Green Cover Podcast
Welcome to the Green Cover podcast, where we have really interesting conversations with some of the top regenerative farmers and experts. Join our host Green Cover co-founder and co-owner Keith Berns and our guests as they discuss how we can help people regenerate God’s Creation for future generations.
Episodes
Episode #45: A Space Shuttle Engineer's Biological Approach to Growing Grapes with Patrick Kavanaugh
Patrick Cavanaugh spent 13 years as an engineer on the space shuttle program, and today he leads soil and vine health at Union Grove Farm in North Carolina. Keith Berns and Patrick talk about how Union Grove is rebuilding degraded farm ground with vermicompost extracts, cover crops, and rotationally grazed sheep, and how Patrick measures whether the soil is getting better. The ideas apply to any f
Episode #44: Juggling Almonds, Olives, Sheep and 8,000 hens with Benina Montes
Along with her family, Benina Montes of Burroughs Family Farms runs the world's first regenerative organic certified almond orchard, producing walnuts, olives, year-round sheep, and 8,000 laying hens in California's Central Valley. She and Keith talk about how a catch frame harvester lets her keep the orchard floor covered, how cover crops and grazing cut her water use by about 30%, and ho
Episode #43: How Plants and Microbes Work Together in Harsh Environments with Kevin Elmy
Kevin Elmy joins the podcast to share how he turned a sandy, worn-out quarter section in Saskatchewan into 26+ inches of rich topsoil, using winter cereals, cover crops, and livestock instead of synthetic inputs. He digs into practical wins any farmer can try this fall — interseeding winter triticale with durum, letting cover crops do their job early instead of chasing a big biomass at season'
Episode #42: Applying the Soil Health Principles Across Various Landscapes
Podcast host Keith Berns sits down with his brother and Green Cover co-founder, Brian Berns, Green Cover sales rep Zach Louk and Green Cover's Contract Seed Production Manager, Scott Ravenkamp to describe how each of the six Soil Health Principles is applied on each of their vastly different operations.
Episode #41: The Fertility Hiding in Your Crop Residue — And How to Unlock It with David Olson
A single Nebraska field trial revealed that fall-applied biology can fix nitrogen straight out of the air and unlock phosphorus already locked in the soil — turning $30 worth of product into over $450 in nutrient value. Keith Berns sits down with David Olson of Sustainable Growing Solutions to break down the science behind the Decomposer and HyprCycle+ program, from how saprophytic fungi break dow
Episode #40: Cutting the Nitrogen Bill with Legumes and Microbes
Nitrogen fertilizer costs U.S. farmers $5 billion a year — but a good chunk of it is sitting in the atmosphere for free. Zach Lauck joins Keith to break down which legumes actually pull their weight (hairy vetch, winter peas, clovers), why timing and planting depth make or break them, and how new inoculants and free-living microbes can fix nitrogen even without a legume in the mix. If you're l
Episode #39: Why You Should Be Running On-Farm Test Plots
Green Cover's Nathan Choat joins Keith to explain why the company runs hundreds of test plots every year — and why every farmer should be running small trials on their own ground, too. They dig into corn and soybean interseeding, nutrient cycling data, and why what works at someone else's field day might not work on your farm. Green Cover's summer field days are August 4th and 5th in B
Episode #38: The Forages Behind Steakhouse-Quality, Medicinal Beef with Karl Palmberg
In this episode of the Green Cover Podcast, host Keith Berns talks with Karl Palmberg, a former F-16 pilot turned grass-fed beef producer in Larchwood, Iowa, about building a regenerative cattle operation from the ground up. Karl breaks down how he uses cover crops, baleage, and even carefully-timed corn silage to hit a 1:1 omega-6 to omega-3 ratio in his beef (versus roughly 10:1 for typical feed
Episode #37: 45Z Explained: How Farmers Can Get Paid for Soil Health Practices with Mitchell Hora
After nearly four years of delays, the USDA has finalized guidance for the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, and it's opening up real financial opportunities for corn and soybean farmers. Mitchell Hora, seventh-generation Iowa farmer and founder of Continuum Ag, breaks down how a farm's Carbon Intensity (CI) score works and how lowering it through cover crops, no-till, and better nitrogen
Episode #36: Dale Strickler on Making Every Growing Degree Day Count
Wheat harvest isn't the end of your growing season, it's the start of a new opportunity. In this episode, Keith sits down with longtime cover crop expert Dale Strickler to talk through what to plant after wheat comes off, and how to turn those acres into high quality forage and free nitrogen for next year's crop. Dale breaks down the best species for summer grazing versus winter stockp
Episode #35: Perennial Genetics for Better Animal Performance with Mark Thomas
Mark Thomas has spent 30-plus years in the grass seed industry, and today he ranches south of Enid, Oklahoma with his wife Annette — raising 100% grass-fed beef on a system built around diverse annual and perennial forages. In this conversation, Keith and Mark dig into some of the most practical questions in regenerative grazing: How do you integrate perennials with annuals? When does it make sens
