Jay Brandt is a fourth-generation farmer in Ohio, who, along with his family, is passionate about soil health and producing nutritious grains. The Brandt family is on a mission to share how they’ve diversified their income by growing, milling, and selling heirloom grains directly to consumers. Listen in as we talk with Jay about his family's farm and how they're building a more sustainable and profitable future.

Jay farms with his wife Ann, and their two grown children Christopher and Isaac. The Brandt Family Farm is located in central Ohio, just southeast of Columbus. The Brandt Family has been farming in the area for four generations and produces corn, soybeans and wheat. Their farm hosts Walnut Creek Seeds, a dealer of cover crops and forages, and participates as a regenerative grain hub, providing seed cleaning and flour milling for ancient, heirloom and landrace grain. Their current operation has been focused on education of conservation practices, with an emphasis on cover crop adoption, for the last 30 years. Jay’s father, David Brandt, has been coined the godfather of the soil health movement and is world-renowned for his passion for soil conservation and the use of soil health principles to reduce reliance on synthetic inputs and farm in nature’s image.

And if you’d like to learn more about how Ag Solutions Network is working with growers to implement a systems approach to diversity and soil health, check out our website at www.asn.farm, and there you can find ways to connect and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube. There are a lot of great things happening and there is always something to learn.

https://www.regengrain.com/  
https://www.walnutcreekseeds.com/
https://localmillers.com/
https://fieldsofsinsinawa.org/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082845193929

Got questions you want answered?  Send them our way and we’ll do our best to research and find answers.  Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? 
Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we’d love to hear from you.

AgEmerge Podcast 146 with Jay Brandt of Brandt Family Farm

Guest host David Kleinschmidt joined us at the 2024 Big Soil Health Event in Cedar Falls, IA, where we had the privilege of connecting with some incredible attendees.

It was a great event where hundreds of farmers and ranchers from all over the country gathered to learn, share, and encourage each other to continue to adopt soil health strategies. We asked attendees to join us in our “on the road" studio to share their soil health journey.

Below is our BSHE podcast guest list showing where they are from and how you can connect:

Tony Peirick 
Tony farms lives in south-central Wisconsin and he’s also the chairman of a farmer-led group in Wisconsin called Dodge County Farmers Healthy Soil, Healthy Water. Tony is also involved in the Fields of Sinsinawa. 
https://fishersandfarmers.org/groups/dodge-county-farmers-for-healthy-soil-healthy-water/
https://fieldsofsinsinawa.org/

Blake Vince
Blake is a fifth-generation farmer from Merlin, Ontario, Canada. Blake will tell you that soil health is the focus of his farm practices. You may have heard Blake speak at other events - his wisdom and perspective on soil health is certainly an encouragement to growers striving to improve their systems.
https://www.notill.org/blake-vince
https://www.cpm-magazine.co.uk/sustainable-farming/conversations-with-blake-vince-roots-not-iron/

Grant and Dawn Breitkreutz
Grant & Dawn operate Stoney Creek Farm near Redwood Falls, MN.  They are also the inaugural Minnesota Leopold Conservation Award. You’ve seen them on Farmer’s Footprint and so many other places. Their story offers so much hope and sage advice to other growers.
https://sandcountyfoundation.org/news/2024/dawn-and-grant-breitkreutz-receive-minnesota-leopold-conservation-award
https://www.mnsoilhealth.org/mentors/dawn-and-grant-breitkreutz/
https://farmersfootprint.us/grant-and-dawn-breitkreutz/

Phil Smith
Phil farms in Minnesota and has a great story of adopting a regenerative system on his farm and encourages growers to know it’s never too late to start!

Adam Chappell
Adam is from Cotton Plant, Arkansas. They grow about 2,500 acres of, corn, soybeans, rice, and occasionally cotton. You've probably seen Adam on YouTube and other avenues as he has been very transparent of their soil health journey and practices. 
https://farmersfootprint.us/adam-chappell/

Got questions you want answered?  Send them our way and we’ll do our best to research and find answers.  Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? 
Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we’d love to hear from you.

AgEmerge Podcast 152: The Big Soil Health Event 2024

Andrew is a forward-thinking farmer and entrepreneur based in Chowchilla, California, dedicated to advancing regenerative agriculture practices. 

