Regenerative Agriculture Podcast

In this Ask Me Anything webinar from June, John answers pressing questions from the audience and shares his extensive research and firsthand experience to help farmers achieve healthier, more resilient crops.

Discussion points include:

• Combating disease and pest pressure on a variety of crops
• Foliar application and management
• Nitrogen management
• Cover crops
• Sap analysis
• And much more

Listen in to gain valuable insights and practical solutions from one of the leading experts in the field.

Additional Resources: To watch more webinars from Advancing Eco Agriculture, please visit our YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@AdvancingEcoAgriculture To get updates on webinars, podcasts, events, and promotions from Advancing Eco Agriculture, sign up for our newsletter: https://advancingecoag.com/newsletter

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.​

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

In this episode, John speaks with Ethan Darling, an agronomist with Advancing Eco Agriculture, who has extensive experience with sap analysis. They discuss the challenges of timely sample collection and shipping. Ethan shares his background and how his innovative techniques have streamlined the process for the AEA team in the Pacific Northwest.

Ethan explains his journey from working in an agroecology lab to managing sap analysis processes at scale in Washington’s Yakima Valley. He details his initial methods of collecting, processing, and analyzing sap samples – Ethan has worked with up to 29,000 data points in a season! By improving efficiency and sharing knowledge with the wider AEA team, Ethan has increased their capacity to collect more samples effectively across multiple states.

Additional Resources: To learn more about plant sap analysis, please visit: https://advancingecoag.com/plant-sap-analysis/

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

Keith Morter, a dryland wheat farmer from Oregon, transitioned to regenerative agriculture management practices. Keith initially used standard, conventional methods like plowing and extensive chemical applications on his operation. Dissatisfied with the results, Keith shifted to direct seeding and eventually embraced regenerative practices. By drastically reducing nitrogen use and implementing holistic management techniques, Keith observed significant improvements in soil health, crop resilience, and pest resistance. 

Despite challenges like low rainfall and high summer temperatures, his farm now thrives with healthier soils and sustainable crop yields, demonstrating the transformative potential of regenerative farming in challenging environments.

In this episode, Keith and John discuss:

• Reduction of nitrogen use and its impact on soil health

• How breeding crops for specific traits can lead to nutritional and microbiome imbalances

• Soil cover and moisture retention strategies in dryland farming

• Challenges in finding markets for specialty crops

• Innovative seed treatment methods

• Micronutrient application and management

• How cover crops enhance biodiversity and ecosystem health

Additional Resources: To learn more about Keith and his farm, please watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX3Es7w6yNE&

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.​

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture.  

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

In this Podcast Short, John delves into the topic of plant consciousness and intelligence. John talks about how plants are not just passive organisms, but possess significant cognitive abilities and responsiveness. Drawing inspiration from Stephen Herrod Buhner’s works, particularly "The Lost Language of Plants," John discusses how plants demonstrate informed decision-making capabilities and can react to human intentions.

John also cites additional scientific findings that assert plants have sophisticated neural networks contained within their root systems, similar to human neural systems, which are capable of learning and memory.

Additional Resources: Click here, to get your copy of “Plant Intelligence and the Imaginal Realm” by Stephen Harrod Buhner

Click here, to get your copy of “The Lost Language of Plants: The Ecological Importance of Plant Medicines for Life” by Stephen Harrod Buhner Click here, to get your copy of “The Secret Teachings of Plants: The Intelligence of the Heart in the Direct Perception of Nature” by Stephen Harrod Buhner To read more about John’s other book recommendations, please visit: https://johnkempf.com/johns-recommended-reading-list/

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

Rick Clark, a fifth-generation farmer from Williamsport, Indiana, is dedicated to enhancing soil health and achieving harmony with nature on his farm. He has pioneered a systematic approach to regenerative farming, proudly maintaining certification for all acres as organic through his regenerative stewardship with no tillage. Rick's practices focus on suppressing weeds, building soil health with cover crops, and prioritizing human health through organic, no-till farming methods. His goal is to establish a sustainable and profitable farming system that will endure for generations.

Recently Rick Clark hosted an event where he shared insights into his farming practices, emphasizing soil health, and sustainability. Joining him were experts from Green Cover Seed, Dr. Christine Jones, and John Kempf.

In this episode, Rick and John discuss:

• An overview of the event and the legacy of Dr. Christine Jones’ work

• How plants can share microbes and the importance of plant diversity

• The challenges of no-till organic farming and the potential need to incorporate tillage appropriately

• How mycorrhizal fungi and other soil microbes respond to tillage

• The impact of legumes on soil aggregation

• The benefits of incorporating fenugreek into pastures for livestock health

• The need for constant adaptation and learning

Additional Resources: To learn more about Rick Clark, please visit: https://www.farmgreen.land/ To learn more about Dr. Chrstine Jones and her work, please visit: https://www.amazingcarbon.com/

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.​

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

In this Short, John likens throwing a pool party to building soil microbial populations. Just like a successful pool party needs the right environment with food, drinks, and a crowd, building a healthy soil ecosystem requires appropriate soil conditions, nutrients, and a diverse microbial community.

John emphasizes the importance of "keystone species" which are essential microbial species that attract and support a larger community, similar to inviting a few socially connected individuals to a party to attract more guests. He also highlights the role of plants in introducing a wide variety of microbes to the soil, advocating for diverse plant species to create robust and resilient soil ecosystems.

Additional Resources: To learn more about Advancing Eco Agriculture and its products, please visit: https://advancingecoag.com/shop/

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology. 

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide. 

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

In addition to the regular episodes of the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, John Kempf is happy to introduce a new short format version of his popular podcast that allows him to touch on even more topics relating to regenerative agriculture. In this inaugural short episode, John shares insights into the negative impacts of nitrate-heavy fertilization on disease susceptibility and soil biology. He also emphasizes the importance of balancing calcium with other nutrients to optimize plant health and productivity. John also talks in-depth about Advancing Eco Agriculture’s new product, MacroPak.

Additional Resources: To learn more and purchase MacroPak, please visit: https://advancingecoag.com/product/macropak/ To listen to the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast titled “Vegetative and Reproductive Nutrients”, please visit: https://regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com/episodes/vegetative-and-reproductive-nutrients-with-john-kempf-2/

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

Mollie is a chef, restaurateur, and farmer with a strong commitment to regenerative agriculture and sustainable food practices. She operates Sage Regenerative Kitchen and Brewery in the Los Angeles area and runs Sow a Heart Farms with her husband in Fillmore, California. She actively promotes the restaurant industry to switch to using ingredients from regenerative farms. Mollie believes in supporting local farmers and making conscious choices about food consumption, including responsibly sourced meat products. Mollie’s previous menu options were all plant-based and the inclusion of meat options drew harsh criticism. Despite some initial resistance from customers, she emphasized the positive impact she hopes to have on both consumers and the farming industry through her commitment to sustainable practices.

In this episode, Mollie and John discuss:

• Experiences that highlighted the necessity of integrating animals into farming practices

• Difficulty in finding large-scale regenerative food service products

• Advocates for smaller, decentralized systems for truly regenerative dairy practices

• Other chefs adopting regenerative ingredients

• The hidden human and environmental costs of cheap food

• Advocating for regional food systems to reduce costs

Additional Resources: For more information about Mollie, please visit: https://www.sowaheart.com/about-us

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

Dan Miller is the founder and CEO of Steward, a company dedicated to supporting regenerative farmers by providing access to capital. With a background in law and finance, Dan combines his expertise to create a unique financial platform that connects community investors with sustainable agricultural projects. His work at Steward is driven by a commitment to ethical and ecological principles, focusing on creating resilient financial networks that support the growth and success of small to medium-sized farms.

In this episode, Dan and John discuss:

• The necessity of strategic financial planning in farming operations

• Creating markets for diverse crops

• How farmers can benefit from integrating specialized team members

• How Steward facilitates access to capital for farmers by focusing on opportunities others overlook

• The inefficiencies of indirect funding from corporate and governmental sources

• Fostering a resilient financial system outside traditional banking models

Additional ResourcesTo learn more about Steward, please visit: https://gosteward.com/

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

John Kempf, Advancing Eco Agriculture Founder and Chief Vision Officer was a guest on the Robert F Kennedy Jr. Podcast. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is a presidential candidate in the 2024 election. His career in public service began in 1985 as an attorney for the environmental nonprofit RiverKeeper. He eventually became one of the most influential environmentalists in the United States, receiving TIME Magazine's "Hero of the Planet” and the Sartisky Peace Award.

In this episode, Robert and John discuss:

• The transition from intensive pesticide use to ecological farming

• The discovery and application of plant immune systems to resist diseases and pests

• Economic incentives in transitioning to regenerative agriculture

• Importance of systemic approaches in disease management

• Need for collective will and alliances to implement solutions

All views and opinions expressed by the host and guests of the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA), its affiliate companies, or the companies with which the guests are affiliated. The appearance of a guest on the Regenerative Agriculture podcast does not constitute an endorsement by AEA or its affiliates. 

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

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VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Corwin Heatwole is a 6th-generation farmer and the visionary founder and chairman of Farmer Focus. Starting his journey at age 23 with a 300-bird organic farm, Corwin's commitment to high-quality, humanely raised chicken quickly expanded his operation to 3,000 birds within a few months. This growth led to the transformation of Shenandoah Valley Organic into Farmer Focus in 2014, where Corwin began partnering with other growers to meet increasing demand.

Farmer Focus is dedicated to empowering farmers through fair compensation, support for transitioning to organic and regenerative agriculture, and a strong emphasis on sustainability and transparency. Their mission is to enhance soil health and farmer profitability while ensuring responsible farming practices.

In this episode, Corwin and John discuss:

• The successful business model of Farmer Focus

• How regenerative agriculture improves soil health and boosts farmer profitability

• Strategies for sourcing grains from diverse regions to mitigate risks and stabilize supply

• The importance of scientific research in shaping policy decisions

• Corwin’s advocacy and legislative efforts

• The impact of farming practices on vulnerable communities and ecosystems

• Collaborative conservation projects with local communities

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Steve Diver, Farm Superintendent at the University of Kentucky’s Horticulture Research Farm in Lexington, boasts a rich background in sustainable agriculture. With a B.S. and M.S. in Horticulture from Oklahoma State University, he honed his expertise while serving as a horticultural and soils consultant in Central Texas. Diver founded Agri-Horticultural Consulting in 2010, specializing in soil analysis and consultancy services tailored to eco-agriculture, organic and sustainable farming, and environmental sciences. 

Diver's professional journey underscores his status as a pioneer in sustainable agriculture, with a focus on regenerative farming practices. His extensive experience spans soil health, microbial ecology, and innovative water management techniques geared toward advancing regenerative agriculture principles.

In this episode, Steve and John discuss:

• The rhizosphere, root exudates, and soil enzymes' role in agriculture

• How microbial inoculants can reduce synthetic nitrogen applications while increasing crop yields

• Habitat-based management and the resilience of biological systems

• Water structuring techniques and their potential impact on plant growth

• Introduction to plasma-activated water and its role in nitrogen absorption by crops

• Consideration of regulatory challenges in agriculture and navigating evolving policies

Additional Resources “Tuning in to Nature: Solar Energy, Infrared Radiation, and the Insect Communication System” by Philip S. Callahan is no longer in print, but you may find used copies on thriftbooks.com or amazon.com 

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Alpha Lo runs the Climate Water Project and is Co-founder of Regenerative Water Alliance. He’s also a water researcher, writer, and podcaster. With a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of natural systems, Alpha advocates for rewilding initiatives and holistic land management practices to address environmental challenges. Through collaboration and education, Alpha works to promote sustainable solutions that enhance soil health, water retention, and ecosystem resilience.

In this episode, Alpha and John discuss:

• The importance of rewilding and reintegrating keystone species into ecosystems

• The concept of the "small water cycle" and its influence on atmospheric water movement

• The need for collaboration among scientists, farmers, governments, and communities to address environmental challenges

• The impacts of groundwater depletion

Additional Resources To follow the Climate Water Project and Alpha’s work, visit https://substack.com/@climatewaterproject

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Brian Magarin has a background rooted in farming, spanning over a decade. Brian's journey has been shaped by hands-on experience and a commitment to sustainable farming methods after first starting in a conventional setting. Through years of trial and error, he has gained valuable insights into soil dynamics, irrigation techniques, and the impact of cover crops on crop and soil health. Brian manages 9,000 acres for Belltown Farms and grows corn, soybeans, wheat, and alfalfa. He also operates his own farm, growing organic corn, soybeans, and small grains.

In this episode, Brian and John discuss:

• The importance of understanding soil dynamics

• Experimenting with strip-till and no-till management

• Challenging traditional chemical-centric practices

• The processes and challenges of using roller crimpers

• The benefits of cover crops in maintaining weeds and moisture

• The impact of cooler temperatures on crop growth and productivity

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.​

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

AEA Founder and Chief Vision Officer, John Kempf, gives a quick summary of the success of our first community raise and features six investors who share why they invested in Advancing Eco Agriculture. AEA has raised over $2.2 million thus far during our Wefunder crowdfunding campaign, aimed at expanding our regenerative solutions to support farmers worldwide and enhance our food supply. Hear from investors:

• Claudia Ben
• Erin Crampton
• John Pierce
• Kate Fileczki
• Laurenz Von Glahn
• Paul Ruger

To invest in AEA and a regenerative future, please visit our Wefunder page: https://wefunder.com/advancingecoag

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.​

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Austin Frerick is an expert on agricultural and antitrust policy. He is a 7th-generation Iowan whose passion for agriculture comes from the weekends working on his grandpa's farm. He is a Fellow at the Thurman Arnold Project at Yale University. In 2022, he worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to organize a conference at Yale Law School entitled “Reforming America’s Food Retail Markets,” which explored competition issues in the nation’s grocery industry. He is the author of Barons: Money, Power and the Corruption of America’s Food Industry, which illustrates the concentration of power in the American food system.

In this episode, Austin and John discuss:

• The monopolistic practices in the food supply chain

• The influence of politicians on food producers

• Breaking up monopolies vs removing regulatory barriers

• Foreign ownership of food companies and its impact on American agriculture

Additional Resources

• To learn more about Austin Frerick, visit: https://www.austinfrerick.com

• To get a copy of his book “Barons,” visit: https://islandpress.org/books/barons#desc

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Jean-Martin (JM) Fortier has over 20 years of experience developing, testing, and perfecting biointensive and regenerative growing techniques on his small-scale farms in Quebec that increase the soil’s biology to achieve maximum yields on small surfaces. 

Jean-Martin’s mission is to promote the importance of human-scale regenerative agriculture in creating sustainable and resilient food systems. He achieves this goal by sharing his knowledge and expertise with thousands of farmers through the Market Gardener Institute. JM’s multifaceted roles range from CEO to technical specialist, mentor, and positive leader.

