The Whole Farm Podcast

CHONEX
  • 5.0 (1)
  • SCIENCE

The Whole Farm Podcast is brought to you by CHONEX. Whole-farm planning is at the center of regenerative agriculture and at the core of the conversations on this podcast. Each episode explores how soil health, nutrient management, crop performance, and farm economics are interconnected, and why managing them as a system matters. Featuring growers, agronomists, researchers, and industry partners, The Whole Farm Podcast focuses on practical, data-driven insights that support long-term farm resilience. From nitrogen efficiency and soil biology to regenerative practices and operational decision-making, these conversations are designed to help farms function better as a whole. At CHONEX, we work alongside growers to improve soil health and farm resilience. Subscribe for more conversations on soil health. Learn more at chonex.ag.

Episodes

  1. Understanding Brix, Plant Health & Insect Behavior with Dr. Tom Dykstra

    APR 28

    Understanding Brix, Plant Health & Insect Behavior with Dr. Tom Dykstra

    In this episode of the Whole Farm Podcast, Michael Pisciotta and Les Riley from CHONEX sit down with Dr. Tom Dykstra to explore the connection between plant health, Brix levels, and insect behavior. Dr. Dykstra breaks down what Brix really measures and challenges the common belief that insects avoid high-sugar plants. Instead, he explains how pests are drawn to unhealthy crops with incomplete proteins, and how Brix can serve as a simple, real-time indicator of plant health in the field. This conversation reframes insects as indicator species and shifts the focus from spraying pests to improving plant physiology. Key topics: - What Brix actually measures - Why insects target unhealthy plants - The truth behind the “12 Brix rule” - Using Brix as a field-ready diagnostic tool Tools Mentioned: Refractometer (Brix meter) - Affordable models: ~$20–$50 - Digital models: $100–$300+ Coming Next Part 2 of this conversation will focus on practical, in-field strategies growers can use to improve plant health, increase Brix levels, and reduce pest pressure naturally. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss this conversation! See More of Dr. Dykstra's Research and Talks at: https://dykstralabs.com/video-presentations/ Learn more about CHONEX at: chonex.ag To learn more about CHONEX, explore additional resources, and receive future episodes to your inbox, visit chonex.ag. If you found this episode valuable, subscribe to the podcast and share it with someone in your network.

    33 min

  2. FEB 19

    Soil Health in Action: The Science of Microbial Functional Groups with Lynn Rogers

    What does real soil health look like under the microscope — and how can farmers use biology to improve nutrient efficiency, crop yields, and resilience? In this episode of The Whole Farm Podcast by CHONEX, we feature a deep dive into soil health with Lynn Rogers, CEO & President of Microbial Matrix Systems Inc. With more than 23 years of experience working alongside farmers and biological manufacturers, Lynn breaks down the science behind soil microbiology in a practical, field-ready way for farmers and agronomists. You’ll learn how specific microbial functional groups influence nutrient cycling, fertilizer use efficiency, soil structure, and plant performance — and why timing, activation, and formulation matter in production agriculture. Whether you grow corn, soybeans, cotton, specialty crops, or perennials, this episode provides practical insights into improving soil health while protecting yield potential. In This Episode, We Cover: The 7 Key Microbial Functional Groups That Drive Soil Health Endospore-forming bacteria (Bacillus, Paenibacillus) and soil structure improvementFree-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria and the nitrogen cyclePhosphorus-solubilizing bacteria and nutrient availability across soil pH rangesPseudomonads and plant growth hormones (IAA)Cellulose degraders and soil organic matterChitin-utilizing bacteria and disease suppressionHeterotrophic bacteria and nutrient cyclingNitrogen Efficiency & Fertilizer Timing How microbes help synchronize nitrogen release with crop demandUnderstanding nitrification, ammonification, and nutrient “banking”Addressing common myths about nitrogen-fixing microbesSoil Structure, Salinity & Drought Stress Exopolysaccharide production and soil aggregationImproving water infiltration and root penetrationMitigating salt stress and compaction challengesFunctional Group Assessment & Direct Microscopy Measuring microbial activity in soilEvaluating biological products for performanceWhy microbial biomass matters for long-term soil healthPlant–Microbe Communication & Quorum Sensing How microbes and plants communicateInduced systemic resistance (ISR)Microbial signaling in disease suppression and nutrient uptakeFull yield potential is established at planting, and it diminishes throughout the season due to stress, nutrient loss, compaction, pathogens, and environmental conditions. Biologicals and bio-stimulants, when properly formulated and timed, can help preserve yield potential by: Enhancing fertilizer use efficiencyUnlocking tied-up nutrientsSupporting root developmentImproving soil structureBuilding long-term soil health resilienceThis episode bridges soil microbiology and practical agronomy, helping you understand how soil health translates into performance in the field. Episode Presented By: Lynn Rogers CEO & President, Microbial Matrix Systems Inc. Listen now to learn how functional soil biology can strengthen your nutrient management program and improve whole-farm soil health. To learn more about CHONEX, explore additional resources, and receive future episodes to your inbox, visit chonex.ag. If you found this episode valuable, subscribe to the podcast and share it with someone in your network.

