Who inspired you in your career and spurred your interest in soil health? Beth Sastre is an extension agent for commercial horticulture in Loudoun County with Virginia Cooperative Extension. Beth was inspired to pursue a career in agriculture and natural resources by her grandfather and by Mother Nature. Beth's grandfather was an agronomist in Mexico and worked closely with farmers on soil and water conservation-related issues. Additionally, Beth was fascinated early in her life by Mother Nature, the beauty of natural resources, and how our farming practices affect soil health. Beth shares her own inspiration and fascination with soil health with farmers, homeowners, students, and Future Farmers of America in Loudoun County and across Virginia through her educational programs and scientific expertise.

To learn about Virginia Cooperative Extension Loudoun County's local educational programs, please visit https://loudoun.ext.vt.edu/programs.html

If you are interested in learning about or participating in Loudoun County's Master Gardener program, please visit https://loudouncountymastergardeners.org/

To pledge your commitment to soil health, please visit https://www.4thesoil.org/take-the-pledge and the Virginia Soil Health Coalition website for the upcoming release of a 4 The Soil coloring book.

4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Other partners include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and partners of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.

Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest.

To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today’s program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.