
Soil Sisters Podcast
Listen and Subscribe
Rehabilitating farm & ranch Land
The Soil Sisters podcast documents the journey of rehabilitating Texas farm and ranch land using regenerative practices - from land stewardship and intentional farm and ranch planning to growing industrial hemp, ancient grains, and nutrient-dense food for our communities. If you're a newbie to regenerative agriculture or simply curious to grow healthy food for your family, we invite you to dig in with the Soil Sisters.
Soil Is the Solution: Healing Communities with Arlana Brumfield
Meet our Soil Sister Arlana Brumfield, who is healing her Dallas community through regenerative farming. From military service to regenerative agriculture and holistic health in urban communities. Arlana’s personal anecdotes and insights outline nutritional deficiencies and environmental issues affecting BIPOC communities, driven by the alarming rate and rise of diet-related diseases. The discussion delves into the therapeutic benefits of gardening and eating fresh food, the regenerative power of robust soil, and the critical need for supporting the livelihoods of local farmers.
Our Family's Legacy in West Texas Ranching
We welcome our father, Butch Nuding, to delve into the rich history of our fifth-generation family ranch in West Texas. Butch shares personal anecdotes and insights into the evolution of ranch operations. We discuss inheritance taxes, the importance of trust structures, succession planning, and his hope for the ranch's future. This episode is a heartfelt conversation about family, heritage, and the journey toward regenerative ranching.
Reclaiming Our Sovereignty From Farm to Fork with Chef Mollie Engelhart
Chef Mollie Englehart joins the Soil Sisters to discuss her transition from veganism to regenerative farming at Sovereignty Ranch in Bandera, TX. She shares insights on regenerative living, community resilience, local food systems, and personal sovereignty and responsibility. Understand the necessity of community support and investment in regenerative ag for a resilient future!
Roots of Community: Farming Co-Ops and Better Days Gardens
The Soil Sisters get down to the roots of community agriculture with Brooke and Killian Keller who own and operate Better Days Gardens outside of Lockhart, Texas. We discuss their journey of transforming raw, unused land into a thriving regenerative market garden in Central Texas. We talk about growing deep roots in the community through CSA participation and farming co-ops. This conversation originally aired on 107.9 KLKT Radio Lockhart in late October.
Rooted in Texas: Aaron Owens’ Trail to Tejas Tonic
We crack open the official beverage of the Soil Sisters podcast with Aaron Owens, a longtime goat and cattle rancher, innovator in the Texas hemp industry and the creator of Tejas Tonic. We discuss Aaron’s West Texas roots and the challenges and opportunities in the Texas hemp market. The conversation covers the importance of genetics in agriculture, the complexities of the hemp and cannabis markets, and the legislative landscape affecting hemp farmers and businesses in Texas.
Soil Is Sexy with Andie Marsh
The Soil Sisters welcome Andie Marsh, a soil health practitioner and founder of Rhizos, LLC. Andie shares her approach to improving soil health - from backyard gardens to farmland - using a microscope to assess soil microbiomes and methods for addressing soil issues. The conversation covers the impact of biological restoration, delving into Johnson Su bioreactors and other composting techniques, the role of fungi in soil health, and the importance of maintaining predator-prey balance in soil ecosystems. The episode also explores practical tools for gardeners and the impact of regenerative agriculture on climate change.
The Rhythm of Nature and Women
The Soil Sisters welcome sister duo Kari Collins and Kelsey Kruzona of True Femme Collective to discuss the rhythm of nature and women. The sisters share their journey from a holistic upbringing in the 1990s to creating conscious beauty products. Explore the nuance of a woman's monthly cycle, the value of phase-specific skincare and eating whole foods, when to fast, and the detrimental effects of dehydration and synthetic ingredients. Explore the 'how and why' behind True Femme Collective's botanical body products - designed to align with women's natural hormonal rhythms to help feed the body what it needs through the skin. We touch on collaborating with siblings, the power of a shared mission, and the parallels between human health and soil health.
Cultivating Connections: Lessons from Regen Ag School
The Soil Sisters discuss their enriching experience at Holistic Management International's Regen Ag School, which has empowered them to ask the right questions to make the next right move on the road to healing their family's land. If you want practical tools to plan for profit in family farming and ranching, dig into this episode. And if you're considering continuing education in holistic management, the sisters rave about the valuable tips and tools for holistic land management and the open-hearted and knowledgeable community they found at the HMI school. They also touch on succession planning and adapting operations in a way that makes both profits and sense.
Fungi and Hemp: Creative Pathways to Healthy Soil
The Soil Sisters visited Fallen Oak Mycology to chat with the founder, Josh Googins, and COO Zahia Tawil, exploring the intersection of fungi, hemp, and regenerative agriculture. This conversation delves into how fungi and hemp can be harnessed for soil remediation, sustainable farming, and building. The episode discusses innovative nature-based solutions for fashion, construction, and plastic waste. Josh and Zahia share the realities, challenges, and creativity of scaling a sustainable mushroom operation. And if you’re curious to grow your fungi and up your culinary game, the duo offers practical insights into at-home cultivation and preparing mushrooms like a chef.
The Natural Gardener: John Dromgoole's Journey to Organic Gardening
The Natural Gardener, John Dromgoole, joins the Soil Sisters in the KLKT studio in Lockhart, TX. John shares his origin story from his early days in South Texas to his influential career in Austin creating a world-class gardening destination known for its pioneering work in organic gardening and sustainable living. The conversation covers a wide range of topics including radio broadcasting, the benefits of organic gardening, planting tips and techniques, composting, urban gardening, and the role of community in spreading natural gardening knowledge. John emphasizes the importance of being open to learning from nature, communicating with plants, and using sustainable practices to nurture the soil and environment.
