Lessons From The Land

What does sustainable farming actually look like on the ground? Host Whitney Pittman-Visser talks with Nicole Schwebach of the Pipestone County Soil and Water Conservation District about cover crops, no-till farming, and watershed-based conservation programs changing agriculture across Minnesota.

Nicole works directly with farmers on cost-share programs, soil health assessments, and conservation funding spanning a six-county watershed. In this episode, she shares what it takes to shift a skeptical farmer's mindset, why measuring environmental progress is harder than it sounds, and how the disconnect between farmers and consumers shapes our food system.

You'll learn:

• What cover crops are and why farmers use them
• How watershed-wide conservation funding works
• Why soil health can change a farmer's entire approach
• The financial trade-offs behind sustainable practices

Check out more stories at The Minnesota Farm Bureau

Click here to learn more about the Natural Resources Conservation Service

authenci.com

How are farm animals connected to healthy soil? Fourth-generation Minnesota farmer Layne Ebling has an answer rooted in over 90 years of family stewardship. Since 1935, the Ebling family has farmed the same ground in southwest Minnesota, raising 24,000 hogs, growing row crops, and generating renewable energy from 13 wind turbines on the property. In this episode of Lessons From The Land, host Whitney Pittman Visser talks with Ebling about the animal-to-soil connection, why manure and nutrient cycling matter for the food on your plate, what "Ridge Farming" means for conservation and productivity, and how the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) helps family farms afford sustainable practices. Ebling also shares what it means to see his sons Josiah and Logan carry the operation into a fifth generation, including Josiah's vision for a local beef packing operation serving southwest Minnesota. A candid look at how one Minnesota farm family balances tradition, sustainability, and the next generation.

Check out more stories at The Minnesota Farm Bureau

Click here to learn more about the Natural Resources Conservation Service

authenci.com

What does it look like when a century-old farm refuses to choose between tradition and innovation? In this episode, we sit down with Luke Daninger, a fourth-generation dairy farmer, agronomist, and agronomy sales manager at Ag Partners Coop, to explore how Autumnwood Farms in Forest Lake, Minnesota, has sustained both land and legacy since 1902.

Luke walks us through the real-world practices behind sustainable dairy farming: soil health management, responsible nutrient recycling, and how closing the loop between farm inputs and outputs protects working land for future generations. He also shares the story behind Autumnwood's on-farm micro-creamery, a direct-to-consumer dairy model that bottles milk at the source, shortening the supply chain and deepening the relationship between farmers and the communities they feed.

Whether you're a consumer curious about where your food comes from, an agricultural professional rethinking modern farm strategy, or someone interested in the intersection of regenerative farming and rural business, this episode is for you.

In this episode:

• How Autumnwood Farms has evolved across four generations without abandoning its roots
• The role of soil health and nutrient stewardship in long-term farm viability
• Why direct-to-consumer dairy and on-farm creameries are reshaping local food systems
• What sustainable dairy farming actually looks like in the Upper Midwest
• Lessons from a working farmer who also sells agronomy solutions to his neighbors

Check out more stories at The Minnesota Farm Bureau

Click here to learn more about the Natural Resources Conservation Service

authenci.com

For Brady Wulf, sustainability isn’t a buzzword—it’s a philosophy rooted in family, land stewardship, and long-term thinking. At Clear Springs Cattle Company in west-central Minnesota, Brady and his family raise Simmental and SimAngus cattle while experimenting with regenerative practices like cover crops, improved grazing, and pasture restoration.

In this episode, Brady shares how improving soil health can strengthen both the environment and a family farm business—and why Minnesota’s cattle producers play a unique role in balancing crops, livestock, and land stewardship.

Check out more stories at The Minnesota Farm Bureau

Click here to learn more about the Natural Resources Conservation Service

authenci.com

All new episodes of the limited-run series Lessons From The Land are back in 2026! Starting in June, a new episode will be released each month, featuring stories on sustainability, conservation, and how state, local, and federal partners are supporting farmers to meet the demands of consumers. 

We delve into what sustainability looks like at all stops along the value chain, from the field to the food aisles. 

Lessons From The Land is a limited-run podcast supported by The Minnesota Farm Bureau and the Natural Conservation Resources Conservation Service, a division of the USDA. 

Check out more stories at The Minnesota Farm Bureau

Click here to learn more about the Natural Resources Conservation Service

authenci.com

Regenerative agriculture is more than just a trend—it’s a powerful solution for restoring soil health, improving biodiversity, and creating resilient farms. In this episode, we sit down with Dawn and Grant Breitkreutz, regenerative farmers from Redwood Falls, Minnesota, who have spent the last 20 years transforming their land using soil health principles, holistic grazing, and sustainable land management practices.

Learn how regenerative ranching benefits livestock, restores degraded farmland, and enhances environmental sustainability. Discover practical techniques like rotational grazing, cover cropping, and no-till farming that can help rebuild soil organic matter and improve water retention. Whether you’re a farmer, conservationist, or simply curious about the future of food production, this episode provides real-world insights into the power of regenerative land stewardship.

Check out more stories at The Minnesota Farm Bureau

Click here to learn more about the Natural Resources Conservation Service

authenci.com

Join us on Lessons From The Land as we sit down with Rachel Gray, the powerhouse behind Little Timber Farms in Blackduck, Minnesota, and 2023 Beltrami County Farm Family of the Year. In this inspiring episode, Rachel shares her incredible journey from kindergarten teacher to successful cattle rancher, managing over 500 F1 baldy heifers through innovative, sustainable farming practices.

Discover how this fourth-generation farmer is revolutionizing beef cattle production with rotational grazing systems, water quality certification, and meticulous cattle breeding programs that connect her with ranchers nationwide. Rachel opens up about navigating multi-generational farming dynamics with her father, Murl Nord, son Nick, and grandchildren, who are already learning the family trade.

Check out more stories at The Minnesota Farm Bureau

Click here to learn more about the Natural Resources Conservation Service

authenci.com

Join us for a forward-thinking conversation on the future of agriculture in Minnesota with Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. In this episode, we explore how sustainability is shaping the state’s farming industry, from regenerative practices to cutting-edge innovations that balance productivity and environmental stewardship. Whether you're a farmer, policymaker, or sustainability advocate, this discussion will give you valuable insights into how Minnesota is leading the way in sustainable agriculture.

Check out more stories at The Minnesota Farm Bureau

Click here to learn more about the Natural Resources Conservation Service

authenci.com

On this episode of Lessons From The Land, James Pieper shares how he left a suburban life and a career in ag finance to revive his family's Minnesota farm. Hear how drone technology, social media, and community helped him grow as a part-time farmer. A must-listen for anyone passionate about modern farming, ag tech, and rural entrepreneurship.

Check out James on his Instagram at All About Farming

Check out more stories at The Minnesota Farm Bureau

Click here to learn more about the Natural Resources Conservation Service

authenci.com

In this episode, we’re diving into the heart of conservation in Minnesota with special guest Bill Carter, a passionate advocate for pollinators and sustainable habitats. As the CEO of Prairie Moon in Winona, Minnesota, Bill builds thriving pollinator habitats that support bees, butterflies, and other native species essential to local ecosystems and flourishing agriculture around the state. 

Check out more stories at The Minnesota Farm Bureau

Click here to learn more about the Natural Resources Conservation Service

authenci.com