Regenerative Agriculture Podcast

Cole Mannix is a multi-generational rancher from central and western Montana who serves as the founder of Old Salt, a vertically integrated startup enterprise. Coming from a background rooted in mountain grazing and extensive holistic management, Cole spent decades working alongside his family and regional producers to optimize ecological function, riparian health, and predator coexistence on their expansive home landscapes.

Recognizing the vulnerabilities ranching families face as processing and retail channels become increasingly consolidated, Cole launched Old Salt to construct an alternative ecosystem of localized market power. Under his leadership, Old Salt has grown to incorporate a...

Peter Henry is a first-generation farmer who manages a diverse, seven-hectare operation in the mountainous terrain of Puerto Rico alongside a dedicated four-person workforce. He transitioned to agriculture during the pandemic after a successful career as a tech executive and startup vice president, initially purchasing the abandoned land with the intent of establishing a shade-grown specialty coffee farm. After encountering significant challenges with his initial coffee crops, Peter successfully shifted his operation toward passion fruit and a highly specialized niche market growing traditional African heirloom vegetables and tubers for buyers in the United States and Canada. Peter focuses heavily...

Tom Cotter is a third-generation farmer from Austin in southeast Minnesota who operates a diverse operation alongside his family and brother-in-law, Tony. He began farming with his dad in 1994 under a purely conventional system characterized by full tillage and routine chemical applications. Tom's journey into soil health began unexpectedly when his father purchased a tile plow and they noticed how much easier the equipment pulled—and how much better subsequent yields were—following a 20-acre test planting of rapeseed cover crops.

Today, Tom manages an operation encompassing 340 acres of certified organic ground, 430 acres of conventional no-till ground, and...

In this Podcast Extra, John Kempf joins the Soil Strategies podcast, hosted by Roy Thompson of the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition, to break down a radically different operating system for agriculture that transitions away from traditional NPK mindsets toward biological agronomy .

In this episode they discuss:

How high-salt index, electrolyte-based fertilizers interrupt plant signaling and create a long-term dependency by sabotaging effective microbial colonization .

The powerful role a healthy microbiome plays in supercharging a plant's native genetic expression for ultimate disease and insect resistance

In this Podcast Extra, John joins the Soil Talks Podcast to break down a radically different way to think about crop health, soil biology, and system function.

In this episode they discuss:

• Why pests may not be attacking your crops but reporting a deeper issue
• How soluble fertilizers can create long-term dependency
• The hidden relationship between plant immunity and soil microbiology
• Why modern agriculture succeeds in yield but fails in resilience
• And how some growers are producing healthier crops with fewer inputs

Additional Resources
To listen to more epsidoes o...

In this Podcast Extra, Join John as he answers a wide range of grower-submitted questions covering real-world challenges in regenerative agriculture. The discussion focuses on the practical application of biologicals and biostimulants, nutrient management strategies for specific soil types, and the use of AEA products to improve crop resilience. John emphasizes the importance of synergistic "stacking" of products and the role of microbial diversity in achieving disproportionate yield responses. Other topics discussed include: Distinguishing between biological inoculants for the soil rhizosphere and those designed for plant foliage. Defining biostimulants as non-living materials, such as humic substances, seaweeds, and organic acids...

Bob Kinford is a veteran stockman and grazing consultant who has spent a lifetime observing and refining the way we interact with livestock. His journey began as a child watching cattle scatter while sheep and goats remained bunched, leading him to question the conventional belief that cows lack decision-making capabilities. Through decades of working alone, he developed a unique approach to managing large herds without the use of permanent or electric fencing, focusing instead on the intuitive relationship between the handler and the animal's natural instincts.  

Alex Udermann is a fifth-generation farmer from Minnesota who operates a dairy farm alongside his brother, parents, and wife. He began his career farming full-time immediately after high school and currently manages a diverse operation that includes milk cows, steers, and row crops. Facing significant financial struggles and equity erosion in 2016, Alex transitioned the farm toward regenerative practices to ensure the operation's future survival and profitability.

Today, the farm is 100% no-till and incorporates cover crops, nutrient management plans, and large-scale composting. Alex uses advanced technology like drones for interseeding and foliar feeding to mimic natural processes he...

Bob Tillman is a former electronics professional who launched Alta Colina Vineyard & Winery in 2003 on the steep, mountainous terrain of Paso Robles, California . Managing thirty-two acres of grapes, he has spent two decades transitioning from conventional methods to a biological approach centered on the natural resilience of his native ecosystem.

