In this episode of the On-Farm Trials podcast, we’re on Esser Farms outside of Moscow, ID. Long-time innovator Garry Esser shares his experience with many soil-health focused trials starting with the transition to direct seed and being part of Shepherd’s Grain. Listen as Garry describes more recent trials such as alternative crop rotations, including intercropping with pulses and underseeding clovers, compost tea, and how ‘unintended consequences’ led to integrated grazing on the farm. The conversation explores getting your feet on the ground and seeing what you’re looking at - and how it can be more fun to try new things with friends.

In the first full episode of On-Farm Trials Season 2 Jason Bishop of Living Heritage Farm in Edwall, Washington, describes his trials building life on the farm with alternative crop rotations, intercropping, and a range of cover cropping strategies that include cows jumping fences- all while looking both forward and backward for inspiration to further the farm’s management goals.

The first episode of season 2 is a short introduction to Jason and Jill Bishop of Living Heritage Farm in Edwall, Washington. In our ‘pre-season episode’ Jason and Jill describe coming back to the farm and working to build out value-added direct marketing enterprises to support the addition of their family on the farm. Hear how they embrace the farm name, and their experiences ranging from specialty beef, to seed increases from the Einkorn heritage grain patch started in their suburban Seattle backyard.