Green Cover Podcast

In this episode, consultant and Illinois farmer David Kleinschmidt discusses the tragic 2023 dust storm on Interstate 55 that claimed seven lives, exploring how it reveals a deeper crisis in soil health. David shares his journey from ag retail to soil health consulting, emphasizing that erosion is fundamentally a biological problem, not just a mechanical one. He offers practical advice on getting started with cover crops, understanding carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, and managing soil aggregation to prevent both wind and water erosion. David also discusses the importance of balancing conservation practices with farm profitability, the future of diverse crop rotations, and why every farmer should read "The Soil Owner's Manual." Whether you're just starting your regenerative agriculture journey or looking to refine your practices, this conversation provides valuable insights on building healthier, more resilient soils.

Jay Young farms in southwest Kansas, one of the harshest environments to prove regenerative agriculture works. With just 14 to 16 inches of annual rainfall, high winds, and a conventional farming culture, Jay has built a system around grazing cattle on cover crops, eliminated phosphorus for five years, cut nitrogen rates in half, and still produces 100+ bushel corn and milo. In this conversation, Jay breaks down his journey from reluctant farmer to passionate soil health advocate, explains how Johnson Sue compost transformed his operation, and shares practical strategies for making regenerative work in dry climates, from winter grazing systems to ultra low population corn. We also discuss his use of Halter GPS collars for cattle management and how shifting from a success or failure mindset to one of stewardship changed everything about how he farms.Learn more from Jay:    / @jyoungregenag  Learn how Jay is utilizing Johnson Su to reduce inputs:    • Johnson Su Compost: Improving Soil Health ...  Talk with the Green Cover team about which cover crop mix is best for your soil health goals: https://greencover.com/get-in-touch/Explore the podcast

Joe Ailts is a regenerative agronomist from Wisconsin with an unusual hobby: growing giant pumpkins. In this conversation, Joe breaks down the biological processes he uses to push pumpkins to extreme sizes, from mycorrhizal fungi networks to optimizing plant efficiency at every stage.What makes this interesting is how much of it translates directly to row crop farming. The same principles Joe uses to grow a 2,000 pound pumpkin (building soil biology, managing nutrients strategically, timing cover crops) apply to boosting yields on any farm. We talk about his approach to early maturing soybeans, nutrient management in corn, and why soil health isn't just a buzzword but the foundation of everything that happens aboveground.Get in touch with Joe: https://ailtsagronomy.com/index.php/c...Talk with the Green Cover team about which cover crop mix is best for your soil health goals: https://greencover.com/get-in-touch/

Raymond Epp is an American who grew up in a conventional farming family in Nebraska. His curiosity led him to Canada as a young man, where he pursued an education in Biblical Studies. There, he met his wife, who eventually brought him to Japan. In Japan, Raymond started a farm and became a significant figure in the country's adoption of regenerative agriculture. He shares his journey, including the challenges and successes he has faced, his work with local farmers, his collaborations with the Japanese government and researchers, and his continued efforts in educating and coaching others in sustainable farming practices.Learn more about Raymond's farm here: https://www.mennonitemission.net/part...

In this special Thanksgiving edition of the Green Cover Podcast, Keith brings on his son and Green Cover Sales Manager, Jakin Berns, and nephew and Operations Manager, Travis Berns to have a conversation about their experiences of working and growing within the family business. The three share about the importance of family values, stewardship, and how these values are shared and overlap with our customers who share and recognize the value of living regeneratively. Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Green Cover!

On this episode of the Green Cover podcast host Keith Berns invites Ray Archuleta on to discuss the importance of collaborative learning for regenerative agriculture producers. They highlight the challenges farmers face in the current agricultural economy and emphasize the importance of mimicking natural systems to improve soil health. Ray discusses his journey in regenerative ag, reflecting on his epiphany about working with nature rather than relying on chemical inputs. The conversation covers the value of community, on-farm research, and the educational opportunities provided by events like the Regenerative Nexus Summits. They encourage farmers to engage in small-scale experiments, share their findings, and learn from each other to reduce dependence on costly inputs and achieve greater resilience and profitability on their farms.Think you'd be a good fit to attend a Regenerative Nexus Summit? Email [email protected] to inquire more.

In this episode, Keith Berns hosts David Olson from Sustainable Growing Solutions to discuss the integration and benefits of biological products in regenerative agriculture. David shares his background, the development of his company's biological treatments, and the emphasis on microbial diversity in achieving soil health and crop resilience. They delve into how biologicals enhance soil biology, boost crop yield and health, and even fix atmospheric nitrogen in dead crop residues. They also talk about their joint venture, Ark Biome, aimed at manufacturing these biological products in Nebraska, making them more accessible to farmers in the Midwest. The conversation ends with practical advice for farmers new to biological products, emphasizing the importance of microbial diversity and having clear objectives.

Dr. Jill Clapperton is a globally recognized soil ecologist known for her captivating ability to blend scientific insight with practical solutions.We are thrilled to have Dr. Jill as our keynote speaking at our Southeast Kansas Soil Health Conference on December 10th and 11th in Iola, Kansas!You won't want to miss this opportunity to learn from Dr. Clapperton and the other farmers who will take the stage at this event.Register for the event: https://greencover.com/event/southeas...Access free resources from Jill Clapperton: https://www.rhizoterra.com/

In this episode of the Cover Podcast, Illinois farmers Steve Jamison, Matt Johnson, and Brad Riskedal share how their cooperative farming arrangement has enabled each of their transitions from conventional to regenerative agriculture. By pooling labor, investing in better equipment, and expanding crop diversity beyond what would be possible individually, they’ve reduced inputs and drastically improved soil health. Their story highlights the power of community in accelerating regenerative practices and producing nutrient-dense food for future generations.

This week's podcast guests are Blake and Stephanie Alexandre, founders of Alexandre Family Farm, a pioneering Regenerative Organic Certified dairy and pastured egg operation in northwestern California. Over the years, they transitioned their farm to regenerative organic practices, becoming leaders in soil health, animal welfare, and quality dairy production. In this conversation, they share their personal journey, the values behind their adoption of regenerative practices, and how telling their farm’s story has helped them connect with like-minded consumers who believe in the power of food grown in harmony with nature.You can learn more about Alexandre Family Farms here: https://alexandrefamilyfarm.comAlexandre Family Farms products can be found in grocery stores across the United States. Find their products near you: https://alexandrefamilyfarm.com/pages/store-locator