Podcast appearances and mentions of gary zimmer

Join Taylor Henry, owner and CEO of Acres U.S.A., as he interviews Jason Mauck on the latest episode of The Acres U.S.A. Podcast. This in-depth conversation covers sustainable farming, regenerative practices, and innovative agricultural techniques like relay cropping, using livestock for in-crop grazing, and adapting crop systems for economic resilience. Jason shares his unique approaches to farming, including integrating cattle grazing into crop production and maximizing crop yield with strategic soil management. The episode also previews the upcoming Acres U.S.A. “Farm Weird” Field Day at Jason's farm in Gaston, Indiana on June 21st, featuring speakers John Kemp, Gary Zimmer, and Jason Mauck himself. Don't miss this insightful episode as they explore modern eco-agricultural practices and the future of sustainable farming.Important Links from Today's Episode:Members site: https://members.acresusa.comAcres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordingsAcres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/Register for the “Farm Weird” Field Day: https://conference.eco-ag.com/farmweirdRegister for the “Viroqua On-Farm” Event: https://eco-farming.com/viroquaevent

This episode of The Acres U.S.A. Podcast is a panel discussion from The 2024 Eco-Ag Conference moderated by John Kempf, and includes panelists Joel Salatin, Gary Zimmer, and Gabe Brown. This episode is focused around sustainable farming, regenerative practices, and how farmers can work together to bring regenerative and ecological agriculture to the mainstream. The panelists share their experiences, discuss the importance of curiosity and lifelong learning, and explore how to overcome challenges in the agricultural community. Don't miss this insightful conversation on how to grow food profitably and with nature in mind.Important Links from Today's Episode:Members site: https://members.acresusa.comAcres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordingsAcres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

In this engaging episode of the Acres U.S.A. Podcast, hosted by Taylor Henry, Gary Zimmer discusses his journey with Midwestern BioAg, including the reasons behind selling the company and the innovative practices being explored today. Gary shares insights into challenges faced by the company, including the complexities of training employees, integrating knowledge into fertilizer products, and the financial burdens of transitioning ownership. The conversation delves into the potential of anaerobic digesters on large farms, the benefits of biologicals and regenerative practices, and the unexpected successes in regions like North Dakota. Gary also touches on the future of agriculture, the importance of education in farming, and how new models of farming can be developed. Tune in for an in-depth exploration of organic farming, innovative fertilizer solutions, and the evolving landscape of eco-agriculture.Important Links from Today's Episode:Members site: https://members.acresusa.comAcres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordingsAcres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/Gary's Books at the Acres U.S.A. Bookstore: “The Biological Farmer”      “Advancing Biological Farming”

In this episode, Dr. Paul Dettloff shares his personal journey transitioning from a conventional veterinarian to an organic farming advocate since witnessing the struggles of his first organic cow in 1988. He discusses the significance of various farming techniques and the impact of DC currents on farm environments and animal health. Learn about the importance of soil health, electromagnetic fields, ley lines, and water structuring, along with insights on understanding and mitigating DC currents on farms. Dettloff also highlights the value of observational skills in identifying issues in farming practices and emphasizes the holistic approach to farming, aligning with the philosophies of experts like Gary Zimmer and William Albrecht. Dr. Paul Dettloff also has a book that is carried in our online Book Store if you'd like a more in depth look at treating animals organically, linked below.Important Links from Today's Episode:Members site: https://members.acresusa.comAcres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordingsAcres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/‘Dr. Paul Dettloff's Complete Guide to Raising Animals Organically': https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/dr-paul-dettloff-s-complete-guide-to-raising-animals-organically?_pos=1&_sid=38fabd8f1&_ss=r

Join Taylor Henry on the Acres USA podcast as he delves deep into the world of sustainable and regenerative farming with Gary Zimmer. This episode explores the formation of Midwestern BioAg, the challenges and innovations in eco-friendly agricultural practices from the 70s to present. Learn about the pivotal role of soil mineralization and the significance of key minerals such as calcium and boron. Gary Zimmer enriches the discussion with his expertise on cover crops, crop diversity, and bio-based fertilizers, reflecting on both the historical and modern landscape of farming. Discover how Midwestern BioAg's pioneering efforts in fertilizer formulation and soil health have translated into improved soil and crop vitality, offering valuable insights for educators and practitioners in the field of agriculture. Important Links from Today's Episode: https://members.acresusa.com/ https://www.acresusa.com/ https://bookstore.acresusa.com/

