Regenerative Agriculture Podcast

Soil analysis should be used as a milestone to monitor progress towards growing healthy crops; they should not be used as a goal. Every nutrient and soil amendment application needs to produce a strong crop response, not just a soil analysis response. When we apply this understanding properly it means that we will not apply uneconomical quantities of soil amendments to balance a soil analysis that do not first provide a benefit to the crop. On the mini-episode this week, I talk about where soil tests are needed for optimal farm performance how a soil test can be a detriment what to look for in a soil report what the numbers aren't telling you why you can decrease your annual fertilizer inputs and get a better crop response Support For This Show & Helping You Grow This show is brought to you by AEA, leaders in regenerative agriculture since 2006. If you are a large-scale grower looking to increase crop revenue and quality, email hello@advancingecoag.com or call 800-495-6603 extension 344 to be connected with a dedicated AEA crop consultant. Resources https://www.advancingecoag.com/soil-samples-analysis Feedback & Booking Please send your feedback, requests for topics or guests, or booking request have a Podcast episode recorded LIVE at your event -- to production@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com. You can email John directly at John@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com. Sign Up For Special Updates To be alerted via email when new episodes are released, and get special updates about John speaking, teaching, and podcast LIVE recordings, be sure to sign up for our email list.

Greg Pennyroyal is the Viticulture and Enology Coordinator at Wilson Creek Winery & Vineyards in Temecula, California. He is also the Professor of Viticulture for Mt. San Jacinto Community College. Greg has worked in many industries including medicinal organic herb production, traditional eastern medicine, and botanical medicine research and development. Greg has been active in researching neurodegenerative diseases in conjunction with the University of California, Santa Barbara and has a breadth of knowledge about plant health that is a true delight. In this episode, Greg and I discuss How the microbiome determines 'terroir' and influences flavor and quality, Using plant sap analysis, and how well it correlates with field observation Can you produce fruit with more flavor and metabolites in a stressed environment, or in an optimal environment? Plus many more highlights Support For This Show This episode is brought to you by AEA - Advancing Eco Agriculture - leading regenerative agriculture since 2006. Visit www.advancingecoag.com today and learn how AEA can help you increase quality + yield. Resources The Farm as Ecosystem by Jerry Brunetti Science in Agriculture: Advanced Methods for Sustainable Farming by Arden B. Andersen Mineral Nutrition and Plant Disease by Lawrence E. Datnoff, Wade H. Elmer, Don M. Huber Tuning In To Nature by Philip S. Callahan Nutrition Rules! by Graeme Sait Postmodern Winemaking: Rethinking the Modern Science of an Ancient Craft by Clark Smith Chemistry Made Simple: A Complete Introduction to the Basic Building Blocks of Matter by John T. Moore Khan Academy Acres U.S.A. Music Greg recommends: For a musical translation of what it's like when you feel a sense of elation when new concepts click into place: Beethoven's 9th Symphony, otherwise known as the Ode of Joy For when you gotta clean out your barn: Led Zeppelin Whole Lotta Love Episode 16 - Greg Pennyroyal - Highlights 2:30 - Greg's journey bringing him to where he is today Greg started on a family farm, not having any experience or idea what he was doing Greg's advice on finding a mentor, and how a local dairy farmer became one of Greg's first mentors How Greg found his practical experience and down-home logic helped him when thinking critically about what he was taught in college Why Greg moved on after a decade, and him ending up at Trout Lake Farm for the decade after 8:25 - Integrating business and agriculture The importance of not being greedy when developing a solid place in the market 9:00 - Greg's movement to Leiner Health Products and his increase in research possibilities Why looking for alternatives to standard agriculture doesn't mean we need to be looking for alternatives to science Greg's views on having a perspective of connecting the dots on a higher level than deep science 10:30 - Standardizing natural products like medicine Greg's breakthrough on finding plants growing in ecosystems closer to where the plant was native to, where biological principles were used, had much less variation from season to season and farm to farm This was because plants that are built better and grown in a biological system