In this episode Mike McDonald, farmer in Otoe County and former educator, joins the podcast to talk about his journey from the family farm in Sherman County to his 5-crop rotation farm today. Mike talks about ow a trip to North Dakota in 2011 changed his vision for their farm, the importance of cattle for soil health, his recent experience with biochar and manure, the importance of viewing soil health as not only proper stewardship but also a return on investment. We finished the discussion talking about the challenges and opportunities of carbon markets and the lack of agility in commodity markets.

Update on current drought and soil moisture conditions and outlook for the spring and summer.

In the latest episode of the Weather Ready Farms series Jordan Uldrich, a diversified farmer from Fillmore County near Milligan, dropped by the Hardin Hall podcast studio today. We had a great conversation covering several topics in the area of regenerative agriculture and water quality. As Jordan would say in a recent article he wrote, "It's all about water". How we manage our soils and inputs are critical to ensuring we have water in the future for our crops and our own consumption. Jordan's journey into regnerative agriculture stated in 2021 when he was trying to control a field of weeds and he offers 'GEE' for farmers who are looking to progress into regenerative practices: Goals, Education, and Execution. We also discuss the hindrances farmers face in getting started with regenerative practices and in some of the bigger issues facing agriculture today.

In this episode I discuss the recent historic cold and why we had it. Then move into the forecast for next week, which is much warmer than it has been and a chance for a little moisture midweek. Then I discuss the prospects for moisture in the first half of March and the possibility of it turning colder again in mid-March. Finish up with a few thoughts on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

In this episode, I discuss the possibility of more snow over the next several days and the brutally cold temperatures next week. A thaw is coming before you know it though. Finish up with some thoughts on the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor.

In this episode Landon Larkin, a young farmer from northern Illinois, recent Northern Illinois University graduate and employee of Farmland Stock Exchange, joins the podcast to talk about his love of farming, how Farmland Stock Exchange is helping keep land ownership in the hands of local farmers, and how its approach allows farmers to take the long view of land use management and become more profitable by emphasizing stewardship and regnerative agricultural practices.