Episode #34: Why Weed-free Horse Pastures Might be Hurting Equine Health with Allison Lepanto
Allison Lepanto of Aterak Nutrition started out wanting to improve the quality of horse feed. But after seeing the prevalence of metabolic issues in younger and younger horses, surviving her own herbicide health crisis, and stepping onto farm after farm with dead soil and overflowing supplement shelves, she started connecting the dots. Pasture quality and the practices land owners are implementing
Episode #33: A Deep Dive into Warm Season Cover Crops with Zach Louk
Green Cover sales representative and seed buyer Zach Louk joins Keith for an in-depth conversation on warm season cover crop species. The conversation covers legumes, brassicas, broadleaves and grasses with a specific focus on sorghum-sudan grass traits and characteristics. This episode will give you a greater understanding of which cover crop species are best fit for your goals this summer growin
Episode #32: What 45 Years in the Field Taught Jay Fuhrer About Rebuilding Soils
Jay Fuhrer spent more than 45 years as a soil health specialist with NRCS watching farming systems break down soils — and then helping farmers rebuild them. Now leading the Mennoken Farm just east of Bismarck, North Dakota, Jay shares what decades of boots-on-the-ground monitoring taught him about diverse plant communities, liquid carbon, biological energy, and why the soil carbon needle that nobo
Episode #31: Building a Drought Resilient Grazing Operation Using Perennials and Cover Crops with Kevin Wiltse
Kevin Wiltse is a fifth-generation Kansas farmer who has spent over a decade transitioning from cash cropping to perennial pasture and grazing cover crops for more profitable grazing. Five years into one of the worst droughts in recent memory, his cattle herd is bigger than it's ever been. In this episode, Keith sits down with Kevin to talk through his shift to a forage-based, perennial-centered o
Episode #30: The New American Dream with Rylan Engelhart and Kelly Ryerson
Kelly Ryerson and Ryland Englehart co-founded American Regeneration to close the gap between what the best regenerative farmers know and what policymakers have never heard. In this episode, they share their unlikely journeys — from fighting pesticides and running vegan restaurants — to becoming two of regenerative agriculture's most passionate advocates. They dig into their work connecting soi
Episode #29: The Art of Following Nature’s Design at Alderspring Ranch
Glenn and Carol Elzinga of Alder Spring Ranch were losing cattle to wolves, losing money, and ready to walk away from everything — until they discovered that the answer wasn't new technology or better systems, but going back to the way God designed animals and land to work together. By stopping fighting creation and starting to work with it, they watched their soil organic matter triple, plant
Episode #28 Wide Rows, Deep Roots: Greg Thoren's Regenerative Vision
In this episode, Keith welcomes back Greg Thoren, a regenerative farmer from northwest Illinois, for a highly anticipated follow-up conversation. Greg farms approximately 2,400 acres that are all no-till, non-GMO, and cover cropped. This time around, Keith and Greg discuss Greg's 60-inch row corn system, sharing why the wider row spacing has been a game-changer. Greg has found that 60 inch spa
Episode #27: Healing Watersheds One Farm at a Time with Abe Collins
In this episode of the Green Cover Podcast, host Keith Berns welcomes Abe Collins of Vermont, an innovative farmer and systems thinker who has spent decades developing tools and practices to rapidly heal degraded land. Abe shares how combining deep rooted plant diversity, custom rip sower technology, and biological inputs can dramatically improve soil health, water infiltration, and drought resili
Episode #26: Interseeding Cover Crops into Soybeans with Alex Frasier
In this episode, Keith sits down with Alex Frazier, a fourth-generation farmer and agronomist from South Dakota, who has been interseeding cover crops into his soybeans for six years. Alex shares how planting a simple mix of oats, rye, and flax alongside his beans — then terminating it six to eight weeks later — has helped him boost his farm's soybean average from 39 to 52 bushels per acre while r
Episode #25: Why Healthy Soils Don't Blow in the Wind with David Kleinschmidt
In this episode, consultant and Illinois farmer David Kleinschmidt discusses the tragic 2023 dust storm on Interstate 55 that claimed seven lives, exploring how it reveals a deeper crisis in soil health. David shares his journey from ag retail to soil health consulting, emphasizing that erosion is fundamentally a biological problem, not just a mechanical one. He offers practical advice on getting
Episode #24: How Jay Young Eliminated Phosphorus and Still Grows 100 Bushel Corn
Jay Young farms in southwest Kansas, one of the harshest environments to prove regenerative agriculture works. With just 14 to 16 inches of annual rainfall, high winds, and a conventional farming culture, Jay has built a system around grazing cattle on cover crops, eliminated phosphorus for five years, cut nitrogen rates in half, and still produces 100+ bushel corn and milo. In this conversation,
Episode #23: Growing Giant Pumpkins & Boosting Crop Yields with Regen Agronomist Joe Ailts
