Dr. Arriaga, Soil Extension Specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, discusses the principles of soil health. Soil health can sometimes seem like a buzz word and there is some confusion around what it really is. In this podcast, you'll not only learn what soil health is, but you'll also learn about soil aggregation, the benefits of soil health, how soil health can be measured, and what you can do to improve soil health on your farm. Dr. Arriaga breaks down this complex topic and provides useable information that is accessible to all listeners. If you're curious about soil health, this podcast is for you.

Resources mentioned in the podcast:

• Soil Health Nexus: https://soilhealthnexus.org/
  • Soil Health Matrix Decision Tool: https://soilhealthnexus.org/soil-health-matrix-tool/

Season 1 - Soil + Water Conservation Conversations
Hosted by Kim Meyer, former agronomist and watershed program coordinator with Yahara WINS, this season of podcasts connects you to farmers and other experts on the topic of water quality. You will hear from farmers that are utilizing conservation practices on their farms in southern Wisconsin. You’ll learn about the farm, the farmer, the conservation practice that they have successfully implemented on their farm, as well as the challenges they’ve faced and how they have overcome these challenges. Beyond feeding our world, clean water is one of the many ecosystem services agriculture can provide. Agriculture is not the problem, rather, it is the solution to protecting and improving our local water quality. Learn more about Yahara WINS at www.yaharawins.org.

The biosolids team at the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (District) shares information on the largest liquid biosolids program in the nation, Metrogro, located in Madison WI. The Metrogo program recycles over 35 million gallons annually of city nutrients as a local farm fertilizer. As the District is a participant in Yahara WINS, efforts have been made to better align the Metrogro program with watershed-wide goals of improved water quality. One of the many program improvements includes the implementation of low disturbance manure injection (LDMI). Starting in 2017, the Metrogro program began the nearly five year journey to find an LDMI toolbar that would meet the unique needs of the program. Tune in to hear from Ross Hollfelder, Zac Thompson, Chad Liddicoat, and Brad Arnold to learn how city nutrients are reused as farm fertilizer, and learn how the team eventually found an LDMI toolbar and modified it to meet their needs.

Resource mentioned in the podcast:

• Metrogro Program webpage: https://www.madsewer.org/what-we-do/resource-recovery/metrogro-biosolids-program/
• Manure Manager website: https://www.manuremanager.com/
• The North American Manure Expo: https://www.manureexpo.ca/

Season 1 - Soil + Water Conservation Conversations
Hosted by Kim Meyer, former agronomist and watershed program coordinator with Yahara WINS, this season of podcasts connects you to farmers and other experts on the topic of water quality. You will hear from farmers that are utilizing conservation practices on their farms in southern Wisconsin. You’ll learn about the farm, the farmer, the conservation practice that they have successfully implemented on their farm, as well as the challenges they’ve faced and how they have overcome these challenges. Beyond feeding our world, clean water is one of the many ecosystem services agriculture can provide. Agriculture is not the problem, rather, it is the solution to protecting and improving our local water quality. Learn more about Yahara WINS at www.yaharawins.org.

Bob Uphoff of Uphoff Ham and Bacon, and board member of the Yahara Pride Farms farmer-led watershed group, shares his experience farming without tillage.

Bob farms with his two son's just south of Madison, WI, raising hogs and grain crops. The Uphoff's began to integrate no-till farming practices into their operation over four decades ago and have since transitioned all of their acres to no-till.

Tune in to learn how Bob has made changes over time to make no-till farming work for him on his farm, along with advice on how to get started.

Resources mentioned in the podcast:
No-till Farmer Magazine: https://www.no-tillfarmer.com/

Season 1 - Soil + Water Conservation Conversations
Hosted by Kim Meyer, former agronomist and watershed program coordinator with Yahara WINS, this season of podcasts connects you to farmers and other experts on the topic of water quality. You will hear from farmers that are utilizing conservation practices on their farms in southern Wisconsin. You’ll learn about the farm, the farmer, the conservation practice that they have successfully implemented on their farm, as well as the challenges they’ve faced and how they have overcome these challenges. Beyond feeding our world, clean water is one of the many ecosystem services agriculture can provide. Agriculture is not the problem, rather, it is the solution to protecting and improving our local water quality. Learn more about Yahara WINS at www.yaharawins.org.