Land & Legacy - Habitat + Hunting

In todays episode we dive in with Forester and Wildlife Manager Daric Denny to discuss how your timber stand has changed over the years. Many beneficial plant communities that have been lost and we're discussing what we can do to fix it. Who knows, we may even create a turkey factory in the process.

We're headed west! It's a busy time of the year but some times it's important to slow down and go hunting! This week we're discussing our upcoming trip to Utah to chase elk! This trip brings up past hunts and the good times of sharing camp with buddies! #forloveoftheland

This week we're joined by Whitetail Properties Producer Sean Fahrendorf to discuss his feet to flame introduction to habitat management. Unlike many of us we built our knowledge over years of learning from others and our own personal failures, but for Sean once he got introduced to habitat management it was drinking from a fire hose.

Quail forever and Pheasants Forever have accomplished many things for private land across the nation, but they aren’t just improving the quail habitat; they're making great habitat for turkey, grouse and deer too! Today we are joined with two ladies that explain not only how to create great habitat for all wildlife, but ways to get the work paid for as well.

Not everyone has open or agricultural acres on their recreational farms, however, this conversation can still be beneficial for everyone to listen to. You may ask why, but the reason is, often times the status quo is not always the best fit or decision. Cash renting is very common for landowners, but in this podcast, you may learn more that there are better options out there. We bring on Whitetail Properties Agent Stephen Stockman who works across Northern Missouri selling farms! Cash renting of farm acres are very clean exchange. Cash money for the control of agricultural acres. This is a very hands-off approach and has low responsibility on the landowner. But with lack of responsibility comes little power in crop rotations, fertilizing, and harvesting. On the flip side, custom farming is on the complete other side of the spectrum. All of the control is in the hands of the landowner. From, what to plant, how to plant, when to plant, etc... In addition, all of the risk regardless of the outcome falls on the landowner. To learn which option is best for you, please tune in and share this podcast with each landowner you know!

Greg Glesinger has a history of tagging giant whitetails, and when we say giant whitetails we aren't saying booners, we're talking 200" and bigger. In fact, Kasey Morgan and Greg are doing things in the whitetail space few people get to experience. This isn't happening by chance either, this is planned out through extreme habitat makeovers, planned out hunting strategy, and execution. This new project will unfold on Sportsman's Channel next summer as well as new social media content. This will be Land & Legacy's way of jumping into whitetail content completely. We'll be packing cameras, podcasting, and doing all kinds of additional content focused on whitetail deer. From growing them, to building a farm for them, to hunting them., you'll find it all right here. Forloveoftheland

We often hear people say “we just don’t have the genetics to grow big deer around here”. On today's podcast we dive into this topic with Dr. Lashley as a follow up to a podcast he had done on Fire University titled “ Fire as a Tool to Increase Nutrient Availability in Lactating Does”. In a lot of cases it’s the deer adapting to what you have provided them and has nothing at all to do with genetics. Join us as we dive into this hot topic and explore what might be going on.

On this week's podcast we discuss whether it is necessary to plant natives or simply allow the seed bank to respond. We have a special guest and post-graduate student from the University of TN Bonner Powell. He completed some interesting research while a student that helps to break down the best ways to maximize the native response that could save you some money and time.Most people tend to think that the more money you spend, the better quality you will get. In some cases this could be true, but it's not always the case when working the land. During the podcast you will hear just how valuable the seed bank is compared to planting natives. The results are pretty overwhelming and speak for themselves.We also include some great tips on the future management of the site and how to best keep the area in good condition.

As we grow, you get more content coming your way. Sawdust and Fire is a new podcast coming to the Land & Legacy feed. This podcast will be for the landowner. It is hosted by two passionate land managers, Thomas Baldridge and Hunter Johnson. Both residing from Arkansas, they put their personal training, passion, and knowledge into each podcast. They are not professionally trained, but that does not disqualify them from providing you with quality information in a digestible manner. The main goal with Sawdust and Fire is to be as relatable as possible and unpack the heavy research into a landowner's perspective. These guys are excited to bring you new content with a personalized twist. The land management principles will be the same, but a new voice to enjoy! We hope you give Sawdust and Fire a listen each week. For Love of the Land

The group at Quail Forever is a lean mean habitat focused machine. They are keenly aware that the persistence of bobwhite quail and pheasants are dependent upon the habitat on the ground. So they cast a wide net to grab the attention of all land lovers. We sit down with Casey Bergthold of Quail Forever to learn more about the organization and opportunities to put more habitat on the ground. A huge tool for this group is prescribed fire. So if you are apprehensive about using the tool, you need to contact your local Quail Forever agent to see if they can assist. It's important to remember if you want assistance, it is out there for you, you just need to reach out.

