Acres U.S.A.: Tractor Time

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On this episode of ‘The Acres U.S.A. Podcast’ Taylor Henry sits down with Monte Bottens, a fifth-generation Illinois farmer who manages over 2000 acres and operates multiple agricultural businesses. Monty discusses his journey from conventional farming to regenerative practices, his ventures such as Ag Solutions Network and the insights he gained from his experiences in both Illinois and California. Learn about the challenges and successes in soil health improvement, integrating livestock, direct-to-consumer sales, and the potential of virtual fencing. This episode is filled with valuable tips and stories for anyone interested in sustainable and profitable farming practices.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

Bottens Family Farms Website: https://www.bottens.com/

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In this episode of the Acres U.S.A. Podcast host Taylor Henry dives deep into the world of sustainable and regenerative farming practices, with a special focus on the economic challenges and innovative solutions within the industry. Joined by Joel Hollingsworth, owner of Smoke River Ranch, the conversation explores a multitude of topics—from the intricacies of herd share programs and the macroeconomic impacts of trade policies to advanced high-density grazing techniques and the transformative potential of nutrient-dense food production. Joel shares his unique approach to transitioning traditional ranches to regenerative systems, shedding light on how economic viability can be achieved through community-supported herds and adaptive grazing practices. Learn about the importance of supporting tariffs to address trade imbalances, the role of hard money and asset diversification, and the exciting advances in nutrient testing technology that promise to revolutionize the agricultural sector. Don't miss this insightful discussion packed with practical advice, visionary perspectives, and actionable steps for both producers and consumers committed to a sustainable farming future.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

‘Soil and Money’ Article: https://www.theamericantribune.news/p/soil-and-money

Smoke River Ranch Website: https://www.smokeriverranch.com/

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In this episode of The Acres U.S.A. podcast, host Taylor Henry sits down with homesteaders Sean and Beth Dougherty to discuss their journey into regenerative farming and sustainable living. Tune in as they share their experiences from starting on 'junk' land to creating a thriving farm that produces 90-95% of their food. Learn about the principles that have guided their success, the books and authors who inspired them, and the practical tips for homesteading, including livestock management and ecosystem-based farming. Whether you're an aspiring homesteader or simply curious about sustainable agriculture, this conversation offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

‘The Independent Farmstead”: https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/independent-farmstead?_pos=1&_sid=7b771d85a&_ss=r

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Join us in this episode of The Acres U.S.A. Podcast, hosted by Taylor Henry, as we dive deep into sustainable farming and regenerative agricultural practices with renowned experts Steve Campbell and Dr. Will Winter. Steve shares his journey from ranching in Idaho to discovering the transformative effects of nutrition and grass finishing on livestock. Will recounts his evolution from conventional livestock practices in Kansas to founding a holistic veterinary practice. They cover a wide array of topics, including the importance of mineralization, the impact of diet on livestock health, grass finishing techniques, and the role of biological stimulants in improving soil fertility. Be prepared to learn invaluable insights on how to increase the productivity and sustainability of your farming practices. This episode also includes practical advice for young farmers and the significance of niche markets in modern agriculture. Don't miss out on these conversations if you are serious about taking your farming practices to the next level!

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

Dr. Winter’s Website: https://www.willwinter.com/

Steve Campbell’s “Tailor Made Cattle”: https://www.tailormadecattle.com/

https://eco-farming.com/viroquaevent

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Join Taylor Henry, owner and CEO of Acres U.S.A., as he interviews Jason Mauck on the latest episode of The Acres U.S.A. Podcast. This in-depth conversation covers sustainable farming, regenerative practices, and innovative agricultural techniques like relay cropping, using livestock for in-crop grazing, and adapting crop systems for economic resilience. Jason shares his unique approaches to farming, including integrating cattle grazing into crop production and maximizing crop yield with strategic soil management. The episode also previews the upcoming Acres U.S.A. “Farm Weird” Field Day at Jason's farm in Gaston, Indiana on June 21st, featuring speakers John Kemp, Gary Zimmer, and Jason Mauck himself. Don't miss this insightful episode as they explore modern eco-agricultural practices and the future of sustainable farming.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

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Join host Taylor Henry on this episode of The Acres U.S.A. Podcast, as he engages in a deep dive into cover cropping and ecological agriculture with Keith Burns, the owner and founder of Green Cover Seed. Hear about Keith's journey from conventional farming to a focus on multi-species cover crop mixes, the benefits of diverse plantings, and how innovative practices can help improve soil health and resilience. Keith also discusses practical strategies for integrating cover crops, the value of biological soil health, and the potential future of ecological agriculture.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

Green Cover Seed Website: https://store.greencover.com/

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Welcome to the Acres U.S.A. Podcast, hosted by Taylor Henry. In this episode, Taylor is joined by Helen Atthowe, the author of 'The Ecological Farm.' Helen discusses her journey in organic farming, her inspirations, and innovative farming techniques including selective mowing and mulching with perennial species. The conversation also covers the importance of mineral balancing, pest suppression, and creating habitats for beneficial insects in an orchard setting. Helen provides insights into her transition to a semi-retired life, ongoing farm experiments, and her dedication to learning and adapting sustainable farming practices. For anyone interested in sustainable and regenerative farming, this episode offers invaluable insights and practical advice.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

‘The Ecological Farm’ - https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/the-ecological-farm?_pos=3&_sid=c73ee27eb&_ss=r

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Join host Taylor Henry, the owner and CEO of Acres U.S.A., as he sits down with Ari Tessitore on the Acres U.S.A. Podcast. They discuss Ari's entrance into regenerative farming, the challenges faced and lessons learned in establishing a sustainable farm. From navigating land acquisition to the intricacies of organic crop farming and livestock management, Ari shares his journey and insights into balancing innovation with tradition. Tune in to hear about the role of partnerships, the importance of resilience, and the future of eco-agriculture.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

Flynn Creek Farm Website: https://www.flynncreekfarm.com/

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Join Taylor Henry, owner and CEO of Acres U.S.A., in an intriguing conversation with Jordan Green, founder of Farm Builder and a leading expert in practical, scalable livestock farming. Discover the innovative approach of Jordan’s cull cow program, where undervalued cull cows are transformed into high-quality beef, even amidst rising cattle prices. Learn how Jordan applies the 'sell-buy' mindset to maximize profitability and sustainability in farming, and gain practical tips on managing cull cows, marketing ground beef, and navigating the economics of regenerative agriculture. This episode is packed with valuable insights for farmers looking to optimize their operations and embrace regenerative practices.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

Jordan’s Farm Website: https://farmbuilder.us/

‘Farrow to Finish & Marketing School 2025’ Event (Use Code: ACRES to get $50 off) or use this link: https://farmbuild.us/discount/Acres?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Ffarrow-to-finish-marketing-school%3Fvariant%3D15997507371079

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Join host Taylor Henry on the Acres U.S.A. Podcast as he dives into a rich conversation with agronomist Jeffrey Kleypas from Advancing Eco Agriculture. Jeffrey brings a wealth of experience from conventional agronomy to sustainable, regenerative farming. He shares insights on adapting to extreme weather conditions in Texas, transitioning from conventional to eco-agriculture practices, and the importance of soil and plant health in crop production. Learn about the challenges and rewards of regenerative agriculture and discover how to enhance your farming practices while focusing on long-term ecosystem health.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

AEA Website: https://advancingecoag.com/

Jeffrey’s Email: jkleypas@advancingecoag.com

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Throwback to the 2018 Eco-Ag Conference with Dan Kittridge on this episode of the Acres U.S.A. Podcast. Dan, who grew up on an organic farm and has a history with the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA), discusses the development and significance of a handheld spectrometer. This innovative tool can measure the quality of produce by analyzing compounds that influence flavor and nutrient density. Dan also delves into the concept of quality in agriculture, the role of enzymes in plant health, and the broader implications for human and environmental health. Learn how this tool could revolutionize consumer choices, agricultural practices, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

Dan’s Website: https://www.bionutrient.org/

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Join Taylor Henry, owner and CEO of Acres U.S.A., as he chats with Sam Knapp, author of 'Beyond the Root Cellar,' on the latest episode of The Acres U.S.A. Podcast. Sam Knapp shares his journey from an aspiring engineer with degrees in chemistry and physics to a dedicated farmer promoting innovative off-season storage farming. Discover how he maneuvers farming challenges in Alaska's harsh climate, cultivates high-quality storage crops, and manages a profitable market garden on a small acreage. Gain insights into the best crops for winter storage, the technicalities of building a storage facility, and the critical role of proper planning and crop rotation. Don't miss this detailed exploration of sustainable farming practices that ensure fresh, local produce throughout the winter months.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

‘Beyond the Root Cellar”: https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/beyond-the-root-cellar?_pos=1&_sid=e5b04842a&_ss=r

Sam’s Website: https://offbeetalaska.com/

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In this episode of The Acres U.S.A. podcast, host Taylor Henry sits down with Justin Pettit of Santa Carota Beef to discuss the unique aspects of their grass-fed beef operation in Bakersfield, California. Justin shares insights into their history, from feeding cattle carrot byproducts to their current regenerative practices. They delve into challenges and benefits of their unique feeding method, the intricacies of their market and distribution strategies, and the importance of direct-to-consumer sales. Tune in to learn about the nuances of sustainable beef production and the evolution of a multi-generational ranching business.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

Santa Carota Beef Website: https://santacarota.com/

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In this episode of The Acres U.S.A. podcast, hosted by Taylor Henry, we dive deep into the intersection of ecological farming and medicine with Dr. Arden Andersen. Dr. Andersen, a pioneering figure in regenerative agriculture and an experienced physician, shares his unique journey from teaching vocational agriculture to becoming a medical professional. He discusses the critical connection between soil health, plant nutrition, and human health, emphasizing the impact of nutrition on well-being.

The conversation covers a range of topics, including controversial views on childhood vaccinations, the importance of a balanced diet, and the challenges of modern agriculture. Dr. Andersen also highlights the advancements in field testing technology and the future of farm testing. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that intertwines agricultural practices with medical insights, offering a holistic approach to health and sustainability.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

“The Anatomy of Life and Energy in Agriculture”: https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/anatomy-of-life-and-energy-in-agriculture

“Science in Agriculture”: https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/science-in-agriculture

Dr. Andersen’s Practice: https://www.lenexachiropractors.com/family-medicine-1

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This episode of The Acres U.S.A. Podcast is a panel discussion from The 2024 Eco-Ag Conference moderated by John Kempf, and includes panelists Joel Salatin, Gary Zimmer, and Gabe Brown. This episode is focused around sustainable farming, regenerative practices, and how farmers can work together to bring regenerative and ecological agriculture to the mainstream. The panelists share their experiences, discuss the importance of curiosity and lifelong learning, and explore how to overcome challenges in the agricultural community. Don't miss this insightful conversation on how to grow food profitably and with nature in mind.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

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In this engaging episode of the Acres U.S.A. Podcast, hosted by Taylor Henry, Gary Zimmer discusses his journey with Midwestern BioAg, including the reasons behind selling the company and the innovative practices being explored today. Gary shares insights into challenges faced by the company, including the complexities of training employees, integrating knowledge into fertilizer products, and the financial burdens of transitioning ownership. The conversation delves into the potential of anaerobic digesters on large farms, the benefits of biologicals and regenerative practices, and the unexpected successes in regions like North Dakota. Gary also touches on the future of agriculture, the importance of education in farming, and how new models of farming can be developed. Tune in for an in-depth exploration of organic farming, innovative fertilizer solutions, and the evolving landscape of eco-agriculture.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

Gary’s Books at the Acres U.S.A. Bookstore:

“The Biological Farmer”

“Advancing Biological Farming”

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In this episode, Dr. Paul Dettloff shares his personal journey transitioning from a conventional veterinarian to an organic farming advocate since witnessing the struggles of his first organic cow in 1988. He discusses the significance of various farming techniques and the impact of DC currents on farm environments and animal health. Learn about the importance of soil health, electromagnetic fields, ley lines, and water structuring, along with insights on understanding and mitigating DC currents on farms. Dettloff also highlights the value of observational skills in identifying issues in farming practices and emphasizes the holistic approach to farming, aligning with the philosophies of experts like Gary Zimmer and William Albrecht. Dr. Paul Dettloff also has a book that is carried in our online Book Store if you’d like a more in depth look at treating animals organically, linked below.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

‘Dr. Paul Dettloff’s Complete Guide to Raising Animals Organically’: https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/dr-paul-dettloff-s-complete-guide-to-raising-animals-organically?_pos=1&_sid=38fabd8f1&_ss=r

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In this episode of the Acres U.S.A. podcast, host Taylor Henry welcomes guest Mollie Engelhart, an entrepreneur, chef, farmer, and advocate for regenerative agriculture. Mollie shares her unique journey from veganism to embracing meat and dairy within a regenerative farming framework. Raised vegetarian on a farm in upstate New York, she transitioned away from veganism after several eye-opening experiences. She discusses the challenges she faced in the restaurant business and shares insights into sustainable food systems, the economics of organic farming, and the flaws of factory farming. Tune in to learn about Mollie’s transformative journey, the impact of food choices on health and the environment, and her approach to creating more resilient food systems.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

Mollie’s Ranch/Restaurant Website: https://www.sovereigntyranch.com/

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In this episode of the Acres USA podcast, host Taylor Henry talks with Jeff Poppen, better known as the Barefoot Farmer. Jeff shares his 50-year journey in organic and biodynamic farming at Long Hungry Creek Farm in Tennessee. They discuss Jeff's book 'Barefoot Biodynamics,' his philosophies on soil ecology, community-supported agriculture, and sustainable food production. Jeff delves into the principles and practices of biodynamics, including the use of cow manure, composting, and effective tillage. He also reflects on his early inspirations, the role of livestock on farms, and his efforts to create a self-sufficient, community-focused farm. Whether you're an experienced farmer or someone passionate about sustainable agriculture, this insightful conversation offers valuable wisdom and practical tips.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site:https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage:https://www.acresusa.com/

“Barefoot Biodynamics”:https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/barefoot-biodynamics?_pos=1&_sid=3beb36e37&_ss=r

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings:https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships:https://eco-farming.com/

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In this episode of the Acres U.S.A. Podcast, host Taylor Henry interviews Anne Molloy from Neptune's Harvest, a family-run business renowned for turning fish remains into high-quality fertilizer. Anne talks about the fascinating history of Neptune's Harvest, from its beginnings in the seafood industry to its innovative approach to creating sustainable fertilizers. Discover the unique cold-process hydrolyzed fish product that sets Neptune's Harvest apart, and hear about their success stories from various farming sectors, including cranberry bogs, blueberry growers, and hay pastures. Anne also shares practical application tips and the benefits of using their products in both organic and conventional farming. Tune in to learn more about this remarkable journey of turning waste into a valuable resource in eco-agriculture.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Neptune’s Harvest: https://www.neptunesharvest.com/

“Fertility from the Ocean Deep”: https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/fertility-from-the-ocean-deep?_pos=11&_sid=49f17b772&_ss=r

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In this episode of the Acres USA Podcast, host Taylor Henry sits down with regenerative farming experts Dr. Will Winter and Mark Shepard for an in-depth discussion on Ecological Agriculture. Dr. Winter shares his journey from conventional veterinary medicine to his current role at Thousand Hills Cattle Company, highlighting the benefits of grass-fed beef, the importance of mineralization, and the use of holistic veterinary practices. Mark Shepard adds valuable insights on soil health, multi-species grazing, and the role of holistic farming in transforming modern agriculture. The conversation covers various topics, including the ineffective use of conventional treatments like antibiotics, vaccines, and chemical wormers, and the significance of maintaining a balanced ecosystem for livestock and crops.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Dr. Winter’s Website: https://www.willwinter.com/

Mark Shepard’s Website: https://www.restorationag.com/

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In this episode of Acres U.S.A. Podcast, host Taylor Henry dives into sustainable farming and regenerative practices with Joe Childs, a contract grazier from southwest Wisconsin. Learn about Joe’s journey from a dairy farm upbringing to managing hundreds of acres and cattle through innovative grazing strategies. Joe shares his experiences with rotational grazing, negotiating leases, overcoming livestock challenges, and building relationships with landowners and cattle owners. This episode provides valuable insights for aspiring farmers and those interested in grazing and livestock management.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

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In this episode of Acres U.S.A. Podcast, host Taylor Henry sits down with Dylan Vaca of Grown Climate Smart to discuss innovative practices in regenerative agriculture. They dive into the USDA's Climate Smart Commodities Grant, soil health, water conservation, and carbon sequestration. Dylan shares insights on practical on-farm strategies, the impact of cover crops, reduced tillage, and nutrient management. Learn how Grown Climate Smart supports farmers with financial incentives and resources to build resilient and profitable agriculture systems. Tune in to understand the future of climate smart agriculture and how farmers are thriving in a changing climate.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Grown Climate Smart: https://www.grownclimatesmart.com/

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Join us in this episode of The Acres U.S.A. Podcast, as we have a throwback from the 2021 Eco-Ag Conference! In this episode, Dr. Nasha Winters reflects on the journey and impact Acres U.S.A. has had on her mission of changing healthcare , discussing the profound changes in agriculture and healthcare over the past 50 years. The conversation covers pivotal historical moments from 1971 and their influence on today's farming and health practices. Nasha also shares her vision for the Metabolic Terrain Institute of Health, a pioneering project in southeastern Arizona aimed at integrating wellness, sustainable farming, and holistic healthcare. The episode highlights the challenges of the current healthcare system and the need for a new model based on prevention, sustainability, and community health. We also carry Dr. Nasha Winter’s book “The Metabolic Approach to Cancer” in our bookstore, link below.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

The Metabolic Approach to Cancer: https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/the-metabolic-approach-to-cancer?_pos=1&_sid=c6b9f5ffe&_ss=r

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In this episode of the Acres U.S.A. podcast, host Taylor Henry speaks with Andre Liu, a renowned advocate for sustainable and organic farming. Andre shares his extensive experience working globally with farmers and governments, as well as his insights from his books 'The Myth of Safe Pesticides' and 'Poisoning Our Children.' They discuss the importance of organic farming, the challenges faced by conventional farmers, and the critical impact of consumer education on farming practices. Andre also dives into his personal journey in agriculture, the trials and successes of his farming practices in Australia's tropical regions, and crucial tips for transitioning to more sustainable farming methods.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Bookstore Link: https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/the-myths-of-safe-pesticides?_pos=10&_sid=3f6921613&_ss=r

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In this episode of the Acres USA Podcast, host Taylor Henry sits down with Travis Potter, a pioneering figure in sustainable and regenerative farming. Travis shares his incredible journey from growing up on a ranch in the southern Sierras to revolutionizing agriculture with his innovative product, Green Lightning. With a background in ranching, meat production, and organic farming, Travis delves into the development and impact of Green Lightning, a technology that mimics lightning to capture nitrogen from the air and improve soil health. This episode explores the challenges and triumphs of farming, advancements in eco agriculture, and the potential for Green Lightning to transform the future of food production. Join us for an inspiring and informative conversation that touches on family, entrepreneurship, and the quest for sustainable farming solutions.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Green Lightning Website: https://www.greenlightning.ag/

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In this episode of the Acres U.S.A. podcast, we have a throwback from the early 2000s Eco-Ag Conference. Fred Walters introduces his father, Charles Walters, the founder of Acres U.S.A.. Charles shares his extensive insights on the state of ecological agriculture in the early 2000s, reflections on the growth and impact of organic and regenerative farming, and anecdotes from his personal experiences. He discusses the challenges faced by the farming community, the importance of consumer-driven demand for organic/regeneratively grown products, and the critical role of sustainable practices in improving both agriculture and public health. The episode also highlights the historical and ongoing impact of Acres U.S.A. in promoting productive and eco-friendly farming techniques.

