Soil Strategies Podcast
Episode 5 – Managing Stress and Relationships with Brett Gardiner
Soil Strategies podcast host Roy Thompson discusses farm stress management and family relationships with award-winning rodeo announcer, mental health advocate, and Chase the Good founder Brett Gardiner.
Episode 4 – Rethinking Fertility Inputs with John Kempf
Soil Strategies podcast host Roy Thompson interviews Agronomist and Advancing Eco Agriculture Founder John Kempf about nutrient management and thinking differently about fertility inputs.
Episode 3 – Understanding Biodiversity with Candy Thomas
Soil Strategies podcast host Roy Thompson interviews retired NRCS Soil Health Specialist and Soil Caretaker Services Founder Candy Thomas about biodiversity, soil biology, and the power of farmer-to-farmer relationships in regenerative agriculture.
Episode 2 – A Conversation with Ray Archuleta
Soil Strategies podcast host Roy Thompson interviews renowned soil health advocate Ray Archuleta about understanding life in the soil and how protecting that life through regenerative ag practices has a positive effect on human health, farmer stress levels, and our communities.
Episode 1 – Founding the SD Soil Health Coalition
Soil Strategies podcast host Roy Thompson interviews two founding board members of the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition: Doug Sieck, a producer near Selby, SD, and Dan Forgey, longtime farm manager of Cronin Farms near Gettysburg, SD. They discuss the founding of the Coalition and its activities and why improved soil health is so important.
Welcome to Soil Strategies, a new podcast launched by the SD Soil Health Coalition hosted by producer and current SDSHC Board Member Roy Thompson and featuring interviews and discussions with producers, researchers, and professionals working to improve our farms, ranches, landscape and communities through improved soil health!
Listen to the episodes here or find them on your favorite platform below!
Registration Open for 2026 Soil Health Schools!
The Coalition will host two Soil Health Schools in 2026! The West River Soil Health School is set for June 24-25 near Caputa, SD, and the South Dakota Soil Health School is set for Sept. 15-17 near Twin Brooks and Marvin, SD. These events are designed for agricultural producers as well as anyone with an interest in learning how to manage soils for resiliency and profit. The agenda features classroom style presentations by producers and technical experts from across the state and region, as well as hands-on experiences in the field. Area producers will share their challenges and successes with various methods for improving soil health, to an average class size of 30-40. Registration is open, so check out our events page to learn more!
News & Events
Darling Creek Ranch Named 2026 SD Leopold Award Winner
Sand County Foundation Dan and Sharon Anderson’s Darling Creek Ranch has been selected as the 2026 South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award® recipient. The $10,000 award honors ranchers, farmers, and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil...
Building operational resilience with soil health
By Stan Wise South Dakota Soil Health Coalition PIERRE, SD – Resilience. It’s one of the prizes that keeps conservation-minded land managers striving for improved soil health. Operational resilience in the face of floods, market fluctuations, rising input costs,...
Awards Announced at Soil Health Conference
During the Tenth Annual Soil Health Conference, Jan. 13-14 in Aberdeen, SD, the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition announced the winners of its two annual awards as well as the winners of its student essay and video contests. Doug Sieck was named the 2026 Legacy Award...