How Farming and Soil Health Shape Wildlife, Water, and the Outdoors

Learn how farming and conservation practices directly shape wildlife habitat, water quality, and the future of the outdoors. Ascend host Adrian Jessen sits down with Joy Van Wyngarden—an Iowa farm‑raised conservation specialist and former watershed coordinator—to unpack how planting, soil management, and land stewardship influence everything from deer and ducks to clean water and food systems.Joy brings a rare blend of real‑world farming experience, conservation science, and hunting perspective. Together, they explain cover crops, wetlands, edge‑of‑field practices, soil health, and how small changes on private land can create massive downstream benefits for wildlife and people alike.In this episode, you’ll learn:How conventional farming practices impact wildlife habitatWhat cover crops are and why they matterHow soil health affects water, food, and animal populationsWhy wetlands are critical for ducks, deer, and water qualitySimple ways landowners can assess and improve their propertyThe connection between agriculture, conservation, and hunting successWhy soil loss threatens the future of food and wildlifeFollow @duascend or visit ducks.org/ascendPresented by Ducks Unlimited. The Ascend Podcast by Ducks Unlimited is Sponsored by:Dry Pocket.Visit drypocket.com and use promo code "ASCEND" for 25% off.Bird Dig Whiskey.Visit birddogwhiskey.com. Enjoy Responsibly! Oklahoma Joes.Visit oklahomajoes.com and use promo code "DUCKS10" for 10% off.