Charles was ahead of his time with many things he talked about. Our mission now with Acres U.S.A. is to continue to be the leading media company in this industry, while creating an arena for this information to be shared and talked about openly, and engage everyone who cares to listen!

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

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Join host Taylor Henry, of Acres USA, as he engages in a deep and insightful conversation with Steve Diver, an expert with 40 years of experience in horticulture, farm management, and soil consultancy. Steve elaborates on the importance of biofertilizers and shares practical insights into their integration into farming practices. Highlights include discussions on sustainable farming practices, the significance of cover crops, microbial inoculants, and innovative biofertilizer recipes.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

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In this episode of the Acres USA podcast, host Taylor Henry sits down with Matt Powers, a prominent figure in the Eco Agriculture community. Powers discusses his recent event on soil science, his extensive work in regenerative agriculture, and his revolutionary new book on regenerative soil microscopy. He also delves into his educational background, highlighting his transition from teaching high school to becoming a leading advocate for sustainable farming. Powers shares insights on the importance of live soil testing, the benefits of mycorrhizal fungi, and the future of DNA testing in agriculture. Additionally, he expresses his excitement for the upcoming Acres USA EcoAg conference and the opportunity to meet fellow regenerative agriculture experts. Join us for a deep dive into the innovative practices shaping the future of eco-agriculture.

Other Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Matt’s Website: https://www.thepermaculturestudent.com/

Matt’s Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Jg0zsgjNxjltlFjE0YvNw

“Regenerative Soil” : https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/regenerative-soil?_pos=1&_sid=ad82cc05b&_ss=r

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Join Taylor Henry, owner and CEO of Acres USA, in this insightful episode of the Acres USA podcast. Taylor sits down with Jay Fuhrer, a veteran with over 40 years of conservation work through the NRCS. Jay shares his incredible journey, from his humble beginnings on a mixed farming operation in the Northern Plains to managing Menoken Farm, a conservation demonstration farm. Learn about Jay's commitment to promoting soil health principles, his innovative practices in sustainable and regenerative farming, and his family's farming legacy. This episode dives deep into soil conservation, innovative agricultural techniques, the historical context of farming in the Northern Plains, and the importance of plant diversity, cover crops, and livestock management in modern eco-agriculture. Don't miss this enriching conversation!

Other Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Menoken Farm: https://menokenfarm.com/

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Join Taylor Henry, the host of the Acres USA Podcast, as he delves into the world of sustainable and regenerative agriculture with Austin Unruh from Trees for Grazers. In this episode, Austin shares insights from his book 'Trees for Grazers', discussing innovative methods to integrate tree planting within grazing systems to improve livestock management and farm productivity. Learn about the use of tree shelters, electric fencing, and the selection of tree species for optimal shade, fodder, and feed production. Austin also touches upon his background, the challenges faced, and the cost-sharing programs available to farmers interested in silvopasture. Tune in for a comprehensive discussion on making pastures more productive and resilient while restoring the ecosystem.

Other Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

“The Grazier’s Guide to Trees”: https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/the-grazier-s-guide-to-trees?_pos=1&_sid=b21d0649b&_ss=r

Trees for Graziers: https://treesforgraziers.com/

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Welcome to the Acres USA Podcast, hosted by Taylor Henry, owner and CEO of Acres USA. In this episode, Taylor talks with Jordan Green, co-founder of FarmBuilder, about his journey in sustainable farming, particularly pasture livestock farming and regenerative agriculture. Jordan shares his experiences managing seasonal poultry production, strategies for maintaining cash flow, and the benefits of leasing farm land. They discuss the advantages of raising hogs in forests, sourcing feed, and the unique practices that have contributed to Jordan's success. Additionally, the conversation delves into the challenges and triumphs of scaling farming operations, the importance of relational marketing, and the potential benefits of agricultural policy changes. Tune in to gain valuable insights into sustainable farming practices and the future of eco-agriculture.

Jordan will be hosting a workshop at our 2024 Eco-Ag Conference in Madison, WI December 2-5. Jordan will be presenting on pastured pigs, how to get started, how to build a scalable farm business from it.

Other Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Jordan’s FarmBuilder Website: https://farmbuilder.us/

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In this episode of the Acres USA Podcast, host Taylor Henry interviews Will Harris, the fourth-generation farmer and owner of White Oak Pastures. Will shares his journey from industrial cattle farming to adopting regenerative practices, including the challenges and successes along the way. They discuss ongoing projects such as constructing a new freezer unit, remodeling the poultry plant, and installing a large solar voltaic array.

Will also talks about the complexities of running a multi-species farm, the impact of regulatory requirements, and his views on the future of regenerative farming. Tune in to learn from Will's extensive experience and get insights into sustainable agriculture.

Will Harris will be presenting at Acres U.S.A. Eco-Ag Conference again this year! You will not want to miss his awesome storytelling and experiences from many years of experience in the regenerative farming realm!

Other Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

“A Bold Return to Giving a Damn” : https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/a-bold-return-to-giving-a-damn?_pos=2&_sid=84c21d9f4&_ss=r

White Oak Pastures: https://whiteoakpastures.com/

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Welcome to the Acres USA Podcast! In this special webinar episode, hosted by Paul Meyer, we delve into sustainable farming, regenerative practices, and technological innovations in eco-agriculture. Our special guest, John Kempf, founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA) and executive editor of Acres USA magazine, shares his insights on adopting new agricultural technologies and the philosophical thoughts behind them. We explore the role of technology in agriculture, especially during the COVID era, and discuss the importance of in-person interactions at events and conferences. John also covers topics such as plant health, the use of artificial intelligence in agronomy, and the development of technology that supports regenerative agriculture. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation!

John Kempf will be an Eco-Ag presenter at our 49th Annual Eco-Ag Conference on December 2-5 in Madison, WI. He brings many years of experience within the Regenerative/Sustainable Agriculture realm. You will not want to miss this once in a lifetime experience!

Other Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

John Kempf’s Website: https://johnkempf.com/

Advancing Eco Agriculture Website: https://advancingecoag.com

John’s Podcast “Regenerative Agriculture Podcast”: https://regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com/

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Join Taylor Henry, host and CEO of Acres USA, as he converses with Nigel Palmer, author of 'The Regenerative Grower's Guide to Garden Amendments.' In this insightful episode, they delve into Nigel's approach to sustainable and regenerative gardening practices. From the current projects in his southern New England garden to his journey in organic farming, Nigel shares valuable knowledge about garden amendments, soil health, and the impact of regenerative practices. Discover the importance of minerals, biological amendments, and organic matter, along with practical steps for fermenting plant juices and creating nutrient-rich compost. Tune in to learn how simple, nature-aligned practices can transform agricultural systems and promote ecological balance.

Other Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Link to “The Regenerative Grower's Guide to Garden Amendments” in our Online Bookstore: https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/the-regenerative-growers-guide-to-garden-amendments?_pos=1&_sid=6a00ffa77&_ss=r

Nigel’s Website: https://www.nigel-palmer.com/

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Join host Taylor Henry on the Acres USA podcast as he engages with Megan Neubauer, co-owner of Pure Land Farm in McKinney, Texas. Discover how Megan transitioned from a biology and science background to a successful 'pick-your-own' agritourism model, addressing challenges like severe weather and urbanization. Learn practical strategies for running a thriving farm close to a heavy populated city, utilizing innovative organic marketing and community engagement. Megan shares detailed tips on farm operations, soil health, and sustainable practices, along with her vision for nationwide agritourism and developing an online course for farmers. Gain insights from her book, “Pick Your Own Farming”, and understand how agritourism can boost profitability and connect the public to agriculture.

Megan will be a presenter at the Acres U.S.A. Eco-Ag Conference on December 2-5 in Madison, WI. She will be presenting on the topic of starting up your own “Pick you own” farming model, while discussing trials and tribulations that she and her team have encountered along their journey. She brings a hands-on approach and experience to this niche type of farming.

Other Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Link to “Pick-Your-Own Farming” in our Online Bookstore:

https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/pick-your-own-farming?_pos=1&_sid=348eee29a&_ss=r

Link to the Pure Land Farm Page:

https://purelandorganic.com/

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On this episode of the Acres U.S.A. Podcast host Taylor Henry chats with Gabe Brown, a leading voice in sustainable farming and the author of 'Dirt to Soil.' Discover Gabe's inspiring transition from city life to pioneering regenerative agriculture, focusing on soil health, innovative farming practices, and family farm transition. Learn about setting up living trusts, introducing diverse income streams, and maintaining financial resilience.

Taylor and Gabe dive into strategies for debt-free farming, grass-based cattle farming, and the successful weaning process. This episode highlights the crucial role of early planning, open communication, and the balance between financial stability and entrepreneurship. Gabe shares lessons on profitability, the importance of diversification, and the impact of regenerative practices on farm sustainability. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the future of agriculture through Gabe Brown’s revolutionary practices and insights.

Gabe Brown and the Understand Ag crew will be at our 49th Annual Eco-Ag Conference in Madison, WI on December 2-5. Go register online to attend! Their team brings decades of knowledge and practices to our Conference floor!

Other Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Link to “Dirt to Soil” in our Online Bookstore: https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/dirt-to-soil?_pos=1&_sid=bd53c254d&_ss=r

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Join host Taylor Henry on the Acres USA podcast as he engages with Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms, a pioneer in regenerative agriculture. This insightful episode explores Joel's innovative rotational grazing, sustainable farming practices, and the role of local food systems in creating resilient agricultural environments. Discover how Joel tackles environmental challenges while reducing external dependencies, shares his effective marketing strategies, and discusses the significant impact of technology on modern farming efficiency. Gain inspiration from Joel's reflections on influential figures and ideas shaping the regenerative farming movement, and understand the growing influence of health-conscious consumerism in agriculture. This episode is essential for anyone interested in sustainable farming, technological adaptation, and transforming agriculture into a thriving, eco-friendly enterprise.

Joel Salatin will be at our 49th Annual Eco-Ag Conference in Madison, WI on December 2-5. Go register online to attend! Joel brings decades of experience with trial and error methods to revolutionize the way the world farms. Joel will be a keynote speaker at this year’s conference, you will not want to miss this opportunity to see him speak!

Other Important Links from Today’s Episode:

https://members.acresusa.com

https://www.acresusa.com/

https://polyfacefarms.com/

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Join host Taylor Henry as he interviews Dr. Allen Williams, a leading expert in adaptive grazing and nutrient density, with over four decades of experience. Dr. Williams discusses his journey into regenerative agriculture, the founding of Understanding Ag and the Soil Health Academy, and the development of the 6-3-4 methods of adaptive stewardship. This episode offers insights into sustainable farming practices, the economic benefits of regenerative agriculture, and practical advice for farmers and ranchers in applying adaptive grazing practices. Discover how these techniques can improve soil health, animal welfare, and farm profitability, while addressing global agricultural challenges.

Allen Williams and the Understand Ag crew will be at our 49th Annual Eco-Ag Conference in Madison, WI on December 2-5. Go register online to attend! Their team brings decades of knowledge and practices to our Conference floor!

Other Important Links from Today’s Episode:

https://members.acresusa.com

https://www.acresusa.com/

https://understandingag.com/

https://soilhealthacademy.org/

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In this flashback from the 2018 Eco-Ag Conference, join Joel Salatin, as he discusses a key question in sustainable agriculture—'Can we feed the world this way?'—by delving into historical farming practices, the evolution of industrial agriculture, and the potential of modern, sustainable methods. Alongside an insightful historical recount, the episode also includes a preview of the ACRES 2024 EcoAg Conference and features an engaging call to action for embracing liberty in food production.

Other Important Links from Today’s Episode:

https://members.acresusa.com

https://www.acresusa.com/

https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/folks-this-aint-normal?_pos=10&_sid=9335f55cf&_ss=r

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Back to Back, join Taylor Henry, owner and CEO of Acres U.S.A., in a captivating conversation with Mark Shepard, a leading figure in sustainable farming and a top selling Acres U.S.A. author. In this episode, they discuss the evolution of Acres U.S.A., regenerative farming practices, and the future of eco-agriculture. Discover Mark's journey from engineering to eco-agriculture, his philosophies on regenerative farming, and insights on creating resilient, productive landscapes. Learn about the importance of mimicking natural ecosystems, managing resources, and the potential for a revitalized rural economy through regenerative agriculture. Don't miss this in-depth conversation about ecological principles and real-world applications that can transform our approach to farming.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

https://members.acresusa.com

https://www.acresusa.com/

https://bookstore.acresusa.com/collections/spotlight/products/restoration-agriculture

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In this episode of the Acres USA Podcast, Acres U.S.A. author Mark Shepard, engages in a deep discussion focusing on effective water management techniques in agriculture, emphasizing the importance of understanding ecological systems and the impact of water on soil and crop health. Shepard’s key principles include the application of the keyline design and master line system, as well as examples from his home farm in WI, New Forest Farm. This episode also touches upon historical water management methods from Germany and their influence on modern practices in Australia and the USA. This in depth presentation provides valuable insights for farmers and ranchers looking to optimize their water usage and boost productivity while maintaining an ecological balance.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

https://members.acresusa.com

https://www.acresusa.com/

https://bookstore.acresusa.com/collections/spotlight/products/water-for-any-farm

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In this Acres USA podcast episode, we throwback to Dr. Arden Andersen, a unique blend of physician and agronomist, who consults with major farming operations worldwide. Dr. Andersen discusses the interconnection between human health and agricultural practices, emphasizing sustainable farming, nutrition, and the harmful impacts of processed foods and pesticides. He shares his background in family medicine, public health, and agriculture, and the importance of consumer choices in driving agricultural changes. The episode highlights the role of nutrient-dense food in preventing chronic diseases and the significance of proactive health management through diet, exercise, and lifestyle adjustments.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

https://members.acresusa.com

https://www.acresusa.com/

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Join us in this throwback from Eco-Ag. Jerry Brunetti, a leading expert in nutraceuticals and fertilizers, to explore the intricate communication systems within nature and their implications for sustainable farming. Dive deep into the significance of holistic agricultural practices, understand the critical role of silica and nutrient density in improving soil and plant health, and learn from historical insights and modern research on eco-agriculture. This episode sheds light on the complex interplay of ecosystems, the impact of modern chemicals, and strategies for integrating perennial polycultures. A must-listen for anyone interested in sustainable agriculture and the natural processes that go along with it.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

https://members.acresusa.com

https://www.acresusa.com/

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Join host Taylor Henry, owner and CEO of Acres USA, as he delves into a fascinating discussion with Kevin Wolz of Canopy. This episode explores Kevin's journey from Illinois' prairies to agroforestry, the founding of the Savannah Institute, and the work and vision behind Canopy. Learn about the innovative Canopy Compass tool for mapping farm suitability, the benefits and challenges of integrating tree crops into conventional farming, and how agroforestry practices like alley cropping and silvopasture can transform agricultural landscapes. Whether you're a farmer, rancher, or eco-agriculture enthusiast, this podcast episode offers valuable insights into sustainable and regenerative farming practices. Don't miss the opportunity to discover how Canopy is paving the way for a more resilient farming future.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

https://members.acresusa.com

https://www.acresusa.com/

https://www.canopycompass.com/

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Blast from the Past, Neal Kinsey for an insightful discussion with renowned soil fertility expert Neal Kinsey. In this episode, Neal delves into managing fertilizers and soil fertility using the Albrecht system of cation balance. He emphasizes building a strong foundation for life in the soil, highlighting that it's not just about inoculating the soil but ensuring the right environment for microbes. Kinsey shares valuable anecdotes and scientific explanations, such as the importance of proper mineral balance, the role of microbes in nutrient cycling, and how to improve soil structure for optimal crop growth. Tune in to learn the principles of sustainable and regenerative farming that can help your soil thrive naturally. Neal wrote the book “Hands on Agronomy” and it’s available in our Acres U.S.A. Bookstore [Link to Book Store Below]

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

https://members.acresusa.com/

https://www.acresusa.com/

https://bookstore.acresusa.com/

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

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

https://members.acresusa.com/

https://www.acresusa.com/

https://bookstore.acresusa.com/

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In this episode of the Acres USA podcast, you will hear Will and Jenni Harris’s Keynote presentation from a recent Eco-Ag Conference. Will and Jenni share the story of White Oak Pastures and how it was started. They discuss the transition from conventional to regenerative farming, the importance of community, and the succession of the family farm. Will Harris provides a historical overview of the farm, its practices, and the philosophy behind regenerative agriculture. Jenny Harris elaborates on her journey back to the farm and the diverse business ventures she and her family have undertaken. Together, they emphasize the integration of land, animals, and community in sustainable farming.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

https://members.acresusa.com/

https://www.acresusa.com/

https://bookstore.acresusa.com/

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Dive into a dynamic episode with renowned grazer Greg Judy as he unveils his sustainable grazing practices, journey, and expert advice for adopting regenerative methods. Filmed on-site, Greg discusses rotational grazing, organic matter importance, fly control, and the nuances of a custom grazing business.

