The Grow Down on Soil Health

Farmers for Soil Health
  • 5.0 (2)
  • EDUCATION

Welcome to “The Grow Down on Soil Health” podcast, where we dive deep into sustainable farming practices designed to enhance both your land and your bottom line. Join host Ben West, Ph.D., executive director of Farmers for Soil Health, and a diverse lineup of guests from various agricultural backgrounds as they share entertaining stories, invaluable soil health management techniques, and the incredible benefits cover crops can bring to your farm. Farmers for Soil Health is a program created by farmers for farmers. It is committed to enhancing soil health practices, such as planting cover crops, to improve the environment and increase farmers' profitability. Check out FarmersforSoilHealth.com for more information. This podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff, National Corn Growers Association and the Soil Health Institute.

  1. 1D AGO

    Cover Crops in the Midwest: From Slugs to Nutrient Stratification

    On today’s episode, we have Hans Schmitz here to share his knowledge on the role cover crops play in farming systems affected by a common variable: the weather. You’ll learn more about the role of cover crops in 4R management systems, nutrient stratification in no-till systems, and slug problems. Hans will also share some of the benefits his farmers have seen with cost-share programs.  Meet the Guest: Hans Schmitz currently serves as both a technical advisor with Farmers for Soil Health and a technical assistance specialist with Indiana Ag Nutrient Alliance. His educational background is in agricultural meteorology, which focuses on the effects of weather events such as hail, straight winds and rain on soil health and yields. Hans utilizes this information to help Indiana farmers make agronomic decisions and develop management strategies for their operations. Farmers for Soil Health is a program created by farmers for farmers. It is committed to enhancing soil health practices, such as planting cover crops, to improve the environment and increase farmers' profitability. Check out FarmersforSoilHealth.com for more information. This podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff, National Corn Growers Association and the Soil Health Institute. The Soil Health Institute’s research and outreach empower farmers, advisors, conservation professionals, and scientists to advance the adoption of soil health systems that contribute economic and environmental benefits to agriculture and society. For free resources, advice, and tools tailored to your region, visit SoilHealthInstitute.org/resources/.

    28 min

  2. MAR 24

    From Soil to Store: How Sustainability is Shaping Farming’s Future

    In this episode, we have Mark Eastham, sustainable products lead at leading grocery retailer Ahold Delhaize USA. Mark gives us a better understanding of the retailer's perspective on sustainability. Learn why sustainable practices matter to retailers and how that impacts your operation, as well as what these retailer-supplier partnerships mean for the future of agriculture. Editor’s Note: At the time of recording, the pilot referenced at around the 22-minute mark was with Kellanova. Since then, Kellanova has been acquired by Mars Snacking. Meet the Guest: Mark Eastham is sustainable products lead at Ahold Delhaize USA, bringing 10 years of experience in the sustainability space. In this role, he develops and leads strategies to address both the challenges and opportunities related to Ahold Delhaize USA’s sustainable product portfolio. He collaborates closely with business partners and suppliers to implement these strategies and related policies. Over the years, he has seen growing consumer demand for sustainable products and uses fact-based insights to help Ahold Delhaize USA meet that demand effectively. Farmers for Soil Health is a program created by farmers for farmers. It is committed to enhancing soil health practices, like planting cover crops, to improve the environment and farmers' profitability. Check out FarmersforSoilHealth.com for more information. This podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff and National Corn Growers Association.

    30 min

  3. MAR 11

    Soil Health, Water Quality, and the Path Forward

    Today’s episode features NRCS Minnesota State Conservationist, Troy Daniell, who will help us take a closer look at the present and future impacts of soil health practices, such as cover crops, on the water cycle and agriculture as a whole.  Learn how regenerative agricultural practices and technical assistance can help farmers improve profitability, meet market demands, and protect their soil. Meet the Guest: Troy Daniell is the NRCS State Conservationist for Minnesota. His conservation agriculture career spans nearly 30 years and five states. Troy will share how he has seen increased adoption of regenerative agriculture practices, such as cover crops, and the benefits farmers can experience when they take a “whole systems approach” to their operations. Farmers for Soil Health is a program created by farmers for farmers. It is committed to enhancing soil health practices, like planting cover crops, to improve the environment and farmers' profitability. Check out FarmersforSoilHealth.com for more information. This podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff and National Corn Growers Association.

    37 min

  4. FEB 13

    Progress Starts with a Problem: A Practical Look at Soil Health Consulting

    For today’s episode of “The Grow Down on Soil Health,” we have Lee Briese with us to break down what any farmer should expect when a crop consultant steps onto their field. Learn how regular visits, strong relationships and a problem-first approach can help farmers make steady progress towards their soil health goals, one acre and one issue at a time. Meet the Guest: Lee Briese is a Certified Crop Advisor and a Crop Consultant with Centrol in North Dakota. With nearly 30 years of experience, he helps farmers choose the right tool for the job, resulting in generations of improved soil health. Lee will tell you about his role as a “plant doctor,” where he meets with farmers, hears their land’s ailments and prescribes a treatment. Farmers for Soil Health is a program created by farmers for farmers. It is committed to enhancing soil health practices, like planting cover crops, to improve the environment and farmers' profitability. Check out FarmersforSoilHealth.com for more information. This podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff and National Corn Growers Association.

