4 The Soil: A Conversation
By Eric Bendfeldt
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Episodes: 126
Description
Soil. What is it, really? It’s more than the dirt under our feet and the ground we stand on.
Soil is living and life-giving.
Listen in as we unlock the mysteries of soil by speaking with people at the forefront of the soil health movement.
“4 The Soil: A Conversation” is part of the 4 The Soil Awareness Campaign led by Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Soil Health Coalition. The campaign’s purpose is to raise awareness of soil as a critical agricultural and natural resource for social, economic, and environmental health.
The podcast is a collaboration of Virginia Tech's School of Plant and Environmental Sciences and Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation, Virginia Cooperative Extension, On The Farm Radio, USDA-NRCS, and the Virginia Soil Health Coalition with specific funding from the Agua Fund, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and Virginia Tech’s Department of Agriculture, Leadership, and Community Education’s Community Viability grant program.
Hear and learn from farmers, agricultural professionals, conservation leaders, master gardeners, and many more on how and why to be 4 The Soil.
Soil is living and life-giving.
Listen in as we unlock the mysteries of soil by speaking with people at the forefront of the soil health movement.
“4 The Soil: A Conversation” is part of the 4 The Soil Awareness Campaign led by Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Soil Health Coalition. The campaign’s purpose is to raise awareness of soil as a critical agricultural and natural resource for social, economic, and environmental health.
The podcast is a collaboration of Virginia Tech's School of Plant and Environmental Sciences and Center for Food Systems and Community Transformation, Virginia Cooperative Extension, On The Farm Radio, USDA-NRCS, and the Virginia Soil Health Coalition with specific funding from the Agua Fund, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and Virginia Tech’s Department of Agriculture, Leadership, and Community Education’s Community Viability grant program.
Hear and learn from farmers, agricultural professionals, conservation leaders, master gardeners, and many more on how and why to be 4 The Soil.
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
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S6 - E10: Cover Crops, Wind Erosion, and Snirt with Kim Melton of the Red River Basin Commission, Pt. II
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May 12, 2026 |
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S6 - E9: Moving Agriculture Forward with Kim Melton of the Red River Basin Commission, Pt. I
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Apr 28, 2026 |
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S6 - E8: Healthier Communities, Stronger Economies, and Hippos with Jeff, Mary, and Eric
|
Apr 14, 2026 |
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S6 - E7: Vegetable Farming as a Food and Health Business with Bob Jones, Jr., of The Chef's Garden, Part II
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Mar 31, 2026 |
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S6 - E6: Love What You Do: Vegetable Farming with Bob Jones, Jr. of The Chef's Garden, Part I
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Mar 17, 2026 |
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S6 - E5: Managing Change, Building Cover Cropping Systems with Doug Fifer of Fifer Family Farms, Pt. II
|
Mar 03, 2026 |
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S6 - E4: From Picking Up Rocks to Successful No-Till Farming with Doug Fifer of Fifer Family Farms, Pt. I
|
Feb 17, 2026 |
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S6 - E3: Growing Heirloom Mums, Building Healthy Soil with Jessica Hall of Harmony Harvest Farm, Pt. II
|
Feb 03, 2026 |
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S6 - E2: Living a Beautiful Life through Fresh Flowers with Jessica Hall of Harmony Harvest Farm, Pt. I
|
Jan 20, 2026 |
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S6 - E1: Rooted in a Passion for the Earth, Soil, and the Bioeconomy with Ms. Fatema Mohajir
|
Jan 06, 2026 |
|
S5 - E26: Flowers, Pollinators, Health, and Peace with Dr. Christine Mahoney, Pt. II
|
Dec 23, 2025 |
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S5 - E25: Social Enterprises, Systems-Thinking, and Flower Farming with Dr. Christine Mahoney, Part I
|
Dec 09, 2025 |
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S5 - E24: Health and Nutrition Start with the Soil with Dr. Robin "Buz" Kloot, Part II
|
Nov 25, 2025 |
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S5 - E23: A Fundamental Overhaul and Paradigm Shift in Soil Science with Dr. Robin "Buz" Kloot, Part I
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Nov 11, 2025 |
