Seasonal conversations on food and farming.
Produced by the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota.
www.sfa-mn.org
Follow SFA's work by signing up for our e-newsletter: https://sfamn.z2systems.com/np/clients/sfamn/subscribe.jsp?subscription=7&
Or, "The Hog Man of Brandon."
Patrick Toomey is the Sustainable Farming Association's new Grazing Education Lead. In this episode we get to know Patrick through the story of his career, which brought him to natural gas fields in Wyoming, the InterTribal Buffalo Council, Holisitic Management, private consulting, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
In this conversation with Jonathan Kilpatrick, you'll get a sense for Patrick's approach to farmer-to-farmer consulting and hear a couple of things to keep in mind for spring grazing.
Speakers
Jonathan Kilpatrick, SFA Farmer Education Director
Patrick Toomey, SFA Grazing Education Lead
Resources mentioned in this episode
Holistic Management
The viewpoints of the speakers expressed within or outside of this episode do not necessarily reflect the goals and mission of SFA.
Dirt Rich is produced by the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota.
If you enjoy Dirt Rich, consider supporting our work by becoming a member of SFA or making a gift at www.sfa-mn.org/support.
16 Apr 2026
80: Prescribed Fire on the Farm
Prescribed burning is an accessible, if intimidating, conservation and management tool for farms and private lands. This episode’s guests bring decades of first-hand experience of strategically and safely using fire to help meet their ecological goals.
The benefits of burning can compound: curbed tick or liver fluke populations can reduce herd mortality that would otherwise be a blow to your bottom line, for example. Minnesota rancher Mike Sams notes that parcels that he’s burned have a “faster green-up” and more vigorous growth afterwards.
Implementing a fire regime on a property of course requires careful planning, and there is an increasing amount of resources and support available for farmers and landowners. A network of Prescribed Burn Associations – “neighbors helping neighbors” – and professionals can help you navigate risk management, access proper equipment, and build your skills and confidence alongside peers. Listen to find out how prescribed fire might work on your farm!
If you're interested in learning about additional tools for brush management, check out episode 76: Managing Buckthorn and Brush for the Long Haul.
Speakers
Jennifer Grommes, Southern Minnesota Program Manager, Great River Greening
Jason Andersen, Minnesota Prescribed Fire Coordinator, Pheasants Forever
Bryan Simon, Working Lands Consultant for SFA & owner-operator of Lakeside Prairie Farm
Mike Sams, owner-operator of Y4 Ranch
Resources mentioned in this episode
Pheasants Forever “Find a Biologist”
Minnesota Prescribed Burn Association
This episode was recorded in partnership with Great River Greening. Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
The viewpoints of the speakers expressed within or outside of this episode do not necessarily reflect the goals and mission of SFA.
Dirt Rich is produced by the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota.
If you enjoy Dirt Rich, consider supporting our work by becoming a member of SFA or making a gift at www.sfa-mn.org/support.
18 Mar 2026
79: Building a Creamery
After returning to the family farm, Ethan Johnson opened Amo Creamery and farm store near Windom, Minnesota at the end of 2025. In this episode, he shares the dairy history of both his family and the region, his education and career, and how he was gradually drawn "like a magnet" back to the farm to build a community-tied creamery from the ground up.
Ethan Johnson, Amo Creamery
Mary Fischer, Southwest Community Organizer, Sustainable Farming Association
Dirt Rich is produced by the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota. The viewpoints of the speakers expressed within or outside of this episode do not necessarily reflect the goals and mission of SFA.
If you enjoy Dirt Rich, consider supporting our work by becoming a member of SFA or making a gift at www.sfa-mn.org/support.
Who has been a guest on Dirt Rich
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Tyler Carlson
Jim Chamberlin
Jennifer Grommes
Bryan Simon
Bruce Tiffany
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
21 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Contact Dirt Rich
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