There is a heated debate over the topic of, whether should you mow your clover. There have been many schools of thought, but now a long-term research project has provided us, land managers, with the best option for perennial plot maintenance. Recreational mowing is often overused and done to the detriment of wildlife and perennial food plots. The research conducted by the University of TN and graduate student Mark Turner showed that routine mowing reduced the amount of clover produced, reduced deer activity in the plot, and did not decrease the persistence of broadleaf weeds. Mowing was, however, recommended once during late summer to clip weeds prior them producing seed heads, but following up with an herbicide solution can provide a longer-term maintenance solution. Don't mow just because you enjoy it. Research is only good and useful if it is applied. Remember a food plot's goal is to produce the most and highest quality forage per acre possible, so don't mow it off just to have something to do.

Please take note during this podcast of the importance of hunting culture. This culture is essential to the resource. As hunter numbers shift and change over time, we will see a change in the influence we have on wildlife. The story over the last 40 years of the bobwhite quail is of the upmost importance to study and learn from. A once highly sought-after game animal is now in many regions unhuntable due to low and declining populations. Don't think for a minute that other game species such as the wild turkey are not capable of doing the same thing. This podcast is not here to paint a picture of doom and gloom but to share a story that we HAVE to learn from. If we keep promoting the culture of hunting, we will preserve the opportunities to chase wild animals. Culture impacts our daily lives and the decisions we make. If you care about bobwhite quail and the wild turkey, let your actions show how important they are to you.

During this podcast, we interview a passionate landowner and client from the mid-Atlantic region. This 23-acre property is rocking, so we have to tell you the story. A timber sale and aggressive invasives species removal plan have paved the way for the frequent occurrence of several great mature bucks now using this property and calling it home. Small property management differs from a larger property, not due to the limitations of size, but more the importance of executing a fine-tuned plan. The spatial arrangement of native vegetation is essential, cover and security are of the utmost importance. Most small properties have multiple neighbors, on top of this, this homestead is surrounded by hunters too, so hunting pressure is high in this area. This property is a fine example of this arrangement, even though the property is oddly shaped and in a hunting neighborhood. Currently, 4-5 mature bucks are using this farm daily. Do you want that success on your property, listen closely, then execute!

If you don't plan on maintaining the work you've done, don't bother implementing it! You should consider the maintenance of the farm to not be optional. Remember, quality habitat is not accidental, it is a series of intentional actions. There are very few once-and-done practices in land management. We see the best and worst of land management in our travels. but one thing rings true, the worst is always the practices that failed to be maintained. This is where the headaches come in. You have to actively observe and set aside time to maintain the work you've previously done. This includes TSI, timber harvest, and invasive species control. During this podcast, we cover a couple of real-life examples of the failure to maintain habitat. The use of herbicide and fire is often a necessary one-two punch to keep the habitat in a productive state. Don't skip the maintenance phase if you intend to have a healthy farm. If you plan to implement, don't fail to maintain!

This is a different spin on the podcast this week! Adam and Kyle are discussing the how the window of time maybe closing on you making the biggest improvement on your farm. Will your kids be active in dance, baseball, softball, or band? If so, your time might be running out! Don't let the hustle of life limit you on your time in the field, get after it! One of the biggest factors in success is time and understanding how to manage that time best. We work through the many stages of life and how having the knowledge to attack at the correct time with the correct tools might be the secret to making the most of your limited time. #Forloveoftheland

Do you like saving time, energy and money? We sure do, well there is a long list of tools that if you have access too will cut time and expenses, but they aren’t a must have. During this podcast we discuss sprayers, spreaders, tractors, implements, chainsaws and much more. There is no better way to do more and do it right than having the right combination of knowledge and equipment. Be a better land manager and get the right equipment working for you.

As we all prepare for hunting season mentally, we want to provide you with a series to consider so you get the most out of the fall. So we are going to be going through the most common failures that bowhunters face. There are many reasons why, but join us as we discuss this week, why bowhunters tend to miss or overlook the biggest factors behind over-browsed food plots. We chat about the 6 main factors that influence why plots are over-browsed, some of these may surprise you. In detail, we mention factors such as sunlight, tree competition, forage selection, number of deer, and many others.