Joe Ailts is a regenerative agronomist from Wisconsin with an unusual hobby: growing giant pumpkins. In this conversation, Joe breaks down the biological processes he uses to push pumpkins to extreme sizes, from mycorrhizal fungi networks to optimizing plant efficiency at every stage.What makes this interesting is how much of it translates directly to row crop farming. The same principles Joe uses
Episode #22: Regenerative Farming in Japan with Raymond Epp
Raymond Epp is an American who grew up in a conventional farming family in Nebraska. His curiosity led him to Canada as a young man, where he pursued an education in Biblical Studies. There, he met his wife, who eventually brought him to Japan. In Japan, Raymond started a farm and became a significant figure in the country's adoption of regenerative agriculture. He shares his journey, includin
Episode #21: Working and Growing in the Family Business - Thanksgiving Special
In this special Thanksgiving edition of the Green Cover Podcast, Keith brings on his son and Green Cover Sales Manager, Jakin Berns, and nephew and Operations Manager, Travis Berns to have a conversation about their experiences of working and growing within the family business. The three share about the importance of family values, stewardship, and how these values are shared and overlap with our
Episode #20: Freedom Farming and the Regenerative Nexus Summits with Ray Archuleta
On this episode of the Green Cover podcast host Keith Berns invites Ray Archuleta on to discuss the importance of collaborative learning for regenerative agriculture producers. They highlight the challenges farmers face in the current agricultural economy and emphasize the importance of mimicking natural systems to improve soil health. Ray discusses his journey in regenerative ag, reflecting on hi
Episode #19: The Fascinating World of Soil Microbiology with David Olson
In this episode, Keith Berns hosts David Olson from Sustainable Growing Solutions to discuss the integration and benefits of biological products in regenerative agriculture. David shares his background, the development of his company's biological treatments, and the emphasis on microbial diversity in achieving soil health and crop resilience. They delve into how biologicals enhance soil biolog
Episode #18: Exploring Soil Health and Nutrient Density with Jill Clapperton
Dr. Jill Clapperton is a globally recognized soil ecologist known for her captivating ability to blend scientific insight with practical solutions.We are thrilled to have Dr. Jill as our keynote speaking at our Southeast Kansas Soil Health Conference on December 10th and 11th in Iola, Kansas!You won't want to miss this opportunity to learn from Dr. Clapperton and the other farmers who will tak
Podcast Episode #17: Sharing the Load Through Cooperative Farming
In this episode of the Cover Podcast, Illinois farmers Steve Jamison, Matt Johnson, and Brad Riskedal share how their cooperative farming arrangement has enabled each of their transitions from conventional to regenerative agriculture. By pooling labor, investing in better equipment, and expanding crop diversity beyond what would be possible individually, they’ve reduced inputs and drastically impr
Podcast Episode #16: Regenerative Organic Dairy with Blake & Stephanie Alexandre
This week's podcast guests are Blake and Stephanie Alexandre, founders of Alexandre Family Farm, a pioneering Regenerative Organic Certified dairy and pastured egg operation in northwestern California. Over the years, they transitioned their farm to regenerative organic practices, becoming leaders in soil health, animal welfare, and quality dairy production. In this conversation, they share th
Episode #15: How Education Fuels the Regenerative Movement with Matt Powers
In this episode of the Green Cover Podcast, Keith Berns is joined by Matt Powers, a permaculture and soil health educator whose journey into organic and regenerative food systems began after his wife’s cancer diagnosis. Matt describes how such a life altering event catalyzed his inquiry into food and soil. Since then, Matt has written over 24 books, developed courses, and taught thousands about th
Episode #14: From No-till to Biological Breakthroughs with Clint Cox
In this episode of the Green Cover Podcast, Keith Berns sits down with Clint Cox, a seasoned farmer from Long Island, Kansas. They explore Clint’s extensive journey, from growing up on a no-till farm to eventually running his own operation, where his ambitions led him to integrate cover crops and reintroduce livestock. Along the way, his experiences taught him the critical role that biological div
Episode #13: Regenerative Organic Almond Farming with Benina Montes
In this episode of the Green Cover podcast Benina Montes shares the farm's journey from traditional dairy farming to diverse regenerative organic practices, including growing almonds, walnuts, olives, chickens, and sheep. She discusses their strategies for improving soil health, water conservation, and pest management without synthetic chemicals. The conversation highlights the importance of e
Episode #12: A Regenerative Approach to Wildlife Conservation with Dr. Grant Woods
In this episode of the Green Cover Podcast, host Keith Berns welcomes wildlife biologist Dr. Grant Woods to explore how multi-species cover crops in food plots can serve as a powerful tool for both soil regeneration and wildlife management. Dr. Woods shares practical strategies for using cover crops and microbial life to revitalize degraded land, transform conventional food plots into biodiverse s