In this episode, Jean-Martin and John discuss:

• The economics of marketing gardening and direct selling

• Benefits of bio-intensive growing 

• How marketing gardening is an avenue for young people to get into farming

• How the right tools enhance efficiency and reduce workload

• The need to balance productivity and maintaining a fulfilling lifestyle

• The importance of the local food movement and getting people onto farms

Additional Resources

• To learn more about Jean-Martin Fortier, please visit: https://www.en.jeanmartinfortier.com/

• To check out his courses, visit: https://themarketgardener.com/

• To get your copy of The Market Gardener: https://themarketgardener.com/books/the-market-gardener/

• To get your copy of The Winter Market Gardener: https://themarketgardener.com/books/the-market-gardener/

• To check out apparel created by Jean-Martin, visit: https://growers.co/pages/growing-change-program

• Software for small growers, Heirloom: https://heirloom.ag/

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits. 

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Taimur Malik founded Drawdown Farm, a regenerative farm in the Thal desert in Pakistan. Taimur engages in various regenerative agriculture practices, including planting diverse crops like bananas, implementing managed grazing trials, and using impact sprinkler systems powered by solar energy. Taimur emphasizes the importance of biological solutions and sustainable farming techniques to improve soil health, increase yields, and mitigate environmental impacts. His innovative approaches, such as using biologicals and adopting holistic land management practices, demonstrate his commitment to improving agriculture.

In this episode, Taimur and John discuss:

• Creating healthy soil in desert sands 

• Weed management in poor-quality soils

• Johnson–Su compost, vermiculture, and living mulches

• Creating higher yields in sugar cane production

• The benefits of intercropping and diversification

• The impacts of livestock integration and managed grazing

• The economic benefits of regenerative agriculture from reduced input costs and increased crop resilience

Additional Resources To learn more about Drawdown Farm, please visit: https://www.drawdownfarm.com

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Boe Clausen is a second-generation farmer in Eastern Washington. His parents immigrated from Denmark and established Stokrose Farm in 1981. Initially focused on vegetable seed production, the farm diversified into alfalfa, hay, corn, wheat, and cattle. Boe now manages Stokrose Farm alongside his siblings. 

Boe's shift towards foliar applications, reduced nitrogen usage, and strategic nutrient management have improved crop health, reduced disease and insect pressure, and enhanced soil fertility. In 2022, he grew 250-bushel corn with only 20 lbs of nitrogen.

In this episode, Boe and John discuss:

• The role of technology in modern farming practices

• Using molybdenum, sulfur, and nitrogen foliar applications

• How cover crops and crop rotations can build soil health

• The impact of incorporating a feedlot into his operation

• Using sap analysis to guide nutrition applications

Additional Resources

• To learn more about Stokrose Farm, please visit: https://www.stokrose.com/

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology. 

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, proucing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Zack Smith is a fifth-generation farmer from northern Iowa. He is the owner and operator of Smith Seed and Agronomy, LLC, and co-founder and CEO of Stock Cropper, Inc. Zack previously worked in seed production and chemical retail as a certified crop advisor and then as a seed rep while farming on the side. He eventually became interested in soil health and started experimenting with strip-tilling and using cover crops, which marked the beginning of his shift towards regenerative agricultural. Zack recently developed a system called “stock cropping,” a regenerative farming system that raises row crops in conjunction with multiple species of livestock simultaneously in the field. He and his business partners, Sheldon Stevermer and Lance Peterson, went on to develop the Cluster Cluck 5000, an autonomous, self-moving barn.

In this episode, Zack and John discuss:

• The concept of stock cropping and its benefits to plant and soil health

• Developing barns for mobile grazing that integrate multiple species of livestock

• Implementing a rotational grazing system with frequent moves to optimize animal impact and pasture utilization

• Developing high-quality pasture mixes using cool-season and warm-season species

• The importance of innovation and collaboration in advancing regenerative agriculture practices

Additional Resources

• To learn more about stock cropping and the Cluster Cluck 5000, visit https://thestockcropper.com/

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Julie Rawson and Jack Kittredge are co-owners of Many Hands Organic Farm, an organic CSA farm that serves 150 families in Barre, MA. They met while doing community organizing work in Boston, and in 1982, made the decision to move out to the country to raise their kids in connection to the land and grow their own food. Julie and Jack share their farm’s transformative journey from inception to becoming a model of regenerative, organic farming.

In this episode, Julie and Jack discuss with John:

• Their journey from community organizing to farming and urban to rural living

• The financial and physical challenges of starting a farm

• The importance of soil remineralization, foliar feeding, and no-till practices

• Their careers with the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA)

• The release of their new book, “Many Hands Make a Farm”

• Fostering community and the broader impact of their work 

Additional Resources

• Julie and Jack’s book, Many Hands Make a Farm: https://www.chelseagreen.com/product/many-hands-make-a-farm/ 

• Many Hands Organic Farm: https://mhof.net/ 

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

​Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology. 

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide. 

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Nicole Dooling and Michael Frey help operate Mariah Vineyards in the Mendocino Ridge alongside Nicole’s parents, Dan and Vicki. As founders, Dan and Vicki have mindfully tended their land for over 40 years, putting in the hard labor of planting and growing this vineyard from the ground up. Their family and vineyard have thrived due to their dedication, adaptability, and resourcefulness in working with nature. Situated at 2,400 ft elevation without irrigation, they holistically manage their vineyard using organic and regenerative farming practices.

In 2020, Mariah Vineyards partnered with the Savory Institute to pilot the Land to Market Ecological Outcome Verification program for vineyards worldwide. They are proud to be the first regenerative vineyard for Savory’s Global Land to Market Verified program and are dedicated to helping expand regenerative viticulture.

In this episode, John, Nicole, and Michael discuss:

• How regenerative agriculture is a constant path of exploration and learning

• Rewarding results coming from the process of trial and error

• Different generations of growers working together

• Cover crop management

• Pruning for sap flow

• Measuring and managing nutrient density

Additional Resources To learn more about pruning for sap flow, visit: https://simonitesirch.us/ To learn more about the Savory Institute, visit: https://savory.global/ To get a copy of the Plant Health Pyramid, developed by John Kempf, visit: https://advancingecoag.com/growers-tools/

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Marty Travis, a former furniture maker turned farmer, co-owns and operates Spence Farm in Illinois with his son, Will. Spence Farm grows a wide array of heirloom and native crops, heritage animals, and a huge diversity of agricultural opportunities on the 160 acres. Marty embraced sustainable farming, catering to Chicago's restaurant community. This unique partnership led to a thriving and sustainable business prioritizing soil health, livestock, and community relationships. The farm model evolved to support individual families in response to the Covid crisis and the closing of most restaurants during lockdowns. Leading a cooperative of farmers, the Travis family now serves numerous restaurants in Chicago and over 1,000 families, contributing to a positive shift in the food landscape in their area.

In this episode, John and Marty discuss:

• The value of involving and mentoring young people in agriculture

• The challenges in managing growth and growing the number of farmer-to-farmer hubs

• The game-changing shift from selling per ton to per pound, enhancing profitability

• The emphasis on small plots and strategic crop choices for maximum revenue

• The positive impacts of increased soil biology on drought resistance, plant health, and reduced pest and disease pressure

• The use and outcomes of using Advancing Eco Agriculture products 

Additional Resources To order a copy of Marty’s new book, My Farmer, My Customer, visit: https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/my-farmer-my-customer

To learn more about Spence Farms, visit: https://spence-farm.com/ 

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.​

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Will Harris is a fourth-generation cattleman and the owner of White Oak Pastures, a holistically managed regenerative farm raising cattle, pigs, poultry, rabbits, sheep, and organic vegetables in Bluffton, Georgia. 

After graduating college in 1977, Will returned to Bluffton, where he and his father continued to raise cattle using pesticides, herbicides, hormones, and antibiotics. By the mid-1990s, Will became disenchanted with the excesses of industrialized methods and decided to return to the “radically traditional” farming methods his great-grandfather once used. Since Will has successfully implemented these changes, he has been recognized all over the world as a leader in humane grass-fed beef production and regenerative agriculture. He’s also the Founder of the Center for Agricultural Resilience (CFAR) and the author of A Bold Return to Giving a Damn. 

 In this episode, John and Will discuss:

• The evolution of the regenerative landscape

• Will’s journey from conventional to regenerative ranching

• The consequences of narrow perspectives

• Will’s motivation for writing his book, A Bold Return to Giving a Damn

• The economic impact of Will’s operation in his local area

• Investing in regenerative farming and farmland

• How consumers drive change

Additional Resources To learn more and get a copy of Will’s book, visit: https://whiteoakpastures.com/pages/a-bold-return-to-giving-a-damn

To learn more about White Oak Pastures, visit: https://whiteoakpastures.com/

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide. 

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Steven Cardoza is a second-generation organic raisin grape grower. His 400-acre farm is south of Fresno, California. His father transitioned from conventional to organic growing in 1998 after discovering some of the inputs he was using were making him ill. Steven took over the business in 2017 with a massive jumpstart on the pathway to regenerative agriculture. Since moving from an organic to a regenerative approach, Steven has changed his management methods to enact many exciting results such as increased soil organic matter, increased yields and quality, and the elimination of pesticide use.

In this episode, John and Steve discuss:

• Tillage reduction 

• Spider mite challenges

• Nutrition management on organic vs regenerative systems

• Cover crop management

• Water percolation in sandy soil

• AEA products and applications

Additional Resources To hear more about Steven’s regenerative journey, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItT3FLaAZ6g The Regenerative Agriculture Podcast with Greg Pennyroyal: https://regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com/episodes/microbial-influences-on-crop-quality-with-greg-pennyroyal-2/ 

The Regenerative Agriculture Podcast with Mike Omeg: https://regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com/episodes/the-regenerative-orchard-cherry-success-with-mike-omeg-2/

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

In this special podcast episode marking the launch of Integrity Grown™, AEA’s verification standard, John Kempf shares the heart behind this new brand.

John advocates for a shift towards verifying outcomes rather than solely focusing on processes. Integrity Grown prioritizes the verification of outcomes across several key areas:

• Harvest Quality and Nutritional Integrity: Ensuring the produce meets high quality standards and retains its nutritional value.

• Harvest Freedom from Toxins: Guaranteeing that the harvest is free from harmful substances such as molds, mycotoxins, toxic elements, and pesticides above defined thresholds.

• Soil Health and Ecosystem Regeneration: Promoting practices that foster soil health and contribute to the restoration of ecosystems

Moreover, Integrity Grown assesses farming processes within the broader context of regenerative agriculture. Practices like tillage, limited livestock incorporation due to regulatory constraints, or the necessity of pesticide applications are evaluated on a spectrum, considering the specific farm and crop context.

Integrity Grown extends its evaluation to the relationships between supply networks and farmers. It emphasizes the importance of developing synergistic relationships with growers, empowering them as stewards of the land, and ensuring fair compensation for producing exceptional quality.

Through Integrity Grown, AEA aims to redefine agricultural standards by prioritizing outcomes, promoting regenerative practices, and fostering mutually beneficial relationships within the agricultural supply chain. You can learn more about Integrity Grown here.  About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture.

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

~

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Join us in this episode as Amy Williams, who has three decades of clothing industry experience and currently serving as the CEO of Citizens of Humanity, shares insights into the transformative journey toward regenerative cotton. Amy delves into the organization's commitment to sustainability, emphasizing their shift towards regeneratively grown cotton after recognizing the critical role of raw materials in the sustainability conversation. Amy sheds light on Citizens of Humanity's aspiration to revolutionize the apparel and fashion industry by advocating for regenerative cotton sourcing. Their goal is to have 50% of the cotton acres in the U.S. verified as regenerative by 2030. The surge in market demand for regenerative agriculture has prompted the Citizens of Humanity Group and its family of brands, Citizens of Humanity, AGOLDE, and GOLDSIGN, to partner with Advancing Eco Agriculture to supply regeneratively grown cotton. 

This collaboration aims to increase awareness about the many benefits of regenerative agriculture, fostering a positive impact for farmers, brands, and consumers alike. The initiative will leverage AEA’s leading practices, products, and services to support farmers in the program to grow regenerative cotton and reap the benefits of healthier soils with year-after-year improvements.

In this episode, John and Amy discuss:

• How food and clothing industries can work in parallel to promote regenerative and organic agriculture

• How CoH works directly with farmers to source regeneratively grown cotton in the U.S.

• Regenerative cotton as a widescale movement within the clothing industry

• Partnering with AEA to help farmers transition to regenerative practices

• Recycled vs new fiber development

• The important role that mills play in the industry and adoption of trends

Additional Resources To learn more about the partnership, please visit: https://land.advancingecoag.com/integrity-grown

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Allen Williams is a 6th-generation farmer and founding partner of Grass Fed Insights, Understanding Ag, and the Soil Health Academy. He has consulted with over 4,000 farmers and ranchers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America, and other regions on operations ranging from a few acres to over 1 million. Allen and his colleagues specialize in whole farm and ranch planning based on regenerative agriculture concepts. Their approach creates significant “value add” and prepares the landowner for multiple revenue stream opportunities that stack enterprises and acres, enhancing profitability and investment value.

In this episode, John and Allen discuss:

• The ideals we seek for a highly functioning soil

• Fungal vs bacterial dominate soils

• Primary drivers of ecosystem development

• The relationships between mycorrhiza fungi, aggregates, and protozoa 

• Implementing regenerative practices into your specific situation

• The three rules of adaptive stewardship

• The performance of livestock in ecosystems

Additional Resources To learn more about Allen’s enterprises, please visit: https://soilhealthacademy.org/ or https://understandingag.com/

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.   AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Joel Grosbach is a fifth-generation farmer and AEA customer growing dryland and irrigated crops in Southwest Nebraska. Since his area only receives seven inches of average annual rainfall, incorporating regenerative practices such as cover crops, crop rotation, animal grazing, and minimal tillage are critical for water management. Joel grows a variety of crops, including popcorn and dry edible beans, and grows for his neighbor, who owns a seed production business.  

In this episode, John and Joel discuss:

• Regenerating local ecosystem rainfall

• Structuring his farm only to use 7” of irrigation each season 

• Choosing crops based on water needs

• Importance of cover crops and crop residue

• Reducing inputs and eliminating fungicides

• Mindset shifts that occur when transitioning to regenerative agriculture

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

It’s the 100th episode of the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast! In this special episode, AEA grower James Johnson interviews the voice behind the podcast, John Kempf. 

