Soil Talks™ Podcast

Brandon Kail
  • 5.0 (1)
  • EARTH SCIENCES

Soil Talks™ Podcast cuts through the slogans and gets straight to decisions that matter. Each week, we sit down with producers, agronomists, researchers, and product builders shaping the next decade of agriculture. We go beyond theory into timing, placement, risk, and verification. So you hear exactly how people are solving tough problems: compaction that returns, salinity and sodicity, nutrient “access vs. supply,” microbe persistence, drought-time irrigation tactics, and when it’s safe to pull inputs back without risking the crop. You won’t hear hype. You’ll listen to what worked, where it stalled, and the single change that restarted progress. . If you’re responsible for acres, budgets, or outcomes and want signal over noise this is your show.

  1. Matt Powers: The Rhizophagy Cycle & Why Plants Eat Bacteria

    6D AGO

    Matt Powers: The Rhizophagy Cycle & Why Plants Eat Bacteria

    What if everything we knew about how plants "eat" was only half the story? In this episode of Soil Talks, we are joined by world-renowned permaculture educator Matt Powers to discuss the revolutionary Rhizophagy Cycle. Matt breaks down the "Soil Food Web 2.0," explaining the microscopic process where plants literally consume bacteria to trigger root growth and nutrient uptake. We move beyond basic sustainability into the high-level science of DNA testing, advanced microscopy, and why "sustainable" is no longer the goal regeneration is. Key Topics in this Episode: The Rhizophagy Cycle: The "Aha" moment of how plants actually digest microbes.Soil Food Web 2.0: Moving past the basics into DNA and functional biology.Microscopy for Farmers: How to use the lens to spot pathogens like Fusarium before they strike.The Glyphosate Legacy: Real talk on how long chemicals last in your soil and how to heal the land.Education for the Future: Why K-12 students are the key to the regenerative movement.Whether you are a backyard gardener or a large-scale farmer, this conversation provides the scientific "common sense" needed to restore your land and grow the healthiest food possible. 00:00 – Introduction: Moving Beyond Sustainable to Regenerative 04:15 – Matt Powers’ "Aha Moment": From Music and Teaching to Soil 08:30 – Redefining Permaculture: Future Care and Independence 13:10 – Why We Must Teach Regenerative Science to K-12 Students 17:45 – The Rhizophagy Cycle: How Plants Consume Microbes 21:30 – Lessons from Dr. Elaine Ingham & Dr. James White 26:40 – Microscopy for Beginners: Identifying Soil Structure and Life 32:15 – The Truth About Glyphosate and Soil Residues 38:50 – DNA Testing vs. Microscopy: Choosing the Right Tools 45:10 – Building a Global Regenerative Community #MattPowers #RegenerativeSoil #SoilFoodWeb #Permaculture #Rhizophagy #SoilMicroscopy #CitizenScience #HealthySoil #RegenerativeAgriculture #Microbiology Links Visit Rocky Mountain BioAg: https://www.rockymountainbioag.comLearn with Matt Powers: https://www.regenerativesoilscience.comGet the Book "Regenerative Soil": at Acres USASubscribe to our YouTube Channel: @RockyMountainBioAg

    1h 34m
  2. Your Soil Test is Already Outdated. (Here’s Why) | Laura Decker

    MAR 27

    Your Soil Test is Already Outdated. (Here’s Why) | Laura Decker

    Stop waiting weeks for lab results while your crop’s window of opportunity closes. Most soil recommendations are based on samples that are days or even weeks old. But soil isn’t a static chemistry set; it’s a living biological engine. In this episode of Soil Talks™ Podcast, we sit down with Laura Decker, CEO of Prolific Earth Sciences, to reveal why traditional soil testing often misses the mark and how the Microbiometer® is giving growers real-time data to slash input costs and boost resilience. At Rocky Mountain BioAg®, we believe in a Biological… Beyond Organic® approach. If you aren't measuring your microbial biomass in the field, you aren't seeing the full picture of your farm's potential. Learn more & Get Started: ▶ Get the Microbiometer here: https://www.rockymountainbioag.com ▶ Explore Biological Solutions: ▶ Join the Community: #SoilTalks TIMESTAMPS: The "Retention Engine"00:00 The "Mail Truck" Problem: Why your samples die in transit. 02:15 Meet Laura Decker: From Immunology to the Soil Revolution. 07:42 Why NPK-only farming is an "Economic Trap." 13:40 The "Drug Addict" Analogy: Transitioning off conventional inputs. 17:18 How to pronounce "Microbiometer" (and why it matters). 20:13 The Science of "Sticky" Soil: What Glomalin tells you about profit. 24:51 Why your Agronomist might be missing the biological "Missing Link." 31:27 The 104°F Death Zone: The truth about lab sample handling. 46:05 Data vs. Understanding: How to read your soil’s heartbeat. #SoilHealth #RegenerativeAgriculture #AgTech #Microbiometer #RockyMountainBioAg #SoilTalks #FarmerProfit #SoilBiology #SustainableAg