tend to have more biochemical homeostasis 13:10 - The connection between biological integrity and the human genome 13:30 - Greg's homeopathic testing with interesting results 15:45 - Greg's work on an MS medication from a rare Tibetan herb, and how it was similar to California white sage 17:20 - The importance of being aware of misinformation on both sides of unconventional and conventional agriculture 17:50 - Greg at Wilson Creek Winery and Vineyards Greg loves making wine! Viticulture is one of the few agricultural crops that a paid for quality. Great grapes = higher wine prices. x6 value of the commercial value of grapes How different regions of growing contribute to the taste of wine - which is due to the microbiome of the area (microbial patterns) 23:05 - More info on plants being grown in their native environment grown using biological practices Level 1 - plants struggling to survive Level 2 - getting in balance Level 3 - enhance production of what plant has difficulty producing when not balanced Highest level - Disease and insect resistance plant producing healthy offspring 26:10 - Bringing plants into balance Both from a nutritional perspective and from a microbiome perspective Getting plants onto a positive cycle and out of a negative cycle 29:10 - The amazing resiliency of plants How quickly stressed trees can recover when given the proper opportunity 30:15 - Great results of plant sap analysis over petiole analysis 32:00 - Plants expressing different chemical profiles based on the nutritional and microbial environment Everyone cares about flavor and aroma Stressing a plant vs. producing in an optimal environment The debate in the wine world on deficit irrigation Greg doesn't believe enough research has been done in this area, but Greg thinks for plants "stress is stress", and that plants want to produce great output 37:40 - Reverse bell curve on plant water and nutrient deprivation Needing to balance macronutrients and micronutrients 42:10 - What has been something that has really surprised Greg? How the land-grant university system has been co-opted by certain interests The backlash on people speaking out against conventional agriculture practices How Greg has seen misinformation reinforced from his time working in the pharmaceutical industry 44:35 - What does Greg believe to be true about modern agriculture that others do not? The whole idea that we are stewards of the ecosystem isn't true - we ARE the ecosystem, and the microbiome connects all of us This makes the idea of spraying roundup on plants very questionable How this relates to a decline in human health 48:15 - What is a resource Greg would recommend? See the resources section (above). 50:40 - What question does Greg wish he was asked? Greg's small growers' co-op Greg's work in teaching vineyard skills to kids on the autistic spectrum Feedback, Booking, and Production Contacts John@RegenerativeAgriculturePodcast.com Booking@RegenerativeAgriculturePodcast.com Production@RegenerativeAgriculturePodcast.com

I've been asked a lot recently about how to manage vegetative growth versus reproductive growth. On the mini-episode this week, I talk about which nutrients drive strong vegetative growth, and which drive strong reproductive growth and development, along with the hormonal interactions which drive plant dominance. Nutrients in both categories interact with and synergize or antagonize certain plant hormones. These interactions shape how trees and plants develop reproductive buds and fruitwood versus shoot growth. On this episode, I talk about which nutrients are vegetative, which are reproductive, and how to switch plant dominance between vegetative and reproductive stages. 4 Vegetative Growth nutrients: Nitrate Nitrogen (not ammonium or urea) Potassium Chloride Calcium Reproductive nutrients: All other nutrients will bring a slight reproductive response but the below 3 drive the strongest reproductive growth. Manganese Phosphorus Ammonium Support For This Show & Helping You Grow This show is brought to you by AEA, leaders in regenerative agriculture since 2006. If you are a large-scale grower looking to increase crop revenue and quality, email hello@advancingecoag.com or call 800-495-6603 extension 344 to be connected with a dedicated AEA crop consultant. Feedback & Booking Please send your feedback, requests for topics or guests, or booking request have a Podcast episode recorded LIVE at your event -- to production@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com. You can email John directly at John@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com. Sign Up For Special Updates To be alerted via email when new episodes are released, and get special updates about John speaking, teaching, and podcast LIVE recordings, be sure to sign up for our email list.