This episode of the Acres USA podcast, hosted by Taylor Henry, features Gary Zimmer sharing his experiences with sustainable dairy farming and nutrition. The discussion covers his work in Hawaii with pineapple hay, the challenges of insecticides, and his journey from college to practical farming. Key topics include quality forage, mineral balance, soil health, cow comfort, optimal feeding strategies, the impact of stray voltage, and the use of sexed semen. Additionally, the podcast delves into best practices for transitioning livestock from a grain to a grass-based diet, emphasizing a gradual shift to medium-quality grass to prevent health issues. The episode explains the benefits of organic farming and the importance of proper animal rearing in achieving sustainable agricultural practices.

This is the first podcast of a series with Gary Zimmer, where Acres owner and CEO, Taylor Henry, will sit down with Gary and discuss what steps led him to where he is at currently in his life. On this episode, they talk about how Gary was raised on a dairy farm over on the East side of Wisconsin. They discuss Gary's time at the University of Madison, Wisconsin, his experiences in Hawaii, becoming a professor in Winona, finding his way back to Wisconsin, and buying a farm in the Spring Green area. Through the conversations, they discuss how he came to found Midwest BioAg and how he became a staple Acres USA author and presenter at our yearly Eco-Ag conference in December.

Gary Zimmer says before a farm can be sustainable, it has to be regenerated — and that starts with the soil. More Information • LSP's Bridge to Soil Health Web Page • LSP’s Microbiology & Soil Health Web Page • Gary Zimmer • Agri-View Article on Gary Zimmer You can find LSP Ear to the Ground…  Read More → Source

In this episode of the Cover Crop Strategies podcast, brought to you by SOURCE® from Sound Agriculture, listen to Gary Zimmer giving a presentation at his farm in Spring Green, Wis. Zimmer, who many refer to as the “father of biological farming,” talks about his farmer origin story and why rye is so important in keeping his soil covered.

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With spring planting just around the corner, some farmers are re-evaluating their growing season practices.  Jill Welke talks with Gary Zimmer from Midwest BioAg about his philosophies on soil health and regenerative ag practices. California farmers continue to struggle against major weather events.  Carrie Mess visits with Tulare County dairy producer, Tyler Riberio, about the flooding that's forced him and his farming neighbors to abandon their barns and move livestock.​ Speaking of California weather challenges, that's part of the conversation with Ryan Yonkman, broker/analyst with EverAg.  They're hearing stories from California dairy operators and processors.  Yonkman is also keeping an eye on the latest movements in Class III milk - an opportunity he doesn't see lasting long.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Mike Lewis talks with Gary Zimmer, co-owner of Otter Creek Organic Farm in south-central Wisconsin and founder of Midwestern BioAg, a fertilizer company focused on biological and organic farming methods. Gary is also a co-founder of Rye Revival, an organization that aims to bolster the use of rye. Gary and Mike talk about rye's health benefits and its use as an animal feed and a cover crop. Related ATTRA Resources: ·         Organic Small Grain Production Overview ·         No-Till Case Study, Brown's Ranch: Improving Soil Health Improves the Bottom Line ·         Cover Crops and Their Impact on Soil Health, Crop Productivity ·         Cover Crops and Water Infiltration  Other Resources: ·         Zimmer Ag Consulting ·         Rye Revival Contact Mike Lewis at mikel@ncat.org. Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast. You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG. 

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Mike Lewis talks with Gary Zimmer, co-owner of Otter Creek Organic Farm in south-central Wisconsin and founder of Midwestern BioAg, a fertilizer company focused on biological and organic farming methods. Gary is also a co-founder of Rye Revival, an organization that aims to bolster the use of rye. Gary and Mike talk about rye's health benefits and its use as an animal feed and a cover crop. Related ATTRA Resources: ·         Organic Small Grain Production Overview ·         No-Till Case Study, Brown's Ranch: Improving Soil Health Improves the Bottom Line ·         Cover Crops and Their Impact on Soil Health, Crop Productivity ·         Cover Crops and Water Infiltration  Other Resources: ·         Zimmer Ag Consulting ·         Rye Revival Contact Mike Lewis at mikel@ncat.org. Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast. You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG. 