James Johnson is a fourth-generation farmer in New Mexico and the Vice President of Carzalia Valley Produce. When James finally took over the family farm in the early 2000s, the outlook of his operation seemed grim. After many years of trial and error with various farming practices, James met the Advancing Eco Agriculture team and discovered the many benefits of regenerative agriculture. John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture. A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology. In this episode, James and John discuss:

• The importance of nutritional and microbiome integrity for plant immunity

• How John started and built Advancing Eco Agriculture 

• The importance of sap analysis to see product efficacy

• How growers who work with AEA reduce inputs

• John’s development of the Plant Health Pyramid

• Plant health vs soil health

• The future of Advancing Eco Agriculture

Additional Resources To learn more about the plant health pyramid developed by John Kempf, please visit: https://www.advancingecoag.com/plant-health-pyramid

To learn more about Advancing Eco Agriculture, please visit: https://www.advancingecoag.com/ or watch this webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cItpuQDX_M4

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Dr. James White is a professor of Plant Pathology at Rutgers University. Dr. White obtained an M.S. in Mycology and Plant Pathology from Auburn University and a Ph.D. in Mycology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1987. Dr. White specializes in symbiosis research, particularly endophytic microbes. He is the author of more than 180 articles and author and editor of reference books on the biology, taxonomy, and phylogeny of fungal endophytes, including Biotechnology of Acremonium Endophytes of Grasses (1994), Microbial Endophytes (2000), The Clavicipitalean Fungi (2004), The Fungal Community: Its Organization and Role in the Ecosystem (2005), and Defensive Mutualism in Microbial Symbiosis (2009). The overall hypothesis of this research is that bacterial and fungal endophytes of the plant microbiome function to defend plants from stress and provide nutrients that enhance the growth and development of plants.

In this episode, James and John discuss:

• How plants get nutrients through the rhizophagy cycle

• Important microbes lost from commercial seed production 

• Indigenous wisdom in seed production

• Bacteria changing the behavior of fungal populations through nutrients

• How endophytes benefit plants 

• Reshaping agriculture to be based on how plants actually grow

• How plants cannot grow without microbes in their cells

Additional Resources To take the course led by Dr. James White that teaches the Rhizophagy cycle, please visit: https://kindharvest.ag/courses/ra-ur-understanding-rhizophagy/

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Bob Jones is co-owner and chief executive officer of The Chef’s Garden, a family-owned farm in Huron, Ohio, committed to growing exceptional vegetables. Bob leads the farm’s cutting-edge food safety and food quality programs, helping develop the most reliably healthy and nutritionally dense fresh vegetables. The direction of the farm changed in the 1980s from growing conventional vegetables when his brother, Lee Jones, had an encounter with a chef who asked him if their farm could grow squash blossoms for her restaurant. After that meeting, the family decided to take their farm in a new direction by focusing on the needs and desires of chefs, emphasizing flavor, sustainable farming practices, and quality over quantity. They have worked with chefs for over 40 years and ship produce to all 50 states and 17 countries. They also ship directly to homes in all 50 states and run an on-site retail store.

The Chef’s Garden grows a tremendous variety of vegetables, including microgreens, heirloom vegetables, microgreen herbs, specialty lettuces, and edible flowers.

In this episode, Bob and John discuss:

• The importance of having multiple revenue streams

• Understanding what the marketplace is asking of you

• “Better is better before bigger is better.”

• Food as health

• The importance of soil and sap testing

• Regenerative practices implemented on his farm

• Applying observation and knowledge to field production

• The nutrition of today’s food

Additional Resources To learn more about Bob and Chef’s Garden, please visit https://www.farmerjonesfarm.com. 

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.​

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Austin Unruh founded Trees for Graziers to help farmers establish trees in pastures on a large scale. Austin has worked on over 400 acres for 25 different working farms. Getting trees planted at a large scale and an affordable price led to lots of experimentation to ensure protection and integration into pasture that was minimally intrusive. It’s his goal to make silvopasture as easy and cost-effective as possible for farmers. Trees for Graziers offers everything from planning, planting, and aftercare to growing silvo-specific nursery stock. 

In this episode, Austin and John discuss:

• The importance of integrating trees into pasture

• How to protect young trees from rodent damage

• The many benefits that trees provide

• Tree species that have the greatest opportunities in silvopasture

• How to best match tree characteristics to farm goals

Additional Resources To learn more about Austin Unruh and Trees for Graziers, please visit: https://treesforgraziers.com/

About John KempfJohn Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

​Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Paul Greive founded Pasturebird after searching for high-quality pasture-raised chicken to feed his family. Unable to find this chicken in stores, Paul and his family took matters into their own hands, setting out to produce nutrient-dense pasture-raised chicken. In the spring of 2012, Paul's brother ordered 50 chicks, marking the inception of their business. Pasturebird is now the largest pasture poultry producer in the world, with a mission to make nutrient-dense chicken more affordable and accessible to all. Pasturebird is revolutionizing the chicken industry by integrating solar-powered, self-driving chicken coops. This innovation provides their birds access to the outdoors, fresh grass, insects, and sunlight and contributes to soil regeneration for future generations.

In an unconventional move, the company partnered with “Big Ag” giant Perdue. This strategic partnership granted Pasturebird access to hatcheries, feed mills, and slaughterhouses, sparing them from the significant debt they would have otherwise incurred to build these resources.

In this episode, Paul and John discuss:

• Improving the way “Big Ag” operates

• Scaling up operations to reduce costs

• Focusing on one thing and outsourcing the rest

• Pasturebird’s collaboration with Perdue 

• The innovation behind self-driving chicken houses

• The importance of effective marketing and messaging

• Incentivizing regenerative ag through fractional land ownership

Additional Resources To learn more about Pasturebird and to place an order, please visit: https://www.pasturebird.com/ Connect with Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulgreive/

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Austin Allred is a dairyman located in the Columbia basin of Washington State and operates Royal Family Farms. His parents started farming 50 years ago, and now Austin, as well as his brothers, own their own operations. Together, their four farms have grown over 1 million tons of potatoes, boxes of apples, boxes of cherries, bushels of corn, and bales of hay, beans, peas, asparagus, and more. Austin’s dairy produces 1 million gallons of milk per month.

Fifteen years ago, the family began their regenerative journey when they decided to become more self-sufficient and reduce their dependency on synthetic fertilizers. Their different farming operations work together to create a self-sustaining loop, a key to their innovation and success. 

Today, Austin Allred is a strong proponent of regenerative agriculture and loves finding innovative ways to work together with his family to further the success and overall health of their soil, crops, and cattle.

In this episode, Austin and John discuss:

• Reducing the need for fertilizers by bringing in cattle to his operation

• Using byproducts from neighboring farms for nutrient balance feed

• Increasing nitrogen independency

• Liquid manure management and composting systems

• Reducing water consumption by recycling it on the farm

• Utilizing marketing to showcase the story of products

• Developing other income streams on the farm

• The importance of collaboration between growers 

Additional Resources To learn more about Royal Dairy, please visit: https://www.royaldairy.com/on-the-farm or watch their documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfSzdzgDXjE

Friend Earthworm by George Oliver: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0980297613/ref=x_gr_bb_amazon?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_bb_amazon-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0980297613&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

In this special episode, hosted by Tim Hammerich and the Future of Agriculture Podcast, Tim and John Kempf will challenge several commonly held assumptions about the future of agriculture. Take regenerative agriculture, which is often defined by the ability to improve soil health and sequester carbon. But John Kempf says these are outcomes, even by-products, not the complete definition of regenerative.

In this episode, Tim and John discuss:

• What it means to be regenerative

• AEA observations from working with over 10,000 growers and 4 million acres

• AEA’s Wefunder campaign

• How to look at agriculture problems and solutions through a regenerative lens

Future of Agriculture explores the people, companies, and ideas shaping the agriculture industry's future. Every week, Tim Hammerich talks to the farmers, founders, innovators, and investors to share stories of agtech, sustainability, resiliency, and the future of food. Future of Agriculture believes innovation is an important part of the future of agriculture, and real change comes from collaboration between scientists, entrepreneurs, and farmers. Lead with optimism, but also bring data.

Additional Resources: To listen to more episodes of Future of Agriculture, please visit: https://www.futureofagriculture.com/ To learn more about AEA’s Wefunder campaign, please visit: https://wefunder.com/advancingecoag

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Kelton Coleman has been farming since 2011 in the panhandle of Texas. He farms with his dad, grandfather, and father-in-law. He started with conventional agriculture in 2011 but shifted to organic peanuts and wheat in 2013, followed by organic cotton in 2016. 

His initial journey into organic farming was based solely on economics, rather than soil or plant health. That has since changed, and now Kelton is deeply vested in his crops' health. He first got connected to AEA through the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast and then through personal connections in his community. He now uses several programs and products from AEA, and he is seeing many successes on his farm, such as reduced nitrogen usage, 20% more yield on his cotton (including a large increase in 6-lock cotton bolls), and better protection from root rot in his peanut crop.

In this episode, Kelton and John discuss:

• Memorable failures that led Kelton to where he is today

• The unintended consequences of inputs on microbial organisms, insects, and plants

• How he implemented regenerative practices on his farm

• Working with AEA and their products

• Improvements he is seeing in peanuts and cotton

• Improving drought and heat resilience

• Crop-wide nitrogen reduction

• Improving no-till organic systems

Additional Resources To learn more about developments of no-till organic systems, listen to this podcast episode featuring Helen Atthowe: https://regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com/episodes/episode-87-helen-atthowe/

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Koen van Seijen has interviewed over 250 investors, investment fund managers, opinion leaders, farmers, and scientists to find out how money can best be used to regenerate soil, people, local communities, and ecosystems. He is currently a member engagement manager of Toniic, the global community of dynamic and active impact investors. Previously Koen supported Aqua-Spark, an impact investing fund focused on sustainable aquaculture companies. In this conversation, John and Koen discuss:

• Current investment activity in agriculture

• The role of capital in regenerative adoption

• Regenerative practices and topics attractive to investors

• Regenerating the water cycle at a local ecosystem level

• The benefits of nutrient absorption through foliage

• The need for education in the finance world

• Areas of opportunities for growers today

• Increasing consumer interest through nutrient density

To learn more about Koen and the “Investing in Regenerative Agriculture and Food” podcast, please visit: https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/

Additional Resources

• “Back from the Brink: How Australia's Landscape Can Be Saved” by Peter Andrews
• “The Hidden Life of Trees” by Peter Wohlleben 
• “The Weather Makers: How Man Is Changing the Climate and What It Means for Life on Earth” by Tim Flannery
• Walter Jehne YouTube Playlist 

About John KempfJohn Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Dr. Stephan van Vliet performs clinical and translational studies to evaluate the effects of whole food ingestion and physical activity interventions on body composition, physical function, inflammation, insulin action, and intracellular signaling pathways that regulate muscle mass with advancing age. His work has been published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the Journal of Nutrition, and the Journal of Physiology. Dr. van Vliet earned his Ph.D. in Kinesiology and Community Health as an ESPEN Fellow from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He received post-doctoral training at the Center for Human Nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. Dr. van Vliet also holds a Masters in Nutrition Science.

As a member of the Duke Molecular Physiology Institute within the Duke University School of Medicine, his work focuses on the effects of primary (protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins) and secondary compounds (phytochemicals, polyphenols, antioxidants) and the molecular mechanisms by which they impact human metabolism. His work often involves physical activity interventions and utilizes an integrative approach to improve human health.

In this conversation, John and Stephan discuss:

• Nutrient differences in grass-fed beef

• Other studies focused on beef, bison, and milk

• Implications of plant secondary metabolites being consumed

• Variations in phytonutrient density 

• Soil health and ergothioneine levels

• How different plant species provide different compounds to livestock

• Organic production and nutrient density

Additional Resources Follow Stephan on Twitter: @vanvlietphd For more webinars featuring Dr. van Vliet, please search “Dr. Stephan Van Vliet” on YouTube Stephan's Google Scholar Profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=L5KcySQAAAAJ&hl=en To learn more, please visit his website: https://stephanvanvliet.com/

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture.  

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Anthony Corsaro is an entrepreneur, investor, and regenerative agriculture evangelist whose mission is to help heal our people and planet through ventures that inspire the production and consumption of healthy, nutrient-dense foods. Anthony’s family has been deeply involved in the food system for almost 100 years since his orphaned grandfather started selling produce in the early 1930s. That business grew into one of the country's leading regional fresh produce distributors and today serves 2,500+ retail customers in 20 states.

Anthony is the Founder and Managing Director at Outlaw Ventures: a family office backing the rebels, radicals, and revolutionaries building the better food system of tomorrow. Outlaw Ventures is raising a venture capital fund to invest in early-stage regenerative consumer brands. Anthony is also the Creator and Co-Host of The ReGen Brands Podcast: a podcast about the consumer brands supporting regenerative agriculture and how they’re changing the world. He is also the Founder of Regeneration Nation: a clothing company and community hub for the heroes and advocates of regenerative agriculture.

In this conversation, John and Anthony discuss:

• Regenerative vs. extractive relationships in supply chains

• Building regenerative infrastructure to create better routes to market

• Increasing market accessibility for growers

• Nutritional integrity and its impact on buyers

• “Upstream Disease” - examining the whole supply chain

• Opportunities and limiting factors for growers

• The importance of networking to expand market access

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.​

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Jimmy Emmons is a third-generation farmer from Oklahoma. He and his wife Ginger have been farming and ranching together since 1980. They have a 2000-acre farm with a diverse rotation of crops that include: wheat, soybeans, sesame, sunflowers, irrigated dairy alfalfa, canola, grain sorghum, and several cover crops for seed.

Jimmy has been monitoring soil health with soil testing since 2011 and is a proponent of using multi-species cover crops to enhance soil health. He is currently involved in a multi-year water holding capacity study examining the water use of cover crops. Jimmy also incorporates other regenerative practices, such as companion crops, to attract beneficial insects and decrease the need for additional synthetic nutrients.

In this conversation, John and Jimmy discuss:

• The benefits of cover crops for water retention in the soil profile

• Drought resilience of crops and plants grown in diverse environments

• Companion crop mixes and their benefits

• The importance of talking to your legislatures about regenerative farming

• The negative effects on quality markers from grower practices and input decisions 

• Using nutrient-dense food as medicine

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Dr. Mary Lucero has over 30 years of experience in scientific research and education in agriculture. Her research examines the microbial relationships between plants and soil health and proves that the regenerative approach offers a way forward for growers and consumers. As Co-founder and Systems Biologist at End-O-Fite Enterprises, she works with growers and biostimulant producers to optimize regenerative techniques to restore microbial ecosystems. 

Mary and her husband, David, run Jal Farms, a family-owned fruit and beef operation in Eastern New Mexico. Her farm focuses on regenerative practices to restore soil health and growing nutrient-dense foods and even has an on-farm lab for her research.

In this conversation, John and Mary discuss:

• The importance of creating an environment for native biology to thrive

• How fungi are great shapeshifters 

• The Mycosome Hypothesis developed by Peter Atsatt

• The importance and complexity of endophytes

• Horizontal organism transfer

• Indigenous concepts and principles    

• Mary’s experience with farm ownership 

To connect with Mary and her work and to learn more about her online classes, please visit: https://endofite.com/ 

To learn more about the Mycosome Hypothesis developed by Peter Atsat, please visit: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12730709/.

