. Dan highlights that there is still a need for more education and awareness on the importance of cover crops and no-till agriculture to protect soil quality and water quality. MORE ON THE DERECHO See: https://www.growingresiliencesd.com/ for more on the derecho and find our Growing Resilience name for videos wherever you get your social media. OTHER REFERENCES: Description of a Derecho: https://www.weather.gov/lmk/derecho May 12 derecho summary: https://www.weather.gov/abr/StormsummaryMay122022

As part of our adaptive grazing management series (if you haven't listened to the podcasts with Justin Thompson and Candice Mizera, we highly recommend the listen, especially if you are in South Dakota and want to understand more about cool season invasive grasses) Joe Dickie and Buz Kloot sat down with Allen Williams who is an adaptive grazing management practitioner, consultant and former academic. Allen grew up and went to school in the south and after his PhD, continued for 15 years in academia. Around the year 2000, Allen left the safe environs of a tenure-track professorship to start on his own in regenerative farming and ranching consulting. Since then, Allen has consulted for regenerative agriculture all over the country and the world. After exploring Allen's interesting background, we dive into some of the basics of adaptive grazing management principles and practices. Adaptive grazing is not about a formula or a prescription, but rather a practice that is profoundly dependent on observation and constant adjustment. Allen also does a great job of demonstrating why the time invested in daily observation is ultimately less labor intensive than the labor required to feed hay all winter long, for example. Allen walks us through what we need to observe in the field, and also some of the more recent developments in the relationships between healthy soils, healthy forage and of course the health of the animal as well. Another key set of thoughts that Allen walks us through are the three rules of adaptive stewardship, namely the rules of compounding, diversity and disruption. Allen's explanation of these alone are worth the listen. In addition to the generalities, we bring some of the examples back to practical applications that may be found in South Dakota, including the grazing of annuals and applying adaptive stewardship to the controlling of cool season invasive species (Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome and crested wheatgrass). We hope you enjoy this podcast a much as we enjoyed talking to Allen! Notes: Fact Sheet that outlines three rules of adaptive stewardship along with the six soil health principles and the four ecosystem processes: https://understandingag.com/resources/fact-sheets/ Please search “Allen Williams Adaptive Grazing” for fact sheets, magazine articles journal articles, videos and more on Allen's work. Take the soil health challenge: https://www.growingresiliencesd.com/challenge-gr

If you have not yet listened to the previous podcast with Justin Thompson we strongly recommend you do before listening to this one. The first release of this podcast was set to coincide with the spring thaw and the green-up of cool season grasses and forbs. One of the biggest threats to South Dakota rangeland is the increasing prevalence of three cool season invasive species, in particular, smooth brome, Kentucky bluegrass and crested wheatgrass. We spoke to Candice Mizera from McLaughlin, SD, located in the northern part of South Dakota, just west of the Missouri River. Candice and her husband farm and ranch – they have a diversified crop rotation on their farm that includes cover crops and they rotationally graze beef cattle. Apart from running a farm and ranch, Candice is also a board member of the SD soil health coalition. When Candice took over the 4,000-acre operation, they had only four pastures. Today, they have provided fence and water such that their operation consists of 100-180 acre pastures, and in the process, doubled their carrying capacity. In this podcast, Candice walks us through the evolution of some of the Kentucky bluegrass issues that emerged on her pasture. Candice talks about the adverse consequences of “babying pastures” through letting them rest too much and not grazing early enough and then noticing the adverse consequences of seeing thick mats of Kentucky bluegrass thatch on the pasture. “And so I guess then we realized that we were part of the problem by letting it rest too much and not getting in there early, we exacerbated the problem.” Candice is now several years down the road remedying the Kentucky bluegrass problem, in conjunction with rangeland management specialist, Ryan Beer, based in Buffalo, SD. The method that Beer recommended and that Candice employ involved increasing disturbance through grazing events , possibly leaving the herd a few days longer to trample and or utilize the cool season invasive grasses. This may seem counterintuitive to some of us who have preached “minimize disturbance”, but Candice has been able to innovate and they have seen good results on her land. We were also joined by Emily Helms, state rangeland management specialist for South Dakota, and