This week, we're revisiting Strip-Till Farmer's top 5 most played episodes of 2021 to share highlights from conversations that resonated most with other strip-tillers. Some are even among the most listened to episodes ever since we started this podcast in 2016, including our #1 episode of the year, “Biological Farming with Gary Zimmer.”

Gary Zimmer is known as the “father” of biological farming, a system in which farmers work hand-in-hand with nature to create healthy mineralized soils to produce pest- and disease-resistant crops while reducing chemical inputs. Zimmer operates Otter Creek Organic Farm in southwestern Wisconsin, following a rotation of 1 year of corn and 1 year of soil building using a cover crop of cereal rye, alfalfa and four types of clover. For this Strip-Till Farmer podcast, we caught up with Gary to talk about his system of biological farming. He explains why he avoids disturbing what he calls the “middle zone,” where most root growth takes place. He also explains why he focuses on soil building before anything else, how feeding soils is like feeding cows, the differences between green carbon and brown carbon, why it's important to use neutral pH fertilizers, and much more.

Among the highlights of the inaugural Edible-Alpha® Live! event, held online December 9, Tera interviewed agriculture pioneer Gary Zimmer and his daughter Leilani Zimmer Durand. As the founder of Madison, Wisconsin-based Midwestern BioAg, Gary is considered the father of “biological farming”—essentially the first iteration of regenerative agriculture—which focuses on balancing soil biology, chemistry and structure to produce greater, higher-quality yields. When Gary started the company in 1983, his approach was virtually unheard of in the U.S. Convincing organic dairy farmers that the ticket to more efficiency and profitability was improving their soil required a lot of education. But as Midwestern BioAg's processes and nutrient-rich and carbon-based fertilizers got great results, the company grew steadily, expanding beyond just dairy farms and beyond Wisconsin. Gary and Leilani also wrote the book on biological farming—literally—which helped spread his philosophy and practices around the world. Still, investors weren't lining up to jump in. Gary bootstrapped the endeavor, including establishing the fertilizer processing arm, landing no outside capital and getting by on debt financing. And when he couldn't convince university researchers to help him test his innovations, he established his own organic, 100% grass-fed dairy farm for in-house R&D and demos. Today, the company continues to thrive, and Gary now works with some of the world's largest farms, both organic and conventional, on incorporating biological farming. He also has his hand in many tangential projects, including processing ventures, a new consulting business with Leilani and an initiative to revitalize rye as a vital soil-regeneration crop. He's also thinking about succession plans if ever he opts to slow down. Next, Tera asked Gary and Leilani what's next for regenerative agriculture. This led to a great discussion on what the term truly means, its potential benefits for the planet, the role big food companies can play, how Big Ag needs to evolve, and how eco-minded consumers are a driving force for change. They also discussed the challenges and opportunities for food and farm entrepreneurs today and the need for more impact investment to further these endeavors. Visit the Edible-Alpha® YouTube channel to watch the extended Video Podcast that includes audience Q&A!

Among the highlights of the inaugural Edible-Alpha® Live! event, held online December 9, Tera interviewed agriculture pioneer Gary Zimmer and his daughter Leilani Zimmer Durand. As the founder of Madison, Wisconsin-based Midwestern BioAg, Gary is considered the father of “biological farming”—essentially the first iteration of regenerative agriculture—which focuses on balancing soil biology, chemistry and structure to produce greater, higher-quality yields. When Gary started the company in 1983, his approach was virtually unheard of in the U.S. Convincing organic dairy farmers that the ticket to more efficiency and profitability was improving their soil required a lot of education. But as Midwestern BioAg’s processes and nutrient-rich and carbon-based fertilizers got great results, the company grew steadily, expanding beyond just dairy farms and beyond Wisconsin. Gary and Leilani also wrote the book on biological farming—literally—which helped spread his philosophy and practices around the world. Still, investors weren’t lining up to jump in. Gary bootstrapped the endeavor, including establishing the fertilizer processing arm, landing no outside capital and getting by on debt financing. And when he couldn’t convince university researchers to help him test his innovations, he established his own organic, 100% grass-fed dairy farm for in-house R&D and demos. Today, the company continues to thrive, and Gary now works with some of the world’s largest farms, both organic and conventional, on incorporating biological farming. He also has his hand in many tangential projects, including processing ventures, a new consulting business with Leilani and an initiative to revitalize rye as a vital soil-regeneration crop. He’s also thinking about succession plans if ever he opts to slow down. Next, Tera asked Gary and Leilani what’s next for regenerative agriculture. This led to a great discussion on what the term truly means, its potential benefits for the planet, the role big food companies can play, how Big Ag needs to evolve, and how eco-minded consumers are a driving force for change. They also discussed the challenges and opportunities for food and farm entrepreneurs today and the need for more impact investment to further these endeavors. Visit the Edible-Alpha® YouTube channel to watch the extended Video Podcast that includes audience Q&A!

