Cultivating Change: Regenerative Agriculture with Dr. Rob Myers

Can cover crops and soil microbiomes hold the key to transforming our current farming systems and boosting yields sustainably? 

Today on Tangled Taproot, hosts John Cowan, Christin Jameson, and Jackson speak with industry veteran Dr. Rob Myers, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Regenerative Agriculture at the University of Missouri and former USDA National Director of Sustainable Agriculture.  

The conversation explores the burgeoning world of regenerative farming and soil health. Dr. Myers shares insights on the critical role of soil microbial life and the challenges posed by post-World War II farming practices. Regenerative methods, such as cover crops, offer promise despite adoption hurdles. The episode reveals historical agricultural lessons from figures like Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, illustrating their lasting impact on modern practices. Dr. Myers highlights the growing bipartisan support for sustainable farming policies and explores innovative agricultural technologies, including drones and virtual fencing. You, the consumer, can also play a role in supporting regenerative agriculture, as a collective effort is desperately needed to build a sustainable food system. 

Founded in 2020 by John Cowan, Mylk and Hummus makes on-the-go, chickpea-based snacks that focus on flavorful hummus varieties and ready-to-drink plant-based lattes. Mylk and Hummus products nourish the physical and mental endurance needs of today while considering environmental goals for the future. At Mylk and Hummus, plant-based food is made with ingredients proudly sourced through sustainable and regenerative agriculture where farming principles and practices enrich soils, restore watersheds, and lead to healthy ecosystems. The company operates on these principles to significantly reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to the reversal of global trends in climate instability, habitat loss, and the vitality of the natural world. 

Discussion Points: 

• Dr. Rob Myers, the Director of the Center for Regenerative Agriculture at the University of Missouri, the complex world of soil health and regenerative agriculture 
• The historical and geological aspects of farmland, including Native American interactions and glacial influences, post-World War II farming practices 
• Challenges in adopting these practices, economic concerns and policy restrictions, innovative crops like Kernza, a perennial grain, and the support from government and private companies for farmers experimenting with regenerative methods 
• Cover crops to protect soil, renting fields for grazing 
• Historical insights from the farms of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, how these founding fathers recognized the benefits of cover crops for soil fertility, the implications of these practices in shaping agricultural policy in Washington, DC 
• Technology and regenerative ag, drones for seeding cover crops and virtual fencing for livestock management 
• How consumers can influence market trends and support regenerative agricultural products, playing a pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable food system 
• This is not just for large farm businesses, you can experiment with your own gardens and fields 

Resources: 
www.cra.missouri.edu 
www.northcentral.sare.org 
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