The Grow Down on Soil Health

Soil Health, Microorganisms, and Good Cover Crop Management Decisions for Your Operation

Today’s episode features Wayne Honeycutt, Ph.D., as he takes us on a journey to not only break down the importance of soil health but also how nonprofits like the Soil Health Institute work to help farmers overcome the knowledge barrier that can prevent them from making the best management decisions.  You’ll learn about the functions of microorganisms in the soil, the role cover crops play in soil health, and the many resources the Soil Health Institute offers to farmers across the nation. Meet the Guest: Wayne Honeycutt, Ph.D., is the founding president and CEO of the Soil Health Institute (SHI). Through his work with SHI, free soil health resources from research to downloadable tools are available to farmers across North America, decreasing the knowledge gap and increasing farmer confidence when implementing new practices. Farmers for Soil Health is a program created by farmers for farmers. It is committed to enhancing soil health practices, such as planting cover crops, to improve the environment and increase farmers' profitability. Check out FarmersforSoilHealth.com [http://farmersforsoilhealth.com/] for more information. This podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff, National Corn Growers Association and the Soil Health Institute. The Soil Health Institute’s research and outreach empower farmers, advisors, conservation professionals, and scientists to advance the adoption of soil health systems that contribute economic and environmental benefits to agriculture and society. For free resources, advice, and tools tailored to your region, visit https://soilhealthinstitute.org/resources/ [https://soilhealthinstitute.org/resources/].

Improving Soil Health From Theory to Practice

On today’s episode, we have John Fulton, Ph.D. He’s here to discuss his research findings and how that information can empower farmers when making decisions on their operations. Learn what has come from his three years of research at The Ohio State University on cover crop seeding with drones as well as tips on how to interpret research results. Meet the Guest: John Fulton, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering at The Ohio State University. He grew up on a truck farm, where he would hand-plant and hand-pick hundreds of acres of fruits and vegetables for market. With that experience, Fulton has developed a passion and research focus in agricultural technology, automation, and environmental stewardship. Farmers for Soil Health is a program created by farmers for farmers. It is committed to enhancing soil health practices, like planting cover crops, to improve the environment and farmers' profitability. Check out FarmersforSoilHealth.com [http://farmersforsoilhealth.com/] for more information. This podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff and National Corn Growers Association.

Regenerative Agriculture from Start to Finish

This episode features Michael Thompson, a well-known name in conservation agriculture. Michael is here to discuss his family farm’s journey to implementing conservation practices and the resources he used to make that transition possible, such as building strong peer relationships and finding trusted resources. Hear Michael’s perspective on the importance of livestock in today’s farming landscape, as well as his experience improving soil compaction and organic matter. Meet the Guest: Michael Thompson is a farmer, rancher and 2025 Conservation Ag Operator Fellow. He grew up on his family’s farm in Kansas and enjoyed a career as a full-time teacher before returning to the farm. He’s passionate about preserving the health of his soil and sharing his lived experiences with other farmers on a similar conservation path. Farmers for Soil Health is a program created by farmers for farmers. It is committed to enhancing soil health practices, like planting cover crops, to improve the environment and farmers' profitability. Check out FarmersforSoilHealth.com [http://farmersforsoilhealth.com/] for more information. This podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff and National Corn Growers Association.

Cover Crops in the Midwest: From Slugs to Nutrient Stratification

On today’s episode, we have Hans Schmitz here to share his knowledge on the role cover crops play in farming systems affected by a common variable: the weather. You’ll learn more about the role of cover crops in 4R management systems, nutrient stratification in no-till systems, and slug problems. Hans will also share some of the benefits his farmers have seen with cost-share programs.  Meet the Guest: Hans Schmitz currently serves as both a technical advisor with Farmers for Soil Health and a technical assistance specialist with Indiana Ag Nutrient Alliance. His educational background is in agricultural meteorology, which focuses on the effects of weather events such as hail, straight winds and rain on soil health and yields. Hans utilizes this information to help Indiana farmers make agronomic decisions and develop management strategies for their operations. Farmers for Soil Health is a program created by farmers for farmers. It is committed to enhancing soil health practices, such as planting cover crops, to improve the environment and increase farmers' profitability. Check out FarmersforSoilHealth.com [http://farmersforsoilhealth.com] for more information. This podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff, National Corn Growers Association and the Soil Health Institute. The Soil Health Institute’s research and outreach empower farmers, advisors, conservation professionals, and scientists to advance the adoption of soil health systems that contribute economic and environmental benefits to agriculture and society. For free resources, advice, and tools tailored to your region, visit SoilHealthInstitute.org/resources/ [https://soilhealthinstitute.org/resources/].

From Soil to Store: How Sustainability is Shaping Farming’s Future

In this episode, we have Mark Eastham, sustainable products lead at leading grocery retailer Ahold Delhaize USA. Mark gives us a better understanding of the retailer's perspective on sustainability. Learn why sustainable practices matter to retailers and how that impacts your operation, as well as what these retailer-supplier partnerships mean for the future of agriculture. Editor’s Note: At the time of recording, the pilot referenced at around the 22-minute mark was with Kellanova. Since then, Kellanova has been acquired by Mars Snacking. Meet the Guest: Mark Eastham is sustainable products lead at Ahold Delhaize USA, bringing 10 years of experience in the sustainability space. In this role, he develops and leads strategies to address both the challenges and opportunities related to Ahold Delhaize USA’s sustainable product portfolio. He collaborates closely with business partners and suppliers to implement these strategies and related policies. Over the years, he has seen growing consumer demand for sustainable products and uses fact-based insights to help Ahold Delhaize USA meet that demand effectively. Farmers for Soil Health is a program created by farmers for farmers. It is committed to enhancing soil health practices, like planting cover crops, to improve the environment and farmers' profitability. Check out FarmersforSoilHealth.com [http://farmersforsoilhealth.com/] for more information. This podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff and National Corn Growers Association.