Welcome to the SoilCraft Regen Agronomy Podcast! In this powerful episode, Denver Black sits down with Craig Harding at Riverside Farm in Zambia to unpack what it really means to “learn how to farm again.”

After years of intensive input-based systems, Craig finds himself in a whole new world—where fungicides are gone, synthetic nitrogen is slashed, worms are working overtime, and fields are literally growing inches of new topsoil.

What caused this radical shift? A regenerative system rooted in biology, humility, and alignment with the Creator’s design.

✅ Craig’s journey from rigid crop programs to real-time field intuition

✅ Why his $1.2 million worth of worm castings may be more valuable than a fertilizer shed

✅ What it means when your drill sinks too deep—because your soil is too rich!

✅ How 32% wheat protein came with no basal fertilizer and half the nitrogen

✅ Why legumes may be holding your soil-building efforts back

✅ The difference between “available” and “soluble” nutrients—and why it matters

✅ Can dryland farmers do this too? YES—and maybe they must

• Regeneration isn’t just conservation—it’s a biological cascade
• No-till without biology = slow progress
• The real question isn’t can we eliminate fertilizer, but can we build soil so it eliminates the need itself
• Farming is no longer about “what to kill”—it’s about what to feed
• Legumes might not be the soil builders we think they are when grown alone

From just 2 inches of worm castings, Denver and Craig measure:

• 🧪 320 lbs/ac Nitrogen
• 🧪 1,000 lbs/ac P₂O₅
• 🧪 3,840 lbs/ac Calcium
• 🌿 All biologically available—not leaching, not burning, just there when the plant needs it

This isn’t theory. This is real change. Real savings. Real soil wealth.

If you’re wondering what’s possible with regenerative agriculture—especially in arid, tropical, or high-value cropping systems—this is your episode.

We're not here to push a silver bullet. We're here to build a system. One that works where you are. So share your questions, challenges, and stories—we’re listening. 🙏

📍 Learn more or connect with us at SoilCraft.com

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#SoilCraft #RegenerativeAgriculture #LearningToFarmAgain #WormCastings #OrganicMatter #SoilBiology #NoTill #FertilizerReduction #FaithAndFarming #RegenAgPodcast #ZambiaAgriculture

Summary:

In this engaging podcast, Denver Black sits down with Trent Gray Bill and Matt Powers at the Soilcraft Conference to discuss the transformative power of regenerative agriculture and education. The conversation explores Matt's journey from musician to educator in the permaculture space, the importance of health and soil in agriculture, and innovative teaching methods that promote authentic learning. The discussion emphasizes the interconnectedness of relationships, personal growth, and the principles of regenerative soil management.

Takeaways:

The podcast captures the essence of the Soilcraft Conference.

Matt Powers' work in regenerative agriculture is transformative.

Education should be tailored to individual learning styles.

Health and nutrition are critical components of agriculture.

Permaculture principles can guide sustainable farming practices.

Collaboration is essential in the agricultural community.

Unschooling promotes authentic learning experiences.

Soil health is foundational to regenerative practices.

Relationships play a vital role in personal and professional growth.

Citizen science can empower individuals to test and understand their environment.

Chapters:

00:00 The Healing Power of Singing and Community

04:14 Introduction to Matt Powers and His Work

04:44 Matt Powers' Journey into Agriculture

15:24 The Principles of Permaculture and Regenerative Practices

28:14 Transforming Education and Unschooling

39:50 The Role of Challenges in Growth and Relationships

Summary:

In this conversation, Dr. Tom Dykstra discusses the intricate relationship between plant health, water management, and the role of mites in agriculture. He emphasizes the importance of understanding overwatering, the bioelectromagnetic aspects of plant physiology, and the nutritional needs of plants and insects. The discussion also delves into the complexities of insect perception and the implications of plant health on pest management strategies.

Takeaways:

Overwatering can lead to unhealthy plants that attract pests.

Mites play a role in cleaning out unhealthy plants.

Bioelectromagnetics can influence plant health and insect behavior.

Water quality is crucial for effective irrigation and plant growth.

Calcium is essential for plant health and nutrient uptake.

Insects perceive their environment through various frequencies.

Healthy plants can coexist with mites without significant damage.

The two-spotted spider mite thrives in dehydrated conditions.

Plant catabolism can attract pests like spider mites.

Understanding plant health is key to managing pest populations.

Chapters:

00:00 Compensating for Salt and Overwatering

00:56 The Benefits of Dousing Plants with Water

02:55 Water Saturation and Soil Infiltration

04:44 The Role of Xylem Tissue in Water Uptake

07:41 The Importance of Water Quality

11:21 Root Growth and Watering Practices

15:14 The Impact of Drip Irrigation on Root Growth

18:57 The Role of Insects in Plant Health

20:20 The Problem with Eradicating Mites

21:17 Considering Energy and Frequency in Food Consumption

22:27 The Solution: Overwatering and Irrigation Management

25:21 Introduction and Technical Difficulties

25:35 Background and Conference Attendance

27:03 Dr. Dykstra's Introduction and Degrees in Entomology

28:29 Bioelectromagnetics and Insect Sensory Systems

32:55 Insect Vision and Frequencies

39:24 Infrared Frequencies and Dielectric Antenna

44:56 Research on the Two-Spotted Spider Mite

48:28 The Relationship Between Plant Health, Dehydration, and Two-Spotted Spider Mites

54:37 The Disassociation Between Cell Membrane and Cell Wall During Dehydration

59:56 The Impact of Protein Breakdown and Dipeptides on Mite Feeding

01:11:14 The Presence of Mites in a Healthy Plant Relationship