Recorded at the Southern Family Farmers and Food Systems Conference, this Soil Sisters Podcast explores the present and future of agriculture, soil health, water use, and family farming through conversations with two of the TX Soil Sisters' agricultural mentors: Fred Morales of Morales Feed and Supply and Troy Swift of Swift River Pecans.
Fred shares his perspective as a longtime agricultural business owner who has watched his farming clients and his own family's farm struggle with rising costs, worsening conditions, and the challenges of keeping farms viable. He discusses the critical shift from conventional inputs toward biological solutions and why it matters for this new generation of regenerative practitioners to own the land they work. Troy shares his experience and results with regenerative farming practices and rainwater collection at Swift River Pecans, including improved soil health, reduced fungicide and nitrogen use, and more resilient and productive orchards. Together, their stories highlight practical approaches to healthy soil, water conservation, regenerative farming, and a more sustainable and resilient future for farmers and ranchers.
TIME STAMPS:
00:00 Welcome to Soil Sisters
00:21 Meet Fred Morales, Morales Feed & Supply
01:50 Roots in Regenerative
05:12 From Farm to Feed Store
06:02 Watching Conventional Fail
07:43 Pivoting to Biologicals
09:23 Grandpa vs Fertilizer
10:59 Training the Next Crew
12:19 Why Regen Is Inevitable
14:22 Big Ag Extraction Cycle
15:00 Helping Farmers Win Long Term
15:43 Soil Tests and Solutions
18:13 Who Will Own the Land
20:35 Matchmaking Land and Farmers
22:42 Connecting with Fred Morales
25:28 Troy Swift Shares Swift River Pecans Regenerative Results
27:40 Breaking Disease Triangle
31:36 Cutting Fungicides Safely
34:45 Data-Driven Orchard Trials
36:03 Industry Adoption Momentum
37:21 Highlights of the SFFFS Conference
40:00 Water as Common Denominator
45:43 Rainwater and Condensate Hacks
47:20 Wrap Up and Show Credits
💚 MEET & SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS 💚
✨ Tejas Tonic - The official beverage of the TX Soil Sisters ✨
Serving up creative spirits for creative spirits. The hemp for this blissful bevvy is organically farmed in the Texas Hill Country. Enjoy 15% off Tejas Tonic w/ code: SISTERS. | Socialize with @drinktejastonic on IG.
⚡️ B&P Electric - The Soil Sisters Podcast is powered by B&P Electric ⚡️
Whether you’re building, remodeling, installing low-voltage landscape lighting, or in need of an inspection. B&P is your central Texas electrical contractor. | Socialize with @b_pelectric on IG
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