Ryan beer, rangeland management specialist out of Buffalo, SD. Ryan works directly with Candice. If you have an inkling that cool season invasive species are a problem, this podcast is for you. Resources mentioned in the podcast: Workshop on Cool-Season Invasive Species in the Northern Great plains (note, while the hyperlinks to the full papers no longer work, the abstracts are useful. Note we don't necessarily endorse every practice, but want to share this with the idea that the abstracts provide useful education and reflect more recent thoughts on cool-season invasives) https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/_migrated/content_uploads/CoolSeasonGrass2014_10.pdf Regenerative Agriculture Podcast interview with Fred Provenza: https://regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com/episode-81-fred-provenza Growing Connections South Dakota App: https://www.sdsoilhealthcoalition.org/growing-connections-app/ SD Grazing Exchange: https://sdgrazingexchange.com/ SD Soil Health Coalition: https://www.sdsoilhealthcoalition.org/

The first release of this podcast was set to coincide with the spring thaw and the green-up of cool season grasses and forbs. One of the biggest threats to South Dakota rangeland is the increasing prevalence of three cool season invasive species, namely smooth brome, Kentucky bluegrass and crested wheatgrass. Please also see below Justin's correspondence post interview of things he wishes he's emphasized more. Our oft-repeated mantra of rotate-rest-recover and our regenerative instinct for minimal disturbance were challenged by what we saw and hear on the ground when we met with Justin Thompson, rancher near Mobridge, South Dakota. Don't get me wrong. Rotate-rest-recover and minimum disturbance principles really work to repair the land when it is bare or overgrazed. But what happens after you do everything right, rotate, and rest and really allow your pastures to recover? “Doing everything right.” Within a few years, you find that your pastures are overrun with thick layers of Kentucky bluegrass thatch that choke out the native western wheatgrass in the cool season and your big and little bluestem (amongst others in the warm season). What do you do? We visited with Justin Thompson to discuss this very issue. Justin is an avid rancher, loves the land and the cattle and has been to grazing schools, learning as much as he could. Yet after heavy snow years in 2018 and 2019, Justin found that in a few short years, Kentucky bluegrass and crested wheatgrass had invaded this land. Justin is an astute observer and keeps meticulous photographic records from monitoring points, so he can pinpoint these times. What to do? Justin walks us through four observations he made on his land where there was unusual disturbance, one by the power company and the rest by heavy hoof traffic. The results were remarkable in that western wheatgrass was able to express itself again. The podcast discusses these scenarios and how Justin intends to use adaptive grazing principles to address this pervasive issue. To add to the layers, the farm that Justin occupies is in heavy clay gumbo land and the cool season invasive problem is much more pronounced than another ranch he runs 20 miles down the road, but where less clayey soils are present. This is Justin's story of adaptive grazing, some of the many practical struggles he has and yet reflects his deep commitment to right management; there are no silver bullets, but there is much to learn from Justin's philosophy and practice – we are also joined by Emily Helms, state rangeland management specialist for South Dakota, and Ryan Beer, rangeland management specialist out of Bison, SD, who provide us with their very valuable perspectives. From Justin's e-mails subsequent to the interview: “I do wish I had specified that the sandier soils of our first ranch, have benefited from take half-leave half. Truly nearly all NRCS practices have worked on that ranch!! The ranches are 20 miles apart with completely different set of issues. The sandy soiled ranch has water table at 120 feet and springs that flow 9 months outta the year. The home ranch has very little water as one example. Another example would be free choice salt. The west ranch I go through 5 to 6 ton of white salt a year, at home one half a ton. I use a custom mineral with grass clippings, water samples, and liver biopsies.” “Another idea I had since we last talked and I will ask Ryan next time I see him. Maybe...You take half - leave half, once over rotation, rest, etc. IF, your annual production is 2200 pounds per acre or less. (Which is about what our west ranch is)If your annual production is 2250 pounds or more you only leave 1000 pounds. I have measured 4300 pounds before. Usually, it is around 3200 pounds.” Resources mentioned in the podcast: Successful farming Article on Boom or Bust (please note we don't necessarily endorse this method, but there are take-homes that we believe are useful): https://www.agriculture.com/livestock/cattle/build-drought-resistant-soil-via-boom-bust-grazing Workshop on Cool-Season Invasive Species in the Northern Great plains (note, while the hyperlinks to the full papers no longer work, the abstracts are useful. Note we don't necessarily endorse every practice, but want to share this with the idea that the abstracts provide useful education and reflect more recent thoughts on cool-season invasives) https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/_migrated/content_uploads/CoolSeasonGrass2014_10.pdf