    38 min

  5. JAN 30

    How to Find Solutions for Conservation Barriers

    On today’s episode of “The Grow Down on Soil Health,” we have Jeff Chandler here to dive into the impact of conservation barriers and how to find the solutions to overcome them. Learn how better technology, support from peers who’ve been through the same challenges, and hands-on help in the field can give farmers the confidence and know-how they need to try conservation practices, like planting cover crops, for the first time. Meet the Guest: Jeff Chandler is both a Research Coordinator for the North Carolina Soybean Producers Association and a technical advisor for the Farmers for Soil Health program. His farming career began on the family farm and expanded into extension work, research, and outreach. Jeff will tell you he’s in the “relationship business,” and his passion for helping farmers improve their farms is evident in all his work.

    25 min

  6. JAN 16

    From Field to Fuel: Conservation for a Cleaner Future, and Why it Matters to Farmers

    In this episode of “The Grow Down on Soil Health,” we have Bill Leigh with us to discuss not only how cover crops, soil health and conservation practices are changing the future of farming and driving opportunities with ethanol and low-carbon markets, but also why these practices matter to farmers on the ground. Hear Bill share how farming is not a hobby; it is a living, so farmers have to make a profit out of it. Learn about how cover crops can help farmers with weed control and good soil health indicators, like earthworms. Farmers don’t often have an “aha” moment because they can’t afford to take the risk in the first place, which is why Farmers for Soil Health provides local support for trying something new. Meet the Guest: Bill Leigh currently serves as a board member of the National Corn Growers Association and has been a leading advocate for conservation and soil health practices, namely cover crops. He is a sixth-generation farmer on his family’s 150-year-old farm. Farmers for Soil Health is a program created by farmers for farmers. It is committed to enhancing soil health practices, like planting cover crops, to improve the environment and farmers' profitability. Check out FarmersforSoilHealth.com for more information. This podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff and National Corn Growers Association.

    27 min

  7. JAN 6

    From Practice to Profit: The Role of New Technology and Farming Practices on Profitability

    In this episode of The Grow Down on Soil Health, we are joined by Courtney Yuskis to explore how new technology and farming practices are shaping farmer profitability and adoption decisions. Courtney breaks down why there’s no “one size fits all” approach when it comes to conservation, especially when weighing the cost of adoption versus return on investment. Hear Courtney share how technology and innovative platforms are helping farmers make more informed decisions about when and how to adopt practices like cover crops. She also explains how programs such as Farmers for Soil Health, with its direct-to-farmer payments and emerging sustainability marketplace, can make a real difference in bridging the gap between practice and profit. Meet the Guest: Courtney Yuskis is the Agriculture Commercial Leader for Sustainability at DTN and is based on her family farm in Illinois. With a background that spans a BS in Business Administration, service with the Peace Corps, work with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Samoan Ministry of Agriculture, Courtney brings both global experience and local understanding to her role. Farmers for Soil Health is a program created by farmers for farmers. It is committed to enhancing soil health practices, like planting cover crops, to improve the environment and farmers' profitability. Check out FarmersforSoilHealth.com for more information. This podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff and National Corn Growers Association.

    22 min

  8. 12/18/2025

    Putting Farmers First: The Farmers for Soil Health Approach

    In this episode of The Grow Down on Soil Health, we sit down with Jack Cornell, Director of Supply Chain Resilience at the United Soybean Board (USB), to explore how farmer stewardship and sustainable supply chains are at the heart of Farmers for Soil Health. Jack shares how his personal journey, from Ohio to Hawaii and back, shaped his passion for conservation, and even how his tradition of “Hawaiian Shirt Fridays” reflects a bigger story about connection, community, and stewardship. Jack and host Ben West, Executive Director of Farmers for Soil Health, dive into what sets the program apart from other initiatives, how it directly supports farmers across regions, and the resources available to help producers adopt or expand practices like cover crops. Meet the Guest: Jack Cornell is the Director of Supply Chain Resilience at the United Soybean Board, where he leads projects and partnerships that connect farmers with sustainability opportunities while ensuring profitability remains front and center. With a career path that blends agriculture, conservation, and collaboration, Jack has dedicated his work to building programs that empower farmers and strengthen supply chains for the future. Farmers for Soil Health is a program created by farmers for farmers. It is committed to enhancing soil health practices, like planting cover crops, to improve the environment and farmers' profitability. Check out FarmersforSoilHealth.com for more information. This podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff and National Corn Growers Association.

    29 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to “The Grow Down on Soil Health” podcast, where we dive deep into sustainable farming practices designed to enhance both your land and your bottom line. Join host Ben West, Ph.D., executive director of Farmers for Soil Health, and a diverse lineup of guests from various agricultural backgrounds as they share entertaining stories, invaluable soil health management techniques, and the incredible benefits cover crops can bring to your farm. Farmers for Soil Health is a program created by farmers for farmers. It is committed to enhancing soil health practices, such as planting cover crops, to improve the environment and increase farmers' profitability. Check out FarmersforSoilHealth.com for more information. This podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff, National Corn Growers Association and the Soil Health Institute.

Information

  • Creator
    Farmers for Soil Health
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Grow Down on Soil Health
  • Show Website
    The Grow Down on Soil Health

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