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Field Work is a new podcast co-hosted by two Midwestern row-crop farmers that will feature farmers and other guests from across the agriculture industry every week, beginning May 1. The subject of Field Work is sustainable agriculture, and it will focus on the voices – and the lived experiences – of agriculture producers. With this podcast, The Water Main – American Public Media’s initiative to build public will for water – will seek to promote frank conversations on what works and what challenges farmers face in pursuing sustainable agriculture practices to benefit water and soil.
In addition to being available on all major podcast platforms, Field Work episodes will also be available as videos on YouTube. A trailer is now available here.
The hosts are Zach Johnson, a fifth-generation family farmer from central Minnesota who farms 2,500 acres of soybeans and corn alongside his father. More than 200,000 YouTube subscribers recognize Johnson as the “MN Millennial Farmer” due to his wide-reaching channel. Joining Johnson is Mitchell Hora, a farmer and young entrepreneur from Washington, Iowa. Hora’s family has farmed in the area for more than a century and has placed a strong focus on conservation.
“There are so many variables that farmers face in the growing season, and I’m excited that the Field Work podcast will provide new resources so farmers can logistically and economically improve their farms,” said Hora. “Zach and I are looking forward to bringing in guests who can share their experience working with the land in ways that promote healthy soil and water. The best scenario is to monitor short-term gains, while working towards long-term productivity improvements and success across our farms.”
“Farming is more of an art form than it is hard data, so reading about conservation practices is usually much easier than implementing it into your family’s farming operation," said Johnson. “Changes to practices are typically not simple and inexpensive, so they have to work with a farm’s current situation. We’re looking to approach this topic of conservation with an open mind and see what new ideas are out there to help us be the best conservationists possible, while also making good management decisions for our farms.”
Stay updated on new episodes by following @fieldworktalk and learn more at www.fieldworktalk.org.