    1h 37m
  3. Your Crops Aren’t Sick They’re Dependent | John Kempf

    MAR 20

    Your Crops Aren’t Sick They’re Dependent | John Kempf

    For decades, agriculture has been built on a simple idea: If something goes wrong… apply more inputs. More fertilizer. More chemicals. More control. But what if that entire model is flawed? In this episode of Soil Talks™, John Kempf breaks down a radically different way to think about crop health, soil biology, and system function. We dig into: • Why pests may not be attacking your crops but reporting a deeper issue • How soluble fertilizers can create long-term dependency • The hidden relationship between plant immunity and soil microbiology • Why modern agriculture succeeds in yield but fails in resilience • And how some growers are producing healthier crops with fewer inputs This isn’t about organic vs conventional. It’s about understanding how biological systems actually function. Because the real question isn’t: “How do we fix sick crops?” It’s: “Why are they getting sick in the first place?” — 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: [INSERT YOUTUBE LINK] — Connect with John Kempf: Website: https://johnkempf.com Podcast: Regenerative Agriculture Podcast — Follow Soil Talks™: YouTube: @RockyMountainBioAg LinkedIn: Rocky Mountain BioAg® Website: Rocky Mountain BioAg® — If this episode challenged how you think about agriculture, share it with someone who needs to hear it. #SoilHealth #RegenerativeAgriculture #SoilBiology #Farming #Agronomy #PlantHealth #Podcast

    1h 1m
  4. What Soil Tests Miss: The Biology Driving Real Soil Fertility | Dr. Lance Gunderson

    MAR 13

    What Soil Tests Miss: The Biology Driving Real Soil Fertility | Dr. Lance Gunderson

    If soil is the engine of agriculture, how do we measure its performance? For decades, agriculture has treated soil like a chemistry set. Measure nitrogen. Adjust phosphorus. Balance potassium. But soil is not a sterile laboratory. It is a living biological engine. In this episode of Soil Talks™ Podcast, Brandon Kail sits down with Dr. Lance Gunderson, president of Regen Ag Lab and one of the most experienced soil microbiology interpreters in agriculture today. With over 100,000 soil samples analyzed, Lance explains why traditional soil tests often miss the most important part of soil function: biology. We break down: • Why the soil microbiome controls nutrient availability • The limits of conventional salt extraction soil tests • How the Haney Test measures biological soil function • Why fungal:bacterial ratios influence carbon storage and drought resilience • The hidden role of protozoa and microbial grazing in nitrogen release • The difference between PLFA testing and DNA sequencing • How growers can reduce fertilizer dependency through biological nutrient cycling If soil is the engine of agriculture, this episode shows how to finally look under the hood. Because soil health isn't just chemistry. It's biology, structure, water, and time working together. 🎧 Share, Like & Subscribe to the Soil Talks™ Podcast Hosted by Rocky Mountain BioAg® Contact Dr. Gunderson at https://regenaglab.com Learn more with The Biological...Beyond Organic® Fundamentals Course #soilhealth #soilbiology #soilmicrobiome #soiltesting #haney test #regenerative agriculture #soilfertility #microbialnutrientcycling #plfasoiltesting #soilmicrobiology

    33 min
  5. Why Modern Agriculture Keeps Failing the Soil | Jon Stika on Soil Biology

    MAR 6

    Why Modern Agriculture Keeps Failing the Soil | Jon Stika on Soil Biology

    For decades, agriculture has treated soil like a chemical system. Add fertilizer to correct deficiencies. Increase yield. But what if the real problem isn’t nutrients, it’s biology? In this episode of Soil Talks Podcast, Brandon Kail sits down with Jon Stika, author of A Soil Owner’s Manual and a former NRCS agronomist with over 30 years of experience studying soil health and regenerative agriculture systems. Together, they unpack one of the most important shifts happening in modern farming: Soil is not a chemical system. Soil is a biological system. John explains why the Green Revolution pushed agriculture toward fertilizer dependency, how soil aggregates create habitat for billions of organisms, and why rebuilding soil biology may be the most profitable path forward for farmers. Inside this conversation: • Why modern agriculture became dependent on fertilizer • The hidden soil biology beneath every field • Why soil tests were built for degraded systems • How soil aggregates control water infiltration and nutrient cycling • Why yield per acre can be a misleading metric • The transition period when moving toward regenerative agriculture • How soil health affects nutrient density in food If agriculture is going to remain profitable and resilient, the conversation must move beyond inputs and toward restoring the biological systems that make soil function. Listen to understand why many farmers are shifting from a chemistry-first model to a biology-first approach. Guest: Jon Stika – Author of A Soil Owner’s Manual and former NRCS agronomist Connect with Jon Stika Email: physicus1@gmail.com Subscribe to Soil Talks™ Podcast YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music #SoilHealth #RegenerativeAgriculture #SoilBiology #SustainableFarming #CarbonFarming #AgriculturePodcast #SoilTalks