Dr. Jerry Pollack is a pioneering water researcher whose work in structured water and cell biology has been described as being some of the most important research that will be conducted in the 21st century. His research creates a completely new paradigm of cell biology and nutrient absorption. He is recognized worldwide as a dynamic speaker and author, whose passion lies in plumbing the depths of natural truths. Dr. Pollack received the 1st Emoto Peace Prize and is a recipient of the University of Washington's highest honor, the Annual Faculty Lecturer Award. He is founding Editor-in-Chief of the research journal WATER and Director of the Institute for Venture Science. Dr. Pollack's (award-winning) books include The Fourth Phase of Water (2013), and Cells, Gels, and the Engines of Life (2001). Dr. Jerry Pollack maintains an active laboratory at the University of Washington in Seattle. In this episode, Jerry and I discuss How water moves to the top of a 100-yard tall redwood How nutrients are absorbed across cell membranes and plant roots The role of EZ water in moving nutrients through vascular tissue How plant roots can absorb complete compounds from the soil solution Support For This Show & Helping You Grow This show is brought to you by AEA, leaders in regenerative agriculture since 2006. If you are a large-scale grower looking to increase crop revenue and quality, email hello@advancingecoag.com or call 800-495-6603 extension 344 to be connected with a dedicated AEA crop consultant. Resources Cells, Gels and the Engines of Life The Fourth Phase of Water: Beyond Solid, Liquid, and Vapor Episode 15 - Dr. Gerald H. Pollack - Highlights 4:50 - What is exclusion zone water? (EZ Water) We all learned water had 3 phases, but the idea that water could have a phase between liquid and solid has been around for some time EZ water is between solid and liquid. Gel-like, almost like raw egg whites EZ water has a negative charge, unlike ordinary water Energy comes from infrared light EZ water is also called fourth phase water, ordered water, or structured water 13:10 - John strongly recommends reading two of Gerald's books: Cells, Gels and the Engines of Life The Fourth Phase of Water: Beyond Solid, Liquid, and Vapor 13:40 - How are nutrients and water transported inside a plant? How are nutrients absorbed by root systems? How does EZ water relate? How a tube in water that allows water to continuously flow works in the same way that trees can transport water Energy is coming from light absorbed in the water will drive the flow of water How this same idea can apply to the cardiovascular system in the human body 27:45 - How is this related to nutrient mobility? 31:35 - Alternate mechanisms for nutrient absorption by cells The assumption that the cell membrane is impermeable is questionable Why the idea of thousands of pumps and channels in the membrane doesn't work The cell gets its electrical potential from the negatively charged water If there is no impermeable barrier, then substances can be absorbed by the cell 42:40 - Simplicity is the essence of science 45:50 - What is the limitation of what cells can absorb? Substances could move in and out of the cell in transition areas of water to EZ water 49:25 - Water crisis in agricultural - soils that cannot hold water well anymore Soils need charge distributions just right to build EZ water Water holding capacity is diminished when the soil is destroyed, directly related to the ability to make EZ water 54:30 - What is the question Gerald wishes he was asked? The role of water in health - absolutely central. Cells cannot function properly unless properly hydrated The role of grounding in health and in its ability to convert water to EZ water Juicing to get EZ water from inside plants Support For This Show & Helping You Grow This show is brought to you by AEA, leaders in regenerative agriculture since 2006. If you are a large-scale grower looking to increase crop revenue and quality, email hello@advancingecoag.com or call 800-495-6603 extension 344 to be connected with a dedicated AEA crop consultant. Feedback & Booking Please send your feedback, requests for topics or guests, or booking request have a Podcast episode recorded LIVE at your event -- to production@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com. You can email John directly at John@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com. Sign Up For Special Updates To be alerted via email when new episodes are released, and get special updates about John speaking, teaching, and podcast LIVE recordings, be sure to sign up for our email list.

On the mini-episode this week, I focus on why we should develop regenerative agriculture, how it is different, and why it is important. In the past 10 or 12 years, a lot of conversation has been had on sustainable agriculture. In this episode, I explore what it is that we want to sustain, why regeneration is important, and how regenerative farming systems impact the bottom line in a way that sustainability cannot. Support For This Show & Helping You Grow This show is brought to you by AEA, leaders in regenerative agriculture since 2006. If you are a large-scale grower looking to increase crop revenue and quality, email hello@advancingecoag.com or call 800-495-6603 extension 344 to be connected with a dedicated AEA crop consultant. Feedback & Booking Please send your feedback, requests for topics or guests, or booking request have a Podcast episode recorded LIVE at your event -- to production@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com. You can email John directly at John@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com. Sign Up For Special Updates To be alerted via email when new episodes are released, and get special updates about John speaking, teaching, and podcast LIVE recordings, be sure to sign up for our email list.

