Episode 99: Reshaping How Agriculture Sees Plant Nutrient Uptake With Dr. James White
Regenerative Agriculture Podcast
Release Date: 01/11/2024
Episode 142: Harnessing Technology for Regenerative Grazing with Jason Rowntree
Regenerative Agriculture Podcast
Jason Rowntree is a professor of Animal Science at Michigan State University, where he has spent the last 16 years studying regenerative grazing systems and their impact on soil health, ecosystems, and beef nutrient density. Jason currently leads a $19 million research project across 60 U.S. ranches, using remote sensing and on-ground monitoring to measure carbon sequestration, water cycles, and biodiversity. His goal is to create economic incentives that support farmers and ranchers in adopting regenerative practices. In this discussion, John and Jason discuss: How nutrient density in beef...
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Episode 141: Using Systems-Based Research in Regenerative Agriculture with Cindy Daley
Regenerative Agriculture Podcast
Dr. Cynthia Daley is a respected leader in sustainable agriculture who works to bridge the gap between academic research and practical regenerative farming practices. She has spent decades advocating for more innovative approaches to agriculture, critiquing outdated university methodologies that fail to support ecological farming systems. As the founding director of the Center for Regenerative Agriculture at California State University, Chico, Cindy has led efforts to transition academic programs toward regenerative principles and foster collaborations with pioneering farmers. In this...
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Episode 140: Generations of Regeneration with Benina Burroughs
Regenerative Agriculture Podcast
Benina Burroughs began farming almonds with her father in 2002. Now, as CEO and co-owner of Burroughs Family Farms, she has innovated ecological practices in nut growing. She transitioned the entire farm to organic 2015 and has received dual regenerative certifications from the Regenerative Organic Alliance and Regenified. Benina has led efforts to diversify operations, adding organic olives, walnuts, and pasture-raised poultry, and continues to advance sustainable practices. Burroughs Family Farms is located in California’s Merced County, and has been family-operated since 1906, evolving...
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Episode 139: From DJ to Full-Time Regenerative Farmer with Andy Cato
Regenerative Agriculture Podcast
Andy Cato is a musician and regenerative agriculture advocate, best known as one-half of the electronic music duo “Groove Armada.” After reading about the environmental problems caused by industrial food systems, Andy sold his music publishing rights, purchased a depleted farm in southwestern France, and embarked on a journey to restore its health through trial, error, and regenerative techniques. Today, Andy is the co-founder of Wild Farmed and a prominent voice in sustainable agriculture. Wild Farmed connects a network of farmers through transparent, traceable supply chains, enabling...
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Podcast Extra - Highlights from the Year
Regenerative Agriculture Podcast
This special episode of the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast highlights insights from nine of this year’s guests who are driving innovation in regenerative farming. From practical techniques to transformative ideas, these clips showcase the power of regenerative practices to improve soils, ecosystems, and farm profitability. Featured Guests: Rick Clark: No-till organic farming pioneer Erin Martin: Food as medicine advocate with FreshRX Dr. James White: Expert in plant-microbe symbiosis Amy Williams: Champion of regenerative cotton in fashion Keith Berns: Innovator in multi-species...
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Episode 138: Regenerative Grazing and Cattle Breeding with Del Ficke
Regenerative Agriculture Podcast
Del Ficke has revolutionized cattle breeding and soil regeneration practices during his decades of ranching. Del is the fourth generation to manage his family operation, Ficke Cattle Company, in Pleasant Hill, Nebraska, which was established in the late 1860s. He has carried on its legacy with a focus on sustainability and profitability. In 2015, he trademarked the Grazemaster breed, a composite of multiple breeds tailored for grazing efficiency and minimal reliance on external inputs. Del is also a founding member of the Graze Master Group which provides consulting services for farms and...