Charlie attended university with 4th generation dairy farmer Chris Eggert. Whilst they hadn't seen each other since, they picked up right where they left off with a lighthearted and deep dive into Chris's life and regenerative journey. Having grown up on a conventional dairy farm to being regarded as one of the best dairy farmers in Australia, his ability to adapt general regenerative practices is an example of success. His philosophies are driven by logic, courage and positivity that continues the legacy of a family farm any farmer would be proud of. To start a dialogue and converse more about topics raised in this podcast, please visit The Regenerative Journey Podcast Facebook Group.   Episode Takeaways :  Chris Eggert is a 4th generation from Wauchope, on the mid north coast of NSW | Eggert Farm (Oxhill Organics) has been certified organic for 20 years, converted in 2000 due to deregulation of the dairy industry | At that time the farm had just been bought from previous generation | Very conventionally run prior to going organic | His mother has built yoga studio on farm and is a very steadying influence on the men on the farm! | The family eats mostly from farm and nearby produce, and focuses on creating a community through food and health | Work was once a chore for Chris and now is relaxing due to his change in attitude | It was once all about production, highly NPK fertiliser dependent, with animal health regimes of hormones and antibiotics | Chris suspects the cause of most animal sickness was from the use of urea on pasture | He was going into battle with his cows every time at milking, now it’s a joy and type of meditation | Easy calving now,  with no vet bills now - in 1999 before transitioning their vet bill was $20k | Improvement in soil takes time, improvement in animal health happens very quickly ‘once you take out the bad stuff’ | Farm biodiversity was not relevant back then | When Chris was young he wasn’t sure what wanted to do for a career | He attended University of New England (UNE) to do a Natural Resource Management degree, and deep down wanted to come back to the family farm | Chris did a Diploma in teaching in the 2000’s and taught casually at local high school to support income while transitioning | Uni taught Chris to work and learn | Deregulation of the dairy industry pushed Chris to change away from his conventional practices and there was a pull towards organic food through a growing demand for products | He went cold turkey and cut out all synthetic chemicals and fertilisers over night | Balanced soil creates healthy cows and the best milk | Chris attended a Holistic Management course run by legend HM educator Bruce Ward | Chris attended many conferences, read many books including Joel Salatin - You can Farm - followed the work of Elaine Ingham, Gary Zimmer and Jerry Brunetti and did lots of experimentation | Chris emphasises the importance of capturing nutrients (ie.manure and urine) in the system, and says he ‘farms vertically not horizontally’, focusing on the health of the soil | The head space of farmers and wellness is not generally of interest to banks and government | Customer understanding of the importance of clean nutritious food is increasing |A farm is a great place for kids to grow up | Chris’s protein and fat measurements are both 20-30% more now then when farming conventionally | He has a number of enterprises- lambs, chickens and pigs -diversity is important not just to the health of the farm but to the mental health of the human inhabitants | "Be you not someone else" | Chris used wood chip mulch to create fungal highways to spread biology throughout his farm via the cows feet Episode Links :  Oxhill Organics  HM educator Bruce Ward  Joel Salatin- You can Farm -   Elaine Ingham - Soil Food Web Biological Farmer - Gary Zimmer   Jerry Brunetti - You Tube  Mara seeds link https://maraseeds.com.au/    

For this episode of the No-Till Farmer podcast, brought to you by FR8STAR, we met up with Gary Zimmer, also known as the “father” of biological farming, on the Taliesin grounds where he talked about his system of biological farming.

