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

Do You Want To Improve Your Soil?
Are You Fighting Pests? Disease? Drought?
Are You Not Seeing the VIGOR You were Hoping For?

This Webinar Series is for you. Click the link & Join Us LIVE and you could win one of the giveaways and get a FREE BOOK, T-SHIRT, OR even a COURSE SIGNUP!! Plus we'll have LIVE Q&A for those that attend - Register Here:
https://matt-powers.mykajabi.com/soiltransformation

Watch this presentation on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/RRAFcdMs6FU

Microbial Methods that Transform Any Soil with Matt Powers [FULL PRESENTATION]

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

All Health Relies Upon MICROBES!! And while #SOIL is at the heart of all the cycles we rely upon, it is MICROBES that POWERS THEM ALL!!

Learn more with #RegenerativeSoil the Online Course:
https://matt-powers.mykajabi.com/regenerativesoil
SIGNUP SOON BECAUSE THE NEW SEASON BEGINS 5/12!!

Watch the Full Presentation on Youtube: https://youtu.be/KM0us7NoOmE

MICRO TO MACRO | Soil Health is Plant Health [FULL PRESENTATION]

Functional Ecology author Dr Abbey Yatsko chats to Amelia Macho about her research article, 'Why are trees hollow? Termites, microbes, and tree internal stem damage in a tropical savanna'

Abbey's study sought to understand how two important biotic decomposers, termites and microbes, decompose wood on the inside of living tree stems, shedding a light on previously concealed wood decomposition dynamics occurring inside trees. Abbey's research has implications for for accurate carbon estimation across savanna ecosystems, and suggests that tree carbon models should make efforts to incorporate the effects of internal stem damage.

Read Abbey's full research article here:
https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.14727

Abbey's second research article, 'Rotten to the core? Drivers of the vertical profile and accumulation of internal tree stem damage' has also been published in Functional Ecology! Check it out here:
https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.70061

Functional Ecology | Dr Abbey Yatsko: Why are trees hollow? Termites, microbes and tree internal stem damage in a tropical savanna

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

Kurtan

In this special episode of the AgEmerge Podcast, Grok, created by xAI, turns the mic on Monte Bottens, a fifth-generation Illinois farmer, entrepreneur, and visionary behind Bottens Family Farm, Ag Solutions Network, and Grateful Graze. Monte shares his journey from raising pigs in 4-H to building a diverse operation rooted in regenerative agriculture, blending Midwest traditions with California’s crop diversity. He discusses the pivotal moments—like seeing Gabe Brown’s soil organic matter gains—that drove Monte’s shift to soil health principles, the challenges of overcoming conventional farming’s cookie-cutter mindset, and his frustration with the industry’s resistance to change. 
Monte’s vision for the future is bold: transitioning to organic systems, prioritizing perennials, and using technology like precision ag to scale regenerative practices for large-scale farmers. This conversation is packed with raw honesty, practical wisdom, and a call to rethink farming for soil and community health.
Monte also offers actionable advice for young farmers: find a niche, leverage local markets, and don’t fear failure. From cover crop mishaps to mid-season equipment fixes, his stories of trial and error inspire listeners to embrace innovation and build strong teams. Whether you’re a farmer, researcher, or innovator, Monte’s insights on overcoming fear, learning from mistakes, and aligning with nature’s design will leave you fired up to push the needle forward for sustainable farming.
And, if you’re as excited as we are about the future of agriculture, check out our website at asn.farm and there you can click on links to follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, Linkedin, and YouTube. There’s a lot of great things happening and always something to learn. 


AgEmerge Podcast 166 with Monte Bottens and Grok Ai  Part II

Get 15% Off the Microbiometer with coupon code: powers15
https://microbiometer.com/product/microbiometer-10-test-starter-kit/

Watch it on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/13UawHZWJHE 

Laura Decker is the daughter of the inventor of the Microbiometer and leads the small, independent company that serves farmers, gardeners, consultants, and researchers in over 100 countries worldwide. Learn why this meter is so popular and how it has recently been improved.

Thank you for being part of our community!!

Join us in the New Season of Regenerative Soil Microscopy - Starting 9/15:
http://regenerativesoilmicroscopy.com & learn to use the Microscopy & the Microbiometer!!

The New Microbiometer Update with Laura Decker on A Regenerative Future with Matt Powers

A Regenerative Future with Matt Powers is a podcast focused on ushering in a syntropic future of abundance and regeneration using permaculture. Join Matt Powers, author, educator, seed saver, entrepreneur, gardener, and family guy as he interviews experts from all over the world who are actively working to reverse the damage we've done to our ecosystems and ourselves. Learn how to apply these lessons to your own life and help bring about the abundant future we all desire!

https://www.youtube.com/@alfonso2468
I make mostly make electronic music using Beepbox.co. Also, I just do it for fun, so I don't care if you use it for anything, just credit me, don't take full credit =3
Also, I DO NOT EXCEPT AI BOTS!!! F▒▒▒ Ai
If you are going to use my music (which I will gladly let you), contact me first.
If you would like, I can just make music for you. Tell me your reasoning first.

Podcasts from the British Ecological Society

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.





ag-emerge
ag emerge

New tracks tagged #microbes