“If you break out the fungal hyphae and you disturb microbiomes, they won't be able to develop, establish, and flourish from that point on.…we realized how important it is to have the fungal community in the system.” David Johnson is a molecular biologist and research scientist in Las Cruces NM, investigating soil microbial community population, structure, diversity and biological functionality and their influence on plant growth and soil fertility development in farm and rangeland ecosystems. While working on a project that involved composting excess cow manure that needed a lot of turning, David brought home a lot of dirty laundry. David's wife, Hui-Chun Su-Johnson, says she grew tired of washing David's clothes from turning cow poop, and this changed their lives. David and Hui-Chun started to work on the idea of a compost system that was aerobic, yet did not require turning – a tall order indeed. Hui-Chun joined David in the field and the couple co-developed the no-turn, aerobic Johnson-Su Bioreactor (compost system) that provided a fungal-dominant, biologically diverse compost. The use of Johnson-Su Compost, integrated with land management, then became known as BEAM, or Biologically Enhanced Agricultural Management. What started off as an effort to reduce the laundry load in the Johnson household resulted in a unique compost with a global following (for example, see the Johnson-Su Facebook group)!! Given that ruminant animals are also “great composting machines”, the Johnsons turned their attention to examining the biological benefits of Adaptive Multi Paddock (AMP)Grazing Systems. AMP is based on the use of ruminant animals to mimic nature not unlike what we may have found a few hundred years ago as bison roamed the prairie in herds that constantly moved in search of food and were kept tight by predators, leaving behind urine, dung, and hoofprints and other animal residue that fed soil organisms. The leftover grass, trampled by bison hooves, covered, protected and fed soil microbes, especially fungi, facilitated the capture and incorporation of more organic matter into the soil profile. In short, this process of herds of ruminants moving through the landscape “inoculated the soil as the bison passed through each area.” Whether you call it Adaptive Multi Paddock grazing, or Adaptive Management, the watchwords for this process are: Observe, Adapt, Repeat. Each area is different. Each herd, each ranch, each pasture is different, and each day's weather is different. The key to moving this system forward in the regenerative process lies in observation and subsequent adaptation. In 2022, Johnson and colleagues produced another peer-reviewed article on the benefits of AMP grazing. This research, based on 5 paired across-the-fence pastures (one conventional pasture, one AMP pasture) in the Southeast, fit nicely with similar efforts across the country with a group of researchers that include Richard Teague, Steven Apfelbaum, Ry Thompson, and Peter Byck (also co-authors with Johnson). This group is conducting other across-the fence experiments, on real farms and ranches, in different parts of the United States and Canada, keep an eye out for their names, also see a list of some of their peer-reviewed articles at the end of this piece. Results from the Johnson et al. study showed (1) AMP grazing systems significantly outperformed their conventional across the fence counterparts in standing crop biomass (2) increased fungal/bacterial ratios and (3) increased predator/prey ratios. This means that ranchers converting to AMP grazing strategies will see improved soil structure, improved forage production, increased soil organic matter, improved nutrient efficiency along with increased resilience of their systems to weather extremes. To be sure, AMP grazing is an appreciable departure from conventional systems and what was considered “the right way” for decades. “But now that we have more information out there as tools for [producers], hopefully there will be more ways to show people that there is a more defined, more reliable path.” Says Johnson. He continues: “For [producers] to transition to regenerative and be profitable will only be positive and beneficial for everybody when they are able to make more money and be a better steward of land.. it's all positive feedback loop…and I think we just need to find a way to show people that OK, here is a path that you can go forward with or without having to take on so much risk of unknown.” More science like this is making its way to peer review literature, validating what some regenerative ranchers and farmers have known and practiced for decades. This science, paired with living working examples on farms and ranches across the country, across the globe, provides more evidence and incentive for producers to rethink their business models for the better.