Experienced horticulturist Steve Diver discusses rock powders, biology, and bioenergetics in agriculture, emphasizing the oxidation/reduction potential in soils and the value of liquid biological agents for soil health and crop success. He shares insights from his years of experience in sustainable agriculture, covering topics like composting techniques, alternative farming systems, and transitioning to holistic practices in agriculture and health.

Professor Lynn Long has worked in sweet cherry research and Extension at Oregon State University since 1988. At that time, the main cherry variety being grown was Bing on a Mazzard rootstock, leading to disease and susceptibility to weather pressure. Lynn has been an advocate for diversity in varieties and rootstocks, maintaining a cherry variety trial since 1996, and evaluating nearly 100 varieties and selections for potential adoption by the sweet cherry industry in the Pacific Northwest. He has been instrumental in progressing the use of dwarfing rootstocks and new training systems in commercial orchards. Long has authored many publications and has spoken in grower oriented meetings in 16 countries around the world. In this episode, Lynn and I discuss the future of sweet cherry production. Lynn believes the future development of tree fruit will emerge when we begin better managing 'the other half of the tree' - the root system. How soil health and compost applications contribute to varietal performance How modern dwarf rootstocks compare to older varieties What is the future of biological and mechanical solutions to automate harvesting Successfully reducing bacterial canker with plant nutrition ...And more! Very thought provoking for any tree fruit grower! Support For This Show & Helping You Grow This show is brought to you by AEA, leaders in regenerative agriculture since 2006. If you are a large-scale grower looking to increase crop revenue and quality, email hello@advancingecoag.com or call 800-495-6603 extension 344 to be connected with a dedicated AEA crop consultant. Resources Cherries: Botany, Production and Uses https://extension.oregonstate.edu/people/lynn-long Episode 12 - Lynn Long - Highlights 2:45 - What are some memorable moments that have lead Lynn to where he is today? In the 90's, cherry production was focused on one single variety. There wasn't a lot of diversity at the time. In 1994, Lynn went to Europe and gained knowledge that changed the way cherries are farmed in the US 4:10 - What shift happened, and how did Lynn start managing trees differently? Lynn had been researching cherry rootstock Lynn saw what farms in Germany, France, Spain, and elsewhere in Europe were doing, and brought this knowledge back to help growers understand 7:40 - How does the vigor of modern dwarf rootstock compared to older varieties? A lot of farmers prefer older varieties Dwarfing rootstock seen to be more shallow 9:10 - What has been missing in looking at the "other half of the tree" Everything from research to management has been focused on only half the tree - the top half. We are seeing more and more research being done on what is happening below ground with the tree 11:20 - What are some of the things Lynn has observed to cause him to start to wonder what is happening in the soil profile? Dwarfing rootstock in hard soil affecting the growth and behavior of trees Leaves look stressed and wilted, impacting food quality Keeping microorganisms alive throughout the entire year to affect the health of the ecosystem and the tree 14:20 - What has Lynn learned from compost trials? Struggling orchards turned around Taking stress off the tree by keeping soil cooler How can adding organic soil help the health of the tree? Success Lynn has seen in Chile 18:00 - What has been something that has surprised Lynn? The grower community being open with ideas and their operations Growers who share the most often receive the most 21:30 - What is something that Lynn believes the be true that is different from the mainstream? Mainstream agriculture is only focusing on the top half of the tree 23:30 - How does managing what is happening below the soil change how we manage above the soil? Issues we are struggling with now may become minor issues later 26:00 - How will the canopy be affected by a changing root system? Getting high-quality fruit all around the tree, not just the top 29:20 - Success in reducing bacterial canker through ecosystem management 33:30 - What is a resource Lynn would recommend? Cherries: Botany, Production and Uses https://extension.oregonstate.edu/people/lynn-long 35:40 - What does Lynn wish he was asked? Where is cherry production going in the future? 37:00 - What does Lynn think the future holds in fruit and vegetable production Labor shortage problem Mechanical and biological solutions to getting cherries off trees without laborers 40:00 - How does Lynn see an orchard of the future? Being able to automate the process of collecting cherries without dropping quality Feedback & Booking Please send your feedback, requests for topics or guests, or booking request have a Podcast episode recorded LIVE at your event -- to production@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com. You can email John directly at John@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com. Sign Up For Special Updates To be alerted via email when new episodes are released, and get special updates about John speaking, teaching, and podcast LIVE recordings, be sure to sign up for our email list.

