In this episode of ‘The Acres U.S.A. Podcast’, another throwback Eco-Ag recording from 2017. Judith McGeary dives deep into the complexities of food safety regulations and legislative advocacy for small and sustainable farmers. The episode features a comprehensive discussion on state cottage food laws, federal food safety regulations, and the importance of grassroots activism. Key points include the nuances of cottage food laws, exemptions under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), and the potential impacts of the PRIME Act on local meat processing. The conversation emphasizes the significant role of building relationships with policymakers and offers practical advice for effective activism. Tune in to learn how to navigate the regulatory landscape and make informed decisions to support sustainable agriculture.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Register for Eco-Ag 2025: https://conference.acresusa.com/

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

In this episode of The Acres U.S.A. Podcast, we have another throwback Eco-Ag Keynote by Courtney White. White shares his transformative journey from an urban upbringing in Phoenix to becoming an environmental activist and advocate for regenerative agriculture. Through personal anecdotes, he illustrates the challenges and hope surrounding sustainable farming and land management. White discusses his involvement in projects like the Quivira Coalition and his work in holistically managing cattle and restoring degraded landscapes. He also touches on the broader implications of regenerative practices on combating climate change and fostering ecological balance. This episode encapsulates White's dedication to finding harmony between activism and savoring the natural beauty of the world.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Register for Eco-Ag 2025: https://conference.acresusa.com/

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

Recorded live at the 2019 Eco Ag Conference and Trade Show in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Experts including Bob Quinn, David R. Jessel, and Trent Hendricks share their experiences and insights on sustainable farming, ecological practices, and the evolving role of big corporations in supporting regenerative agriculture. They delve into the importance of outcomes-based models, the integration of local food systems, and the challenges and opportunities within the current agricultural landscape. This episode also features a Q&A session with the audience, exploring how farmers and advocates can contribute to a more regenerative and resilient food system.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

Join Taylor Henry on “The Acres U.S.A. Podcast” as he interviews Mollie Engelhart, a chef, mother, regenerative rancher, and author of 'Debunked By Nature'. Molly shares her extraordinary journey from running five vegan restaurants in Los Angeles to managing Sovereignty Ranch in Texas. In this episode, she discusses the transformation in her views on food, politics, and motherhood, the impressive endorsements for her new book, and how she balances multiple revenue streams on the farm. Her insights on sustainable farming practices, the importance of family, and the challenges and rewards of running a farm-to-table restaurant are both inspiring and educational. Don't miss Mollie’s upcoming conference and grab a copy of her book for a deeper dive into her philosophy and practical advice for living in harmony with nature.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

Pre Order ‘Debunked by Nature’: https://debunkedbynature.com/

Sovereignty Ranch Website: https://www.sovereigntyranch.com/

Bruce Tainio is famous for his imaginative, creative look at sustainable agriculture. In this talk from the 2005 Acres U.S.A. annual conference, Tainio leads the audience through the necessities needed in soil life to produce healthy, voluminous yields. The late Tainio is a great speaker and presenter, and Acres U.S.A. fans will surely love this presentation, which will never go out of date. Tainio received his formal education at Eastern Washington University, majoring in Biology. As a part of his curriculum, Bruce spent a year traveling the world, collecting and cataloging field data and food crops in various countries.

In the early 1960s, Bruce began his career as a plant breeder and microbiologist. During that time, he developed many food crop and flower seed varieties for seed companies around the world. Early in his career, Bruce came to realize that conventional NPK growing practices and over-use of agricultural chemicals were destroying the earth's natural ecosystem, lowering crop productivity and the nutritional value of our food. In his continuous quest for excellence, he began studying the role of microbial activity in the soil and how it affected the health of plants.

In 1985, Bruce started Tainio Technology & Technique, Inc. as a specialty seed company. During this early period, Bruce developed many crop and commercial seed varieties, all raised with special attention to balanced plant nutrition and good soil biology. By 1987, Bruce had developed a successful biological crop management program, making Tainio Biologicals, Inc. what it is today.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

Tainio Biologicals: https://tainio.com/

Jeff Moyer's premise at the 2015 Acres U.S.A. annual conference follows: Soil health is dependent on several key concepts, all based on the idea that soil is a complex material made up of a physical component, a chemical component and a biological component. It is only when all three of these components are in balance that the soil can function in a dynamic state of health. Every farm can benefit from improved soil health and reduced costs. This experienced organic farmer will teach key concepts every farmer, organic or not, should be practicing.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

Jeff’s Books: Roller/Crimper No-Till, Organic No-Till Farming

In this episode of The Acres USA Podcast, host Taylor Henry, owner and CEO of Acres U.S.A., engages in a conversation with Charley Cummings, co-founder of Walden Mutual. They discuss a variety of topics surrounding sustainable and regenerative agriculture, including innovative financing options for farmers, the impact of banking choices on environmental sustainability, and the challenges and strategies involved in farming operations. Charley shares his journey from starting Walden Local, a pasture-based meat company, to establishing Walden Mutual, a bank focused on supporting regenerative agriculture. He explains how Walden Mutual tailors loan structures to support diverse, resilient farming businesses and emphasizes the importance of aligning banking practices with sustainable goals. The episode also explores broader industry trends, the role of brands in driving agricultural change, and the potential for technology to enhance transparency and sustainability in the food system.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

Walden Mutual Website: https://www.waldenmutual.com/

Join host Taylor Henry on The Acres U.S.A. Podcast as he interviews Kaleb Hanshaw from West Virginia, a certified Permaculture Designer and Director of Reclamation and Mediation at Coalfield Development. Discover Caleb's journey from ministry to homesteading, his work in post-mine land restoration, and how he's building sustainable farming practices in the Appalachian region. Learn about the unique challenges and techniques used in land reclamation, including water management, multi-species grazing, and soil health improvement. Caleb also shares insights into acquiring affordable land for homesteading, leveraging ecological restoration for increased property value, and the transformative power of permaculture principles. Don't miss this compelling conversation about restoring degraded landscapes and revitalizing communities through sustainable agriculture.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

Kaleb’s Website: https://www.thewildc.com/

Recorded live at the 2021 Eco-Ag Conference & Trade Show in Covington, Kentucky, Dec. 6-9, 2021. 

Scaling up your chicken operation to become a commercial operation can be difficult. Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin’s system of integrating poultry into your crop and pasture operation is spreading around the world because it helps farmers see clear, humane paths forward and to reach the larger markets. He brings an indigenous-based approach to putting poultry back into its natural environment and to the business development process for aggregating and scaling the collective impact of small farms for a new and regenerative industry. In this workshop, he will lay out the regenerative poultry production protocol and will incorporate the larger-scale planning underway at the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance to scale up this system across regions in the U.S. and internationally.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/

This throwback Eco-Ag session from 2017 will address how to produce more profitably through regenerative agriculture. John Kempf has become one of the most inspiring and promising crop consultants in agriculture today. Kempf’s consulting company, Advancing Eco Agriculture, has successfully implemented profitable organic programs for a large number of fruit and vegetable growers and crop producers across the country. In this discussion, Kempf will lay out the foundational principles he uses to succeed in bring operations to pesticide free production and how these principles enable growers to make more money with regenerative agriculture.

Important Links from Today’s Episode:

Members site: https://members.acresusa.com

Acres U.S.A. Homepage: https://www.acresusa.com/

Access Eco-Ag 2024 Recordings: https://conference.eco-ag.com/24recordings

Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/