Prairie Prophets Podcast

On this episode of Prairie Prophets Podcast, Brandon sits down with Jesse Deubel, Executive Director of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation. Jesse has been intricately involved with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and recently worked with BHA in Washington, DC to fight for the permanent re-authorization and full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Brandon and Jesse meet up in Delaware and chat alternative energy solutions, land and habitat management differences and similarities between the Midwest and Southwest and talk the importance of finding common ground no matter the political affiliation when it comes to conservation. 

More information about Jesse Deubel and the New Mexico Wildlife Federation can be found here: Jesse Deubel - New Mexico Wildlife Federation - New Mexico Wildlife Federation (nmwildlife.org)

On this episode of Prairie Prophets Podcast, Brandon chats with Bill Cooksey, Senior Sportsman Outreach Coordinator and Acting Director of Conservation Partnerships for Vanishing Paradise. Vanishing Paradise is a program of the National Wildlife Federation that unites sportsmen to advocate for restoration of the Mississippi River Delta, the Gulf Coast and the Everglades. 

Brandon and Bill meet up in Delaware, at the National Assembly of Sportsman Caucus Sportsman-Legislator Summit. This is the premier legislative event of the year that brings together sportsmen's caucus members, NGOs, natural resource managers, the outdoor industry, and policy experts for three days of educational programming, networking, and planning for the next decade of success in the conservation arena.

While attending the Summit, Brandon and Bill talk about Bill's lifelong love for waterfowl hunting and the importance of protecting and restoring habitat including "prairie potholes".  

More information about Vanishing Paradise and Bill Cooksey can be found here: Vanishing Paradise

On this episode of Prairie Prophets Podcast, Brandon chats with Missouri State Representative Tim Taylor. Taylor represents parts of Chariton, Cooper, Howard, and Randolph counties (District 48) in the Missouri House of Representatives. Taylor also serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Conservation and Natural Resources Committee for the House of Representatives. 

Brandon and Tim meet up in Delaware, at the National Assembly of Sportsman Caucus Sportsman-Legislator Summit. This is the premier legislative event of the year that brings together sportsmen's caucus members, NGOs, natural resource managers, the outdoor industry, and policy experts for three days of educational programming, networking, and planning for the next decade of success in the conservation arena.

While attending the Summit, Brandon and Tim talk the current state of Agriculture in Missouri, Horizon II efforts, and the importance of sustainable and ecologically friendly practices for conservation. 

More information about Representative Tim Taylor can be found at: Representative Tim Taylor (mo.gov)

On this episode of Prairie Prophets Podcast, Brandon sits down with Rudi Roeslein, Founder of Roeslein Alternative Energy, at Rudi's farm in North Missouri. Rudi's vision for digesting native prairie plants into renewable energy focuses on returning ecological services and wildlife benefits to our landscape.

Rudi invited leaders from the Nature Conservancy, Quail & Pheasants Forever, the Missouri Department of Conservation, Iowa Agriculture Water Aliance and many more to his farm to propel planning towards the Horizon II vision of prairie restoration. Topics included the value of prairie to both society and wildlife and what to plant to give restored prairie the most economic and ecological value. This collaborative effort is the start of Rudi's grand vision. 

More about Rudi and the Horizon II efforts can be found here: Prairie Prophets Works To Improve Land With Prairie Restoration

Rudi's story can be seen in the first episode of Prairie Prophets TV: Episode 1: The Vision and The Founder - YouTube

On this episode of Prairie Prophets Podcast, Brandon chats with Kyle Carroll, Presiding Commissioner of Dekalb County, Missouri. Kyle spent 27 years as an agent for the Department of Conservation and seven years for the highway patrol. During that time, Kyle was able to work closely with county governments where he currently serves.

Brandon and Kyle talk about the economic development of agriculture based rural areas where cost continues to rise making it more difficult for young farmers to jump into the profession. Kyle has seen firsthand how the efforts of Roeslein and the Horizon II mission is keeping young and gifted farmers home in their own communities through better jobs and opportunities that might not exist otherwise.

