Episodes: 2021

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Mitchell Hora's Field DayMitchell Hora's Field Day

The Episode Where the Chopper Arrives and Carbon Markets Are All Figured Out

June 23, 2021
The potential benefits of building a market for carbon credits in agriculture are staggering — and that’s why it’s taking so long. On this episode of Field Work, Zach and Mitchell look at how farmers can work with government and the private sector to get paid for sequestering carbon.
Rick Haney and Mitchell HoraRick Haney and Mitchell Hora

Rick Haney's Uncommon Sense

June 16, 2021
One of the most important resources for farmers interested in sustainable practices is a soil test commonly known as the Haney Test. In this episode, we talk to the developer of the test, Rick Haney, and several cutting-edge producers who say Rick’s insights into soil biology were crucial in helping them change how they farm.
New HollandNew Holland

Forget Horsepower, We’re Talking Cow Power!

June 9, 2021
This week on Field Work, Zach and Mitchell talk about the future of tractors with New Holland’s Director of Commercial Marketing, Mark Lowery. They discuss a methane powered tractor, the status of autonomous operations and why we don’t need to worry about farm robots taking over the world (yet).
Tessa Peters of The Land InstituteTessa Peters of The Land Institute

The Promise of Perennials

June 2, 2021
One way to reduce the climate impacts of agriculture is to shift from annual crops to perennial ones. It’s not a simple matter. In this episode, a Minnesota farmer growing kernza talks about its potential. Joining him is a perennial grain expert from The Land Institute, where kernza was developed into a commercial crop.
Marc SchoberMarc Schober

Banking on Innovation

May 26, 2021
Finance, technology, and agriculture meet on Field Work this episode. Zach and Mitchell talk with Marc Schober, director of specialized agriculture solutions for one of the nation’s top farm banks.
Adam Chappell stands in a field.Adam Chappell stands in a field.

How Conservation Saved a Cotton Farmer

May 19, 2021
Zach Johnson and Mitchell Hora talk to cotton farmer Adam Chappell of Cotton Plant, Ark. Near-bankruptcy forced him to adopt new practices that saved his farm and changed how he looked at farming.
Dr. Andy JordanDr. Andy Jordan

Can Cotton Drive American Ag Sustainability?

May 12, 2021
In the first of two episodes about cotton farming, Field Work hosts Zach Johnson and Mitchell Hora learn about the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, a new set of sustainability standards. They speak with Dr. Andy Jordan, an author of the standards.
Kara and John BoydKara and John Boyd

Small Farmers, Big Stakes

May 5, 2021
Farmers John and Kara Boyd join Zach and Mitchell on this episode to talk about the challenges of practicing regenerative ag in Southern Virginia. They are also civil rights activists. John leads the National Black Farmers Association and Kara founded the Association of American Indian Farmers.
Kevin Kimle works with students during an incubator session.Kevin Kimle works with students during an incubator session.

A Winning Personality?

April 28, 2021
For years now, Iowa State University Professor Kevin Kimle has been asking his ag students to take a personality test. Zach and Mitchell talk to Kevin about what his findings say about the willingness of farming communities to try new things.
Zach Johnson, Mitchell HoraZach Johnson, Mitchell Hora

The Magical Dividing Line Between Counties: Researchers Try to Tease Out What Makes Some Areas More Inclined to Plant Cover Crops

April 21, 2021
The Nature Conservancy funded a study at Purdue University to look at why some counties have a high rate of cover crop adoption while neighboring counties with similar precipitation and soil types do not. Zach and Mitchell talk with Kris Johnson and Linda Prokopy about what they learned.
Zach and Mitchell’s Excellent Conservation AdventureZach and Mitchell’s Excellent Conservation Adventure

Zach and Mitchell’s Excellent Conservation Adventure

April 19, 2021
In some parts of the country, farmers who try out conservation practices run the risk of getting pegged as hippie farmers.
Farm machinery in Washington County, Iowa.Farm machinery in Washington County, Iowa.

Carrying the Conservation Torch: A New Generation Advances the Cause

April 14, 2021
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.
Tom Vilsack, Anterro RegaladoTom Vilsack, Anterro Regalado

The Down-Low from DC: Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack on Climate Solutions

April 7, 2021
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.
Zach Johnson, Rob Stout, Mitchell HoraZach Johnson, Rob Stout, Mitchell Hora

The Bleeding Edge: Families that Led the Conservation Charge in Washington County

March 31, 2021
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.
Mitchell Hora with Steve BergerMitchell Hora with Steve Berger

Steve Berger: Conservation as Competitive Advantage

March 30, 2021
Steve Berger is a farmer whose name comes up a lot in conversations about Washington County, Iowa. As Field Work hosts Zach Johnson and Mitchell Hora sought for clues about the secret sauce behind Washington County’s conservation culture, they knew they had to talk to Steve.
Paul Reed, Mitchell Hora, Dave Moeller, Zach JohnsonPaul Reed, Mitchell Hora, Dave Moeller, Zach Johnson

Mudholes in March: Zach and Mitchell Go to Planter School

March 24, 2021
Zach and Mitchell go to planter school! Our hosts talk to Paul Reed, a longtime no-tiller, and Dave Moeller, a mechanic and equipment dealer, about the evolution of planter attachments for successful no-till farming.
Field Work interview with Jim FrierField Work interview with Jim Frier

Twilight in Washington County, Iowa: Evening Meetings and Their Participants Helped Launch a Conservation Culture

March 17, 2021
In the first episode of our special project, hosts Zach and Mitchell talk with an Iowa treasure and one of the people most responsible for cultivating a culture of conservation in Washington County: former Iowa State University extension director Jim Frier.
Zach Johnson and Mitchell HoraZach Johnson and Mitchell Hora

Mr. Johnson Goes to Washington (County, That Is)

March 15, 2021
In August 2020, our intrepid Field Work hosts Zach Johnson and Mitchell Hora sleuthed around in Washington County, Iowa, in search of the origin story of its robust conservation culture. Zach had his camera handy to document the experience for us.
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