Into the Weeds

Dr. Erin Silva (University of Wisconsin – Madison) is one of the country’s leading experts in organic no-till. This is a great conversation that will get you started on the right foot as you work to increase soil health and decrease erosion.

Sandy Syburg (seaberg) is a man on the move. He’s an organic farmer, a member of CROPP cooperative (otherwise known as organic valley) who he grows feed for, president and co-owner of Purple Cow organics, an organic fertilizer company, and If that wasn’t enough, he also runs a school bus company in his home town, Oconomowoc, WI. He won’t tell you he’s busy though, ‘life is full and interesting’ as he says. Today we get an update on spring in Southeastern Wisconsin, talk about Covid19, and hear what Sandy’s excited about this season: corn in 60 inch rows. Let’s hop out and visit with Sandy, keeping 6 feet of distance of course. This episode is one of seven in which we take a digital road trip, checking in via phone with growers from Missouri on up to Canada about how they and the communities they live in are reacting to Covid-19. So hop in, buckle up, and hit the virtual road with us for this special spring 2020 series of Into the Weeds podcasts: Road trip edition. Show notes - Regen ag podcast: http://regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com/ - Mike Rowe podcast - “The way I heard it”: https://mikerowe.com/podcast/ - Organic Valley podcast: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/back-to-the-roots-podcast

Mark Cornelius wears a lot of hats. He was an organic and biological farmer for many years near Odon, IN, runs a crop insurance business, operates a couple elevators, and is now a landlord, renting out the certified organic land that he once cropped. We check in with Mark to hear what this season has in store for him and his neighbors in Indiana, how he sees Covid19 changing the landscape around him, and talk a little bit about what it takes to be a successful organic farmer. We’re here in southwestern Indiana where the planters are running. Let’s pull off here and say hi to Mark. This episode is one of seven in which we take a digital road trip, checking in via phone with growers from Missouri on up to Canada about how they and the communities they live in are reacting to Covid-19. So hop in, buckle up, and hit the virtual road with us for this special spring 2020 series of Into the Weeds podcasts: Road trip edition.

Kade McBroom is a farmer, small business owner, and former Regional Program Representative for the Pipeline Foods Farm Profit Program. Many of you have seen Kade in our Going Organic video series or heard him in Episode 5 of Into the Weed’s first season. But as a quick recap, Kade is a farmer is Southeast Missouri who started his organic transition in 2018 but has he stayed the course? Today we find out. We’ll check in about transition, the response to Covid-19 in Missouri (and how homeschooling is going for Kade’s family), and hear how this season is moving along. We’re here in the bootheel of Missouri where spring is in full swing. Let’s put it in park and visit with Mr. McBroom. This episode is one of seven in which we take a digital road trip, checking in via phone with growers from Missouri on up to Canada about how they and the communities they live in are reacting to Covid-19. So hop in, buckle up, and hit the virtual road with us for this special spring 2020 series of Into the Weeds podcasts: Road trip edition. Show notes - Going Organic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsVjeBPR5rw&list=PLHXCuautDHqraov_x7pG4FARzLYVP0Q0N - Previous podcast: https://www.pipelinefoods.com/blog/into-the-weeds-episode-5

Jason Charles is one of the cofounders of Pipeline foods and is currently Vice President of food ingredients. But unlike the other cofounders, Jason is also a farmer. He was born and raised on a 12,000 acre organic farm in Southeast Saskatchewan that he still helps to run. He’s worked as a grain merchant for many years, first for a couple of the bigs and eventually starting his own organic marketing company, Charles Commodity Consulting, which was the first purchase made by Pipeline Foods. Today we talk about how the season is looking north of the border and how Covid-19 is impacting Jason, his farm, and Pipeline Foods. We’ll also look forward to organic market trends. This episode is one of seven in which we take a digital road trip, checking in via phone with growers from Missouri on up to Canada about how they and the communities they live in are reacting to Covid-19. So hop in, buckle up, and hit the virtual road with us for this special spring 2020 series of Into the Weeds podcasts: Road trip edition. Show notes - Mercaris webinar and report: https://mercaris.com/posts/organic-outlook-corn-wheat-face-supply-glut-soy-market-expected-to-remain-strong

Gary McDonald has been consulting with transitioning and certified organic farmers for over 30 years, and farming himself for many of those. His home range is south central IL, but I’ve seen Gary present and inspire across the Midwest. He’s a row crop cultivation guru, a tireless organic advocate and educator, and a consistent champion for productive, biologically active organic farms. I always appreciate, and am sometimes challenged, by Gary’s thoughts and perspectives. Today we talk about what some are calling the ‘war’ with Covid19, when to work your fields, the connections between soil health and human health, foundational soil health principles, and much more. We’re here, in central Illinois, as Gary gets ready for a great season. Pull up a chair and let’s listen in. This episode is one of seven in which we take a digital road trip, checking in via phone with growers from Missouri on up to Canada about how they and the communities they live in are reacting to Covid-19. So hop in, buckle up, and hit the virtual road with us for this special spring 2020 series of Into the Weeds podcasts: Road trip edition. Show notes - Video series with Gary McDonald talking row crop cultivation: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLr2Fb2Gh3HiEMqJRcvoQyNv2G7jDcoaHy - Consulting contact info – 217-341-5073: