9h ago

Rethinking Soil Fertility: How Better Testing Can Reduce Farm Input Costs | Part 1 w/ Grant Wells

What if the soil test you've relied on for years isn't telling you everything you need to know about your farm's fertility? For most farmers, fertilizer is one of the largest expenses in their operation. But how much of that investment is actually necessary to achieve their yield goals? In Part 1 of this two-part conversation on The Whole Farm Podcast, Michael Pisciotta and Les Riley sit down with Grant Wells, Iowa farmer, agricultural entrepreneur, and founder of Top Soil, to challenge conventional approaches to soil testing and explore how better fertility data could help farmers make more profitable decisions. Grant shares his journey from growing up on his family's Iowa farm to building an independent agricultural retail business, co-founding BW Fusion, and ultimately developing a new vision for soil testing through Top Soil. Along the way, his story takes a deeply personal turn as he discusses losing his father in a farming accident, navigating the pressures of entrepreneurship, and discovering how his Christian faith transformed his approach to business and serving farmers. The conversation then shifts to one of agriculture's biggest challenges: understanding the difference between nutrients present in the soil and nutrients actually available to the crop. Grant explains why he began questioning traditional soil testing methods, how the Haney soil test differs from conventional approaches, and how Top Soil's Baseline system aims to connect nutrient availability with yield potential, fertilizer spending, and financial risk. In this episode, you'll learn: - Why traditional soil test numbers may not tell the whole story about plant-available fertility. - The differences between conventional soil tests, Haney testing, and the Baseline system. - Why topography and soil variability matter when developing fertility recommendations. - How soil testing could help farmers better evaluate fertilizer investments and yield goals. - Why Grant believes trust, transparency, and independent research are essential in agricultural retail. - How faith and personal challenges shaped Grant's mission to help family farms survive. Grant joins us again to dive deeper into soil testing and nutrient challenges across different production systems. Subscribe to The Whole Farm Podcast so you don't miss Part 2. 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.

Sep 29

Building Better Soil with a Crop That Requires Tillage with Aries Haygood

On this episode of The Whole Farm Podcast, Michael and Les sit down with Georgia grower Aries, who farms Vidalia sweet onions alongside watermelons, cabbage, squash, zucchini, and other specialty crops. After purchasing his family’s onion operation in 2019, Aries began questioning some of the practices he had been taught—not because they didn’t work, but because he wanted to understand why they worked and whether there might be a better, more efficient way. That curiosity has led him deep into soil biology, cover crops, compost, sap testing, nutrient management, biological inputs, and regenerative agriculture. But regenerative farming looks a little different when your primary crop is an onion. Onions require significant soil disturbance. They’re transplanted and harvested by hand. Weed pressure can be intense. And in southeast Georgia, heavy rainfall can create major erosion and nutrient-management challenges. Rather than trying to fit his farm into a prescribed definition of regenerative agriculture, Aries is experimenting with practices that make sense for his soils and production system—and collecting data to determine what actually works. He shares how he’s incorporating multispecies cover crops between onion crops, experimenting with mustard cover crops in fields with root-knot nematode pressure, making his own compost and extracts, and working to keep living roots in the soil for more of the year. The conversation also gets into one of the biggest questions driving Aries’ approach: Are the nutrients in the soil actually available to the crop? Instead of relying solely on conventional soil tests, he’s incorporating Haney testing, sap analysis, plant observations, and detailed recordkeeping to better understand what the crop needs throughout the season. His goal is to identify trends—from micronutrient limitations to the timing of nutrient movement from onion tops into the developing bulb. Aries is also exploring the connection between regenerative practices and nutrient density. If growers can demonstrate that certain practices consistently produce more nutritious food, could farmers eventually be compensated for more than yield alone? Finally, the conversation looks toward the future of farming. Aries shares his experience with precision spraying technology capable of targeting individual onion plants and weeds, reducing broadcast applications and opening new possibilities for highly targeted nutrition and crop protection. For Aries, all of these experiments come back to a simple idea: keep asking why, collect the data, and leave the next generation of farmers with a better foundation to build from. 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.

