The Prairie Farm Podcast

Justin Meissen, Research and Restoration Program Manager at the Tallgrass Prairie Center, joins the Prairie Farm Podcast to talk prairie establishment from the ground up — literally. Why native annual weeds aren't always your enemy. What months to plant and which ones to avoid at all costs. How seed size predicts establishment success. And what "coefficient of conservatism" actually means. This one's packed. hokseynativeseeds.com (for backyard prairie, CRP mixes, hunting habitat mixes, native pasture mixes, and more) Iowa Cover Crop (for all your cover crop needs)

Kent's very own father, Alan Boucher, joined us to discuss a journal entry from a woman in the 1800's. We also discuss whether or not someone should burn a prairie field now or in May to eliminate brome. hokseynativeseeds.com (for CRP, Backyard Prairie, and Hunting Mixes) Iowa Cover Crop (for all your cover crop needs) Bird Hunter Supply (for all your bird hunting supplies)

Derek Orth, a fourth general dairy farmer, joins us to discuss if small dairy farms could have a spot in the US market in the future. Dairy farmers do a lot of work for very little pay, and we get into the nitty gritty on the podcast. hokseynativeseeds.com (for backyard prairie, pollinator, native pasture mixes, and more) birdhuntersupply.com (for all your bird hunting gear and to give back to conservation)

Join us for another riveting episode of Coffee Time Wednesday. Today we discuss Bayer's Tort Immunity at the federal level and the chance they have at succeeding. We also talk about Iowa Secretary of Ag Mike Naig's recent conversation about grazing CRP. Hoksey Native Seeds (for Midwest CRP Mixes, Wildflower Patch Mixes, and More) Iowa Cover Crop (For all your cover crop and small grain needs) McKay Insurance (For a better insurance experience)

Black Hawk is a mythological character at this point. But why is that? What did he do, or not do? Dr. Patrick Jung, author of The Black Hawk War of 1832, joins us to tell us the incredible story of the last Native American to resist in the Midwest. To order his book hokseynativeseeds.com (for native prairie and wildflower seeds and mixes)

It's finally here! Farm Bill Updates are coming. Kent was home with the kids, so the one and only Judd McCullum joined Riley and Nicolas to talk about the new Farm Bill. Our Hoksey Auction (filter with the keyword "Lynnville") Hoksey Native Seeds (for prairie mixes, wildflowers, and more!)

Dr. Karen Vanderhoff joins us to discuss what she is seeing in the health crisis of Midwest farmers. The suicide rates are very high compared to other occupations, and we want to know why and what we can do about it. hokseynativeseeds.com (for CRP mixes, hunting habitat mixes, and backyard pollinator mixes)

There's a lot of talk about how the price of living has shot through the roof. But is that actually true?? It's a complicated question that involves things like quality of life, inflation, hourly wages, median vs average, and more. We dive into this on Coffee Time Wednesday this week. You won't want to miss it. Hoksey Equipment Auction (You can filter by saying 50 mile radius with 50153) Hokseynativeseeds.com (for CRP Mixes, Backyard Pollinator Mixes, Hunting Habitat Mixes)

Laura Walter, of the Tall Grass Prairie Center, joins us to discuss the new species she is trying to grow at her facility. Also, which species is no one else growing that she has available for new growers. We also talk about hemiparasites and more. hokseynativeseeds.com (for backyard pollinator mixes, CRP mixes, hunting mixes, and more!)

There was a push at the Iowa Capitol to put the Buffer Strip Pollinator Program into a bigger setting for farmers to put onto their land. But it was killed in subcommittee. Why? We're trying to find out. Check out another riveting episode of Coffee Time Wednesday on The Prairie Farm Podcast. hokseynativeseeds.com (for buffer strip pollinator mixes, backyard prairie mixes, CRP mixes, and a lot more!)

Produce in America is grown at unprecedented scale in human history. But how is it done. Who grows it, and how does it get to our tables? Should any changes be made to the system? We sit down with Seth Oren, who has been on produce farms all across America, and he gave us the inside story. hokseynativeseeds.com (for backyard pollinator and prairie grass and all your other native seed needs)

Crop prices are freaky right now. We sit down and walk through the different major crops in America and if any farmer is making any money on their acres. hokseynativeseeds.com (for CRP mixes... because CRP at least cuts you a check)

Megan McKay is a legend in the Midwestern beer world. She founded Peace Tree and helped push legislation to allow for the microbreweries we love today. But what is she doing now? She is working hard to change the way Iowan's look at food, their health, food deserts, and cancer. hokseynativeseeds.com (for backyard pollinator mixes, and all your other prairie and wildflower needs)

A lot going on in the world of conservation and ag this week. First, we dive into the new Healthy Water Act that the Iowa Democrats have put forward. Secondly, we discuss the E15 Fuel issue that the federal legislators are "figuring out". Both of these policies would have major ramifications for the Midwest. One for our health, and the second for our economy. hokseynativeseeds.com (for backyard prairie, buffer strip mixes, hunting habitat mixes)

