Épisodes

  • S6 - E9: Moving Agriculture Forward with Kim Melton of the Red River Basin Commission, Pt. I

    S6 - E9: Moving Agriculture Forward with Kim Melton of the Red River Basin Commission, Pt. I
    Apr 28 2026
    Keeping soil on the land is a sound way to grow and move agriculture forward. Kim Melton is the soil health coordinator for the Red River Basin Commission. Kim coordinates soil health education and outreach across three states, one province, and two countries in the Red River Valley.Kim shares with Mary, Eric, and Jeff how soil health goes beyond just sustaining agriculture to include understanding the marriages of different perspectives among farmers, scientists, and others who can impact agriculture in a positive way. To learn more about Kim's work and the Red River Basin Commission, please visit https://www.redriverbasincommission.org/. For more information about the Supply Chain Soil Health Partnership and its goals to improve the food value chain from the soil up, please visit https://www.redriverbasincommission.org/soil-health-partnership Tune in, like, and subscribe anywhere you get your podcasts or 4thesoil.org/podcastAs always, we encourage you to cooperate with other farmers, graziers, and gardeners for peer-to-peer learning. We can all be 4 The Soil, for the future! Here is how with four principles: 1) Keep the soil covered -- Cover crops are our friends;2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Be gentle, take it easy;3) Maximize living roots year-round -- Keep roots growing; and4) Energize with diversity -- Thrive with diversity.If you are interested in art and framing the 4 The Soil posters for your office or home, the 16” by 20” posters are available for purchase and printing as single posters or a set of five posters. Additional, 4 The Soil gear and swag is available for purchase at https://4-the-soil.printify.me/If you have questions about soil and water conservation practices, soil health principles, and starting your journey to restore the life in your soil, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Other partners include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and partners of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest.To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today’s program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.
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    18 min
  • S6 - E8: Healthier Communities, Stronger Economies, and Hippos with Jeff, Mary, and Eric

    S6 - E8: Healthier Communities, Stronger Economies, and Hippos with Jeff, Mary, and Eric
    Apr 14 2026
    Soil health is a foundation for healthier communities, stronger economies, and more resilient landscapes. And yes, hippos can be major pests. During this episode of 4 The Soil: A Conversation, Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt share who and what is for(4) the soil. Celebrating Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, is a great way to build on that foundation.

    Tune in, subscribe, and like anywhere you get your podcasts or 4thesoil.org/podcast

    As always, we encourage you to cooperate with other farmers, graziers, and gardeners for peer-to-peer learning and to follow the four core soil health principles:

    1) Keep the soil covered -- Cover crops are our friends;
    2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Be gentle, take it easy;
    3) Maximize living roots year-round -- Keep roots growing; and
    4) Energize with diversity -- Thrive with diversity.

    You're invited to join an online presentation and conversation with previous podcast guest Bob Jones Jr., co-owner and chief executive officer of The Chef’s Garden in Huron, Ohio!

    "The Chef’s Garden: The Flavor of Health and Resilience"
    Monday, April 20, 2026
    7:00 - 8:00 p.m. (EST)
    Online via Zoom
    REGISTER HERE: https://tinyurl.com/VAF2T-ChefsGarden-register

    To enjoy recent 4 The Soil blog posts and additional upcoming educational webinars and field days, please visit https://www.4thesoil.org/blog and https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. For questions about soil and water conservation practices and outdoor educational conservation activities for youth, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.

    4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Other partners include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and partners of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.

    Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest.

    To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today’s program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.
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    17 min
  • S6 - E7: Vegetable Farming as a Food and Health Business with Bob Jones, Jr., of The Chef's Garden, Part II

    S6 - E7: Vegetable Farming as a Food and Health Business with Bob Jones, Jr., of The Chef's Garden, Part II
    Mar 31 2026
    Vegetable farming is a food and health business that requires dogged persistence, curiosity, and a no-quit attitude. Bob Jones, Jr., is a second-generation vegetable farmer and the chief executive officer of The Chef's Garden in Huron, Ohio, who has been growing vegetables for over 40 years.