Dr. Kris Nichols has conducted innovative research on soil biology, understanding how to regenerate soil health quickly. She is the founder and principal scientist of KRIS (Knowledge for Regeneration In Soils) Systems Education & Consulting Services. Dr. Nichols has also been the Chief Scientist at Rodale Institute and a Research Soil Microbiologist with the USDA. In this episode, Kris and I discuss how to harness the power of fungi to decrease the use of synthetic fertilizers, the symbiosis between bacteria and water retention, and climate-resilient crops. Support For This Show & Helping You Grow This show is brought to you by AEA, leaders in regenerative agriculture since 2006. If you are a large-scale grower looking to increase crop revenue and quality, email hello@advancingecoag.com or call 800-495-6603 extension 344 to be connected with a dedicated AEA crop consultant. Resources David Montgomery Judith Schwartz (Cows Save the Planet, Water in Plain Sight) Kristin Ohlson (The Soil Will Save Us) William Schlesinger (Biogeochemistry: An Analysis of Global Change) Episode 11 - Kris Nichols - Highlights 3:00 - What are some of the highlights that have lead Kris to where she is today? Kris researched mycorrhizal fungi at the University of Minnesota Kris worked with USDA and fell back in love with agriculture, especially when seeing concepts from the lab being practically implemented 7:00 - Not being able to regenerate soil to full potential when using synthetic fertilizer Organisms in the soil have huge potential to resolve nutrient issues in plants In a lab, Kris could see this to be true - but many growers were still relying on synthetic fertilizers Need to put the tools in place to optimize organisms in soil (mycorrhizal fungi especially) to maximize effects on plants 10:10 - Applying soluble phosphorus fertilizers removing the need for a symbiotic relationship between plants and mycorrhizae Timing is very important when adding amendments - making sure the plant needs are being met when it has those needs Many times, plants are unable to make use of all the fertilizer applied Can't "outsource" the job of mycorrhizal fungi 17:10 - What other fertilizers could have a damaging effect? Soluble fertilizer does the most damage in "outsourcing" the jobs of the microbial community Organic fertilizers are broken down by the microbial communities, and so they do not cause this same damage 19:20 - Plant and root absorption of amino acids and proteins The untruth of using synthetic fertilizers to avoid "mining" the soil 27:10 - Water use efficiency We have no idea how much water a plant actually needs! There are cellular water needs, but also in the rhizosphere around the plant Getting efficient mycorrhizal fungi (especially early on) allows the creation of a network for water and nutrient delivery in plants 34:10 - Layers of efficiency from mycorrhizal fungi Able to extend beyond the root system Phosphate soluble bacteria interactions with mycorrhizal fungi An analogy for how this bacteria helps: Plants are figuring out how to get water "from the driveway to the house", instead of "from the neighboring town to the house" Nutrients moving between plants in a system through mycorrhizal fungi 43:00 - What has been something that has really surprised Kris? Kris' experience with cancer lead her to think about how essential carbon exchange was in plants Stopping the flow of carbon - "What is stopping the payment from flowing?" 46:30 - What does Kris believe to be true about modern agriculture that is not a mainstream view? Regenerative systems allow us to "have our cake, and eat it too" - meaning are able to feed 14 billion people nutrient dense food while having a high quality of life and while maintaining and enhancing ecosystem services Incredible potential to do so much more than we are 50:00 - What is the impact of biology on producing higher levels of plant secondary metabolites? Many compounds are coming directly from soil compounds which find their way to plants - which end up in the food chain There has been so much focus in plant nutrition on nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus Building up a more resilient network - making more soil aggregates Creating a mycorrhizosphere Making a good network allows for making secondary compounds 59:20 - What are some resources that Kris would recommend? Go out there and explore different types of resources! David Montgomery Judith Schwartz (Cows Save the Planet, Water in Plain Sight) Kristin Ohlson (The Soil Will Save Us) William Schlesinger (Biogeochemistry: An Analysis of Global Change) Feedback & Booking Please send your feedback, requests for topics or guests, or booking request have a Podcast episode recorded LIVE at your event -- to production@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com. You can email John directly at John@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com. Sign Up For Special Updates To be alerted via email when new episodes are released, and get special updates about John speaking, teaching, and podcast LIVE recordings, be sure to sign up for our email list.

