The Prairie Farm Podcast

Clay Frazer is a passionate conservationist with one of the most experienced resume's we have ever heard. From being a prescribed burn specialist, beaver researcher, prairie reconstruction expert, to humanitarian work in Africa, Clay has been there and done that. This conversation touches on all of those topics and more.

Happy Coffee Time! Kick back and sip those work time blues away as you hear the news you didn't know you needed to know.

For someone to develop a land ethic they need to spend time interacting with the land. That's the goal of Doug Duren's Sharing The Land initiative. In this episode we discuss topics ranging from the Driftless Area of the United States, to the history of the famed Duren Family Farm, and even the management of Chronic Wasting Disease in deer populations. Most importantly though the theme of conserving the land we are made of serves as the undertone to the whole conversation.

Shuffle down to the break room, grab that crusty work mug of yours, fill up with some less than fresh coffee off the warmer, and get ready to go on an auditory and intellectual journey. It's coffee time people.

On this episode Mary and Tom Holm join the show to talk about their experience hosting the PBS show "Prairie Yard and Garden," as well as their own gardening experiences at their home. It's a great conversation with plenty of stories and inspiration that will make you want to transform your own yard.

In the words of Bruce Buffer: "Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttt's tIIIIIIIIIIImmmme!" It's coffee time!

We are joined by Tyler Perry of Perry's Turf and Seed to keep you up on what's been going on in global conservation news... it's COFFEE TIME!

In this episode we are joined by Wendy Caldwell of the Monarch Joint Venture to discuss the importance of Monarch Butterflies and how we can help them last on our landscape.

Dig out that ol' reliable crusty coffee mug and fill'r up... It's coffee time!

Thursday, March 9th at 6am a bulldozer took to one of Illinois last remaining prairies-- a state that coincidentally calls itself the prairie state. But what happened? Who was involved? And how did a state that was once covered by 22 million acres of prairie get be left with so little that a patch of a few acres was fought over for years?

Is this heaven? No, it's COFFEE TIME. The one podcast you will never forget.

Ryan Callaghan (more commonly known as Cal) is one of the most inspiring and important voices in the natural conservation community. We got to talk about how Cal has interacted with prairies, why hunting is a critical component of conserving wildlife, what's going on with the North American Grasslands Conservation Act, and a lot of other great talking points. This was one of our all time favorite interviews and we're confident it will be the same for you. Follow Cal: @olcal406 Follow Hoksey Native Seeds: @hokseynativeseeds

Grab your coffee and sip away your workday worries as we take you on another educational journey.... it's coffee time, folks!

This past weekend we hung out at the Iowa Deer Classic Convention. Not only did we have a lot of fun, we asked a lot of Deer hunters what the best method of deer hunting was and what was the best habitat for these deer. We also wanted an expert opinion, so we interviewed Jace Elliott, Iowa's State Deer Biologist of the Iowa DNR. You won't want to miss his knowledge on deer habitat.

Go ahead grab your coffee, kick your feet up and listen to the problems of the universe being solved... er, uh... talked about. It's COFFEE TIME!

Ever wonder what cover crops are all about? Tune into this one to get the low down with Iowa Cover Crop Cofounder James Holz to fill you in on the ins and outs of cover cropping to preserve our most foundational resource.

You look like you need a break... join us for coffee time!

Pheasant Forever and Quail Forever's national conventional Pheasant Fest was a blast. We put out a mic to strangers and asked some debated topics. But listen until the end, because we ask an expert, Senior Farm Bill Biologist Cierra Rhodes, about how to build good food plots and habitat for upland birds.

It's that time again, COFFEE TIME!

We sat down with a good friend of ours, Lucas Fritch, a 6th generation farmer, a teacher, and a thinker. We dive into how things are today, how they used to be, and what's our path forward as farmers. Want to know more about our views of agriculture? Check out our prairie farm blog, hokseynativeseeds.com/blog

Join us for this week's installment of Coffee Time. The best coffee time of your week. Follow us on Instagram: @hokseynativeseeds Checkout Our Websites: Hoksey Native Seeds and The Prairie Farm

It's Wednesday... It's coffee time... Join us while we discuss who's buying farm land and who's replanting millions of trees.

We had the privilege of speaking to an incredible conservation group, OWLS (Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors). We discussed the founding of Hoksey Native Seeds and what it looks like to create a conservation culture moving forward.

On this episode we discuss the de-extinction of mammoths, wild hogs in Canada and the future with synthetic food products. Enjoy!