“You look at soil health… the tenets don't change, right, the tenets of those five things, will remain truthful, now, [and] in 10 years from now, I would hope, right? And that's kind of how I try to approach my outreach.” We were delighted to get together with Pete Bauman who is a Natural Resources and Wildlife Field Specialist for SDSU Extension. Pete specializes in range, pasture, and grassland management with an emphasis on educating producers about how profitability and ecological balance are complimentary. Pete's focus areas include alternative grassland management tools such as fire, biological control, controlled grazing, and reduction of inputs for systems health. Pete grew up on a dairy farm in Minnesota and, as a young man, fell in love with cattle, with wildlife and the land in general. As a young man, Pete noticed some of the unintended consequences of conventional farming; the nearby marsh he played in filled up while the creek he fished from became a mud bottom, gone were some of the animals like perch, rock bass, and the frogs, toads and snakes that kids love to collect. There observations influenced young Pete's story and led Pete to start his undergraduate studies at SDSU in natural resource and park management; he then gravitated toward wildlife and fisheries. That's where Pete finds his calling today. After completing his bachelors and masters at SDSU, Pete started out as a Land Manager at the Nature Conservancy; as a young professional, he managed several of public lands in both Minnesota and South Dakota “I was the Nature Conservancy hippie on the South Dakota side [where public lands were overutilized by grazing], whereas I go in and defend grazing in Minnesota [where public lands were underutilized by grazing], saying we needed more and all of a sudden now it's the cowboy that all I wanted to do was play with cows.” This experience, while not always easy, informed Pete's current philosophy about land management, using grazing animals, fire and other management; some disturbance is necessary, but it needs to be managed properly and is always site-specific. When SDSU came a-calling and asked him to apply for an extension position, Pete first said no, but was finally convinced to join SDSU because he was given an opportunity to reshape what it meant to work in extension. The result is that Pete focuses all his energies on the remaining of South Dakota's native grasslands, working with private producers on the prairie ecosystems. What follows in this podcast is a wide-ranging discussion where Pete talks with Buz and Joe about different ways to work with producers, about approaching each case with humility and about listening first to each producer. It is from these angles that the tools of grazing and fire can be intelligently applied by the producer. We touch on many subjects including the notion of context as the 6th principle of soil health; restoring native grass habitat; his role in the South Dakota Grasslands Coalition; prescribed burn; his role as an extension agent in the age of Google; grass-fed beef and contract grazing. Pete is a busy guy and some of his 2022 activities included the following: 2022 - Wildlife Professional of the Year Teacher at Eastern Grazing School - July 26-28, 2022 Prescribed fire workshops Coordinator and Instructor - June 2 and 3, 2022 Apart from being in the field, Pete is a prolific author and we have attached some of the links to Pete's written work below: (see the whole list at https://muckrack.com/pete-bauman/articles ) Grass-Fed Beef: Market Share of Grass-Fed Beef Grass-Fed Beef: Understanding Terminology in Conventionally Raised Beef and Grass-Fed Beef Grassland Management Do's and Don'ts Managing and Protecting Grasslands for the Future Plan Now to Control Weeds With Grazing Next Season 5 top tips to help successfully move back calving dates Manage livestock for beneficial species Managing Livestock for Dung Beetles and Other Beneficial Species Structuring Grazing Leases

What's the soil food web got to do with it? This is a special podcast to prepare our audience for the upcoming Climate Smart Agriculture enhancements to the EQIP and CSP programs, amongst others. In our previous podcast recorded in November 2022, we spoke to South Dakota NRCS's Jessica Michalski and Kent Vlieger about some of the programmatic and practical aspects of the Climate Smart initiative, the potential opportunities for producers and what you as a producer can do to best prepare for the enhanced funding opportunity. In this podcast, we speak to soil scientist/biogeochemist Dr. Andrea Jilling from Oklahoma State University's Plant & Soil Sciences about some of the scientific underpinnings of the effect of climate smart practices that are extensively discussed in the previous podcast. Yes, we nerd out a little, but we think that you, our listeners are ready and will take this discussion in their stride and see how it may benefit you, especially as you think about your conservation plan and how the Climate Smart enhancements may benefit you. Topics that we discuss include: • What does the soil food web have to do with climate smart ag? Can you use climate smart ag to enhance nutrient efficiency? Just how diverse is organic matter, what is the rhizosphere? • How plants harness solar energy, and why they invest so much in below ground development, especially root exudates. • What do root exudates have to do