Dr. Hatfield is the laboratory director for the USDA's National Laboratory for Agriculture and The Environment. He has also served on the faculty of the University of California-Davis and is a Past President of the American Society of Agronomy. In this short but very powerful episode, Jerry and I discuss the mechanics of improving plant efficiency in capturing water, nutrients, and light and put that into productivity. We talk about the role that the soil-plant continuum plays in not only developing the productivity but also the quality of the products that plant is harvested for. Jerry and I discuss the fundamental functions of the soil aggregate structure and the value of gas exchange and water infiltration. Support For This Show & Helping You Grow This show is brought to you by AEA, leaders in regenerative agriculture since 2006. If you are a large-scale grower looking to increase crop revenue and quality, email hello@advancingecoag.com or call 800-495-6603 extension 344 to be connected with a dedicated AEA crop consultant. Episode 10 - Jerry Hatfield - Highlights 3:10 - What have been some of the highlights that have lead Jerry to where he is today? What drives Jerry: Finding out how can we improve the efficiency of plants to capture water and light, and put that into productivity What is the role of all this in increasing productivity and quality of what is harvested 5:30 - Why should we care about soil health? What does the surface of the soil look like? (Aggregation structure) Getting air and water into the soil helps drive the biological processes under the soil This determines what the plants are doing (how well they can take up nutrients) We need to care because this makes the whole plant system much more efficient - the soil health is the unifying factor 11:10 - How does soil quality improve so many various characteristics of plants Creating a more balanced soil - creating a condition for the plant to store more carbohydrates more efficiently, for example Allowing the plant to optimize itself 13:00 - How do we regenerate and improve soil health? Restoring biological activity - Biology has four needs: food, water, air, and shelter Putting a cover over soil Allowing the biology to express itself when it's not being cooked at high temperatures Supplying food to the biological system the entire year Diversity of plants increase diversity of biological system 18:30 - How fast can we regenerate and improve soil health? We can begin seeing changes within one growing season 20:30 - What has Jerry observed regarding a diverse number of plants producing soil changes? Comparing cover crops - Cover crop cocktails changes are much more rapid Crops begin behaving differently with crop rotation 27:45 - Are we just regenerating soil, or also the thought processes and models around agriculture? 29:00 - Increasing water use efficiency and nutrient efficiency Water and nutrients are tied together - optimizing together leads to stability The plant may be nutrient limited - leading us to expending water to little effect How efficient is the plant at capturing solar radiation? 33:10 - What does Jerry believe to be true about modern agriculture that many others don't believe to be true? How important improving soils are to increasing productivity - allowing genetics to be optimized 35:20 - What is the opportunity for improved yield and quality? What does this mean for growers in terms of profitability? If you improve soils in "bad" parts of field, immediately improve overall profitability No tillage growers have been able to drop nitrogen by 50% without affecting yields because soil is providing nutrients Producers need to think about what they are getting out of their inputs 38:10 - What action should farmers take right now? Getting a cover crop on system Increasing biology in soil Crop rotation and diversity Cover crop cocktails Reduce tillage Feedback & Booking Please send your feedback, requests for topics or guests, or booking request have a Podcast episode recorded LIVE at your event -- to production@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com. You can email John directly at John@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com. Sign Up For Special Updates To be alerted via email when new episodes are released, and get special updates about John speaking, teaching, and podcast LIVE recordings, be sure to sign up for our email list.

