The Soil Network
🎙️ Welcome to the Soil Network Podcast!
🌾 About Us:
The Soil Network Podcast (formerly Combines & Coffee) is where farmers, agronomists, and soil enthusiasts come together to share real-world stories, practical advice, and lessons learned from the field. Hosted by the Ontario Soil Network (OSN), we explore how different farming systems—organic, conventional, no-till, and more—can coexist and thrive through shared knowledge and community support.
🤝 Our Mission:
We’re here to build stronger farms by fostering farmer-to-farmer learning, sparking innovation, and strengthening community ties. Through open conversations, we connect farmers with peers, experts, and fresh ideas to create resilient farms and healthier soils for the next generation.
🚜 What You’ll Find Here:
- Field-Tested Insights: Learn what’s working on farms across Ontario and beyond.
- Innovative Farming Practices: From cover crops to regenerative methods, discover techniques that can transform your farm.
- Farmer Stories: Be inspired by the real experiences of farmers committed to continuous improvement.
🌱 Let’s Grow Together:
Join us for candid, honest, and practical conversations about what it takes to farm better—one field at a time.
👉 Explore More: linktr.ee/ontariosoilnetwork
The Soil Network
The Soil Network: Episode 6 - Different Farms, Common Ground: Learning Through Farming in Brant County
In this episode of the Soil Network Podcast (formerly Combines & Coffee), host Ian Virtue visits Brant County, Ontario, to chat with local farmers who work similar land, but manage it in very different ways. From organic and conventional operations to beef and dairy farms, each farmer brings their own unique approach—but what ties them together is a shared passion for learning from each other.
Steve Sickle, Gordon Alblas, Doug Donkers, and Lammert Koonstra share their experiences with no-till planting, cover crops, and balancing livestock while staying adaptable through changing seasons. They open up about what’s working, what’s not, and how peer-to-peer conversations keep them improving year after year.
Whether you farm organically, conventionally, or somewhere in between, this episode highlights how diverse approaches can strengthen a farming community when knowledge is shared.
So grab a coffee—or hop in the cab of your tractor—and join us for a candid conversation about farming systems that may be different but share the same foundation: healthy soil and a commitment to growth.
🎙️ Recorded in Brant County, ON | 🌱 Powered by the Ontario Soil Network
Thanks for tuning in to the Soil Network Podcast!
If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow farmer or agri-curious friend. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a conversation about farming smarter, growing better, and building stronger communities.
🌾 Stay Connected:
📢 Explore more stories, events, and resources through our Linktree:
👉 linktr.ee/ontariosoilnetwork
Let’s keep growing—together. See you next time!