Sep 15

Farming, Creation & Stewardship: Regenerative Agriculture Through the Lens of God’s Design

This episode of The Whole Farm Podcast is a little different. Michael and Les sit down for a conversation about faith, creation, agriculture, and what it means to be a good steward of the land. Starting in Genesis, they explore the biblical ideas of dominion, work, stewardship, and flourishing, and what those ideas might mean for farmers today. One of the central questions of the conversation is simple: What if productivity and stewardship were never supposed to be at odds? Les points out that taking dominion over creation doesn't mean exploiting it. It means developing what we've been given while caring for it, improving it, and thinking beyond our own generation. That idea has direct implications for agriculture. Farmers have always been tasked with producing food from a system they don't completely control. Weather changes. Weeds emerge. Soils behave differently. New problems appear every season. But that's also what makes farming a continual learning process. As Les puts it, farmers may only get around 40 crops in a career, but there's a big difference between growing 40 crops and growing the same crop 40 times. Michael and Les discuss how that mindset connects with regenerative agriculture: continually learning how plants, soils, microbes, biology, livestock, and people interact and using that knowledge to build more productive and resilient farms. They also challenge the assumption that productive agriculture and caring for the land have to compete. The future of agriculture, they argue, may actually bring those goals closer together as farmers learn more about biology, cover crops, soil health, nutrient cycling, and the relationships already built into natural systems. Michael shares how his own thinking has changed after years of working with conventional fertility programs, soil tests, biostimulants, and biological products. The deeper he has gone into understanding natural systems, from seaweed adaptations to the biology of the black soldier fly, the more he has begun asking what agriculture can learn from systems that already exist in creation. Les also shares his own journey through conventional row-crop agriculture, regenerative farming, pastured livestock, soil testing, and biological agriculture. For him, the goal has increasingly become less transactional: Know the farmer. Understand the farm. Understand the family's goals. Then ask how you can help that operation become healthier, more profitable, and more resilient. Ultimately, this episode isn't only about farming practices. It's about responsibility. How do we take what we've been given and make it flourish? How do we leave healthier farms for the next generation? And how do farmers invest not only in their soil and crops, but also in their families, communities, churches, and one another? Whether you agree with every conclusion or are simply interested in the intersection of faith and agriculture, this episode offers a different perspective on what it means to care for the land, and why farmers may have one of the clearest opportunities to put stewardship into practice every day. 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.

Sep 1

Why This Arkansas Farmer Cut 8,000 Acres and Became More Profitable w/ Adam Chappell

What if growing the farm isn’t the same thing as growing the profit? In this episode of The Whole Farm Podcast, Michael and Les sit down with fourth-generation Arkansas farmer Adam Chappell, who learned that lesson firsthand. At one point, Adam and his brother were farming more than 11,000 acres. Like many growers, they believed thin margins meant they needed more acres to make the numbers work. Eventually, Adam went the other direction. He downsized to roughly 2,500 acres, focused on his most profitable ground, reduced overhead, and began questioning assumptions about everything from fertility and planting populations to spraying, irrigation, crop selection, and marketing. Today, Adam says he’s more profitable and happier than he was farming four times the acres. Central to his system are cover crops. Adam calls them the foundation of nearly everything his farm does, helping eliminate tillage passes and winter burndown while supporting the soil biology behind his reduced-input approach. The conversation gets into some of the practices Adam has tested on his own farm, including: - Why he hasn’t applied phosphorus or potassium since 2016 - Using tissue and sap analysis to guide in-season fertility decisions - Spraying most crops at just two gallons of water per acre - Cutting soybean and rice seeding rates significantly - Growing cotton on 76-inch rows - Why a two-bale cotton crop can sometimes make more money than a three-bale crop - Using larger root systems and lower plant populations to reduce input and irrigation demands - Growing specialty rice and sunflowers for differentiated markets - Selling closer to the end user instead of relying entirely on commodity channels Adam’s approach isn’t built around finding one “silver bullet.” It’s about looking at the farm as a system and finding dozens of places where small savings can compound into meaningful improvements in net return. And that leads to one of the biggest themes of the episode: yield and profitability are not the same thing. Adam isn’t trying to win the county yield contest. He’s trying to build a farm that makes money. His willingness to challenge conventional thinking didn’t come easily. Adam says his move toward cover crops and a different production system began when his farm was struggling financially and escalating pigweed-control costs forced him to rethink what he was doing. Now, he encourages growers to question assumptions, learn from other farmers, experiment on their own ground, and share what works. Because in today’s farm economy, doing things the way they’ve always been done may be one of the biggest risks of all. Listen to the full episode for a practical conversation about cutting costs, building healthier soils, finding better markets, and redefining what a successful farm can look like. 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.

