Soil Sisters: Rehabilitating Texas Farm and Ranch Land

What does it take to become a regenerative farmer with no agricultural background? Recorded live at Regenerative Revival in Salado, Texas, the Soil Sisters sit down with David Deitsch of The Moody Goat to talk about building a regenerative goat operation from the ground up. From growing up in suburban Connecticut to managing a thriving herd in Central Texas, David shares the hard-earned lessons, f...

Former NSF water researcher, Texas Farmers Union secretary, and candidate for Texas Ag Commissioner, Clayton Tucker joins the Soil Sisters to discuss the rapid expansion of AI data centers across Texas—and why many farmers and rural communities are sounding the alarm. Tucker explains how large AI facilities are impacting water supplies, electricity prices, housing costs, health, and agricultural l...

How do you build a local food system that actually works at scale? Farmhouse Delivery founder Stephanie Scherzer joins the Soil Sisters podcast to discuss regenerative sourcing, seasonal eating, grocery delivery, and supporting more than 250 Texas farmers and food producers. Stephanie shares how her work at The Natural Gardener and Rain Lily Farm led to launching Farmhouse Delivery in 2009, and ho...

Want to strengthen your family farm or ranch in Texas? Learn how NRCS programs, regenerative agriculture practices, and conservation funding can help you improve soil, water, and long-term profitability. In this episode of Soil Sisters, Kristy Oates, USDA NRCS Texas State Conservationist, breaks down the agency's mission, programs, and real-world support for working lands. We dig into EQIP and CSP...

What if you could actually see what’s happening in your soil—and use that to grow healthier food and more resilient farms? On this episode of the Soil Sisters Podcast, meet bestselling author, educator, and citizen scientist Matt Powers and explore the soil science behind regenerative agriculture—and how it’s being taught from classrooms to farms around the world. Matt shares how his unexpected jo...

The Soil Sisters welcome one of their former coaches and teachers, Dr. Nelson Coulter, to the podcast to discuss his experience in Texas public schools. This discussion takes a ground-level look at changing school food systems and what becomes possible when communities prioritize health. Dr. Coulter explains the steps and bureaucracy involved in formally leaving the National School Lunch Program,...

In this episode of the Soil Sisters Podcast, hear Nate Sheets' vision for Texas agriculture. A Texas food and agriculture entrepreneur, Nate shares his journey from a hobby beekeeper to leading Nature Nate's into a national honey brand and now running for Texas Ag Commissioner. The conversation covers vital topics such as integrating regenerative agricultural practices, improving school lunch qual...

In this episode of the Soil Sisters Podcast, meet Dr. Ben Edwards, founder and CEO of Veritas Medical and Veritas Wellness in Lubbock, Texas. Dr. Edwards shares his path from conventional family medicine to a holistic, root-cause resolution approach to health and wellness. He discusses his transformation following a divine intervention that guided him to realize the flaws in conventional chronic d...

In this episode of the Soil Sisters Podcast, recorded on September 12, 2025, you’ll learn the impacts of GMOs and glyphosate on children's health with Dr. Michelle Perro, a veteran pediatrician with over four decades of experience in acute and integrative medicine. Dr. Perro is also co-founder and CEO of GMOScience.org; she shares insights from her clinical experience and research with us. We disc...

In this episode of the Soil Sisters Podcast, meet Dr. Ken Mix, the Director of the Small Producers Initiative and professor of Soil and Crop Science at Texas State University. Dr. Mix discusses his experience educating the next generation of farmers and the recent rollout of regenerative agriculture degree pathways at the university level. We discuss the challenges associated with off-ramping from...

In this episode of the Soil Sisters Podcast, meet Jonah and Kendra Martin, the couple behind Holdfast Farmstead in Southwest Iowa. They unfold their transition from being ship captains to becoming homesteaders focused on regenerative agriculture. The conversation delves into establishing their 50-acre farm with rotational grazing practices, setting up a community-oriented farm store, and maintaini...

In this episode of the Soil Sisters Podcast, discover the integral role of advocacy in agriculture with Judith McGeary, the executive director and founder of the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA). Explore the mission and achievements of FARFA, including significant legislative wins that support small farmers and local food producers. The conversation delves into the importance of civic engag...