He eliminated tillage in 2006 and moved away from synthetic inputs to rely on native ground cover and biological cycling . By utilizing total nutrition testing, he identifies vast mineral reserves already present in his soil and focuses on microbial health to make those nutrients available to the vines<...

David Stelzer is the founder of Azure Standard, a company born from a 1970s family health crisis that inspired a switch to organic farming. When a major processor dropped their organic grain for conventional wheat in the 1980s, David began delivering his own crops directly to co-ops in a pickup truck. This grew into a massive independent distribution network that now manages roughly 12,000 SKUs, connecting growers directly to consumers.

In the field of regenerative agriculture, David focuses on vertical integration to bypass the expensive and often unethical mainstream middleman. By managing the farming, processing, and distribution in-house...

In this webinar for the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition, John Kempf discusses a paradigm shift in nitrogen management . John outlines how moving away from high-electrolyte "chemistry" fertilizers toward biological nutrition can build crop resilience and significantly reduce input costs . By understanding how different forms of nitrogen, such as ammonium and urea versus nitrate, impact plant physiology and water requirements, growers can navigate a transition to a system where soil biology provides the majority of the crop's nutritional needs .

In this webinar, John discusses: 

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Glenn Elzinga is a seasoned rancher who has spent 34 years managing Alderspring Ranch in the wild, high-country landscapes of Idaho. Growing up on conventional farms that relied heavily on chemicals and formulaic business models, Glenn's career shifted dramatically after a "clobber over the head" moment forced him to innovate to survive. Today, he and his family manage 47,000 acres of wilderness rangeland, where they have pioneered "inheritance grazing" by living with their cattle 24-7 on horseback to coexist with wolves and maximize plant diversity.

By collaborating with researchers like Dr. Stephan van Vliet, he has provided empirical evidence...

Briana Bosch is the founder of Blossom and Branch, where she manages a two-acre flower micro-farm in Denver and a 180-acre family grain farm in Minnesota. With a background in journalism and a master's in marketing, she has become a prominent voice in the regenerative movement by focusing on scaling soil health concepts for both small-scale market gardens and large-scale commodity operations.

Last year marked a significant milestone in her transition of the family's century-old Minnesota farm, as she implemented intensive regenerative practices for the first time, including the total elimination of herbicides and fungicides on her...

Jeremy Brown is an organic farmer and the founder of Broadview Agriculture in the Southern Plains of West Texas. Managing nearly 4,000 acres of certified organic land, Jeremy is a leader in adapting regenerative practices to "brittle," low-rainfall environments. He brings a pragmatic approach to the movement by aligning his production with the natural limitations of his ecosystem, prioritizing soil biology and local economic health over the high-input "rat race" of conventional technology.

In this episode, John and Jeremy discuss:

Jeremy's transition from the "Roundup Ready" era back to organic farming to discover what truly constitutes "...

In this Podcast Short, John discusses how shifting from extractive to collaborative business models can help farmers reclaim their economic destiny. This episode also explores:

Historical farm economics, noting that while it was once common to pay for a farm in under ten years,

How "regenerative relationships" and shared risk-taking between vendors and growers are essential to restoring farm profitability.

A new performance warranty for BioCoat Gold is introduced as a way to remove financial risk for growers

Inviting large-scale operators to engage in broader risk-sharing partnerships that extend beyond single...

In this Podcast Extra, John Kempf compares Electrolyte Nutrition vs. Biological Nutrition in a webinar with ACRES USA and explains why conventional nitrogen strategies often lead to loss, inefficiency, and disrupted soil biology. Drawing from real-world agronomy, John outlines a biology-centric approach to nitrogen management that improves profitability, reduces synthetic inputs, and strengthens plant resilience. Topics include nitrogen timing, loss prevention, biological on-ramps and off-ramps, and practical strategies for in-season management. The webinar concludes with a live Q&A, where John answers grower questions and expands on implementation details.

Additional Resources
To learn more about ACRES...

In this podcast extra, John Kempf joins Ed Baumgartner, Founder, and Andrew Dixon, Business Development Manager, of BASS Hybrids on a BASSCAST to discuss regenerative corn production. They explore transitioning from chemical-heavy practices to biological systems using microbial inoculants like Biocoat Gold to improve soil health and plant resilience.