A former host of The Daily Show takes a non-partisan swipe at the election process in the U-S. This is a review of the new film, Irresistible… Election strategists from Washington D-C head to middle-America where they turn a small town mayoral race into national news… Jon Stewart pulls no punches in this look at how elections are won and lost… …and how they’re about way more than just the candidates… …as he tries to deliver a serious message with a light-hearted feel. And it’s pulled off alright by Steve Carell as Gary Zimmer on the left… …and the wickedly well-cast Rose Byrne as Faith Brewster on the right. Chris Cooper is a good fit as Marine Colonel Jack Hastings… …recruited to run for mayor as a democrat in his right-leaning Wisconsin town which has fallen on hard times. The message is…big money ultimately controls and ruins everything… …and if 2016 taught anyone anything…never underestimate your opponent. The question is did Stewart underestimate the audience? It all feels just kinda light-weight for the message he’s trying to get across which can get a little lost… …however, it’s clear at the end just how despicable our nation’s two major political parties can be… …and just how broken our election system is. And for that, with all the votes counted, I give Irresistible three-and-a-half stars out of five on the Rob Rating Scale.

If you’re a reader of Acres U.S.A. magazine, you might recognize his name. Paul Dorrance writes for us frequently, and he does it with a teacher’s spirit and a sense of humor. Acres is unique in that we rely on people like Paul, people who are in the field, doing the hard, challenging work of farming. Paul is also one of the featured speakers at the Acres U.S.A. Eco-Ag Conference in December. Eco-Ag is kind of like Coachella, or Woodstock, if you prefer older references. Instead of music, we bring together a group of some of the biggest names in regenerative agriculture. I’m just looking a list and it’s incredible: Carey Gillam, Zach Bush and Kathleen Merrigan are keynote speakers. Here are some other names you might recognize: Neal Kinsey, Mark Shepard, Bob Quinn, David Montgomery, Andre Leu, Paul Dettloff, Gary Zimmer … the list goes on. Paul Dorrance is in that mix and I thrilled to introduce him to you.   He’s a former Air Force pilot. He wears a big, ten-gallon cowboy hat and he’s as humble as they come. In this episode, we’re going to learn a little about Paul, but also about his latest article for our magazine. In that piece, Paul writes about his misadventures in Livestock Guardian Animals.

Record rainfall has resulted in an unprecedented number of unplanted acres in 2019. Farmers must now consider how best to manage these fields for the remainder of the season. In an otherwise fallow year, cover cropping options abound during a unique summer planting window. In this episode of the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, John Kempf hosts a panel of American Midwestern agronomists and farmers, Steve Groff, David Kleinschmidt, Brad Hobrock, and David Chance, to discuss wet weather, the inability to plant in sodden areas and the options to sow cover crops in empty fields.  David Kleinschmidt, a midwestern agronomist, and owner of Progressive Agronomy Consulting Services, consults with growers across the Midwest where his in-depth knowledge of soils and soil health helps farmers realize better yields. Brad Hobrock is the owner of AgriBio Systems in Illinois where he farms several thousand acres of corn and soybeans. His voice and experience show the issues of cover cropping and weather challenges from a farmer’s perspective. David Chance, the owner of Chance Farms and several thousand acres in Indiana, shares his expertise on cover crop mixes, dry weather planting, and farm subsidies.  