Learn about the efficacy of fescue grass, breed-specific grazing traits, and strategies for a productive low-cost farm. Additionally, Greg highlights his authentic and educational YouTube presence, milestones, and interaction with the farming community.Get ready for practical tips and inspiring stories that redefine eco-friendly farming.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

https://members.acresusa.com/

https://www.acresusa.com/

https://bookstore.acresusa.com/

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Greg Judy is a Missouri-based grass farmer who has developed and propelled the art of so-called "mob-grazing," an amazing phenomenon. He taught a crowd at the 2013 Acres U.S.A. annual conference about his techniques to bring about an explosion of life in the soil, and how his techniques can help any farmer rescue damaged soil. He firmly believes in multi-purpose livestock, not just for meat and milk, but for how they can contribute and help maintain a healthy soil for other crops.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

https://members.acresusa.com/

https://www.acresusa.com/

https://bookstore.acresusa.com/

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In this Blast from the Past Podcast, Acres U.S.A. contributor Mark Shepard goes into detail about restorative practices. In his presentation from the 2019 Acres U.S.A. Eco-Ag Conference, Mark explains the importance of changing how we farm for the betterment of the land around us. He challenges everyone in attendance and listening to farm with ecological principles in mind. Enjoy this throwback keynote, and if you are interested in hearing more from Mark Shepard, you can find a lot of his great content on our Members Site, as well as on our online course materials. You can also find his books at our online bookstore! Thanks for Listening!

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

https://members.acresusa.com/

https://www.acresusa.com/

https://bookstore.acresusa.com/

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Join us in this episode of the Acres USA Podcast as host Taylor Henry, owner and CEO of Acres USA, sits down with Maureen Ashe, author of 'Holding the Lines.' Maureen shares her journey and experiences in sustainable and regenerative farming. They discuss the beauty of Pierce County and Maureen's early days in farming. Learn about her family's farming history, their shift from conventional to horse-powered farming, the challenges they faced, and the joys of raising horses.

They also touch on Maureen's adventures in Europe, steeplechase riding in Ireland, and how these experiences shaped her perspective on farming. An insightful conversation on the hard work and dedication that goes into sustainable agriculture and the enduring bond between humans and animals. Get your copy of ‘Holding the Lines’ at our online book store!

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

https://members.acresusa.com/

https://www.acresusa.com/

https://bookstore.acresusa.com/

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In this episode of the Acres USA Podcast, host Taylor Henry welcomes Mark Kastel, a passionate advocate for family farmers and organic farming. Mark shares his inspiring journey from working with Agribusiness Giants to pioneering organic farming practices in the 1980s, driven by his personal health transformation. As the Executive Director of Organic Eye, Mark continues to fight for economic justice and the principles of organic farming. The conversation delves into the history and challenges of the organic movement, regulatory issues, and the importance of authentic organic certification. Tune in to learn how Mark's work aims to preserve the integrity and sustainability of eco-agriculture in today’s food system.

Important Links from Today's Episode:

https://members.acresusa.com/

https://www.acresusa.com/

https://organiceye.org/

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Insights from 'A Farmer's Guide to the Bottom Line' by Charles Walters

In this special episode of the Acres USA podcast, Taylor Henry shares a recording from Acres USA founder Charles Walters. The recording features an overview of Walters' book, 'A Farmer's Guide to the Bottom Line,' which compiles stories and knowledge gained from decades of visiting small farms and his own business experiences.

Walters provides practical advice for small farmers on running their farms ecologically and successfully. Topics discussed include the challenges faced by farmers, the importance of direct selling, and the pitfalls of commodity farming. Walters also addresses the significance of having a robust business plan and harnessing the power of small businesses in agriculture.

The episode concludes with a Q&A session where Walters interacts with the audience, discussing the shift towards sustainable and organic farming, and the potential threats posed by large corporations. Thanks for listening!

Pick up your copy of 'A Farmer's Guid to the Bottom Line' at: https://bookstore.acresusa.com/

Check out more archival content like this at: https://members.acresusa.com/

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This episode of the Acres USA podcast, hosted by Taylor Henry, features Gary Zimmer sharing his experiences with sustainable dairy farming and nutrition. The discussion covers his work in Hawaii with pineapple hay, the challenges of insecticides, and his journey from college to practical farming.

Key topics include quality forage, mineral balance, soil health, cow comfort, optimal feeding strategies, the impact of stray voltage, and the use of sexed semen. Additionally, the podcast delves into best practices for transitioning livestock from a grain to a grass-based diet, emphasizing a gradual shift to medium-quality grass to prevent health issues. The episode explains the benefits of organic farming and the importance of proper animal rearing in achieving sustainable agricultural practices.

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In this episode of the Acres USA podcast, host Taylor Henry interviews Harriet Behar, an organic inspector and educator, about sustainable farming practices and the prevention of organic fraud in the supply chain. Behar shares her extensive experience with organic farming, describing her work on her certified organic farm and her involvement with the National Organic Standards Board and the Organic Farmers Association. The discussion focuses on recent regulatory changes to strengthen organic enforcement and improvements in organic livestock standards, highlighting the importance of maintaining integrity in the organic certification process.

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Tune into this in-depth conversation between John Kempf and Taylor Henry. They cover Kempf's transition to regenerative practices, the establishment of Advancing Eco-Agriculture, the community-driven approach, and the prediction of widespread adoption. Additionally, they explore the current adoption landscape, emphasizing mindset shifts, technological advancements, and the imperative of investing in agri-tech for sustainable practices in agriculture.

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

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Introducing a brand new podcast from Acres U.S.A. - ⁠The Acres U.S.A. Podcast!⁠ On this second episode, listen to insights from Dan Kittredge, founder of Bionutrient Food Association (BFA), and discussions around sustainable agriculture, regenerative practices, nutrient density in food like beef and wheat, meter development for measurement, the importance of open-source science, funding challenges, soil health, biological systems principles, and upcoming conferences on nutrient density and regenerative agriculture.

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Introducing a brand new podcast from Acres U.S.A. - The Acres U.S.A. Podcast! In this inaugural episode, your host Taylor Henry delves deep into the world of sustainable farming and regenerative practices. Joined by guest expert Steve Diver, a seasoned horticulturist and organic farming guru, they explore the fascinating realm of herbicides in organic farming. From cultural practices to cover crops, they unravel the secrets of weed control while preserving soil health. Discover the evolution of organic herbicides, the environmental impact of conventional counterparts, and groundbreaking techniques to minimize toxicity on farms. Join us as we journey through the history of regenerative agriculture and unveil the core principles uniting sustainable farming methodologies. Tune in and cultivate a greener future with The Acres U.S.A. Podcast!

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Taylor, Nathanial, and David delve into the world of organic certification, revealing insights on recent regulation updates and the Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule. They cover the importance of certification, challenges in compliance, benefits for producers, and the role of technology in maintaining organic standards. Their conversation provides practical advice on documentation, compliance technology, market stability, and product quality, essential for understanding and managing organic certification processes effectively.

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On this special edition of the Tractor Time podcast, hosted by Taylor Henry, CEO of Acres U.S.A., we delve into sustainable farming, regenerative practices, and organic certification with guest Sam Welsh from OneCert, Inc.

This podcast was made possible by the partnership between Acres U.S.A. and OCIA. The USDA's Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is aimed at educating producers on transitioning to organic farming through white papers, webinars, podcasts, and on-farm events.

Sam Welsh shares his journey from executive director at OCIA to founding OneCert in 2003 and its growth to include a global certification agency. The episode covers organic certification processes, the role of certifiers, integrity in the organic certification world, the new fraud prevention updates, and challenges with organic certification. Sam shares insights on the importance of record keeping, mentoring for aspiring organic farmers, and navigating the complexities of organic certification in the face of evolving standards and expectations.

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On this episode, we speak with Eric & Joy McEwen, Owners of Diggin’ Livin’. They talk about the origin of the farm, the positive effects of having beehives for a landscape, the generic interplay with nature and the need for a new generation of beekeepers.

Thank you for listening. You can learn more about Acres U.S.A. at www.AcresUSA.com.

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On this episode, we speak with Mollie Engelhart, Executive Chef at Sage Plant Based Bistro & Brewery and owner of Sow a Heart Regenerative Farm and Sovereignty Ranch. Mollie speaks about how her passion for the environment spurred her interest in the regenerative movement and the difficulties that come along with fighting for a better planet. Thank you for listening. You can learn more about Acres U.S.A. at www.AcresUSA.com.

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On this episode, we speak with Paul Neubauer, Farm Foreman at Vilicus Farms and owner of P/N Custom Grazing. Paul speaks about his passion for livestock integration with crop production and the inequalities that exist in the agricultural landscape. Paul Neubauer is a young agrarian and first-generation farmer and rancher. Growing up in Buffalo, NY Paul did not get first-hand exposure to agriculture until after graduating high school when he worked on his uncle’s ranch in Tennessee. He was immediately attracted to raising livestock as well as agriculture in general, and was able to build on those interests while attending Warren Wilson College in North Carolina. While pursuing a degree in History, Paul worked on the school farm, learning about land management and animal husbandry, as well as equipment operation while raising crops and livestock for the students of Warren Wilson. After graduating from college, Paul apprenticed at the San Juan Ranch in Saguache, Colorado through Quivira’s New Agrarian Program. He spent two years working in the high and dry San Luis valley, continuing to grow his skillset in animal and land management. After his time as an apprentice, he continued to work in Colorado for a local rancher, managing a herd of cattle in nearby Gunnison.Paul is the Farm Foreman at Vilicus farms, and manages the day to day operations of the farm as well as managing his own cattle enterprise, P/N Ranch. He is committed to working at the intersection of crops, livestock, land health and people. Paul is certain we are not doing enough as a society to address climate change, the deeply unhealthy food system, massive and unsustainable inequality of the gender, racial, religious and economic kinds and the lack of livestock on U.S. cropland. His work as a foreman and mentor at Vilicus Farms, as well as his time as an apprentice in the NAP program have been in an effort to live closely to the land and pursue remedies to the aforementioned societal ills. Paul’s relationships with his agricultural mentors has been the essential catalyst for his joy in the work of growing food, and his small successes thus far. Inspired by his own experience as a mentee, Paul is dedicated to providing education, mentorship and his friendship to other beginning farmers and ranchers.Paul’s work with land, animals, food and people also extends past the farm gate as he is the president of the Cottonwood Local of Montana Farmers Union. Paul has represented the Montana Farmers Union at the National Farmers Union Convention, and works hard to help create and shape policies that will improve the health of the land and the livelihoods of those who manage it. Thank you for listening. You can learn more about Acres U.S.A. at www.AcresUSA.com.

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On this episode, we speak with Harry Greene, Co-founder of Propagate. Harry speaks about the creation of Propagate, how their software generates more profit per acre and the future of agroforestry. Harry is an agroforestry agronomist, focusing on finance and economics for useful trees on working farms: orchards, windbreaks, silvopasture, and alley cropping. He spent years trail running, swimming, and kayaking made clear the connection between forests, clean air, and clean water. Before an MBA, Harry spent two years as a resident modern pentathlete at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center. He competed on the World Cup circuit in the United States, Mexico, and Egypt and at the 2015 World Championships in Berlin. Harry currently resides in Trumansburg, New York, farming chestnuts, black locust, and other tree crops on 50 acres. Thank you for listening. You can learn more about Acres U.S.A. at www.AcresUSA.com.

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On this episode, we speak with Kelly Mulville, Vineyard Director of Paicines Ranch. Kelly speaks about how his passion for holistic agriculture developed, the technics he employs at Paicines Ranch and the future of the industry. For the past 25 years Kelly Mulville has managed and consulted with vineyards, farms and ranches throughout the western USA, Spain and Australia. His focus is on combining experience in farming and viticulture with holistic management in order to design and manage more ecologically, socially and economically sound farming practices. This usually involves a considerable amount of help from livestock. Kelly has been vineyard director at Paicines Ranch since 2014 and does design/advising work for vineyards. Thank you for listening. You can learn more about Acres U.S.A. at www.AcresUSA.com.

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TRACTOR TIME #72: In this special episode #3 AcresUSA invites you to a special Podcast Series on Integrating Precision Analysis with Crop Input Applications. Learn how to use precision lab analysis to optimize crop input selection, application and timing while minimizing budget.Presented by Apical Crop ScienceThank you for listening.You can learn more about AcresUSA at www.AcresUSA.com

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TRACTOR TIME #71: In this special episode #2 AcresUSA invites you to a special Podcast Series on Integrating Precision Analysis with Crop Input Applications. Learn how to use precision lab analysis to optimize crop input selection, application and timing while minimizing budget.Presented by Apical Crop ScienceThank you for listening.You can learn more about AcresUSA at www.AcresUSA.com

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TRACTOR TIME #70: In this special episode #1 AcresUSA invites you to a special Podcast Series on Integrating Precision Analysis with Crop Input Applications. Learn how to use precision lab analysis to optimize crop input selection, application and timing while minimizing budget.Presented by Apical Crop ScienceThank you for listening.You can learn more about AcresUSA at www.AcresUSA.com

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In this episode ... and this is quite the invitation … we’re going to make you a bit uncomfortable. We’re going to talk about a lot of things going on in eco-agriculture and regenerative agriculture, but we’re not going to talk about soil health. In fact, we’re going to talk about money. We’re going to talk about the challenges built into the booming interest in the regenerative ag industry, what pieces are missing, and how the investors lining up at the gate can help – or they can hurt.

To explore these topics, we’ll be talking with Lauren Manning, the owner of Ozark Pasture Beef and senior associate at Croatan Institute, an independent, nonprofit research and action institute whose mission is to build social equity and ecological resilience by leveraging finance to create pathways to a just economy. She talked to us from her farm in Arkansas, where it had just snowed for a little November surprise – or shock – but she still found a moment to talk.

Tractor Time is brought to you by Sea-90 Ocean Minerals! Sea-90 offers complete nutrient support for today’s farm, homestead, and ranch. With more than 90 minerals and trace elements in nature’s perfect balance, Sea-90 re-mineralizes soil, increases nutrient density, and elevates the vitality of your animals.

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Thank you for listening. You can learn more about Acres U.S.A. at www.AcresUSA.com.

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On today’s episode of Acres U.S.A's Tractor Time sponsored by microBIOMETER, we’re going to live under the soil. We want to invite you too. Imagine a world where you could peek under your crops and see and hear what is going on. Where you could look into your flowerpot on your windowsill and see a whole universe of life. What you’d see would not only resemble Times Square, but Times Square Times Times Square times Times Square … or something like that. The cycle of life and the intelligence of nature is fully, and beautifully, at work.

We are joined today by Laura Decker, the owner and operator of microBIOMETER, Dr. James White, a professor of plant biology at Rutgers, and Jeff Lowenfels, the author of several books, including a new one, Teaming with Bacteria. In our conversation, you will hear us try to establish why microbiology is an important topic for all farmers and ranchers today, and then go deep into what we know. How nutrients are brought to plants. How water can be stored. How nature resists some technology we are trying to force into it today. In the end, you’ll hear Jeff Lowenfels compare mycorrhizal fungi to the free love concept, we (unofficially) nominate Dr. James White for a Nobel Peace Prize, and Laura Decker talks about the future.

Lowenfels is the author of the latest book, Teaming with Bacteria. You can find it, and all of his books, at AcresUSA.com. His entire collection is 30% off right now. Shop here" https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/teaming-with-book-bundle

Dr. White will be speaking in December at the Eco-Ag Conference & Trade Show in Covington, Kentucky. Laura Decker will be there too. So will I. We’ll see you there as well. You can register at EcoAg.AcresUSA.com

SPONSOR MESSAGE:

Improving the health of your soil is essential to increasing your output, but how can you tell if you are making progress? Research shows that microbial biomass — fungi and bacteria — is the leading indicator of soil health. Living soil fixes nutrients, improves plant immunity, stores water more efficiently and builds soil structure, therefore, a healthy level of microbes increases productivity while reducing inputs. There are more microbes in a handful of living soil than there are humans on this planet. We are just now starting to understand how vital the symbiosis is between plants and these microorganisms.

microBIOMETER® is a low cost, fast, on-site soil test for microbial biomass and fungal to bacterial ratio that allows you to quickly determine the health of your soil. Order direct at microBIOMETER.com. Frequent retesting provides you with the data necessary to assess your soil management practice.

