Soil Sisters: Rehabilitating Texas Farm and Ranch Land

In this episode of the Soil Sisters Podcast, we chat with our friend Chris Jones, an R&D project manager and designer at Symbiosis in central Texas. Chris shares his compelling journey from a career in finance to regenerative land management, inspired by his mental health struggles. He explains how changing how and what he ate and connecting with nature guided his path to health, clarity, and ecology. The discussion dives into his transition, the importance of healthy local food, and his work on developing universal soil amendments at scale to restore degraded lands. Chris also recounts his recent...

The Soil Sisters discuss the foundational basics of structured water with expert guest Clayton Nolte-- a physicist, inventor, researcher, and structured water expert. Clayton explains how structured water can significantly enhance hydration, detoxification, and nutrient absorption at the cellular level. The discussion covers the science behind structured water, its health benefits, and its impact on agriculture, including reduced plant water consumption and soil rejuvenation. The episode also delves into practical applications, such as using structured water in homes, for livestock, and even for personal health benefits. With practical advice on how to incorporate structured water into daily life, this...

Tara Dukart from Seek First Ranch joins the Soil Sisters to discuss the importance of clear, value-driven communication within family-operated farms and ranches. Tara shares her transition to family ranch life, the challenges and benefits of multigenerational ranch operations, and the significance of succession planning. The episode also highlights the positive psychology-inspired 'Win Warriors' accountability group, aimed at maintaining progress and celebrating collective wins. We hope you're inspired to seek community and mentor support in your agricultural endeavors.

With a knack for turning chaos into clarity, Joshua & Tara have already helped hundreds of families and teams from...

Meet renowned soil and ecosystem scientist Dr. Liz Haney on the latest Soil Sisters podcast. Dr. Haney provides insights into the Haney Soil Health Test's development and its applications for off-ramping from conventional to regenerative agriculture while reducing input costs. The conversation also delves into building and expanding a farmer-owned regenerative market infrastructure. Dr. Haney explains how Regen Mills, Heritage Ground, and Farmers Reserve Distillery aim to create market opportunities and value chain solutions for regenerative farmers. We also discuss the vital components for advancing the regenerative agriculture movement. Discover ways to get involved in the regenerative community. And...

Meet Troy Swift, a first-generation farmer operating Swift River Pecans and the president of the Texas Pecan Growers Association. Troy shares his experiences entering the pecan farming business in 1998, the benefits of regenerative agriculture, and his passion for soil health. He discusses functions like systemic acquired resistance (SAR), the use of beneficial insects, birds, and bats, and innovative methods to enhance tree and soil health. Troy also explains his diversified farming operations, emphasizing the importance of vertical integration and sustainable practices. This Soil Sisters' chat with Troy is rich with practical insights, making it a must-listen no matter what...

Wayne Knight has been ranching for thirty years and serves as the executive director of Holistic Management International (HMI). On this Soil Sisters podcast, we discuss Wayne's experience of the transformative power of holistic decision-making in agriculture. Wayne shares insights on land stewardship, holistic management principles, the importance of holistic goal setting, stockmanship, animals' role in ecosystem health, and effective financial planning for farmers and ranchers. The episode also delves into practical applications taught at HMI's Regen Ag School and the benefits of attending, including hands-on experiences and community building. Wayne emphasizes the significance of focusing on desired outcomes...

Greg Phillips, co-founding partner of the Houston-based law firm Phillips Kaiser, joins the Soil Sisters to discuss the challenges of preserving family land. Greg's rural upbringing in East Texas and the difficulties faced by generational landowners inspired his commitment to helping those families with limited financial resources find solutions. This discussion dives into the challenges of succession planning, heirs' property issues, maintaining family land, and the newly launched East Texas Heirs Property Initiative. The conversation emphasizes the importance of keeping family land intact and out of the box thinking to build generational wealth.

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Meet our Soil Sister Arlana Brumfield, founder of Soilution Holistic Ag in Dallas, TX, where she is healing her community through regenerative farming. Explore Arlana's journey from military service to becoming a passionate advocate for regenerative agriculture and holistic health in urban communities. Through personal anecdotes and educational insights, Arlana shares her mission to address nutritional deficiencies and environmental issues affecting BIPOC communities, driven by the alarming rate and rise of diet-related diseases. The discussion delves into the therapeutic benefits of gardening and eating fresh food, the regenerative power of robust soil,  and the critical need for supporting the l...

In this special episode of the Soil Sisters Podcast, we welcome our father, Butch Nuding, to delve into the rich history of our fifth-generation family ranch in West Texas. We discuss everything from the establishing of JD Patterson Ranch by our great-great-grandfather Jefferson Davis Patterson in 1887 to modern challenges and adaptations in farming and ranching. Butch shares personal anecdotes and insights into the evolution of ranch operations. We discuss inheritance taxes, the importance of trust structures, succession planning, and his hope for the ranch's future. This episode is a heartfelt conversation about family, heritage, and the journey toward regenerative...