Chase Brown, a 6th generation farmer in Illinois, joins us to discuss billionaires that gobble up land, farm organizations that aren't benefitting farmers, and how he would start farming if he was a new farmer today. hokseynativeseeds.com (for backyard prairie, CRP, and hunting habitat)

Join another riveting episode of The Prairie Farm Podcast Coffee Time Wednesday! This week Kent and Nicolas argue over ecological regulation, and we discuss which of the world's greatest apps are net negative and net positive. hokseynativeseeds.com (for backyard pollinator mixes, CRP mixes, native pasture mixes, hunting habitat mixes, and more)

In this episode Kent interviews Nicolas about his story of going from reluctant farm kid to Bible college to prairie farm CEO. Be warned, this interview is unfiltered and is as authentic as Nicolas and Kent know how to be. hokseynativeseeds.com (for backyard prairie and hunting habitat and CRP and wildflower needs)

Welcome back to another absolute banger Coffee Time Wednesday! This week the whole gang is back together-- Kent, Riley, and Nicolas. They discuss the new pilate prairie strips program that is currently being tested in Iowa. Need prairie or wildflower mixes. We've got them at hokseynativeseeds.com. We have pollinator mixes, hunting habitat mixes, CRP mixes, Prairie Strip Mixes, Perennial Food Plot mixes, Native Pasture Mixes, and a lot more.

Lyndsey Braun, Doug Duren, and Brock Rosenkranz join us to discuss the issues with hunting access and the joys of Deer Camp. hokseynativeseeds.com (for hunting habitat mixes, backyard prairie mixes, and more native seed needs)

Welcome back to another riveting Coffee Time Wednesday! This week Nicolas and Riley sit down to discuss what is going on with these beef prices and when will they come down. hokseynativeseeds.com (for pasture mixes, CRP mixes, and more native seed needs)

Power couple, Bart George and Dr. Brook Lang, join us to discuss Bart's study on Mountain Lions' interaction with humans, Dr. Lang's interactions with grizzly bears, and cat poop coffee. We deeply enjoyed this episode, and you will as well! hokseynativeseeds.com (for prairie and wildflower mixes)

Welcome back to another Coffee Time Wednesday! We review the best podcasts, best wins in conservation, worst personal losses, and the worst conservation disgraces of the year. You'll love to hear these. hokseynativeseeds.com (for prairie mixes and other native seed needs)

Welcome to another installment of Doug Duren's "Listen to the Land". He joins Nicolas and Kent, and brought guests Ben and James O'Brien to recap the deer derby and discuss what it takes to pass conservation on to the next generation.

Tim and Joy join us again, this time at the same time, to talk hunting, bird numbers, bird habitat, and dogs. hokseynativeseeds.com (for Pheasant Habitat Mixes and Perennial Native Food Plots)

Merry Christmas! Enjoy your festive peppermint mocha while tuning into this week's Coffee Time Wednesday! Sign Up for the Iowa Prairie Network Winter Conference

Zach Lahn joins us to discuss the future he envisions for Iowa, ag consolidation, chemical poisons, and more. Hokseynativeseeds.com (for backyard prairie mixes, pollinator mixes, habitat mixes, and more)

We had the privilege of being joined by previous guest Mike Swartzlander, Tim Brown (The Bearded Uplander), and former Hawkeye and NFL player, Parker Hesse, for another riveting episode of Coffee Time Wednesday. hokseynativeseeds.com (for pheasant habitat, CRP mixes, and backyard prairie mixes)

Tim Youngquist of Iowa State University and Practical Farmers joins us to share his experience on the Prairie Strips program at Iowa State and what farmers are able to do practically to bring income while boosting conservation. hokseynativeseeds.com (for prairie strip mixes and backyard prairie mixes and all your other native seed needs)

Another exciting episode of The Prairie Farm Podcast where Riley and Nicolas take a deeper look into the infamous "dead zones" in the water around the world. hokseynativeseeds.com (for backyard prairie and hunting habitat mixes)

David Mizejewski, from Natural Wildlife Federation, joins us to talk conservation, but specifically why leaving your leaves even matters. hokseynativeseeds.com (for backyard prairie mixes and other fun habitat mixes)

Nicolas is down with Tuberculosis and Dysentery... again. But don't worry because Riley and Kent are as healthy as two fine horses and are here to talk current events in Prairie Country. Keep snow off the road --> Order Prairie

We joined some of the crew from Abundant Design to discuss creating food forests in your own yard. We had a great time and we believe you will as well. hokseynativeseeds.com (for backyard prairie mixes and other native seed)

Happy Thanksgiving! Another riveting episode of The Prairie Farm Podcast. This week, we have an intriguing question from a guest that had us thinking about the Thanksgiving Holiday. hokseynativeseeds.com (to fight consumerism with conservation)

We had the privilege of hosting Steve Hanson and Ryan Lynton (Upland Social Podcast) for a pheasant hunt and naturally we had to get them on the podcast. We discuss bird numbers in Iowa, land prices and trends, and whatever else came up in the conversation. This was supposed to be a coffee time episode, but the conversation was too good to not make it a full length episode. Enjoy!