    44 min

  3. FEB 19

    Vineyard Soil Health & Microbial Biology: Improving Vine Resilience with Misha Vandal

    What if the biggest lever for healthier vines, better fruit quality, and more resilient vineyards is belowground? In this episode, microbiologist and Napa Valley vineyard consultant Misha Vandal shares results from multi-site vineyard trials focused on soil health, vineyard management, and rebuilding microbial communities. We dig into how shifting the soil microbiome can support nutrient cycling, reduce fungal disease pressure, and even improve yeast assimilable nitrogen (YAN)—a key quality metric for winemaking. Misha also explains why compost teas can work but often don’t scale, and what makes a broad microbial community approach more consistent than single-strain inoculants. If you manage wine grapes and are navigating heat stress, drought, grapevine red blotch, trunk diseases, or soil carbon decline, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why vineyard soil biology is becoming central to modern viticultureHow soil microbial imbalance can contribute to vine stress and declineKey grower challenges: heat, drought, water stress, viral disease, and trunk diseasesTrial results showing increases in beneficial microbes (including Pseudomonas and Bacillus)How one site moved from 0 YAN to 80 mg/L YAN after treatmentsCompost tea: why it’s valuable—and why it’s hard to scale across large acreagePractical tips for pairing microbial applications with biochar, soy hydrolysate, minerals, and low-dose sugars About Our Guest: Misha Vandal Misha Vandal is a microbiologist and independent crop consultant based in Napa Valley. With a background in microbial ecology and soil biology, he specializes in integrating regenerative agriculture practices into vineyard nutrient management systems. Listen Now If you’re navigating vine decline, nutrient inefficiency, or soil degradation in your vineyard, this episode offers practical, research-backed insight into how rebuilding soil microbial communities can support stronger vines and better wine. To learn more about CHONEX, explore additional resources, and receive future episodes to your inbox, visit chonex.ag. If you found this episode valuable, subscribe to the podcast and share it with someone in your network.

    33 min

  4. FEB 17

    Insights on Bio-Fertilizers with Dr. Pam Marrone

    What’s driving the rapid growth of biologicals, and how can farmers and agronomists determine real performance?  In this webinar replay, Dr. Pam Marrone, Co-founder and Executive Chair of Invasive Species Corporation, and advisor to CHONEX, breaks down the biofertilizer market, the overlap with biostimulants, and the data standards needed to evaluate products confidently. You’ll learn why biologicals are expanding fast, how microbes support soil health and nutrient cycling, what’s changing in U.S. regulation and standardization, and how tools like AI, machine learning, and soil microbiome testing are accelerating discovery and on-farm decision-making. In This Episode, You’ll Learn The 3 main categories of biologicals (biocontrol/biopesticides, biostimulants, biofertilizers)—and why definitions matterWhy the biologicals market is growing at double-digit rates and what that means for conventional systemsWhat’s happening in nitrogen fixation (including new approaches for corn/row crops)How to evaluate products using field data, ROI, consistency, and mode of actionWhy soil health must be defined as a living ecosystem, not just chemical/physical indicatorsThe relationship between synthetic fertilizer rates and microbial nitrogen fixationHow biologicals can help accelerate regenerative transitionsWhat’s changing with biostimulant/biofertilizer standards and national frameworks in the U.S.The rise of microbiome testing dashboards and remote sensing tools to measure progressFeatured Guest: Dr. Pam Marrone A globally recognized leader in agricultural biologicals, Dr. Marrone has founded multiple companies, holds hundreds of patents, and advises organizations across the biologicals ecosystem—including CHONEX. Her work spans biopesticides, biostimulants, and biofertilizers, with a focus on science-backed performance and sustainable agriculture outcomes. If you found this episode helpful, follow The Whole Farm Podcast, leave a review, and share it with a farmer or agronomist who’s sorting through biologicals and soil health decisions this season. Want more CHONEX content on soil health, biologicals, and nutrient efficiency? Explore our resources and subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes. To learn more about CHONEX, explore additional resources, and receive future episodes to your inbox, visit chonex.ag. If you found this episode valuable, subscribe to the podcast and share it with someone in your network.

    41 min

  5. JAN 20

    Unlock Smarter Nutrient Management with Biology, Precision Tools & EQIP-Ready Planning

    Join CHONEX for a practical, whole farm-focused discussion on modern nutrient management. This session brings together Jackson Stansell from Sentinel Ag & Jack Washburn from Cultra to discuss nutrient management planning and EQIP 590 funding with precision nitrogen application and digital tools that help farmers organize their soil & plant analysis data. Our guests will do an overview for their solutions but will focus on 4 major topics: Decision support at scale /"getting it right" with Low touch points for userAdoption and organization of regenerative farm practicesAlternative product decision support and evaluationYield goals: fact or fiction?  Presented With:  Jackson Stansell, Founder & CEO - Sentinel Ag Jack Washburn, Founder & CEO - Cultra Sam Gray, COO - CHONEX Discussion moderated by Michael Pisciotta, CCA/4R NMS with Poma Ag Group Guest Comments from Gary Black with On-Point Strategies To learn more about CHONEX, explore additional resources, and receive future episodes to your inbox, visit chonex.ag. If you found this episode valuable, subscribe to the podcast and share it with someone in your network.

    56 min
  • 5 Episodes

About

The Whole Farm Podcast is brought to you by CHONEX. Whole-farm planning is at the center of regenerative agriculture and at the core of the conversations on this podcast. Each episode explores how soil health, nutrient management, crop performance, and farm economics are interconnected, and why managing them as a system matters. Featuring growers, agronomists, researchers, and industry partners, The Whole Farm Podcast focuses on practical, data-driven insights that support long-term farm resilience. From nitrogen efficiency and soil biology to regenerative practices and operational decision-making, these conversations are designed to help farms function better as a whole. At CHONEX, we work alongside growers to improve soil health and farm resilience. Subscribe for more conversations on soil health. Learn more at chonex.ag.

Information

  • Creator
    CHONEX
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Whole Farm Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Whole Farm Podcast