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The Grow Down on Soil Health

The Grow Down on Soil Health

Written by: Farmers for Soil Health
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About this listen

Welcome to “The Grow Down on Soil Health” podcast, where we dive deep into sustainable farming practices designed to enhance both your land and your bottom line. Join host Ben West, Ph.D., executive director of Farmers for Soil Health, and a diverse lineup of guests from various agricultural backgrounds as they share entertaining stories, invaluable soil health management techniques, and the incredible benefits cover crops can bring to your farm.


Farmers for Soil Health is a program created by farmers for farmers. It is committed to enhancing soil health practices, like planting cover crops, to improve the environment and farmers' profitability. Check out FarmersforSoilHealth.com for more information.


This podcast is brought to you in partnership with the United Soybean Board, Pork Checkoff and the National Corn Growers Association.

© 2026 The Grow Down on Soil Health
Earth Sciences Nature & Ecology Science
Episodes
  • Progress Starts with a Problem: A Practical Look at Soil Health Consulting
    Feb 13 2026

    For today’s episode of “The Grow Down on Soil Health,” we have Lee Briese with us to break down what any farmer should expect when a crop consultant steps onto their field.

    Learn how regular visits, strong relationships and a problem-first approach can help farmers make steady progress towards their soil health goals, one acre and one issue at a time.


    Meet the Guest:

    Lee Briese is a Certified Crop Advisor and a Crop Consultant with Centrol in North Dakota. With nearly 30 years of experience, he helps farmers choose the right tool for the job, resulting in generations of improved soil health. Lee will tell you about his role as a “plant doctor,” where he meets with farmers, hears their land’s ailments and prescribes a treatment.


    Farmers for Soil Health is a program created by farmers for farmers. It is committed to enhancing soil health practices, like planting cover crops, to improve the environment and farmers' profitability. Check out FarmersforSoilHealth.com for more information.


    This podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff and the National Corn Growers Association.

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    38 mins
  • How to Find Solutions for Conservation Barriers
    Jan 30 2026

    On today’s episode of “The Grow Down on Soil Health,” we have Jeff Chandler here to dive into the impact of conservation barriers and how to find the solutions to overcome them.

    Learn how better technology, support from peers who’ve been through the same challenges, and hands-on help in the field can give farmers the confidence and know-how they need to try conservation practices, like planting cover crops, for the first time.


    Meet the Guest:

    Jeff Chandler is both a Research Coordinator for the North Carolina Soybean Producers Association and a technical advisor for the Farmers for Soil Health program. His farming career began on the family farm and expanded into extension work, research, and outreach. Jeff will tell you he’s in the “relationship business,” and his passion for helping farmers improve their farms is evident in all his work.


    Farmers for Soil Health is a program created by farmers for farmers. It is committed to enhancing soil health practices, like planting cover crops, to improve the environment and farmers' profitability. Check out FarmersforSoilHealth.com for more information.


    This podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff and the National Corn Growers Association.

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    25 mins
  • From Field to Fuel: Conservation for a Cleaner Future, and Why it Matters to Farmers
    Jan 16 2026

    In this episode of “The Grow Down on Soil Health,” we have Bill Leigh with us to discuss not only how cover crops, soil health and conservation practices are changing the future of farming and driving opportunities with ethanol and low-carbon markets, but also why these practices matter to farmers on the ground.

    Hear Bill share how farming is not a hobby; it is a living, so farmers have to make a profit out of it. Learn about how cover crops can help farmers with weed control and good soil health indicators, like earthworms. Farmers don’t often have an “aha” moment because they can’t afford to take the risk in the first place, which is why Farmers for Soil Health provides local support for trying something new.

    Meet the Guest:

    Bill Leigh currently serves as a board member of the National Corn Growers Association and has been a leading advocate for conservation and soil health practices, namely cover crops. He is a sixth-generation farmer on his family’s 150-year-old farm.


    Farmers for Soil Health is a program created by farmers for farmers. It is committed to enhancing soil health practices, like planting cover crops, to improve the environment and farmers' profitability. Check out FarmersforSoilHealth.com for more information.


    This podcast is brought to you in partnership with the Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff and the National Corn Growers Association.

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    27 mins
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