On-Farm Trials Podcast with the PNW Farmers' Network

PNW Farmers' Network
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  • EARTH SCIENCES
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Here on the On-Farm Trials Podcast, host Carol McFarland dives into the different trials that come with farming systems innovation in the inland Pacific Northwest, speaking with professionals all across the region about how they get things done.

  1. On Farm Trials ft. Seth Small

    10/14/2025

    On Farm Trials ft. Seth Small

    In this episode of the On-Farm Trials podcast, we hear from Seth Small of Small Family Farm in Walla Walla, Washington. Seth shares his experiences with a range of trials from cover crops and no-till to innovative and inspiring partnership with a local winery. Listen as Seth also describes his journey into alternative marketing of his farm’s wheat flour. The conversation explores everything from precision ag, to family homesteading history, to the connection between farms and the people who eat the food grown on farms. Don’t miss this final episode of Season 2!

    55 min
  2. On Farm Trials ft. Allen Druffel

    09/09/2025

    On Farm Trials ft. Allen Druffel

    This episode of the On-Farm Trials podcast features Allen Druffel of Bar Star Farm in Colton, WA. Listen in to hear what’s cooking (or brewing) on his farm and countertop, along with his adventures in cover crops, and cows. In the interview Allen describes his fluid approach to management goals and the balance of soil health along with a sometimes challenging landscape in the commodity market. We also hear about the intergenerational success of the Vico peer network group for supporting cropping systems innovation among friends - and so much more!

    1h 2m
  3. On Farm Trials ft. Aaron Flansburg (pt. 2)

    08/26/2025

    On Farm Trials ft. Aaron Flansburg (pt. 2)

    In part two of this special two-part series we hear more from Aaron Flansburg of Palouse, Washington and his transition from long-term no-till practices to organic management. Listen in as we hear Aaron’s reflections and lessons-learned with fertility, marketing, weed management, and what’s new in 2025- a year after the ‘Farmwalk’ tour of his organic practices live from the field featured in part one!

    46 min
  4. On Farm Trials ft. Aaron Flansburg (pt. 1)

    08/12/2025

    On Farm Trials ft. Aaron Flansburg (pt. 1)

    Part one of this special two part series features Aaron Flansburg of Palouse, Washington describing his transition from long-term no-till practices to organic management. The first episode is a recording of the June 2024 ‘Farmwalk’ live from Aaron’s farm, co-hosted by the WSU Food Systems program and the Tilth Alliance. Join the Farmwalk experience as we tour Aaron’s organic grains in the field, as he describes his trials and observations with fertility, marketing organic heritage grain, and weed management. Follow-up with part two, where we hear more on his reflections and lessons-learned a year later, along with what’s new in 2025!

    1h 43m
  5. On Farm Trials ft. Eero Kovero and Mark Sheffels

    07/29/2025

    On Farm Trials ft. Eero Kovero and Mark Sheffels

    In this episode of the On-Farm Trials podcast, we hear from special guest Eero Kovero of Pekola, Finland- alongside his host and compatriot in direct seeding practices, Mark Sheffels, from his farm in Wilbur, WA. Eero shares his experience connecting with PNW direct seed farmers Mark Sheffels and Russ Zenner for the past 25 years. In this episode we hear about Eero’s experience on his farm in Finland, his conversion to direct seeding practices after his first adventures in the PNW, and his diversified enterprise. The conversation explores the relationship that has developed over the past 25 years between farmers, the respective challenges of farming regardless of location, the power of connecting farmers across the world, and how Eero has played a key role in direct seed adoption in Finland by being a conduit for the lessons-learned in the PNW.

    1h 20m
  6. On Farm Trials ft. Eric Odberg and Joni Kindwall-Moore

    07/18/2025

    On Farm Trials ft. Eric Odberg and Joni Kindwall-Moore

    In this episode of the On-Farm Trials podcast, we have Eric Odberg from Odberg Farms in Genesee, Idaho return in season 2, to talk millet with Joni Kindwall-Moore of Snacktivist Foods based in Couer D’Alene, ID. Listen in as Eric and Joni share their trials with growing and marketing millet. The conversation explores the complexity of expanding alternative crops and markets, and how risk is distributed. We hear Eric’s experience of the agronomy for growing millet in Genesee, Joni shares more about millet varieties and quality traits, and why millet might be a good fit for a trial on your dinner plate!

    56 min
  7. On Farm Trials ft. Mark Hall and Mark Thorne

    07/01/2025

    On Farm Trials ft. Mark Hall and Mark Thorne

    Join the On-Farm Trials podcast to hear from guests Dr. Mark Thorne from the Weed Science program at Washington State University, and Grower-Cooperator Mark Hall of Steptoe, Washington. Listen as Mark Hall describes his experience farming in Steptoe, and the research collaboration with Dr. Mark Thorne on investigating the management of the pernicious perennial weed - Smooth Scouring Rush. In the conversation we hear how the collaboration got started, how the research questions for the management of Smooth Scouring Rush are being asked, what the findings from the research has been, and how it is being used across the farm.

    1h 10m
  8. On Farm Trials ft. Chris and Andre Rauch and Leon Luna

    06/17/2025

    On Farm Trials ft. Chris and Andre Rauch and Leon Luna

    In this episode of the On-Farm Trials podcast, we hear from the farm team of Starvation Farms outside of Lexington, OR. Join the conversation with Chris and Andre Rauch and Leon Luna as they share their experiences with soil health and 22 years of no-till practices and overcoming a legacy of blowing and crusting soil, trying alternative crops and rotations that include camelina and safflower, and adding market value to sustain expanded rotations. Listen to the history of Starvation Farms - like how it was named, as well as the many trials in the course of the farm’s legacy.

    1h 34m
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Ratings & Reviews

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About

Here on the On-Farm Trials Podcast, host Carol McFarland dives into the different trials that come with farming systems innovation in the inland Pacific Northwest, speaking with professionals all across the region about how they get things done.

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