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S5 - E22: Encouraging a Hospitable Habitat for Soil Microorganisms with Dr. Ashley Jernigan of Virginia Tech, Pt. II
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Oct 28, 2025 |
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S5 - E21: Regenerating Worn Out Soils with Dr. Ashley Jernigan of Virginia Tech, Pt. I
|
Oct 14, 2025 |
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S5 - E20: Soil Health beyond the Economic Rationale with Kasper Krabbe of Aarhus University, Pt. 2
|
Sep 30, 2025 |
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S5 - E19: Agroecological Dynamics of Soil Health with Kasper Krabbe of Aarhus University, Pt. I
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Sep 16, 2025 |
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S5 - E18: Round Bale Grazing for Soil Health with Dr. Summer Thomas, Pt. II
|
Sep 02, 2025 |
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S5 - E17: Everything Good Starts with the Soil with Dr. Summer Thomas, Pt. I
|
Aug 19, 2025 |
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S5 - E16: Celebrating Our 100th Podcast Episode with Jeff, Mary, and Eric
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Aug 05, 2025 |
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S5 - E15: Building Confidence and Knowledge through Mentorship with Dara Booher, Pt. II
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Jul 22, 2025 |
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S5 - E14: Youth Education and Soil Health with Dara Booher, Pt. I
|
Jul 08, 2025 |
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S5 - E13: Seven Generations of Stewarding the Land with Susan Watkins
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Jun 24, 2025 |
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S5 - E12: A Whole Community with Elizabeth McMullen and Garland Mason of Organic Valley, Pt. II
|
Jun 10, 2025 |
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S5 - E11: Common Ties: Cooperation and Sustainability with Elizabeth McMullen and Garland Mason of Organic Valley, Pt. I
|
May 27, 2025 |
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S5 - E10: Farmers Talking with Farmers with Anthony Beery of Beery Farms, Part II
|
May 13, 2025 |
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S5 - E9: Soil Health is Attainable with Anthony Beery of Beery Farms, Part I
|
Apr 29, 2025 |
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S5 - E8: Ins and Outs of Compost Tea with Nicky Schauder of Permaculture Gardens, Part II
|
Apr 15, 2025 |
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S5 - E7: Grow-It-Yourself (GIY) with Nicky Schauder of Permaculture Gardens, Part I
|
Apr 01, 2025 |
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S5 - E6: Education first and foremost with Nicole Shuman of Cornerstone Farm, Part II
|
Mar 18, 2025 |
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S5 - E5: Hands-On Community Agriculture Work with Nicole Shuman of Cornerstone Farm, Part I
|
Mar 04, 2025 |
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S5 - E4: Cultivating Wellness from the Soil Up with Farmer Cee of Green Heffa Farms, Part II
|
Feb 18, 2025 |
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S5 - E3: Defying Obstacles, Bringing Voices to Sustainability with Farmer Cee of Green Heffa Farms, Part I
|
Feb 04, 2025 |
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S5 - E2: Understanding Context, Establishing Baselines with Rick Clark of Farm Green, Part II
|
Jan 21, 2025 |
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S5 - E1: Commitment and System Balance with Rick Clark of Farm Green, Part I
|
Jan 07, 2025 |
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S4 - E26: A Regional Food System Perspective with Maureen and Mo of LEAP, Part II
|
Dec 17, 2024 |
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S4 - E25: A Regional Food System Perspective with Maureen and Mo of LEAP, Part I
|
Dec 03, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - 24: Flavor and Sustainability with Nate Sloan of Bloom Restaurant and Wine Bar, Part II
|
Nov 19, 2024 |
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Episode 24-23: From Soil to Ingredient to Plate with Nate Sloan of Bloom Restaurant and Wine Bar, Part I
|
Nov 05, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - 22: Finding Your Agroecological Voice and Lens with Nicole Masters of Integrity Soils Part II
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Oct 22, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - 21: A Love and Fascination for the Soil with Nicole Masters of Integrity Soils Part I
|
Oct 08, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - 20: The Promise and Potential of Biochar with Dr. Wayne Teel of James Madison University Part II
|
Sep 24, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - 19: Reconnecting through Stories and Agroforestry with Dr. Wayne Teel of James Madison University Part I
|
