Regenerative Agriculture Podcast
Science:Earth Sciences
Record rainfall has resulted in an unprecedented number of unplanted acres in 2019. Farmers must now consider how best to manage these fields for the remainder of the season. In an otherwise fallow year, cover cropping options abound during a unique summer planting window.
In this episode of the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, John Kempf hosts a panel of American Midwestern agronomists and farmers, Steve Groff, David Kleinschmidt, Brad Hobrock, and David Chance, to discuss wet weather, the inability to plant in sodden areas and the options to sow cover crops in empty fields.
David Kleinschmidt, a midwestern agronomist, and owner of Progressive Agronomy Consulting Services, consults with growers across the Midwest where his in-depth knowledge of soils and soil health helps farmers realize better yields.
Brad Hobrock is the owner of AgriBio Systems in Illinois where he farms several thousand acres of corn and soybeans. His voice and experience show the issues of cover cropping and weather challenges from a farmer’s perspective.
David Chance, the owner of Chance Farms and several thousand acres in Indiana, shares his expertise on cover crop mixes, dry weather planting, and farm subsidies.
Steve Groff, the Cover Crop Coach and founder at Cover Crop Coaching, is based in Pennsylvania. He travels across the country teaching farmers the techniques and value of cover cropping systems.
John and his guests outline the challenges farmers are facing this season, with a record number of unplanted corn and soybean acres throughout the Midwest due to excessive rain and flooding. They explain how cover crops can pay for themselves by decreasing the need for fertilizer applications while improving soils and yields in subsequent years.
Listen to hear a broad array of perspectives on:
The benefits and drawbacks of various species and their best uses How to determine your cover crop mix with your goals and budget in mind A comparison of simple one or two-species blends versus a diverse mix of cover crops The differences between cool- and warm-season legumes The value of cover crops in diffusing herbicide residue The value of cover crops in managing carbon and nitrogen The importance of bacterial and fungal inoculation The role of crop insurance programs Which cover crops can shift the soil’s microbial population from bacterial to fungal dominance Which cover crops speed up the bioremediation process of pesticide residues in the soil profileThis podcast serves as an invaluable resource for any grower whose planting window has passed without the ability to get in the field and for anyone considering the use of cover crops.
The Community Impact Partner for this episode is the NOFA Summer Conference, a three-day conference that offers a wide-range of seminars, workshops, and other educational opportunities. Immerse yourself in a community of like-minded practitioners and curious learners eager to share inspiration and ideas for organic food, farming, health, activism, and beyond. The NOFA Summer Conference is a family-friendly event in Massachusetts where you can bring the whole family to enjoy workshops for adults, kids and teens, over 60 vendors, live music, games, and amazing food! Learn more about the conference and register here.
The Community Impact Partner for this episode is also the Healthy Soil Summit. This August, Acres USA will host the Healthy Soil Summit in Davis, California. Join farmers, consultants, researchers, and others for two days of engaging learning from world-renowned experts in the field of regenerative agriculture including John Kempf, Gary Zimmer, and Brendan Rocky. Wherever you are in your farming journey, this event will provide you the tools to enhance the productivity and profitability of your operation through biological practices. Go to acresusa.com to learn more about the Healthy Soil Summit. Email us at events@acresusa.com or call us at 1-800-355-5313.
Support For This Show
This show is brought to you by AEA, helping professional growers make more money using regenerative agriculture since 2006.
If you grow on a large scale and are looking to increase crop revenue and quality, email hello@advancingecoag.com or call 800-495-6603 to be connected with a dedicated AEA crop consultant.
Sign Up For Email Updates
To be alerted via email when new episodes are released, and get special updates about John speaking, teaching, and podcast LIVE recordings, be sure to sign up for The Regenerative Agriculture Podcast email list.
Feedback & Booking
Please send your feedback, requests for topics or guests, or a booking request: production@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com
Email John directly: John@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com
Credits
This episode was recorded by John Kempf, Steve Groff, David Chance, Brad Hobrock, and David Kleinschmidt, and produced by Nathan Harman, Robin Kitowski, and Anna Kempf.
Episode 116: Restoring Water Cycles and Ecosystems with Alpha Lo
Episode 115: Covering Ground: How Cover Crops Can Change Your Farm with Brian Magarin
Podcast Extra - AEA's Regenerative Future: Hear From Our Investors
Episode 114: The State of the American Food System with Austin Frerick
Episode 113: The Economics and Ethos of Market Gardening with Jean-Martin Fortier
Episode 112: Transforming Arid Landscapes with Taimur Malik
Episode 111: Questioning Farm Management Traditions with Boe Clausen
Episode 110: Stock Cropping and Regenerative Innovation with Zack Smith
Episode 109: From Urban Organizers to Organic Pioneers with Julie Rawson and Jack Kittredge
Episode 108: Increasing the Nutrient Density of Wine Grapes with Nicole Dooling and Michael Frey
Episode 107: Sustainable and Profitable Agriculture with Marty Travis
Episode 106: The Cumulative Benefits of Regeneration with Will Harris
Episode 105: Moving From Organic to Regenerative Management with Steven Cardoza
Episode 104: Introducing Integrity Grown™ with John Kempf
Episode 103: Regenerative Cotton and Industry Disruption with Amy Williams
Episode 102: The Learning Experience of Regenerative Ag with Dr. Allen Williams
Episode 101: Making the Most of Water Variability with Joel Grosbach
Episode 100: Hear from the Host - James Johnson Interviews John Kempf
Episode 99: Reshaping How Agriculture Sees Plant Nutrient Uptake With Dr. James White
Episode 98: Growing For Nutrition Through Color and Flavor with Bob Jones
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Bedrock: Earth’s Earliest History
Kosmographia
The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens
Climate One
Forestcast