More about Kyle and the Dekalb County Commissions can be found here: Commission (dekalbcountymo.com)

On this episode of Prairie Prophets Podcast, Brandon recaps a fieldtrip with Shane Staten a Senior Restoration Manager & Senior Professional Wetland Scientist for SWALLOWTAIL. Shane has been a primary or contributing designer for 21 approved and 5 proposed wetland and stream mitigation banks across Missouri and eastern Kansas encompassing almost 3,500 acres (more than 5 square miles) of restored wetland, riparian corridor, and stream habitats.

Brandon and Shane talk about the process of restoring farmland to prairie and wetland habitat and the process of building a mitigation bank. A mitigation bank is a wetland, stream, or other aquatic resource area that has been restored, established, enhanced, or (in certain circumstances) preserved for the purpose of providing compensation for unavoidable impacts to aquatic resources permitted under Section 404 or a similar state or local wetland regulation.

More about SWALLOWTAIL can be found here: SWALLOWTAIL ENVIRONMENTAL Wetland and Stream Mitigation | Missouri and Kansas 

Shane Staten on LinkedIn: (30) Shane Staten, SPWS | LinkedIn

On this episode of Prairie Prophets Podcast, Brandon meets with Ashlea Neill at the Women in Agriculture Meeting in Kirksville, MO.  Ashlea is a Private Land Conservationist for the Missouri Department of Conservation serving Adair and Sullivan Counties in Missouri. Ashlea has many specialties including prescribed fire planning. To qualify for the Federal and State cost share programs - a burn plan is needed.

Brandon and Ashlea talk about the importance of prescribed fire and how it can serve as the most beneficial tool to managing habitat. Ashlea talks about "burn rotations" and how difficult it can be to control Sericea Lespedeza and other invasive species. 

To find out more about Prescribed Fire and Burn Plans in your area, visit: Prescribed Fire | Missouri Department of Conservation (mo.gov)

On this episode of Prairie Prophets Podcast, Brandon meets with Joshua Marshall at the Women in Agriculture Meeting in Kirksville, MO.  Joshua is a Senior Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist for Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever where he helps build better habitat for pheasants and quail through land planning and progressive agricultural practices like prescribed burns.

Brandon and Joshua talk about the importance of building a quality habitat for quail and pheasant and why the quail is considered a keystone species.

More about Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever can be found here: pheasantsforever.org/SpecialPages/About-Pages/About-PF.aspx 

Joshua Marshall on LinkedIn: (30) Joshua Marshall | LinkedIn

On this episode of Prairie Prophets Podcast, Brandon sits down with Lucas Brass, Area Soil Health Specialist for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).  Lucas and the Soil Health Specialist team of four primarily focus on education and outreach for all of Missouri. They utilize a rainfall simulator display to help educate the public on soil health, cover crops and erosion control.  

Brandon and Lucas talk about the importance of cover crops and the ecological benefits of cover crops and prairie restoration. You can see more of Lucas and his rainfall simulator in our Prairie Prophets Web Series - Episode 4. 

Check out Lucas Brass on the Prairie Prophets Web Series at:  (2) Episode 4: Connected by Water (Part 1 of 2) - YouTube

On this episode of Prairie Prophets Podcast, Brandon chats with Adam McLane, Missouri State Director of The Nature Conservancy (TNC).  Adam McLane heads a statewide team of scientists, conservation experts and support staff whose work protects Missouri’s natural resources and some of our state’s most iconic landscapes.

Brandon and Adam talk about the extreme importance of protecting biodiversity and the collective focus of returning biodiversity to marginal lands. Missouri and Iowa's Nature Conservancy are both involved in the Horizon II Climate Smart Commodities grant including the grassland initiative.

More information about The Nature Conservancy and Adam McLane can be found at: Adam McLane (nature.org)