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On this episode we welcome Anne Biklé and David Montgomery, as well as co-host Sarah Day Levesque, to the program.

Anne and David recently published What Your Food Ate, a deep dive into the research around regenerative agriculture tactics. They read hundreds of research papers, talked with dozens of practitioners and ended up … hopeful. Listen in as they talk about their book, how they see us building a more resilient human being through changing our food supply to focus on nutrient density, microbiology and plain old common sense.

49 minutes. Hosted by Ryan Slabaugh. Listen to the episode to find a way to save 10% on their new book at Bookstore.AcresUSA.com.

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On this episode we welcome Anneliese Abbott.

Her name may be familiar to Acres U.S.A. readers. She writes a monthly column called History of Organic Agriculture in America. It’s a must read that’s always full of surprises — and so is her first book, Malabar Farm: Louis Bromfield, Friends of the Land, and the Rise of Sustainable Agriculture.

The book explores the life and legacy of a famous, Pulitzer Prize-wining novelist who became an Ohio-based, hard-partying prophet of a new kind of agriculture in the post-war era. It’s fascinating story that involves everything from Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall to wild parties, boxer dogs and techniques that now make up the foundation of sustainable agriculture.

Abbott studied plant and soil science at The Ohio State University. She ran a Michigan CSA for four years. She’s now a graduate student in the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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Rick Clark is a fifth-generation farmer based in Warren County, Indiana, but he’s been spreading the no-till, organic gospel far and wide for the last few years. He gave a keynote address at the Acres U.S.A. Healthy Soil Summit back in the summer. And just this month he was a featured speaker at the Acres U.S.A. Eco-Ag Conference in Columbus, Ohio.

And if you’ve ever heard Rick speak, you know how much of an evangelist he is for soil health and ecological farming. His enthusiasm is infectious. He’s definitely not hiding his light under a bushel.

In fact, big food brands have started taking notice of Clark’s production methods. Rick was named Danone’s Sustainable Farmer of the Year in 2017. And Land O’ Lakes recently recognized his work with an Outstanding Sustainability Award.

So why is Clark getting this attention? Because he’s proving that an obsessive focus on soil health — and not just on yield — can work at a commercial scale.

His family has farmed near Williamsport, Indiana since the 1880s. Today, the family is producing organic corn, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa and more on 7,000 acres. Clark is quick to point out that they were, historically, among the worst offenders in terms of excessive tillage and toxic chemistry.

But over the last 15 years or so, that’s all changed. Today, Clark is proving that no-till organic production methods can lead to both a profitable business and a healthy, balanced ecosystem. Yes, that means no till, no pesticides, no herbicides, no synthetic fertilizers. But it isn’t just about what he isn’t doing. Clark is also perfecting the craft of cover crops as well as the use of livestock within cropping systems. Clark says his strategy is to work with Mother Earth to create self-sustaining, closed loop ecological systems that are teeming with biodiversity. But he’s also obsessed with collecting data and using technology to his benefit. What he’s not obsessed with is yield. To him, it’s almost a five-letter word. The most important consideration, for Clark, is the long-term health of his land. And his vision might just be the future of agriculture.

To find our more about Rick Clark, visit www.farmgreen.land.

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On this episode we welcome Nicolette Hahn Niman.

The name might sound familiar to some of you. She’s married to the pioneering California rancher Bill Niman, for one, but you might also know her as the author of two seminal works on ethical meat production, Righteous Porkchop and Defending Beef.

Over the years, the former vegetarian and environmental attorney has become a passionate and outspoken advocate for sustainable food production and improved animal welfare. She’s published pieces on those topics in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, HuffPost, and The Atlantic.

And Chelsea Green has just published a new and expanded edition of Defending Beef: The Ecological and Nutritional Case for Meat. A lot has happened since the first edition of the book was published back in 2007. Since then, cattle have become nearly synonymous with human-caused climate change and environmental destruction. But are cattle inherently bad? Or … is there another side to the argument?

In this conversation, you’ll hear why she believes cattle, and other grazing animals, can be used as tools for restoring both human health and ecological balance. Beef, Niman argues, doesn’t have to remain an environmental villain. She believes that wisely managed livestock can help repair ecosystems, fight climate change and improve human health — all at the same time.

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For the last twenty years, Beth Hoffman has worked as a journalist covering food and farming. Her work has been featured on NPR's Morning Edition, The Guardian, Latino USA, and the News Hour. She’s also taught journalism at university. And now she considers herself a full-time farmer. Although she lived much of her life on the west coast, in the San Francisco area specifically, she and her husband moved to rural Iowa a few years ago with the dream of taking over his family’s 530-acre farm.

She tells that story in her new book, Bet the Farm: The Dollars and Sense of Growing Food in America, out now from Island Press. The book is part memoir and part exploration of the current state of the family farm.

Use the coupon code NOVPOD at the acresusa.com bookstore for 10 % off on all titles.

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On this episode we’re listening in on a recent virtual event for André Leu’s new book, Growing Life: Regenerating Farming and Ranching. And he’s getting a little help from his friends, Vandana Shiva and Ronnie Cummins. Leu, Shiva and Cummins go way back and co-founded Regeneration International back in 2015. The organization promotes food, farming and land-use systems that regenerate and stabilize climate systems, the health of the planet and people. In addition to being the international director for that group, Leu is also a farmer in Australia and the author of The Myths of Safe Pesticides and Poisoning Our Children. We here at Acres U.S.A. are proud to be the publisher of all of his books. I should also mention that he’s speaking at our Eco-Ag Conference in Columbus Ohio in December. Go to ecoag.acresusa.com for more information on that.

Vandana Shiva is a world-renowned environmental thinker, activist, feminist, philosopher of science, writer and science policy advocate. She is the founder of Navdanya Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology in India and President of Navdanya International. She is a prolific writer, speaker and author, and recipient of numerous awards. Find her books Food, Farming & Health and Oneness vs the 1% in the Acres U.S.A. bookstore.

Ronnie Cummins is co-founder and International Director of the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) and its Mexico affiliate, Via Organica. Cummins has been active as a writer and activist since the 1960s. Over the past two decades he has served as director of US and international campaigns dealing with sustainable agriculture issues including food safety, genetic engineering, factory farming, and global warming. You can find his book, Grassroots Rising: A Call to Action on Climate, Farming, Food and Green New Deal in the acresusa.com bookstore.

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On this episode of Tractor Time we welcome fourth generation South Dakota rancher Kelsey Ducheneaux-Scott. Kelsey is the director of programs for the Intertribal Agriculture Council, which seeks to build and restore indigenous foodways in Native American communities. She’s also a co-owner of DX Beef, a direct-to-consumer grassfed beef operation on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation. That’s where she grew up and that’s where she ranches today with her family.

She’s passionate about soil health, land stewardship, education and bringing nutritious food to her community. She received a bachelor’s in Rangeland Management from South Dakota State University, a master’s of agriculture in Integrated Resource Management from Colorado State University, and she’s currently closing in on a doctorate in education at Northcentral University.

Even though she’s still only in her 20s, she’s emerged as an important voice within the regenerative agriculture.

For more information about Kelsey, visit dxbeef.com.

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On this episode we’re discussing talking plants and smart insects with entomologist and author Dr. Joe Lewis.

Lewis spent his career in entomology with the USDA-Agricultural Research Service at the Tifton Campus of the University of Georgia. It was there that he worked to unlock the secrets of how plants and insects communicate with one another, particularly how plants use SOS signals to recruit beneficial insects to their defense. Based on those groundbreaking insights, Lewis and his colleagues developed holistic and sustainable approaches to pest management within agricultural systems. In 2008, along with his colleagues John A, Pickett and James H. Tumlinson, Lewis received the prestigious Wolf Prize in Agriculture.

Although Lewis has published papers in many academic and scientific journals, he’s just published his first book for Acres U.S.A. It’s call A New Farm Language: How a Sharecropper’s Son Discovered a World of Talking Plants, Smart Insects, and Natural Solutions.

The book tells the story of Joe Lewis’s humble beginnings as the son of an illiterate Mississippi sharecropper and the hardscrabble, yet happy childhood he spent raising chickens and growing cotton. It was on that small, rented farm, which had no electricity or indoor plumbing, that Lewis developed a fondness for nature that would set him on an unlikely path toward becoming an eminent scientist and innovator. More than a memoir, A New Farm Language is a manifesto and mission statement confronting the abuses of industrial agriculture and defending the value of strong communities and natural solutions.

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On this episode we welcome Brother Coyote himself, Gary Paul Nabhan. An agricultural ecologist, an ethnobotanist, a MacArthus “genius grant” winner, a professor and an Ecumenical Franciscan Brother, Nabhan is a true polymath. He’s a pioneering figure in the local food movement as well as the modern heirloom seed saving movement. He’s also the author of an almost countless number of books, including The Nature of Desert Nature, Food from the Radical Center: Healing Our Land and Communities, and Mesquite: An Arboreal Love Affair.

His most recent book is called Jesus for Farmers and Fishers: Justice for All Those Marginalized by Our Food System. The book is a challenging, poetic and hopeful exploration of what the teachings of Jesus have to tell us about our modern food system and our relationship to the natural world. Even if you’re not religious, or even spiritual, I think this interview is still well worth your time — Nabhan has tapped into a deep and universal store of wisdom just when we need it most.

I’ve been a long-time admirer — of his endless curiosity, of his versatility as a writer and of his rare insight when it comes to ethics, agriculture and science. He isn’t someone who spends much time raging at powerful institutions. He’s not always shaking his fists at corrupt corporations. Instead, he offers us pathways of hope, healing, purpose, abundance and justice.

Nabhan’s spent much of his life working, often in the fields, to preserve both cultural folkways and biological diversity, two things he see’s as being inextricably linked. And his biography is so full of milestones that it’s impossible to fit all but a fraction of them here.

Born in the early 1950s, Nabhan is a first-generation Lebanese American who was raised in Gary, Indiana. He has a B.A. in environmental biology from Prescott College in Arizona, an M.S. in plant sciences from the University of Arizona, and a Ph.D. in the interdisciplinary arid lands resource sciences, also from the University of Arizona.

He’s served as director of conservation, research and collections at both the Desert Botanical Garden and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, where he did the research to help create the Ironwood Forest National Monument.

He was the founding director of the Center for Sustainable Environments at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. He’s on the University of Arizona faculty as a research social scientist with the Southwest Center, where he now serves as the Kellogg Endowed Chair in Southwestern Borderlands Food and Water Security.

He and his wife currently live in Patagonia, Arizona on a five-acre spread near Tucson. I could go on, but I’m eager to share this interview with you today. I hope you find as much inspiration as I did in this conversation with Gary Paul Nabhan.

For more information, visit garynabhan.com.

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On this episode we’re talking about bringing a higher standard to cannabis production. With the federal legalization of hemp and the continuing state-by-state rollout of recreational cannabis, the industry is just picking up steam in the U.S. A California-based nonprofit started by David Bronner is aiming to lead the way on setting regenerative and socially responsible standards that empower farmers and farm workers in a rapidly expanding agricultural sector. In this episode we’re joined by Andrew Black, the executive director of Sun+Earth Certified, a beyond-organic standard for cannabis and hemp, and Josh Gulliver, a regenerative hemp and herb farmer based in Oregon, to talk about the challenges and opportunities on the horizon for cannabis growers.

This episode is particularly relevant right now, as three U.S. Senate Democrats have just presented a plan to end the federal prohibition on cannabis. This interview was recorded back in April, so that’s not part of the conversation, but what we do talk about is the increasing need for cannabis producers to lead the way on what it means to be truly regenerative. Right now we are at a crossroads. Does cannabis become just another commodity crop or can we use it as a vehicle to transform agriculture?

In this episode, we go deep into Sun+Earth Certified standards and what that means for the future of cannabis. Sun+Earth, if you don’t already know, is the non-profit started by David Bronner, who is the head of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps as well as an outspoken cannabis activist. The non-profit has set ambitious standards for cannabis production that include earth care, human empowerment and community engagement.

To find out more about Sun+Earth Certified go to sunandearth.org. If you’re interested in learning more about how Dr. Bronner’s is creating regenerative supply chains for its products go buy Honor Thy Label: Dr. Bronner’s Unconventional Journey to a Clean, Green, and Ethical Supply Chain. That book is available in the acresusa.com bookstore. Use the coupon code JULYPOD, that’s J-U-L-Y-P-O-D for 10 % off on all titles.

Tractor Time is brought to you by Acres U.S.A. and Barn2Door. Subscribe to our channel on YouTube, iTunes or anywhere podcasts are available. Also, find us on acresusa.com, ecofarmingdaily.com, and don’t forget to subscribe to our monthly magazine.

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On this episode we welcome the No-Till Titan himself, Jesse Frost. Frost owns and operates Rough Draft Farmstead with his wife, Hannah Crabtree. The farm is an organic, no-till market garden based in Lawrenceburg Kentucky. It sells at area farmers’ markets and offers a CSA service. Frost is also the host of the No-Till Market Garden podcast. And for Frost, the show grew out of a sense of service and necessity. He saw that there was a dearth of information on how to make no-till practices work for small-scale vegetable farmers and he decided to do something about it. In the process, he’s built up a thriving community of farmers who are eager to share ideas and best practices. In addition to his essential podcast, Frost also has an incredible new book out from Chelsea Green Publishing called The Living Soil Handbook: The No-Till Grower’s Guide to Ecological Market Gardening.

This episode also features an interview with investigative journalist Carey Gillam on an environmental disaster at an ethanol plant in Nebraska and an ongoing lawsuit over dicamba drift in Texas.

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On this episode we welcome back investigative journalist Carey Gillam. For regular listeners, Carey is a familiar name. This year, she’s been joining us each month for a segment we call Industrial Ag Watch, where she keeps us updated on the fearless reporting she does on our industrialized food system.

On this episode, we’re setting aside more time to really dig into her latest book — The Monsanto Papers: Deadly Secrets, Corporate Corruption, and One Man's Search for Justice. That book is out now and you can find it at the acresusa.com bookstore.

Carey is also the author of the 2017 book Whitewash: The Story of a Weed Killer, Cancer and the Corruption of Science. Whitewash won the coveted Rachel Carson Book Award from the Society of Environmental Journalists. And you can also go back in the archives and listen to a 2019 podcast we did with Carey about that book.

Carey also works as a reporter and director of research for U.S. Right to Know. Her work frequently appears in The Guardian and she has more than 30 years of experience covering food and agricultural policies and practices. She also serves on the Freedom of Information Task Force for the Society of Environmental Journalists.

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For 30-plus years, Mark Bittman has been, hands-down, the most influential food writer in America. He worked as a star food columnist at the New York Times. He’s written 16 best-selling books and cookbooks, including How to Cook Everything, How to Cook Everything Vegetarian and The Minimalist Cooks at Home.

His latest book is Animal, Vegetable, Junk: A History of Food, from Sustainable to Suicidal. It isn’t a cookbook. You won’t find any recipes in it. Instead, it’s an ambitious and clear-eyed survey of the past, present and future of agriculture. From the advent of farming over 10,000 years ago to the rise of industrial agriculture and hyper-processed junk food, Bittman somehow manages to synthesize thousands of years of history into a thoughtful and convincing argument for radical change within our modern food system.

And although it isn’t a cookbook, I wouldn’t say the book is a departure from his past work — it’s the culmination and the crowning achievement to a life dedicated to teaching people how to cook, and eat, ethically, healthfully and with pleasure.

Buy the book at the acresusa.com bookstore. Use the coupon code MAYPOD for 10% off on all titles.

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Doug Bierend is the author of a new book called In Search of Mycotopia: Citizen Science, Fungi Fanatics, and the Untapped Potential of Mushrooms.

Doug is a freelance journalist who writes about science and technology, food, and education. His byline has appeared in Wired, The Atlantic, Vice, Motherboard, The Counter, Outside Magazine and Civil Eats.

Investigative journalist Carey Gillam also joins us on this episode to talk about her recent story, publish in the Guardian, about paraquat, a potent and deadly herbicide. Carey’s the author of 2017 book Whitewash: The Story of a Weed Killer, Cancer and the Corruption of Science. Her new book is called The Monsanto Papers: Deadly Secrets, Corporate Corruption, and One Man's Search for Justice.

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On this our 53rd episode we welcome the head of Special Operations at Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, Gero Leson. He has a new book out called Honor Thy Label: Dr. Bronner’s Unconventional Journey to a Clean, Green, and Ethical Supply Chain.

Gero is not officially a member of the Bronner family, but he has been instrumental in helping the company realize its ambitious vision for a company that’s both environmentally and socially responsible. They’re not just buying organic ingredients and calling it a day. They’re creating their own supply chains from scratch. Today, they work with over 5,000 farmers in places like India, Sri Lanka and Ghana, and those farmers are using regenerative organic practices as well as getting paid a fair price for what they produce.

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Ann Armbrecht is the director of the Sustainable Herbs Program under the auspices of the American Botanical Council. She is also a writer and anthropologist (PhD, Harvard 1995) whose work explores the relationships between humans and the earth, most recently through her work with plants and plant medicine. She is the co-producer of the documentary Numen: The Nature of Plants and author of Thin Places: A Pilgrimage Home. Her latest book is The Business of Botanicals: Exploring the Healing Promise of Plant Medicines in a Global Industry (Chelsea Green Publishing, February 2021). She lives with her family in central Vermont.

