Green Cover Podcast

In this episode, consultant and Illinois farmer David Kleinschmidt discusses the tragic 2023 dust storm on Interstate 55 that claimed seven lives, exploring how it reveals a deeper crisis in soil health. David shares his journey from ag retail to soil health consulting, emphasizing that erosion is fundamentally a biological problem, not just a mechanical one. He offers practical advice on getting started with cover crops, understanding carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, and managing soil aggregation to prevent both wind and water erosion. David also discusses the importance of balancing conservation practices with farm profitability, the future of diverse crop rotations, and why every farmer should read "The Soil Owner's Manual." Whether you're just starting your regenerative agriculture journey or looking to refine your practices, this conversation provides valuable insights on building healthier, more resilient soils.

Jay Young farms in southwest Kansas, one of the harshest environments to prove regenerative agriculture works. With just 14 to 16 inches of annual rainfall, high winds, and a conventional farming culture, Jay has built a system around grazing cattle on cover crops, eliminated phosphorus for five years, cut nitrogen rates in half, and still produces 100+ bushel corn and milo. In this conversation, Jay breaks down his journey from reluctant farmer to passionate soil health advocate, explains how Johnson Sue compost transformed his operation, and shares practical strategies for making regenerative work in dry climates, from winter grazing systems to ultra low population corn. We also discuss his use of Halter GPS collars for cattle management and how shifting from a success or failure mindset to one of stewardship changed everything about how he farms.Learn more from Jay:    / @jyoungregenag  Learn how Jay is utilizing Johnson Su to reduce inputs:    • Johnson Su Compost: Improving Soil Health ...  Talk with the Green Cover team about which cover crop mix is best for your soil health goals: https://greencover.com/get-in-touch/Explore the podcast

Joe Ailts is a regenerative agronomist from Wisconsin with an unusual hobby: growing giant pumpkins. In this conversation, Joe breaks down the biological processes he uses to push pumpkins to extreme sizes, from mycorrhizal fungi networks to optimizing plant efficiency at every stage.What makes this interesting is how much of it translates directly to row crop farming. The same principles Joe uses to grow a 2,000 pound pumpkin (building soil biology, managing nutrients strategically, timing cover crops) apply to boosting yields on any farm. We talk about his approach to early maturing soybeans, nutrient management in corn, and why soil health isn't just a buzzword but the foundation of everything that happens aboveground.Get in touch with Joe: https://ailtsagronomy.com/index.php/c...Talk with the Green Cover team about which cover crop mix is best for your soil health goals: https://greencover.com/get-in-touch/

Raymond Epp is an American who grew up in a conventional farming family in Nebraska. His curiosity led him to Canada as a young man, where he pursued an education in Biblical Studies. There, he met his wife, who eventually brought him to Japan. In Japan, Raymond started a farm and became a significant figure in the country's adoption of regenerative agriculture. He shares his journey, including the challenges and successes he has faced, his work with local farmers, his collaborations with the Japanese government and researchers, and his continued efforts in educating and coaching others in sustainable farming practices.Learn more about Raymond's farm here: https://www.mennonitemission.net/part...

In this special Thanksgiving edition of the Green Cover Podcast, Keith brings on his son and Green Cover Sales Manager, Jakin Berns, and nephew and Operations Manager, Travis Berns to have a conversation about their experiences of working and growing within the family business. The three share about the importance of family values, stewardship, and how these values are shared and overlap with our customers who share and recognize the value of living regeneratively. Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Green Cover!