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

​Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

To get started, contact AEA here: https://www.advancingecoag.com/contact

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Helen Atthowe is an author and farmer who has worked on developing systems that focus on ecological health by utilizing living mulches and minimal tillage. She is passionate about using the natural nutrient cycles present in ecosystems to reduce system inputs. Her research and experience have shown how focusing on the system can impact weed, disease, and pest management. 

She and her late husband, Carl Rosato, co-owned and operated a certified organic orchard in California, where they pioneered methods for raising apples, peaches, and other crops to replace the need for pesticides. She also farmed and conducted additional research at Wood Leaf Farm in Eastern Oregon until early 2023. Now living in Western Montana, she is starting a new farm where she has planted a no-till orchard. Atthowe has a master’s degree in horticulture from Rutgers University and has worked in education and research at many other institutions.

In this conversation, John and Helen discuss:

• No-till living mulch systems in orchards

• Managing ecological systems with residues

• Strategies for disease and pest management 

• Minimizing inputs and maintaining yields

• Mowing management and the importance of timing

• Thinning and pruning practices

• Vole management outcomes

• Selective strip-till system in vegetable production 

Click here to check out Helen's new book, The Ecological Farm

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology. 

Support For This Show & Helping You GrowSince 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.  

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits. 

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide. 

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products. 

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Charles Eisenstein is a speaker, teacher, and author. A graduate of Yale University with a degree in Mathematics and Philosophy, his work covers various topics, including human civilization, economics, spirituality, and ecology. His published works include “The Coronation,” “The Ascent of Humanity,” “Sacred Economics,” “The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible,” and “Climate—A New Story.” In the last-mentioned title, he argues that reducing environmental discourse into the single issue of global warming is a huge mistake for the environmental movement. The book focuses instead on the “Living Planet” view, envisioning what our relationship to nature might be if we saw that everything is alive, conscious, and sacred. Overall, his primary interest is exploring the boundaries of what is possible according to our received beliefs, habits, technologies, and ways of knowing. In this conversation, John and Charles discuss:

• What defines regeneration

• What we need to do to embrace regenerative landscapes

• Why the quality of our life depends on the quality of our relationships 

• Indigenous knowledge of landscape management 

• The understanding of what real wealth is

• The differences between control and responsibility 

• The Importance of exercising our capacity to create

• The growing community and movement of regenerative farmers

To learn more about Charles Eisenstein and his work, please visit his website at https://charleseisenstein.org/ or subscribe to his substack at https://charleseisenstein.substack.com/ 

To learn more about his published work, please visit https://charleseisenstein.org/books/ 

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow Since 2006, AEA is on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with their products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers around the world. Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/

~ 

VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Steve Tucker is a western Nebraska dryland producer who has been farming for 30 years. He introduced regenerative practices into his operation over 10 years ago and values diversity in his approach. Growing upwards of 10 crops per year while integrating livestock, such as chickens, pigs, and cows. Steve also uses no-till farming practices and biological applications on his farm. Steve advocates for growers to market themselves in order to access more opportunities and advises them to look for alternate streams of income for the crops they are growing. 

Steve runs Agriforce Seed with his business partner Jeff Olsen. Steve grows sunflower, hay millet, oats, yellow field peas, winter wheat, Golden German hay millet, and forage pea/oat hay blends. His ultimate goal is to build soil health by mobilizing soil microorganisms to grow better, higher quality, more nutrient-dense food. 

In this episode, John and Steve discuss:

• Being content with the size of the farm you operate

• Making connections by marketing yourself 

• Selling by the pound vs selling by the bushel

• Looking for sales opportunities around you to sell

• Pursuing multiple streams of farm income 

• Identifying opportunities that come from promoting more life on the farm

• Using biologicals, including AEA’s BioCoat Gold

• Finding the freedom of doing things on your own terms

AgriForce Seed is Nebraska's largest pulse seed producer. Agriforce provides yellow peas, chickpeas, and many other types of pulse crop seeds. Also available are hay millet seed and a large selection of cover crop seeds and forage products. To learn more, call 308-289-4853

To learn more about AEA’s BioCoat Gold, please visit - https://land.advancingecoag.com/buy-biocoat-gold-now

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in the field of biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow The recognized leader in regenerative agriculture since 2006, AEA is on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable. 

AEA works directly with growers on the application of its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with their products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers in North America to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers around the world who thirst for actionable information about regenerative agriculture.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products. 

~ 

VIDEO: For more conversations with John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this amazing conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Joel Williams is an independent plant and soil health educator who provides lectures, workshops, and consultations on soil management, plant nutrition, and integrated approaches to sustainable food production. Joel enjoys designing farming systems that focus on managing soil biology along with crop and soil nutrition to optimize plant immunity and soil function. He has extensive experience working in Australia, the UK, and Canada, integrating soil and plant analyses as a joined-up strategy for managing production.

In this episode, Joel and John discuss:

• The differences between the chemistry vs. biology approach

• The importance of a well-structured soil

• Reasons for using biological seed coatings

• Efficiencies of foliar applications vs. soil applications

• Crop responses to incremental changes over extended periods

• Strategies for efficient foliar applications

• Nitrogen applications and management

• Yield expectations during regenerative transitions

To learn more about Joel and his work, please visit https://integratedsoils.com/

About John KempfJohn Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture. A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow The recognized leader in regenerative agriculture since 2006, Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA) is on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with their products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers in North America to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers around the world.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products, and check out the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast.

~ 

VIDEO: For more conversations with John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this inspiring webinar featuring John and three AEA grower partners that share how regenerative agriculture is changing the way they farm and live: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

John Warmerdam is a third-generation stone fruit grower in the San Joaquin Valley of California. His grandfather came to the area from Holland in 1911 and started a small farming operation that John’s father, John N. Warmerdam, eventually took over. Today John and his dad farm over 350 acres of peaches, plums, nectarines, kiwi, and almonds. The Warmerdams also have one of the largest cherry-growing operations in the southern San Joaquin Valley and have been innovators in the fruit packing industry for 45 years. In this episode, they discuss:

• Cultural management practices for stone fruit
• Transitions in his farming systems
• Mite management
• Driving factors for considering regenerative management
• Pruning and thinning management
• Future water usage issues
• Generational shifts in farming

Additional Resources: Concepts for Understanding Fruit Trees by Theodore DeJong

Learn more about Warmerdam Packing Learn more about John Warmerdam

About John Kempf John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture. A top expert in the field of biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow The recognized leader in regenerative agriculture since 2006, AEA (Advancing Eco Agriculture) is on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable. 

AEA works directly with growers on the application of its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with their products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers in North America to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers around the world who thirst for actionable information about regenerative agriculture.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products and check out the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast. 

VIDEO: For more conversations with John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this amazing conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Dr. Erin Silva is an Associate Professor and State Extension Specialist in Organic and Sustainable Cropping Systems in the Department of Plant Pathology as well as the Director for the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at UW-Madison. 

After completing a Ph.D. in Horticulture at Washington State University, Dr. Silva obtained a faculty position at New Mexico State University. During her tenure at NMSU, Dr. Silva taught courses on organic vegetable production, including an experiential learning course integrating the campus working student organic Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm. Dr. Silva initiated several organic research projects at NMSU, including work on a cover crop-based reduced tillage approach for organic vegetable crops and breeding vegetables for organic production systems.

These research themes continued as Dr. Silva moved into the first organically focused research position at the UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences in 2006. Through her work at UW-Madison, she has developed an internationally recognized program that improves the management of organic production systems and increases the profitability and sustainability for organic producers and rural communities.

In this episode, Dr. Silva and John discuss the following:

To find out more information about Erin’s research, please visit https://uworganic.wisc.edu/ograin/. OGRAIN, The Organic Grain Resource and Information Network, exists to provide farmers access to research and to form a community of organic grain producers.

About John KempfJohn Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture, a plant nutrition and biostimulants consulting company. A top expert in the field of biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who are growing that supply.

​Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition - a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You GrowThe recognized leader in regenerative agriculture since 2006, AEA (Advancing Eco Agriculture) is on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable. 

AEA works directly with growers on the application of its unique line of crop nutritional supplements and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting edge plant and soil data gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most. 

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with their products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers in North America to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers around the world who thirst for actionable information about regenerative agriculture.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products.

VIDEO: For more conversations with John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this amazing conversation between John and three AEA growers about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Fred Provenza, Professor Emeritus of Behavioral Ecology at Utah State University, is the co-founder of BEHAVE (Behavioral Education for Human, Animal, Vegetation and Ecosystem Management), an international research and outreach program that seeks to understand the principles of animal behavior. For the past 30 years, this group has produced ground-breaking research that laid the foundations for what is now known as behavior-based management of landscapes. 

Through his research, books, and speaking engagements, Fred has paved the way for the behavior-based management of landscapes. His work has influenced researchers across disciplines.

In this episode, Fred and John Kempf discuss:

• The consciousness of plants and animals, and our relationships to them
• The relationships between domestic animals, crops, and healthy landscapes
• Fred’s understanding of the gut microbiome of livestock and how it changes with diverse diets 
• The pathway for regenerating millions of arid acres in the US West
• Appreciating the culture and heritage of animals 
• The functional significance of both human and animal family structures

Fred has authored three books:

• Nourishment: What Animals Can Teach Us about Rediscovering Our Nutritional Wisdom: https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/nourishment
• • Also available on audiobook: https://www.audible.com/pd/An-Original-Audiobook-Adaptation-of-Nourishment-Audiobook/B0BKH5NBF5
• Foraging Behavior: Managing to Survive in a World of Change: https://www.amazon.com/Foraging-Behavior-Managing-Survive-Change/dp/0970389922
• The Art & Science of Shepherding: Tapping the Wisdom of French Herders: https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/the-art-and-science-of-shepherding

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow

This show is brought to you by Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA), leaders in regenerative agriculture since 2006.

AEA produces the highest quality biological and mineral nutrition products along with offering Plant Sap Analysis, and regenerative program development for your farm. 

If you are a large-scale grower looking to increase crop quality, resilience, and profit — email [email protected] or call 800-495-6603 today to be connected with a dedicated AEA regenerative agriculture crop consultant. To learn more visit https://www.advancingecoag.com 

~ 

VIDEO: For more conversations with John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this amazing conversation between John and 3 growers about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk

Kelly Mulville, a veteran agricultural consultant, is the Vineyard Director at Paicines Ranch in San Benito County, California. For more than 25 years, Kelly has been obtaining impressive results by merging his experience in viticulture with his understanding of Allan Savory’s holistic grazing management techniques. His approach to extended-season vineyard livestock grazing and other ecological practices continue to capture an audience of vineyard managers around the globe.

Kelly and John discuss in this episode:

• How Kelly developed practices around incorporating sheep into his vineyard management.
• Flooring a wildlife biologist with the bird population data on Kelly’s vineyard after implementing new practices.
• The role plant-grazing animals play in reducing insect pressures.
• Kelly’s cover cropping strategy and how it has led to a diversity of 50 species of plants growing in the vineyard.
• The specific holistic management techniques inspired by Allan Savory’s work that have contributed to vineyard success.
• The adaptability of these practices on other crops like nuts and tree crops.

Joe Lewis is an internationally renowned scientist recognized for his work in entomology and agricultural studies. His discoveries in the behavioral and chemical interactions of parasitoids, insect herbivores, and plants have played a critical role in our understanding of ecological growing. He is also the author of A New Farm Language: How a Sharecropper's Son Discovered a World of Talking Plants, Smart Insects, and Natural Solutions.

Listen as Joe and John discuss:

• Joe’s introduction to agriculture growing up on a Mississippi cotton farm
• The discovery of plants utilizing chemical compounds to alert parasitic wasps to the presence of caterpillars.
•  The first demonstration of associative learning in parasitic wasps.
• Sensitivity of signals between plants and parasitic wasps, including how they differentiate from food and host.
• Environmental impacts that have led to unbalanced increases in insect pressures.
• The value of cover cropping to provide a nectar source for insects during production season.
• Changing the paradigm from “how to kill this pest” to “why is this pest a pest?”

A New Farm Language by Joe Lewis: https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/a-new-farm-language

Adam Chappell is a regenerative grower and cover crop advocate from Cotton Plant, Arkansas. Adam started growing with his dad and brother on their 7,500 acre property in 2005, but by 2009 pigweed issues alone had nearly pushed them into bankruptcy. Knowing there had to be a better way, Adam began educating himself about the power of regenerative agriculture, implementing a cover cropping strategy that he claims saved the family farm. Today, Adam’s operation grows a variety of broadacre crops and continues to make strides in ecological health and crop performance.

Throughout their conversation, Adam and AEA Founder John Kempf discuss:

• Adam’s start in agriculture and how cover cropping brought the farm “from the brink of bankruptcy to a profitable enterprise.”
•  Adam’s current methodologies for crop rotation and cover cropping.
• How the adoption of regenerative practices has contributed to improved profitability.
• Adam’s background in entomology and ecology and the shifts in insect populations he has seen over time.
• Questioning the necessity of soil testing and becoming wary of “sales tools.”
• Implementing Dr. Norman Lupo’s root intensification method and other row spacing strategies.
•  Livestock integration and the story of Adam’s first purchase of cattle.
• Why Adam’s goals for the future include “getting smaller.”

Rick Clark is a fifth-generation farmer from Warren County, Indiana. Driven by a desire to work alongside mother nature, Rick has been implementing regenerative practices on his farm for almost a decade. Rick’s commitment to soil health has allowed him to grow his operation to 7000 organic, no-till acres, in part by employing a variety of cover cropping and weed control techniques.

In their conversation, Rick and John Kempf discuss:

• Rick’s journey to a fully organic operation
• Conventional agriculture’s “dependency on chemistry” and the best practices for conventional burn down
•  Rick’s humbling experiences experimenting with cover crops in the early days
• How planting multiple cash crops together could be the future of agriculture
•  Handling foxtail and other difficult weeds through regenerative practices  
• The power of diversity and rotation in a no-tillage system
• Rick’s take on farm economics and how he  is saving almost $1.7 million a year in inputs 

Tim Parton is a regenerative agriculture advocate and Farm Manager at Brewood Park Farm in the United Kingdom. Tim has been implementing regenerative practices on his 300-hectare estate for over 15 years. He has received several accolades for his work, such as being named the Arable Innovator of the Year by British Farming Awards and receiving the Farm Innovator of the Year award from Farmers Weekly.

Throughout their conversation, Tim and John discuss:

• Tim’s background and retreat from intensive pesticide use.
•  How balancing plant nutrition helped Tim cultivate canola seedlings that are resistant to flea beetles.
• Tim’s experience with Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (or BYDV) and how he manages aphids in an ecological system.
• Foliar application systems and their economic impacts.
• Increases in commodity fertilizer prices and what this means for the financial viability of regenerative agriculture.
• How Tim has managed to not apply any NPK fertilizers for more than a decade.
• The cultural management practices that have replaced fungicide applications on Tim’s farm.
• The importance of carbon sequestration, educating consumers, and sharing information among growers.