Embracing Discomfort: The Catalyst for Change
If you find yourself uncomfortable at most every turn these days, you're not alone. In this episode, the Soil Sisters wade through the idea and experiences of getting comfortable with discomfort. They talk about tackling new and uncomfortable tasks - from starting a radio show, to learning holistic farm management, to participating in agriculture committees, and maintaining family land. And how it's all led to personal growth and excitement for the process. This conversation touches on their efforts to become better stewards of the land, healing family relationships through shared projects, and the importance of advocating for agricultural changes. The Soil Sisters also touch on the benefits of methylene blue as part of a daily wellness protocol and its impact on health.
Holistic Management and Regenerative Living
In this episode of the Soil Sisters podcast, Johanna and Crystal discuss their enthusiasm for upcoming holistic management training, and insights from attending a Sacred Ecoliteracy class with Daniel Firth Griffith. They delve into water consciousness and answer beginner gardening questions. They also discuss the Texas Climate Smart Initiative resources available for farmers looking to transition from conventional farming practices. This episode blends personal stories, practical advice, and forward-thinking strategies for building a regenerative life.
School of Life: Holistic Education and Nourishing Our Children
The Soil Sisters welcome Ethan Peters and Angela Bartys to discuss the school of life and the value of a holistic education that nurtures the whole child—Mentally, Spiritually, Physically, Emotionally, Socially, and Creatively. We dig into school lunches and opportunities for local farmers to provide quality ingredients to school cafeterias. Angela and Ethan also introduce their new Lockhart-based 'School of Life' educational initiative, set to begin as a homeschool/farm school co-op next month (Sept 2024) and as a full-fledged Apogee education center by August 2025. We get in the weeds on developing emotional intelligence and authenticity, project-based learning, reconnecting with nature, and integrating family education, all while fostering community collaboration. Whether or not you have children of your own, this episode contains pearls of wisdom to serve us all. We never graduate from the school of life, so we invite you to listen, subscribe, and grow with the Soil Sisters.
Cultivating Regenerative Wisdom: An Old Farmer’s Journey Out of the Chemical Culture
In this episode of the Soil Sisters Podcast, you'll meet Bob Kirkwood, a 78-year-old farmer from Clyde, Texas. Bob shares his recent journey from traditional chemical farming to regenerative agriculture, inspired by his brother and research by experts like Dr. David Johnson and Gabe Brown. The discussion covers the benefits of intelligent tilling, compost use, cover crops, soil structure and biology, and the positive impact of regenerative practices on livestock health. Bob highlights the long-term benefits and challenges of transitioning to regenerative agriculture, emphasizing the importance of continually learning, experimenting, and adapting. The Soil Sisters love Bob's insights for older farmers in ditching the chemical culture and adopting healthy practices to heal themselves and the land.
Learning from the Land: Family, Failures, and Regeneration
In this episode, the Soil Sisters reflect on their recent family reunion, sharing humorous and insightful moments, including their latest inspection of the hemp field. The sisters delve into the challenges and philosophies of regenerative agriculture, discussing soil health, weed management, and the importance (and long-term benefits) of natural solutions over chemical inputs. They also highlight their vision to merge legacy farming and ranching with regenerative methods to not only heal the land, but save their family's 137-year-old operation. Dig in here with TX Soil Sisters. Originally aired on KLKT-LP Radio Lockhart.
The Impact of Chemicals on Health and Agriculture
On this Soil Sisters radio hour, we unpack our shared frustrations about the overwhelming presence of chemicals in daily life and their health and environmental implications. The conversation explores the impact of synthetic fabrics, chemicals in sunscreens, and processed foods. We also address broader issues like urban sprawl and the decline of farmland, advocating for regenerative agriculture as a viable solution. This episode encapsulates the farming community's emotional and practical challenges and the importance of conscious consumerism. Dig in here with TX Soil Sisters. Originally aired on KLKT-LP Radio Lockhart.
On The Road And Radio with The Soil Sisters
This episode features the new Soil Sisters Radio Hour on KLKT-LP, Radio Lockhart. The Soil Sisters discuss the grand opening of Panda Biotech's hemp gin in Wichita Falls, Texas. Johanna shares updates from the event, including the massive facility's capabilities and the involvement of local farmers and stakeholders. The sisters explore the numerous benefits and uses of hemp, including soil remediation and zero waste production. They also delve into challenges of first-time farming, regenerative agriculture practices, grant opportunities, and the importance of community-driven initiatives to support local farming. Tune in for insights on transitioning to regen farming methods and the potential for hemp to revolutionize agriculture in Texas.
Regenerative Ranching and Breeding Award-Winning Beef
Join the Soil Sisters in Stonewall, Texas, for this conversation with Michael Klein, a sixth-generation Gillespie County Texan and owner/steward of Windy Bar Ranch. The discussion covers the ranch's transition to Black Angus cattle, regen ag in ranching, strategies for success, and the journey from wholesale to direct-to-consumer beef sales. Michael shares insights into his farming practices, genetic testing for cattle, rotational grazing, and how he avoids commercial fertilizers on his land and big pharma drugs on his cattle. The conversation also touches on local beef processing and the significance of voting with your dollars by supporting local farmers and ranchers. Listen here and dig in with the Soil Sisters!
Save 15% with Code: SISTERS at checkout