Southeast Purdue Ag Center (SEPAC) Superintendent Joel Wahlman and Purdue Entomology research Christian Krupke talk about the work of establishing field-scale regenerative ag plots - alongside existing tillage systems. The projects not only incorporate no-till and cover crops, but also IPM to reduce insecticide and herbicide treatments as well as the impacts of seed treatments on the soil ecosystem. The plots will incorporate a long-term, multidisciplinary approach to research on acres much larger than "traditional research" and will be available for demonstration to farmers, landowners, and o ..read more

Not everyone "leads from the front". Some people make an indelible impact on their day to day efforts. For those who aren't the "front of the room" speakers, this podcast is for you - because you, like Fred Woods get to make a difference every day. Fred Woods was one of those individuals. In this podcast, join Barry Fisher, an independent soil health consultant and one of the first people hired at a newly-fledged USDA-NRCS Soil Health Division, along with Chris Lee, Southwest Indiana NRCS Area Conservationist, as they talk about the long-lasting impressions Fred made upon their careers and con ..read more

In this very special episode, David's son Jay Brandt talks with Oklahoma regenerative farmer-rancher Jimmy Emmons about the about the many seeds David planted across the globe and his lasting impact on farming. Not only did Dave's farming practices change the family farm's soil classification from a Cardigan Clay to a "different performing product", he changed the lives of countless people worldwide through his honesty, humility, and great sense of humor. Learn how David and Jay discussed the changes they were seeing on the farm - through a chemists lens and a farmers eye - and how he encourag ..read more

In 1993 the inaugural National No-Till Conference was held in Indianapolis. In 2024, the conference returned to Indy. Expecting 200 attendees, some 800 people attended in that first year and really fast-tracked the adoption of no-till systems. Mike Lessiter, son of Frank Lessiter, founder of No-Till Farmer magazine and the conference talks about that initial conference as well as the history of no-till and the need for farmers to form networks to ensure their success in adoption of the systems. In addition, Hans Kok consultant out of Indiana (and present at the launch of CCSI), talks about the ..read more

Father-Son duo Cameron and Devon Churchill, Harrison County Indiana, are joined by Pete Huff, Wallace Center/Pasture Project for a slightly mind-bending conversation on grazing croplands. Just for a couple of teasers, the Churchill's have used intensive regenerative grazing to decrease round bale consumption in the cow calf operation from 2000+ to 700-750 bales! They are also turning cattle out into stalk ground after harvest to graze AND take advantage of hoof action to increase seed-soil contact of broadcast cover crops, improving stand establishment. Meanwhile, Huff provides information on ..read more

Bio Strip-till is using a cover crop that will winter kill on rows combined with overwintering cover crops in the middles. Soil Health Specialist and farmer Barry Fisher, Fisher Soil Health, and Research Agronomist John Pike, Pike Ag LLC talk about the ways this kind of system is not only a great alternative to traditional strip-till, but also the impressive results John has seen in his research and feedback from farmers he works with. This system can provide the seed-bed ready results many farmers search for as well as improved soil armoring, nutrient cycling, and weed management ..read more

Indiana ranks amongst the top in production of hogs, chickens, and turkeys and ranks first in the nation for duck production. It is also home to one of the largest and innovative dairies in the country. With livestock production; comes manure. What was once a wasteful by-product is now being used as part of a farmer’s soil health strategy. Indiana farmer Gordan Smiley and Consultant Kristin Whittington discuss those strategies. Smiley Farms has worked to apply manure on an established cover crop even though they are part of a no-till system. The injection of manure still falls within minimal d ..read more

Understanding how soil health impacts water qualtiy starts with understanding where and how water flows across the landscape - where and water can pick up pollutants - has an impact on surface water quality. Past American Soybean Association Conservation Legacy Award winner Mark Legan understands this concept. “I look out the window at our office, and we are 100-yards from two watersheds. On our main sow barn, the east side of the roof flows into the Mill Creek watershed, and the west side of the roof flows into the Big Walnut here in Putnam County. There’s not a doubt in my mind that we can i ..read more

It's a soundbite filled podcast. Fascinating generational discussions made this recording into a 2-parter. Carrying on from Part 1, Pat Bittner and his father John are joined by Aaron Krueger and his grandfather Ronald. In some ways, it's back to the future - the discussions revolved around pastured proteins, protection of biomes, adopting regenerative ag principles, along with the challenges faced on these farms ..read more

The conversation was fascinating... and became a two-parter. In Part 1, we visit with two southwestern Indiana families who use regenerative agriculture practices on their farms. Pat Bittner and his father John Bittner are joined by Aaron Krueger and his grandpa Ronald Krueger. The four farmers share stories that range from their farms’ histories to the results of the soil health practices they implement for their crops and land ..read more