Andrew will be one of the speakers at the 4th Annual Regenerative Tree Nut Field Day Jan 21-22, 2025. You can find out more about the event here: 
https://burroughsfamilyfarms.com/pages/regenerative-almond-field-day

Andrew is a forward-thinking farmer and entrepreneur based in Chowchilla, California, dedicated to advancing regenerative agriculture practices. After a career in music in Los Angeles, Andrew returned to his hometown in 2012, where he began his journey in farming by working with his father-in-law. What started as a curiosity about the overuse of chemicals and the lack of biodiversity in traditional farming quickly evolved into a passion for building resilient soil systems.

In 2020, Andrew founded EcoThrive Farm Management, a business focused on promoting soil health and balancing agricultural ecosystems. Through the adoption of practices like cover cropping, reduced chemical inputs, and composting, Andrew has demonstrated that sustainable farming not only benefits the environment but also significantly reduces costs and enhances long-term profitability.

Andrew’s innovative approach has led to remarkable successes, such as saving over $600 per acre in farming costs, reducing water usage by up to 25%, and fostering thriving ecosystems that include improved biodiversity and nutrient cycling. His commitment to working with nature instead of against it has earned him recognition as a leader in sustainable farming.
Beyond farming, Andrew is passionate about sharing his journey and encouraging others to rethink conventional practices. He believes in the power of collaboration and learning from failure to push the boundaries of what’s possible in regenerative agriculture.

In Andrew’s own words: “We went from considering ourselves almond or pistachio farmers to ecosystem farmers. We're soil farmers. This is what our focus is.”

Got questions you want answered?  Send them our way and we’ll do our best to research and find answers.  Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? 

Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we’d love to hear from you.

AgEmerge Podcast 153 with Andrew Carroll - Founder of EcoThrive Farm Management

Juan Whiting is a 4th-generation farmer, ag entrepreneur, author, and a seasoned expert in navigating the often-complicated world of grant writing and agricultural funding. From working with the Conflict and Development Foundation in East Africa to leading his own consulting company, Stray Acres LLC, Juan has a unique passion for linking farmers, ranchers, and their partners to the funding they need to build better environments, communities, and food systems. 

As a 4th generation farmer and an ag entrepreneur, Juan has weathered storms, both literal and figurative. Grants have provided a stable foundation to innovate, lead, and build operations even when cashflow was limited. Grant writing started as a job as he led funded projects for the Conflict and Development Foundation in East Africa, it became a source of funding for his own farm management company, and today it is a passion, as he leads top industry leaders and high performing teams in their pursuit of funding with his consulting company, Stray Acres LLC. 

He spent over 8 years in East Africa working on community and agricultural related projects. Juan is deeply passionate about linking farmers, ranchers and their partners to the funding and support they need to improve their environments, build communities, and strengthen food systems. Whether it is a small community garden or a full-scale ranching operation, there is a story to be told and organizations with the funds to make it a reality.

Juan proudly serves as an Agricultural Specialist/Civil Affairs officer in the US Army. He contributes to the army's mission and objectives of winning hearts and minds overseas and promoting the American way of life by feeding empty stomachs. When he is not pushing revolutions in the ag industry, Juan is spending time with his beautiful wife and 5 kids homeschooling, cooking, road tripping or simply connecting with the outdoors the way it was meant to be.

If you’d like to learn more about Juan’s work with Stray Acres LLC or his holistic funding approach, check out his book, The Holistic Funding Approach, available on Amazon. 

You can also visit his website at strayacresconsulting.com to explore tools, services, and even take a quiz to see what funding solutions are right for you.

Got questions you want answered?  Send them our way and we’ll do our best to research and find answers.  Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? 

Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we’d love to hear from you.

AgEmerge Podcast 154 with Juan Whiting

Luke and Thad Bergschneider are from Central Illinois where Luke is a University of Illinois Soil Scientist and Researcher and Thad is the current National FFA President. The future of agriculture is in good hands! 

These bright, articulate, knowledgeable men are critical thinkers, who are exploring how they can be an asset to agriculture. Growing up on their family farm, these two have grown not just crops and livestock, but also a passion for the future of agriculture. Luke, a crop scientist and researcher at the University of Illinois, is dedicated to studying soil health, water quality, and nutrient cycles—bridging the gap between science and real-world farming. Meanwhile, Thad has taken a bold step into national leadership, serving as the National FFA President, advocating for agricultural education and inspiring the next generation of changemakers.