This Soil Sisters podcast explores Chef Mollie Engelhart’s trek to Sovereignty Ranch. Mollie shares her transformative journey from being a vegan chef in Los Angeles to owning and operating a regenerative ranch in Bandera, Texas, with her family. The conversation delves into her catalyst for change, misconceptions about veganism, and the challenges and insights gained from transitioning to regenerative agriculture. Mollie explains the Sovereignty Ranch business model — including pastured beef, pork, poultry, sheep, dairy (cows, sheep, goats), a farm stand, CSA subscription, and homestead education enterprises. The hospitality venture includes large event and overnight accommodations, a farm-to-fork restaurant, and...

The Soil Sisters get down to the roots of community agriculture with Brooke and Killian Keller who own and operate Better Days Gardens outside of Lockhart, Texas. We discuss their journey of transforming raw, unused land into a thriving regenerative market garden. Brooke and Killian share insights on their challenges with water issues and land preparation, as well as the farmer support and resources they are utilizing to sustain their farming operation. They emphasize the importance of soil health, community-supported agriculture (CSA), and cooperative farming. The episode highlights the dedication and resilience required to run a successful small-scale farm...

We crack open the official beverage of the Soil Sisters podcast with Aaron Owens, a longtime goat and cattle rancher, innovator in the Texas hemp industry and the creator of Tejas Tonic. We discuss Aaron’s West Texas roots and the challenges and opportunities in the Texas hemp market. Aaron details his journey from cowboying and ranching in West Texas to farming and building a hemp-derived beverage business. The conversation covers the importance of genetics in agriculture, a little Cannabis Consumer 101 education, the complexities of the hemp and cannabis markets, and the legislative landscape affecting hemp farmers and businesses in...

The Soil Sisters welcome Andie Marsh, a soil health practitioner and founder of Rhizos, LLC. Andie shares her approach to improving soil health - from backyard gardens to farmland - using a microscope to assess soil microbiomes and methods for addressing soil issues. The conversation covers the impact of biological restoration, delving into Johnson Su bioreactors and other composting techniques, the role of fungi in soil health, and the importance of maintaining predator-prey balance in soil ecosystems. The episode also explores practical tools for gardeners and the impact of regenerative agriculture on climate change. The gals discuss an innovative...

The Soil Sisters welcome sister duo Kari Collins and Kelsey Kruzona of True Femme Collective to discuss the rhythm of nature and women. The sisters share their journey from a holistic upbringing in the 1990s to creating conscious beauty products. Kari and Kelsey share stories about their family's lifestyle transition, their father's battle with cancer, and their mother's influence. The sisters discuss the science behind women's monthly cycles, the value of phase-specific skincare and eating whole foods, when to fast, and the detrimental effects of dehydration and synthetic ingredients. We touch on collaborating with siblings, the power of a...

Join the Soil Sisters as they discuss their enriching experience at Holistic Management International's Regen Ag School, which has empowered them to ask the right questions to make the next right move on the road to healing their family's land. If you're considering continuing education in holistic management or want practical tools to plan for profit in family farming and ranching, dig into this episode. The sisters rave about the valuable tips and tools for holistic land management and the open-hearted and inspiring community they found through HMI. They also touch on succession planning and adapting operations in a...

The Soil Sisters visited Fallen Oak Mycology to chat with the founder, Josh Googins, and COO Zahia Tawil, exploring the intersection of fungi, hemp, and regenerative agriculture. The conversation delves into how fungi and hemp can be harnessed for soil remediation, sustainable farming, and building. The episode discusses innovative nature-based solutions for fashion, construction, and plastic waste. The duo share the realities, challenges, and creativity of scaling a sustainable mushroom operation. And if you’re curious to grow your fungi and up your culinary game, Josh and Zahia share practical insights into at-home cultivation and preparing mushrooms like a ch...

The Natural Gardener, John Dromgoole, joins the Soil Sisters in the KLKT studio in Lockhart, TX. John shares his origin story from his early days in South Texas to his influential career in Austin creating a world-class gardening destination known for its pioneering work in organic gardening and sustainable living. The conversation covers a wide range of topics including radio broadcasting, the benefits of organic gardening, planting tips and techniques, composting, urban gardening, and the role of community in spreading natural gardening knowledge. John emphasizes the importance of being open to learning from nature, communicating with plants, and using...