We're celebrating our 500th episode this week! Who can believe it!? 500 episodes beginning from 2017 to today with all things land. We're going to break down our mission, how we've changed, and how we haven't changed. We're discussing some of the ways we hope we change over the next 500 episodes and how we're excited for the future. Have you ever wondered just how intricate the whole ecosystem is and how we fit in it? We discuss that in more detail as we plan out the future of Land & Legacy !

On episode #499 we're talking with our friend Thomas Baldridge about all the things connecting him to the land! Thomas is an avid outdoorsman and prescribed fire enthusiast! While managing his farm in Arkansas he's found many forms of success including an increasing abundant population of Bobwhite quail, and the success doesn't stop there! With plans to implement a conservation grazing program on native grass specific to his region we're excited to hear the results! We also discuss one of the most important days in Arkansas the opening day of squirrel season and how timber management may have a slight focus on squirrels. #forloveoftheland

This podcast is devoted to the landowners who like to plan, and to the ones who don't like to plan, get with the program!! With every consult our job is to help the landowner the day of the consult and in the future, but there are things the landowner can do to ensure the day is the most successful it can be! Whether it be soil reports, NRCS contracts, crop contracts, or a road map, these all play a part in helping you as the landowner reach your goals! #Forloveoftheland

To follow up our recent podcast discussing the future concerns in land management, it’s only fair if we discuss the things that are looking up! So we breakdown 5 positives changes we seen that will impact our future as landowners and managers. Topics such as the rise in outdoor media and ability to share outdoor research has drastically increased the spread of good information. Hunter selectivity has without a doubt been greatly improved over the last few decades. The awareness of land ethic and ecological based habitat management has also been on the rise! Sit back and enjoy this podcast! Let us know what else you’ve seen in your neck of the woods that has impacted Creation in a positive way.

For many land owners across the country, we're in a drought that doesn't seem to be lifting anytime soon. What does this mean for land managers trying to improve their property for wildlife? It means it's time to get to work like usual! Drought doesn't mean to go about our normal routine, it opens the door for more projects that we normally couldn't do without dry weather. With dry conditions present we can improve the farm with prescribed fire and set back woody vegetation, grasses, and promote a more diverse landscape. We also discuss some of our other plans to make lemonade out of lemons. #Forloveoftheland

What's going in the outdoors during the heat of the summer? Where are Matt and Adam Traveling during the summer? we cover these topics and any more on this podcast. We celebrated the 4th of July this week and spent some time explaining the problems we've seen on the landscape in our recent travels. It's not all bad news though! We share some great updates on projects we've worked on the benefits the land owners are seeing! From Oak savanna's in Nebraska to Prairies of Oklahoma! For Love of the Land

Education is the key to remaining on top. Even with interest in land management growing rapidly, there are a few key things that could bottleneck your success. We have to address these concerns early and not shy away from dealing with conflicts. Solutions are out there if we are willing to identify and face the issues head-on. During this podcast, we dive deep into the future of recreational land ownership. Frank and Matt discuss the 6 largest threats to land management, some of which include topics such as private property size, habitat fragmentation, timber/forester market, volatility in commodity markets, and many other key topics. Be sure to listen closely and carefully as this podcast is meant to educate and prepare listeners to stay diligent and get ahead of the future threats to what we hold so close to us. We hope you enjoy and share this informative podcast.

On this podcast, we take a unique angle at how someone would intentionally manage to improve a raccoon habitat. No, we never have met someone who is trying to accomplish this intentionally, however, we must realize that many of our actions have impacts on non-target animals. Raccoons seem to be the "new coyote" on the scene. A lot of hate is being spread and aimed at this generalist species. It would seem that with the increase in population over the last few decades that many would come to the conclusion that perhaps our efforts to manage whitetails is improving the habitat for raccoons as well. This then begs the difficult questions that no one likes to answer, Are we contributing to the issue?

This is a podcast on Mindset management. Ask yourself the question, are you managing for the end goal or start to finish? Do you consider individuals of a population or the entire population? It’s time to dig deep into why Bottom-Up management is superior and yields consistent results. When you manage the land, the wildlife, it’s it’s resources from the bottom-up, you influence the entire life cycle of individuals within a population, opposed to just managing when certain individuals reach maturity. You should be caring for and managing specifically for fawning cover as you do for “buck bedding areas”. You should be managing for brood rearing cover just as you do for strut zones.

