Soil Sisters: Rehabilitating Texas Farm and Ranch Land

In this episode of the Soil Sisters podcast, we dig in with Dax Hansen, current 4th generation steward of the Oatman Flats Ranch and founder of Oatman Farms™, a fearless food company with a mission to revitalize and sustain family farms in hot and dry desert environments. Dax shares the childhood and historical ties that influenced his journey into regenerative agriculture. We dig into the practical aspects of regenerative farming - the significance of native species, the challenges and methods of transitioning from traditional to regenerative thinking in your farming practices, and the vital role of partnerships and community in advancing the regenerative movement. Dax's insights provide a thought-provoking look into the complexities of regenerative agriculture, its impact on soil and human health, and its potential to rebuild our broken food system.

So how can little ol’ you make a big ol’ difference in reshaping our current food system?

Care about your health and vitality by investing in real food that nourishes your body and supports farm and ranch family businesses who are growing food responsibly. Companies like Oatman Farms. SHOP OATMAN FARMS here.

TIME STAMPS:

00:00 Welcome to the Soil Sisters Podcast with Special Guest Dax Hansen

01:05 Childhood Ranch Life: Stories from Arizona and Texas

01:14 Dax's Adventures: History, Treasure, and Lessons Learned

04:22 Comparing Ranch Chores and Embracing Hard Work

05:54 The Mesquite Revolution: A Sustainable Superfood

15:15 Reimagining Agriculture: From Ancient Grains to Regenerative Practices

20:08 The Future of Farming: Diversity, Sustainability, and Innovation

28:57 Rethinking Wheat: The Journey Towards Regenerative Agriculture

33:36 Preserving Traditions and Embracing Regenerative Farming

34:30 The Journey from Lawyer to Regenerative Farmer

35:42 Transitioning to Regenerative Agriculture: Challenges and Strategies

38:31 The Impact of Regenerative Practices on Biodiversity

40:46 Exploring Direct-to-Consumer Models and Community Collaboration

43:38 The Economic Realities of Regenerative Farming

45:46 Health, Nutrition, and the Future of Food

53:49 Building a Regenerative Agriculture Community

01:01:39 Final Thoughts: The Importance of Supporting Regenerative Farmers and Businesses

✨ Tejas Tonic - The official beverage of the TX Soil Sisters ✨

Serving up creative spirits for creative spirits. The hemp for this blissful bevvy is organically farmed in the Texas Hill Country. Enjoy 15% off Tejas Tonic w/ code: SISTERS. | Socialize with @drinktejastonic on IG.

⚡️ B&P Electric - The Soil Sisters Podcast is powered by B&P Electric ⚡️

Whether you’re building, remodeling, installing low-voltage landscape lighting, or in need of an inspection. B&P is your central Texas electrical contractor. | Socialize with @b_pelectric on IG

🔥 FireHawk Bioherbicide - FireHawk is a fast acting, non-selective contact herbicide that controls many common broadleaf and grassy weeds.From gardens and homesteads to vineyards and regenerative farms, FireHawk can be used for careful spot treatments around crops, landscapes, and non crop areas. And now FireHawk is available in super concentrate giving growers flexible high performance weed control that mixes easily with water. Learn more at firehawkbioherbicide.com and use code: soilsisters15 to save 15% on your purchase.

---------------------------------

Engage with TX Soil Sisters on IG: @soilsisterspodcast | X: @TXSoilSisters | FB: @TXSoilSisters

Submit Guest or Show Ideas and Sponsorship Inquiries: txsoilsisters.co

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with a friend interested in regenerative agriculture, ranching, local food systems, or starting their own farm journey.

Your support helps us continue bringing real stories and practical lessons from the people regenerating land and communities across the country.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Meet Lucas Evans, founder of E3 Agriculture, an advanced agricultural solutions company with a focus on the burgeoning industrial hemp sector and localizing supply chains while developing sustainable building materials and consumer products. In this Soil Sisters episode, we review the benefits of hemp in terms of soil health, versatility, and economic opportunity. And explore the concept of 'seed to shelter,' the development of local hemp economies, and the importance of seed sovereignty. This chat also covers the practical aspects of starting hemp farming, including land preparation, seed selection, and community building. Hemp has the potential to transform agriculture, support local communities, and build regenerative practices for future generations. Dig in with the Soil Sisters!

