Field Work

The conservation culture that took root in Washington County decades ago has new champions today, who are trying to take it to the next level. It includes twenty-somethings like seed dealer Trent Stout, who’s committed to providing expert advice when it comes to cover crops, and Michael Vittetoe, who’s integrating livestock into his operation as part of a broader regenerative system.

USDA is currently collecting farmer and rancher input on strategies to increase agriculture’s role in mitigating climate change. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack joins Zach and Mitchell to talk about what farmers need and what the federal government can do.

For this Field Work episode, Mitchell and Zach continue their talks with Washington County conservation pioneers. These are farmers whose families were on the “bleeding edge” of change in Washington County: Rob Stout and Darrell Steele.

Washington County, Iowa, has consistently been one of the highest performing counties for cover crop acres in Iowa.

Field Work is supported in part by the Walton Family Foundation, working for solutions so nature and people can thrive together.

We appreciate you, our listeners, and we appreciate the arrival of spring. So, we decided it's time for a giveaway!