Dig in on school gardens with Farmer Kim and the Soil Sisters. Kim Aman is the executive director and founder of Grow Garden Grow. From public school teacher to a leader in the school garden movement in Texas, Kim shares insights on the importance of connecting children with agriculture, the benefits of school gardens, and tips for funding and sustaining such programs. The conversation covers the wide-ranging impacts of school gardens on students, teachers, parents, and communities.

This Soil Sisters podcast features Austin Frerick, an author and expert on agriculture and antitrust policy, discussing his book 'Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America's Food Industry.' The conversation unpacks many complexities of the American food system and solutions to break free from the current model. Austin emphasizes the power of our voices to usher in substantial food system reform through local and institutional channels like schools and hospitals, to rekindle traditional farming practices, and create resilient agricultural communities.

In this episode of the Soil Sisters Podcast, meet our farmer friend and regenerative agriculture advocate Tim Auld. We discuss the recent Southern Family Farmers and Food Systems Conference, where Tim participated in a three-day grazing masterclass - and where this conversation was recorded. Tim shares insights he gained on soil health, grazing practices, and adaptive livestock management. The conversation highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability in farming, the impact of healthy soil on food systems, and the benefits of community involvement in agricultural advocacy. Tim also elaborates on his personal journey toward regenerative farming, some lessons he learned, and the importance of consumers' choices to support responsible agriculture.

Recorded live from the Southern Family Farmers and Food Systems Conference at Texas State University, the Soil Sisters interview Jessi Roesch, founder and CEO of Downland. The discussion focuses on the importance of farm succession planning and the challenges faced by both retiring and aspiring young farmers. Jessi explains Downland's mission to facilitate the smooth transition of farmland ownership through a three-part solution: preparing successors, finding suitable matches, and ensuring legally sound transactions. They delve into the human and emotional aspects of succession planning, emphasizing the need for values alignment, comprehensive financial planning, and innovative tools to ease the process.

In this episode of the Soil Sisters Podcast, recorded from the 2025 Southern Family Farmers and Food Systems conference, Michael Bell from Dallas Half Acre Farm shares his journey of starting an urban farm without electricity and water. Mike delves into the importance of community support and innovative solutions in maintaining a profitable market garden. The second part of the episode features Howard Vlieger, a regenerative farmer and researcher representing Contact BioSolutions. Howard discusses the adverse effects of glyphosate on soil health and livestock, and introduces an innovative organic herbicide designed to support the soil microbiome. Howard also shares insights from his extensive research on GMO crops and their impact on livestock and human health, underscoring the need for safer, regenerative agricultural practices.

Recorded live from the Southern Family Farmers and Food Systems Conference, the Soil Sisters are talking dirt therapy with Kris Vandenberg, US Army veteran and founder of Vetted Farms and Kitchens. Kris shares his evolution from professional chef to farmer, catalyzed by the pandemic and personal health changes. The discussion centers around his mission to engage veterans in regenerative farming, the benefits of community outreach, receiving support, and the challenges and rewards of making transitions and doing hard things. Kris also highlights grant support from Kiss the Ground and his aspirations for Vetted Farms' upcoming projects.

In this episode of the Soil Sisters Podcast, we chat with our friend Chris Jones, an R&D project manager and designer at Symbiosis in central Texas. Chris shares his compelling journey from a career in finance to regenerative land management, inspired by his mental health struggles. He explains how changing how and what he ate and connecting with nature guided his path to health, clarity, and ecology. The discussion dives into his transition, the importance of healthy local food, and his work on developing universal soil amendments at scale to restore degraded lands. Chris also recounts his recent survival training experience, underscoring the essential roles of food and community. This impactful conversation leans into holistic well-being, community efforts, and restorative agricultural practices.