Also featured on this episode is investigative journalist Carey Gillam. She joined us to talk about a recent study looking into the health effects of glyphosate.

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Tom Philpott is the food and ag correspondent for Mother Jones. Before that, he covered the food system for Grist. His reporting has appeared in the New York Times, Newsweek and the Guardian. He’s worked as a bona fide farmer and now splits his time between Austin, Texas, and North Carolina. He has a new book out from Bloomsbury Publishing. It’s called Perilous Bounty: The Looming Collapse of American Farming and How We Can Prevent It. The book is the culmination of an impressive career spent holding industry and government accountable. Perilous Journey tells the story of two U.S. farming powerhouses — California’s Central Valley and the Corn Belt of the Midwest. Through this lens, Philpott makes the case that current agricultural practices and policies are leading us down the road to environmental ruin. And yet, there’s still hope on the horizon.

To find out more about Tom Philpott visit www.tomphilpott.net/

Tractor Time is brought to you by Acres U.S.A. and Barn2Door. Subscribe to our channel on YouTube, iTunes or anywhere podcasts are available. Also, find us at acresusa.com, ecofarmingdaily.com, and don’t forget to subscribe to our monthly magazine.

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On this our 50th episode we welcome Dr. Vandana Shiva. A fearless advocate for peasant farmers throughout the world, Dr. Shiva is one of the most outspoken critics of industrial agriculture and its dire environmental and spiritual consequences. She is the founder of Navdanya, an India based organization that advocates for biodiversity, seed sovereignty and food independence. Navdanya runs an organic farm in the foothills of the Himalays and counts among its members millions of farmers across India, where the group has set up more than 100 seed banks. She is the recipient of many awards, including the Right Livelihood Award and the Sydney Peace Prize. She is also the author of several groundbreaking books, including Making Peace with the Earth, Soil Not Oil and Who Really Feeds the World?. Her latest book is called Oneness vs the 1%: Shattering Illusions, Seeding Freedom. In an age of growing economic inequality, globalization and relentless corporate propaganda, we need people like Dr. Shiva who are willing to stand up and speak the truth. Buy her books at acresusa.com. Use the coupon code FEBPOD for 10% off on all sales.

1 hour, 10 minutes

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On this episode we travel to the future — A Small Farm Future. That’s the title of a new book from farmer and social scientist Chris Smaje.

Let’s be honest, the future doesn’t look great. Our climate is changing rapidly, our soils are being depleted through industrial farming methods and deforestation, the global population is surging, our health is falling apart and despite some progress with renewable energy sources we’re still very much addicted to cheap fossil fuels.

It’s a bleak picture that Smaje paints in his new book. And while he doesn’t offer an optimistic Pollyanna vision for our future, Smaje does believe that humans can continue to thrive — if only we’re willing to radically reshape the way we think about communities and economies.

For the last 15 years, Smaje has run a small farm in Sommerset, England. Before that, he worked as a social scientist at University of Surrey and Goldsmiths College. His focus is the practice — and politics — of agroecology, and he’s written about that subject for publications such as The Land, Dark Mountain, Permaculture Magazine, Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems and the Journal of Consumer Culture. Smaje writes the Small Farm Future blog and is a featured author at resilience.org. He has a new book out with Chelsea Green Publishing. It’s called A Small Farm Future: Making the Case for a Society Built Around Local Economies, Self-Provisioning, Agricultural Diversity and a Shared Earth. I was really impressed by the amount of thought Smaje has put into actually working out some of the ideas we in the regenerative agriculture world take for granted.

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On this episode — the return of Doug Fine. Operating out the Funky Butte Ranch in southern New Mexico, Doug is a hemp farmer by day, journalist by night, entrepreneurial dynamo 24/7. His writing has appeared in places like Washington Post, Wired and Outside Magazine. He’s traveled all over the world, including to places like Burma, Rwanda, Laos, Guatemala and Tajikistan. He’s given TED Talks. He’s appeared on late-night talk shows. And he’s written several books, including Not Really An Alaskan Mountain Man, Farewell My Subaru, Too High To Fail: Cannabis and the New Green Economic Revolution, and Hemp Bound: Dispatches From the Front Lines of the Next Agricultural Revolution. His latest book, American Hemp Farmer, is a follow-up to Hemp Bound and it celebrates the men and women who are blazing a path in the regenerative, farmer-driven hemp industry. Doug also recently put out a brand new online course on growing and marketing regenerative hemp. For more on that, visit learn.acresusa.com.

This is Doug’s second time on the podcast and we’re grateful to have him back. This interview was recorded last year and it’s our first podcast of 2021. Doug’s a perfect guest to kick off a new season. He’s enthusiastic, he’s optimistic. He has a big vision for the future of regenerative hemp … and he’s in the trenches doing the work to bring it into reality.

Go buy Doug’s new book at the acresusa.com bookstore. Use the coupon code JANPOD for 10 % off on America Hemp Farmer and all other titles. And, if you’re interested in growing hemp yourself, Doug’s new course is a great place to start. Visit learn.acresusa.com to sign up.

1 hour, 40 minutes

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On this live edition of Tractor Time — recorded on November 12 — we are joined by Jeff Moyer, CEO of the Rodale Institute. Jeff has a new book out from Acres U.S.A. It’s called Roller/Crimper No-Till: Advancing No-Till Agriculture — Crops, Soil & Equipment.

For nearly 30 years, Jeff has worked at the Rodale Institute in Southeastern Pennsylvania, where he’s designed equipment and techniques for organic no-till farming systems. Just last year, he was named CEO of Rodale. In addition, he has served as the chairman of the USDA’s National Organic Standards Board and was a founding board member of Pennsylvania Certified Organic.

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Ken Roseboro, the editor and publisher of The Organic and Non-GMO Report, has been called “the nation’s reporter on all issues surrounding genetically modified foods” by Acres USA magazine. Ken’s articles have appeared in leading food and agriculture publications and websites such as Civil Eats, Sustainable Food News, Prepared Foods, Natural Foods Merchandiser, Food Processing, and World Grain as well as Harvest Public Media, The Huffington Post, Yahoo News, Mother Earth News, and others. He is a contributing editor to EcoWatch, Organic Connections and New Hope 360. Ken is author of Genetically Altered Foods and Your Health and The Organic Food Handbook both published by Basic Health Publications. He has spoken at many conferences including Natural Products Expo West, All Things Organic, Acres USA Conference, The Organic Farming Conference, National Heirloom Seed Expo, and others. Ken is a member of the design team of the Non-GMO Supply Working Group and a founding member of the board of directors of the Iowa Organic Association. Ken also serves on the board of directors of Soil Technologies Corporation. He appears in the award-winning documentary film, GMO OMG. In 2006, Ken received an Award of Merit from Seed Savers Exchange for his efforts to preserve genetic diversity through his publications.

1 hour, 3 minutes

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With us on our first live episode of Tractor Time is agroecologist Nicole Masters. She has a new book out. It's called, "For the Love of Soil," and there's an excerpt of that book in the August edition of Acres U.S.A. magazine. Go to acresusa.com to subscribe. Nicole has 20 years of experience working in Australia and New Zealand, in North America, to create regenerative food systems.

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On this episode of the Tractor Time podcast, we're joined by Chris Smith, author of the James Beard Award-winning book, “The Whole Okra: A Seed to Stem Celebration.” Chris lives in Asheville, North Carolina, where he is the founder and executive director of The Utopia Seed Project.

It seems like a perfect time of year to talk about okra. And I have to say that okra is one of my favorite vegetables. I grew it back when I lived in Texas, and it is just a stunningly beautiful plant. It loves the heat. It’s drought tolerant. I loved serving it at dinner parties because people were always surprised it could be so good.

But, let’s face it. Okra is polarizing. There’s the slime, for one. At the grocery store, you find it in a can, which, no thank you.

But beyond all that, it turns out okra is a powerful vehicle for telling stories about genetic diversity, seed to stem eating and even the American slave trade. Chris weaves all that, and much more, into his book.

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Rebecca Burgess is the co-author of the new book Fibershed: Growing a Movement of Farmers, Fashion Activists, and Makers for a New Textile Economy. Her previous book was Harvesting Color: How to Find Plants and Make Natural Dyes.

If you listen to Tractor Time, then you likely care about where your food comes from and how it’s grown. But if you’re like us, clothing doesn’t always get the same consideration. We often talk about farm to table, but not farm to closet.

All of us buy clothing. We buy for comfort, for style, for status, for functionality. We have the brands we stick with. And, yes, sometimes we’ll spend a little extra for a garment made of something we feel virtuous about — an organic cotton t-shirt, maybe, or a pair of hemp slacks. But mainly, we look for things that look good, won’t wear out too quickly and protect us from the elements. But what is this often-opaque global supply chain of fast fashion really doing to our world and to us? What Rebecca describes in this interview and in her book is truly stunning and might just change the way you think about clothing forever.

As you listen to this interview, I suggest you do some laundry, or at least take a look in your closet. Are you as conscientious about your clothing as you are about your food?

In this conversation, Rebecca opens up her closet, somewhat literally, to us, and shines a bright light on a system that takes an enormous toll on our environment. She isn’t just exposing a broken system, however — she has a bold and hopeful vision for what a regenerative clothing system could look like. And it isn’t just about persuading big clothing brands to do the right thing. Her Fibershed movement is well underway, with more than 50 communities already participating.

Rebecca is the executive director of Fibershed. You can find out more about it at fibershed.org. Rebecca is also the chairwoman of the board for the Carbon Cycle Institute and a skilled weaver and maker of natural dyes.

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When you think about recycling, what do you see — plastic containers piling up in the garage maybe? The overflowing bin of clinking wine bottles you’re more than a little embarrassed by on pickup day? Do you just see waste? Out of mind once it’s out of sight.

Or … do you see a farm?

Today, we’re talking with Gerry Gillespie. When he thinks about recycling, he sees healthy soil and nutritious food. He sees communities coming together to claim the rightful value of what most of us think of as trash.

In his native Australia, Gillespie saw two big problems he wanted to fix: farmland that had been degraded by years of chemical agriculture and overstuffed landfills that were belching methane into the atmosphere.

The answer to both problems would be to harness a largely untapped resource hiding in plain sight — the massive amounts of organic matter being discarded every day. We’re talking about yard waste, cardboard and newspaper. We’re talking about kitchen scraps — the potato peels, the coffee grounds, the eggshells. What if we could capture these nutrient-rich resources and funnel them into regenerative farming systems?

An internationally recognized recycling expert, Gerry Gillespie wants to challenge our preconceptions about waste. And he’s been doing this kind of work for decades. He’s a pioneer in the Zero Waste movement and the mastermind behind the City to Soil project, which connects household organic matter with farmers. He is the author of a new book from Acres U.S.A. called The Waste Between Our Ears: The Missing Ingredient to Disrupt Climate Change is in the Trash. He’s traveled all over the world to spread the word, but he calls New South Wales home.

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On this episode, we’re talking with Darby Simpson. If Tractor Time is only but a part of your farming podcast diet, you may already know who he is. He does the Grassfed Life podcast with Diego Footer. He’s also a contributor to Acres U.S.A. magazine. And what I really value about his perspective is its practicality. Through his podcasts and online courses, it’s clear he wants to help equip farmers with the tools to run successful farms — not just act out a romantic, Instagram version of farm life. He truly puts the economical in eco-agriculture. But he’s a conscientious farmer too, running a pasture-based, non-GMO livestock operation in Indiana, located between Indianapolis and Bloomington. In this interview, we talk about everything from farm diversification to the future of farmers’ market to the impact of COVID-19. Darby’s answers are thoughtful, insightful and, hopefully, prophetic.

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Recently, an Acres U.S.A. reader gave us a piece of sheet music he found while cleaning out his barn. The song’s called “The Farmer Feeds Us All.” It’s an old standard that has been performed in some form or fashion by everyone from Fiddlin’ John Carson to Pete Seeger to Ry Cooder. You should go listen to it. I’ll link to the Fiddlin’ John Carson version in the show notes.

I’ve been thinking about this song as the coronavirus pandemic lays low entire sectors of the U.S. and world economy, spreads sickness to the rich and poor alike, and gathers a dark cloud of fear and uncertainty over our future.

And yet, as national emergencies often are — at least for a time — the pandemic has been clarifying, forcing us to think about what truly matters most. Now, if you watch the evening news, you might assume that’s toilet paper. But for many, this time has been about reconnecting with loved ones. It’s been about reconnecting with the things that nourish us — things like faith, family and food.

Along with “social distancing,” “essential services” has been one of the new phrases to enter our lexicon over the last few months. In addition to health care providers and grocery store workers, we are reminded during this time that farmers, too, are essential to our survival.

We here at Acres U.S.A. have always marveled at the determination and the creativity small farmers show us in their tireless efforts to bring us nutritious food. In preparing for our May issue, which we put together this month, we reached out to many of these men and women to see how they were weathering the storm. What we heard was inspiring. Farmers aren’t panicking. They’re just getting to work.

Marty Travis runs Spence Farm in Illinois along with his wife Kris and son Will. He’s also an Acres U.S.A. author. His book, My Farmer, My Customer can be found at the acresusa.com bookstore. Marty leads a co-op of farmers that serves some of the top restaurants in the Chicago area (watch the documentary Sustainable for more on that). Many of those restaurants went into hibernation during the outbreak, but they didn’t forget about Marty’s group. The chefs put out the word that there was plenty of fresh food for sale. The demand from families was so high that the co-op saw a big spike in its usual revenue. And even though he had barely slept a wink when we talked to him this month, Marty was still finding time to offer farmers words of encouragement. I was really inspired by what he had to say and I hope you are too.

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On this episode of Tractor Time, we’re presenting a double feature on farm activism. We caught up with Sherri Dugger and Judith McGeary at the Acres Eco-Ag Conference in Minneapolis back in December. Both of them were speakers at the multi-day event, which pulls in leaders in sustainable farming from all over North America and beyond. Sherri and Judith are at the forefront of efforts to empower small farmers and to fight for better food policy. When we spoke with Sherri Dugger she was fresh off a trip to Washington D.C. It was there that Sherri and group of farmers and ranchers voiced their support of the Green New Deal. Sherri worked for years as a journalist, and she’s just as surprised as anyone that she’s evolved into a leading activist for farmers. Just recently, she was named as the executive director of the Socially Responsible Agriculture Project. Before that she was executive director of the Women, Food and Agriculture Network. She is the co-chair of the national Farmers and Ranchers for a Green New Deal coalition, which we talk about in this episode.

Judith McGeary is an attorney and activist. She’s a farmer in Cameron, Texas, and she’s the founder and executive director of the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance. She’s a passionate advocate for building durable local food systems and a fierce critic of government policies that don’t serve small farmers. She’s a force of nature who uses her expertise in law to empower her fellow farmers and to set lawmakers straight.

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Tractor Time is brought to you by Acres U.S.A., the Voice of Eco-Agriculture. On this episode, we welcome Mimi Casteel, a wine maker in Oregon's Eola-Amity Hills. At Hope Well Vineyard, Casteel is blazing her own trail and fast becoming one of the leading voices in the regenerative agriculture movement. Mimi talks eloquently and brilliantly — not just about wine, but agriculture and land use in general. As you’ll hear, her beyond-organic farm is singular within the American wine world. It’s not your typical vineyard, with its neat and tidy rows, it’s a dynamic ecosystem that incorporates livestock, welcomes in wild animals, eschews industrial inputs and produces prized pinot noirs. And for this work, Mimi was recently named the Wine Person of the Year by Imbibe Magazine.

She grew up on her parent’s vineyard, and winemaking is truly in her blood, but so are wild landscapes, the ones she drew nourishment and meaning from when she was a botanist for the Forest Service. She left that job in 2005 to work at her family’s vineyard and eventually started her own on an old Christmas Tree farm. Although it might be a surprising coming from a former Forest Service employee, she believes that the world won’t be saved by wilderness areas, but by completely re-envisioning how we grow our food.

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Dr. Zach Bush is a triple-board certified physician, with a focus on internal medicine, endocrinology, and hospice and palliative care. He currently runs a clinic in rural Virginia that focuses on plant-based nutrition and holistic health. He’s an entrepreneur with a mind-boggling array of projects to his resume. So why is he on a podcast devoted to sustainable and organic agriculture? It’s quite a story, as you’ll hear. At his clinic a few years ago, Dr. Bush began noticing that nutrition-based medicine just wasn’t working as he had expected. Some of his patients were just getting sicker. That led him on a journey deep into a dysfunctional and toxic agricultural system that through the heavy use of chemicals like glyphosate is robbing crops of nutritional value, accelerating the decline of human health, destroying the environment and paving the way for mass extinction. Yeah, it gets pretty bleak — there’s talk of disease, cataclysm and collapse — but stick with it — because Dr. Bush is at heart a radical optimist. He believes that regenerative agriculture can save the world by creating healthy soils that will sequester carbon, reverse climate change, produce highly nutritious food and create healthy humans. To further that mission, Dr. Bush has started Farmers Footprint, a nonprofit that aims to transition 5 million acres to regenerative practices by 2025. According to Dr. Bush, all successful revolutions start with farmers.

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Kathleen Merrigan was instrumental in crafting the Organic Foods Production Act in 1990. She also served as the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture during the Obama Administration. During that time, she spearheaded the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food program. And just recently, she was named as the first executive director of the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems at Arizona State University. She previously served as executive director of sustainability at George Washington University. And she was named one of the "100 most influential people in the world" by Time Magazine in 2010. As you’ll hear, she has a lot to say about the true cost of food and the future of organic farming. She has a big vision for a food system that takes into account biodiversity, human health, water quality, climate and waste.