Aug 18

Gary Black on Trust, Change & the Future of American Agriculture

Agriculture has never stopped changing. From the transition from horses and mules to tractors, to decades of consolidation across the agricultural industry, farmers have continually adapted to new technology, new markets, and new pressures. Today, agriculture finds itself in another period of significant change, and Gary Black believes the lessons of the past can help farmers prepare for what comes next. In this episode of The Whole Farm Podcast, Michael Pisciotta sits down with Gary Black, longtime agribusiness leader, farmer, former Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture, and advisor to CHONEX. Gary frames the conversation with a simple image: the rearview mirror and the windshield. The rearview mirror matters because it helps us understand where we’ve been. But the windshield is much bigger because ultimately, agriculture has to keep moving forward. Gary and Michael discuss how dramatically agriculture has evolved, why farmers have always found ways to adapt, and what the next several years could require from producers as they make decisions around scale, markets, costs, regenerative practices, and new technologies. Gary also argues that farmers increasingly have a responsibility to move beyond the farm gate, build relationships with decision-makers, and help consumers understand the people and practices behind their food. At the center of that conversation is trust. Gary shares why rebuilding trust between farmers, consumers, regulators, policymakers, and agricultural organizations may be one of the industry's most important challenges. And for farmers communicating their story, he believes it starts with understanding a simple question: Why do you do what you do? The conversation also gets practical for growers who may feel worn down by the current farm economy. Gary discusses intentionally evaluating costs, marketing decisions, farm size, productivity, and whether regenerative approaches could offer opportunities to accomplish more with less while building something stronger for the next generation. On his own Georgia cattle operation, Gary shares how he's beginning to explore practices such as increased grazing management, improving forage diversity, and finding better ways to manage nutrients already present in his soil. He closes the episode with three questions that can help any farmer create what he calls a “windshield plan”: - What do I do well? - What do I need to improve? - What do I need to stop doing? That final question may be the hardest, but Gary believes having the courage to answer it can help create a clearer path forward. In this episode: - How agriculture has adapted through generations of major change - Why the next several years could require new decisions from farmers - The growing disconnect between consumers, policymakers, and the farm - Why trust matters to the future of agriculture - The importance of farmers getting involved beyond the farm gate - Finding your “why” as a producer of food and fiber - Whether farmers can become more productive while doing less - Gary’s early steps toward regenerative practices on his cattle operation - Three questions for building a practical plan for the future Whether you’re navigating tight margins, evaluating new practices, or simply trying to determine what the next chapter of your operation should look like, this episode is a reminder to learn from what’s behind you without taking your eyes off what’s ahead. 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.

Aug 4

Food Labels, Farm Practices, and the Consumer Trust Gap with Laura Tippett

For most consumers, agriculture is experienced at the grocery store—not in the field. In this episode of The Whole Farm Podcast, Michael Pisciotta sits down with CHONEX marketing team member Laura Tippett for a different kind of conversation about agriculture. Laura joins the show not as a grower or agronomist, but as a marketer, consumer, and mother of three trying to make informed food choices for her family. Laura shares how her personal experiences with food-related health concerns led her to start reading labels, researching ingredients, and asking more questions about where food comes from and how it is produced. The conversation explores the complicated decisions consumers face every day. Does “organic” automatically mean healthier? What does “regeneratively grown” actually tell someone at the grocery store? Is buying local always realistic for a family working within a budget? Laura also explains how branding, packaging, social media, and food influencers shape consumer perceptions of agriculture. While online conversations have helped more people pay attention to farming and food production, they can also oversimplify complex issues and leave out the perspectives of the farmers doing the work. As a mother, Laura discusses the balance between wanting to provide better food and accepting that parents cannot control every meal. Her approach is practical: make thoughtful choices where possible, provide better everyday options, and avoid turning food into a constant source of stress. Throughout the episode, Michael and Laura examine the growing disconnect between farmers, food manufacturers, and consumers. While farmers are often blamed for concerns surrounding the food system, many of the ingredients, additives, claims, and processing decisions consumers question happen after a crop leaves the farm. For Laura, rebuilding trust starts with greater clarity and transparency. Consumers need enough accurate information to make decisions based on their health needs, budgets, lifestyles, and personal priorities—not simply the claims or pretty branding on a package. The episode closes with a reminder that farmers are at the ground level of the changes consumers are demanding. Supporting growers with practical, affordable tools that improve soil and crop performance can help make the transition toward healthier soils, stronger farms, and a more trusted food system less difficult. Listen to the full episode to hear an honest consumer perspective on food, farming, soil health, and what families are really looking for when they shop. 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.