Sep 10, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - 18: Volunteering and Getting Your Hands Dirty with Tim Ohlwiler of VCE Fauquier Part II
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Aug 27, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - 17: Horticultural Realities and Soil Health with Tim Ohlwiler of VCE Fauquier Part I
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Aug 13, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - 16: Managing Risks, Beginning a Movement with Robert Waring of Brandon Farms Part II
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Jul 30, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - 15: Growing Fertilizer and Farm Profitability with Robert Waring of Brandon Farms Part I
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Jul 16, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - 14: A Farmer's Approach to Artisanal Baking with Nicolas Melas of Mill Song Bakery Pt. II
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Jul 02, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - 13: Artful, Healthy Grains and Bread with Nicolas Melas of Mill Song Bakery Pt. I
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Jun 25, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - Special: Soil Health and Music for Everyone with Ennis and Phil Carter of the FlipCharts Part II
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Jun 18, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - National Soil Health Day Special: Music, Culture, and Action with Ennis and Phil Carter of the FlipCharts Part I
|
Jun 13, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - 12: A Freshly Milled Perspective with Madelyn Smith of the Common Grain Alliance Part II
|
Jun 04, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - 11: Reinvigorating the Local Grain Economy with Madelyn Smith of the Common Grain Alliance Part I
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May 21, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - 10: Emulating Nature: The Soil Health Puzzle with Ray Archuleta and Dr. Heather Coiner
|
May 07, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - 9: Community, Dung Beetles, and a Good Steady Rain with Dr. Elizabeth Heilman of Wichita State University Part II
|
Apr 23, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - 8: Calm Your Lizard Down with Dr. Elizabeth Heilman of Wichita State University Part I
|
Apr 09, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - 7: A Passion for Gardening with Bill "Pops" Patterson of Virginia USDA-NRCS Part II
|
Mar 26, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - 6: For the Love of Soil with Bill "Pops" Patterson of Virginia USDA-NRCS Part I
|
Mar 12, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - 5: The Unintended Consequences of Deep Tillage with Dale Strickler of Regenerative Wisdom Part II
|
Feb 27, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - 4: Drought Resilience: Does Subsoiling Pay? with Dale Strickler of Regenerative Wisdom Part I
|
Feb 13, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - 3: A Purposeful Soil Health Mindset with Rebekah Slabach of Virginia Tech Part II
|
Jan 30, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - 2: Fueling Agricultural and Community Change with Rebekah Slabach of Virginia Cooperative Extension Part I
|
Jan 16, 2024 |
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Episode 24 - 1: The Power of Observation and A Receptive Mind with Dr. Stuart Grandy of UNH Part II
|
Jan 02, 2024 |
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Episode 23 - 26: What's Happening in the Soil Food Web with Dr. Stuart Grandy of UNH Part I
|
Dec 19, 2023 |
|
Episode 23 - 25: A Healthy, Fertile Celebration of World Soils Day 2023
|
Dec 05, 2023 |
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Episode 23 - 24: Balancing Community and Natural Resource Needs with Nelson Muiru of KENVO Part II
|
Nov 21, 2023 |
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Episode 23 - 23: Maximizing Biodiversity and Food Security with Nelson Muiru of KENVO Part I
|
Nov 07, 2023 |
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Episode 23 - 22: The Give and Take of Lawn and Soil Health with Dr. Mike Goatley of Virginia Tech Part II
|
Oct 24, 2023 |
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Episode 23 - 21: Every Blade of Grass is a Study with Dr. Mike Goatley of Virginia Tech Part I
|
Oct 10, 2023 |
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Episode 23 - 20: Knowing Your Why for Farming and Soil Health with Daniel Austin of Green Sprig Ag Part II
|
Sep 26, 2023 |
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Episode 23 - 19: From Picking Rocks to Marketing Local Grains with Daniel Austin of Green Sprig Ag
|
Sep 12, 2023 |
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Episode 23 - 18: Hope from the Garden with Kate Bracken and Craig Fracker of Goochland-Powhatan Master Gardener Association
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Aug 29, 2023 |