We've spent a lot of time talking about the decline of the Wild Turkey in the last few years but it's time we get into the weeds of how our management should be different for deer and turkeys. Over the years we've always heard that managing for trophy deer helps the turkeys also, but it's not true. During this podcast we break down some of the biggest problems with the landscape today and how our management is creating a landscape void of young poult usability. Remember that phrase it takes a village to raise a child? It's going to take a landscape to raise the next generation of poults. #ForLoveoftheLand

It can be a big task to manage a farm without help or a plan. Hunter Johnson from Arkansas is doing some great work on a big project with very little help! Deer sizes are increasing, quail are returning, turkeys are doing well, and it's all because of managing the landscape. Thinking big picture, and utilizing the tools at hand have allowed the properties Hunter manages to explode with life. Don't miss out on your properties potential by being overwhelmed.

Have you ever found a deer stand in the woods and thought, “this must be a good spot?” That is a common occurrence. Very little thought goes into this decision and it’s time we address the opportunity people get when they become a new owner of a farm. The worst thing you can do as you take ownership of a new farm is to drive the same roads, access stands the same way, keep all stands in the same locations as the previous owners. Many times, the locations of these features are not correct, yet new landowners don’t take time to reevaluate the farm. Don’t let previous owners determine your future success!! Share this podcast with someone who needs a fresh outlook on a farm!

Its early June and it’s too thick already! With the spring rains, sunny days, and warmTemperatures, most of the countryside has turned into a jungle of green vegetation. Most would applaud this as food plots are sprouting, but others with a keen eye for quality habitat begin to think it’s time for a disturbance. In a blink of an eye, we went straight to unusable habitat for a turkey poult in most places. Can you pin point an area where a turkey poult would survive on your farm? Sure, fawns have plenty of cover and young forage, but your goals stated you wanted deer and turkey, not deer and accidentally having turkeys. It’s time to get serious about improving your land. Get more out of the property, think and okay outside of the box. Creation has no box, it does what it wants, when it wants, how it wants. We should manage in the same way!

Many times in our travels and consulting across the country we find landowners who are having their best success from accidental projects. These results can range from seeing more turkeys with poults in a field that had been over grazed with cows to more deer using a food plot area because we let it grow up in weeds. There are many projects that have great goals and plans but fall into a barrel of mediocracy. During this podcast we discuss the difference between planning results and accidental success to hopefully help listeners see which side of the aisle they're on. It's okay if you find yourself having these results occasionally but don't make a living on them!

We always enjoy working with landowners who have multi-species in mind when it comes to their management and farm goals. On a recent consultation, the landowner was a huge upland game bird enthusiast. So, as part of the plan, we began laying out plans to improve the property specified in the uplands for Sharptail Grouse. Most of the uplands in eastern Montana were still native ranges, which area combination of tall and short grass prairies and sagebrush. This landscape is arid but often has a cattle lease factored into the equation. So, cattle management is critical to ensure proper habitat necessities for the Sharptail Grouse are met. Mainly we need to focus on residual cover, brood-rearing cover, and shrubs! Be sure to listen closely even if you will never pull the trigger on a grouse. The finer points and connection with the land and wildlife covered during this podcast is top-notch.

This past week, we spent the week working in Eastern Montana. This is not the vision that comes to mind when thinking about hunting whitetails. Most people envision an eastern U.S. ridge top with oaks or fenceline rut hunts in Kansas. However, the adaptive nature of the whitetail deer and human intervention of agriculture in the river bottoms of East Montana create some great hunting opportunities. But, just because there is great hunting, that does not mean there is great habitat and we are about to explain why during this podcast! With that being said, the big 4 components of a whitetail's needs are explained in relation to the western landscape that receives only 14-15 inches of rain annually. Expansive river bottoms are where whitetails make their living. Most of these areas are suffocated by smooth brome and towering Cottonwoods. This combination drastically reduces cover and foraging opportunities. We however have a plan to remedy this! By sticking to our land management principles, we are going to put the cover and forage back where and how it needs to be placed. Be sure to follow along as we discuss improving the habitat for whitetails in a western landscape.

If we've heard it once, we've heard it a thousand times! A green understory doesn't mean that it is desirable vegetation that will produce food or cover for the game species you are looking to promote. You have to know what you are looking at to accurately make that evaluation. During this podcast, we adjust our lens to look at habitat critically. It's time, to be honest, and really ask yourself, is the vegetation growing in my understory helping or hurting my cause. You have to be able to ID plants to make this observation worthwhile. So once you know what you are looking at, you can begin to determine just how much room for improvement there is. We've seen sites where 50% or more of the plants growing within reach for deer were non-native invasive species. This isn't good! Be sure you know what you are looking at! If you want to optimize your recreational property, you have to begin by listening to this podcast.