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If you’ve seen the documentary “Sustainable,” you know that Spence Farm is a special place. It’s owned and operated by Marty Travis, along with his wife, Kris and son, Will. Their farm supplies organic vegetables and heritage meats to some of the top kitchens in the City of Chicago — Fronterra Grill, Girl and the Goat and The Publican, to name a few. But that might undersell what Marty and his family have built. The way that they’ve developed relationships, not just with chefs, but also with a network of small farmers, is nothing shorting of astounding. To our mind, Spence Farm is a vision for the future of food. Marty has a new book out titled, “My Farmer, My Customer: Building Business & Community Through Farming Healthy Food” (Acres U.S.A., 2019). It's currently available for pre-order at the AcresUSA.com bookstore. Marty is also a featured speaker at the Acres U.S.A. Eco-Ag Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota in December.

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If you’re a reader of Acres U.S.A. magazine, you might recognize his name. Paul Dorrance writes for us frequently, and he does it with a teacher’s spirit and a sense of humor. Acres is unique in that we rely on people like Paul, people who are in the field, doing the hard, challenging work of farming. Paul is also one of the featured speakers at the Acres U.S.A. Eco-Ag Conference in December. Eco-Ag is kind of like Coachella, or Woodstock, if you prefer older references. Instead of music, we bring together a group of some of the biggest names in regenerative agriculture. I’m just looking a list and it’s incredible: Carey Gillam, Zach Bush and Kathleen Merrigan are keynote speakers. Here are some other names you might recognize: Neal Kinsey, Mark Shepard, Bob Quinn, David Montgomery, Andre Leu, Paul Dettloff, Gary Zimmer … the list goes on. Paul Dorrance is in that mix and I thrilled to introduce him to you.

He’s a former Air Force pilot. He wears a big, ten-gallon cowboy hat and he’s as humble as they come. In this episode, we’re going to learn a little about Paul, but also about his latest article for our magazine. In that piece, Paul writes about his misadventures in Livestock Guardian Animals.

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Doug Fine, an investigative journalist by trade, has emerged as a leading voice in the effort to bring hemp back as a major American crop.

His writing has appeared in places like Washington Post, Wired and Outside Magazine. He’s travelled all over the world, including to places like Burma, Rwanda, Laos, Guatemala and Tajikistan. He’s given TED Talks. He’s appeared on late-night talk shows. And he’s written several books, including Not Really An Alaskan Mountain Man, Farewell My Subaru, which is about his attempt to wean himself off fossil fuel, and Too High To Fail: Cannabis and the New Green Economic Revolution.

His latest book is Hemp Bound: Dispatches From the Front Lines of the Next Agricultural Revolution.

And for Fine, those frontlines are found at Funky Butte Ranch, his 40-acre spread in southern New Mexico where he and his family grow hemp, tend a garden and raise a herd of mischievous goats.

Although Fine sees himself as a journalist first, he doesn’t shy away from speaking up for what he believes in. And what he believes is this: Hemp represents not just the next big money-maker in agriculture. It isn’t just about cashing in on the CBD craze. Instead, he believes it’s an opportunity to change the whole game — and maybe fight off the effects of climate change in the process.

Fine will also be a featured speaker at Acres U.S.A.’s December Eco-Ag Conference & Trade Show in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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Hosted by Ben Trollinger / Editor, Acres U.S.A.

Hello and welcome to Tractor Time podcast, brought to you by Acres U.S.A., the Voice of Eco-Agriculture. I’m your host, Ben Trollinger, and as always, I want to say thank you to our sponsors, BCS America.

You’re probably heard of kamut (kah-moot), also known as khorasan wheat, also known as King Tut’s Wheat. It’s drought resistant and highly nutritious. It’s in organic breakfast cereals. It’s in pasta. People with gluten sensitivity can eat it. Artisan bakers drool over it.

It’s one of organic farming’s biggest success stories. It’s a story that’s rooted deep in history and it that might just show us the way forward.

I’m joined by Bob Quinn and Liz Carlisle, co-authors of Grain by Grain: A Quest to Revive Ancient Wheat, Rural Jobs, and Healthy Food.

The book details Quinn’s journey over the last several decades to turn his dryland farm in Big Sandy, Montana into a powerhouse of organic and regenerative agriculture. Through his multi-million dollar heirloom grain company, Kamut International, Quinn has managed to create a durable network of around 200 organic farmers.

Quinn was also instrumental in shaping the country’s first organic food standards back in the late 1990s. Before that, in the 1980s, he helped establish standards for his home state.

Liz Carlisle is a lecturer in the School of Earth, Energy, and Environmental Sciences at Stanford University. Her first book, Lentil Underground, prominently features Bob Quinn’s work and also won the Montana Book Award and the Green Prize for Sustainable Literature. She’s a forager of regenerative agriculture wisdom — and also a recovering country and western singer.

1 hour, 4 minutes

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Hosted by Ryan Slabaugh & Ben Trollinger / Sponsored by BCS America

Good day and welcome to Tractor Time podcast, brought to you by Acres U.S.A., the Voice of Eco-Agriculture. I’m your host, Ryan Slabaugh, and as always, I want to say thank you to our sponsors, BCS America. Today’s theme is all about happy pigs, and profitable pig operations, and an interesting breed called Guinea Hogs.

First, I’ve got someone to introduce to everyone this episode. It will be the new host of Tractor Time, which I’m proud to say is Ben Trollinger, the new editor at Acres USA. I’m not going too far, but will stay involved helping Ben produce and grow the podcast, while I get to go focus on getting a few new exciting projects up and running.

Ben will join before he interviews Cathy Payne, our guest on this episode. Cathy is the author of Saving the Guinea Hogs, a new book that is on sale in the Acres U.S.A. bookstore.

First, I recently took a trip to Rodale Institute in Pennsylvania, and got a chance to tour their hog operation. To make sure this episode is all pig-themed, I thought I’d share some audio I got from touring their operation.

Thanks again to our listeners and our sponsor, BCS America. You can find this podcast at ecofarmingdaily.com, acresusa.com, or anywhere podcasts can be played. Thanks, and have a great week.

If you want, shoot a note to Ben at btrollinger@acresusa.com. He’d love to hear from you.

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Hosted by Ryan Slabaugh

Sponsored by BCS America

Good day and welcome to Tractor Time podcast brought to you by Acres U.S.A., the Voice of Eco-Agriculture. I am your host, Ryan Slabaugh, and we are humbled to bring you the 30th episode. Today’s topic is one we have to talk about, but it’s not a whole lot of fun – Monsanto.

Our guest today, Carey Gillam, is a veteran reporter who has been covering corporate America for 25 years, including Monsanto and most recently, Bayer. This year, she’s been busy covering the Monsanto trials, suing agencies under the Freedom of Information Act, and discovering an amazing array of corruption that is fueling the more than 11,000 lawsuits against the company.

Mainly, she’s uncovered the fact that Monsanto has lied to and tricked farmers, land managers, growers, ranchers and city managers for 50 years about RoundUp. That as they tell their employees to behave differently around the product than they do consumers. And that they paid for fake science, paid off reporters, and got especially cozy with politicians around the world. France’s Parliament is exploring charges that they kept a list of politicians they liked and disliked. That’s nothing new to us here in the U.S., but that level of targeted lobbying does not go over so well elsewhere in the world. But the bottom line is, it’s toxic to human and animal health, and juries around the world that have heard their defenses do not see any redemption in them – in fact, it is quite the opposite. The lying has only added to their penalties, and their liabilities now range in the trillions, and Bayer’s stock price is 40% declined from where it was at the time they purchased Monsanto.’

Here’s a clip from the Canadian Public Broadcasting Channel’s recent coverage, which summarized the issue:

To be clear, we are talking about the specific formulation Monsanto uses in its RoundUp product that includes glyphosate – that’s an important distinction. Monsanto’s spokespersons deny all this and say there is no proof their product is unhealthy or shouldn’t be used. You can still find it everywhere, and even though towns and ciiteis are starting to make it illegal to use, it’s use is still prolific.

And who is fueling this worldwide coverage? Our guest today, Carey Gillam. She wrote a book called Whitewash: The Story of a Weed Killer, Cancer & the Corruption of Science, published by Island Press, in 2017. The way she threads her reporting in with current events paints a damning picture of Roundup, even garnering praise from Erin Brockovich.

And our guest today makes the strong point that banning RoundUp or glyphosate, or suing for billions, does not solve the real problem we are facing: an agriculture and food supply dependent on the lies that Monsanto has been giving farmers, and the safety nets are a bit too far down to feel comfortable leaping.

It’s our listeners who will really be solving this problem, but taking the information Carey gives us today to educate us on the forces at work in the herbicide world, and how we can make informed, healthy choices. You can make a difference by how you grow food, the food you buy at the store, and by the manner in which we defend eco-agriculture.

So, let’s get into the interview with our guest today: As a former senior correspondent for Reuters' international news service, and current research director for consumer group U.S. Right to Know, Carey Gillam's areas of expertise include biotech crop technology, agrichemicals and pesticide product development, and the environmental impacts of American food production. Gillam has been recognized as one of the top journalists in the country covering these issues.

A special thanks to our episode sponsor, BCS America.

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Hosted by Ryan Slabaugh

Good day and welcome to Tractor Time podcast brought to you by Acres U.S.A., the Voice of Eco-Agriculture. I’m your host Ryan Slabaugh, and today our episode is focused on soil health, and the philosophies of Glen Rabenberg. Glen has spent a lifetime journey building a system that works across climates and soil types, and in the next hour, we’re going to ask him to walk through his journey, and how he piece together the knowledge – and wisdom – he needed to eventually start his company, Soil Works, which helps so many farmers around the world.

As you will also hear, Glen will be leading a farm tour at our Healthy Soil Summit, August 21-22 in Davis, California. Registration is open at www.acresusa.com, and we are only allowing about 150-200 into the event, so sign up soon. Glen is also working with us to produce a series of podcasts we will release this summer focused on short, simple tactics you can employ on your farm to increase and improve your soil life.

One other announcement: We will also be opening registration to our annual conference, this year in Minneapolis, Minnesota, December 9-12, in May. We have a ton of great speakers — some new, including Marty Travis, the start farmer in the movie, Sustainable. We really want to see you there – we’ll be talking about biodiversity, regenerative agriculture and diversification tactics and a whole lot more. But today’s program is soil-soil-soil with Glen Rabenberg, and his life journey.

Our guest today, Glen Rabenberg is the founder and owner of Soil Works LLC. Born and raised in Bancroft, SD, he graduated from Desmet High School in 1980. He was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, General Agriculture and Agriculture Economics from South Dakota State University in 1985. Glen then went to work for Walco International as an Animal Science Technical Advisor. He spent most of the following years with Walco working with animal pharmaceuticals, veterinarians, and farmers. Through his experience he began to notice trends in the animal science industry. He saw that many of the diseases he was employed to treat were the result of nutritional deficiencies from poor grains and forage that the animals were consuming.

Rather than conforming to the traditional methods of soil science, Glen brings his knowledge of animal science and applies it to the soil. Glen continues to search for new ways to restore the soil and aid in the production of quality food. He aims to “bring soil back to the way nature intended.” He still maintains his third generation farm in Bancroft, SD and travels the world solving the world’s soil problems with a little bit of simplicity and the “rite” tools.

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Good day, and welcome to Tractor Time podcast brought to you by Acres U.S.A., the voice of eco-agriculture. This is a special episode, our 28th in our series, that will feature a friend and guest to Acres U.S.A., Dr. Paul Dettloff. A special thanks to our series sponsors, BCS America and Albert Lea Seed, who make this all possible.

Dr. Paul Dettloff has spent 50 years in large animal veterinary practice, working with farmers all over the world to help them think differently. He was well ahead of his time pushing grass as cattle feed, and working with holistic, proven tools that operate completely independent of the technology booms happening today.

His new hardcover book, A Guide to Raising Animals Organically, has captured his work in a fascinating, comprehensive way. We were very proud to be Dr. Paul’s publisher of the book, which is available now.

We are also very proud that Dr. Paul will be talking at our conference in December in Minneapolis. He will be leading a full day Eco-Ag conference session on soil preparation for cattle, cattle feed systems and will allow folks to peek inside his vet bag. He'll add on a workshop too about A2A2 milk markets that should be very helpful for today's dairy farmer looking for diversification techniques.

The last time he talked was 2007, and we wanted to share that talk with our audience today. It’s a fascinating story Dr. Paul weaves around his career as a veterinarian, and how he discovered organic along the way, and helped champion the growth and rebirth of old veterinary tools so important to sustainable and organic farmers.

So, here’s Dr. Paul’s talk from 2007, titled “Enhancing Vet Tools.” It’s more than just a story about livestock. It’s a story about how we treat animals, and how those animals can feed our farming ecosystems.

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Good day and welcome to Tractor Time, brought to you by Acres USA, the Voice of Eco-Agriculture. I’m your host, Ryan Slabaugh, and it feels like a spring day here in Greeley, Colorado, where we are recording episode 27 on this 20th day of March in 2019.

It’s been a very interesting week in eco-agriculture, and while I don’t want to get too much into the news, it’s worth mentioning that we have a bunch of customers lose buildings to the heavy winds and flooding in the Midwest and out near our offices, we are following another Monsanto trial that decided the behemoth is responsible for informing its users about the potential risks, including cancer, and the European Union has decided to investigate both Monsanto and Exxon’s involvement in climate change denials.

So the pressure’s on. A lot of people I’ve talked to think a vacuum is coming, where Roundup will be replaced by something … and we know the toxic race is on, but we sure hope some farmers can find a way to use nutrient-based farming techniques on part of their land.

At least, that’s why we are here today. We are going to talk to Jodi Helmer, a journalist, gardener and author of six books, who with Island Press is releasing a new book, Protecting Pollinators (Island Press, available in the Acres U.S.A. bookstore.) We wanted to take this chance to talk bees and butterflies … and even long-nosed bats. We haven’t had an episode dedicated to this topic yet, so we needed one, as we know pollinators are one of the secret ingredients for growing food that we’ve neglected to include in a lot of our commercial agriculture systems. We’ll learn more about where we are with this today, how the protect the bees movement is doing, and what we can do with the land we own, rent and work at to help foster a better environment.

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Good day and welcome to Tractor Time, brought to you by Acres U.S.A., the Voice of Eco-Agriculture. I’m your host Ryan Slabaugh, and I’m happy to bring you the 26th episode of our podcast. Thanks again to Albert Lea seeds for making this episode possible.

A few announcements — Minnesota is the theme of today’s show. Acres USA will be in Minnesota in December for our annual conference, and one of the reasons — other than the great December weather there — is the amount of trailblazing agriculture that is going on in that region. You can learn more about our event at www.acresusa.com — tickets will go on sale later this spring. But before that, we’ll get into some of that agriculture, and talk to some of the country’s original grassfed beef farmers.

Today, we’re going to have two cattlemen on the show to discuss their operations and some current topics, a few of which are creating quite a debate: Matt Maier, with Thousand Hills Cattle in Minnesota, and Will Winter, a teacher of holistic animal medicine and founder of the American Holistic Livestock Association. I met Will at our annual conference a couple years ago, and recognized his trademark cowboy hat and beard. He’s written for our magazine and spoken to our audiences before, and we’re excited to have him on the show today.

I met Matt’s team at our conference last year and learned that they had pursued Savory Institute Hub certification, and are — and have been —leading the way with regenerative agriculture. Their cattle were grazing 365 days a year in Minnesota, which is not an easy thing to accomplish, and takes a disciplined system. Will and Matt worked together in Minnesota at Thousand Hills.

During our talk, they walked me through the Polar Vortex experience, where temperatures reached -30 on their farm, and their reactions to the Green New Deal, as well as sharing some ideas and inspiration for new cattle farmers.

Here’s a video that shows off the environment at Thousand Hills:

https://youtu.be/5ZezvrKOxS4

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Welcome to Tractor Time, brought to you by Acres U.S.A., the Voice of Eco_Agriculture. I’m your host Ryan Slabaugh, and lucky enough to be the GM/Publisher of Acres U.S.A., and very lucky enough to sit down and produce our 25th episode of Tractor Time. And thanks again to BCS America for being the sponsors of today’s program.

Today’s guest – I met Fred Provenza, professor emeritus in the Department of Wildland Resources at Utah State University, at our annual conference last December. We talked a bit about farming and soil, but in all honesty, we talked more about our common hobby of skiing and winter sports. When it came time to scheduling guests, I knew I needed Fred on the show so we could actually talk about our day jobs, and his lifetime of research into animal and human health.

So, today’s guest – Renowned animal behaviorist Fred Provenza has spent his academic career researching how animals respond to an intricately tuned system of flavor-feedback relationships. In other words, animals somehow instinctively seem to know what foods they need to stay alive and healthy. But what about us humans? Do we possess that same wisdom? He wrote about that in a new book from Chelsea Green called Nourishment: What Animals Can Teach Us About Rediscovering Our Nutritional Wisdom.

We’re going to get into that book, but more importantly, we’re going to use that book to talk about the larger health issues, and how our own bodies and own biology often can defy us – but they can also tell us exactly what we need to know. We’re doing to cover that and a lot more in this episode of Tractor Time, brought to you by Acres U.S.A. We recorded this interview on Wednesday, Jan. 23, via phone.

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Hosted by Ryan Slabaugh. Sponsored by Albert Lea Seed.

Good day and welcome to Tractor Time podcast brought to you by Acres U.S.A., the Voice of Eco-Agriculture. We are happy to be bringing you another episode, our 1st of season 3 starting this year, and 24th overall.

