Cultivating Regenerative Wisdom: An Old Farmer’s Journey Out of the Chemical Culture

Soil Sisters with Bob Kirkwood in Clyde, TX.

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Hi, y’all! Johanna here from the TX Soil Sisters.

(Link to the show below. Or skip my fluff and listen here.)

In this episode of the Soil Sisters podcast, we explore the transformative journey of 78-year-old farmer Bob Kirkwood as he shifts from conventional chemical agriculture to regenerative farming on his 30-acre Bermuda coastal hay farm in Clyde, Texas.

The discussion encompasses Bob's early life in farming, his education and career in chemical agriculture, and the influence of his brother and research by experts like Dr. David Johnson and Gabe Brown.

Bob shares insights into his transition to regenerative practices in his late 70’s, the significant impact he’s noticed in his soil and the health of the livestock that eat his hay, and his experiences with different biological inputs - like Fed ‘n Happy, one of our sponsors - and cover crops.

The episode highlights the importance of diversity, biology, organized data and record-keeping, and the broader environmental and health benefits of regenerative agriculture. Additionally, Bob provides advice for older farmers to encourage the careful examination - and perhaps reconsideration - of their current farming practices.

Bob Kirkwood proves you can teach an old farmer new tricks. So, please share this episode with your farming/gardening community. And please take a minute to rate and review the Soil Sisters podcast on iTunes, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify so more folks like you can grow with the Soil Sisters.

Happy farming and healthy living, y’all!

Love,

Jo (and Crystal) ❤️

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Slow dirt

SLOW DIRT is a select proprietary blend of raw and scientifically-based ingredients that when consumed by soil microbes and beneficial fungi, create potent Chitinolytic enzymes that are absorbed into all plant tissues; creating a powerful systemic, organic line of defense against soft-bodied insect pests, harmful soil pathogens and disease-forming fungi when used as directed. Resulting evidence through replicated blind research trials shows a substantial impact on the control of Aphid, Spider Mites, Whitefly, Mealybug, Caterpillar, and Thrip.

Check out this Casually Baked episode from the archives to learn more about Slow Dirt and meet the creators.

Jeff is a lifetime organic gardener with a degree in Horticulture and Soil Sciences. Diane is a Registered Nurse of thirty years. In 2020, they founded Slow Dirt, a small organic soil business creating amendments to feed the soil life and create potent natural pest defense and crop vigor.


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School of Life: Holistic Education and Nourishing Our Children

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Learning from the Land: Family, Failures, and Regeneration