Episode #11: Harnessing the Power of Cover Crops with Tyler Tobald
Join us on the Green Cover Podcast as we dive into the world of regenerative agriculture with Tyler Tobald, a passionate no-till farmer and cover cropper from Glasco, Kansas. In this episode, Tyler shares his intriguing journey from being a bassoon player to an accomplished regenerative farmer. Learn about his innovative practices, the importance of diversity in cover crop blends, and the economic
Episode #10: How Regenerative Food Reverses Chronic Disease with Erin Martin
This week’s podcast guest, Erin Martin is revolutionizing the way we approach healthcare and spreading the word that healthy aging starts in the soil. Erin shares the story of Fresh RX, a food-as-medicine program that’s healing its patients with nutrient dense food. Working with doctors and local farms, the program has helped participants reverse chronic disease, come off prescription medications,
Episode #9: Farming for Profit Over Yield with Greg Thoren
Greg Thoren is a regenerative farmer from Illinois whose willingness to learn and innovate has made his farming operation profitable and resilient. In this episode, Greg discusses how he’s growing and marketing nutrient dense grains, his experience with becoming certified with Regenified and how he’s grazing cattle on cover crops and then marketing that beef direct to consumers. Greg also shares a
Episode #8: Understanding Prussic Acid & Nitrate Poisoning with Dale Strickler
Description: In this episode of the Green Cover Podcast, we dive into the important topics of prussic acid and nitrate poisoning when grazing cover crop forages. Our guest, Dale Strickler, a former Green Cover team member and renowned author and agronomist, shares his expertise on recognizing and managing these issues. Learn about the conditions that lead to prussic acid and nitrate toxicity, effe
Episode #7: Regenerating Our Capacity For Stewardship with John Kempf
What’s the difference between soil health and regenerative agriculture? What does it mean to “be regenerative”? In this episode, Keith and John Kempf discuss what regenerative agriculture really means when we zoom out from practices and start to think about how the regenerative mindset influences the way we show up in the world. Keith and John discuss how we might regenerate entire communities by
Episode #6: Interseeding Seed Corn for Improved Soil Health with Scott Richert
Scott Richert, an experienced farmer from central Nebraska is shaking things up on the farm with corn interseeding. In this episode, Scott shares his journey from traditional farming to prioritizing soil health, highlighting the challenges and successes of using cover crops and diverse blends. Scott shares his collaborative research efforts with Jenny Rees Brhel and the Nebraska On-Farm Research N
Episode #5: Inviting Regeneration Across the Fenceline with Nicole Masters
In this episode, world-renowned agroecologist Nicole Masters joins Keith Berns for a powerful conversation on regeneration, humility, and the importance of walking alongside farmers rather than ahead of them. Nicole describes that across the globe, soils are sending us messages and those that are learning how to listen are seeing profound shifts in soil function, and most importantly, profitabilit
Episode #4: Growing Cows Instead of Corn With Kipp Hinrichs
Kipp Hinrichs started out his farming career doing things the same as everyone else, growing conventional, high yield corn and soybeans on prime, irrigated cropland in south central Nebraska. 2020 brought a lot more down time and Kipp took to “YouTube University” where he came across the teachings of Gabe Brown and other regenerative farmers who were questioning the status quo. After doing the mat
Episode #3: DNA Sequencing of Soil Microbes with Dr. Laura Kavanaugh
In this episode Keith Berns and Laura Kavanaugh sit down at Union Grove Farm, a regenerative vineyard in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to chat about Laura’s journey from working at the Johnson Space Center to becoming the Chief Science Officer at Advancing Eco Agriculture. Today, Laura is using her background in bioinformatics in groundbreaking research on DNA sequencing to help us better understan
Episode #2: How Rick Clark Is Rethinking Diversity On His Organic Regenerative Farm
What’s the real secret to regenerative success? In this episode, Indiana farmer Rick Clark shares how he's building organic systems at scale — without tillage, without inputs, and without regret. But the real magic? It’s not just about species diversity, it’s about plant family diversity. Rick walks us through how rethinking his cover crop mixes — moving beyond rye and radish — transformed his soi
Episode #1: Gabe Brown and the Origins of the Regenerative Agriculture Movement in the United States
In this episode of the Green Cover Podcast, we sit down with renowned regenerative farmer Gabe Brown to revisit a pivotal moment in 2006 that helped spark the regenerative agriculture movement in the U.S. Learn how a bold idea from a South American expert changed the way we think about cover crops, soil health, and farming systems. We also discuss the rise of the regenerative market, how farmers c
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