Prairie Prophets Podcast

On this episode of Prairie Prophets Podcast, Brandon sits down with Will Higgins, Development Manager for Roeslein Alternative Energy and Manager of the "Horizon II" Climate Smart Commodities Grant.  Will was instrumental in the negotiation phase for getting the grant signed and green-lighted.

Brandon and Will dive in on the specific components of the Horizon II grant - contracting with producers, measurement & verification of these outcomes, and outreach and education. The two also discuss the importance of expanding the grant access to historically underserved groups in agriculture.

More information about the Horizon II Climate Smart Commodities Grant can be found at: Partnership Led by Roeslein Alternative Energy Wins $80 Million Grant to Develop New Climate-Smart Agriculture Value Chain – Roeslein Alternative Energy

Will Higgins on LinkedIn: (24) Will Higgins | LinkedIn

On this episode of Prairie Prophets Podcast, Brandon meets with Sean McMahon, Executive Director of the Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance (IAWA). Sean works with key partners to champion farmer engagement and adoption of conservation practices that improve water quality. Sean played a key role securing the Horizon II Climate Smart Commodities Grant we are actively working on.

Brandon and Sean talk about the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. This strategy aims to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loss from farmland to 45%. The two also discuss the importance of continued collaborative efforts between agricultural and conservation groups towards a healthier ecosystem.

See Sean McMahon's Interview on Prairie Prophets Web TV Episode: 7:  Episode 7: Clean Water, Breweries and Trout in the Driftless Region of Iowa - YouTube

Sean's LinkedIn: (20) Sean McMahon | LinkedIn

On this episode of Prairie Prophets Podcast, Brandon sits down with Jason Sumners, Deputy Director of Resource Management for the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). Jason supervises the Fisheries, Forestry, Private Land Services, Protection, Resource Science, and Wildlife divisions.

Brandon and Jason talk about the importance and benefits of restoring grasslands across Missouri. The MDC has focused much of their attention on pollinators by prioritizing geographies across Missouri and promoting plantings for pollinators which includes a diversity of grasses. Jason and the MDC have created a dedicated team responsible for helping private landowners to implement best practices in conservation. 

More information can be found on Jason Sumners here: MDC names Jason Sumners as new deputy director of resource management | Missouri Department of Conservation (mo.gov)

Jason Sumners on LinkedIn: (21) Jason Sumners | LinkedIn

On this episode of Prairie Prophets Podcast, Brandon chats with Hunter Slifka, Project Coordinator for the Turkey River Headwaters & Chihak Creek in NE Iowa. Hunter has focused his efforts on the Turkey River & Chihak Creek Watershed Project which began in 2015. Since the projects' inception, Hunter has expanded cover crops from 1,500 acres to 17,000 acres improving the water quality in his community and communities downstream.
 
 Brandon and Hunter chat about the relationships he's built with the agricultural community around him and credits much of the success of the watershed project to progressive farming practices in his community.
 
 More information about Hunter Slifka and his 2022 Watershed Coordinator of the Year award by the Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance (IAWA) can be found here: Slifka recognized as 2022 Coordinator of the Year in fifth annual IAWA Iowa Watershed Awards - Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance (iaagwater.org)

On this episode of Prairie Prophets Podcast, Brandon sits down with Chris McLeland, Director of Agriculture Programs for Ducks Unlimited. Ducks Unlimited has partnered with the USDA, National Pork Board, Nestle and others for a Climate-Smart Commodities grant that will impact 240,000 acres in Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota.

Brandon and Chris talk about the importance of restoring, protecting, and enhancing wetland habitat for the waterfowl population to thrive. Diverse grasslands are also a crucial component of nesting waterfowl habitat. With the Climate-Smart Commodities grant, Ducks Unlimited will be providing on-site technical support by assisting producers with the planting of cover crops, no-till seed planting, livestock integration, grass buffers, and wetland buffers.

