Why can’t you separate agriculture from culture?

In the first episode of the AG & Culture Podcast, hosts Mike Usry and Joseph Boehm lay the foundation for the show by exploring the deep, often forgotten connection between food, soil, and human civilization.

Long before industrialization and instant convenience, societies revolved around agriculture. Culture was shaped at the dinner table. Traditions, relationships, and communities were built around what we grew, harvested, and shared. Food wasn’t just fuel — it was identity.

Mike explains why this podcast isn’t called “Ag & Food,” but Ag & Culture, and how regional cuisines, ancient civilizations, and even modern social breakdown all trace back to how disconnected we’ve become from the land beneath our feet.

The conversation dives into:

• How agriculture shaped human culture throughout history

• Why soil health matters more than most people realize

• What’s actually happening underground in the soil microbiome

• How microbes, roots, and humic substances support healthy plants

• Common misconceptions about fertilizers and “organic” farming

• Why healthy soil creates resilient plants — and unhealthy soil attracts pests

• The mindset shift from thinking in “dirt” to understanding living soil

Mike also shares his personal journey into soil biology, sparked by preparing to become a father and questioning the modern food system. Drawing from his work with Southland Organics, he explains complex soil science concepts in a clear, accessible way for homeowners, growers, and anyone curious about where food truly begins.

This episode sets the tone for the AG & Culture Podcast: slower conversations, deeper thinking, and a return to principles that nourish not just our bodies, but our culture and our soul.