James Johnson is a fourth-generation farmer in New Mexico and the Vice President of Carzalia Valley Produce. When James finally took over the family farm in the early 2000s the outlook of his operation seemed grim. After many years of trial and error with various practices, James found the Advancing Eco Agriculture team where he discovered the benefits of regenerative agriculture.

Thanks to his partnership with AEA, James achieved an outstanding yield of 1,490 lbs/acre for Pima Cotton at the end of harvest season 2020 while his county average was 880 lbs/acre!

In this episode, James and AEA founder John Kempf discuss:

• The shift in agronomy management on James’ farm over the last 20 years.
• James’ first encounter with John Kempf and the similarities in their personal stories.
• The long-term effects of herbicide, insecticide, and pesticide use on crops from the perspective of a self-declared “recovering glyphoholic”
• Solving onion thrips and western flower thrips pressure with regenerative foliar applications, rather than insecticides.
• James’ observations on chlorpyrifos and diazinon—how their use affects non-target species and overall soil biology.
• The technology James uses as a self-proclaimed early adopter, including evapotranspiration platforms and an AI robot that pulls weeds.

Dale Strickler is an agronomist at Green Cover Seed and prominent author primarily focused on soil health. Dale grew up on a family farm outside Colony, KS, and received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agronomy from Kansas State University. Dale has been an advocate for the use of cover crops for over three decades and continues to experiment, achieving increasingly exciting results.

Dale has published two books, The Drought-Resilient Farm and Managing Pasture. His third book, The Complete Guide to Restoring Your Soil, will be released later this year.

In this episode, Dale and AEA Founder John Kempf discuss:

• Dale’s agricultural background and what inspired his fascination with cover crops.
• His experiences with heavy clay soil and implementing a subsurface, drip-irrigated pasture.
• How regenerative practices can affect water-holding capacity of soils and restore small water cycles.
• Dale’s most memorable moments in his consulting work with growers across the country.
• Hand cropping, intercropping, and other practices forgotten by mainstream, mechanized agriculture.
• The reason farmers need to be “thinking like a scientist” and the power of self-education.  

John Fagan is the Chairman & Chief Scientist at the Health Research Institute, also known as HRI Labs, in Fairfield, Iowa. HRI provides testing services that focus on the nutritional value and biofunctionality of food sources. HRI’s research and collaboration efforts continue to help grow the global regenerative agriculture movement in myriad ways.

Throughout their discussion, Fagan and John discuss:

• The scope of Fagan’s work at the Health Research Institute.
•  How chromatography, mass spectrometry, and other analytical tools allow Fagan to identify plant and animal compounds.
• Fagan’s research in comparing conventional vs organic production methods and his key takeaways.
• The diversity and variability of plant compounds and their potential for innovation in the world of agriculture.
• Fagan’s tentatively named “Farmer Led Innovation Network” and how it is combining cutting-edge science and data collection.  
• How evidence of glyphosate presents across different crop types, agricultural products, and soil profiles.
• The evolution of glyphosate detection and what science can tell us about glyphosate levels in our food.

Check out the glyphosate research mentioned by Fagan here: https://johnkempf.com/perspective-on-glyphosate-challenges/

Nicole Masters is an internationally recognized agroecologist from New Zealand. Fortified by her studies in ecology and plant physiology, Nicole currently serves as the Director of Integrity Soils, a collection of regenerative agriculture coaches that assist growers around the globe. Nicole is also the author of “For the Love of Soil: Strategies to Regenerate Our Food Production Systems.”

In this episode, Nicole and John discuss:

• Nicole’s background in vermicompost and her strategy of customizing microbial applications to produce specific outcomes.
• The current rise in research on microbial quorum sensing and quorum signaling.
• Many case studies and examples that explain relationships between soil life and nutrition profiles and weed populations.
• The function of biology in response to plant signals and in enhancement of plant immune systems.
• The practice of bio-priming seeds or land, and how it helps to produce disease-suppressive soils, and to regenerate native plant populations.

Harriet Mella is an independent Austrian researcher known for her work uncovering the unexplained phenomena of plant growth and development. Informed by her background in microbiology, mycology, and biochemistry, Harriet has a unique capacity to describe little-known connections between emerging biological research and agriculture.

During the interview, Harriet and John discuss: 

• Observations on epigenetic expressions and the role of optimal nutrition.
• The flexibility of plant architecture and its direct correlation with microbiome health.
• Harriet’s insights on zodiac rhythms, humic substances, Biodynamic methods, and numerous first-hand agricultural experiences.
• When a plant is no longer absorbing nitrate and how this affects water use efficiency and carbon cycling.
• Harriet’s findings on biophotonics and dark septate endophytes, and her explanation of their impact on plant health.  
• Building stable humic substances during the winter months with the assistance of specific fungal groups.

Harriet Mella’s new online course, “Carbon Micro Cycling,” explores the connections between soil carbon and soil fertility. Sign up for the course on Kind Harvest today! https://kindharvest.ag/courses/ra-cc-carbon-course/

Steven Bierlink is an apple grower located in Quincy, WA. When Steven returned to work on his family operation after graduating with a business degree, he was driven to meet the many challenges their orchard faced. Looking for solutions to bitter pit, cork spot, and lenticel rot, Steven sought out the management practices that could renew the health of their orchard.

Today, Steven abides by meticulous observation in his management practices that have brought many exciting successes, notably on his Honeycrisp blocks which have packed out at a stunning 160 bins per acre.

On this episode, Steven and John discuss:

• Overcoming bitter pit in Honeycrisp apples by altering the interplay among excessive potassium applications, calcium timing, and manganese availability. 
• Steven’s focus on observation resulted in a shift away from his previous conventional operational methods. 
• How Steven balances data collected from fruit analysis and sap analysis to maximize marketable fruit production.
• Managerial philosophies for happy, engaged employees, healthy work-life balance, and why he chooses to maintain a smaller-scale farm.
• Virtually elimination of alternate-year bearing, through a combination of pruning, bud and spur management, PGR’s, nutrition, and lime-sulfur sprays.
• The importance of growers owning the decision-making process, working alongside consultants.

Jason Hobson is one of the initial Regenerative Agriculture Consultants at AEA, working alongside John Kempf in the early years and becoming the Chief Executive Officer in 2015. Jason joined AEA in 2011 and quickly became the lead consultant for larger scale operations, building relationships with distributors and other partners along the way. He gained his knowledge of soil fertility and plant nutrition through hands-on experience, developing a passion for agronomy and regenerative practices that fuels him today.

Throughout their conversation, Jason and John discuss:

• How one Wendell Berry book would change Jason’s career path forever.
• AEA’s approach to nutrient and crop management, how it differed from conventional wisdom.
• Highlights from the last decade of working together: organizational victories and new agronomic discoveries.
• Jason’s thoughts on the “layering of silver bullet solutions” and how farms can degrade in search of a cure.
• Common themes among growers and organizations that have seen success while working with AEA.
• The fallacy of nitrogen and other limiting factors for healthy crops.

Alvin Peachey is an Amish organic dairy farmer from central Pennsylvania. Over the course of more than a decade, Alvin has grown his operation to 90 100% grass-fed cows on 92 acres, implementing regenerative practices that flips the script of the status quo for dairy farmers.

In this thought provoking and practical conversation, Alvin and John discuss:

• Alvin’s background as a dairy farmer starting with only 25 cows and 10 replacements.
•  The difference between rotational grazing and management-intensive grazing.
• How Alvin tracks and manages his cost of production and how his economic models diverge from the mainstream.
• Unique approaches to creating balanced and diverse nutritional profiles, not just in grazable forages, but also in stored winter feeds.
• Important considerations for maximizing sugars and proteins in baleage. 
• The genetic and structural qualities Alvin looks for in dairy cows.
• Alvin’s thoughts and observations on the financial future of dairy farming.

“For the crop production acres, we have no budget on fertilizer… because we have unlimited potential, so why would we have a budget? Right?” -Alvin Peachey

Jesse Frost is the Co-Owner of Rough Draft Farmstead in central Kentucky and host of the No-Till Market Garden Podcast. Jesse’s rich background in researching and experimenting with no-till practices lead to his first book, “The Living Soil Handbook: The No-Till Grower’s Guide to Ecological Market Gardening,” which will be published this summer.

Throughout their conversation John and Jesse discuss:

• How Jesse got his start as a farmer and how a mission to uncover regenerative techniques lead to a promising career in market gardening.
• The economic opportunities surrounding market gardening, including the positive impact of collaboration and Jesse’s thoughts on land ownership.
• The best way to strategize and implement a direct-to-consumers business model.
• Two management styles that work for no-till growers on a smaller scale: Jesse’s thought on the basic cover crop model and the deep compost mulch system
• An overview of the four different types of compost: inoculating compost, fertilizing compost, nutritional compost, and mulching compost.
• The current state of the average farmer’s psyche and the power of relationships and community building.
• Jesse’s current intercropping practices and how they are implemented for pest and disease control.

Pre-order Jesse’s book here: https://www.notillgrowers.com/livingsoilhandbook/d9z5gkf1bbnhu0w5xxb3trngiqhwgo

Check out “The No-Till Organic Vegetable Farm: Human-Scale Methods for Intensive Commercial Production and Ecological Health” by Daniel Mays here: https://www.frithfarm.net/book.html

Jon Stika is an agronomist and former soil health instructor with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Officially retiring in 2015, Jon now spends his time as environmental consultant for those looking to gain insight on the biological systems of agriculture. Jon is also the author of “A Soil Owner’s Manual: How to Restore and Maintain Soil Health,” which was published in 2016, yet continues to have an impact on agricultural thought leaders around the globe.

Throughout their conversation, Jon and John discuss:

• Jon’s realization that soil is not a chemical system, but a biological one.
• The impact of using synthetic fertilizers for several decades and how this has “sidelined” the true biology of our fields.
• What it means to be energy inefficient and the impact on mainstream agricultural systems and practices.
• Jon’s 15-year journey to a regenerative approach; how rapid implementation and economics can inspire other growers to transition to integrating biological methodologies.
• The differences between building soil from the foundational bedrock versus the act of regenerating soil.
• Jon’s belief in the power of educating beyond the growers, working with lenders, banks, agronomists, and landowners to help them understand and support the transition to regenerative agriculture.
• How models used in mainstream agriculture—and even sustainable agriculture—operate on a foundation of “dysfunctional soil.”

Pick up a copy of Jon’s book, “A Soil Owner’s Manual: How to Restore and Maintain Soil Health,” today! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30084638-a-soil-owner-s-manual 

Jay Fuhrer is a Conservationist & veteran Soil Health Specialist from the Natural Resources Conservation Services, located out of Bismarck, North Dakota. With over 4 decades of experience, Jay’s work has been critical to the widespread implementation of regenerative agriculture across the globe. Of his many contributions, Jay is most known for developing the 5 Soil Health Principles: establishing soil armor, minimizing soil disturbance, continuing live plant and root presence, and integrating livestock grazing systems.

Throughout their conversation, Jay and John discuss:

• Jay’s early years at the NRCS, and his desire to move forward with agriculture’s best interest at heart.
• The story of how Jay and his colleagues started a 150-acre demonstration farm with a focus on natural resource education.
• Examples of new research and discoveries being made at Menoken Farm, including the implications of water hydrology systems and the power of encouraging soil biology.
• Jay’s observations from conducting Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis and measuring infiltration rates over the years.
• Assisting growers by “starting with the geology” and how Jay’s soil recommendations are rooted in the history of the land.
• Proper livestock integration and the benefits of diversity when it comes to grazing.
• The shortcomings of agricultural system labels and Jay’s reasoning for working with growers of all backgrounds.
• Jay’s concerns with shrinking native range land in the Dakotas and why he believes it is an ecosystem that we should maintain into the future. 

Ben Taylor-Davies is a farmer and regenerative agriculture consultant from the United Kingdom. Ben was a conventional agronomist until his wife persuaded him to apply for an award through the Nuffield Farming Scholarship Trust which enables farmers to travel and learn agricultural methods from around the globe. This ignited Ben’s passion for regenerative agriculture and discovering better ways to treat soils, crops, and livestock. Ben currently shares his stories, both personal and professional, on his website RegenBen.com. He is also currently finalizing his first book, “MORE-ON: How to get off the UK agriculture’s treadmill of input farming.”

Throughout their conversation, Ben and John discuss:

• How the Nuffield scholarship program allowed Ben to broaden his views on successful ways to farm from around the globe.
• The current management practices being implemented on Ben’s 500-acre farm in the UK and how these practices have evolved over the years.
• Ben’s “three free things” (sunlight/energy, precipitation, and carbon dioxide) and why they should be priority number one for all growers.
• Perspectives on carbon dioxide delivery and how farmers can improve their CO2 supply.
• The vast diversity of soil types and climates found within the UK.
• The UK’s current mainstream agricultural methods and financial shortcomings of managing an ecosystem through high input costs.
• John and Ben discuss their recommended reading lists for growers.

Check out Ben’s website at www.regenben.com!

For more information on his latest book, go to https://www.regenben.com/about/the-book/

Cannon Michael is a 6th generation family farmer in California’s Central Valley. When Cannon first started working at the Bowles Farming Company, it was a broad-acre row crop operation, focused on cotton, barley, and alfalfa. After 15 years of overhauling the farm’s management practices, Bowles now incorporates both organic and conventional methods as he raises a vast array of vegetable crops: tomatoes; watermelons; garlic; onions; herbs; and many more.

Throughout their conversation John and Cannon discuss:

• The major changes over the 160-year history of Cannon’s family farm, as well as the current scope and scale of his growing operation.
• What it means to be a grower in California: The culture of innovation, interacting with a rigorous business climate, strict regulations, and interest in promoting fair practices for people and the environment.
• A prediction around agriculture’s decentralized, technology-driven future and how it will impact growers.
• The power of branding partners, communication, and the advantages of telling your story to end consumers.
• How bandwidth and a fluctuating environment can lead to significant limitations on operational efficiencies.

Jay Hill is a conventional farmer and agricultural visionary from the American Southwest. Jay is a new breed of American farmer, focused on reinvigorating the industry through a new perspective on what is possible for large-scale growers. Through his social media presence and weekly podcast, Jay is calling on farmers across the globe to abandon their old ways of operating and take back the role of “business owner” from outdated intermediaries.

Throughout their conversation, John and Jay discuss:

• How Jay’s growing operation has evolved over the years to be less resource exhaustive.  
•  Why farmers need to position themselves as both marketers and business owners
• Jay’s transition from “Price Taker” to “Price Maker,” and how partnerships in processing give growers more control over their operation.
• The public perception of American farmers and what needs to be done change the narrative.
• Strategies to incentivize growing a more nutritious and agronomically beneficial product, and the role of the federal government in this process.  