More information about Ducks Unlimited role in the Climate-Smart Commodities Grant can be found here: USDA’s $35 Million Conservation Grant Will Impact 240,000 Acres | Ducks Unlimited

On this episode of Prairie Prophets Podcast, Brandon talks with Executive Director of the American Biogas Council, Patrick Serfass. Patrick helped create the American Biogas Council in 2010 which now represents 400 organizations dedicated to maximizing carbon reduction and economic growth using biogas systems.

Brandon and Patrick discuss the strategy behind the growth of the biogas industry and the potential for continued growth across the US. Currently the US has 2,400 biogas facilities and the council projects the US has the capacity to scale up to 15,000 new facilities. 

Patrick and Brandon discuss the importance of recycling food waste and organic material. Public outreach and awareness are so crucial to the future and potential of Biogas.

More information about Patrick Serfass can be found here: Leadership | American Biogas Council

Patrick Serfass on LinkedIn: (27) Patrick Serfass | LinkedIn

On this episode of Prairie Prophets Podcast, Brandon chats with Steve Mowry, Kansas City Attorney and avid conservationist. Steve's work with the Missouri Prairie Foundation played a significant role in the early stages of Roeslein Alternative Energy and he continues to serve as a prairie and wildlife advocate.

Brandon and Steve talk about the ongoing work Steve does with his land including Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) and what it means to be a good steward of the land. Steve's historical knowledge of the turkey and the work it takes to build a healthy and sustainable habitat is exceptional. 

More information about Steve Mowry can be found in Season 1 Episode 6 of Prairie Prophets:  Episode 6: Grasslands Habitat for Wild Turkey - YouTube 

On this episode of Prairie Prophets Podcast, Brandon talks with Zack Vucurevich, Owner and Certified Wildlife Biologist of Whetstone Habitat. Through Whetstone Habitat, Zack helps clients become better stewards of their land - maximizing the ecological potential. 

Brandon and Zack talk about the importance of a landowner's ability to identify beneficial plant species as well as invasive and non-native species. Zack also champions the positive impact native prairie strips and buffer zones can have on a healthy wildlife habitat.

More information about Zack Vucurevich can be found here: Whetstone Habitat LLC

Zack Vucurevich on LinkedIn: (27) Zack Vucurevich | LinkedIn

On this episode of Prairie Prophets Podcast, Brandon chats with Missouri State Representative Bruce Sassmann and his wife, Jan. Sassmann serves as the Chair of the Conservation and Natural Resources Committee for the House of Representatives. Jan is a retired teacher and former board member for the Missouri Prairie Foundation.

The Sassmanns are active members of numerous conservation organizations, including the Conservation Federation of Missouri, Quail Forever, Missouri Prairie Foundation, and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation. Together, they pour their conservation efforts into their property which they affectionately call "Prairie Star Restoration Farm".

The three discuss Bruce's role as the Chair of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Sassmann's "Holy Trinity of Conservation" events which highlight professional reenactors portraying Thoreau, Muir, and Leopold. They also discuss Jan's time with Rudi Roeslein on the Missouri Prairie Foundation Board.

More information about the Sassmanns can be found here: Representative Bruce Sassmann (mo.gov)

The Holy Trinity of Conservation Story: Meet the Holy Trinity of Conservation on a Missouri Farm • Missouri Life Magazine 

On this episode of Prairie Prophets Podcast, Brandon chats with Tom Richard, a retired Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering from Penn State University. Tom is one of the foremost authorities on biomass conversion.

Brandon and Tom discuss the process of anaerobic digestion as well as the work he's done and the growth he's seen in the renewable energy industry. Tom talks about the potential of "grass to gas" to solve many different problems beyond the creation of natural gas.

More information about Tom Richard can be found here: Tom L. Richard, Ph.D. — Directory — Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (psu.edu)

Tom's LinkedIn Profile: (26) Tom Richard | LinkedIn