The Acres U.S.A. Podcast

Acres U.S.A.®
  • 4.5 (18)
  • Natural Sciences
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to "The Acres U.S.A. Podcast," where we dive deep into the world of production-scale organic and regenerative farming. For over 50 years, Acres U.S.A.® has been the go-to resource for farmers, ranchers, and market gardeners, guiding them to grow food profitably and sustainably, all while honoring the rhythms of nature. Join our host, Taylor Henry, owner, and CEO, as he brings you weekly insights, interviews, and practical tips to cultivate a healthier, more resilient food system. Tune in and let's grow together!

  1. 6d ago

    From Organic Farming to a Nationwide Food Network: David Stelzer of Azure Standard Ep. 124

    In this episode of the Acres U.S.A. Podcast, Taylor sits down with David Stelzer, founder of Azure Standard, to hear the story behind one of the country’s largest organic food distribution networks. David shares how his family’s journey into organic agriculture began in the 1960s after a dramatic change in diet helped restore his health—and how discovering what was being put on conventional seed pushed his father to leave chemical farming behind. He takes us through the early days of Azure Standard, from delivering grain and flour in an old pickup truck to creating the company’s first catalog and developing the drop-point model that now serves communities across all 50 states. David also discusses the challenges of building a food distribution system outside the traditional supply chain and the unexpected role Y2K played in Azure’s growth. The conversation dives into the biggest challenges facing organic and regenerative agriculture today, including the lack of domestic production, limited mid-sized processing infrastructure, and the need for private investment in regional food systems. David will be speaking at Eco-Ag 2026 in Iowa City, December 1–4, focusing on how farmers can connect with consumers and build economically viable markets. Thank you to our Sponsors of Today’s Episode: Azure Standard: https://www.azurestandard.com/ American Farmland Trust: https://farmland.org/ Important Links from Today’s Episode: Members site: https://members.acresusa.com Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/ Eco-Ag 2026 Tickets: https://www.conference.acresusa.com/ Eco-Ag 2026 Exhibitor Information: https://conference.eco-ag.com/booth-selection-page-page Azure Standard Website: https://www.azurestandard.com/ Pre-Order ‘Seeds of Hope’ (David’s Book): https://www.seedsofhopebook.com/

  2. Sep 1

    An Evening with Wendell Berry | From the Acres U.S.A. Archives

    In memory of Wendell Berry, Acres U.S.A. is opening our archives to share this special recording from the 2007 Acres U.S.A. conference in Louisville, Kentucky.Rather than deliver a traditional speech, Berry chose to read The Requirement, a story about friendship, loss, obligation and what he called “our indispensable principle of neighborhood.” Following the reading, Berry takes questions from the Acres U.S.A. audience in a wide-ranging conversation about farming, land ownership, community, marriage, raising children, local food systems and the future of agriculture.Nearly two decades later, much of the conversation feels remarkably current. Berry discusses the difficulty young farmers face because of rising land prices, the importance of adapting agriculture to the land rather than forcing the land to adapt to us, and why real change often comes from ordinary people doing the necessary work on their own farms and in their own communities. Toward the end of the evening, Berry reflects on how much the alternative agriculture movement had grown since The Unsettling of America was published in 1977. What had once felt like a very small group had grown into a movement being carried forward by farmers and communities across the country. His closing words seem especially appropriate today:“Gratitude is the appropriate project for a man of my age.” We are grateful for Wendell Berry's life, his work, his friendship with Acres U.S.A., and the ideas he leaves behind.This special episode is presented in memory of Wendell Berry.Recorded: 2007Location: Acres U.S.A. Conference, Louisville, KentuckyFeaturing: Wendell BerryPresented by: Acres U.S.A. Read Acres U.S.A.'s interview with Wendell Berry: https://members.acresusa.com/remembering-wendell-berry/