Jul 21

No-Till, Cover Crops and the Economics of Better Soil with Sledge Taylor

After more than five decades in agriculture, Mississippi farmer and cotton industry leader Sledge Taylor is still asking questions, testing new ideas and changing the way he manages his farm. In this episode of The Whole Farm Podcast, Les Riley talks with Sledge about his family’s farming history and the journey that led him from conventional production to no-till, cover crops and a deeper interest in soil biology. Sledge has farmed for 53 years, raising cotton, corn, soybeans, peanuts and wheat alongside cattle, pasture and timber. His concern about erosion first pushed him toward conservation practices. Over time, he began noticing healthier crops, cleaner runoff, cooler soils and better water retention on his no-till, cover-cropped acres. The conversation also explores the business side of regenerative agriculture. Sledge shares how reducing field passes can lower fuel, labor and equipment costs, while healthier soils can help dryland crops withstand drought stress longer. Drawing on his leadership experience with the National Cotton Council and National Cotton Ginners Association, Sledge also discusses the opportunity for traceable, regeneratively grown U.S. cotton to connect farmers more directly with mills, brands and consumers. He also shares practical lessons from his own cover crop program, including his preferred mix of cereal rye, tillage radish and winter peas. His biggest takeaway is simple: cover crops cannot be treated like an afterthought. They require planning, management and the same level of attention as a cash crop. In this episode: Sledge’s transition to no-till and cover cropsHow soil biology changed his view of crop healthReducing fuel, labor and machinery costsImproving water retention and drought resilienceThe future of traceable, regenerative cottonPractical cover crop mixes and managementWhy mindset remains one of agriculture’s biggest barriersListen to the full episode for a practical conversation about conservation, curiosity and building a more resilient farm for the next generation. 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.

Jul 7

The Missing Middle in Regenerative Ag Adoption with Christie Apple

In this episode of The Whole Farm Podcast presented by CHONEX, Michael sits down with Christie Apple, an agronomist, soil health advocate, and founder of Crop Scout Christie, for a powerful conversation about the role ag retail plays in the future of soil health. Christie shares how she found her way into agronomy after starting in business administration and quickly realizing that the intersection of soil, biology, chemistry, and plant performance was where she was meant to be. Now in her 18th season, she works across the Great Lakes region helping retailers, agronomists, and farmers translate complex soil health concepts into practical field-level decisions. A central theme of the conversation is what Christie calls "the missing middle.” For years, the industry has focused on convincing farmers to adopt soil health and regenerative practices. But Christie argues that the bigger gap may not be farmer interest. Farmers want to do better. They want their land to last. They want practices that improve resilience, productivity, and long-term viability. The missing piece is often the trusted advisor layer. Ag retailers, sales agronomists, custom applicators, CCAs, consultants, and other farm decision influencers are the people farmers already trust. They influence conversations around nutrient applications, product decisions, cover crops, tillage, timing, and management strategy. But many of those advisors have not been given the education, resources, language, or incentives to confidently lead soil health conversations. Christie and Michael discuss why that matters, especially as regenerative agriculture moves from niche conversation to broader industry priority. Government programs, grants, food companies, and sustainability initiatives can all play a role, but long-term adoption depends on practical support at the farm gate. The conversation also explores why soil health should not be treated as separate from agronomy. Nutrient use efficiency, nitrogen stabilization, cover crop integration, resistant weed management, water infiltration, carbon, biological activity, and crop resilience are all part of the same system. Christie challenges ag retail leaders to bring soil health to the front of the conversation—not as a replacement for fertilizer or conventional agronomy, but as a lens for better decision-making. Every pass across a field is either helping or hurting the soil. The opportunity is to equip the people closest to farmers with the confidence and tools to make those decisions count. If you are an agronomist, retailer, advisor, or farmer trying to understand where regenerative agriculture goes next, this episode is a must-listen. Christie’s message is clear: strengthen the people at the center of farm decisions, and we won’t just change individual farms. We can change the system. Find Christie at: https://www.cropscoutchristie.com/ https://www.instagram.com/cropscoutchristie/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christie-apple-a8243ba3/ 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.

The Whole Farm Podcast

Rethinking Soil Fertility: How Better Testing Can Reduce Farm Input Costs | Part 1 w/ Grant Wells

Building Better Soil with a Crop That Requires Tillage with Aries Haygood

Farming, Creation & Stewardship: Regenerative Agriculture Through the Lens of God’s Design

Why This Arkansas Farmer Cut 8,000 Acres and Became More Profitable w/ Adam Chappell

Gary Black on Trust, Change & the Future of American Agriculture

Food Labels, Farm Practices, and the Consumer Trust Gap with Laura Tippett

No-Till, Cover Crops and the Economics of Better Soil with Sledge Taylor

The Missing Middle in Regenerative Ag Adoption with Christie Apple

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The Whole Farm Podcast

Episodes

Rethinking Soil Fertility: How Better Testing Can Reduce Farm Input Costs | Part 1 w/ Grant Wells

Building Better Soil with a Crop That Requires Tillage with Aries Haygood

Farming, Creation & Stewardship: Regenerative Agriculture Through the Lens of God’s Design

Why This Arkansas Farmer Cut 8,000 Acres and Became More Profitable w/ Adam Chappell

Gary Black on Trust, Change & the Future of American Agriculture

Food Labels, Farm Practices, and the Consumer Trust Gap with Laura Tippett

No-Till, Cover Crops and the Economics of Better Soil with Sledge Taylor

The Missing Middle in Regenerative Ag Adoption with Christie Apple

About

Information

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