Regenerative Seed Growers: Keith Berns and John Kempf

Where do your seeds come from and why does it matter?
Join John Kempf and Keith Berns in a fascinating discussion about the importance of seed that has been produced in farming systems that prioritize plant nutrition.
John Kempf is the founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture, a plant nutrition and biostimulants consulting company. A top expert in the field of biological and regenerative farming, John founded AEA in 2006 to help fellow farmers by providing the education, tools, and strategies that will have a global effect on the food supply and those who are growing that supply. John is the host of the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, where he interviews top scientists and growers about the science and principles of implementing regenerative agriculture on a large scale. Through intense study and the knowledge gleaned from many industry leaders, John is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition - a system solidly based on the science of plant physiology, mineral nutrition and soil microbiology. He ahs a unique ability to simplify and clearly explain very complex concepts in the areas of soil and plant health. He skillfully discusses the larger social and environmental impacts of food, agriculture, and ecology. John's mission is to provide support to the worlds farmer and globally impact our food supply. advancingecoag.com/
Here are some resources referenced in the video:
John’s article: Seeds and Seedlings with Speed greencover.com/seeds-with-speed/
John’s podcast with Dr. James White: regenerativeagriculturepodcas...
At Green Cover, we grow, clean, mix, and deliver the highest quality cover crop seed directly to agricultural producers across the United States. Our faith-based company is built by farmers, family-owned and united in our purpose to help farmers regenerate, steward and share God's creation for future generations. We'd love to provide you with excellent quality seed, expert cover crop advice and a custom seed blend designed to meet your goals for your field.
Build your own custom mix at smartmix.greencoverseed.com
Contact our expert sales team at [phone] or [e-mail]
Or visit us online at greencover.com

[@tbi1161]

Thank you for making your webinars happen, and for posting them to KZbin for those of us that can't catch them live. I appreciate it.

[@keithberns910]

You are welcome - we are glad that we are able to do this for the cause....

[@stevenglisson7614]

Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge I work at a Tire Shop and it’s a great place to share the good news of what’s possible!!

[@paulvandenberg5341]

This an a theist delights in you two. It is a a marvelous World we have. I delight in John, who won’t drive, or being on screen, but is so passionate about laboratory science. I’ve delighted in Green Cover Pollinator Mixes as an addition to my tiny farm ecosystem. Surrounded by apple orchards using ALL the chemical inputs we have been able to create a myriad of little critters in a small space. A truly marvelous space! Zero Pesticide since 2012. No purchased fertilizer. A few grams of Boron, waiting for evidence of results. I’ve found the mixes from Green Cover to sprout and grow well. Sharing my seeds with neighbors, trying to spread this Word.

[@paulvandenberg5341]

You are both a blessing.

[@keithberns910]

Thank Paul we are grateful for your business but even more so, we are grateful for your passion for regenerating your little slice of creation! Keep up the good work....

[@regenerativegardeningwithpatti]

Great information, so much common sense that seems to be disappearing in the remaining stream. Loved the conversation. Thank you

[@KimClark-1]

I always learn something valuable from John Kempf. Thanks!

[@James-ol2fr]

Thanks, yall! I'm excited about this lab and the knowledge that can come out of the testing! When is Johns book coming out?

[@growthefarmup2606]

We Grow and retail hybrid seed corn, seed soybeans and Rye/Vetch/Clover seed etc in our regenerative farming system at Lauber Seed Farms in SE Nebraska about 1.5 hrs east and north of Green Cover seeds. Have sourced a lot of cover crops from Keith over the last 2 decades. I have found any seed grown in regenerative soil, the next generation has better germ, higher test wt. at harvest, better standability, and overall plant health as the seed itself has the micro nutrients inside the endosperm of seed, rather than treating the outside of the seed (paracarp) with a treatment. To touch on the microbiome subject. We grow the latest and best genetics, we grow the actual hybrid crosses in a regenerative farming system. This conversation interests me very much, as the logical next step is breeding seed for maximum nutrient density per bu of corn or soybeans, not just plamts breed to maximize weight. Thanks for the good conversation. Lots of videos of growing regenerative seed corn and seed soybeans and seed rye on my channel. Check it out if you're interested in regenerativeley grown seed

[@keithberns910]

Thanks Team Lauber! We appreciate the way that you grow your seed and thanks for confirming much of what we talked about on the webinar!

[@rochrich1223]

Sir Albert Howard, let's call him the father of compost, talked about various seed sources failing over time. While decreasing soil micro-nutrients was the most likely cause, I wondered what a partially failed seed looked like and how would it act? Since his observations were in the WWI time period, the subject was overdue for revisiting.

[@caseymac2287]

Regenerative farmers really need the option to raise and plant back their cash crop seed. I was talking to a friend about this the other day. I would like to see a regenerative seed option that would allow me to do this. I think a good option for this would be to use a subscription or fee based system. Meaning, I pay a fee or subscription for the right to harvest and replant my seed. Everyone wins. The seed company will have less overhead and processing and still receive money for R&D. The farmer benefits from a epigenetic and cost stand point

[@keithberns910]

Good points... there a couple of ways to start down this path. 1. Find older cultivars that have no legal protection or regulation - they are out there but you likely will have to look and beat the bushes to find someone that has decent seed to start with. 2. For seeds that are protected, you can work towards becoming a certified seed grower and then you can legally grow and keep your own seed - while paying a royalty back to the seed breeder... This is a possibility for many of the cereal grain varieties on the market as well as number of soybeans cultivars that have been developed by Universities. Most private soybean companies do not have these options... but you can ask and tell them what you would like. If enough people ask and they see it as an economically viable option, they will listen...

[@caseymac2287]

Thanks for the info. I will for sure look into it!

[@marynunn1708]

Mind blown 🤯

[@ericjohnsoncf]

Through the regen process, if green cover happens to have a perfect seed, there would be no need to add the ryzo inoculant? Is that what he's saying?

[@keithberns910]

In theory that would be possible. John was not sure if the rhizobia bacteria are endophytic and would be able to be "on the seed" or not. However rhizobia can survive in the soil. So with a really great seed and really good soil, there would be not need for additional inoculants

[@ScouseJack]

There's a big difference in volume between either speaker. Surely there are ways to change this.

[@keithberns910]

Looking into it. Thanks

[@ScouseJack]

Thanks :)