In this episode, Jamie sits down with Iowa farmer, Kellie Blair to talk about cover crops, the future of farming, and an exciting drainage recycling pilot program that she and her husband AJ have volunteered to be a part of.
About the Guest:
Kellie Blair farms with her husband, AJ near Dayton, Iowa. Blair Farms LLC is a fourth-generation farm focusing on improvements and conservation. Kellie is a graduate of Iowa State University in Forestry and Agronomy. She and AJ are part of a pilot program for drainage recycling funded by the EPA, the Iowa Department of Land and Ag Stewardship and the Iowa Soybean Association.
Want more? Check out our past episode:
Episode #56: A More Efficient Approach to Water Quality: Batch and Build
Related Content:
Iowa Farmers Work Towards the Future - Best Young Farmers and Ranchers
Episode Topics:
00:32 Welcome to Kellie Blair
01:12 Where in the world is Dayton, Iowa?
02:09 Fourth generation on the farm
02:44 Time flies when you’re having fun
03:19 Conservation and continued improvement
03:35 Water retention and drainage recycling project
05:20 Three inches for 130 acres
06:08 When you can’t count on Mother Nature
06:40 Happenstance
07:30 Iowa Soybean Association, guidance and timing
08:15 They had their water figured out
09:05 Cover crops
11:15 Drilling is the way to go
12:12 Committed to making it work
13:18 Soil health and cover crops
13:45 A lawn vs. a muddy driveway
15:20 Good drainage will pay for itself
16:50 If I could figure out a way to live on the farm…
19:06 Raising the fifth generation
19:40 The entrepreneurial spirit
21:25 The value of partnerships
More Episodes & Water Management Education:
https://www.watertable.ag/the-podcast/