with enhancing nutrient efficiency? • What does it mean when we say “carbon is the energy currency of the soil”? • How diverse is organic matter? Can we distinguish between particulate organic matter (POM) and mineral, or clay/silt associated organic matter? • What and has recent science done to shed more light on how view mineral associated organic matter? • How do POM and mineral associated organic matter work together to immobilize and release nutrients? • What do plant-soil interactions look like over the lifecycle of the plant in releasing and immobilizing nutrients, what are the management possibilities in the future, and what can we do now to optimize plant-soil interactions? • How do these principles work with soil minerals like phosphorus and why are pH hot spots at a microscopic scale are a big deal? • What kinds of change could you expect in your soils if you decided to go all in for climate smart ag? • What are scientists like Dr. Jilling thinking about for the future in agriculture? Will new research try to leverage more producer collaboration? Also, Dr. Jilling provides some parting words on resilience. Dr Jilling can be found at: https://experts.okstate.edu/andrea.jilling For related articles on how soil health (and climate smart practices) can add real value to the farm see: Successful farming's: “Living Roots, Low input costs: Turning Cover Crops into Cash Crops Boosts Profits and lowers costs” https://www.agriculture.com/crops/cover-crops/living-roots-low-input-costs No Till Farmer's “How No-till improves land values” https://www.no-tillfarmer.com/articles/12090-how-no-till-improves-land-values

Get Ready to take Advantage of the Climate-Smart Practice Incentives. In this special podcast episode, we get together with the South Dakota NRCS's Jessica Michalski and Kent Vlieger to discuss what the upcoming climate smart agriculture and forestry package looks like, what we know, and as of December 2022, what we also don't yet know. NRCS uses conservation practices to do business with their farmers, ranchers and foresters and in the last two years, many of those conservation practices have been defined as ‘climate smart'. Many of those practices are already in use in South Dakota; these include conservation crop rotation, residue and tillage management, reducing tillage or using no-till, cover crops, nutrient management, grass seeding practices like field borders, filter strips, grassed waterways, pasture and hay, land plantings, and range seedings are defined as some of the practices. In short, most of these practices have been shown to put more carbon into the soil; more importantly to producers, more carbon (typically 60% of organic matter is carbon) in the soil means better soil function, namely better infiltration, water retention, nutrient recycling and healthier crops and animals. In this recording, we speak to Jessica and Kent about the following: 1. What are examples of climate-smart practices? 2. Demystifying the “climate smart” label and how do climate smart practices benefit the producer, keeping in mind that these practices already have a proven track record on South Dakota farms and ranches 3. While there is a lot we don't know, it's important to understand that producers can prepare themselves to take advantage of the funding before any announcements are made. Jessica's main advice? Go to your field office and make sure your conservation plan is up to date! 4. Kent Vlieger gets a little more granular on how these climate smart practices may benefit you and how you can use these incentives to think outside the box. 5. The funding for climate smart practices has the potential to be transformative for many farms and ranches, Jessica gives advice for what else a produce can do to be prepared to take advantage of this program (announcement is set for January 2023). 6. Finally, Kent touches on why the producer may want to become more educated about the soil food web, and how that may be an advantage when choosing which conservation practices may fit a particular operation. To end, what does Jessica Michalski advise? “So when it comes to the EQIP program, right after the first of the new year, we'll probably be getting out our payment schedule information, …and start looking at the practices that would really help you address your resource concerns. I think the more educated a producer can make themselves, again, a more successful conservation plan, a more successful contract they're going to have if they do their homework.” Useful links to help you get started, watch out for new announcements in January 2023! Stay tuned to the SD NRCS website: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/south-dakota Farmers.gov: https://www.farmers.gov/conservation/climate-smart