    50 min
  6. Is Modern Agriculture in Model Collapse? | Mark Shepard

    FEB 27

    Is Modern Agriculture in Model Collapse? | Mark Shepard

    Modern agriculture isn’t just under pressure; it may be experiencing model collapse. In this episode of the Soil Talks™ Podcast, Mark Shepard, author of Restoration Agriculture and Water for Any Farm, explains why today’s agricultural research and production systems may be built on a flawed foundation. From monocultures and annual disturbance to hydrology, agroforestry, and perennial systems, Mark breaks down: • Why annual monocropping disrupts ecological function • How “model collapse” happens in agricultural research • The economic math behind restoration agriculture • Why yield is not the same as profit • How to transition land without going bankrupt • What the Midwest could look like in 100 years This is not theory. This is field-tested restoration agriculture at scale. 📘 Mark Shepard’s Books (Available at Acres USA): Restoration Agriculture 👉 https://www.acresusa.com/products/restoration-agriculture Water for Any Farm 👉 https://www.acresusa.com/products/water-for-any-farm Learn more about Mark’s work: Restoration Agriculture Development (RAD) 👉 https://restorationag.com Forest Agriculture Nursery 👉 https://forestag.com If you believe agriculture can be both profitable and ecologically restorative, subscribe and join the conversation. #ModelCollapse #RegenerativeAgriculture #RestorationAgriculture #Agroforestry #SoilHealth #Permaculture #Farming

    41 min
  7. Chip Osborne: The Chemical Treadmill | Organic Turf vs Synthetic | Soil Biology, PFAS & Beyond NPK

    FEB 20

    Chip Osborne: The Chemical Treadmill | Organic Turf vs Synthetic | Soil Biology, PFAS & Beyond NPK

    For decades, turf and landscape management has relied on synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides. But is that system sustainable? In this episode of Soil Talks™, Chip Osborne, founder of Osborne Organics and a national leader in organic land management, explains the “chemical treadmill” and why feeding the soil, not the plant, is the future of resilient turf systems. We discuss soil biology testing, compaction and gas exchange, organic vs synthetic nitrogen, PFAS regulation, climate resilience, and why NPK-only agronomy often fails long-term performance goals. Whether you manage sports fields, municipalities, farms, or private landscapes, this conversation explores how soil health, microbial activity, and cultural practices drive profitability and sustainability. If you want measurable biology, real agriculture, and long-term system design this episode is for you. Partner plug: Get your soil tested and understand what’s happening beneath your feet at www.mysoildna.com Contact Chip at www.osborneorganics.com #SoilHealth #OrganicTurf #SoilBiology #RegenerativeAgriculture #TurfManagement #LandManagement #BeyondNPK #SustainableLandscaping #GroundsManagement #SoilTesting #mysoildna

    59 min
  8. The Death of NPK: Why Lazy Soils and Broken Yields Start with Modern Agronomy

    FEB 13

    The Death of NPK: Why Lazy Soils and Broken Yields Start with Modern Agronomy

    Every farmer knows the frustration following the book, applying the right NPK, investing in chemistry, only to watch soil resilience disappear. In this powerful episode of Soil Talks™, RMBA Founder Mark sits down with Gary Zimmer, the godfather of biological farming, to expose the broken mindset of modern agronomy and chart the path forward for the next agricultural revolution. Topics Covered: Why “perfect lab numbers” still lead to dead soilThe six foundational rules of biological farmingHow calcium drives the entire mineral and biological systemThe link between dairy cow digestion and soil biologyWhy regenerative and organic aren’t enough and “biological” is the futureHow farmers can earn the right to cut inputs, pesticides, and nitrogen⚡ Key Quote: “Soil isn’t a factory. It’s a massive living digestive system and we’ve been feeding it like it’s dead.” 🎯 Who It’s For: Farmers ready to move beyond NPK, consultants rethinking soil health, and anyone tired of the chemical treadmill. 🔗 Watch the full episode on YouTube: 👉 Rocky Mountain BioAg® Soil Talks™ Channel 🧠 Join the Movement: Subscribe to the Biological…Beyond Organic® Newsletter on LinkedInEnroll in the Soil Fundamentals CourseFollow @RockyMountainBioAg on all major platforms#SoilTalks #BiologicalFarming #RegenerativeAgriculture #SoilHealth #GaryZimmer #RockyMountainBioAg #BeyondOrganic

    1h 7m
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About

Soil Talks™ Podcast cuts through the slogans and gets straight to decisions that matter. Each week, we sit down with producers, agronomists, researchers, and product builders shaping the next decade of agriculture. We go beyond theory into timing, placement, risk, and verification. So you hear exactly how people are solving tough problems: compaction that returns, salinity and sodicity, nutrient “access vs. supply,” microbe persistence, drought-time irrigation tactics, and when it’s safe to pull inputs back without risking the crop. You won’t hear hype. You’ll listen to what worked, where it stalled, and the single change that restarted progress. . If you’re responsible for acres, budgets, or outcomes and want signal over noise this is your show.

Information

  • Creator
    Brandon Kail
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Brandon Kail

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