On today’s program, we’re going to honor our 2018 Eco-Ag Award winner, who we celebrated in December at our 43rd annual conference. Jeff Moyer, is a longtime organic farmer, author, lecturer. His work with Rodale Institute, both in hands-on farming and as executive director, is advancing the state of the art of organic agriculture and building bridges to bring these methods to mainstream, conventional farmers.

His talk at our conference was aimed at helping farmers see the future of the organic certification industry, and how words like “regenerative” and “sustainable” are already being fought about in the advertising board rooms across the world.

“Like it or not, we’re in a food fight,” he says. “Right now, organic is in the middle of that fight. So is the word regenerative. And sustainable. And sustainability.”

Other past winners who have showed up on the Tractor Time podcast have included Dr. Vandana Shiva, who won in 2017, Gary Zimmer in 2011, Ronnie Cummins in 2009, Joel Salatin in 2006, and Neal Kinsey in 2003.

Learn more about Rodale Institute here.

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Good day and welcome to Tractor Time podcast brought to you by Acres U.S.A., the Voice of Eco-Agriculture. We are happy to be bringing you another episode, our 11th this year and 23rd overall, and I think we’re going to get in at least one more before the end of the year, so stay tuned.

It’s about that time. In a couple days, Acres U.S.A. is hitting the road — or getting on a plane, actually — and heading to Louisville, Kentucky, for our 43rd annual Eco-Ag Conference & Trade show. In the office, we’re at that hybrid stage of nervousness, confidence, anxiety and adrenaline, and our days are filled with all the little odd jobs – cutting badges, ordering bags, shipping off our bookstore – and we know a lot of our listeners who will be attending are doing the same. Getting ready for the week away.

So we though it’d be appropriate to preview a few of our upcoming speakers on the show today, and include some of our sponsors. We don’t do a lot of advertising or sponsored stuff on this, so forgive us this one time. Plus, these aren’t your normal sponsorship messages. These are folks just like you – passionate about eco-agriculture and making a difference. And paying the bills, of course.

To start, here’s a quick thank you list to the companies and organizations that make our conference, and Acres U.S.A., possible. We don’t thank them enough for their support, so here is a big, giant, thank you to our advertisers, sponsors who make this all possible. Including, those who sponsor this podcast, some of whom we interviewed especially for this episode on all things eco-agriculture:

The Savory Institute and their co-founder and CEO Daniela Ibarra-Howell. You can hear an entire interview with Daniela on episode 21. She’s fascinating and her story is inspiring of how we can all see a problem – overgrazing and unsustainable agriculture – and develop a solution that can be applied anywhere in the world.
Midwest BioSystems and Edwin Blosser & Company. Edwin is a master at explaining how to use compost on large-scale farms, and we’ll hear from him on that on this episode. He’ll be speaking next week as well, and is just an efficient, patient teacher.
Eden Blue Gold. They are passionate about what they do, and the time and effort they’ve put into researching their products. You’ll hear about their process for creating organic inputs for large-scale production.

We also want to thank the following folks:

Brandt. They have a whole line of sturdy, well-built farm equipment, and we are kind of in love with their slogan: Powerful Value, Delivered. Yep. That about says it all. They stand by their work. Search for Brandt agriculture tools and you’ll see what we’re talking about.
Verde Agritech. Verde’s products are derived from an ancient 570 million years old rock named “glauconitic siltstone”, rich in a mineral called glauconite. The production process is 100% natural.
Terreplenish is another great supporter of Acres USA. If you are farming corn, or anything that you need help in retaining your nitrogen in your fields, then I’d encourage you to look up Terreplenish. This is what they do. They have a number of biological, sustainable solutions.

But we are going to lead off our show with a bit from Wil Spencer at Environotics, who will talk about a subject we don’t discuss often on this show – soil life and biodynamics. We talked in late October on the phone about what the licensed holistic naturopath has learned on the subject

Next up, we interviewed James Arpin in late October of 2019 about Eden Blue Gold. The interview may not be what you expect. James wanted to teach us about what he sees as the true differences between plants, animals and humans, and what our similarities, and differences, can teach us about how to interact. How we can heal each other. Here’s James Arden with Eden Blue Gold --

Our third guest today is Edwin Blosser. His company, Midwest BioSystems, lives the word. When we talked about a year ago, he was looking out his office window at harvesters picking black beans that were going off to Chipotle. We talked about large-scale biological inputs, and what he’s learned from a lifetime of farming. If you’re attending our show, Edwin is a must-see, and find him at his booth, too. I started the conversation by asking him to tell us how he got into farming.

I couldn’t let this completely be finished though without a soundbite from one of our keynote speakers next week – Daniela with the Savory Institute and legendary grower and author Eliot Coleman are two of them, and our third is Joel Salatin with Polyface Farms. I asked him what he liked better, speaking or farming, and this was his answer. He’ll be leading our conference with a resounding presentation on Thursday night.

Now, that’s our show. Thanks for tuning into another episode of Tractor Time podcast, brought to you by Acres U.S.A., the Voice of Eco-Agriculture. Find us at www.acresusa.com, at ecofarmingdaily.com, or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Better yet, come find us in Louisville next week and say hello.

Thanks for listening, and have a great week.

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Hosted by Ryan Slabaugh

This episode is a bit unique from the others, which are usually done in the comforts of my office back in Greeley, Colorado. For most recordings, it’s me, a microphone, an interview guest and my dog snoring in the corner. If you need the full picture, I even prop a sign up in my windowed door that says, “On Air.” But that’s really just for me – it makes me feel official.

But so does this scene where I am today. Today, we are broadcasting from Belize, specifically, Belmopan, Belize, at the inaugural Tropical Agriculture Festival. We first met one of the organizers, Beth Roberson, a Belizian farmer, in Columbus, Ohio, last year during our annual conference. Beth left inspired to start her own educational conference down here, picked our brains a bit, and recruited some of our speakers and former Tractor Time guests like regenerative poultry specialist Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin and Regeneration International’s André Leu, among others.

Let me set the stage a bit. Belize is a small country of about 350,000 people, just south of Mexico and east of Guatemala. It’s known for having the second largest reef in the world off its coast, and for being an English colony until the early 1980s. The country, very proud of its freedom, is still finding its feet. The Guatemalan president threatens them with invasion, and England still has a small standing army there as a reminder to their neighbors.

Belmopan is a small town of a few thousand, and wears a few scars. The main roads are paved, but most are not, but a fountain roundabout greets visitors on the Western Highway. A bar-restaurant called “Cheers” greets guests as they arrive into town before a roundabout — I met the owner, and she told me she also runs a “small” farm behind it that includes horses, sheep, cattle, goats and chickens, and yes, she composts from the restaurant. On the other side of the highway, the entrance to a national park. Inside the town, a large agriculture grounds with stages, test gardens and plenty of native trees. This is where the festival was held this week.

The event started with the national anthem, sung by an 8-year-old local schoolgirl. It’s clear from the anthem what the country does not want — tyrants and colonizers. And it’s clear that they want to be a free country, although they are still grappling with which economy will drive its future. The tourism economy, which favors hotels and airports and large ports, or a more local economy, where manufacturing, agriculture and other jobs will fill the gap.

Agriculture, though, will have some part. It has to. Or at least, it’d be silly not to. Pineapples, mangoes, bananas, jackfruits, etc. From any city, it doesn’t take long to be in the country, where anyone would be taken in by the variety of flora, fauna and wildlife, which range from toucans to jaguars to crocodiles. Our first hour in the country, as we pulled into our hotel, the sounds of howler monkeys greeted us. (You’ll have to listen to the podcast for the full effect.)

The next day, the conference began. We heard a resounding call to action from Ronnie Cummins, on the board with Regeneration International, which was followed by two days of educational speeches on five different stages, ranging from permaculture to seed saving to agritourism. All were rooted in how Belize can transform its agriculture into one of the world’s best. And no matter what, you have to give something to a country that starts its weekends on Thursday nights.

Here’s what clips you can find on the podcast. Also, you’ll hear some thumping in the background, and truck noise. I apologize for that recording issue – (I wasn’t counting on so much foot stomping on stage when I set up the microphone, nor could I do much about the nearby highway traffic.)

Ronnie Cummins, Board Member of Regeneration International

Here’s that talk from Ronnie that opened up the conference. It’s about 16 minutes, and full of fire and fury.

Taylor Walker, Biodiverse Systems Designer

Next, a highlight I recorded from Taylor Walker. A jack-of-all trades who designs gardens and permaculture environments, including Naples Botanical Gardens, Inland ecology Research Group, Sanibel Sea School and others. In Belize, he is managing Tropical Agro-Forestry farms.

I’ll play a few minutes of his talk, as he walks about 50-60 people in his class through specific plants that grow well in Belize, like bread fruit.

Christopher Nesbitt, Regenerative Agriculturist

Christopher Nesbitt, a regenerative agriculturist, has spent 30 years restoring a piece of damaged land in the Maya foothills. His land is now filled with more than 500 species of plants, all of which are harvestable. His talk was about his work. Here’s just a piece about that biodiversity.

Santiago Juan, Agritourism in Belize

Santiago Juan, born and raised in Cayo District Belize, owns and operates a resort farm in the country. He spoke about agritourism, and how Belize can use its organic lands, pristine wilderness, and local food production to create a unique, authentic experience. One side note: his talk was not without some controversy, as some Belizian farmers weren’t too sure they wanted hoards of camera-toting Westerners posing with their pigs. But alas, the discussion assuaged some fears, and again showed what is to be gained, or lost, in such a wonderful country, one that is still building itself into an autonomous, self-sustained citizen of the world. (And sorry for the popping on this audio. It was lunch time, and the nearby passing trucks’s jake brakes kept blowing out the microphone.)

That’s it — and a few rambles from me. Thanks for reading and listening.

Find the Tractor Time podcast in the iTunes store, or at www.acresusa.com, or at ecofarmingdaily.com. It’s a bunch of other places too. Thanks for helping grow our food – have a great week.

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Good day and welcome to Tractor Time podcast. I’m your host, Ryan Slabaugh, the GM of Acres U.S.A., and we are excited to bring you another fun hour of conversation about ecology, agriculture, smart farming, human health – and more.

I want to thank our listeners. We recently went over the 20,000th download as a podcast, which is exciting for us. The world of eco-growers is always larger than we anticipate, and to us, that means things are changing for the positive. We hear so much about degenerative agriculture and its toxic toll on our world, but there is a silver lining – you. The listeners who are fighting tradition and convention with smart growing tactics, by understanding the soil, are the solution, and slowly but surely, we are making progress. It’s important we all agree on that one. It’s not that we don’t have challenges, and that they are not large and complicated, but we do not that the base-level agreement we want to get to is that the Earth, and its complicated and resilient life forms, will tell us what we need to know to grow our food. But it does require us to listen.

Okay, the high horse is getting tired, but it’s true. Our listeners are the silver lining, and one of the brightest spots on that lining is our guest today.

Daniela Ibarra-Howell is a native Argentinian, an agronomist by profession, and has more than 25 years of ranching experience. In 2009, she helped start The Savory Institute, headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, and became its CEO in 2011. Since then, she’s served on initiatives as wide as the UN Global Impact study, among a number of other roundtables and think tanks for healthy food and healthy agriculture. They are just too many to name.

Daniela will be a big part of Acres USA in the next couple months, a fact that we are very grateful for. She will be speaking at our annual conference in Louisville, Kentucky, Dec. 4-7, and keynoting an evening there. She will be featured in the November issue of our magazine, with an interview with Chris Walters. And, of course, we’re proud to have Daniela Howell on the Tractor Time podcast today.

Learn more about the Savory Institute at https://www.savory.global/.

Learn more about Acres U.S.A. at www.acresusa.com, or read our free, helpful content at www.ecofarmingdaily.com. You can find this contest on both sites, or for free in the Apple Podcast store.

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Good day and welcome to Tractor Time, a podcast brought to you by Acres U.S.A. Today’s podcast features two guests. Both live together in Seattle, and are writers, advocates and change agents and, it should be noted, both are quite brilliant as well – Biologist Anne Biklé and Geologist David Montgomery.

We have interviewed both separately, and will run their interviews back-to-back.

Our second interview you will hear on this episode, Anne Biklé, is a biologist with an interest in environmentalism and, most recently, soil life. She’s an active speaker and author of The Hidden Half of Nature: The Microbial Roots of Life and Health, which is available in our bookstore at acresusa.com.

We are going in depth on new science into life in the soil, and discuss the significance of all the new information to farmers and growers.

But to set the stage, we will get to our first guest, David Montgomery, Anne’s co-author on The Hidden Half of Nature, and a writer, geologist, professor, and researcher who will set the stage for Anne’s deep-dive into the soil. It’s also worth noting that David is a recognized genius – or at least, someone who has been recognized as the closest thing to it. David Montgomery is a Professor of Earth and Space Sciences at the University of Washington in Seattle, and a member of the Quaternary Research Center.

In 2008, In 2008 Montgomery received a MacArthur Fellowship, generally known as the “genius grant,” for his work as a researcher and writer.

His early work began in topics of topography and geology. He was all over the television after the tragic landslide in 2014 in his homestate of Washington, and since then, has published books connecting the ideas of healthy soil and healthy civilizations.

In 2016, Montgomery published "The Hidden Half of Nature: The Microbial Roots of Life and Health", a collaboration with Anne Biklé. The book addresses the relationship between microbial life, plants, and people.

His most recent work, Growing A Revolution: Bringing Our Soil Back to Life, released in May 2017.

Both are available from Acres U.S.A. store.

We welcome David Montgomery and Anne Bilké to the Tractor Time podcast.

Also, find all of the Tractor Time podcasts here, or for free in the iTunes store.

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Good day and welcome to Tractor Time podcast brought to you by Acres USA. I am your host, Ryan Slabaugh, and we are excited to bring you another episode – this one will be about advocacy, and how to get involved to make real change happen.

Our guest today embodies that sentiment, Judith McGeary. Those who attend our conference every year should know her name, as she is a frequent speaker. But why we ask her to speak is most important – that she is the founder and leader of the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, and represents about 1,000 ranchers and farmers in Texas who help advocate for government to better represent all of its constituents, not just the huge corporate farming interests. She’s also a rancher herself at the McGeary Family Farm a couple hours outside of Austin, Texas.

How she found her way into this role is something we’ll discuss during the podcast, and her story is inspiring. It involves a career change, and some life-changing moments with farmers and politicians.

Not only does Judith lead FARFA, but she serves as the executive director of the Council for Healthy Food Systems and on the board of the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund. And this year, she’s leading the Raise Your Voice Tour to learn more about what type of advocacy farmers and ranchers need the most. We’ll get into that, and more, in this 40-minute talk.

You can learn more about FARFA at farmandranchfreedom.org, and their October conference. You can learn more about the Acres USA conference, where FARFA will be presenting, at www.acresusa.com.

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Welcome to Tractor Time, brought to you by Acres U.S.A., the Voice of Eco-Agriculture. I’m your host, Ryan Slabaugh, the GM and publisher of Acres USA.

Last week, I took a trip. I spent about 36 hours in the car driving from Colorado to Illinois, down to Columbia, Missouri, back to Illinois, and back home to Colorado. For a few days while I was in Missouri, I spent time at a sacred ground to us. At the University of Missouri, hidden among the tall brick buildings, is an open space called “Sanborn Field,” run by a guy named Tim Reinbott. You probably recognize the name if you’ve ever been to our conference.

There, Tim has built and preserved what a professor named William Albrecht built there a century ago. Prof. Albrecht started test plots in hopes of showing what happens when you grow corn, continuously without fertilizer or manure, and what that does to the soil. I’ll save you the suspense. It looks terrible. The stalks, miniature compared to the other, more well-fed test plots, were brown and only about two feet tall.

The video’s on our website, ecofarmingdaily.com, if you want to check it out, too. But it’s him talking about how, because Missouri’s soil has natural phosphorous and nitrogen, it wouldn’t take much to regenerate that continuous corn plot. But they aren’t going to do it. It’s too good of a reminder.

It was near these fields that Charles Walters met William Albrecht for the first time. Charles, while trying to piece together the information that would build the foundation for Acres USA’s belief in ecology-based agriculture, found scientists he kept interviewing telling him about Albrecht. Charles being Charles, he did his research and found out Prof. Albrecht was just down the road a couple hours. He called the university, and they told him not to bother. But, again, Charles being Charles, he got in the car anyway and drove to meet the scientist. When he knocked on the door, a voice boomed out, “Don’t knock when you enter and leave the same way.” Charles walked in – and I learned all this from his son, Fred – and when Charles walked in, without even an introduction, said, “You must be from Western Kansas. You have good teeth.”

Albrecht had pioneered research to connect local food to local health. It’s science that more should understand today. He pulled dental records from the military and matched those with the amount of calcium found in the soil and they matched. It’s an incredible study, still available for free on the University of Missouri’s academic research site.

Anyway, the conversation sparked a longtime friendship. Charles would edit more than a dozen volumes of Albrecht’s research, and used that research to develop his stubborn and accurate view of agriculture – that the only way to make money, to make farming a viable job, is to work with nature. He met other Albrecht students like Neal Kinsey, and founded a lifetime friendship – in fact, Neal and Charles may have been Albrecht’s last students.

In Columbia, we heard from more than a dozen farmers and consultants who employ the Albrecht system of growing, and have proven results. Most of them are using the mineralization techniques Albrecht preached – balancing magnesium and calcium – and advancing on that research with biological techniques of composting and manure and the like. Nobody walked away with a question of whether or not the methods lead to results. The irony – was that all this was being presented in Monsanto Auditorium. Their hold on farmers being educated is not lost, but the biological processes we were sharing in its halls were far more important. In a cynical way, it just reinforced why we were all there, and why Sanborn Field down the street is so sacred.