The Soil Sisters discuss the foundational basics of structured water with expert guest Clayton Nolte-- a physicist, inventor, researcher, and structured water expert. Clayton explains how structured water can significantly enhance hydration, detoxification, and nutrient absorption at the cellular level. The discussion covers the science behind structured water, its health benefits, and its impact on agriculture, including reduced plant water consumption and soil rejuvenation. The episode also delves into practical applications, such as using structured water in homes, for livestock, and even for personal health benefits. With practical advice on how to incorporate structured water into daily life, this episode promises a fascinating look into a technology that could revolutionize health and sustainability practices.

Tara Dukart from Seek First Ranch joins the Soil Sisters to discuss the importance of clear, value-driven communication within family-operated farms and ranches. Tara shares her transition to family ranch life, the challenges and benefits of multigenerational ranch operations, and the significance of succession planning. The episode also highlights the positive psychology-inspired 'Win Warriors' accountability group, aimed at maintaining progress and celebrating collective wins. We hope you're inspired to seek community and mentor support in your agricultural endeavors.

Meet renowned soil and ecosystem scientist Dr. Liz Haney on the latest Soil Sisters podcast. Dr. Haney provides insights into the Haney Soil Health Test's development and its applications for off-ramping from conventional to regenerative agriculture while reducing input costs. The conversation also delves into building and expanding a farmer-owned regenerative market infrastructure. Dr. Haney explains how Regen Mills, Heritage Ground, and Farmers Reserve Distillery aim to create market opportunities and value chain solutions for regenerative farmers. We also discuss the vital components for advancing the regenerative agriculture movement. Discover ways to get involved in the regenerative community. And join us at the Regenerative Revival event on Saturday, May 3, 2025 in Salado, TX. 

Meet Troy Swift, a first-generation farmer operating Swift River Pecans and the president of the Texas Pecan Growers Association. Troy shares his experiences entering the pecan farming business in 1998, the benefits of regenerative agriculture, and his passion for soil health. He discusses functions like systemic acquired resistance (SAR), the use of beneficial insects, birds, and bats, and innovative methods to enhance tree and soil health. Troy also explains his diversified farming operations, emphasizing the importance of vertical integration and sustainable practices. This Soil Sisters' chat with Troy is rich with practical insights, making it a must-listen no matter what you're farming.

Wayne Knight has been ranching for thirty years and serves as the executive director of Holistic Management International (HMI). On this Soil Sisters podcast, we discuss Wayne's experience of the transformative power of holistic decision-making in agriculture. Wayne shares insights on land stewardship, holistic management principles, the importance of holistic goal setting, stockmanship, animals' role in ecosystem health, and effective financial planning for farmers and ranchers. The episode also delves into practical applications taught at HMI's Regen Ag School and the benefits of attending, including hands-on experiences and community building. Wayne emphasizes the significance of focusing on desired outcomes and proactive solutions for long-term regeneration of both the ecosystem and your ranch's profitability.

Greg Phillips, co-founding partner of the Houston-based law firm Phillips Kaiser, joins the Soil Sisters to discuss the challenges of preserving family land. Greg's rural upbringing in East Texas and the difficulties faced by generational landowners inspired his commitment to helping those families with limited financial resources find solutions. This discussion dives into the challenges of succession planning, heirs' property issues, maintaining family land, and the newly launched East Texas Heirs Property Initiative. The conversation emphasizes the importance of keeping family land intact and out of the box thinking to build generational wealth.

Meet our Soil Sister Arlana Brumfield, founder of Soilution Holistic Ag in Dallas, TX, where she is healing her community through regenerative farming. Explore Arlana's journey from military service to becoming a passionate advocate for regenerative agriculture and holistic health in urban communities. Through personal anecdotes and educational insights, Arlana shares her mission to address nutritional deficiencies and environmental issues affecting BIPOC communities, driven by the alarming rate and rise of diet-related diseases. The discussion delves into the therapeutic benefits of gardening and eating fresh food, the regenerative power of robust soil, and the critical need for supporting the livelihoods of local farmers. And the good news, it's a WIN-WIN! This episode will get you excited to support community health and local agriculture. Listen and let's grow!

