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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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. Tun ..read more

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 selli ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 sta ..read more

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 techni ..read more

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 ..read more