They also discuss:

Using Biocoat Gold as a biological seed treatment to set plants up for better long-term success.

The "rhizophagy cycle," where plants meet nutritional needs by recruiting and "consuming" soil microbes.

Observations of interseeded companion crops increasing corn yields rather...

In this Podcast Extra episode, John Kempf delivers his keynote address from "The Quality Edge: Market Differentiation Through Regenerative Wine Growing," an event hosted by Grgich Hills Estate in Rutherford, California. Speaking to an audience of professional wine growers, John explores how regenerative agriculture is becoming the ultimate differentiator in a crowded global market. He details how focusing on soil biology and plant physiology not only restores ecosystems but drives the production of wines with distinct character and superior quality that today's consumers demand.

Key Topics Discussed:

Why wine grapes are one of the few...

In this Podcast Extra, John Kempf speaks with Dr. Michael McNeill at the Acres U.S.A. Eco-Ag Conference in December 2025. During their conversation, they field questions from the audience and dive deep into the intersection of macroeconomics, history, and the future of farming.

Topics discussed include:

The historical context of the 1962 "Adaptive Program for Agriculture" and its intentional design to reduce the American farm population.

Personal reflections on the 1980s farm crisis and the role of high-interest rates in driving farm bankruptcies and consolidation.

Strategies for developing resilient farming systems...

In this Podcast Extra episode, join John at Acres Eco Ag 2025, where he hosted a "Coffee with John Kempf" session, answering questions from the audience. In this episode, a wide range of topics are discussed, including:

The use of foliar-applied low-biuret urea to significantly reduce a crop's total nitrogen requirement .

The potential for amino acid forms of nitrogen to replace large amounts of conventional mineral nitrogen .

Why plants fail to absorb or metabolize calcium efficiently when soil boron levels are low .

Recommendations for conducting sap analysis every 7 to 10 days to identify...

In this Podcast Extra episode, John Kempf joins The Future of Agriculture Podcast hosted by Tim Hammerich to discuss the intersection of cutting-edge technology and regenerative farming. As the founder and Chief Vision Officer of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA), John reflects on his journey from managing a struggling family farm in Ohio to becoming a leading crop health consultant. The conversation centers on the launch of FieldLark AI, an innovative regenerative agronomist tool, and John's personal project of creating a "digital clone" of his own agronomic expertise to streamline decision-making. Beyond technology and ethics, the duo dives into advanced...

Matthew Fitzgerald is a "1.5 generation" organic grain farmer operating 2,500 acres in Minnesota, situated where the big woods meet the prairie. Alongside his father, Joe, he manages a diverse rotation of crops on land originally preserved by organic pioneer Mabel Brelia. Matthew focuses on navigating modern economic challenges while actively fostering opportunities for the next generation of land stewards.

To manage scale and improve yields, Matthew founded FarmFlow, a system that began as a visual whiteboard to track field passes and has evolved into software for optimizing execution. By integrating these standard operating procedures with emerging AI tools...

Abianne Falla used to see the native holly shrub as a pesky invasive on her family's Texas land, until the 2011 drought highlighted its resilience: it was the sole green survivor. Yaupon (Ilex vomitoria) is North America's only caffeinated plant, though its roots as a ceremonial brew in Gulf Coast indigenous societies have been suppressed by colonial forces and lost to commercialization. As a member of the Chickasaw Nation, Abianne became interested in yaupon and crafted a variety of flavor profiles in her home roasting experiments, which she grew into her company, CatSpring Yaupon. 

Abianne harnesses yaupon for r...

Morgan Twain-Peterson founded Bedrock Wine Company in 2007, growing from humble beginnings in a small outbuilding into a respected winery. Jake Neustadt joined Morgan in 2015, bringing his expertise in transitioning old vineyards to regenerative practices. Together they are focused on enhancing soil health, producing uniquely Californian wines, and preserving California's historic vineyards, some of which date to the 19th Century.

Morgan and Jake's work at Bedrock Wine Company shows how regenerative agriculture can restore degraded vineyard soils, significantly increasing soil organic matter and water retention and improving climate resilience. Their practices—including no-till, cover crops, and holistic grazing—not...