Steve Groff, the Cover Crop Coach and founder at Cover Crop Coaching, is based in Pennsylvania. He travels across the country teaching farmers the techniques and value of cover cropping systems. John and his guests outline the challenges farmers are facing this season, with a record number of unplanted corn and soybean acres throughout the Midwest due to excessive rain and flooding. They explain how cover crops can pay for themselves by decreasing the need for fertilizer applications while improving soils and yields in subsequent years.  Listen to hear a broad array of perspectives on:  The benefits and drawbacks of various species and their best uses How to determine your cover crop mix with your goals and budget in mind A comparison of simple one or two-species blends versus a diverse mix of cover crops The differences between cool- and warm-season legumes The value of cover crops in diffusing herbicide residue  The value of cover crops in managing carbon and nitrogen The importance of bacterial and fungal inoculation The role of crop insurance programs  Which cover crops can shift the soil’s microbial population from bacterial to fungal dominance  Which cover crops speed up the bioremediation process of pesticide residues in the soil profile This podcast serves as an invaluable resource for any grower whose planting window has passed without the ability to get in the field and for anyone considering the use of cover crops. The Community Impact Partner for this episode is the NOFA Summer Conference, a three-day conference that offers a wide-range of seminars, workshops, and other educational opportunities. Immerse yourself in a community of like-minded practitioners and curious learners eager to share inspiration and ideas for organic food, farming, health, activism, and beyond. The NOFA Summer Conference is a family-friendly event in Massachusetts where you can bring the whole family to enjoy workshops for adults, kids and teens, over 60 vendors, live music, games, and amazing food! Learn more about the conference and register here.   The Community Impact Partner for this episode is also the Healthy Soil Summit. This August, Acres USA will host the Healthy Soil Summit in Davis, California. Join farmers, consultants, researchers, and others for two days of engaging learning from world-renowned experts in the field of regenerative agriculture including John Kempf, Gary Zimmer, and Brendan Rocky. Wherever you are in your farming journey, this event will provide you the tools to enhance the productivity and profitability of your operation through biological practices. Go to acresusa.com to learn more about the Healthy Soil Summit. Email us at events@acresusa.com or call us at 1-800-355-5313.   Support For This Show This show is brought to you by AEA, helping professional growers make more money using regenerative agriculture since 2006. If you grow on a large scale and are looking to increase crop revenue and quality, email hello@advancingecoag.com or call 800-495-6603 to be connected with a dedicated AEA crop consultant.   Sign Up For Email Updates To be alerted via email when new episodes are released, and get special updates about John speaking, teaching, and podcast LIVE recordings, be sure to sign up for The Regenerative Agriculture Podcast email list.   Feedback & Booking Please send your feedback, requests for topics or guests, or a booking request: production@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com Email John directly: John@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com   Credits This episode was recorded by John Kempf, Steve Groff, David Chance, Brad Hobrock, and David Kleinschmidt, and produced by Nathan Harman, Robin Kitowski, and Anna Kempf.