In this special episode of the Soil Sisters Podcast, we welcome our father, Butch Nuding, to delve into the rich history of our fifth-generation family ranch in West Texas. We discuss everything from the establishing of JD Patterson Ranch by our great-great-grandfather Jefferson Davis Patterson in 1887 to modern challenges and adaptations in farming and ranching. Butch shares personal anecdotes and insights into the evolution of ranch operations. We discuss inheritance taxes, the importance of trust structures, succession planning, and his hope for the ranch's future. This episode is a heartfelt conversation about family, heritage, and the journey toward regenerative ranching.

This Soil Sisters podcast explores Chef Mollie Engelhart’s trek to Sovereignty Ranch. Mollie shares her transformative journey from being a vegan chef in Los Angeles to owning and operating a regenerative ranch in Bandera, Texas, with her family. The conversation delves into her catalyst for change, misconceptions about veganism, and the challenges and insights gained from transitioning to regenerative agriculture. Mollie explains the Sovereignty Ranch business model — including pastured beef, pork, poultry, sheep, dairy (cows, sheep, goats), a farm stand, CSA subscription, and homestead education enterprises. The hospitality venture includes large event and overnight accommodations, a farm-to-fork restaurant, and a brewery that's currently under construction. As a chef, farmer, and mom- Mollie emphasizes the importance of building and supporting local food systems in order to create healthy, resilient communities. The episode is a rich dialogue on environmental stewardship, investing in agriculture, personal sovereignty, and the power of local consumer choices.

The Soil Sisters get down to the roots of community agriculture with Brooke and Killian Keller who own and operate Better Days Gardens outside of Lockhart, Texas. We discuss their journey of transforming raw, unused land into a thriving regenerative market garden. Brooke and Killian share insights on their challenges with water issues and land preparation, as well as the farmer support and resources they are utilizing to sustain their farming operation. They emphasize the importance of soil health, community-supported agriculture (CSA), and cooperative farming. The episode highlights the dedication and resilience required to run a successful small-scale farm; it underscores the impact of local farms on community health and sustainable living. This Soil Sisters conversation originally aired on 107.9 KLKT Radio Lockhart in late October 2024.

We crack open the official beverage of the Soil Sisters podcast with Aaron Owens, a longtime goat and cattle rancher, innovator in the Texas hemp industry and the creator of Tejas Tonic. We discuss Aaron’s West Texas roots and the challenges and opportunities in the Texas hemp market. Aaron details his journey from cowboying and ranching in West Texas to farming and building a hemp-derived beverage business. The conversation covers the importance of genetics in agriculture, the complexities of the hemp and cannabis markets, and the legislative landscape affecting hemp farmers and businesses in Texas. Aaron underscores the necessity of banning synthetic cannabinoids while promoting plant-derived THC for the sustainability of local farmers and the hemp industry in Texas.

The Soil Sisters welcome Andie Marsh, a soil health practitioner and founder of Rhizos, LLC. Andie shares her approach to improving soil health - from backyard gardens to farmland - using a microscope to assess soil microbiomes and methods for addressing soil issues. The conversation covers the impact of biological restoration, delving into Johnson Su bioreactors and other composting techniques, the role of fungi in soil health, and the importance of maintaining predator-prey balance in soil ecosystems. The episode also explores practical tools for gardeners and the impact of regenerative agriculture on climate change. The gals discuss an innovative on-farm trial proposal using industrial hemp and regenerative conservation practices to enhance soil health. This chat underscores the collaboration required for sustainable land stewardship and the critical role of soil biology.

The Soil Sisters welcome sister duo Kari Collins and Kelsey Kruzona of True Femme Collective to discuss the rhythm of nature and women. The sisters share their journey from a holistic upbringing in the 1990s to creating conscious beauty products. Explore the nuance of a woman's monthly cycle, the value of phase-specific skincare and eating whole foods, when to fast, and the detrimental effects of dehydration and synthetic ingredients. Explore the 'how and why' behind True Femme Collective's botanical body products - designed to align with women's natural hormonal rhythms to help feed the body what it needs through the skin. We touch on collaborating with siblings, the power of a shared mission, and the parallels between human health and soil health.