When it comes to make decisions on your farm for habitat improvement, game management, land ethics, etc there should be a form of checks and balances. These principles will help you decide on whether or not the project you were thinking about doing really is the best practice. Be ready to take some notes on this podcast as we chat about our four habitat principles according to Land & Legacy. These principles should be at the forefront of every project on your farm. How does your screening plans measure up in the principle of land management? You're considering a 50 acre monoculture planting? Sorry that won't make the cut as healthy habitat management according to the principles of land management.

During this podcast, Kyle and Matt discuss a recent consultation trip to SE Kansas. This property was located at the point in which the Cross Timbers region meets the tall grass prairie. There were lots of great opportunities to create quality habitat for deer, but we ran into a predicament! This podcast is a great example of we find the balance between habitat restoration practices and accomplishing a very hunt able property! Natural resource management is paramount and at the forefront at how we work with each farm. But we are forced to compromise this to a small degree sometimes when the property in full restoration mode will not accomplish to landowners' goals. Clearly defined goals are super important when we find ourselves in this situation. If you are wondering how to balance native restoration practices and hunt ability, give this podcast a listen!

Here is your buyer's guide for recreational property. This a step-by-step guide to preparing you for a land purchase. We are joined by Whitetail Properties agent Ben Richardson of northern Alabama. Ben is an incredible resource for anyone purchasing land and he has some wonderful tips for the first-time recreational buyer. During the podcast, we break down what buyers should be prepared for from loans, goals, desires, buying and closing timelines, and strategies to get started in buying hunting property. This podcast is long overdue but necessary as we encourage all who are interested in buying land to do your research but most importantly, you need to start. Becoming a landowner can be a long process, however being prepared is the best advice we can give. Be sure to give this podcast a listen if you want to begin buying land.

We're discussing our food plot strategies for this spring planting and how we're trying new things! Over the years we've never been scared to try new things while never forgetting what's worked. One thing is true , the Heritage blend from Stratton seed company is a killer spring food plot blend, but we always like to try something new. We've grown to love perennial food plots for year round usage but there is a portion of the fall when standing grain is dynamite. We're looking to put standing grain and perennial clovers together and see what happens!

This week we discuss the wild turkey with Frank Loncarich and hear about his spring season. It was a slow spring for a lot of hunters this year with lower turkey populations and cold, windy weather. There are many variables in creating a slow spring when it came to filling tags and hearing gobbles. We also discuss the new regulation changes in Missouri for trapping. They're similar to Arkansas regulations and you know how well those helped the population there! ha! If you can't tell we have lots of questions for the department and who's making these decisions.

We have a treat for you! We've included audio from our turkey hunt here in Missouri that took place during the last week of the season. These longbeards were fired up and responding to every sound in the timber. Yes, it was one of those hunts, nonstop gobbling until they strutted into 25 yards. The evening previous these same turkeys were gobbling on the limb after fly up, so we were able to make a firm plan for the morning's hunt. We knew we had to be on the same hardwood bench as them and that we needed to get as close as possible! We snuck to 100 yards from them on the limb and let the hunt unfold. Be sure to listen closely to the techniques, sounds, calls, and timing/usage of each of them. Talking turkey isn't always about making the perfect clean yelp. Turkeys make vocalizations as well as sounds as they move about the landscape. These tips will help you close the deal in the turkey woods!

Sometimes we all gravitate toward the easy options or less complex issues at hand. However, if we want to understand turkeys and their reproductive cycles more, then we have to take a deep dive off the deep end into the reality of predation during nesting season. We chat with Dr. Colier in detail about the tendency for hunters to place trail cameras over turkey nests to attempt to document the events that will unfold, whether it be hatching or predation. However, this causes issues and drastically increases the chance of a nest being predated upon. In addition, we have to ask ourselves within the realm of predators is, who are the predators versus the scavengers in this equation? Are hens getting bumped off nests and then scavengers are taking eggs or is a hen predated and then scavengers will come and raid a nest that would fail regardless? This issue is complex, so we have to tackle it with opinions aside and let the facts speak for themselves. If you want a real conversation about the state of wild turkeys, then tune in!

