October 11, 2024 • 10 mins
Farmer Garrett Riekhof talks with host Makayla Voris about the benefits that he's seeing from the agricultural practices from his farm; how sustainability and regenerating differ; and the importance of being prepared for the future.
This Podcast is part of the MU Extension Podcast Network.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to Regenerative Reflections, a podcast produced in partnership with the University
(00:13):
of Missouri Extension.
I'm Mikayla Voris, your host from the MU Center for Regenerative Agriculture.
Our mission is to provide farmers with the research, resources, and connections to implement
practices that improve soil health, crop yield, and livestock systems.
Today we'll hear from Garrett Ryckoff, a farmer involved with our Cover Crop Incentive
(00:33):
Payment Program.
We have four cover crop programs part of the Missouri Climate Resilient Crops and Livestock
Project, or CIRCL for short.
The CIRCL project seeks to empower farmers and producers to add or maintain regenerative
practices on their operations.
Garrett believes the biological diversity that comes from some regenerative agricultural
practices creates better soils.
(00:55):
Let's hear from him now.
I am at GR Farms, LLC right now with Garrett Ryckoff.
Thank you so much, Garrett, for being on the podcast.
You're welcome.
It's good to be here and have a chat about the CIRCL project.
So to start off, I just wanted to ask you, how did you first come in contact with the
(01:19):
Center for Regenerative Agriculture?
So I think my first touch was probably just a generic USDA email that they kind of send,
I think, monthly updates.
And I was perusing some of the headlines, and the CIRCL project was one that came to
mind or popped up, I guess.
(01:39):
And so I dove in and read more, and I'm familiar with working with the University of Extension.
And so I decided, well, if they can help me with a cover crop program, I need to learn
a little more.
And so it just really through that USDA email blitz.
Can I ask about the regenerative agricultural practices that you do on your farm?
I know that you do the cover crop program with the Missouri CIRCL project.
(02:01):
Do you do any other regenerative practices, or is that the only one?
So we've been exclusively no-till for a generation now.
I would say my dad incorporated no-till into his operation in the mid-80s, and just really
only tilling areas on the farm where we've done either earthwork or there's some erosion
(02:22):
that we need to remedy.
So by far, we're exclusively no-till.
And then in the last seven years, we've really started to work on intensely soil sampling
and managing our fields fertility-wise by zone.
And that's allowed me then to learn to split apply nitrogen, really reduce phosphorus and
(02:44):
potash use through intensively managing and then subsidizing things with manure.
And then lately we've added a lot of just-in-time, right rate, right time type fertility on our
planter.
And then I've had several landlords who incorporate livestock on their operations, have had cover
(03:06):
crops of various species over the years.
And I've worked with them farming their land and things have worked really well as far
as the agronomic side, which is my, that's my gig.
But on our farm, we're exclusively row crop.
I really don't have any livestock to be able to mix into our row crop fields.
And so a lot of my cover crop, I guess, previous notions have been through those landlords.
(03:31):
And so this year I incorporated cereal rye broadcast after fall plant or fall harvest
on quite a few of my acres.
And it's been a good experience.
What are the benefits that you're seeing of having multiple regenerative agricultural
practices on your farm?
So I'd say, you know, in the short run here, the overarching benefit is just reduced erosion.
(03:56):
All our fields mostly are all terraced and so erosion has not been a major problem.
But with a lot of these rains that we've been getting, seems like in the last five years
when it does rain, it rains larger amounts and quicker.
And that just lends itself perfectly to, you know, something to shield the ground from
erosion.
And so erosion is probably the number one thing.
(04:17):
Secondly, I definitely see an advantage in weed control where we have cover crops, the
weeds, especially the winter annuals, and some of the early generating summer annuals
are reduced.
I haven't gotten to the point where I'm literally reducing my herbicide rates or herbicide usage
really yet.
(04:39):
But I can totally see that coming as I learn more and we can incorporate this more on a
wide scale basis, I can see the reduction of herbicide usage for sure.