Dr. Dwayne Beck is well known for being one of the pioneers of no-till agriculture in central South Dakota and across the High Plains. For more than three decades, Dr. Beck has been creating comprehensive systems for both irrigated and dryland crop production throughout the region, educating growers on the power of crop rotation, diversity, and other regenerative practices. He currently serves as the Research Manager at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm, a non-profit made up of farmers committed to sustainable land practices.

On today’s episode, John and Dwayne discuss:

• Dwayne’s background and his earlier work assisting local growers with their irrigation systems
• The continuing decline of the Ogallala Aquifer and how water infiltration can be improved by implementing no-till agricultural practices.
• Addressing the often-overlooked aspects of irrigation, such as percolation and water delivery, and how it affects soil health.
• Dwayne’s observations on lake bottom soils, the power of macropores, and the prevalence of summer fallowing in the High Plains.
•  Utilizing de-percolation strategies to maintain proper nutrient levels in your soil.
• Using competition, sanitation, and rotation to control weeds, diseases and insects. 
•  Dwayne’s historical research on nutrient cycling and fertilizer placement. 
• Dwayne offers up a broader historical perspective on how agriculture, human nature, and mother nature  work together.
• A discussion on why moving to no-till options for all crops including potatoes, carrots and sugar beets are engineering and genetics problems.
• The shared vision, but much different methods, between regenerative agriculture vs. organic agriculture.

Rick Haney is a renowned researcher at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the creator of the Haney Soil Analysis, an innovative extraction procedure to assess overall soil health and plant mineral availability. Today, John sits down with Rick to hear his story and discuss a future of agriculture centered around agronomic realities and biological processes.

Throughout the episode, John and Rick cover a wide array of topics:

• The journey Rick took to discover an improved system for analyzing soil health, eventually leading to the development of his namesake soil assay.
• How Rick’s work and an emphasis on data can help growers save an average of $20 per acre in nitrogen applications.
• Over-fertilization and what soil respiration says about the fertility of a field.
• Rick’s battle with calibrations and the industry’s collective leaps in agronomic understanding since the 60’s.
• The work of Dr. Richard Mulvaney, namely the Illinois Soil Test, and how it compares to Haney’s soil nitrogen report. 
• The shortcomings of mainstream agronomic research and the power of “listening to nature.”
• The importance of using water and biological activity as the gauge of soil mineral release rather than acids and extractants to judge soil mineral content.
• Why many growers are routinely able to reduce Nitrogen and Phosphorus inputs.
• The importance of looking at real yields rather than soil test data as the sign of a well-functioning fertility program.
• The power of  embracing new developments in ag research and the future of in-field sensors.

Bob Quinn is a 30-plus year veteran of Regenerative Organic practices and founder of Kamut International, an organization devoted to high quality Khorasan wheat and sustainable agricultural practices.

After receiving his PhD in plant biochemistry from UC-Davis, Bob returned home to work on his family’s wheat and cattle ranch just outside of Big Sandy, Montana. In the mid 80’s, the farm became his “laboratory” as Bob began implementing regenerative organic systems long before they rose to prominence. The Quinn’s began planting a Khorasan wheat they would call “Kamut”—an ancient Egyptian word for “wheat”—which would end up seeing a lot of success with whole grain bakeries in Southern California.

“My business philosophy is start small and build on your success. I don't have a big pile of money, so I can't go out and just try big experiments, so I try small experiments. If they're successful, then I build on those. And that's what we did, we started with a half an acre [of Kamut®] which was all that seed that we had in 1988—30 years later, we are contracting with 250 organic regenerative farmers in Montana, Alberta, and Saskatchewan for over 100,000 acres of this stuff.”

Kamut® is a distant relative to the modern wheat crop that is known for its unique flavor and health benefits. Ancient Grains like Kamut® see much lower yield potential than modern wheat, which over time lead some manufacturers to mix Kamut® with lower quality grains. In an attempt to protect the quality of the grain and the end consumer, Bob decided to trademark the grain, guaranteeing an unhybridized, unmodified, and organic product for their growing list of customers—in fact today, a staggering 75% of their grain goes to Italy.

During the episode, Bob goes into detail about how improved testing equipment led to a surprising discovery about minute glyphosate levels in their crops. Kamut International has been organic since its inception, but at one point almost a third of their farmers were sending grain that tested slightly higher than ten parts per billion in glyphosate. Bob was astounded when he discovered that glyphosate is so prevalent in American agriculture that trace amounts can be found in the rain during the growing season. Since this discovery, Kamut International has overhauled their testing protocols and mitigated trace glyphosate levels whenever possible.

Whether you are the buyer, the manufacturer, or the consumer, Bob believes in a “everybody wins” approach to business. He believes his impact and scale was achieved by paying farmers more, so he prides himself in the ability to implement economic incentives anywhere he can. Bob recalls in his conversation with John that almost 30 years ago, he began offering three times the amount of the commodity wheat price for Kamut® wheat, which proved to be a very effective business move. Today, that incentive has grown to five times the commodity price.

Bob’s expertise goes way beyond wheat, for a farmer located in the Upper Great Plains he has an unlikely variety of successfully growing dryland produce. Throughout the episode, Bob goes into detail about how this production came to be and how regenerative organic practices allow him to grow things like watermelon and summer squash in Montana. Bob and John also discuss nutritional value of ancient grains, how the western diet has led to a jump in autoimmune disorders, and the concerning rise of glyphosate levels in our food. Bob also tells the story of how his company accidentally came upon creating cooking oil in the search to create a better diesel fuel. 

In our latest episode, John sits down with one of Australia’s most recognized thought leaders in Regenerative Agriculture, Dr. Terry McCosker. Over the course of three decades, Terry has worked with about 10,000 Australian farmers—a staggering 10% of all farmland on the continent—coaching them through an agricultural approach that emphasizes both soil nutrition & pasture ecology.

Terry currently serves as the director of RCS, an Australian agriculture consulting firm, but his career started at an early age when he had the opportunity to work on an Australian cattle station. Driven by a fearless pursuit of excellence, Terry found that most of the problems that faced the cattle station, as well as other operations across the country, stemmed from an outdated reductionist view of farming. As he continued his research, which included traveling to farms across the globe, he saw firsthand the power of holistic practices and their effects on livestock. Terry began challenging the paradigms of conventional farming and what he observed were results like an increase in livestock reproduction and mortality rates.

Throughout the episode, John and Terry discuss the work of Stan Parsons and Allan Savory, the importance of cell grazing alongside other regenerative practices, the proper strategies farmers use to approach succession planning, and the fascinating future potential of carbon sequestration.

“A client of mine once said that he thought he was a livestock producer. And then he came to one of our programs and went away thinking that he was a grass producer. And then over time, as he's learned more and more, he now believes he's a soil manager. If you understand that you're a soil manager, the production and the economics of your farm will actually look after itself…to be truly regenerative, a farmer needs to understand that they are a part of the ecosystem, not apart from it.” -Dr. Terry McCosker

In our latest episode of the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, John interviews plant pathology veteran & agricultural visionary, Dr. Robert Linderman, discussing the benefits of mycorrhizal fungi and other bio-control agents that protect crops from soil-borne pathogens. 

After receiving his Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from U.C. Berkley in 1967, Robert would spend the next 40-plus years contributing pivotal research findings to the USDA and other agricultural organizations. During his time with the USDA, Robert was introduced to a colleague who was fascinated by the power of mycorrhizal fungi and their ability to keep pathogens at bay. Their conversation ignited Robert’s pursuit to understand mycorrhizae symbiosis.

Throughout the episode, John and Robert discuss the benefits of building up antagonistic organisms in the soil to create a disease suppressive environment, allowing crops to thrive. In addition to other educated approaches to battling pathogens in your soil, Robert also takes listeners into a deep dive of the Ashburner System, telling the story of how one Australian avocado grower utilized a mycorrhizal fungi strategy—without even knowing it—to suppress phytophthora outbreak across his orchard. 

“Farms, whether they're seeding or transplanting or planting bulbs or whatever, need to treat that material where the infection is going to happen…to have something there waiting for the pathogen when it tries to get into the plant is the best chance. It's like immunizing a child for infections that might come. You build up some kind of resistance and the resistance is in a biological form.” -Linderman

Robert and John also discuss the thoughtful inoculation of propagules, mycorrhizal fungi’s effect on photosynthesis, concerns about single factor analysis found in agricultural research, and the true price of the “instant gratification” chemical fix.

In this episode of the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, John interviews Loran Steinlage of Flolo Farms in Iowa. They discuss his experience in relay cropping, interseeding, cover crops, and controlled traffic farming. Loran grows grain crops for seed, has implemented youth programs on the farm, and has experimented with 60-inch corn. Listen for practical advice from a current grain farmer. 

Loran grew up planning to be a livestock farmer like his father, but was hit by a semi at the age of 14, causing him to change his plans. Today Loran grows corn, beans, wheat, rye, barley, buckwheat, sunflowers, and oats. Typically, they do relay cropping and interseeding, though this year they have not been able to do relay cropping due to a freeze in May of their cereal crops. 

In 2006 Loran began interseeding while his whole farm was corn on corn. Through interseeding, he found his way into cover crops and relay cropping. In the fall there are cereal crops such as winter wheat, rye, spring malt barley, or oats. Loran watches for stand quality, sometimes rolling over into corn if the stands aren’t good enough. Otherwise, he sows soybeans at the normal time. Loran uses a 30-inch planter to give more room for the combine. In July winter wheat is harvested, then cereal rye, then malt barley. If there is a window with good weather, they add buckwheat and harvest it and the soybean crop together. 

Loran’s method has long been to focus on seed quality for economic viability. Uniform emergence is the key that ensures all the heads mature at the same time for a high-quality harvest. Once cereal crops dry and re-wet, germination quality goes down, so they try to harvest the cereal as it dries. For a few years, they were making $7-$8 per bushel on malt barley. Food grade wheat can earn a $2-$3 premium, but with grain cleaners the value can be almost doubled. Loran receives a minimum of $10 for cereal rye seed. He utilizes controlled traffic and stays on the tramlines to avoid creating compaction or driving on the crop. 

Controlled traffic has great results in a field, but it requires more forethought and careful management to be successful so it has not been widely adopted. Even if there’s a small yield loss, Loran avoids straying from the tramlines as much as possible. About 5 or 10 farmers participated in a tramline study with Bob Recker, with only Loran interseeding cover crops. The extra biomass in the tramlines was very valuable, and a 60-inch gap provided extremely high quality cover crops. Bob Recker did further testing of his “barcode plot” and saw that the 60-inch gap was significantly better than the 30-inch gap for cover crop production. This year, he plans to relay cereal crops into standing 60-inch corn, which in his experience has yielded equivalent or better to 30-inch corn. He attributes some of that to having a precise planter. He also questions if yield should be the ultimate goal. Loran believes growers around him who sacrifice some yield for grazing days can attain 2-3 months of grazing instead of one, which can substantially lower feed costs. 

Loran believes kids belong in agriculture today, and that it isn’t happening enough. He believes in self-education and the importance of allowing kids to learn on-farm, rather than going off to college. In pursuit of this goal, Loran’s started a 4-H program on his farm and increased field days. Having the children working with soil scientists can inspire them so they want to enter the field, and he’s seen some success stories already. He thinks that more people need to step out of the way and let young people take their place. 

Loran sees the future of agriculture being focused on niche markets. He wants people to build an operation to fill voids in the market, rather than taking other people’s ideas and trying to make them fit their operation. He would change government intervention in agriculture if he could. If inherent risk was returned to farming, he believes competition and innovation would return. He also wants people to learn more about practices used after the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression and to combine those with current knowledge to improve fertility and soil health. 

Resources:The Steinlage Way Loran Steinlage on Twitter Growing Crops 365 Days a Year - Loran Steinlage Corn Maverick: Cracking the Mystery of 60-Inch Rows Jill Clapperton, Rhizoterra

In this episode of the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, John interviews Professor Richard Mulvaney from the University of Illinois. Dr. Mulvaney is a prolific soil fertility scientist and researcher with many published papers relating to nitrogen and potassium uptake in crops. His work with Dr. Saeed Khan led to the development of the Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test (ISNT). John and Dr. Mulvaney discuss nitrogen uptake in crops, how soil should provide most of the needed nitrogen, and the fallacy that applying nitrogen builds soil organic matter. He also describes the “potassium paradox”, how significant amounts of potassium are available from the soil, and the damaging cycle that is created when applying potash. 

Nitrogen Fertilization (00:00:53)Dr. Mulvaney began working in soil fertility in the 1980s with a focus on minimizing nitrogen fertilizer loss to increase crop uptake, specifically in regard to the isotope N-15. In collaboration with Dr. Saeed Khan in the 1990s, he found evidence that in some cases, fertilizer nitrogen on corn has no statistically significant response. At the time, most soil scientists were operating with the assumption that the optimal amount of fertilizer nitrogen is found by multiplying 1.2 times an expected yield goal, then deducting nitrogen credits such as a previous legume. In a project in Illinois studying on-farm plots, around 33 of 75 studied sites showed no significant response to fertilizer nitrogen, a finding inconsistent with the 1.2 method. The unfertilized yields, or check yields, were very high and not significantly increased with an application of nitrogen. Thus, Dr. Mulvaney hypothesized that the 1.2 calculation might not be as reliable as previously thought. Dr. Khan and Dr. Mulvaney conducted research to determine the difference between plots used in that study that were responsive and those that were unresponsive to fertilizer nitrogen applications. His wife noted that while soil scientists understand how carbon in plants is heterogeneous and decomposes at different rates, they assume that nitrogen is all the same. Examining the differences within nitrogen forms made clear that the plants at the non-responsive sites had sufficient levels of nitrogen available from the soil and so did not need nitrogen fertilizer applications. Using diffusion on the soil samples from the same study, they found that non-responsive soils were consistently testing higher in amino sugar nitrogen. 

The prevailing thought at the time was that fertilizer is the primary source of nitrogen for crop uptake, especially for corn. However, Mulvaney’s and Khan’s data shows that at least two thirds of the nitrogen in the crop at harvest is supplied from the soils, rather than from applied fertilizer nitrogen. In soils with higher amounts of amino sugar nitrogen, applications of fertilizer nitrogen are a waste of money because most or all of the nitrogen is supplied by the soil. It follows that measured soil nitrogen is only correlated with crop response to applied nitrogen when soil tests measure amino sugar nitrogen. 