From hands-on experience in the field to cutting-edge research and nationwide advocacy, these brothers are shaping the future of agriculture in their own unique ways. 

Luke and Thad Bergschneider, two of seven siblings, grew up immersed in agriculture on their family farm in Central Illinois. There they gained firsthand experience raising corn, soybeans, and cattle, along with forays into pigs, turkeys, and sheep. 

After high school Luke studied agronomy at Western Illinois University and then attended University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he received a MS in Crop Sciences. He now works with the UIUC Soils Lab supporting multiple on-farm research projects studying water quality and nutrient cycles while continuing to contribute part-time to the family farm. 

Thad, after joining Luke at UIUC for a semester, is now taking a gap year to serve as the National FFA President. In this role, he is dedicating his time to advocating for agriculture, promoting agricultural education, and supporting the next generation of leaders who will change the world.

Got questions you want answered?  Send them our way and we’ll do our best to research and find answers.  Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? 

Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we’d love to hear from you.

AgEmerge Podcast 155 with Luke and Thad Bergschneider

Dallas Mount is the Owner of Ranch Management Consultants (RMC), home of the Ranching for Profit School and the Executive Link program. Dig into the business side of ag, the stories, strategies, and insights to help your farm or ranch thrive. 

Dallas has led RMC since 2019 and worked with thousands of ranchers across North America, Australia and the UK to position their business for economic profit and ecologic health. The Ranching for Profit School is a program that’s been helping farmers and ranchers for over 40 years turn passion into profit. From breaking down outdated management practices to unlocking strategies that actually work, Dallas shares game-changing advice for successfully running their operation.

www.ranchingforprofit.com

After working with University of Wyoming Extension for 18 years, Dallas started teaching the Ranching For Profit School in 2012 and quickly established himself as an elite instructor. Dallas and his wife Dixie, have two adult children and own and manage a grazing operation near Wheatland, WY. RMC is focused on creating profitable businesses, with healthy land and happy families.

Got questions you want answered?  Send them our way and we’ll do our best to research and find answers.  Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we’d love to hear from you.

AgEmerge Podcast 156 with Dallas Mount

Emily Usher-DeaKyne is a natural resource social scientist at Purdue University working as the Project Manager for the Diverse Corn Belt project. The initiative started in 2021, led by Purdue University, to diversify Midwestern agriculture beyond corn and soybeans in Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa. Her work explores systems like extended rotations, agroforestry, and livestock integration, involving over 30 partners in research, economics, and stakeholder engagement. The project aims to overcome barriers like markets and policy, enhance resilience, and promote sustainability through on-farm studies, education, and outreach. 

https://diversecornbelt.org/

Emily is originally from the Midwest, she has always valued the economic, environmental, and social opportunities the natural environment provides. Understanding the balance between components drives her research interests in diverse agricultural systems, public policy development, and community engagement. She has B.S. in Plant Biology from Ohio University and a M.S. Natural Resources from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening, grilling, and traveling.

Got questions you want answered?  Send them our way and we’ll do our best to research and find answers.  Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we’d love to hear from you.

AgEmerge Podcast 158 with Emily Usher-DeaKyne, Natural Resource Social Scientist at Purdue

We’re making history in the AgEmerge podcast because we are chatting, in real time, with Grok, an AI built by xAI. We think this is kind of a big deal for the podcast, but also for everyone engaged in agriculture, because AI is really pushing us to change our paradigms and the way we think about our management practices and decisions. Think about soil data crunching, smarter grazing plans, and regenerative farming that’s next-level sustainable. Monte is pumped to bring this to you. How cool is it to see AI dive into regenerative ag, from soil health to connecting farms with folks who love their food? Not to mention the power of the data analytics for farms - it’s mind-blowing.  So, thanks for listening as we continue to bring you some out-of-the-box guests. We’ve included links to Grok here in the show notes, and as always, you can learn more about what we are doing to help you adopt effective soil health practices that fit your context and operation. You can find us at asn.farm, and there you can click on links to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube. There’s a lot of great things happening, and always something to learn!

