Plants Dig Soil™

Prairie farmers are skeptical of “soil health” as justanother buzzword — but what if data could make it practical?

This episode explores mapping tools, farmer perspectives, and what resilience really looks like in the field.

Transcript with links to everything mentioned in theepisode:https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/mapping-soil-health

Newsletter signup: 
https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletterhttps://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752

YouTube: (Company):
https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie

Podcast:
https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie(Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.)

Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for ClimateSmart Agriculture

https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books 

Consulting packages:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting 

Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking 

Funding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperworkEmail:
[email protected]

Call/text/WhatsApp:
403-654-3096  LinkedIn (Scott):
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/  

LinkedIn (Company):
https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil   

Do you bale your straw or keep it? The basic concept is to ask whether it is helping or hindering you. If baling will remove soil armor and allow rains to erode your land, leave it. If it’s causing issues at seeding time, bale some of it.

Transcript with links to everything mentioned in the episode:https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/when-to-bale-your-straw

Newsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752

YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie (Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.)

Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books

Consulting packages: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting

Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking

Funding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork

Email: [email protected]

Call/text/WhatsApp:403-654-3096

LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/

LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil

In this edition I talk about how I evaluate new agricultural practices and tools before recommending them to clients. From the challenges of staying current to the importance of third-party data, I share my approach to separating useful innovation from flashy distractions.

Transcript with links to everything mentioned in the episode: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/testing-new-practices

Newsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752

YouTube: (Company):

https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie

Podcast:

https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie (Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.)

Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture

https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books

Consulting packages:

https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting

Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking

Funding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork

Email:

[email protected]

Call/text/WhatsApp:

403-654-3096

LinkedIn (Scott):

https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/

LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil

In this episode, I dive into what I’ve learned from applying organic weed control methods in my own garden—from stale seedbeds to blind cultivation—and how those lessons connect to what I see in prairie agriculture. I also reflect on my latest Better Farming Prairies article, which explores modern weed control tools that can reduce herbicide use without reversing no-till gains. Plus, I highlight some excellent resources on ecological weed management and emerging weed recognition technologies.

Transcript with links to everything mentioned in the episode:https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/organic-weed-control

Newsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752

YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie Podcast: https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie (Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.)

Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books

Consulting packages: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting

Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking

Funding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork

Email: [email protected]

Call/text/WhatsApp:403-654-3096

LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/

LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil

Are tillage and soil carbon compatible? Agronomist andauthor Scott Gillespie shares insights from his new article Soil Carbon & Tillage: Eat Your Cake and Have it Too.” Also – lessons from polycrop systems, organic fertility strategies, and the surprising connection between cultural heritage and forgotten crop varieties.

Transcript with links to everything mentioned in the episode:https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/soil-carbon-and-tillage 

Newsletter signup:  https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletterhttps://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752

YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie  

Podcast:
https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie(Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.)

Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture

https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books 

Consulting packages:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting 

Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking 

Funding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork

Email:
[email protected]

Call/text/WhatsApp:
403-654-3096   

LinkedIn (Scott):
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/  

LinkedIn (Company):
https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil

Do you need livestock to build soil health? Agronomist and author Scott Gillespie digs into recent research on grazing cover crops, biomass thresholds, and fungal networks—challenging some of the more popular narratives in regenerative ag. Plus: funding program updates, writing news, and practical insight for Prairie producers.

Transcript with links to everything mentioned in the episode:

https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/no-cows-no-problem

Newsletter signup:

https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752

YouTube: (Company):

https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie

Podcast:

https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie

(Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.)

Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture

https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books

Consulting packages:

https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting

Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design:

https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking

Funding service offerings:

https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork

Email:

[email protected]

Call/text/WhatsApp:

403-654-3096

LinkedIn (Scott):

https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/

LinkedIn (Company):

https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil

Plants Dig Soil

https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/

Newsletter signup:
https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter 
https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752

Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books

My consulting packages:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting

Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking

My funding service offerings:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork
SCAP program details https://www.alberta.ca/sustainable-cap.aspx
OFCAF program details https://rdar.ca/funding-opportunities/ofcaf

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/
LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil

#RealisticRegenAg | Welcome to the final newsletter of the year!

As mentioned previously, I’ll be taking a break over the holiday season but will return in early February. If you’re in southern Alberta and would like to connect before then, I’ll be at the Irrigated Crop Production Update on January 23rd in Lethbridge. You’ll find the registration link included in this email.

This month, I’m diving deeper into the topic of #RealisticRegenAg with just four articles that explore it in greater detail. Along with summaries and my own thoughts, I encourage you to save these articles in your favourite reading app and take the time to explore them fully.

Speaking of reading—if you haven’t had a chance to pick up my book yet, now’s the perfect time! Winter is ideal for catching up on the reading you meant to do over the summer. Scroll to the bottom of this email for a link to all the ways you can get a copy—locally, online, or as an e-reader version for your favourite app.

Transcript (with links to articles):
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/the-cover-crop-disconnect

Newsletter signup:
https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter 
https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752

Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books

My consulting packages:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting

Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking

My funding service offerings:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork
SCAP program details https://www.alberta.ca/sustainable-cap.aspx
OFCAF program details https://rdar.ca/funding-opportunities/ofcaf

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/
LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil

YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie
Podcast Subscription Apps: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scottcgillespie

#RealisticRegenAg | As the season winds down here in southern Alberta, I’ve been busy teaching both diploma and degree students at Lethbridge Polytechnic (formerly Lethbridge College). As is my annual tradition, I’ll be slowing down my newsletter and podcast production during the fall and taking an extended break over the holiday season. You can expect one final newsletter in early December, with the next edition coming your way in February.

Transcript (with links to articles):
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/plant-genetics-drive-microbes

Newsletter signup:
https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter 
https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752

Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books

My consulting packages:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting

Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking

My funding service offerings:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork
SCAP program details https://www.alberta.ca/sustainable-cap.aspx
OFCAF program details https://rdar.ca/funding-opportunities/ofcaf

Email: [email protected] 

X (aka Twitter) (Scott): https://twitter.com/scottcgillespie
X (aka Twitter) (Company): https://twitter.com/PlantsDigSoil

LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/
LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil

YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie
Podcast Subscription Apps: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scottcgillespie

#RealisticRegenAg | Cover crops might be giving off more greenhouse gases than bare ground. It's a surprise, for sure. It all comes down to how long they sit in cool and wet conditions. They pull up and hold onto more nitrogen than bare ground, however when they die they can give off much greater nitrous oxide emissions compared to a bare field. So check out the articles below and read any of the most interesting articles that you see.

In case you’re new here, let me introduce myself. I’m an author and independent agronomist from the Western Canadian Prairies specializing in climate-smart agriculture. I focus on scientifically proven practices that benefit the planet and, just as importantly, farmers' economic sustainability. Be sure to visit my website, www.plantsdigsoil.com, to learn about my book “Practical Regeneration” and for services I that I offer for farmers and agribusiness.

Transcript:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/cover-crop-emission-surprise

Newsletter signup:
https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter 
https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752

Realistic Regen Ag Channel (WhatsApp):
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaBofw37NoZxtgHSRl3S

Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books

My consulting packages:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting

Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking

My funding service offerings:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork
SCAP program details https://www.alberta.ca/sustainable-cap.aspx
OFCAF program details https://rdar.ca/funding-opportunities/ofcaf

Email: [email protected] 

X (aka Twitter) (Scott): https://twitter.com/scottcgillespie
X (aka Twitter) (Company): https://twitter.com/PlantsDigSoil

LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/
LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil

YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie
Podcast Subscription Apps: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scottcgillespie