“.. everything works together. The more diverse a pasture or grassland is, the healthier it is, the more resilient it is to any disturbance that comes at it. So, if we can have that diversity it's going to reduce the inputs needed and the landscape can be more resilient as well”. - Emily Helms USDA-NRCS's State Rangeland Management Specialist in South Dakota. If you find yourself in a meeting or in the field where farmers or ranchers are demonstrating or discussing good grazing practice (like Rotate, Rest, Recover), whether East or West River, you're likely to find Emily Helms, USDA-NRCS's State Rangeland Management Specialist in South Dakota. While Emily is not one to draw attention to herself, anyone who is interested in rangeland function and diversity would do well to pay close attention to what Emily says. While most of us would walk by an obscure-looking plant, Emily is likely to stop and say “Oh! This is a …..” and she'd take you to school about the plant above and belowground, it's story, its function in the prairie and how or when it can be grazed. Soil Health Lab's Joe Dickie and Buz Kloot sit down to chat with Emily Helms about rangeland, it's value, the threats to rangeland, what can be done to mitigate the threats and we discuss a number of examples of what folks are doing right to restore function to grasslands in South Dakota. In the podcast, Emily walks us through four threats namely: 1. Woody encroachment on rangeland 2. Urban encroachment 3. Conversion to cropland 4. Cool season invasive species Finally, in the last few minutes of the interview, Emily walks us through why the grasslands are important, why diversity is important to resilience and why this groundswell of partners and partnerships has the potential to restore grasslands in the state, and elsewhere. We hope you enjoy the podcast! Other Links Mentioned in the Podcast: USDA-NRCS South Dakota Range and Pasture website that includes the SD Drought Status and Drought maps, Drought Tool, South Dakota Range Planning Tools and South Dakota Prescribed Burning - https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/sd/technical/landuse/pasture/ SD Grasslands Coalition - https://sdgrass.org/ The Central Grasslands Roadmap: https://www.grasslandsroadmap.org/ Book by Owen Wormsley - Lawns to Meadows Mid Missouri River Prescribed Burn Association: https://www.midmissouririverpba.com/ Prescribed Burn Videos, Podcasts and Blogs: https://www.growingresiliencesd.com/prescribed-burn Drought Management Videos, Podcasts and Blogs: https://www.growingresiliencesd.com/drought-management

It is a rare pleasure to speak with a person of consequence and have their undivided attention for an hour. Ray Archuleta, who needs little introduction, has been a person of consequence in the lives of Buz Kloot (Soil Health Labs at the University of South Carolina) and Tanse Herrmann, NRCS Grazing Lands Soil Health Specialist working out of Rapid City, South Dakota. In this podcast, Buz and Tanse host Ray Archuleta and catch up with him, but before that, both Buz and Tanse tell their stories of how they first met Ray and how he has impacted their lives. A theme that runs through the podcast is The Goal of farming/ranching – making money is an outcome, but The Goal is to Follow the Pattern that Mother Nature has provided. We talk to Ray about his journey since he left the USDA-NRCS (where he served for 3 decades) and what he's been up to since then. Ray now has land near Seymour, Missouri and talks about having “Skin in the Game” now that he has his own land payment and his own livestock to manage! Ray talks about having skin in the game as being a great tool to make him more empathetic to the ranchers and farmers he speaks to, and he still does a lot of that. Ray also speaks from his own experience of farming with sheep, the mistakes he has made and what he's learned in the process – infrastructure, animal safety and health, epigenetics and simplicity of design are discussed. The conversation turns to the work that Alejandro Carrillo has done on the Las Damas Ranch in the Chihuahua desert and how transformational this has been to the landscape (see the Las Damas Case Study at the end of these show notes). Ray uses the discussion about Alejandro's land as an opportunity to educate us on the principle of ecological context (often considered the 6th principle of soil health), in this case, he discusses ecological context in terms of the difference between rainfall on his land (~45” a year) versus Alejandro's (8” - 10” a year). Note that the first five principles of soil health are: 1. Minimum disturbance; 2. Cover the soil; 3. Keep a live root in the soil as many days as possible; 4. Add diversity of plants (e.g., grasses and broadleaves, warm and cool season, annuals, and perennials); 5. Incorporate livestock back to the land. The discussion of ecological context also led us to spend some time discussing the very important human dimension of rangeland and farmland management, and how people make decisions. We make a few references to Dr. Ellen Davis's Book “Scripture, Culture and Agriculture” and the work by Hannah Gosnell and others in a paper called “Transformational adaptation on the farm: Processes of change and persistence in transitions to ‘climate-smart' regenerative agriculture” where “dimensions of transformation [are] associated with beliefs, values, emotions, worldviews, structures of meaning-making, and consciousness” are discussed. See below for the links to these two references. References from the Podcast: Alejandro Carrillo: Las Damas Ranch Case Study, Las Damas Ranch, Aldama County, Chihuahua, Mexico https://understandingag.com/case_studies/las-damas-ranch-case-study/ Ray discusses infrastructure, and there is no better network on rangeland and farmland advice than the SD Grasslands Coalition Mentoring Network where mentors on fencing and water placement, among other things, are provided: https://sdgrass.org/mentoring-network/ SoilHealthLab's podcast with Shannon Kulseth-Iverson: “39 How Rangeland Health and Livestock Work to Solve Environmental Issues” https://www.growingresiliencesd.com/podcasts/episode/c506bbc6/39-how-rangeland-health-and-livestock-work-to-solve-environmental-issues Books Discussed in Podcast: Note we have links for convenience- there are other outlets that carry these books as well. André Lund. The Wonder of UHDSG (Ultra High Density Strip Grazing): Elandsfontein Beaufort West - Central Karoo South Africa. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40894069-the-wonder-of-uhdsg-ultra-high-density-strip-grazing Ellen Davis. Scripture, Culture and Agriculture. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/5941497-scripture-culture-and-agriculture Movies: “Kiss the Ground.” Understanding Ag's Ray Archuleta, Gabe Brown and Kris Nichols, Ph.D. https://kissthegroundmovie.com/kiss-the-ground-understanding-ags-ray-archuleta-gabe-brown-and-kris-nichols-ph-d/ Recommended Podcast: The Regenerative Agriculture Podcast – hosted by John Kempf. https://regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com/ Books Recommended by Ray Archuleta (these are all searchable, some of them available in pdf format) 1) Allan Savory - Holistic Management 2) Eugene P. Odum - Fundamentals of Ecology (3rd or 4th edition) 3) David Gleissman -Agroecology by 4) Weil and Brady - Nature and Properties of Soils (15th edition I available) 5) Martin Alexander - Introduction to Soil Microbiology 6) Patrick Lavelle and Alister V. Spain - Soil Ecology 7) David Coleman, mac Callaham and D.A. Crossley, Jr. Fundamental of Soil Ecology 8) Sir Albert Howard – An Agricultural Testament 9) N.A. Krasil‘nikov -Soil Microorganisms and Higher Plants: The Classic Text on Living Soils 10) Michael John Swift and others: Decomposition in Terrestrial Ecosystems 11) Donald Q. Innis- Intercropping and the Scientific basis for traditional agriculture 12) David Pimentel - Handbook of Energy Utilization in Agriculture (ISBN 9781315893419) 13) Ken Killham - Soil Ecology 14) David Pimentel - Food, Energy and Society 15) Richard Bardgett, Usher and Hopkins - Biological Diversity and Function in Soils 16) Bill Mollison - Permaculture: A designers Manual 17) Fred Magdoff and Harold Van Es - Building Better Soils for Better Crops 18) Richard Bardgett and others - Soil Ecology and Ecosystem Services 19) Brian walker and David Salt - Resilience Thinking: sustaining ecosystems and people in a changing world 20) F. Stuart Chapin and others - Principles of Terrestrial ecosystem ecology 21) Masanobu Fukuoka – One Straw Revolution

In this, our second chat with Bart Carmichael, rancher out of Faith SD, we quizzed Bart on his approach to year-round grazing where Bart walks us through why he aims to graze year-round, what he does to make this possible and what benefits he sees from this practice. Given the dry conditions experienced at the time of the podcast, the conversation also turned to drought; Bart is always planning for drought he agrees with fellow rancher Pat Guptill who says (paraphrased) “when we call it a drought plan, we get scared, a drought plan is nothing other than a forage plan”. We discussed a very interesting innovation with Bart, namely destocking without selling off his herd – how does that work? Find out in the podcast. Keep in mind that to be able to support year-round grazing, land needs good management, one of the keys to Adaptive Grazing management is long rest time coupled with high stocking densities. We highlight a quote from Bart in the first 30 seconds of the podcast where he says “I figured up last fall that 99% of my land that I'm in control of is in rest. You know, we're only ever on like 1% of it at any given time. So that way there's always something there and we graze it once and then give it plenty of time to recover and send down the roots and build up soil, and once the soi temperature is up, it's ready to grow grass...[even] in a drought”. More about Bart: Bart Carmichael and his wife Shannon run the Wedge Tent Ranch (https://www.wedgetentranch.com/) seed stock operation with their family just north of Faith, SD. Bart is also an educator at heart and is extremely active in the SD Grassland Coalition (see https://sdgrass.org/ ) . For more information from our sponsor, the USDA-NRCS in South Dakota please visit https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/sd/

We're excited to introduce our good friend, Shannon Kulseth-Iverson. Shannon is a native of North Dakota and ranches with her husband, Eric Iverson and her three teenage children out of White River, SD. We caught up with Shannon (yes, she is always on the move) and talked about ranching, native range restoration, and her work as a consulting biologist. Shannon is passionate about rangeland and the environment, and because of her diverse background, she has a really important message. Shannon runs a consulting company called Native Range Resources, LLC where she consults on environmental compliance, agricultural monitoring, stormwater compliance, and integrated pest management; she also started a new company called Westslope Corporation that focuses on native prairie restoration projects. If that's not enough, Shannon also has a podcast called “The Business of Barrel Racing” which is available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Audible, Stitcher and Gaana. Check out here podcast site at https://www.thebusinessofbarrelracing.com/ or find the podcast on your favorite podcast app.