Hilda Gore is a certified health coach and the host of the Wise Traditions podcast for the Weston A. Price Foundation. Born with a ventricular septal defect requiring open-heart surgery at age nine, she developed a passion for holistic health, emphasizing physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. Through her global travels, Hilda has learned from indigenous communities about ancestral health practices, advocating for a return to traditional, nutrient-dense diets and lifestyles to foster generational health.

In this episode, John and Hilda discuss:

The importance of spiritual grounding for health, starting the day with stillness and prayer<...

In this Podcast Extra episode, John Kempf introduces Revenant Charge™, a new true-liquid biostimulant from AEA. Revenant Charge™ was developed to address the rising costs of soil health products for row crops while maintaining the powerful results growers have come to expect from AEA's Rejuvenate. Designed as a microbial accelerant, Revenant Charge™ stimulates soil biology and increases nutrient availability.

In this episode, John discusses: The origin and purpose behind developing Revenant Charge™ and how it compares to Soil Primer and Rejuvenate.

Early field trial data from Northeast Ohio, showing improved microbial activity and nutrient release.

In...

This is the first time we've had a high schooler on the podcast!

Maizie Koentopp, a 9th grader in Chicago, conducted a simple yet elegant experiment on buckwheat plants. Motivated by her father's urban farming work and her own concern about climate change, Maizie wanted to test the effect of endophytic bacteria on plant development as an alternative to harmful agrochemicals. She compared seeds inoculated with AEA's BioCoat Gold™ to a non-inoculated control, and found that inoculated seeds (in both sterilized and non-sterilized soil) grew faster, had higher survival rates, and developed more root hairs.

If...

After growing up on a farm, Mollie Engelhart built a vegan restaurant empire in Los Angeles, which she planned to sell before COVID disrupted her plans. During the pandemic, she lost her income and spent time back on the farm, using nature's lens to question societal constructs like veganism. These experiences inspired her book, Debunked by Nature, where she shares her shift to truth-seeking based on natural cycles. She now lives on a Texas ranch, advocating for authentic living through storytelling.

Mollie experiments with regenerative techniques on her Texas ranch, like mulching to combat oak wilt and...

Jay Watte is a fourth-generation farmer from the Imperial Valley in Southern California, where he manages a family operation focused on seed production. Thanks to his pioneering practices, Jay hasn't sprayed insecticides on his farm for nearly two years. Instead of pesticides, Jay uses nutrient management, particularly boron applications, to boost plant resilience and reduce pest pressure. His experiments with soil inoculations and cover crops, are yielding promising results, including healthier plants and higher seed quality. Jay's approach emphasizes sustainable practices that prioritize long-term soil vitality and community well-being over short-term gains.

Jay supplies major retailers and...

Martin Crompton believes farmers can win by focusing on nutrition and flavor. He encourages farmers to adopt marketing and business development to tap into the growing demand for healthier, nutrient-dense foods. Martin is operations director at Union Grove Farm in North Carolina, where he creates demand for their table grapes through a "pull" marketing strategy of storytelling and education. By leveraging AI and ag tech, Martin has found a way to optimize farming practices and enhance profitability for regenerative farmers.

Martin is originally from England. He began working in agriculture eight years ago, after a career as...

Brad McIntyre, a fourth-generation farmer in Caldwell, Idaho, has transformed his family's operation along the Snake River Basin, scaling back from 3,000 to 1,000 acres due to urbanization and rising costs. Inspired by no-till pioneers, he now manages a diverse farm with seed production, grass-finished beef, pastured pork, poultry, and eggs; all non-GMO.

Brad advances regenerative agriculture through no-till farming, diverse rotations, and cover crops, maintaining yields while cutting inputs. He produces locally adapted, high-quality seeds with strong germination for companies like Green Cover Seed. His livestock integration enhances soil health, and direct-to-consumer meat sales promote community health and...

Sam Godwin is a second-generation farmer operating a 300-acre organic orchard in north central Washington, primarily growing apples, pears, and cherries. His farm, which is small by industry standards, faces economic pressures in a market dominated by larger operations, and so has adopted organic practices since the early 2000s to differentiate and add value.

Sam is in his second year of integrating practices to enhance soil health and reduce input costs, guided by consultants from Advancing Eco Agriculture. By using sap analysis and tools like compost, clover, and fish products, he has seen significant improvements, particularly in...

