CropTalk

On this episode of the CropTalk series #KyleTalksAgTech, Kyle Barnett speaks with Ian Kanski - Director for the Center for Advanced Agriculture and Sustainability at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, Chairman of the Board for the FarmTech Society, and co-founder of INTAG Systems. We discuss his journey from tech to Controlled Environment Agriculture, the lessons he's learned along the way and thoughts on what the future may hold for the industry.

No, you don't have to let your land rest in between crops.

It's time to ditch the fallow period.

Leaving land fallow can result in significant land erosion, especially in the Southwest United States.

Robert Masson, Agricultural Extension Agent for Yuma County and the University of Arizona, joined as a guest on the #LeadersTalkCrops series of CropTalk, to explain the benefits of minimizing fallow periods.

This was a special treat of a conversation, seeing as we covered the challenges with fallow periods, AND some fascinating topics I didn't expect would creep up.

Hint: It involves popcorn.

Until next time, #startcleanstayclean

How did Indian farmers control pests and disease prior to conventional pesticides?

👉 Using the control methods of, what we now consider, Integrated Pest Management.

They did it without pesticides because they had no other choice.

With what we now understand about pesticide dangers and their use in food production, it seems that Indian farmers will eventually face the same dilemma with no other choice than to adopt natural and sustainable farming methods.

Bharath Dayananda, the Founder & CEO of Eat Neat Project, came on as a guest of the #LeadersTalkCrops series of CropTalk podcast to describe how more Indian farmers can change production practices to save their environment, lower input costs, increase crop quality, and turn the profit they deserve.

Until next time, #startcleanstayclean

As a grower of a crop that has strict food safety standards, it seems you have a couple of options:

You can look at food safety regulations with a fixed, the glass is half-empty, mindset while you just get by.

Or, you can look at the glass half-full of opportunity for your company to be different. You can see consistent compliance as a way to set yourself apart.

To comply and thrive.

Gabe Jertberg, a soft fruit grower and Owner of JSI Consulting has had unique experiences in following food safety regulations in a way that strengthened his business both internally and externally.

He joined me for a conversation on the #LeadersTalkCrops series of CropTalk podcast to share how growers of high-value crops can use compliance to thrive instead of just getting by.

Until next time, #startcleanstayclean

Traditional horticulturalists and legacy Cannabis growers often don't see eye to eye on the definition of "flushing". Seems they don't agree on what the purpose of "flushing" is either. Some follow the "you've gotta flush for premium smokable cannabis" mindset. Some say "it ain't gonna make a difference". Seems it is one of the more disputed cultivation practices in the Cannabis industry and Josh Chandler, Master Grower at AerosourceH, was brave enough to take a swing at answering: "What the Flush?! Cannabis."

Until next time, #startcleanstayclean

There are so many variables associated with producing a crop.

As growers, it is often our mission to control those variables to whatever extent we can.

When it comes to how we control them, the options seem to be endless.

The number of options can put a grower into "analysis paralysis".

A state of mind where the waters of constant improvement get murkier and the details needed to be successful increase exponentially.

Ben Boo, VP of Cultivation at Vireo Health, and I spent time, on this #LeadersTalkCrops episode, discussing how taking a fine-tooth comb to your processes and inputs with the lense of simplification, may give you the consistency you need to actually improve.. continuously.

Until next time, #startcleanstayclean

In this episode of #CropCareConvos, Bobby Shearer sits down with Patricia, co-owner of Sun Roots Farm, to explore the benefits of keeping alpacas on your farm.

So, why are alpacas good for your farm?

1. Their poop is basically compost 2. They don't pull plants up by roots, but they're great lawnmowers who don't munch your cannabis plants 3. Light on their, soft pads = minimal soil compaction 4. Fleece! Which is also great mulch. 5. Protection for chickens. They scare away bobcats, fox, mountain lions, etc 6. Hygienic, communal poop piles 7. Adorable!... am I right?

But what's the cost? Any challenges were not considering? When preparing for the alpacalypse, these animals are simply incredible!

🌱 #LetsTalkCrops 🌱

We've got to stop treating our soil like dirt.

👆 I'm not that clever. I read it in a book somewheres.

It is easy to think that we are taking a step forward when till, we over mow and spray herbicide.

Couldn't be further from the truth.

In terms of crop quality potential, it is actually two steps back.

This seems to be especially true when talking about orchard floor management.

Thomas Macintosh, a Farmer in Southern Ontario, joined as a guest on the #LeadersTalkCrops series of CropTalk podcast, to educate the community on the importance of putting your soil on a pedestal.

After listening to this conversation, you'll understand why your soil..and your crop, deserve the focus.

Until next time, #startcleanstayclean

Harnessing the power of photoperiodism is something that traditional horticulturalists have been doing for decades with ornamental crops such as Chrysanthemum and Poinsettia.

"Fascinating! But, what does that have to do with Hemp?!" you may ask..

According to Allison Justice, PhD. - a whole heck of a lot.

In fact, it could make or break your 2021 hemp crop.

Allison shares that as an industry we are just scratching the surface of our understanding of how Cannabis is affected by the amount of darkness it receives in each 24 hour period.

This conversation starts by introducing photoperiodism but then goes deep into what Allison has observed over the past couple of years and how she and the team at Hemp Mine are using those insights to empower hemp growers across the country.

Until next time, #startcleanstayclean

Are you going to be more physically fit if you eat Kale or Ice Cream all day?

🤔 👉 Kale 🌱

Are your predatory mites going to be more physically fit if they were raised on real or factitious prey?

Wait...there's a difference in predatory mite physical fitness based on their food source?! 🤯

Andrew Maltby, Owner of Biotactics & Producer of Benemite™, came onto the #LeadersTalkCrops series of CropTalk podcast, to share why he is focused on rearing type II predatory mites using spider mites, as opposed to factitious prey.

If you use predatory mites in your IPM program, this conversation is right up your alley.

If you nerd out on good bugs sucking the life out of bad bugs, this conversation is your cup of tea.

Heck, if you enjoy good conversation, this one is for you.

Until next time, #startcleanstayclean