  3. Aug 31

    The Farmer’s Free Lunch: Unlocking the Resources Already on Your Farm Ep. 123

    In this episode of the Acres U.S.A. Podcast, Taylor sits down with Keith Berns of Green Cover Seed to explore the powerful resources farmers already have available to them—and how regenerative management can turn those resources into real economic value. Keith shares the story behind Green Cover Seed and the experiments that convinced him of the power of diverse cover crop mixes. From capturing more sunlight and cycling nitrogen to improving soil structure, infiltration, mineral availability, and biological activity, Keith explains his concept of the “Farmer’s Free Lunch”—seven resources that are freely available but only become valuable when farmers manage their systems to capture and utilize them. The conversation dives deep into the relationship between cover crops, livestock, soil biology, carbon, and nitrogen, including how farmers without cattle can still benefit from grazing partnerships and how virtual fencing technology could make integrating livestock onto crop ground more practical. Keith also discusses Green Cover’s own return to cattle, their plans for establishing perennial pasture, and strategies for extending the grazing season. The episode wraps up with practical cover crop recommendations for late summer and fall planting, along with a look ahead to Keith’s upcoming presentation at Eco-Ag 2026 in Iowa City. It’s a wide-ranging conversation about reducing dependence on purchased inputs, rebuilding soil, and learning to work with the resources already present on the farm. Thank you to our Sponsors of Today’s Episode: Azure Standard: https://www.azurestandard.com/ American Farmland Trust: https://farmland.org/ Important Links from Today’s Episode: Members site: https://members.acresusa.com Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/ Eco-Ag 2026 Tickets: https://www.conference.acresusa.com/ Eco-Ag 2026 Exhibitor Information: https://conference.eco-ag.com/booth-selection-page-page Green Cover Website: https://greencover.com/

  4. Aug 24

    Growing Without Irrigation or Plastic with Jeff Poppen Ep. 122

    In this episode of the Acres U.S.A. Podcast, Taylor sits down with longtime organic and biodynamic farmer Jeff Poppen to get practical about how he has built a resilient vegetable-growing system over decades. Jeff shares how healthy soil structure, generous applications of compost, cover crops, mineral management, careful crop rotation, and well-timed tillage allow him to conserve moisture and grow vegetables without irrigation. He explains his “dust mulch” approach to reducing evaporation, why he believes farmers should let microbes do as much of the tillage as possible, and the mistakes he made along the way—including over-tilling and failing to properly manage soil fertility. The conversation also explores Jeff’s philosophy of farming without plastic, from using old-fashioned cold frames instead of hoop houses to relying on seasonal production and helping customers preserve large quantities of food. He walks through a four-year vegetable rotation and explains why patience, observation, and building soil before planting can ultimately make farming easier and more productive. A practical conversation packed with decades of hard-earned lessons on soil, water conservation, crop rotation, livestock integration, and farming in harmony with the land. Thank you to our Sponsors of Today’s Episode: Azure Standard: https://www.azurestandard.com/ American Farmland Trust: https://farmland.org/ Important Links from Today’s Episode: Members site: https://members.acresusa.com Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/ Eco-Ag 2026 Tickets: https://www.conference.acresusa.com/ Eco-Ag 2026 Exhibitor Information: https://conference.eco-ag.com/booth-selection-page-page Jeff’s Books: https://bookstore.acresusa.com/search?q=jeff+poppen Jeff’s Website: https://barefootfarmer.com/

  5. Aug 17

    Building a Regenerative Poultry System That Works Ep. 121

    In this episode of The Acres U.S.A. Podcast, Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin shares the story behind his 63-acre Salvatierra Farm in Minnesota and the development of the Tree-Range System—a poultry-centered regenerative agroforestry model designed around collaboration, infrastructure, processing, and shared economic opportunity. Reginaldo explains why he believes individual farmers often struggle to succeed on their own and how coordinated networks can provide the processing, distribution, financing, training, and market infrastructure that small and mid-sized farms need. He also dives into the practical realities of building a poultry-centered farm, including tree crops, forage, broilers, farm design, processing, and value-added products. The conversation goes beyond poultry to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing regenerative agriculture today—including farmer individualism, the culture of cheap food, government dependency, supply-chain vulnerability, and the growing threat of regenerative “whitewashing.” Reginaldo makes the case for community-based accountability, measurable outcomes, biodiversity, and farmer-led governance as the foundation for protecting the integrity of the regenerative movement. Thank you to our Sponsors of Today’s Episode: Azure Standard: https://www.azurestandard.com/ American Farmland Trust: https://farmland.org/ Important Links from Today’s Episode: Members site: https://members.acresusa.com Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/ Eco-Ag 2026 Tickets: https://www.conference.acresusa.com/ Eco-Ag 2026 Exhibitor Information: https://conference.eco-ag.com/booth-selection-page-page ‘In the Shadow of a Green Man’ Book: https://bookstore.acresusa.com/products/in-the-shadow-of-green-man Regenerative Agriculture Alliance Website: https://www.regenagalliance.org/