In this episode of the Soil Sisters Podcast, we're talking DIY microbial-rich compost with Matthew Batchelder, founder of Fun-guy Compost, at the Southern Family Farmers and Food Systems Conference. Explore the nuances of composting with Johnson-Su bioreactors, a specialized form of composting that serves as living seed inoculant. Matthew shares the components of a successful bioreactor and the si...

In this episode of the Soil Sisters Podcast, gain insights into Texas' first resilient farm plan (aka carbon farm plan) with Matt Simon, the farm director at the Refugee Collective Farm in Elgin, Texas. Matt shares the origins of the Refugee Collective, a nonprofit supporting refugee livelihoods through sustainable farming and textile production. He explains the unique features of their 20-acre ce...

Dig in on school gardens with Farmer Kim and the Soil Sisters. Kim Aman is the executive director and founder of Grow Garden Grow. From public school teacher to a leader in the school garden movement in Texas, Kim shares insights on the importance of connecting children with agriculture, the benefits of school gardens, and tips for funding and sustaining such programs. The conversation covers the...

This Soil Sisters podcast features Austin Frerick, an author and expert on agriculture and antitrust policy, discussing his book 'Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America's Food Industry.' The conversation unpacks many complexities of the American food system and solutions to break free from the current model. Austin emphasizes the power of our voices to usher in substantial food system...

In this episode of the Soil Sisters Podcast, meet our farmer friend and regenerative agriculture advocate Tim Auld. We discuss the recent Southern Family Farmers and Food Systems Conference, where Tim participated in a three-day grazing masterclass - and where this conversation was recorded. Tim shares insights he gained on soil health, grazing practices, and adaptive livestock management. The con...

Recorded live from the Southern Family Farmers and Food Systems Conference at Texas State University, the Soil Sisters interview Jessi Roesch, founder and CEO of Downland. The discussion focuses on the importance of farm succession planning and the challenges faced by both retiring and aspiring young farmers. Jessi explains Downland's mission to facilitate the smooth transition of farmland ownersh...

In this episode of the Soil Sisters Podcast, recorded from the 2025 Southern Family Farmers and Food Systems conference, Michael Bell from Dallas Half Acre Farm shares his journey of starting an urban farm without electricity and water. Mike delves into the importance of community support and innovative solutions in maintaining a profitable market garden. The second part of the episode features Ho...

Recorded live from the Southern Family Farmers and Food Systems Conference, the Soil Sisters are talking dirt therapy with Kris Vandenberg, US Army veteran and founder of Vetted Farms and Kitchens. Kris shares his evolution from professional chef to farmer, catalyzed by the pandemic and personal health changes. The discussion centers around his mission to engage veterans in regenerative farming, t...

In this episode of the Soil Sisters Podcast, we chat with our friend Chris Jones, an R&D project manager and designer at Symbiosis in central Texas. Chris shares his compelling journey from a career in finance to regenerative land management, inspired by his mental health struggles. He explains how changing how and what he ate and connecting with nature guided his path to health, clarity, and ecol...

The Soil Sisters discuss the foundational basics of structured water with expert guest Clayton Nolte-- a physicist, inventor, researcher, and structured water expert. Clayton explains how structured water can significantly enhance hydration, detoxification, and nutrient absorption at the cellular level. The discussion covers the science behind structured water, its health benefits, and its impact...

Tara Dukart from Seek First Ranch joins the Soil Sisters to discuss the importance of clear, value-driven communication within family-operated farms and ranches. Tara shares her transition to family ranch life, the challenges and benefits of multigenerational ranch operations, and the significance of succession planning. The episode also highlights the positive psychology-inspired 'Win Warriors' a...

Meet renowned soil and ecosystem scientist Dr. Liz Haney on the latest Soil Sisters podcast. Dr. Haney provides insights into the Haney Soil Health Test's development and its applications for off-ramping from conventional to regenerative agriculture while reducing input costs. The conversation also delves into building and expanding a farmer-owned regenerative market infrastructure. Dr. Haney expl...

Meet Troy Swift, a first-generation farmer operating Swift River Pecans and the president of the Texas Pecan Growers Association. Troy shares his experiences entering the pecan farming business in 1998, the benefits of regenerative agriculture, and his passion for soil health. He discusses functions like systemic acquired resistance (SAR), the use of beneficial insects, birds, and bats, and innova...