The 1.2 method was developed from research trials on static plots. These corn plots received the same fertilizer treatments each year. On the unfertilized plots, corn used the nutrients from the soil with no nitrogen fertilizer added. Microbes will also use nitrogen from the soil to break down crop residues, depleting the following crop of nitrogen and depressing yields. The depletion of nitrogen resulting in depressed yields on the unfertilized plots makes the fertilizer effect appear more dramatic in comparison. Because the 1.2 method is based on static plots, it and its related assumptions are invalid when applied to farmer fields. Similarly, the assumption that one-third of the nitrogen will come from the soil is incorrect. In reality, two-thirds of the nitrogen is supplied from soils and only one third or less comes from fertilizer. These misconceptions have misled growers on the importance of nitrogen applications. 

Because soil is the primary source of nitrogen for crop uptake, soils should be tested to determine how much nitrogen fertilizer should be applied. Dr. Mulvaney and Dr. Khan developed the Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test (ISNT) to estimate the amino sugar fraction for variable-rate nitrogen application recommendations. A former student of Dr. Mulvaney runs the lab at Cropsmith, where the Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test is available. 

Expansion on Amino Sugar Nitrogen (00:24:15)Amino sugars are an organic form of nitrogen produced by microbial activity. They occur in microbial cell walls, spores, and in chitin. The bacterial cell walls are more decomposable. Nitrogen shows up in asparagine and glutamine, essential amino acids, which contain one nitrogen atom each in the amino group and the amide group, which is prone to break down. It is estimated that 5-10% of soil organic nitrogen is in the form of amino sugars, but Dr. Mulvaney believes it is likely higher. Amino sugar nitrogen, more specifically referred to as alkali hydrolyzable nitrogen, will also increase with more soil biological activity. Manured soils have higher levels of it, and thus have a diminished need for synthetic fertilizer nitrogen. Although his lab has not studied cover crops directly, he believes having active plants in the soil will increase microbial activity and thus the amino sugar nitrogen.  

The Morrow Plots, located at the University of Illinois and established in 1876, are the oldest continuous research plots in North America. They are static plots with three rotations, continuous corn, corn-soybean, and corn-oats-hay. In his research, Dr. Khan noticed that the continuous corn plots were not as healthy and had lower yields than the corn-oats-hay plots, even though the continuous corn plots received significantly more nitrogen fertilizer. The results of the Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test were lower on the continuous corn plots, which shows that synthetic nitrogen fertilizer is not necessarily building soil organic matter. Research comparing samples from 1955, 1967, and 2005 showed decreases in organic matter on the fertilized subplots. Dr. Mulvaney explains that the fertilizer actually “burned” organic matter. Carbon metabolism requires nitrogen, in a ratio of about 7 carbon to 1 nitrogen, so microbes can only access carbon from crop residue with nitrogen availability. When the microbes have too much nitrogen, they burn off the excess carbon as carbon dioxide rather than building soil organic matter. Additionally, conventional fertilizers have an oxidizing effect on soil microbial communities and stimulate respiration, which releases carbon from the soil as carbon dioxide. 

Dr. Mulvaney notes that William Albrecht published a paper in 1938 in a handbook from the USDA where he stated that adequate nitrogen is needed to build organic matter. Later that year, Albrecht published an article in the Soil Science Society of America Proceedings based on results which showed that unfertilized plots had gained organic matter while fertilized plots had lost it. Albrecht never again said adequate nitrogen is needed. 

Potassium Paradox (0:43:40)Dr. Mulvaney worked with Dr. Khan, an expert on potassium, to write papers on the potassium paradox. He was doing soil testing for potassium on the South Farm at Illinois, testing from the surface plow layer to about seven inches into the soil. The unfertilized plots increased in their average potassium levels, leading to the realization that the soil was releasing potassium. There are about 40,000 pounds of potassium per acre in just the top six inches of many Midwestern soils. A review of numerous potassium studies showed that there is no significant yield increase from potash fertilization. Clay layers, mostly found in the subsoil rather than the plow layer, hold significant quantities of potassium. When the plant roots reach those lower levels, they find large quantities of potassium that they extract with the biological functions of the root system. 

Because potassium is a major plant cation, there are high levels of soluble potassium carbonate in crop residue. Salts are leached from crop residue during rainfall, resulting in most of the potassium in a corn crop returning to the soil and making potassium fertilization unnecessary. Potassium is also fixed in the clay due to its size, leading to high potassium retention in clay layers with sufficient moisture. These factors lead to sufficient potassium levels in the soil. A German researcher, Mengel, performed a greenhouse study where he removed the clay fraction from soil, and potassium uptake was still high. This led to the idea that potassium in the clay layers is unavailable to plants, but Dr. Mulvaney disagrees. He finds that the plants are able to make the potassium available by producing acids. Soil testers measure the exchangeable potassium in soils, and do not measure the non-exchangeable and mineral potassium. This means that they will underestimate the available potassium and will recommend potassium fertilization, though it may not be necessary. As further evidence that potassium fertilization is typically unnecessary, Dr. Mulvaney refers to Cyril Hopkins, a 20th-century soil scientist, who claimed that potassium is not a necessary input because the soil already contains enough. 

The potassium paradox is based on the fact that applying potash to soil makes potassium less available by collapsing the clay layers. To demonstrate, Dr. Mulvaney tells a story about a fertilizer dealer who applied potassium to soils that had tested low for potassium. When they re-tested the field, the potassium levels were even lower. They assumed they had the wrong field, re-applied potassium on the same field, and again found lower potassium levels afterward. Thus, applying potassium can worsen potassium deficiency. 

Dr. Mulvaney advises growers to use the Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test or another similar test. It doesn’t test for nitrate, which is dynamic, but tests a more stable nitrogen, specifically amino sugar nitrogen. This allows many growers to save money on purchased inputs such as nitrogen fertilizer if they do not need it.  Rather than soil testing for potassium, he recommends strip trials comparing strips with no potassium fertilizer and strips with a small amount, as large amounts are never necessary. He also recommends using sulfate for potassium fertilizer, rather than Muriate of Potash, because the chloride content in Muriate of Potash diminishes nitrate uptake. 

Resources:

• Richard Mulvaney, Professor
• Cropsmith
• Solvita, invented by Will Brinton
• Solvita SLAN Test
• Rhizophagy Cycle: An Oxidative Process in Plants for Nutrient Extraction from Symbiotic Microbes by James White
• Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal
• Dr. Mulvaney’s Research
• The Potassium Paradox, Mulvaney and Khan
• Morrow Plots
• William Albrecht, “Loss of Soil Organic Matter and Its Restoration” 1938
• William Albrecht, Variable Levels of Biological Activity in Sanborn Field after Fifty Years of Treatment
• Mengel paper, 1994
• Bulletin No. 182 “Potassium From the Soil” Cyril Hopkins 

In this episode of the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, John interviews Dr. David Johnson, a New Mexico State University research scientist, Adjunct Professor for the College of Agriculture at Chico State, and Faculty Affiliate for the Center for Regenerative Agriculture. His research clearly outlines the importance of managing the ratio between fungal and bacterial populations in the soil for plant productivity and carbon sequestration. During his research on the salinity of manure compost, Dr. Johnson and his wife, Hui-Chun Su, developed the BEAM Soil Compost Bioreactor which develops compost with high fungal populations. John and Dr. Johnson discuss carbon cycling and the capacity of biology to sequester carbon and build soil organic matter. The conversation provides a fascinating look at the role of carbon dioxide in agriculture and the environment, how the ratio of fungal to bacterial populations in the soil are key to carbon cycling, and the methodology growers can employ to actively increase soil organic matter while decreasing costs. 

Carbon Sequestration (00:02:00)Dr. Johnson explains that high concentrations of carbon dioxide are problematic due to the impact on the climate, increasing the global temperature, rather than the impact of CO2 on plants, which like high concentrations of carbon. Due to those effects, carbon sequestration must be part of sustainable agriculture. John mentions that he has seen organic matter gains in the fields of half a percentage point per year, a very rapid improvement. Dr. Johnson believes that rate is possible, but only with cattle or other grazers in the system. In his experiments based solely on biology, he sees a little over a quarter of a percentage point per year increase in soil organic matter, or 10 tons of carbon per hectare. 

The Microbial Community (00:08:00) In order to realize these significant results in building soil organic matter, Dr. Johnson says the microbial community must be balanced. The microbes cycle carbon, improve carbon use efficiency, and create a healthy soil system. Plowing and the use of biocides destroy fungal populations, so those need to be restored in order for soils to function appropriately. John references a slide in one of Dr. Johnson’s presentations comparing fungal to bacterial biomass ratios and the partitioning of the photosynthates. The explanation is based on an experiment with compost made in the BEAM bioreactor, where fungal dominant soils were shown to utilize five times the amount of carbon in the plants than bacterial dominant soils. An average of 11% of carbon captured by a plant goes into the root, shoot, or fruit of the plant in most agricultural systems today, but in a fungal dominant soil, 55% of the captured carbon can be partitioned into the plant rather than into the soil. This can dramatically affect plant productivity and growth. Maximum productivity and carbon capture happen when the fungal to bacterial ratio is one to one, which also causes soil respiration to decrease. There can be increased crop biomass as well as more organic matter in the soil. Dr. Johnson notices that as fungal populations in the soil are restored, farmers are often happier. About 60% of a crop must be left to effectively rebuild the soil even after the soil microbes are in balance, rather than 100% removal. 

Balanced Systems (00:27:00) Dr. Johnson explains that having the right microbes is a necessary first step towards building soil health, but is not the complete solution. The compost his team uses as an inoculant has over 2,500 species of bacteria and over 400 species of fungi, archaea, viruses, and more. That is a balanced community of varied microbes. The energy flow and carbon flow is also critical, and the photosynthetic rate must be increased. All of those work together to make a much more efficient, restored system. When the soil biology is in balance, the microbes can make the elemental nutrients available for the plant. That takes out the human guesswork of trying to figure out how much of each nutrient is needed. In a corn trial, the amount of applied nitrogen was decreased to 15%, or about 37 lb. per acre, and two lb. of compost per acre were added. The result was a small decrease in productivity in the first year and $80 more an acre in profits. Although only 37 lb. of nitrogen per acre were applied, 261 units of nitrogen were measured in the soil, compared to the control of 256 lb. of nitrogen. The nitrogen was made available from the soil system rather than as a purchased input. Dr. Johnson believes that healthy soil biology leads to a resilient system. He has seen dramatic changes in water absorption and retention when cover crops are used and soil biology is improved. In compacted soil, it took 10 minutes for an inch of water to infiltrate, and it now takes only seconds for that same inch of water. The first 1% increase in soil carbon is associated with a five times increase in the amount of water the soil can hold. Agriculture currently uses 70 to 80% of the freshwater on the planet, but utilizing these methods can double crop productivity and save water.

Importance of Observation (00:43:00)Dr.  Johnson explains that the information he has discussed so far was not the primary goal of his research. He was seeking a way to compost dairy manure, and his research serendipitously led him to this information. He believes that holding on to traditional methodologies is an obstacle, and that the farming of the future must be based on regular observation and be open to change. Farming for 40 years provides 40 different experiences, so paying close attention is the best way to improve. Resources he recommends include Chico’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture, John Kempf’s blog, Gabe Brown, Ray Archuleta, Allen Williams, and Will Harris. His final thought for listeners is to look at soils as a living organism, pay close attention to biology, utilize observation, and to transition to a system of regenerative agriculture to rebuild the soils. Dr. Johnson has seen that it’s possible to rebuild soils and that it has the ability to make farming fun again.  

Resources:

• Dr. Johnson’s Bio
• Chico Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems
• John Kempf’s Blog
• Gabe Brown’s Ranch
• Understanding Ag, Ray Archuleta, Gabe Brown, Allen Williams 
• Will Harris
• Dr. Johnson’s Research Paper “Development of soil microbial communities for promoting
• sustainability in agriculture and a global carbon fix”
• Dr. Johnson’s Seminar at Chico State with referenced slide at 23:00

In this episode of the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, John interviews Zach Bush MD, an educator and a triple board-certified physician who specializes in internal medicine, endocrinology, and hospice care. Zach brings his understanding of the systemic challenges in pharmaceuticals and farming to non-profits such as Farmer’s Footprint and Non-Toxic Neighborhoods, where he works to create collaborative communities to solve these human and environmental problems. In this episode, John and Zach discuss the challenging problem of glyphosate. Zach describes the research showing the ramifications of this phosphonate compound and provides clear insights into the science of the problem before returning to an optimistic vision of regenerative agriculture as a solution. 

Glyphosate/Roundup (around 00:02)With Zach’s background in chemotherapy and cancer research, he was on the front lines in 2005 when it was discovered that the gut microbiome, made up of fungi and bacteria, has a significant impact on whether and how cancer affects people. Joining other researchers, he began to learn the importance of supporting beneficial fungi and bacteria and realized that glyphosate damages the microbiome. Zach explains that glyphosate was originally deemed safe due to the fact that it blocked the shikimate pathway, which does not exist in humans or animals. However, in time it was discovered that glyphosate limits access to some essential amino acids needed by humans for microbiome resilience. Zach says that glyphosate targets protein structures in human cells which can lead to a leak in the gut lining, furthering chronic inflammation. He says that some widespread chronic diseases, such as asthma, Alzheimer’s, and cancer, can be traced to gut disruption and inflammation linked to glyphosate use. 

Zach references the statistic that the Mississippi River collects 80-85% of the water-soluble residues of Roundup. The last stretch of the river is referred to as “Cancer Alley” because the surrounding regions have the highest rates of cancer in the world. When glyphosate was first widely used, it was thought of as safer than the chemistries it replaced because those were known carcinogens. What we’re seeing now, a generation of 25 years later, is that vegetables can have high enough levels of glyphosate concentrations to lead to leaky gut, which is not fully explained by historical definitions of toxicity. In addition, Zach explains that there is an epidemic of autoimmune and neurological disorders that can be attributed to glyphosate. From a study done on mice, Zach knows there are cumulative epigenetic effects of Roundup. If a first-generation is exposed to Roundup, the second generation does not need to be exposed directly to have disorders, immune dysfunction, and a shortened lifespan. The third generation of mice in the study experienced cancers and stillbirths, still without direct exposure. Chronic diseases in children have been increasing exponentially, and Zach expects that trend to continue according to the models developed from this research. 

Sixth Extinction (Around 00:20)John asks Zach to elaborate on the prediction that the human population will go extinct in 70 years. Zach bases this prediction on the rise of chronic disease combined with decreasing fertility. He cites the statistic that about 1 in 3 men and women are infertile. Zach explains how we are creating the sixth extinction event by destroying soils, increasing greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere, acidifying the oceans, and other modern phenomena. 

The Research(Around 25:00) Zach mentions that he is currently working on a book that covers this perspective. For current material, Zach recommends Stephanie Seneff’s research correlating glyphosate to chronic disease epidemics. In the last seven years, Zach’s lab has been working on the causation aspect, with that research available on ionbiome.com. 