    Bob and The Chef's Garden team collaborate with culinary professionals, physicians, and oncologists to test the taste, flavor, aesthetics, nutrient density, and food as the foundation of health. More than 700 chefs tour the farm and exchange ideas in The Chef's Garden's Culinary Vegetable Institute. Additionally, they worked with Regenified to certify their farm as regenerative for the practices that nourish healthy soils, water, plants, people, and communities.

    We can all be 4 The Soil, for the future! Here is how with four principles:

    1) Keep the soil covered -- (Cover crops are our friends and allies; avoid leaving soil naked).
    2) Minimize soil disturbance -- (Gentle, take it easy).
    3) Maximize living roots -- (Keep roots growing)
    4) Energize with diversity -- (Thrive with diversity of plants, rotations, and livestock).

    If you are interested in art and framing the 4 The Soil posters for your office or home, the 16” by 20” posters are available for purchase and printing as single posters or a set of five posters.

    If you have questions about soil and water conservation practices, soil health principles, and starting your journey to restore the life in your soil, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.

    4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Other partners include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and partners of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.

    Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest.

    To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today’s program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.
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    17 min
  • S6 - E6: Love What You Do: Vegetable Farming with Bob Jones, Jr. of The Chef's Garden, Part I

    S6 - E6: Love What You Do: Vegetable Farming with Bob Jones, Jr. of The Chef's Garden, Part I
    Mar 17 2026
    Bob Jones, Jr., is a second-generation vegetable farmer and the chief executive officer of The Chef's Garden in Huron, Ohio. Bob co-owns the vegetable farm and business with his brother Lee. Bob and his brother love producing and selling flavorful, healthy, nutritious vegetables, microgreens, and edible flowers.

    Bob shares the history of The Chef's Garden with Mary, Jeff, and Eric, including a review of Economics 101 from the 1980s when interest rates peaked at 24%, and the farm went from 1,200 to six acres.

    Bob and the Chef's Garden team work closely with their customers, culinary professionals, physicians, and oncologists on taste, flavor, aesthetics, nutrient density, and food as the foundation of health. As a certified regenerative farming operation, their vision is to cultivate and nourish healthy soils, healthy plants, healthy people, healthy communities, and ultimately a healthy planet.

    We can all be 4 The Soil, for the future! Here is how with four principles:

    1) Keep the soil covered -- (Cover crops are our friends and allies; avoid leaving soil naked).
    2) Minimize soil disturbance -- (Gentle, take it easy).
    3) Maximize living roots -- (Keep roots growing)
    4) Energize with diversity -- (Thrive with diversity of plants, rotations, and livestock).

    If you are interested in art and framing the 4 The Soil posters for your office or home, the 16” by 20” posters are available for purchase and printing as single posters or a set of five posters.

    If you have questions about soil and water conservation practices, soil health principles, and starting your journey to restore the life in your soil, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.

    4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Other partners include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and partners of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.

    Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest.

    To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today’s program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.
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    20 min
  • S6 - E5: Managing Change, Building Cover Cropping Systems with Doug Fifer of Fifer Family Farms, Pt. II

    S6 - E5: Managing Change, Building Cover Cropping Systems with Doug Fifer of Fifer Family Farms, Pt. II
    Mar 3 2026
    Doug Fifer of Fifer Family Farms joins Jeff, Mary, and Eric for a second episode to discuss how Doug manages change, inputs, and tighter margins with his farming and cover cropping systems. Doug acknowledges that we are all creatures of habit and have our comfort zones. Doug began experimenting and stretching his comfort zone with no-till farming and cover crops in 2010.