If you find yourself uncomfortable at every turn these days, you're not alone. In this episode, the Soil Sisters wade through the idea and experience of getting comfortable with discomfort. They talk about tackling new and uncomfortable tasks - from starting a radio show, to learning holistic farm management, to participating in agriculture committees, and maintaining family land. And how it's all led to personal growth and excitement for the process. This conversation touches on their efforts to be better stewards of the land, healing family relationships through shared projects, and the importance of advocating for agricultural changes. The...

In this episode of the Soil Sisters podcast, Johanna and Crystal discuss their enthusiasm for upcoming holistic management training, and insights from attending a Sacred Ecoliteracy class with Daniel Firth Griffith. They delve into water consciousness and answer beginner gardening questions. They also discuss the Texas Climate Smart Initiative resources available for farmers looking to transition from conventional farming practices. This episode blends personal stories, practical advice, and forward-thinking strategies for building a regenerative life.

Time Stamps and Links:

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:14 Recap of Last Week's Show

01:03 Excitement for Positive Change<...

The Soil Sisters welcome Ethan Peters and Angela Bartys to discuss the school of life and the value of a holistic education that nurtures the whole child—Mentally, Spiritually, Physically, Emotionally, Socially, and Creatively. We dig into school lunches and opportunities for local farmers to provide quality ingredients to school cafeterias. Angela and Ethan also introduce their new Lockhart-based 'School of Life' educational initiative, set to begin as a homeschool/farm school co-op next month (Sept 2024) and as a full-fledged Apogee education center by August 2025. We get in the weeds on developing emotional intelligence and authenticity, project-based learning, reconnecting wi...

In this episode of the Soil Sisters podcast, you'll meet Bob Kirkwood, a 78-year-old farmer from Clyde, Texas, who's focused on cultivating regenerative wisdom. Bob shares his recent journey from traditional chemical farming to regenerative agriculture, inspired by his brother and research by experts like Dr. David Johnson and Gabe Brown. The discussion covers the benefits of intelligent tilling, compost use, cover crops, soil structure and biology, and the positive impact of regenerative practices on livestock health. Bob highlights the long-term benefits and challenges of transitioning to regenerative agriculture, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, experimenting, and adapting. The...

In this episode, the Soil Sisters reflect on their recent family reunion, sharing humorous and insightful moments, including their latest inspection of the hemp field. The sisters delve into the challenges and philosophies of regenerative agriculture, discussing soil health, weed management, and the importance (and long-term benefits) of natural solutions over chemical inputs. They also highlight their vision to merge legacy farming and ranching with regenerative methods to not only heal the land, but save their family's 137-year-old operation. 

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00:00 Introduction and Family Reunion Recap 

01:25 Excitement and Challenges of Hemp Farming 

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On this Soil Sisters radio hour, we unpack our shared frustrations about the overwhelming presence of chemicals in daily life and their health and environmental implications. The conversation explores the impact of synthetic fabrics, chemicals in sunscreens, and processed foods. We also address broader issues like urban sprawl and the decline of farmland, advocating for regenerative agriculture as a viable solution. We emphasize the importance of asking for help, creating community among farmers, and shifting to mindful methods of preserving agricultural landscapes and improving quality of life. This episode encapsulates the farming community's emotional and practical challenges and the...

This episode features the new Soil Sisters Radio Hour on KLKT-LP, Radio Lockhart. The Soil Sisters discuss the grand opening of Panda Biotech's hemp gin in Wichita Falls, Texas. Johanna shares updates from the event, including the massive facility's capabilities and the involvement of local farmers and stakeholders. The sisters explore the numerous benefits and uses of hemp, including soil remediation and zero waste production. They also delve into challenges of first-time farming, regenerative agriculture practices, grant opportunities, and the importance of community-driven initiatives to support local farming. Tune in for insights on transitioning to regen farming methods and...

Join the Soil Sisters in Stonewall, Texas, for this conversation with Michael Klein, a sixth-generation Gillespie County Texan and owner/steward of Windy Bar Ranch. The discussion covers the ranch's transition to Black Angus cattle, regen ag in ranching, strategies for success, and the journey from wholesale to direct-to-consumer beef sales. Michael shares insights into his farming practices, genetic testing for cattle, rotational grazing, and how he avoids commercial fertilizers on his land and big pharma drugs in his cattle. The conversation also touches on local beef processing and the significance of voting with your dollars by supporting local...

The Soil Sisters are catching up and catching our breath from a whirlwind spring planting. This short Soil Sisters pod celebrates our community and covers the progress of our two industrial hemp projects and the beginning phases of building a community garden with our friends at Wella Foods in Lockhart, TX. We also riff on connecting with the magic of working with the land. Don't miss this episode if you're curious about growing industrial hemp on a small or large scale. Find show-and-tell videos and pictures in the podcast show notes at TXSoilSisters.co. Dig in with the Soil...

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...

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...

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...

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

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✨ 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 Texa...