Ear to the Ground 393: Risk Reducers

About this episode

Alan Jostock discusses how diversity in farming practices can enhance soil health and serve as an insurance policy for his farm.

Alan Jostock uses the kind of diversity that builds soil health as a kind of insurance policy for his farm. That means meshing his crop and livestock enterprises in a way that they prop each other up through thick and thin. More Information: • Jan. 27, 2026, LSP Workshop — “Beyond Exports: Rebuilding Local Markets” • LSP Small Grains Web Page • Ear to the Ground podcast 392: Diversity’s Diet • Rolling J Farm’s Facebook Page • Minnesota Farm Business Management Programs

People in this episode

Host: Brian DeVore

Guest: Alan Jostock

Topics covered

• soil health
• crop and livestock integration
• farm diversity
• local markets
• sustainable agriculture

Keywords

• soil health
• diversity
• crop integration
• livestock
• sustainable farming
• local markets
• insurance policy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Land Stewardship Project, Rolling J Farm

Books & works: Ear to the Ground podcast 392: Diversity’s Diet

More episodes of LSP's Ear to the Ground

• Ear to the Ground 401: The Belly of Belief · June 6, 2026 · 33 min
• Ear to the Ground 400: Small Farms, Big Markets · May 19, 2026 · 46 min
• Ear to the Ground 399: Asking Why · May 18, 2026 · 26 min
• Ear to the Ground 398: Land Grant Guarantee · April 19, 2026 · 47 min
• Ear to the Ground 397: Black Energy · March 19, 2026 · 42 min
• Ear to the Ground 396: Accountable Ag · February 9, 2026 · 55 min