So really, you know, soil erosion, weed control, and just hopefully we see some general soil
tilth.
Those are the main benefits I think I'm seeing right away.
(05:01):
What exactly does regenerative agriculture mean to you?
We've kind of been tossing this term around a lot.
It doesn't really have a solid definition, so it means something different to everybody.
Is there a definition that you like to work with?
It's a really good question.
You know, it's regenerative and sustainable and, you know, a lot of these are emotional
(05:21):
words, frankly.
When we say the word regenerative, it does mean something different to me than sustainable.
Because I would like to think that we're all sustainable because if we're not, then we're
not sustainable and I don't think any of us deserve to be here if we're not on a number
(05:41):
of fronts.
But regenerative does hit home to me in that we are using the things that we're putting
on our soil to create something else.
You know, we're regenerating something.
And so when we plant a seed, that seed generates roots and we terminate that root either through
chemical means or mechanical or just natural maturing.
(06:05):
What does that root then do for us?
Does it bring up fertility?
Does it create organic matter?
Does it create a root pathway for the next crop?
Does it create biological diversity where we're increasing our microbes?
I think the answer to most cover crops, the answer is yes to all those.
And so what are we doing to our fields today to substantiate what we're going to do next?
(06:31):
And I think if we farmers have that idea in everything we put down, we then fall under
the definition of regenerative because we're trying to use one domino to fall to hit the
next domino to then just create that vicious cycle of great crop production.
And unfortunately, I think for a while, years ago, maybe generations ago, we got into a
(06:58):
rut of monoculture.
And now I think society and the ag production community is getting to the point where we
need to mix that up a little bit, whether that be from manure application or grazing
of livestock.
We need to mix that biological diversity up a bit to keep that soil churning and burning
(07:18):
from a microbe and a micro-organic standpoint.
So to kind of wrap this up, let's say that there was a farmer who has heard of regenerative
practices but has never done them before and is maybe on the fence.
What would you say to that person?
Well, I would say start small.
(07:38):
Find a field that's, I think every farmer kind of has a pet field, whether it be the
field behind the house or one that's been in the family a long time, or you might operate
a field that is owned by a landlord who likes to do new and different and wild things.
Maybe pick that pet field, if you will, and just give it a shot.
(07:59):
You'll really never know how any of these programs work for you until you do them yourself.
Your soils, your farming practices, your management style is unique to you.
And there's no one program that's going to work exactly like it says until you try it
on your farm.
You're never really going to know.
But I think what you're able to gain by learning, it will help you for the future.
(08:23):
Because part of these regenerative ag processes, in my mind, I'm getting my feet wet for what's
coming in the future.
You can't pick up an ag publication these days without seeing the newest, latest, greatest
carbon trading program, sequestering carbon.
Every co-op and every grain elevator, it seems at this point, and even some individual companies
(08:48):
have programs available for growers to sequester carbon or carbon trading.
And I do believe that no matter what your environmental aspect is, climate change or
not, these programs are here to stay in some form or fashion.
And I truly believe that cover crops and any type of regenerative practice, whether it
be split applying fertilizer, grazing, different cover crops are going to be a piece, a heavy
(09:17):
piece to that puzzle.
So the greater we have experiences with these, the better you're going to be able to play
in that circle, maybe 10 years from now, five years from now.
Because I do believe those programs will be an economic gain for our farms and our farmers.
And so understanding how it works before they're mainstream should give you a leg up when the
(09:40):
time comes.
So it's, it's really a dip your toe in the water.
So when it's time to swim, you kind of have an idea of what you're getting into.
A big thank you to Garrett for letting me come out to his farm and chat again.
I'm Mikayla Voris, your host from the University of Missouri's Center for Regenerative Agriculture.
If you have questions, comments, or any thoughts on this podcast, let us know by visiting our
(10:01):
website at cra.missouri.edu and go to the podcast page.
You can also find us on social media at MU Regen Act.
The music you're hearing is called Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw, and we snagged it
from the Free Music Archive.