CONNECT WITH LUCAS EVANS:

LinkedIn | E3 Agriculture

TIME STAMPS:

00:00 Welcome to the Soil Sisters Podcast!

00:25 Diving Into Hemp Farming with Lucas Evans

00:38 The Journey from Ranching to Hemp Cultivation

02:47 Exploring the Versatility of Hemp: From Fiber to Houses

03:22 The Challenges and Triumphs of Starting in Hemp Farming

05:10 From First Hemp Acre to Building with Hemp

06:59 Seed to Shelter: Revolutionizing Construction with Hemp

08:21 Consultation to Cultivation: A Guide for Aspiring Hemp Farmers

12:02 The Economic and Environmental Promise of Hemp

17:13 Breaking Down the Hemp Product Lineup at E3 Agriculture

18:49 Sustainable Farming Inputs and Practices

20:11 A Holistic Approach to Hemp Farming and Soil Health

20:38 Navigating the Costs and Benefits of Organic Farming

24:07 Unlocking the Secrets of Soil Health and Sustainable Farming

24:35 The Journey from Monoculture to Diverse Agriculture

24:51 Practical Steps for Soil Testing and Improvement

26:14 Exploring the Resilience and Potential of Hemp in Agriculture

31:17 The Critical Role of Seed Sovereignty and Community in Agriculture

37:45 Revitalizing Family Farms with Hemp and Sustainable Practices

46:04 Closing Thoughts: The Future of Farming and Community Building

✨ Tejas Tonic - The official beverage of the TX Soil Sisters ✨

Serving up creative spirits for creative spirits. The hemp for this blissful bevvy is organically farmed in the Texas Hill Country. Enjoy 15% off Tejas Tonic w/ code: SISTERS. | Socialize with @drinktejastonic on IG.

⚡️ B&P Electric - The Soil Sisters Podcast is powered by B&P Electric ⚡️

Whether you’re building, remodeling, installing low-voltage landscape lighting, or in need of an inspection. B&P is your central Texas electrical contractor. | Socialize with @b_pelectric on IG

🔥 FireHawk Bioherbicide - FireHawk is a fast acting, non-selective contact herbicide that controls many common broadleaf and grassy weeds.From gardens and homesteads to vineyards and regenerative farms, FireHawk can be used for careful spot treatments around crops, landscapes, and non crop areas. And now FireHawk is available in super concentrate giving growers flexible high performance weed control that mixes easily with water. Learn more at firehawkbioherbicide.com and use code: soilsisters15 to save 15% on your purchase.

---------------------------------

Engage with TX Soil Sisters on IG: @soilsisterspodcast | X: @TXSoilSisters | FB: @TXSoilSisters

Submit Guest or Show Ideas and Sponsorship Inquiries: txsoilsisters.co

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with a friend interested in regenerative agriculture, ranching, local food systems, or starting their own farm journey.

Your support helps us continue bringing real stories and practical lessons from the people regenerating land and communities across the country.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For our very first episode of The Soil Sisters Podcast, we had the incredible opportunity to commune with our friend Chad Johnson, a visionary in ecosystem design and a true inspiration for anyone looking to make a positive impact on the world through their relationship with nature. Our conversation explores the essence of regenerative living, the interconnectedness of all life, and the profound impact that nurturing our soil has on everything from plant nutrition to human health. Chad shares his expertise on creating living ecosystems that not only thrive on their own but also regenerate the land and soul. We delve into the importance of community, the power of dreaming big, and how anyone can start their journey towards living a more connected and regenerative life. This episode marks the beginning of our adventure, aiming to inspire you to join us in the revolution of life, love, communication, and community for a better world. 💚, -TX Soil Sisters

MEET CHAD JOHNSON, MASTER ECOSYSTEM DESIGNER & BIODYNAMICS PRACTITIONER:

Avant gardener and protégé of world-renowned master permaculturalist Sepp Holzer of Austria, Chad Johnson has over two decades of experience as a master ecosystem designer of food forests and water landscapes and is an advanced biodynamics practitioner. Chad's work goes beyond restoration agriculture, overlaying diverse, resilient ecosystems onto edible human habitats. 