Dr. Shaun Grassel is a wildlife biologist who works out on the Lower Brule Indian Reservation's headquarters for the tribe's Department of Wildlife, Fish and Recreation.  In addition, Shaun has recently taken a more active role in managing his family land in Lower Brule. In this episode, we discuss Dr. Grassel's work with prairie dogs and the re-introduction of the black footed ferret, the natural predator of the prairie dog.  There is a wide range of attitudes toward prairie dogs amongst ranchers and how they deal with them, and Dr. Grassel discusses this in the podcast.  There is a very interesting part where he discusses the dynamic nature of prairie dog's interactions with their predators, black footed ferrets and their interactions with livestock. We are posting this as a special feature because we think this discussion, especially looking at re-introducing black footed ferrets into P-dog towns may be of interest to west river ranchers. Dr. Grassel can be reached at the Lower Brule Department of Wildlife, Fish and Recreation https://www.lowerbrulesiouxtribe.com/copy-of-enviromental-protection-office Dr. Shaun Grassel's Research Gate profile also provides one with an insight into his research interests https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shaun-Grassel Also please visit the SD NRCS Range and Pasture website for more information at: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/sd/technical/landuse/pasture/

In the last seven years, the name of Joe Dickie has become more and more synonymous with high quality video that highlights outstanding farmers and ranchers in South Dakota. Many in the South Dakota agricultural community know and trust Joe, but he is a busy man and doesn't always get to share his whole story. Since Joe works with us at the Soil Health Labs on the SD Growing Resilience Project, we thought it would be worthwhile discussing how Joe got into videography and ended up working on so many South Dakota projects. This is not in the podcast, but did you know that at one time Joe was a DJ before he started down the visual creativity path? Joe brings with him a wonderful sense of humor and stories of some of his travels in South Dakota and elsewhere. In this episode, which takes an unexpected turn, Joe shares about his life, and a very recent tragedy in the family, and how that tragedy has renewed his sense of purpose in spreading the good news about soil health to farmers and ranchers not only in South Dakota, but other parts of the world. Visit Joe's website at: https://www.joedickiephotography.com/ Joe has also created the Our Amazing Grasslands Series with the SD Grassland coalition and Soil Stories with the SD Soil Health Coalition. All these videos can be found on the SD NRCS YouTube site. Joe has also worked on the SD NOLO (Non-Operating Landowner) project and has produced many videos for this project as well as the NOLO/Tenant partnership stories. These can be found at: https://www.nolosd.org/ Also please visit the SD NRCS Range and Pasture website for more information at: https://bit.ly/SDGrasslands

In this second of two podcasts with Tanse Herrmann, State Grazinglands Soil Health Specialist in South Dakota, we discuss a number of topics including: How can rangeland managers think about soil health principles as applied to rangeland and not just cropland? What makes adaptive grazing managers so successful, what is their secret? What goes on in the soil-plant-animal ecosystem and how can we use rangeland plants as carbon pumps to get more organic matter in the soil and increase soil health? Where to start on the rotational grazing journey? Tanse ends the podcast with some advice you can't afford to miss, so stick with it. Tanse can be reached at the NRCS Service Center in Rapid City, SD, the Service Center guide will help you to get to his information: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/sd/contact/local/ Remember Tanse's words – “WE WANT TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE” so “DON'T BE TOO PROUD TO ASK”, calling up your NRCS Service Center and Speaking to a Grazingland Specialist costs nothing. What do you have to lose? Watch for an announcement from SD Grassland Coalition for the 2022 Grazing School https://sdgrass.org/ Watch for Soil health Workshops and Conferences at: https://www.sdsoilhealthcoalition.org/ Watch also for Ranching for Profit Schools: https://ranchmanagement.com/ranching-for-profit-school-2/ Also please visit the SD NRCS Range and Pasture website for more information at: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/sd/technical/landuse/pasture/