Farming Frontiers: Urban Ingenuity and Soil Science Insights
Hi, y’all! Johanna here from the TX Soil Sisters.
( The podcast media player is below w/ links to things we talk about. Or listen here.)
This is the second of a series of podcasts that we recorded from the 2025 Southern Family Farmers and Food Systems conference at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX, on August 4-5.
SFFFS is hosted by our friends at Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance and Small Producers Initiative.
This Soil Sisters episode features two conversations—the first with Mike Bell, founder of Dallas Half Acre Farm. And the second is with Howard Vlieger, a regenerative farmer and researcher, who dedicated decades of his life to research and experimentation on the effects of GMO crops and glyphosate on livestock.
Mike and Amber Bell, Dallas Half Acre Farm
Mike from Dallas Half Acre Farm discusses his journey of starting an urban farm and CSA program in Dallas without water or electricity. He shares his creative solutions for overcoming financial and bureaucratic hurdles with solar power and rainwater catchment.
Howard Vlieger proclaims himself a student of the soil. Howard walked up to the stage at the conference and introduced himself to Crystal and me. He then began sharing his studies on the effects of GMOs and glyphosate on health. We asked him to pause and come on stage with us so we could record what he was saying.
In the second half of the podcast, you'll hear - so plainly and succinctly - Howard's first-hand experience of performing the studies and seeing the effects in real time. What Howard shares is important to listen to and understand - for anyone who eats food. And especially for those with obesity, and/or autoimmune issues, or children with behavioral, attention, and hyperactivity issues and/or learning set backs.
Howard also introduces Firehawk Bioherbicide, an innovative organic herbicide designed to support the soil microbiome. Nature has a solution for everything.
Let's get rid of Round-Up for good. Happy farming and healthy living, y'all.
Jo (and Crystal) ❤️
P.S. Receive Our TX Soil Sisters Newsletter by Signing Up Here. And Join Our Co-Op Here. 🙌
Mike’s rain water catchment solution of building gutters on his high tunnel.
L to R: Johanna, Howard Vlieger, Crystal - Post Interview Selfie
Howard and his family steward Vlieger Family Farm in Maurice, IA. They raise and sell natural meat (beef, pork, lamb, poultry).
Shop online: https://www.firehawkbioherbicide.com/
Save 10% with promo code: SOILSISTERS10
listen to the Podcast
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Time Stamps & Links
00:00 Welcome to Soil Sisters Podcast
00:21 Introducing Michael Bell and Dallas Half Acre Farm
00:47 Challenges of Starting an Urban Farm
01:23 Navigating Bureaucracy and Red Tape
02:36 Innovative Solutions for Water and Electricity
03:51 Grant Money and Its Challenges
05:16 Community Fundraising and Self-Reliance
08:30 Water Catchment Systems
14:49 The Journey to Starting Dallas Half Acre Farm
19:18 Efficient Delivery Strategies for Fresh Produce
21:24 Meet Howard Vlieger, Regenerative Farmer and Researcher
22:55 The Impact of GMO Crops on Livestock
31:30 Developing Alternatives to Glyphosate
34:53 The Future of Organic Herbicides
37:54 The Far-Reaching Effects of Glyphosate
41:57 Connecting Soil Health to Human Health
44:28 Finding Firehawk Bioherbicide - Save 10% with promo code: SOILSISTERS10
Soil Matters Radio Hour on KLKT 107.9, Radio Lockhart
If you live in Lockhart, you can catch the Soil Matters Radio Hour live each WEDNESDAY from 5-6p on KLKT 107.9. If you don’t live in Lockhart, you can listen to the livestream at KLKT.org.