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Episode 137: Reducing Inputs Through Timed Nutrient Management with Dan Brown
Regenerative Agriculture Podcast
Dan Brown is a fifth-generation farmer who grows hazelnuts in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, the primary hazelnut-growing region in the United States. Dan is always experimenting with new growing methods, and views failures as opportunities for learning and growth. This perspective has led to significant successes, such as improving yields while reducing input costs and demonstrating the potential for regenerative practices in hazelnut farming. In this episode, John and Dan discuss: Farming hazelnuts in Oregon’s unique microclimate Tackling soil compaction, erosion, and disease...
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Episode 136: Working With Unique Climate Conditions with Frederik Larsen
Regenerative Agriculture Podcast
Frederik Larsen is a Danish agronomist who assists farmers in Denmark and Eastern Europe to transition toward no-till systems, cover cropping, and diverse crop rotations. Frederik also practices what he preaches on his family farm, using it as a testing ground for innovative practices like relay planting and companion planting. His work focuses on maximizing sunlight capture, increasing biomass, and enhancing soil carbon cycling in Denmark's climate, characterized by short growing seasons and limited winter sunlight. In this episode, John and Frederik discuss: Implementing relay planting for...
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Podcast Short #11: Building Resilient Farms with Gabe Brown
Regenerative Agriculture Podcast
Gabe Brown is a renowned advocate and practitioner of regenerative agriculture from North Dakota, who runs Brown’s Ranch and is the co-founder of Understanding Ag. He is recognized for his innovative approach to farming, focusing on enhancing soil health, reducing dependency on synthetic inputs, and using sustainable practices. Gabe transitioned to regenerative agriculture after experiencing years of poor crop yields due to extreme weather events. Today, Brown’s Ranch consists of several thousand acres of native perennial rangeland along with perennial pastureland and cropland. Their...
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Episode 135: Diverse Approaches in Farm Planning with Darren Doherty
Regenerative Agriculture Podcast
Darren Doherty is the director and co-founder, with his wife Lisa Heenan, of Regrarians Ltd., an Australia-based organization dedicated to advancing regenerative agriculture. They train land managers using their innovative "Regrarians Platform," which integrates elements from permaculture, keyline design, and holistic management to support land stewardship that respects and enhances natural ecosystems. Having worked across diverse climates and landscapes globally, Darren focuses on sustainable land management practices that blend traditional methods with modern techniques. His approach...
info_outlineDr. James White is a professor of Plant Pathology at Rutgers University. Dr. White obtained an M.S. in Mycology and Plant Pathology from Auburn University and a Ph.D. in Mycology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1987.
Dr. White specializes in symbiosis research, particularly endophytic microbes. He is the author of more than 180 articles and author and editor of reference books on the biology, taxonomy, and phylogeny of fungal endophytes, including Biotechnology of Acremonium Endophytes of Grasses (1994), Microbial Endophytes (2000), The Clavicipitalean Fungi (2004), The Fungal Community: Its Organization and Role in the Ecosystem (2005), and Defensive Mutualism in Microbial Symbiosis (2009).
The overall hypothesis of this research is that bacterial and fungal endophytes of the plant microbiome function to defend plants from stress and provide nutrients that enhance the growth and development of plants.
In this episode, James and John discuss:
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How plants get nutrients through the rhizophagy cycle
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Important microbes lost from commercial seed production
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Indigenous wisdom in seed production
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Bacteria changing the behavior of fungal populations through nutrients
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How endophytes benefit plants
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Reshaping agriculture to be based on how plants actually grow
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How plants cannot grow without microbes in their cells
Additional Resources
To take the course led by Dr. James White that teaches the Rhizophagy cycle, please visit: https://kindharvest.ag/courses/ra-ur-understanding-rhizophagy/
About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.
Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.
Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture.
AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.
AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.
Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.
Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com/
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VIDEO: To learn more from John Kempf about regenerative agriculture, watch this conversation between John and three AEA grower partners about how regenerative agriculture is changing lives and conventional farming: https://youtu.be/n9U6GwbYPDk