Anthony Myint is the founder of Zero Foodprint, a nonprofit focused on transforming agriculture through innovative economic models. A former chef and restaurateur, Myint transitioned from the restaurant industry to champion regenerative agriculture and address the climate impact of food systems. His organization helps farmers transition to regenerative practices by funding farm projects that enhance soil health, conserve water, and sequester carbon. Zero Foodprint is funded by businesses that contribute small percentages of their revenue, often through opt-out fees.

Zero Foodprint's approach decouples food consumption from land management, enabling systemic change without relying solely on consumer behavior...

Troy Swift started farming at age 42, and has achieved incredible results using regenerative practices in his Texas pecan grove: increasing yields in certain varieties by up to 6X, while cutting nitrogen inputs by 97%, reducing insecticides, and eliminating herbicides.

Troy is a first-generation farmer from Central Texas who transitioned to pecan farming after a career in the composite jet engine industry. With a data-driven mindset from his manufacturing background, he now manages 126 acres of hybrid and native pecans along the San Marcos River and serves as president of the Texas Pecan Growers Association. Troy's 27 years of growing experience...

Jake Ewing farms 1,300 acres of corn in Western Illinois, a relatively small operation compared to neighboring farms. Jake's farm has been shaped by the need to compete in a region dominated by large-scale commodity crop production, forcing him to rethink traditional approaches to corn farming, and developing a focus on innovative, cost-effective practices. 

Jake's journey toward regenerative agriculture began with the purchase of a high-clearance sprayer, initially intended for conventional applications. This led to experiments with foliar fertilizers and reductions in herbicides and fungicides. His focus on soil health and plant nutrition has boosted yields to 275-285 b...

Steven Thompson is the co-founder of Analemma Wines in Mosier, Oregon, where he and his team have transformed a conventional cherry orchard into a vibrant, biodynamic vineyard. With a background in wine and viticulture, Steven focuses on creating a farm that reflects beauty, biodiversity, and intentional design.

Through regenerative practices, Steven has eliminated synthetic inputs, transitioned to dry farming, and built soil health using sap analysis, foliar nutrition, and microbial inoculants. His approach has improved vine vigor, reduced pest pressure, and enabled clean native yeast fermentations that capture a true sense of place.

In this...

In this Podcast Short, John Kempf announces the launch of FieldLark, an AI agronomist chatbot designed to democratize regenerative agriculture knowledge, which provides first-principles, thinking-based recommendations on how to solve agronomic challenges. FieldLark empowers farmers with accessible, expert-level insights to optimize crop and soil health.

In this episode, John covers: FieldLark's public launch as a specialized AI trained on agronomic and adjacent discipline data. The complexity of regenerative agronomy, emphasizing biology alongside chemistry. The integration of soil, sap, and microbiome analyses to predict and enhance crop health. The future development of an algorithmic engine for consistent, context-specific recommendations...

In this Podcast Extra, John Kempf joins the Rooted in Organic Podcast to discuss AI and agriculture. 

The Rooted in Organic Podcast is dedicated to promoting organic living and sustainable agriculture. Through their podcast, they discuss time-honored techniques, like Amish farming, and explore modern solutions, like regenerative agriculture. With each conversation, they aim to empower their audience to take action toward a more eco-friendly and healthier food system.

In this episode of the Rooted in Organic Podcast, they discuss the development of a AEA's new AI tool called FieldLark. They also discuss how technology in a...

Vance Crowe believes that the key to preserving multi-generational farms is for farmers to communicate better, especially within their own families. As founder of Legacy Interviews, podcast host, and keynote speaker, Vance knows a thing or two about communication. 

Vance developed strong communication skills early on, shaped by a competitive family environment on an Illinois farm. Vance has worked as a deckhand, in the Peace Corps in Africa, and for five years as Monsanto's Director of Millennial Engagement. He now runs Legacy Interviews, which preserves family histories, and is recognized for his articulate communication style.

I...

Erwin Westers runs a biodynamic seed farm in the northern Netherlands, producing high-quality seeds for potatoes, radish, and wildflowers. His operation uses innovative mulching and cover cropping to enhance soil health.

Westers pioneers regenerative agriculture with techniques like Flechenratte surface decomposition, reducing pests and weeds and improving soil structure. He leads the Dutch Regenerative Alliance to share scalable practices with farmers.

In this episode, Erwin and John discuss:

Using Flächenrotte to incorporate cover crops shallowly, boosting microbial activity and soil structure to 10 inches

Applying rye and vetch mulch to cut p...