Zach’s lab has shown that glyphosate disrupts the tight junctions that act as intelligent gatekeepers in a cell while inducing cells to show precancerous attributes.  White papers are available on his website for multiple studies he’s been involved in, including one showing that gluten intolerance is actually glyphosate toxicity. Zach has noticed a great increase in immune dysfunction, especially in children, which he attributes to the leaky gut injury caused by glyphosate. He sees this as evidence that we are destroying our ecosystem. John recalls the prediction that within 60 years we will run out of topsoil, and Zach notices that is very close to the 70-year prediction for extinction. Zach finds it very important that we regenerate soils. He says 11% of GDP is lost each year with the loss of topsoil and hopes this might motivate larger groups of people to switch to a regenerative system because it is a notable financial statistic.

Other Pesticides, Endocrine Disruption(around 41:00)The impact of pesticides on the endocrine system works in conjunction with the damage already done with glyphosate and can affect kidney and liver function. Zach explains that the decrease in fertility and increases in chronic diseases are also results of endocrine disruption by pesticides and other chemicals. In the process of filming the Farmer’s Footprint documentary, Zach and his team noticed that rare disorders and dysfunction were unusually common in the farming community. Rather than seeing the increase in suicide and depression in farmers as a result of financial hardship, Zach sees it as a result of glyphosate impacting gut health and contributing to mood disorders. In addition, farmers are not eating healthy, nourishing homegrown food. 90% of the land in Kansas is used for agriculture, yet 90% of the Kansas food supply is imported. A large portion of the crops grown in large-scale agriculture do not become a part of the food supply but are grown for animal feed or other products. Both Zach and John agree that the midwest is largely a food desert, as societal and economic shifts have forced the agricultural sector to specialize and centralize production. 

The Solution (00:58)Zach is excited that regenerative agriculture has a comparatively rapid effect on soil health, farm profitability, and on rebuilding communities. Farmers can begin to work on becoming healthier as individuals by growing their own food and eating a varied diet. Zach describes a product he has available called Ion Biome which utilizes soil redox chemistry to fix the damage done to the microbiome by glyphosate. 

John asks Zach what he believes is necessary for food to be medicine. Zach’s reply is that fiber is critical and that a balanced diet with nutrient-dense root vegetables, fruit, and cruciferous vegetables allows one to treat food as medicine. He also finds it important to eat food that is freshly picked, such as a tomato right off the vine, with its microbiome still intact. Zach thinks it can be really beautiful when farmers connect with their land again as regenerative farmers and recognize the importance to co-create along with Mother Nature. 

Resources:

• Ion Biome
• Zach’s Research
• Zach’s Website
• Farmer’s Footprint
• Stephanie Seneff
• Non-Toxic Neighborhoods

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In this episode of the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, John interviews Joel Salatin, a well-known lecturer and author and the co-owner of Polyface Farms in Swoope, Virginia. Polyface Farms is a “diversified, grass-based, beyond organic, direct marketing farm”. Joel is well-known for his highly engaging public speaking style and is the author of twelve books relating his experience as a self-described ‘lunatic farmer’. In this episode of the podcast, we visit the challenges of mainstream, conventional agriculture through Joel’s paradigm-shifting lens, and learn why farmers are beginning to shift to a regenerative model. Joel also describes how farmers can learn the skills of marketing, communications, and public speaking, and broaches the uncomfortable topic of planning for farm inheritance and succession. 

Joel’s worldview, informed by both real-world experience and immersion in a broad range of literature from philosophy, history, and religion, to current events and business, forms the foundation of his farming practices. Joel states that deep soils were not built with 10-10-10 chemical fertilizer, but rather built with real-time solar energy converted to carbon and vegetation that rots or is eaten and manured in place. Joel describes why he does not believe such organizations as McDonald’s or Monsanto are evil, but rather thinks they have misguided beliefs concerning ecological systems and food production. Most often, employees at these organizations truly believe they are helping the world. While their understanding of agricultural processes is wrong, they are not ill-intentioned. The ability to understand the opposition is an important skill Joel developed in high school debate tournaments that helps him to build bridges with those who see agriculture differently than he does. 

Joel and John discuss how most farmers desire to better their land and none have the intention to degrade the soil. Yet, many farmers continue to practice mainstream agriculture with its soil-degrading effects. Joel explains that for farmers to change their practices, often they need to face a crisis. He describes how the symbol for “crisis” in Japanese is the same as the symbol for “opportunity”. He sees crises as an opportunity for farmers to move towards more productive, regenerative practices. Joel also describes how we can elicit broader societal change to where regenerative farmers are viewed as the heroes within their communities.

The benchmark of success most used in farming is yield. Farmers also consider equipment and infrastructure as benchmarks of success. Joel’s take is that neither of these are a determinant of financial success or farm profitability. He relates an anecdote from his early years when his father, a tax preparer for the neighboring farming operations, mentioned that their own threadbare family farm was more financially stable than those farmers with large and fancy equipment and expensive facilities. 

Joel believes the mantra that farmers must feed the world is a fallacy that encourages detrimental practices and unsustainable agriculture. The coronavirus pandemic has sharply defined the need for communities to be able to feed themselves and has placed a spotlight on the drawbacks of the current centralized system. Joel describes his belief in an intelligent creator who has loaned the world to us as an investment. In his words, no investor would accept dead zones, pollution, and species extinction. Thus, it is our responsibility to improve the land and help it become more fertile year after year. Seeing the world as an investment helps people to treat it well rather than deplete its resources for unsustainable growth. 

The dysfunction of the current system is evidenced by the statistic that small-scale agriculture produces 70% of the global food supply with 30% of the inputs while the other 30% of the food supply is produced using 70% of the inputs. Joel makes the distinction that the size of a farming operation is not a determining factor in how regenerative or sustainable that farm can be. Rather, the sustainability of a farm can be rated on how centralized the operation is. He describes the growth of Polyface Farm as growth by duplication, rather than centralization. Although his farm is considered a large farm by the USDA, it has a small-farm feel partly due to his method of decentralizing 100,000 chickens in 300 field shelters on pasture rather than concentrating them in two giant poultry houses. He considers the ecological carrying capacity of the land when expanding, ensuring the land can absorb the livestock manure. Decentralized systems are much more resilient and much less smelly than concentrated, centralized systems. Although he cannot predict the future, Joel is certain that building healthy soil will stand the test of time. He emphasizes that an agricultural system of the future must be integrated, regionally focused, and full of complex relationships, and that it will be human and soil oriented. 

Joel describes the profitability of growing corn versus a grass-fed beef production. Land that grows 100 bushels an acre of corn would produce grass that could support 400 cow days per year. He calculates that, no matter the price of cattle, there is approximately $300 per acre net profit for grass-fed beef, a profit never realized by corn farmers. However, very few of the farmers have actually shifted their production. That is because it is difficult for humans to make such a large change and admit to themselves that a new method could be better than their current practices. Farmer’s identities are based around what they grow and how they grow it, so it is very challenging for change to occur. The truth, though, is that farmers must adapt or die. It may require a new generation of farmers for the needed change to happen. 

Joel raises the uncomfortable topic of farm succession. Estate planning is especially difficult for farmers due to their love for the land. The average age of a farmer today is 65, so about 50% of America’s farmland will shift in ownership in the next 15 years. At the same time, there are many young people hoping to enter the sector. While Joel has explored ways to connect young people with aging farmers who are looking for a successor, he also enforces the value of low-capital and mobile systems to help young people get started. The average American farm has $4.00 of depreciable equity for $1.00 in annual gross sales. At Polyface Farms, this ratio is $0.50 to $1.00. This more nimble style of agriculture requires no land equity, as mobile systems can be placed on land not owned by the farmer. Low-capital systems are becoming very important as young people gain the necessary experience, skills, and knowledge to start up a successful farming venture. 

The practice of equal inheritance of farmland is a concept Joel discourages. His view is that farmland should be inherited by the person who has been stewarding the land. When the child who stayed home and held the farm together is given an equal inheritance with their siblings who pursued other careers, they must buy out their siblings to keep the farm which is an unfair burden. These conversations often don’t happen, but they are necessary for families to have. As Joel jokes, “Why should I die on my tractor so my kids can run off to Las Vegas with my money?”

This episode is a long conversation examining the importance of being well-informed and focusing on soil health and profitability above yields. Listen to gain a better understanding of the future of agriculture and what it will take to get there. 

Resources:Joel’s Bio

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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 [email protected] or call 800-495-6603 to be connected with a dedicated AEA crop consultant.

In this episode of the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, John interviews Dr. Rattan Lal, an acclaimed soil scientist, researcher, and author. Dr. Lal has published hundreds of journal articles on soil ecosystems, effects of tillage, global food security, sequestering carbon in the soil, and more. In the early 1990s, Dr. Lal was a pioneer of the now mainstream idea that healthy soils are a defense against rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, leading groundbreaking research in Africa and later in South America.  After a long and storied career, he is currently the Director of the CFAES Carbon Management and Sequestration Center, where he works with graduate students to research soil carbon sequestration and climate change. In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Lal provides an in-depth description of the function of carbon. 

Carbon is the determinant of healthy soil. As Dr. Lal describes, the reason that soil life is much more diverse in healthy soil is because organic carbon is the food for soil organisms. Thus, the healthier the soil, the higher the percentage of organic carbon, providing more diverse populations with the ability to thrive. This is also why, if crop residue isn’t returned to the soil frequently, the soil organisms will starve and the soil will eventually die. By dying, Dr. Lal means the soil will no longer contain enough living organisms to carry on the biogeochemical and biogeophysical processes needed for healthy plant growth. 

Dr. Lal outlines the concentrations of organic carbon in the soil, which should be approximately 2% in the top 8 to 12 inches. Maintaining this level of soil carbon is essential for water retention and for controlling soil erosion and leaching. It’s also critical for nutrient cycling and improved soil structure. Dr. Lal states that CNPK should be the slogan for the application of elements, rather than NPK because carbon is such a critical component of a healthy soil system.

Dr. Lal details how carbon is essential for the utilization of the nutrients in the soil, whether they are native or applied, and illustrates the management of soil carbon levels by describing it in similar terms to managing a bank account. In a bank account, the goal is to increase the savings, and therefore what is deposited into the bank must always be more than what is withdrawn from the bank. Soil is exactly the same way. If we want the organic matter to increase in the soil, what we put in as a biomass carbon must be more than what is taken out. 

We lose carbon from the soil for four different reasons. These reasons are erosion, leaching, decomposition, and volatilization. It’s important to know the amount of carbon loss happening from the soil so we can add a sufficient amount of biomass carbon back to the soil. The efficiency of humidification is about 15-20%, meaning the carbon added into the soil after harvest is 15 -20% of the original biomass after one year.

Dr. Lal says that the ratio of carbon to nitrogen in corn or wheat residue is approximately 80:100, while the carbon to nitrogen ratio of humus is 12:15. That means the humus is more enriched in nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. Therefore, to make the most efficient use of the added biomass, microbes need nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, and other elements to transform the residue carbon into humus carbon. In an experiment on Dr. Lal’s current Columbus, OH research farm, he developed four plots with 4, 8, 12, or 16 tons of biomass per hectare respectively. He then cut each plot into two and added extra nitrogen and phosphorus on the one side of the plot and no additional nutrients on the other side. The results showed the percentage of residue converted into stable humus is substantially increased when extra nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients are added then when there are none.

Dr. Lal also describes his thoughts on providing farmers with compensation for ecosystem services. As a society, we could ask farmers to provide services to the global community such as carbon sequestration and the improvement of water quality. Dr. Lal believes society should be willing to compensate farmers for these services. He describes how he’s calculated the cost farmers should be paid and has determined a baseline of $16 per acre per year by calculating in terms of tons of carbon and the worth of that carbon ($125 per ton) sequestered in soil as organic matter. Dr. Lal’s outlined system of ecosystem services is not similar to a subsidy but is rather a payment earned for services performed. Dr. Lal also describes the necessity of passing a Healthy Soil Act. Similar to the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, the Healthy Soil Act would be critically important to human health and to the slowing of climate change. Dr. Lal believes the passage of this act is especially critical because of the impact soil has on both air and water. Soil is the link between the atmosphere, the environment, plants, animals, and people.

This episode is densely packed with information about soil health and how to achieve it, not only for farmers but also for policymakers and educators. As Dr. Lal says in his closing remarks, "Agriculture, if done properly, has to be a solution to environmental issues.”

Resources:

• Dr. Rattan Lal, Soil Rock Star
• Societal Value of Soil Carbon journal article
• Rights of Soil journal article

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 [email protected] or call 800-495-6603 to be connected with a dedicated AEA crop consultant.

In this episode of the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, John Kempf interviews Ray Archuleta, an outspoken proponent of healthy soil systems and the founder of Understanding Ag and the Soil Health Academy. Ray has spent decades working in conservation agriculture and, in this episode, he describes his journey from seeing nature as a competitive entity, in which all else should be killed in order for the desired crop to survive, to his understanding today that nature thrives on diversity and collaboration. 

Ray describes how new science and technology have identified many examples of collaboration in agroecology, like arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which share water resources and transport energy and nutrients from organism to organism. Even under stress conditions, these microbes provide water to the plant, an example of nature sharing resources rather than competing. He provides examples of research that illustrate fields with a diversity of species showing greater resilience and yields than monoculture plantings.

Ray attended graduate school at New Mexico State University, after which he served as a livestock specialist in the Peace Corps and then as a conservation agronomist with the NRCS. During Ray’s early years working in conservation agriculture, he started asking difficult questions: “Why is sediment the number one water quality problem in the nation? Why does it take so many acres to make a living?” Through these questions and more, reading books such as Allan Savory’s Holistic Management, and coming to Gabe Brown’s ranch in 2007, Ray had revelatory moments, realizing that robust soil ecology is the key to solving many of the challenges plaguing farms today.

On Gabe’s farm, Ray observed an ideal example of a thriving ecology. When he realized the crops had received no support from nitrogen or chemical fertility applications, he began to dig deep, looking for research that would explain how this ecosystem was working. What he found was that nature thrives when collaborations between compatible organisms are fostered, illustrated not only in agronomic studies such as Brown University’s paper on Stress Gradient Hypothesis but also in the real-world operations of early-adopting farmers.

John and Ray describe the collaboration taking place between plants, microbes, and bacteria in a healthy ecosystem as descriptive of a larger collaboration between farmers who are practicing these methods and sharing their information with other growers. Ray describes his own journey from viewing farming as drudgery to learning how the relationship between the living organisms works and feeling like he was a part of that relationship. 

The conversation takes a deep dive into this farmer-soil-plant relationship, providing growers with the history of the soil health movement, the roles that policy, society, and agriculture play in the broader global health context, and the encouraging view on the vast gains that have been made in the field of soil health since the beginning of Ray’s career as a soil conservationist thirty years ago.

Resources:

• Understanding Ag
• The Soil Health Academy
• The Stress Gradient Hypothesis
• Holistic Management by Allan Savory
• Gabe Brown’s Ranch

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 [email protected] or call 800-495-6603 to be connected with a dedicated AEA crop consultant.