Whether creating resilient, low-maintenance growing systems with waterways, ponds, and terraces or tapping springs, he travels nationally and overseas on projects and excels at matching a dream landscape to his client's lifestyle. Chad's insight and passion for creating abundant growing systems with hundreds of varieties of food and medicine while teaching others are his unique and precious gifts. Chad currently operates Kingdom Come and Spirit Mountain Farm. 

✨ Tejas Tonic - The official beverage of the TX Soil Sisters ✨

Serving up creative spirits for creative spirits. The hemp for this blissful bevvy is organically farmed in the Texas Hill Country. Enjoy 15% off Tejas Tonic w/ code: SISTERS. | Socialize with @drinktejastonic on IG.

⚡️ B&P Electric - The Soil Sisters Podcast is powered by B&P Electric ⚡️

Whether you’re building, remodeling, installing low-voltage landscape lighting, or in need of an inspection. B&P is your central Texas electrical contractor. | Socialize with @b_pelectric on IG

🔥 FireHawk Bioherbicide - FireHawk is a fast acting, non-selective contact herbicide that controls many common broadleaf and grassy weeds.From gardens and homesteads to vineyards and regenerative farms, FireHawk can be used for careful spot treatments around crops, landscapes, and non crop areas. And now FireHawk is available in super concentrate giving growers flexible high performance weed control that mixes easily with water. Learn more at firehawkbioherbicide.com and use code: soilsisters15 to save 15% on your purchase.

---------------------------------

Engage with TX Soil Sisters on IG: @soilsisterspodcast | X: @TXSoilSisters | FB: @TXSoilSisters

Submit Guest or Show Ideas and Sponsorship Inquiries: txsoilsisters.co

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with a friend interested in regenerative agriculture, ranching, local food systems, or starting their own farm journey.

Your support helps us continue bringing real stories and practical lessons from the people regenerating land and communities across the country.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to the Soil Sisters podcast. This season we're growing 80 acres of hemp on our family's land in Stonewall County and four acres of hemp in Caldwell County. We're also beginning a food forest project. We hope you'll subscribe and dig in with us! 

Please submit questions, sponsorship inquiries, or show ideas: TXSoilSisters.co.

-Johanna and Crystal

✨ Tejas Tonic - The official beverage of the TX Soil Sisters ✨

Serving up creative spirits for creative spirits. The hemp for this blissful bevvy is organically farmed in the Texas Hill Country. Enjoy 15% off Tejas Tonic w/ code: SISTERS. | Socialize with @drinktejastonic on IG.

⚡️ B&P Electric - The Soil Sisters Podcast is powered by B&P Electric ⚡️

Whether you’re building, remodeling, installing low-voltage landscape lighting, or in need of an inspection. B&P is your central Texas electrical contractor. | Socialize with @b_pelectric on IG

🔥 FireHawk Bioherbicide - FireHawk is a fast acting, non-selective contact herbicide that controls many common broadleaf and grassy weeds.From gardens and homesteads to vineyards and regenerative farms, FireHawk can be used for careful spot treatments around crops, landscapes, and non crop areas. And now FireHawk is available in super concentrate giving growers flexible high performance weed control that mixes easily with water. Learn more at firehawkbioherbicide.com and use code: soilsisters15 to save 15% on your purchase.

---------------------------------

Engage with TX Soil Sisters on IG: @soilsisterspodcast | X: @TXSoilSisters | FB: @TXSoilSisters

Submit Guest or Show Ideas and Sponsorship Inquiries: txsoilsisters.co

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with a friend interested in regenerative agriculture, ranching, local food systems, or starting their own farm journey.

Your support helps us continue bringing real stories and practical lessons from the people regenerating land and communities across the country.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.