So anyway, all this driving and inspiration got me thinking, that for our next show, we needed to go back in time and dip into our archives, and find a good conversation with Charles Walters. We found one of the last talks of his career, and it was aptly titled, “Then, Today & Tomorrow.” Given in 2006, you will find it’s still relevant today.

Charles passed away a couple years later, so I guess we are in his tomorrow. To all those listening, let’s keep up the good work, keep our food connected to nature, and feel blessed to have those who came before us pave such a clear path ahead.

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Today’s guest is Brendon Rockey, a third-generation Colorado potato farmer. He spoke last October at a soil health conference near Greeley, close to our office, and when I wandered down to hear his talk, I was a bit surprised. We are surrounded by conventional ag folks in the Greeley, Colorado, area, but instead of talks about spraying schedules and storage tanks, I heard a guy talking about a wildly diverse field, about growing at 7,000 feet above sea level, about the importance of microbial life in the soil, and even how his neighbors even called him “weird.” As soon as I heard all that, I was pretty sure we had an Acres U.S.A. guy in Brendon.

Turns out, we did. He will be speaking at our conference this year in Louisville, Kentucky, about what he does on his farm, and how he went from “weird” to the envy of his community.

Today, we’re going to talk to Brendon about this journey, and explore his farming techniques that go against a lot of conventional thought, and talk to him a bit about his quinoa crops as well.

Learn more about Brendon Rockey here, and his farm here.

Learn more about the 2018 Eco-Ag Conference & Trade Show, where Brendon Rockey will be speaking in December, here.

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Welcome to our 16th episode of Tractor Time podcast, brought to you by Acres U.S.A., the voice of eco-agriculture. My name is Ryan Slabaugh, and we are fired up to bring you another hour of conversation about ecology, agriculture, and this hour, we’re even talking about saving the world.

We have two guests on our show today. One is Mary Battjes, and I have the pleasure of working every day with Mary. She’s our project manager, and recently wrapped up a survey of young farmers around the country and world. We spoke with a lot of them, and found their look at the world and their role in the world so inspiring. Speaking generally, they want the same things most of us want — safety, security, family and a healthy environment. Yet, they see the obstacles very clearly. Climate change. Technology disruption. And an economy that favors the big devouring the small.

Yet, there is hope. And it comes in the form of our second guest, Douglass DeCandia, a young farmer from New York. He grows food using natural methods, but he does so with an even greater purpose – to serve those who are forgotten by our food system, who are systematically discriminated against because of who they are, where they are from or where they live. His “farm,” and he uses quotation marks around that so I will ask him about that later, serves youth and adults who are incarcerated, students at a school for the deaf, and young adults who are part of a residential treatment program. He also supports a number of his area’s food growing products, and when we talked to him today, he was wandering around the gardens at the school for the deaf.

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Good day and welcome to Tractor Time Podcast by Acres USA. I’m your host, Ryan Slabaugh, and today’s guest is Dr. Nasha Winters.

I met Dr. Nasha Winters last year at our conference in Columbus, Ohio. I had heard about her talk from the large number of people who walked out inspired. After meeting her, I can understand why. She was unassuming, funny and presented a message about human health that made a lot of sense. About how we create environments in our own body – similar to how we create environments in our physical world – that either promote and foster health, or the opposite – disease and injury.

On this subject, she wrote her book, The Metabolic Approach to Cancer, which quickly became a hit with our audience of farmers and good food advocates. So much so, that at last year’s conference, we sold out of her books before her book signing. Oops. We’ll bring more this year, as she is returning to teach a full-day class on her approach to health in Louisville, Kentucky, Dec. 4-7.

Dr. Nasha Winters is the founder, CEO and visionary of Optimal Terrain Consulting. She is a naturally board certified naturapathic doctor, licensed accupunturist and a fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology. She lectures all over the world and consults on projects, including the ketogenic diet, which is showing huge promise.

Learn more about her at https://optimalterrainconsulting.com/.

Learn more about the 2018 Acres U.S.A. Conference at www.acresusa.com/events.

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It’s that sound again – tractors, the voice of Charles Walters, and that happy little strum. It all means we are launching into a second season of Tractor Time Podcast by Acres U.S.A., the podcast for farmers who care about the Earth. My name is Ryan Slabaugh, and I’m lucky enough to be your host for a second season.

We have a lot in store this year. We are going to talk about a lot of eco-farming tactics and methods. We’re going to go back in time and listen to age-old talks that still apply today. We’re going to talk about with surveyers about the loss of farmland, and what you and I can do about it. Our goal this year is to also make sure we are talking with young f armers, to better understand how they see themselves fitting into the future of agriculture. Anyway, we’re so excited, we hope you are too.

Today’s episode, like our very first episode, starts with the voice of Charles Walters. Charles started Acres USA in 1971 as a vehicle to report on the challenges facing small farms, and to help give farmers a resource for good, healthy, ecological growing in the face of large-scale toxic takeovers of our methods.

In today’s talk that we are re-airing from an Acres USA Eco-Ag conference in 1993, Charles introduces us to Neal Kinsey, who at the time, was new to the Acres USA family, and working on his legendary book, Hands on Agronomy. The book has sold thousands of copies to farmers and growers all over the world.

In this talk, again from 1993, Neal talks about the premises of his book, Hands on Agronomy. Enjoy, and thanks for joining us again for another season of Tractor Time.

Find all the Tractor Time episodes here, or on iTunes.

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Welcome to another great episode of Tractor Time. We’re coming off a high from our 42nd annual Eco-Ag Conference & Trade Show in Columbus, Ohio, and wanted to use this podcast to help us celebrate the highlights.

There were many. They included the 1,100 people who attended from 15 different countries, who gathered to hear diverse and interesting viewpoints on ecology and agriculture. Not only did we learn about the finer points of soil nutrition, micronutrients, microbiology, micro fungi, but we also learned about the larger picture, and how ecologically based agricultural practices can benefit all of our global systems, from climate change to world peace.

If that’s a lot to get your head around, we feel you. Many of our conferencegoers came up to us and asked, “Now what?” They left feeling empowered and knowledgeable and motivated.

And that’s what made our plenary panel stand out, and why we are going to feature it on this podcast. On Friday morning, we were lucky to have Acres U.S.A.’s Fred Walters lead a discussion between Dr. Vandana Shiva, a peace and food health advocate who came all the way from India, and André Leu, president of IFOAM, who came from Australia, and Ronnie Cummings, founder of the Organic Consumers Association, an international group focused on real change in our food supply.

Each took 20 minutes to discuss their take on what is happening in agriculture, in the organic and sustainability movements, and why they remain so positive despite all the challenges and hurdles we have to overcome. I can’t wait for you to hear from our panel, and will let you get right to it.

One side note before we begin: you can find free video of this event at www.acresusa.com, and you can also order or purchase audio any of our other classes to help your eco-education.

Anyway, this is our last podcast of 2017, and we wanted to also say thanks for a great year, and here’s to an even better 2018.

Learn more at www.acresusa.com.

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It’s Tractor Time podcast, brought to you by Acres USA, the Voice of Eco Agriculture. This was recorded on Nov. 2, 2017, in Greeley, Colorado.

We’re going deep into eco-agriculture this hour. This episode's guest is Edwin Blosser, a longtime instructor in the art of crafting and utilizing high-quality compost in production-scale agriculture. He’ll talk about specific compounds in compost to build, advise about cover crops, and help us connect the dots between profitability and soil structure.

But first, I thought I’d share a story. Earlier this week, I got a call from Ulrich Scheyer. For those who don’t know, he’s one of the original advisors to Acres USA, attended our conference early in our history, and now lives in France and leads a team of researchers looking at biodynamics. We’ll share that research at some point once we review it.

His quote, which is really what I wanted to share, has been my beacon of motivation this week. And a lot of you might benefit. Before hanging up, he told me: “There are a lot of cracks showing in conventional agriculture that my generation helped create, but now the real work begins. Find those cracks. And plant as many of your Acres USA trees in them as you can.”

Plant as many of our Acres USA trees as we can. And that’s what we try to do every day, but we need help. And that brings us back to today’s guest, Edwin Blosser, who never hesitates to teach, share or explain the tactics that has made him successful.

The company he founded, Midwest Bio-Systems, provides compost windrow turners and other equipment, as well as the knowledge needed to economically implement sustainable, organic growing practices. His goal is for farmers to consistently product high-value, highly humified compost. You can learn more at www.midwestbiosystems.com.

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Tractor Time is back, after harvest, to get back into the swing of recording and broadcasting interviews with your favorite people in sustainable agriculture. And we’re coming back with some thunder. Our guest today is a good friend of Acres USA. John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture, a crop consulting company, and is an expert in the field of biological and regenerative farming. A resident of Middlefield, Ohio, Kempf is a farmer who grew up in and remains a part of the Amish community.

John has always sought alternative approaches to prevent damage to crops, and will be leading a two-day class on biological agriculture in December at the 2017 Acres USA Eco-Ag Conference and Trade Show. His class is our most popular so far, in fact, and is filling up fast.

Learn more about us at www.acresusa.com.

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In this week’s podcast, we are featuring Mark Shepard's talk from the 2016 Eco-Ag annual conference in Omaha, Nebraska, where he spoke to a very full hall on his sustainable water practices he uses on his farms. It’s also the subject of his new book that we will be releasing later this fall, so stay tuned for that. It’s under production as we speak.

What follows this is Mark’s speech, which lasts just a little more than an hour. We hope you enjoy his talk, and the discussion that occurred between him and the audience last year in Omaha.

Mark Shepard is one of Acres USA’s newest authors, whose book, Restoration Agriculture, is No. 1 on our bestselling list. Talk about getting off to a good start. Part of it is the way he deftly explains proven practices on how to holistically repair damaged and broken farmland, something he’s done on his own property.

Part of it is the way Mark advocates for the practices and methods that he has developed. He speaks and works with farmers around the country, so speaking in front of our audience is just second nature.

Learn more at www.acreusa.com, and at www.ecofarmingdaily.com.

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In this week's podcast, we’re going all the way back to last year’s Acres USA Eco-Ag Conference in Omaha, Nebraska. There, an author-farmer named Ben Hartman spoke for more than an hour about a little miracle he and his wife, Rachel Hershberger, created in southern Michigan. On The Lean Farm, also the title of his book, Ben and his family connected with local restaurants in Chicago and the southern Michigan area to create a sustainable, profitable farming venture on less than one acre of land.

His talk last year at our conference was educational, inspiring, and one worth sharing. For those who want to attend our conference in Columbus, Ohio, from Dec. 5-8 this year and talk with hundreds of farmers and experts, including last week’s guest Andre Leu, you can learn more at www.acresusa.com, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and of course, subscribe to our monthly magazine.

Learn more about Ben Hartman at http://claybottomfarm.com, or by buying his book at www.acresusa.com/the-lean-farm.

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In the Acres USA world, Andre Leu is becoming much more than a household name. Leu, who has written for our magazine for years, published The Myth of Safe Pesticides in 2014. He has spoken on the dangers of pesticides for years several times at our annual conference, and will join us again this year.

Leu is currently the president of IFOAM – Organics International, and has more than 40 yeas of international experience in all areas of organic agriculture. He has been one of those human advocates, one of those forces of nature, that are pushing the agriculture movement into healthier directions. We spoke with Andre Leu on Thursday, July 20, from his office in Queensland, Australia.

Hosted by Ryan Slabaugh.

To learn more about Acres USA, visit www.acresusa.com or www.ecofarmingdaily.com.

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This week, we’re dipping into the archives back to 2005. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans and YouTube was founded, and in 2005, John Slack also took the stage at our Eco-Ag conference and spoke about rocks.

But we are not really talking about rocks. We are talking about geology. And even more so, geology-micro biology, or as Slack puts it, “Bugs eating rocks.”

The basis of all this, and why it’s interesting to us and other eco-farmers: the industrial chemical revolution that occurred after World War II caused scientists, or geologists, or just rock fanatics, to pause in their research in regards to agriculture. Yet a few passionate folks, like John, continued. They avoided the noise of short cuts and pollution and learned how many living things manipulate rocks to get the nutrients they require.

John Slack does not call himself a geologist or a farmer. He calls himself a prospector. “We went out and looked for calcium,” he says in his talk. He talks about what he looks for when he walks the fields and digs his hands into the soil, to see what plants are reacting to those minerals.

John Slack is a fourth-generation miner who worked throughout northern Canada in the search of economic mineral deposits from 1979 through 1992. This entailed extensive stream sediment, soil geochemistry, geological mapping, compilations, mine development and mine management. This experience would result in employing these techniques in the evaluation of agricultural landscapes. In 1992 Slack left the mining industry and started farming on the family's 330-acre property, Golden Innisfree Farms, located in Erin Township, Ontario. The farm was a grass-based cow-calf operation. Today the farm comprises organic vegetable production and a grass-based sheep dairy. Slack and his father started to evaluate and experiment with agrominerals. Commonly referred to as rock powder and rock dust, this research resulted in developing the Spanish River Carbonatite Complex, a unique igneous (magmatic) calcium carbonate deposit. Slack commenced soil auditing services that resulted in introducing soil evaluation methodologies, commonly employed in mineral exploration, to farm clients.

We’re proud and happy to share that talk from 2005 with you this week. It’s still as relevant, and shrouded by short cuts and industrial chemical fertilizer and pesticide propaganda, as ever.

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We know how busy farmers are this time of year, so we feel especially lucky to have our guest on today’s show. He really needs no introduction, but we’ll give it a shot anyway.

Joel Salatin is known around most agricultural circles as the most famous farmer in the world. He calls himself a Christian libertarian environmentalist capitalist lunatic farmer, which is a mouthful, both in words and in meaning.

More practically, he’s a successful author and speaker, has written dozens of pieces for Acres USA magazine through the years, has spoken at our Eco-Ag conferences, and through all that, we’ve learned that he is not afraid to be funny, educational, or to step into controversy when he needs to. But his belief in honoring the land and the animals is something we respect the most, and why we are glad to call him a friend.

He spoke to us about the challenges in the eco-agriculture movement growing around the world, and answers some questions about how ecology, agriculture and the food supply can work together. He also talked about how to create a truly "sustainable" farm.

"Unless you are generating two salaries from two different generations, you do not have a sustainable farm," Salatin told us.

Hosted by Ryan Slabaugh.

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On this week's podcast,we thought it’d be good to turn back the clock to a talk from 2009 at our Eco-Ag conference. Jerry Brunetti, rest in peace, was a fearless advocate for soil management and gave a presentation then called “Soil as a SuperOrganism.” In other words, a super computer built to process everything efficiently and create answers for us that are accurate.

“There is life in rock. There is life that comes out of everything,” he says in this talk. We like that so much, we want to share it with you today. We wish Jerry could still be here today to speak to us in person. We’ll settle for the best that we’ve got — his talk, “Soil as a SuperOrganism.”

We hope you enjoy it.

Introduction by Ryan Slabaugh.

Learn more at www.ecofarmingdaily.com or www.acresusa.com.

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In this week's episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Susan Sink, vice president of development and external relations at American Farmland Trust, a nonprofit organization who collaborates with farmers around the world to help save farmland from development, among many other things.

Susan and the team are based in Washington D.C., and work with policymakers as well to craft major legislation like the Farm Bill, which affects almost every farmer in the country. She and her cohorts travel around and talk with farmers, both conventional and organic, and see how different environments — both political and geographic — affect the agriculture industry across the country.

Susan is also a farmer who has diversified her cattle farm in hopes of finding a way to keep her farm going in a very challenging environment for cattle farmers. She speaks to her own experience, and provides words of wisdom and hope that every farmer out there can hear and appreciate.

Hosted by Ryan Slabaugh.

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As Charles Walters, founder of Acres U.S.A., said in his talk in this week's podcast, if he had asked his father in 1945: “Are you an organic farmer, he would have said 'What’s that?'" In less than a century, we’ve come far enough to forget how we have farmed for centuries. And how new the introduction of industrial pesticides and herbicides is for farming, and how little we truly know about the massive effect it’s had on our health, on our environment and on our food supply.

In this talk from an archival Eco-Ag Conference presentation, Charles spoke to this point with the help of Lee Fryer, and a few farmers in the audience. He will tell you that even today, the effort to, as he put it, “to liberate the organic farmers,” goes on. With truth on our side. That the challenge now is to return the burden of proof to the conventional agriculture systems, to those who want to coat our foods with poison, to prove that it is as safe as organic farming, and not the other way around.

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On this week’s Tractor Time podcast, we interviewed author and regenerative agriculture guru Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin. His story is not only inspirational, but transcends genres.His book, “In the Shadow of Green Man,” documents this. It speaks to growing up in poverty, through civil war, learning from his father, moving to Minnesota, graduating from school and leading an organization focused on regenerative models of agriculture.

“Knowledge without wisdom is a more dangerous weapon than the most dangerous weapons we use in wars,” Haslett-Marroquin said in the podcast. “Why? They are the silent killers.”

You can learn more about his work by ordering his book, or by visiting www.mainstreetproject.org.

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In our inaugural episode, we interview Abbey Smith with the Savory Institute about her travels, sustainable grazing methods, and how she manages her own ranch in Northern California. Then, we finish with an archived speech from Charles Walters, the founder of Acres U.S.A., who challenged his audience about the differences between eco-agriculture and conventional agriculture.

Acres U.S.A.: Tractor Time: Recent Episodes

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