Hosted by Ryan Slabaugh. Sponsored by Albert Lea Seed. Good day and welcome to Tractor Time podcast brought to you by Acres U.S.A., the Voice of Eco-Agriculture. We are happy to be bringing you another episode, our 1st of season 3 starting this year, and 24th overall. On today’s program, we’re going to honor our 2018 Eco-Ag Award winner, who we celebrated in December at our 43rd annual conference. Jeff Moyer, is a longtime organic farmer, author, lecturer. His work with Rodale Institute, both in hands-on farming and as executive director, is advancing the state of the art of organic agriculture and building bridges to bring these methods to mainstream, conventional farmers. His talk at our conference was aimed at helping farmers see the future of the organic certification industry, and how words like “regenerative” and “sustainable” are already being fought about in the advertising board rooms across the world. “Like it or not, we’re in a food fight,” he says. “Right now, organic is in the middle of that fight. So is the word regenerative. And sustainable. And sustainability.” Other past winners who have showed up on the Tractor Time podcast have included Dr. Vandana Shiva, who won in 2017, Gary Zimmer in 2011, Ronnie Cummins in 2009, Joel Salatin in 2006, and Neal Kinsey in 2003. Learn more about Rodale Institute here.  

This week, we present a follow-up to the interview I conducted last week, in Episode 27, with Gary Zimmer. I hope you enjoy the chance to dive deeper into some of the topics raised in the previous episode.  Gary has been a key figure in the development of regenerative agriculture in America, is a sought-after speaker, and is the author of both The Biological Farmer (now available as an updated and expanded second edition), and Advancing Biological Farming. He is the founder of Midwestern BioAg, a consulting and fertility provision company headquartered in Madison Wisconsin. Gary's consulting has largely been in broad-acre crops and dairy, but the powerful information he offers can be universally transferred to any crop. Gary's analogies between ruminant digestion and soil mineralization helps us understand concepts in biological farming.  This talk is sprinkled with fast-paced wisdom, anecdotes, research, and philosophy. The conversation centered on three topics which are critical to every farm:   Trace Minerals Gary's preferred trace mineral nutrition sources and distribution methods A lively discussion on sap, tissue, soil and dairy ration testing Using mineral inputs when and where needed, with purpose, based on data   Nitrogen Management Nitrogen management is NOT merely a numbers game Digestibility and solubility are the critical considerations in N management The use of various nitrogen stabilizers such as polymer coatings, humates and carbohydrates The use of S, Mg and Mo to stabilize nitrogen in the soil Growing crops without purchased nitrogen Removing N availability as a limiting factor by growing N   Carbon A perceived N response which is actually caused by solubilizing carbon and releasing CO2 The economics of mineral balance in terms of yield bump vs. yield loss How to best think about cover crops and their use   Thank you to Gary for joining us twice and hope everyone enjoys the show!   Support For This Show & Helping You Grow This show is brought to you by AEA, leaders in regenerative agriculture since 2006. If you are a large-scale grower looking to increase crop revenue and quality, email hello@advancingecoag.com or call 800-495-6603 extension 344 to be connected with a dedicated AEA crop consultant.   Feedback & Booking Please send your feedback, requests for topics or guests, or booking request have a Podcast episode recorded LIVE at your event -- to production@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com. You can email John directly at John@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com.   Sign Up For Special Updates To be alerted via email when new episodes are released, and get special updates about John speaking, teaching, and podcast LIVE recordings, be sure to sign up for our email list.

Gary Zimmer’s impact on modern regenerative agriculture technique and proliferation is hard to overestimate -- with an enthusiasm and zeal that are positively infectious -- we are privileged to have him as a guest on the podcast. Zimmer is the founder of Midwestern BioAg, a company which advocates similar principals to Advancing Eco Agriculture, while focusing on dry soil amendments. He farms with his family in Sauk County, Wisconsin and is the author of two seminal books on biological agriculture, which I highly recommend: The Biological Farmer (now available as an updated and expanded second edition), and Advancing Biological Farming. In this episode, Gary: Provides stories and insights from his decades-long career Clarifies the distinction between soil-correction and crop-fertilizer Reiterates the need to focus on biology in our soils and to use crop variation Warns against simply replacing fertilizer sources point-for-point when transitioning to organic production The discussion is lively, informative and short. Thus, we decided to invite Gary back for a follow up episode which will air next week, where Gary and I dive deeper into specific actionable steps growers can take to better manage nitrogen and trace mineral nutrition delivery from the soil. Hope you enjoy! John   Support For This Show & Helping You Grow This show is brought to you by AEA, leaders in regenerative agriculture since 2006. If you are a large-scale grower looking to increase crop revenue and quality, email hello@advancingecoag.com or call 800-495-6603 extension 344 to be connected with a dedicated AEA crop consultant.   Feedback & Booking Please send your feedback, requests for topics or guests, or booking request have a Podcast episode recorded LIVE at your event -- to production@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com. You can email John directly at John@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com.   Sign Up For Special Updates To be alerted via email when new episodes are released, and get special updates about John speaking, teaching, and podcast LIVE recordings, be sure to sign up for our email list.

