Regenerative Agriculture Podcast

Mike Omeg is a fifth-generation farmer who grew up on a diverse family farm in Oregon, initially producing cherries, hay, cattle, apricots, apples, and wheat. Over time, he honed in on fresh cherry production. The scale of his operation leaped 10xfrom 350 acres to 3,600 acreswhen he became a partner with Orchard View Cherries, where he is now the director of orchard operations.

Mikes journey reflects a pragmatic approach to regenerative agriculture, balancing family farm traditions with the economic realities of modern agriculture. By affiliating with Orchard View Farms, he ensured the longevity of his familys land while integrating vertically to pack and sell fruit directly.

In this episode, John and Mike discuss:

• Scaling regenerative practices from 350 to 3,600 acres using foliar and fertigation methods

• Joining Orchard View Farms for vertical integration to sustain family farming

• Focusing on high-impact nutrition with products like SeaGuard and Rejuvenate

• Abandoning compost and compost tea due to logistical and scalability issues

• Reducing nitrogen use with precise urea applications guided by sap analysis

• Meeting retailer demand for quality cherries without premium labeling

Additional Resources
To learn more about Orchard View Cherries, please visit: https://orchardview.com/

To learn more about SeaGuard, Rejuvenate, and other AEA Products, please visit: https://advancingecoag.com/shop/

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture.

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEAs science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEAs regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

Clay Conry is the host of the Working Cows Podcast. Clay’s journey into podcasting stems from a blend of personal experience growing up on a South Dakota ranch, a love for conversation, and a desire to capture the wisdom of ranchers, influenced by his background as a youth pastor and his participation in the High Plains Ranch Practicum. Over seven years, Clay has built a platform that delves into regenerative agriculture, emphasizing holistic management and the importance of human and environmental relationships.

In this episode, John and Clay discuss:

• The importance of managing personnel effectively for long-term success in agriculture

• How addressing conflict directly and seeking mutual understanding fosters stronger, healthier relationships

• The role of clear mission and vision statements in aligning teams and prioritizing meaningful action

• Why building resilient relationships is as critical as managing land and livestock

• How less-engineered plant and animal genetics can better utilize natural resources

• The benefits of producing nutrient-dense, local food for both human health and community well-being

Additional Resources
To learn more about Clay, and to listen to the Working Cows Podcast, please visit: https://workingcows.net/

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

Jim Elizondo is a trailblazer in regenerative agriculture, supporting his accounting degree and agronomy engineering training with hands-on experience. He spent 20 years as a dairy nutritionist and managed a grazed dairy for 28 years, shaping his unique perspective on grazing management. 

Jim’s work centers on revolutionizing grazing practices to enhance soil health and livestock productivity. He developed the Total Grazing program, which emphasizes non-selective grazing to prevent overgrazing and build long-lived soil carbon, drawing from his observations across climates from Florida to New Zealand. His insights challenge conventional wisdom, advocating for adaptive genetics in livestock and stockpiling pastures to boost soil fertility naturally.

In this episode, John and Jim discuss:

• How Total Grazing minimizes overgrazing

• Why selective grazing leads to soil compaction and loss of long-lived soil carbon

• How stockpiling pastures for over six months shifts root exudates from sugary to fatty

• "Happy plants" are perennials that grow larger leaves without seeding

• Using adaptive genetics in livestock to improve land health, mimicking the role of extinct megafauna

• The importance between “recovery time” and “rest time”

Additional Resources
To learn more about Jim and his work, please visit: https://www.rwranching.com/
To take Jim’s Total Grazing course, please visit: https://www.rwranching.com/enroll
Jim’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realwealthranching/
Jim’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@realwealthranching

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

Cate Havstad-Casad is a regenerative farmer, entrepreneur, and hatmaker. She and her husband operate Casad Family Farms in Central Oregon on 1,400 acres. Over 11 years, their operation evolved from a small organic vegetable farm to a diversified model focused on holistic grazing, grain production, and direct-to-consumer meat sales of beef and pork, driven by necessity after losing 80% of their irrigation water.

Cate is also the founder of Havstad Hat Company and Range Revolution, where she handcrafts high-quality, custom felt hats and leather goods, using sustainable and traditional techniques, incorporating cattle hides from her farm to enhance economic viability, reduce waste and reconnect fashion consumers with agriculture.

In this episode, John and Cate discuss:

• The importance of soil health and how it affects everything from food quality to climate resilience

• Challenges and rewards of running a small farm while balancing business and family life

• How losing 80% of irrigation water led to a focus on cattle and hog meat sales

• The need for localized food systems and how communities can take steps toward food sovereignty

• The work involved in creating a closed-loop farming system

• The importance of having multiple revenue streams

• The role of storytelling in agriculture and how sharing experiences can create a deeper connection to food production

Additional Resources
To learn more about Cate and her work, please visit the following: 

Farm Website: www.casadfamilyfarms.com
Hat Company Website: https://havstadhatco.com/
Cate’s Substack: https://rangerevolutions.substack.com/
Instagram: @havstadhatco and @casadfamilyfarms
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@casadfamilyfarms

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com

Matt Powers is a permaculture and soil health educator who began to explore organic and regenerative food systems after his wife’s cancer was diagnosed with cancer. He has written 24+ books, created courses, and taught thousands of people about the links between soil biology, plant health, and human well-being.

With a background in music and education, Matt shifted to regenerative agriculture by gathering expert knowledge and conducting research. He has developed new microscopy techniques, debunked soil health myths, and helped farmers better understand microbiomes for sustainable agriculture.

In this episode, John and Matt discuss: 

• The essential role of soil microbes in plant nutrition and human health

• How advanced microscopy techniques help verify soil biology, allowing farmers to make informed decisions about microbial inoculants and soil amendments

• Common misconceptions about composting and fertilizers that lead to poor soil health

• Mycorrhizal fungi and how they naturally enhance soil structure, plant growth, and drought resistance

• The ability of nematodes and other microbes to change their function and morphology in response to environmental conditions

• The connection between mindset, emotional health, and the gut microbiome, and how beliefs can influence overall well-being

Additional Resources
To learn more about Matt Powers and his work with the Permaculture Student and other resources, please visit: https://www.thepermaculturestudent.com/

To check out more of Matt’s videos, please visit his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Jg0zsgjNxjltlFjE0YvNw

About John Kempf
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture (AEA). A top expert in biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who grow it.

Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition – a system solidly based on the sciences of plant physiology, mineral nutrition, and soil microbiology.

Support For This Show & Helping You Grow
Since 2006, AEA has been on a mission to help growers become more resilient, efficient, and profitable with regenerative agriculture. 

AEA works directly with growers to apply its unique line of liquid mineral crop nutrition products and biological inoculants. Informed by cutting-edge plant and soil data-gathering techniques, AEA’s science-based programs empower farm operations to meet the crop quality markers that matter the most.

AEA has created real and lasting change on millions of acres with its products and data-driven services by working hand-in-hand with growers to produce healthier soil, stronger crops, and higher profits.

Beyond working on the ground with growers, AEA leads in regenerative agriculture media and education, producing and distributing the popular and highly-regarded Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, inspiring webinars, and other educational content that serve as go-to resources for growers worldwide.

Learn more about AEA’s regenerative programs and products: https://www.advancingecoag.com