What is a Micro-Climate? Have you ever heard of that before? Did you know that you are likely impacting or creating a micro-climate right now as we speak? Better tune up to this podcast as we discuss the interworking of how vegetation, shade, humidity alters the future of the site drastically. This podcast will change the way you look at your land. This podcast is designed to connect you intimately with the vegetation growing on your property and the results of them. We are talking about soil temperatures, moistures levels, and species of vegetation present. Micro-climates will open your eyes to see more parts of your farm in greater detail. We hope you enjoy this podcast! Tune in next week for more land management content.

First and foremost, we are talking about detail work this week! Yes, we are not talking just 80 grit management. This is the fine-tuning and finish work or perhaps the icing on the cake. We are talking about planting fruit trees and mast producers on recreational property. When you dig in and find a better mousetrap, you know you are on to something! Foraging swamping is a new term that we are bringing to the table regarding the placement, addition, and congregation of food resources in relation to bedding and other factors of the property. Fruit tree selection based should be relative to the area and the other supplemental forages in that area of the farm. We want to swamp the area with as many high-quality food resources as possible that all correlate to each other. To learn more of when, where, and how to plant soft and hard mast give this podcast a listen!

The best turkey callers are not ones who sound the best throughout every yelping sequence or one that can make the most delicate turkey noises, it's those who know when and what to say based on a turkeys body language. Body posture, gobbling response time/intensity, strutting direction, and head color change, are all indicators we look very closely at when calling in a longbeard. These are telltale signs of when the next call needs to occur and the intensity in which you deliver it. During the opening day of Missouri's turkey season, Chainsaw Chad had a hunt that unfolded just 35 yards in front of him which provides you will some great insight on why this scenario worked on an early gobbler with hens. Follow along on this podcast to learn the details that matter when closing the deal wild turkeys.

What is the purpose of land? Why would you wish you're hunting success on luck? We sit down with the Element guys this week to discuss hunting, fishing, and Christ. We cover a lot of topics so buckle up!

During the last few weeks of working across the country, we have seen successes and results around every corner. There is one theme however that rings true, the harder you push the envelope on habitat, the better you get. There is no dipping your toe in and finding incredible long-lasting success, it's full-on!Follow along with us this week as we discuss the results from western Oklahoma, southern Florida, central Alabama, and central Pennsylvania. No matter where you go or what landscape you find yourself in, the results are there to be found if you don't get in the way. Sometimes the best thing to do is commit and implement. This sounds simple, but remember your results are waiting for you on the other side of the commitment.

During this week's podcast, Matt and Frank discuss the usage, application, and perspective that involve the four main types of habitat management tools. The four main types include prescribed fire, grazing, timber cutting/harvesting, and herbicide application. These tools and their usage fall along a wide spectrum of usage, on both ends of the spectrum, either overuse or no use of each tool is less than ideal. The middle ground is where you find our recommendations lie. There is a balance that all land managers must find when it comes to using these tools and getting the responses you want the most. Factors such as regions, vegetation types, and climate all impact what is proper usage for you in your situation, not someone on social media. It's time to use these tools appropriately to generate the response that will achieve your results.

This week we're discussing a recent prescribed fire at "The Woodlands" and how each and every burn unit has the ability to provide different results from each burn year to the next. You know what they say "Fires are burning up the turkey nests!" Let's get real here, grassland fires are about the only fire that burns 95% of the burn units. Timber burns with much terrain will almost always have areas that didn't burn. We're also discussing the encounter Chad had the day after the burn with a lone hen. This strange encounter leads us to believe something else may be happening to our turkeys! #Forloveofhteland

How do you know when you've accomplished your goals? Is it the amount of deer you're seeing, the turkeys harvested, or the amount of money made on the farm? Whatever your goals are we can all agree that defining them is a must but sometimes it's hard to make those goals and we can get lost on the road. That road is without a destination but more just a direction to travel. This is where many are leading us in the direction of soil health. We're told we should be working to improve it, we're told to believe we can have amazing crops, and we're also told it could mean healthier animals, bigger bucks. Here's the problem, none of it can be proven and it all comes back to smoke and mirrors.

During this podcast we catch up with fellow conservationist, Kyle Lybarger of the Native Plant Society. Kyle has a strong passion for natural history and ecology, so he shared is depth of knowledge with us. Passion is the start of something great. So learning about the complexities of the naturalist world helped to shape Kyle and fuel his outside educational experiences. Follow along as we need out about woodlands and savannas.