The People of Soil Health Podcast

Elyssa McFarland started out on the ground floor of the Soil Health Partnership. Initially coming in as an independent contractor, Elyssa quickly became an SHP field manager. She was part of rolling out the first trial sites in Iowa and watched the program expand into what it is today.  “[Soil Health Partnership] did have that […]

For Daryl Maple, Maple Farms is much more than just a farming operation. It’s a legacy. Purchased by his great-grandfather in 1930, Daryl – alongside his cousins, brother and father – still own and operate the original 160 acres, in addition to the expanded area that has come with more than 90 years of experience. Being […]

“Enhancing demand. Adding value. Ensuring sustainability.” Nebraska Corn Board’s strategic vision and mission of creating opportunities for Nebraska’s corn growers have led Boone McAfee to a dynamic role supporting area farmers. One day he’s discussing production efficiency with his partners at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, trying to find the answer to how we improve or […]

Conservation practices sound nice…but what is the financial impact? That is a question we get asked about a lot. While there’s a lot of discussion in agriculture, environmental and policy circles about implementing conservation practices, the reality is that sustainability goals have to match up with farmers’ need to run profitable operations. That is why […]

For Dr. Bianca Moebius-Clune, a passion for soil health started long ago, digging in the garden, and grew when she left for college and participated in a study abroad trip in Madagascar. Today, that dedication continues in her role as Director of the Soil Health Division for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation […]

For Joshlin and Addie Yoder, their journey back to the farm wasn’t a straight path. “We both attended the University of Missouri and graduated in 2002,” Joshlin explains. “But I went into retail for five years, following graduation from college. We moved to Alabama and lived down there for five years before that desire and […]

It’s no secret that, when it comes to cover crop seeding, farmers are always trying to balance a tight timeline and impending weather in the fall. Especially during wet or cold autumns, getting into the field in a timely manner after cash crop harvest – and being able to give your cover crop enough time […]

Many farmers would look at Jason Lay’s operation in Bloomington-Normal, Ill. and count him as one of the lucky ones. Rich, productive soils. Supportive landowners. Neighbors who are interested in what he’s doing on his farm. But, according to Jason, that doesn’t mean he can get complacent. “I’ll just start it off by saying this […]

If you could choose only three words to describe Trinity Creek Ranch in Red Lake Falls, Minn., you would probably land somewhere in the realm of diversification, innovation and family. That combination of values is why we’re so glad to have Mikayla Tabert from Trinity Creek join us on The People of Soil Health Podcast. […]

Kansas State University Soil Microbiology Professor Charles (Chuck) Rice has always been interested in science and nature. A biology-turned-geography focus in college turned his attention to soils and water. Now, he revels in the new field of soil microbiology. “Soil microbiology is a young field, compared to some of the chemistry and physics components. Over […]