This podcast is created in partnership with MU Extension.
Watch out for another regenerative reflection, and we'll see you next time.
(10:23):
Music.
Music.
Welcome to Regenerative Reflections, a podcast produced in partnership with the University
(00:13):
of Missouri Extension.
I'm Mikayla Voris, your host from the MU Center for Regenerative Agriculture.
Our mission is to provide farmers with the research, resources, and connections to implement
practices that improve soil health, crop yield, and livestock systems.
Today we'll hear from Garrett Ryckoff, a farmer involved with our Cover Crop Incentive
(00:33):
Payment Program.
We have four cover crop programs part of the Missouri Climate Resilient Crops and Livestock
Project, or CIRCL for short.
The CIRCL project seeks to empower farmers and producers to add or maintain regenerative
practices on their operations.
Garrett believes the biological diversity that comes from some regenerative agricultural
practices creates better soils.
(00:55):
Let's hear from him now.
I am at GR Farms, LLC right now with Garrett Ryckoff.
Thank you so much, Garrett, for being on the podcast.
You're welcome.
It's good to be here and have a chat about the CIRCL project.
So to start off, I just wanted to ask you, how did you first come in contact with the
(01:19):
Center for Regenerative Agriculture?
So I think my first touch was probably just a generic USDA email that they kind of send,
I think, monthly updates.
And I was perusing some of the headlines, and the CIRCL project was one that came to
mind or popped up, I guess.
(01:39):
And so I dove in and read more, and I'm familiar with working with the University of Extension.
And so I decided, well, if they can help me with a cover crop program, I need to learn
a little more.
And so it just really through that USDA email blitz.
Can I ask about the regenerative agricultural practices that you do on your farm?
I know that you do the cover crop program with the Missouri CIRCL project.
(02:01):
Do you do any other regenerative practices, or is that the only one?
So we've been exclusively no-till for a generation now.
I would say my dad incorporated no-till into his operation in the mid-80s, and just really
only tilling areas on the farm where we've done either earthwork or there's some erosion
(02:22):
that we need to remedy.
So by far, we're exclusively no-till.
And then in the last seven years, we've really started to work on intensely soil sampling
and managing our fields fertility-wise by zone.
And that's allowed me then to learn to split apply nitrogen, really reduce phosphorus and
(02:44):
potash use through intensively managing and then subsidizing things with manure.
And then lately we've added a lot of just-in-time, right rate, right time type fertility on our
planter.
And then I've had several landlords who incorporate livestock on their operations, have had cover
(03:06):
crops of various species over the years.
And I've worked with them farming their land and things have worked really well as far
as the agronomic side, which is my, that's my gig.
But on our farm, we're exclusively row crop.
I really don't have any livestock to be able to mix into our row crop fields.
And so a lot of my cover crop, I guess, previous notions have been through those landlords.
(03:31):
And so this year I incorporated cereal rye broadcast after fall plant or fall harvest
on quite a few of my acres.
And it's been a good experience.
What are the benefits that you're seeing of having multiple regenerative agricultural
practices on your farm?
So I'd say, you know, in the short run here, the overarching benefit is just reduced erosion.
(03:56):
All our fields mostly are all terraced and so erosion has not been a major problem.
But with a lot of these rains that we've been getting, seems like in the last five years
when it does rain, it rains larger amounts and quicker.
And that just lends itself perfectly to, you know, something to shield the ground from
erosion.
And so erosion is probably the number one thing.
(04:17):
Secondly, I definitely see an advantage in weed control where we have cover crops, the
weeds, especially the winter annuals, and some of the early generating summer annuals
are reduced.
I haven't gotten to the point where I'm literally reducing my herbicide rates or herbicide usage
really yet.
(04:39):
But I can totally see that coming as I learn more and we can incorporate this more on a
wide scale basis, I can see the reduction of herbicide usage for sure.
So really, you know, soil erosion, weed control, and just hopefully we see some general soil
tilth.
Those are the main benefits I think I'm seeing right away.
