Tractor Time Episode #73: Executive Chef and Regenerative Farmer Mollie Engelhart on Living a Natural and Practice Life

Introducing a brand new podcast from Acres U.S.A. - The Acres U.S.A. Podcast! In this inaugural episode, your host Taylor Henry delves deep into the world of sustainable farming and regenerative practices. Joined by guest expert Steve Diver, a seasoned horticulturist and organic farming guru, they explore the fascinating realm of herbicides in organic farming. From cultural practices to cover crops, they unravel the secrets of weed control while preserving soil health. Discover the evolution of organic herbicides, the environmental impact of conventional counterparts, and groundbreaking techniques to minimize toxicity on farms. Join us as we journey through the history of regenerative agriculture and unveil the core principles uniting sustainable farming methodologies. Tune in and cultivate a greener future with The Acres U.S.A. Podcast!

Taylor, Nathanial, and David delve into the world of organic certification, revealing insights on recent regulation updates and the Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule. They cover the importance of certification, challenges in compliance, benefits for producers, and the role of technology in maintaining organic standards. Their conversation provides practical advice on documentation, compliance technology, market stability, and product quality, essential for understanding and managing organic certification processes effectively.

On this special edition of the Tractor Time podcast, hosted by Taylor Henry, CEO of Acres U.S.A., we delve into sustainable farming, regenerative practices, and organic certification with guest Sam Welsh from OneCert, Inc. This podcast was made possible by the partnership between Acres U.S.A. and OCIA. The USDA's Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is aimed at educating producers on transitioning to organic farming through white papers, webinars, podcasts, and on-farm events. Sam Welsh shares his journey from executive director at OCIA to founding OneCert in 2003 and its growth to include a global certification agency. The episode covers organic certification processes, the role of certifiers, integrity in the organic certification world, the new fraud prevention updates, and challenges with organic certification. Sam shares insights on the importance of record keeping, mentoring for aspiring organic farmers, and navigating the complexities of organic certification in the face of evolving standards and expectations.

On this episode, we speak with Eric & Joy McEwen, Owners of Diggin’ Livin’. They talk about the origin of the farm, the positive effects of having beehives for a landscape, the generic interplay with nature and the need for a new generation of beekeepers.  Thank you for listening. You can learn more about Acres U.S.A. at www.AcresUSA.com.

On this episode, we speak with Mollie Engelhart, Executive Chef at Sage Plant Based Bistro & Brewery and owner of Sow a Heart Regenerative Farm and Sovereignty Ranch. Mollie speaks about how her passion for the environment spurred her interest in the regenerative movement and the difficulties that come along with fighting for a better planet.  Thank you for listening. You can learn more about Acres U.S.A. at www.AcresUSA.com.

On this episode, we speak with Paul Neubauer, Farm Foreman at Vilicus Farms and owner of P/N Custom Grazing. Paul speaks about his passion for livestock integration with crop production and the inequalities that exist in the agricultural landscape.   Paul Neubauer is a young agrarian and first-generation farmer and rancher. Growing up in Buffalo, NY Paul did not get first-hand exposure to agriculture until after graduating high school when he worked on his uncle’s ranch in Tennessee. He was immediately attracted to raising livestock as well as agriculture in general, and was able to build on those interests while attending Warren Wilson College in North Carolina. While pursuing a degree in History, Paul worked on the school farm, learning about land management and animal husbandry, as well as equipment operation while raising crops and livestock for the students of Warren Wilson. After graduating from college, Paul apprenticed at the San Juan Ranch in Saguache, Colorado through Quivira’s New Agrarian Program. He spent two years working in the high and dry San Luis valley, continuing to grow his skillset in animal and land management. After his time as an apprentice, he continued to work in Colorado for a local rancher, managing a herd of cattle in nearby Gunnison.Paul is the Farm Foreman at Vilicus farms, and manages the day to day operations of the farm as well as managing his own cattle enterprise, P/N Ranch. He is committed to working at the intersection of crops, livestock, land health and people. Paul is certain we are not doing enough as a society to address climate change, the deeply unhealthy food system, massive and unsustainable inequality of the gender, racial, religious and economic kinds and the lack of livestock on U.S. cropland. His work as a foreman and mentor at Vilicus Farms, as well as his time as an apprentice in the NAP program have been in an effort to live closely to the land and pursue remedies to the aforementioned societal ills. Paul’s relationships with his agricultural mentors has been the essential catalyst for his joy in the work of growing food, and his small successes thus far. Inspired by his own experience as a mentee, Paul is dedicated to providing education, mentorship and his friendship to other beginning farmers and ranchers.Paul’s work with land, animals, food and people also extends past the farm gate as he is the president of the Cottonwood Local of Montana Farmers Union. Paul has represented the Montana Farmers Union at the National Farmers Union Convention, and works hard to help create and shape policies that will improve the health of the land and the livelihoods of those who manage it.   Thank you for listening. You can learn more about Acres U.S.A. at www.AcresUSA.com.

On this episode, we speak with Harry Greene, Co-founder of Propagate. Harry speaks about the creation of Propagate, how their software generates more profit per acre and the future of agroforestry.    Harry is an agroforestry agronomist, focusing on finance and economics for useful trees on working farms: orchards, windbreaks, silvopasture, and alley cropping. He spent years trail running, swimming, and kayaking made clear the connection between forests, clean air, and clean water. Before an MBA, Harry spent two years as a resident modern pentathlete at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center. He competed on the World Cup circuit in the United States, Mexico, and Egypt and at the 2015 World Championships in Berlin. Harry currently resides in Trumansburg, New York, farming chestnuts, black locust, and other tree crops on 50 acres.   Thank you for listening. You can learn more about Acres U.S.A. at www.AcresUSA.com.

On this episode, we speak with Kelly Mulville, Vineyard Director of Paicines Ranch. Kelly speaks about how his passion for holistic agriculture developed, the technics he employs at Paicines Ranch and the future of the industry.     For the past 25 years Kelly Mulville has managed and consulted with vineyards, farms and ranches throughout the western USA, Spain and Australia. His focus is on combining experience in farming and viticulture with holistic management in order to design and manage more ecologically, socially and economically sound farming practices. This usually involves a considerable amount of help from livestock.  Kelly has been vineyard director at Paicines Ranch since 2014 and does design/advising work for vineyards.   Thank you for listening. You can learn more about Acres U.S.A. at www.AcresUSA.com.

TRACTOR TIME #72: In this special episode #3 AcresUSA invites you to a special Podcast Series on Integrating Precision Analysis with Crop Input Applications. Learn how to use precision lab analysis to optimize crop input selection, application and timing while minimizing budget. Presented by Apical Crop Science Thank you for listening. You can learn more about AcresUSA at www.AcresUSA.com

TRACTOR TIME #71: In this special episode #2 AcresUSA invites you to a special Podcast Series on Integrating Precision Analysis with Crop Input Applications. Learn how to use precision lab analysis to optimize crop input selection, application and timing while minimizing budget. Presented by Apical Crop Science Thank you for listening. You can learn more about AcresUSA at www.AcresUSA.com