    As Doug built his cropping system and expanded his focus on cover crops as an integral input for soil biology and building organic matter, Doug's only regret is that he did not start when he was 25 rather than 50 years old. Doug reiterates that farmers are facing higher input costs and tighter margins; therefore, farmers need to be mindful of their actual return on investment (ROI) rather than solely focusing on yields. Return on investment is the bottom line.

    Cereal rye and vetch are two of Doug's go-to cover crops. However, he planted an 11-species cover crop mix last fall and will be doing a side-by-side comparison of the effects of the two systems on corn production. To learn more about the Virginia No-Till Alliance (VANTAGE) and its farmer-to-farmer mentoring, please visit https://www.virginianotill.com/

    We can all be 4 The Soil, for the future! Here is how with four principles:

    1) Keep the soil covered -- with living plants and residue. Cover crops are our friends and allies; avoid leaving soil bare.
    2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage as much as possible in your field or garden.
    3) Maximize living roots -- for the longest time to improve biodiversity, soil structure, and life in the soil.
    4) Energize with diversity -- aboveground and belowground with high-quality food for soil and plants, and integration of livestock on cropland.

    If you are interested in art and framing the 4 The Soil posters for your office or home, the 16” by 20” posters are available for purchase and printing as single posters or a set of five posters.

    If you have questions about soil and water conservation practices, soil health principles, and starting your journey to restore the life in your soil, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.

    4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Other partners include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and partners of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.

    Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest.

    To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today’s program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.
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    19 min
  • S6 - E4: From Picking Up Rocks to Successful No-Till Farming with Doug Fifer of Fifer Family Farms, Pt. I

    S6 - E4: From Picking Up Rocks to Successful No-Till Farming with Doug Fifer of Fifer Family Farms, Pt. I
    Feb 17 2026
    Where do you need to go with your farming? Doug Fifer of Fifer Family Farms joins Jeff, Mary, and Eric to talk about his experience and journey with no-till crop farming over the past fifteen years. Doug raises turkeys and cash crops in Mount Solon, Virginia, and is the president of the Virginia No-Till Alliance (VANTAGE).

    For Doug, his journey with no-till farming began in 2010 when he began questioning where his farm needed to go. As a youth, Doug remembers having to pick up rocks from the field after tilling and cultivating the soil for planting. He and his family eventually sent the moldboard plow to the scrap heap and stopped tilling the soil completely.

    In Doug's journey, he continues to learn, read, and experiment with vetch and more families of cover crops. He particularly enjoys meeting with and mentoring other farmers, and sharing his experience and lessons learned. One of Doug's regrets is that he did not start no-till farming sooner.

    To register for the VANTAGE Winter Conference scheduled for Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds, please visit https://www.virginianotill.com/winter-conference. You will benefit from hearing Dr. Ray Weil, James Hoorman, and the panel discussions with farmers.

    We can all be 4 The Soil, for the future! Here is how with four principles:

    1) Keep the soil covered -- with living plants and residue. Cover crops are our friends and allies; avoid leaving soil bare.
    2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage as much as possible in your field or garden.
    3) Maximize living roots -- for the longest time to improve biodiversity, soil structure, and life in the soil.
    4) Energize with diversity -- aboveground and belowground with high-quality food for soil and plants, and integration of livestock on cropland.

    If you are interested in art and framing the 4 The Soil posters for your office or home, the 16” by 20” posters are available for purchase and printing as single posters or a set of five posters.

    If you have questions about soil and water conservation practices, soil health principles, and starting your journey to restore the life in your soil, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.

    4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Other partners include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and partners of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.

    Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest.

    To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today’s program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.
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    18 min
  • S6 - E3: Growing Heirloom Mums, Building Healthy Soil with Jessica Hall of Harmony Harvest Farm, Pt. II

    S6 - E3: Growing Heirloom Mums, Building Healthy Soil with Jessica Hall of Harmony Harvest Farm, Pt. II
    Feb 3 2026
    What priorities excite you? Heirloom Chrysanthemums, soil health, and contributing back to the community are exciting priorities for Harmony Harvest Farm. In the previous episode, we learned the vision of Harmony Harvest Farm and their overarching aim to help people live and experience a better life through fresh flowers. Our returning guest, Jessica Hall, talks with us about her passion for growing heirloom mums and building healthy soil, and how these are two essential ingredients for achieving their vision.Jessica emphasizes the importance of engaging your roots and making them stronger. For Jessica and her team, the farm business roots started with research, collection, and cultivation of heirloom mums. Mums are dear to Jessica's heart and are a phenomenal crop with great potential for small-acreage flower farmers in Virginia and beyond.To learn about their heirloom chrysanthemums, plan a pick-your-own flower trip, experience a virtual mum summit and on-farm educational events, or order a floral bouquet, please visit Harmony Harvest Farm's website. To register for the Virginia No-Till Alliance (VANTAGE) Winter Conference scheduled for Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds, please visit https://www.virginianotill.com/winter-conference. Speakers of note include Dr. Ray Weil and James Hoorman. We can all be 4 The Soil, for the future! Here is how with four principles:1) Keep the soil covered -- with living plants and residue. Cover crops are our friends and allies; avoid leaving soil bare.2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage as much as possible in your field or garden.3) Maximize living roots -- for the longest time to improve biodiversity, soil structure, and life in the soil.4) Energize with diversity -- aboveground and belowground with high-quality food for soil and plants, and integration of livestock on cropland. If you are interested in art and framing the 4 The Soil posters for your office or home, the 16” by 20” posters are available for purchase and printing as single posters or a set of five posters.If you have questions about soil and water conservation practices, soil health principles, and composting practices to restore the life in your soil, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Other partners include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and partners of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest.To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today’s program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.
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    20 min
  • S6 - E2: Living a Beautiful Life through Fresh Flowers with Jessica Hall of Harmony Harvest Farm, Pt. I

    S6 - E2: Living a Beautiful Life through Fresh Flowers with Jessica Hall of Harmony Harvest Farm, Pt. I
    Jan 20 2026
    How can we live and enjoy a better life? Harmony Harvest Farm began with a lofty dream in 2011 and a vision of helping people to live and experience a better life through fresh flowers. Jessica Hall of Harmony Harvest Farm and Flower Genius joined Mary, Jeff, and Eric for a conversation about the farm business's vision, mission, values, and history.

    Jessica owns and operates the farm business with her mom and sister in Weyers Cave, Virginia. Jessica and her family believe Virginia-grown and American-grown flowers should be accessible to everyone, everywhere. To fulfill this vision and mission, they built up soil health and nourished their flowers from the start, while being mindful of good land management, soil erosion, irrigation needs, and bed layout to fit the topography.

    Jessica emphasizes that a sustainable business that lives its values needs a complete toolbox with the right tools at the right time for the right application. For Jessica and Harmony Harvest Farm, the toolbox includes a strong, growing network of personal and business mentors.

    To learn about their heirloom chrysanthemums, plan a pick-your-own flower trip, experience a virtual mum summit and on-farm educational events, or order a floral bouquet, please visit Harmony Harvest Farm's website.

    We can all be 4 The Soil, for the future! Here is how with four principles:

    1) Keep the soil covered -- with living plants and residue. Cover crops are our friends and allies; avoid leaving soil bare.
    2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage as much as possible in your field or garden.
    3) Maximize living roots -- for the longest time to improve biodiversity, soil structure, and life in the soil.
    4) Energize with diversity -- aboveground and belowground with high-quality food for soil and plants, and integration of livestock on cropland.

    If you are interested in art and framing the 4 The Soil posters for your office or home, the 16” by 20” posters are available for purchase and printing as single posters or a set of five posters.

    If you have questions about soil and water conservation practices, natural resource concerns, and soil health principles and practices to restore the life in your soil, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.

    4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Other partners include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and partners of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.

    Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest.

    To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today’s program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.
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    18 min