Welcome back to another riveting episode of Coffee Time Wednesday! This time we discuss the responsibility of Iowa's Water Monitors and the organizations who are making it happen. Hokseynativeseeds.com (for CRP and Backyard Prairie Mixes) Izaak Walton Foundation The Article We Read

Brad Sherman was kind enough to open his house to us and sit down for a full conversation on the state of Iowa. We discuss taxes, schools, small farms, water quality, cancer, and a lot more. We deeply enjoyed it and believe you will as well! hokseynativeseeds.com (for backyard prairie mixes and hunting habitat)

Welcome back to another riveting episode of The Prairie Farm Podcast- Coffee Time Wednesday! We deeply enjoyed this conversation, and we believe you will as well. hokseynativeseeds.com (for CRP mixes, hunting habitat mixes, and backyard prairie mixes)

Welcome back to another in depth, nerdy episode of The Prairie Farm Podcast. You'll love this one. We dive deeper into the science of fire and its historic use. hokseynativeseeds.com (for CRP and other prairie mixes)

Welcome back to another riveting episode of Coffee Time Wednesday! This week we're back with a soybean update for the markets and what that means for the future of ag in the midwest, as well as the current shortgrass prairie shortage. hokseynativeseeds.com (for backyard prairie and pollinator mixes)

What happened to the prairie? Kent does a historical deep dive to find out exactly what happened to the prairie and why. Then Nicolas and Kent argue about what's the best way forward. We had a great time with this podcast, and we believe you will as well. Hokseynativeseeds.com (for native seed to help restore the prairie and habitat that was once here)

Join us for another riveting episode of Coffee Time Wednesday, as we discuss the impending demise of meat as we know it. We greatly enjoyed this conversation and believe you will as well. hokseynativeseeds.com (for backyard prairie and pollinator mixes and hunting mixes)

Nicolas and Kent relisten and join you to discuss the second episode of The Prehistoric Prairie. If you haven't already listened to it, enjoy. If you have, we highly recommend listening again! hokseynativeseeds.com (for CRP mixes, backyard prairie, and native pasture mixes)

This week we dive into the what does the world look like on the road in 10 years. Agriculture is often a dangerous job, and vehicle collision is a big part of that. Join us for another riveting episode of the Prairie Farm Podcast. hokseynativeseeds.com (for backyard prairie mixes, hunting habitat, and bee and butterfly gardens)

Kent, Riley, and Nicolas sat down and listened to the Prehistoric Prairie docuseries they made in 2023. At the very end they give commentary on it. We discuss part 1 "The Ice Age" and what questions we have two years later. We greatly enjoyed this conversation, and we believe you will as well. Hokseynativeseeds.com (for backyard prairie mixes, hunting habitat, and more)

Welcome back to another great episode of Coffee Time Wednesday. We had a great time discussing energy, John Deere, ethanol, and more. hokseynativeseeds.com (for CRP mixes, switchgrass, backyard prairie mixes)

Julie Stauch generously sat down with us at Smokey Row in Des Moines to discuss Iowa's water quality, our public schools, vouchers, rural poverty, and a lot more. It was a great conversation. Whether you agree with her or not, we hope you will enjoy our conversation. And let the record show, we really enjoyed our time with her. She was lovely. hokseynativeseeds.com (for backyard prairie mixes and all your native prairie and wildflower needs)

Welcome back to another riveting episode of Coffee Time Wednesday. Kent is gone this week, so Riley and Nicolas take on topics much too big for them without Kent to make sure they don't get canceled. They discuss how government spending affect conservation, and what it will take to longevity to our conservation practices in the US. Hokseynativeseeds.com (for CRP mixes, Backyard Prairie Mixes, and Hunting Mixes)

Our good friend, Judd McCullum, joins us to discuss his new hairy sheep and a philosophical discussion on consumerism. We are deep into harvest, so we don't have our normal guest lineup right now, but we deeply enjoyed this podcast and believe you will as well. hokseynativeseeds.com (for CRP Mixes and Native Pasture Mixes)

Another riveting episode of Coffee Time Wednesday. We dive DEEP into the soybean price market, and what is causing China to turn away our soybeans. Are soybeans something we should even be growing? What is the current administration doing about it? We jump into all of these topics and more... Hokseynativeseeds.com (for native pasture mixes and bee and butterfly mixes)

Chris Helzer is the Director of the Nature Conservancy in Nebraska and a fantastic blogger/photographer, The Prairie Ecologist. We had a great time with him, and we believe you will as well! Hokseynativeseeds.com (for CRP mixes and for hunting habitat mixes)