This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Larry Phelan, a professor at Ohio State University where he heads research programs studying the role of soil communities in plant health and susceptibility to disease and insect pests in biological farming systems. Larry also heads programs researching the identification and behaviors of plant secondary compounds and insect pheromones that affect host finding and other behaviors. In this episode, Larry and I discuss plant and insect communications, soil communities, and the concept of biological buffering - the capacity of biology in the soil to absorb large amounts of nutrients that are applied and contain those in their cells and release them over a period of time. We also talk about Larry's new initiatives in the city of Cleveland to incorporate urban agricultural systems. I had a lot of fun with this episode - some of the topics Larry touches on are absolutely fascinating. Support For This Show & Helping You Grow This show is brought to you by AEA, leaders in regenerative agriculture since 2006. If you are a large-scale grower looking to increase crop revenue and quality, email hello@advancingecoag.com or call 800-495-6603 extension 344 to be connected with a dedicated AEA crop consultant. Episode 8 - Larry Phelan - Highlights 3:10 - What are the memorable moments leading up to where Larry is today? Larry was trained as a chemical ecologist - where he would identify pheromones and plant attractants As he started talking to organic farmers, he noticed they had fewer issues with insect pests than conventional farmer neighbors 5:30 - What were the differences that Larry noticed in organic farming? During this time, many organic farmers were doing their own research Many organic farmers had animals integrated into their farms "If we have healthy soil, then we are going to have a healthy plant, and insects don't like healthy plants" - Larry was seeing the truth to this and wanted to test Larry wanted to figure out if insects could tell a difference between plants from organic farms, and if this was more related to the short-term effects of fertilizer or the long-term effects of mismanaged soil The results: Regardless of fertilizer used, the plants growing in soil from the organic farm received few insects eggs 9:20 - Biological Buffering With an influx of organic matter, you create a soil community that is beneficial to the plant Nutrients absorbed into the soil community are released over time - putting the plants in better nutrient balance Plants are almost always limited by nitrogen levels - they're going to take all they can get and will take more than they can deal with Insects are also limited by nitrogen, so plants with excess nitrogen are very nutritious for insects No difference in production between organic and conventional farms 15:20 - Why can insects not utilize plants as a food source that doesn't contain as many amino acids Free amino acids can short circuit the plant defense system - Insects get these free amino acids they don't have to break down Proteins vary in digestibility in insects 18:20 - What had surprised during Larry's research into all of this? 30% ammonia and 70% nitrate resulted in best plant growth Where the plant was out of balance, that's where the insects grew the largest and had the best survivorship Survivorship of insects dropped as they approached the 30/70 ammonia/nitrate ratio 22:40 - What is some practical advice growers can implement? The importance of organic matter added to the soil to sustain a beneficial microbial community Important to distinguish between old organic matter and biologically active organic matter - need to focus on active organic matter 26:10 - What is the impact of a nitrogen application on soil biological profile? Plants can shut out mycorrhizae and can grow a shallow root system When the plant invests in growth above ground, it doesn't have as effective of a root system to gather water and nutrients We don't want plants to encounter any extremes Starter fertilizer isn't allowing plants to grow resilience they need and can cause plant growth to stall out 35:00 - Applying only insoluble start applications Resulting in large root systems High phosphorus levels without phosphorus application Mineral profiles not very different in organic plants regardless of fertilizer application 38:10 - What is something that Larry believes to be true about modern agriculture that is different from mainstream views? The use of soluble fertilizers has been one of the most disruptive practices in mainstream farming How different organic farms view what they do - Conventional farmers have a prescriptive approach. Organic farmers had more of a system perspective "Tied up" nitrogen isn't a bad thing - It gives you "money in the bank" in your soil 41:30 - What is a resource Larry would recommend? Lots of great advances in organic research ATTRA Natural Resources Conservation Service 43:10 - What is a question Larry wishes he was asked? Soils in urban centers under vacant lots opening the possibility of urban farming Do what degree has the legacy of smokestacks, heavy metals, etc affected soil community. Can these soils be rejuvenated or are these soils effectively lost? The influx of organic matter are reducing levels of lead and the bioavailability of the lead - allowing cities to reduce the danger of lead in soil Lead is going to be there - need to find a way to bring it out 49:20 - Damaging impacts of chronic pesticide use and exposure Feedback & Booking Please send your feedback, requests for topics or guests, or booking request have a Podcast episode recorded LIVE at your event -- to production@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com. You can email John directly at John@regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com. Sign Up For Special Updates To be alerted via email when new episodes are released, and get special updates about John speaking, teaching, and podcast LIVE recordings, be sure to sign up for our email list.