Steve Diver has earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in Horticulture and has conducted research on fruit and nut production, and seasonal changes in elemental concentration in pecan fruit and leaves. He has served as the Extension Horticulture Agent in Muskogee County, Oklahoma, and has also worked as an Agriculture Specialist with the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.  In 2010, he established an independent firm, Agri-Horticultural Consulting, which provided soil analysis and consultancy services in eco-agriculture, organic and sustainable farming, and environmental sciences.   In this episode, Steve and I discuss rock powders, biology, and bioenergetics, the oxidation/reduction potential in soils, the use of liquid biological agents in soil health and crop success, and the value of bioenergetics in agriculture. Steve has some really great knowledge from his many years of experience in the lab and in the field.   Support For This Show & Helping You Grow This show is brought to you by AEA, leaders in regenerative agriculture since 2006. If you are a large-scale grower looking to increase crop revenue and quality, email hello@advancingecoag.com or call 800-495-6603 extension 344 to be connected with a dedicated AEA crop consultant.     Resources Acres U.S.A William Albrecht, Gary Zimmer, Neal Kinsey Korean Natural Farming (KNF) Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)    Episode 13 - Steve Diver - Highlights 3:06 - What are Steve’s memorable moments leading him to where he is today? Steve got a good introduction to organic and biodynamic farming   4:35 - What did Steve encounter that was different compared to the work he had been doing? Steve has been interested in organic agriculture for a long time 3 pillars of eco agriculture: minerals, biology, bioenergetics   6:50 - What lead Steve add bioenergetics to minerals and biology in these pillars?   9:10 - Discussion around Oxidation/Reduction Potential -Eh (Redox)   12:40 - What is something that has surprised Steve over the years?  Prairies have a very fungal nature Steve was finding high ratios of fungal to bacteria on prairies (7.5:1) Liquid biological amendments (LBA)   14:40 - What kind of crop response was Steve seeing? Using both a LBA and some kind of management practice (with some sort of rotational grazing) can lead to impressive changes in species composition Roadmap: Above ground plant succession is mirrored by below ground soil food succession   16:50 - Can the use of LBAs change the health of crops, and also types of plants that would become dominant in certain ecosystems Yes! The story of the postage stamp farm and the very effective use of LBAs   18:20 - When we consider applying biological inoculants to the soil profile, how do we ensure this inoculant actually survives? Qualitative assessment, lab testing, and microscopic analysis   19:50  - What is something that has puzzled Steve for a long time? The slow nature of the agriculture as a whole - industry, government, education   21:30 - What is the opportunity in agriculture today?  The ability to grow crops that perform well, yield well, are pest resistant, have high nutrient density without relying on so many chemical inputs Soil health has taken a back seat (soil testing, mineral balancing, etc.)   24:30 - Substantial yield/quality responses from integrated systems In most cases when regenerative principles are applied, there is a strong yield response - Often in the first year, always by the second year.   26:30 - Based on Steve’s experience, how much are growers leaving on the table? There is a perceived dichotomy of organic vs. conventional farming, but there is a difference between the terms organic, sustainable, biodynamic, zero budget natural, integrated crop livestock, etc. Regenerative agriculture is a good term to cover what you can do to regenerate and improve farm ecology For the conventional farmer still chemically based - there are many resources: information, field days, workshops, seeing what others are doing. Actionable advice: Conventional farmers can greatly benefit by simply adding cover crops Bioenergetics are the icing on the cake - you need the fundamentals down first (organic matter management, nutrition, fertility)   32:00 - What is a non-mainstream view that Steve believes to be true? Korean Natural Farming (KNF) Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) Read some more books, tap into more of these topics! Slowly add new principles to the farm, do testing Increasing species of cover crops can make a huge difference   35:20 - What are some resources Steve would recommend? Acres U.S.A Plug into the 3 pillars of eco-agriculture (minerals, biology, bioenergetics) William Albrecht, Gary Zimmer, Neal Kinsey Remember: It’s a lifelong learning process   36:15 - What Steve has learned about farmers Incredibly innovative Regardless of where in the world - farmers have a lot of brainpower!   39:40 - What is the question Steve wishes he was asked? More depth into bioenergetics - what do the terms mean? Steves advice: look into what is going on in holistic health and holistic agriculture   41:40 - Going through different eras in agriculture Through the chemical era, into the biological and ecological era Organic produce and holistic health used to be black sheep - now they are becoming widely accepted     Feedback & Booking Please send your feedback, requests for topics or guests, or booking request have a Podcast episode recorded LIVE at your event -- to production@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com. You can email John directly at John@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com.     Sign Up For Special Updates To be alerted via email when new episodes are released, and get special updates about John speaking, teaching, and podcast LIVE recordings, be sure to sign up for our email list.

Gary Zimmer, founder of Midwestern Bio Ag, joins us with his daughter, Sadie, to discuss soil health.

Severine von Tscharner Fleming is talking with Kyla Smith and Willa Paterson about farming in Central Pennsylvania and FarmFest! Be a part of it! August 2-3, Friday 4-10pm and Saturday 10am-10pm. FarmFest is a fun, FREE, community-building event that fosters knowledge of organic agriculture and sustainable living through educational opportunities, local foods, lively entertainment and interactive family activities. The event includes a 5K, Silent Auction, Book Nook, Live Auction and much, much more! Speakers include: Gary Zimmer and Jerry Burnetti. For more info click here. Thanks to our sponsor, White Oak Pastures. “Organic certification is hopping in Pennsylvania! We’re especially certifying a lot of dairy, and we’re also certifying a lot of processed products, as well.” [9:15] — Kyla Smith on Greenhorn Radio