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Episode 23-17: Sowing the Next Generation of Stewards with Kathy Yoder of Vine & Fig, Part II
|
Aug 15, 2023 |
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Episode 23-16: Seeds of Change: Enhancing Food Access, Local Food Systems, and Childhood Education with Kathy Yoder of Vine and Fig
|
Aug 01, 2023 |
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Episode 23-15: Soil as Infrastructure and Learning by Doing with Carl Stafford of VCE Culpeper County
|
Jul 18, 2023 |
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Episode 23-14: Grazing with Intent with Carl Stafford of VCE Culpeper County
|
Jul 05, 2023 |
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Episode 23 - 13: A Soil Your Undies Challenge with Elizabeth Baldwin and Meagan Dyer of VCE Page County
|
Jun 20, 2023 |
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Episode 23 - 12: Make a Difference Where You Are with Taona Makunje Chigwenembe of Malawi Part II
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Jun 06, 2023 |
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Episode 23 - 11: Catalyzing Creative Solutions with Taona Makunje Chigwenembe of Malawi Pt. I
|
May 23, 2023 |
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Episode 23 - 10: The Ins and Outs of Cover Cropping with Mike Parrish with VCE Dinwiddie County Part II
|
May 09, 2023 |
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Episode 23 - 9: Soil Health by Trial and Error with Mike Parrish with VCE Dinwiddie County
|
Apr 25, 2023 |
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Episode 23 - Earth Day Special: Nurturing Soil Health and Seeding Justice across Generations with Karen Washington of Rise and Root Farm
|
Apr 24, 2023 |
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Episode 23 - 8: Soil Health and Career Inspirations with Beth Sastre of VCE Loudoun County
|
Apr 11, 2023 |
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Episode 23 - 7: Getting to Know the 4 The Soil: A Conversation Team
|
Mar 28, 2023 |
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Episode 23 - 6: Why I Farm The Way I Do with Becky Szarzynski of Mountain Glen Farm
|
Mar 14, 2023 |
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Episode 23 - 5: Pasture Bouquets and Soil Health with Becky Szarzynski of Mountain Glen Farm
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Feb 28, 2023 |
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Episode 23 - 4: Peeling the Layers of Soil Health Back with David R. Montgomery and Anne Bikle Part II
|
Feb 14, 2023 |
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Episode 23 - 3: What Your Food Ate with David R. Montgomery and Anne Biklé Part I
|
Jan 31, 2023 |
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Episode 23 - 2: The Stories Soils Tell with Clare Tallamy of Virginia Tech's Soil Judging Team Part II
|
Jan 17, 2023 |
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Episode 23 - 1: Down in the Pit with Clare Tallamy of Virginia Tech's Soil Judging Team Part I
|
Jan 03, 2023 |
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Episode 22 - 26: Happy Soil Biology with Jon Stika of Understanding Ag -- Part II
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Dec 20, 2022 |
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Episode 22 - 25: Treat the Problem not just the Symptoms with Jon Stika of Understanding Ag -- Part I
|
Dec 06, 2022 |
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Episode 22 - 24: Stories of Land and People with Lee Rinehart of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) Part II
|
Nov 22, 2022 |
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Episode 22 - 23: Appropriate Technology for Soil for Water with Lee Rinehart of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) Part I
|
Nov 08, 2022 |
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Episode 22 - 22: 'Soil is Meant to be Covered' with Mike Phillips of Valley View Farms
|
Oct 25, 2022 |
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Episode 22 - Special First Anniversary Edition of 4 The Soil: A Conversation Podcast with Mary, Jeff, and Eric
|
Oct 12, 2022 |
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Episode 22 - 21: Farming and Soil Health by the Square Foot with Brian Downing of Crooked Row Farm
|
Oct 11, 2022 |
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Episode 22 - 20: Keeping Context and Camaraderie in Mind with Cover Crop Coach Steve Groff Part II
|
Sep 27, 2022 |
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Episode 22 - 19: Keeping Soil Biology Alive and Well with Cover Crop Coach Steve Groff
|
Sep 13, 2022 |
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Episode 22- 18: Soil Health for Clean, Sustainable Water Resources with Dr. Ryan Stewart of Virginia Tech
|
Aug 30, 2022 |
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Episode 22 - 17: Soil Health as the Crux of Resilience and Justice with Duron Chavis of Happily Natural Day
