Putting soil science to work

About this episode

Dr. Caitlin Youngquist discusses her journey into soil science and its application in supporting farmers and rural communities.

Dr. Caitlin Youngquist started out wanting to be a veterinarian, but then discovered soil science and was so taken by it that she got a PhD, and has devoted her career to serving farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. A practitioner and promoter of regenerative agriculture, she has worked with Conservation Districts, non-profit orgs, Extension, and her own small business, Dirt Works Wyoming , a company that provides compost statewide. She uses science as a tool to solve on-the-ground problems, which range from crops and livestock issues to mental health, family dynamics, and food insecurity. She also guides hunting programs for women, is a volunteer firefighter. TIMELINE 2'22 how Caitlin discovered agriculture and soil science 3'33 the value of applied science for solving real problems 4'23 what is Extension 4'52 the non-elitist focus of extension, taking academic research to the people 6'54 how extension actually works 8'40 food insecurity and food deserts in an agricultural state, starting a food garden 11'30 making sure initiatives last beyond their founder 13'17 taking the holistic/social work perspective as an extension educator 14'39 people get isolated on their farms…

People in this episode

Guest: Dr. Caitlin Youngquist

Topics covered

• soil science
• regenerative agriculture
• food insecurity
• community support
• applied science
• mental health

Keywords

• soil science
• regenerative agriculture
• food insecurity
• community support
• applied science
• mental health
• Extension

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Dirt Works Wyoming, Conservation Districts, non-profit orgs, Extension

Places: Wyoming

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