  6. Aug 10

    Jerry Brunetti on the Hidden Intelligence Beneath Our Feet Ep. 120

    What if soil is far more than a growing medium? In this fascinating episode, legendary agronomist and regenerative agriculture pioneer Jerry Brunetti explores the idea that soil functions as a living superorganism—a vast, interconnected ecosystem driven by roots, microbes, fungi, water, minerals, and sunlight. Drawing from decades of work in agronomy, livestock management, and human health, Jerry paints a compelling big-picture view of how healthy soil is built and why it is essential for the future of agriculture. Jerry explains the astonishing scale of root systems, the critical role of mycorrhizal fungi and glomalin in building soil carbon, and how biodiversity creates resilience through countless unseen relationships. He connects prairie ecosystems, perennial plants, earthworms, humic substances, and even the physics of water to show how nature continuously creates fertility when we work with its patterns instead of against them. The conversation also ventures into cutting-edge ideas about fractal geometry, photonic communication in living systems, chelation, and biological remediation, challenging listeners to rethink what life in the soil is really doing beneath the surface.  If you want to understand how regenerative agriculture begins from the ground up—and why rebuilding topsoil may be one of the most important tasks of our time—this is an episode you won't want to miss. Thank you to our Sponsors of Today’s Episode: Azure Standard: https://www.azurestandard.com/ American Farmland Trust: https://farmland.org/ Important Links from Today’s Episode: Members site: https://members.acresusa.com Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/ Eco-Ag 2026 Tickets: https://www.conference.acresusa.com/ Eco-Ag 2026 Exhibitor Information: https://conference.eco-ag.com/booth-selection-page-page Agri Dynamics Website: https://www.agri-dynamics.com/

  7. Aug 3

    A Farmer's Mindset: How Nicole Masters Inspires Regenerative Change Ep. 119

    What does it really take to move agriculture forward? In this inspiring presentation from Eco-Ag 2021, renowned agroecologist Nicole Masters explores the mindset behind regenerative agriculture and why lasting transformation begins with people, not just practices. Drawing from decades of experience working with farmers and ranchers around the world, Nicole shares practical strategies for overcoming resistance to change, communicating with skeptical neighbors, and creating the conditions for successful behavior change. She explains why resilience, curiosity, and a willingness to challenge old paradigms are just as important as soil biology and grazing management. Whether you're a seasoned regenerative producer or just beginning your journey, this conversation will challenge the way you think about leadership, community, and the future of agriculture. Nicole offers an encouraging roadmap for helping more farmers embrace regenerative practices—and why building healthy soils starts with cultivating a healthy mindset. Thank you to our Sponsors of Today’s Episode: Azure Standard: https://www.azurestandard.com/ American Farmland Trust: https://farmland.org/ Important Links from Today’s Episode: Members site: https://members.acresusa.com Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/ Eco-Ag 2026 Tickets: https://www.conference.acresusa.com/ Eco-Ag 2026 Exhibitor Information: https://conference.eco-ag.com/booth-selection-page-page Nicole Masters’ ‘Integrity Soils’: https://www.integritysoils.com/

  8. Jul 27

    The Future of Corn: Breaking Free from Big Ag with Ed Baumgartner with Bass Hybrids Ep. 118

    For more than 50 years, Ed Baumgartner has dedicated his life to breeding better corn—but his journey has taken him from conventional agriculture to the forefront of regenerative farming. In this episode, Ed shares the remarkable story behind Bass Hybrids, his family's deep roots in the seed industry, and why he chose to build a non-GMO breeding program in an industry dominated by multinational corporations. Ed explains how decades of breeding for stronger root systems, drought resilience, nutrient efficiency, and natural pest tolerance have positioned his hybrids to thrive in regenerative systems—long before he even knew regenerative agriculture had a name. The conversation dives into the consolidation of the seed industry, the challenges of competing against Big Ag, and why independent genetics matter for the future of farming. You'll also hear Ed's vision for reducing fertilizer and herbicide dependence through biology, interseeded cover crops, and genetics that work with nature instead of against it. Whether you're a corn grower, livestock producer, or simply interested in the future of agriculture, this episode offers an insightful look at how innovation, resilience, and stewardship can help restore profitability while building healthier soils for generations to come. Thank you to our Sponsors of Today’s Episode: Azure Standard: https://www.azurestandard.com/ American Farmland Trust: https://farmland.org/ Important Links from Today’s Episode: Members site: https://members.acresusa.com Acres U.S.A. Memberships: https://eco-farming.com/ Eco-Ag 2026 Tickets: https://www.conference.acresusa.com/ Eco-Ag 2026 Exhibitor Information: https://conference.eco-ag.com/booth-selection-page-page Bass Hybrids Website: https://www.basshybrids.com/

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4.5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Welcome to "The Acres U.S.A. Podcast," where we dive deep into the world of production-scale organic and regenerative farming. For over 50 years, Acres U.S.A.® has been the go-to resource for farmers, ranchers, and market gardeners, guiding them to grow food profitably and sustainably, all while honoring the rhythms of nature. Join our host, Taylor Henry, owner, and CEO, as he brings you weekly insights, interviews, and practical tips to cultivate a healthier, more resilient food system. Tune in and let's grow together!

Information

  • Creator
    Acres U.S.A.®
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    126
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Acres U.S.A.®
  • Show Website
    The Acres U.S.A. Podcast

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