Farmers Are Focusing on the Wrong Thing

In this episode, Stephen and Ewan explore one of the most overlooked yet important drivers of soil health: cyanobacteria.What starts as a discussion around regenerative farming, cover crops, and soil carbon quickly expands into a deep dive on soil biology, nutrient cycling, trace minerals, plant health, animal health, and the hidden processes that build productive farming systems from the ground up.Drawing on decades of on-farm observation and testing, Ewan explains why cyanobacteria may be the foundation of healthy soils, how they contribute to carbon sequestration, nutrient availability, and biological function, and why many current farming practices may be working against them.Through the EFA lens, this episode challenges conventional approaches to soil management and highlights the importance of understanding biological systems before reaching for costly inputs and interventions.We discuss:• Why cyanobacteria are the foundation of healthy soil ecosystems• The relationship between soil biology, carbon, and nutrient cycling• Cover crops, regenerative farming, and what's often being overlooked• How trace minerals influence plant, animal, and soil health• Building productive farming systems by fixing the soil first