|
Aug 16, 2022 |
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Episode 22 - 16: Purposeful Cover Cropping and No-Till for Soil Life with Lydia Fitzgerald of USDA-NRCS and Virginia Tech
|
Aug 02, 2022 |
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Episode 22 - 15: Keeping Water Clean: Farm by Farm, Lawn by Lawn with Matt Kowalski of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
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Jul 19, 2022 |
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Episode 22 - 14: Wisdom, Spirituality, and Foresight in Building Soil with Michael Carter Jr. of Carter Farms (Part II)
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Jul 05, 2022 |
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Episode 22 - 13: Cultural Richness, Hardpans, and Soil Health Literacy with Michael Carter Jr. of Carter Farms (Part I)
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Jun 21, 2022 |
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Episode 22 - 12: From Picking Beans to Taking Care of the Soil with Cory Guilliams of Virginia USDA-NRCS
|
Jun 07, 2022 |
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Episode 22 - 11: Soil as a Foundation to Nourish and Sustain Life with Janet Aardema and her daughter Sylvie of Broadfork Farm
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May 24, 2022 |
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Episode 22 - 10: Passion and Progress in Moving the Soil Health Needle with Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matt Lohr
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May 10, 2022 |
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Episode 22 - 9: From Playing in Dirt to a Soil Ecology Career with Dr. Alan J. Franzluebbers of North Carolina State University and USDA-ARS
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Apr 26, 2022 |
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Episode 22 - Earth Day Special: Nurturing Soil Health and Seeding Justice across Generations with Karen Washington of Rise and Root Farm
|
Apr 19, 2022 |
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Episode 22 - 8: Soil Health as a Passion and Responsibility with Thomas Bolles of Virginia Cooperative Extension
|
Apr 12, 2022 |
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Episode 22 - 7: Nourishing Soil and Human Health with Nicolette Hahn Niman author of Defending Beef Part II
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Mar 29, 2022 |
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Episode 22 - 6: Healthy Soils, Healthy Ecosystems, and Healthy People with Nicolette Hahn Niman author of Defending Beef Part I
|
Mar 15, 2022 |
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Episode 22-5: Soil Health and Food Justice with Karen Washington of Rise and Root Farm
|
Mar 01, 2022 |
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22-4: Investing in Soil Health, Balancing Soil Fertility -- Robert Shoemaker of Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
|
Feb 15, 2022 |
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Episode 22-3: Learning from History...and Soil Tests with Dr. Rory Maguire of Virginia Tech
|
Feb 01, 2022 |
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Episode 22-2: Better Soil Health Increases Productivity with John Piotti of American Farmland Trust
|
Jan 18, 2022 |
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Episode 22-1: Building Cultural Soil with Ari Weinzweig of Zingerman's Community of Businesses Part 2
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Jan 04, 2022 |
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Episode 21-6: Rooted in and Tied to Love and Care -- Virginia's Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring
|
Dec 21, 2021 |
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Episode 21-5: The Ethics of Soil Management with Ari Weinzweig of Zingerman's Community of Businesses Part 1
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Dec 07, 2021 |
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Episode 21-Special 1: The Wisdom and Soil Health Insights of Ira Wallace of Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
|
Dec 01, 2021 |
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Episode 21-4: Soil Health Management: From Soil Judging to Gleaning with Dr. John Galbraith Part 2
|
Nov 23, 2021 |
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Episode 21-3: What in the World is Pamunkey Soil? The Many Soil Types of Virginia with Dr. John Galbraith Part I
|
Nov 09, 2021 |
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Episode 21-2: Health from the Soil Up: A Conversation with Chris Lawrence of USDA-NRCS
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Oct 26, 2021 |
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Episode 21-1: Why Soil Health? Why a Podcast?
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Oct 12, 2021 |