(05:01):
What exactly does regenerative agriculture mean to you?
We've kind of been tossing this term around a lot.
It doesn't really have a solid definition, so it means something different to everybody.
Is there a definition that you like to work with?
It's a really good question.
You know, it's regenerative and sustainable and, you know, a lot of these are emotional
(05:21):
words, frankly.
When we say the word regenerative, it does mean something different to me than sustainable.
Because I would like to think that we're all sustainable because if we're not, then we're
not sustainable and I don't think any of us deserve to be here if we're not on a number
(05:41):
of fronts.
But regenerative does hit home to me in that we are using the things that we're putting
on our soil to create something else.
You know, we're regenerating something.
And so when we plant a seed, that seed generates roots and we terminate that root either through
chemical means or mechanical or just natural maturing.
(06:05):
What does that root then do for us?
Does it bring up fertility?
Does it create organic matter?
Does it create a root pathway for the next crop?
Does it create biological diversity where we're increasing our microbes?
I think the answer to most cover crops, the answer is yes to all those.
And so what are we doing to our fields today to substantiate what we're going to do next?
(06:31):
And I think if we farmers have that idea in everything we put down, we then fall under
the definition of regenerative because we're trying to use one domino to fall to hit the
next domino to then just create that vicious cycle of great crop production.
And unfortunately, I think for a while, years ago, maybe generations ago, we got into a
(06:58):
rut of monoculture.
And now I think society and the ag production community is getting to the point where we
need to mix that up a little bit, whether that be from manure application or grazing
of livestock.
We need to mix that biological diversity up a bit to keep that soil churning and burning
(07:18):
from a microbe and a micro-organic standpoint.
So to kind of wrap this up, let's say that there was a farmer who has heard of regenerative
practices but has never done them before and is maybe on the fence.
What would you say to that person?
Well, I would say start small.
(07:38):
Find a field that's, I think every farmer kind of has a pet field, whether it be the
field behind the house or one that's been in the family a long time, or you might operate
a field that is owned by a landlord who likes to do new and different and wild things.
Maybe pick that pet field, if you will, and just give it a shot.
(07:59):
You'll really never know how any of these programs work for you until you do them yourself.
Your soils, your farming practices, your management style is unique to you.
And there's no one program that's going to work exactly like it says until you try it
on your farm.
You're never really going to know.
But I think what you're able to gain by learning, it will help you for the future.
(08:23):
Because part of these regenerative ag processes, in my mind, I'm getting my feet wet for what's
coming in the future.
You can't pick up an ag publication these days without seeing the newest, latest, greatest
carbon trading program, sequestering carbon.
Every co-op and every grain elevator, it seems at this point, and even some individual companies
(08:48):
have programs available for growers to sequester carbon or carbon trading.
And I do believe that no matter what your environmental aspect is, climate change or
not, these programs are here to stay in some form or fashion.
And I truly believe that cover crops and any type of regenerative practice, whether it
be split applying fertilizer, grazing, different cover crops are going to be a piece, a heavy
(09:17):
piece to that puzzle.
So the greater we have experiences with these, the better you're going to be able to play
in that circle, maybe 10 years from now, five years from now.
Because I do believe those programs will be an economic gain for our farms and our farmers.
And so understanding how it works before they're mainstream should give you a leg up when the
(09:40):
time comes.
So it's, it's really a dip your toe in the water.
So when it's time to swim, you kind of have an idea of what you're getting into.
A big thank you to Garrett for letting me come out to his farm and chat again.
I'm Mikayla Voris, your host from the University of Missouri's Center for Regenerative Agriculture.
If you have questions, comments, or any thoughts on this podcast, let us know by visiting our
(10:01):
website at cra.missouri.edu and go to the podcast page.
You can also find us on social media at MU Regen Act.
The music you're hearing is called Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw, and we snagged it
from the Free Music Archive.
This podcast is created in partnership with MU Extension.
Watch out for another regenerative reflection, and we'll see you next time.
(10:23):
Music.
Music.
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