This week on Coffee Time Wednesdays we discuss egg prices, the evil of chickens, and Tesla being the great destroyer of agriculture. Enjoy!

15 minutes, no more, no less. Usually about prairie. Always a good time. Join us as we discuss the latest news about prairie, ag, and conservation.

Chase Burns is a Land Broker, Land Manager, Rancher, Conservationist, and Outdoorsman. With a resume like that it's hard to imagine anyone who cares for the land more than Chase does. In this episode Nicolas and Kent talk about Chase's background in all of the aforementioned roles he serves in, as well as his take on all things related to conserving our natural spaces on the map.

Joy Van Wyngarden is the project manager of the South Skunk River Water Shed. She is passionate and knowledgeable about how to keep our water clean for future generations... Oh, and we had a lot of fun too. Enjoy

Iowa CRP manager, Matt Allen, joined us to discuss the past, present, and future CRP. We also discuss Federal and State Ag workers and their impact on everyday farmers. Curious about CRP? Matt has your answers on this podcast episode.

Chris Helzer, the Prairie Ecologist, is one of the most experts in native midwest flora and fauna (specifically insects) that we have had the privilege to speak with. He also, coincidentally, happens to be the most talented photographer we has spoken with.

Local conservationist and Hoksey friend, Steve DeJong (Aka Flipper), joined us to talk about his ventures on organic farming, why he quit, and conservation.

At Hoksey Native Seeds, we enjoy work, laughing, and lunch. Join us for all three on this episode.

Russel Kirt, retired professor of Dupage Community College, and prairie enthusiast has dedicated a large part of his life to prairies. When visiting his personal prairie in Iowa, we had the privilege to sit down with him and talk shop. We got to treat him to his first ever podcast episode. Though short, you won't want to miss it.

President of the Iowa Prairie Network, Tabitha Panas, joined us to discuss past, present, and future prairies of the midwest and what we can do to pass them onto the next generation.

If you know a beekeeper in Iowa (or even the Midwest), chances are they know of Ebert Honey. Phil Ebert, is not only a master beekeeper, but also the keeper of the bees on our farm. Having just turned 80, Phil has some stories and a legacy you won't want to miss.

Ryan Bryson, founder of Bryson Wildlife and Land Management, joins us to discuss the best and worst of the nuanced practice of managing our wildlife habitat.

Taylor Keen, founder of Sacred Seed, joins us as we dive into indigenous tradition of agriculture and how today's agriculture is affecting it.

Laura Walter, of the University of Northern Iowa Tallgrass Prairie Center, helps lead the way for education on conservation in Iowa. Join Nicolas, Kent, and Laura as they discuss dirty diapers, open prairies, and the hopeful situation for prairie's future in Iowa.

Here at The Prairie Farm we specialize in prairie flora. But on this episode Nicolas and Kent were joined by a man focused on the prairie fauna: Mr. Ted Koch of the North American Grouse Partnership. Ted recently published an article on the rapidly disappearing lesser prairie-chicken in hopes of rallying conservationists to participate in the advocacy needed to preserve the remaining population of these original members of the prairie. Other topics discussed include water, and air quality, as well as creative solutions for the way forward. Visit The Prairie Farm Website

Nancy and John Brannaman founded the Lavender Farm at Sutliff, but it wasn't a straightforward journey. Check out how their journey took them from Ukraine to a rural farm in Iowa.

Conservation can be a lonely fight... and few people know that the great Wolfer of the West. Carter Niemeyer was picked as the perfect man for the job by the US government to reintroduce wolves from Canada to the United States. Don't miss the epic life of this courageous and wild man.

The Lavender Farm at Sutliff has the lofty ambition of starting and stewarding a sustainable farm with u-pick and many other exciting ventures. Join us, as we pick the the brains and brawn of the operation with Nancy Brannaman and Abby Barten.

Howard Vincent joins us to discuss his journey from volunteer to CEO of America's most efficient and effective conservation organization.

hear the juicy, inside details of what it's like working at on a prairie farm with Payton Scandridge

Former DNR employee, Paul Attema, has chosen a more wholesome route to his lifestyle after his time in the DNR. Check out why and how

Pheasants Forever's director of marketing and media, Bob St. Pierre, walks us through how his love of nature grew as he learned to hunt, fish, and dog train.

Hear how Hoksey Native Seeds, one of Iowa's oldest prairie farms, was founded by a man inspired by a pheasant. hokseynativeseeds.com theprairiefarm.com