Find Grok here at https://grok.com

Got questions you want answered?  Send them our way and we’ll do our best to research and find answers.  Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge stage or podcast? 
Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm we’d love to hear from you.

160 AgEmerge Podcast with a Mystery Guest

Brad Downing is the President and owner of Cross Creek Ag Solutions in Greentown, Indiana. Brad has committed to understanding the “why” behind farming practices. He and his team work to facilitate collaboration and education, helping farmers navigate the complexities of soil health, weather, and sustainable growth. He and Monte dig into the why and the how when it comes to implementation and adoption. 

Brad grew up immersed in his family’s farm, cultivating a deep passion for agriculture alongside sports. Brad’s career began in the seed industry, where he spent nearly 14 years with Beck’s Hybrids, rising to district sales manager and leading the farm business team. 

His entrepreneurial drive led him to launch Cross Creek Farms in 2014, farming collaboratively with a neighbor, and Cross Creek Ag Solutions in 2017, a dealership focused initially on seed. Over time, his farm evolved into a research hub, testing bio-nutritional products to uncover what truly works for farmers. 

Today, Cross Creek distributes innovative products across 11 states and offering custom application, seed, and trucking services. Brad fosters collaboration and education, helping farmers navigate the complexities of soil health, weather, and sustainable growth. Alongside Marcia and a dedicated team, he continues to innovate, ensuring Cross Creek remains a trusted partner for farmers seeking data-driven, practical solutions.
Cross Creek Ag Website:  https://crosscreekag.com

ACRES U.S.A. Farm Weird Event at Jason Mauck farm in Indiana
Link: https://conference.eco-ag.com/farmweird

And if you’d like to learn more about the soil health systems that we are passionate about, check out our website at asn.farm, and there you can click on links to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube. There’s a lot of great things happening and always something to learn.

Let us know if you have any questions or guest ideas by emailing kim@asn.farm.

161 AgEmerge Podcast with Brad Downing - Cross Creek Ag Solutions

Today, we welcome Ed Baumgartner, Founder and Breeder at 3rd Millennium Genetics and BASS Hybrids. Ed and his family have been on their corn breeding journey for decades, working on developing native traits resistant to insects and drought. This breeding program has evolved and is focused on developing corn hybrids that thrive in regenerative agriculture practices. Listen in as he and Monte have a great conversation that’ll have your gears turning about seed research and development. 
Ed was born and raised on a cattle and corn farming operation near Olivia, Minnesota, a progressive farming region globally recognized as the “Corn Capital,” where most corn genetics with 105-day maturity or earlier pass through at some point. At its peak, this town of 2,500 people hosted 17 corn seed-related businesses. As a third-generation member of the corn seed industry, Ed’s companies are distinct from earlier family enterprises. Since 1984, he has been breeding corn, navigating five corporate mergers before founding 3rd Millennium Genetics in Puerto Rico in 2005. He later expanded operations to Minnesota, establishing 3MG North in 2013 and selling corn seed through Bass Hybrids since 2017. Ed’s corn breeding program, initiated in 2005, focuses on developing native traits for insect and drought resistance, evolving to create corn hybrids optimized for regenerative agriculture practices. His wife and three daughters are actively involved in various aspects of the business, and the first of his grandchildren will soon contribute, having already joined him on seed delivery trips.
Ed has spent decades breeding corn hybrids that resist pests and drought, and driven by a passion for sustainable farming. His insights on native traits and soil health are a game-changer for agriculture. 
https://basshybrids.com/
https://www.3mgpr.com/
And if you’d like to learn more about the soil health systems that we are passionate about, check out our website at asn.farm and there you can click on links to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube. There’s a lot of great things happening and always something to learn. 


AgEmerge Podcast 162 with Ed Baumgartner - Founder of 3rd Millennium Seed and BASS Hybrids

Soil health, regenerative practices, and emerging technology — The AgEmerge Podcast. Join our host, Monte Bottens, as he engages with guests from diverse agriculture interests to discuss experiences, practices and scalable applications for any operation. Tune in to new episodes every other Tuesday to regenerate your ideas, soil, crops, livestock and livelihood.





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New tracks tagged #gratefulgraze