The Politics of Soil
The Politics of Soil is hosted by Dr. Kris Nichols – a soil microbiologist and founder of KRIS Systems – and her father, Jim Nichols – a lifelong farmer, former Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner, and former State Senator. Together, they bring more than eight decades of experience in agriculture, soil health, energy production, and public policy to conversations about the future of food, farming, and society.
Beneath our feet exists a complex living world where bacteria, fungi, plants, insects, and animals work together through cooperation, competition, and carbon exchange to sustain life itself. These interactions occurring belowground mirror the challenges – food abundance and nutrition, energy needs, building blocks, governance and the structure of civilization – facing human societies aboveground. The principles of integration shape the agricultural industry, economics, environmental policy, food systems, energy production, and the future of rural communities as soil health, regenerative agriculture, food security, renewable energy, and public policy are deeply interconnected.
Through science, storytelling, and dialogue, Kris and Jim Nichols explore how soil connects to broader issues including food security, energy production, economics, environmental policy, rural communities, climate resilience, and public health. Their conversations draw from both scientific research and lived agricultural experience to rethink how the politics of food and land influence the future of civilization itself. From the Dust Bowl to modern regenerative farming, from ethanol and wind energy to carbon cycling and ecosystem resilience, Kris and Jim connect history, science, and politics to ask one central question:
What happens when we place soil — and the systems that sustain life — at the center of our decisions?
Join us as we explore the past, present, and future of agriculture through a Soil First Farming perspective — one rooted in regeneration, innovation, resilience and the understanding that healthy soil is the foundation of abundant, nutritious food, vibrant communities, and a restored planet.
KRIS Systems patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/cw/KRISSystems
KRIS Systems website: https://www.krissystems.net/
https://www.facebook.com/kris.nichols.9047
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-nichols-348041a5/
https://www.instagram.com/glomalin1972/
https://www.tiktok.com/@krisnichols279?lang=en
https://bsky.app/profile/krissystems.bsky.social
https://substack.com/@krisnichols
Episodes
Sep 26, 2026
Sep 26, 2026
33 min
Kris and Jim discuss the early harvest and how heat, moisture, soil organic matter, and farming practices affect yields. They cover the downsides of fall tillage and fall fertilizer, the benefits of spring-applied nutrients, cover crops, and building soil carbon, plus how important it is to expand markets to add biodiversity and improve nutrient density.
#PoliticsOfSoil#SoilFirstFarming#RegenerativeAgriculture
#CoverCrops
#Harvest
#Ethanol#SoilHealth#SoilBiology#CarbonFlows#SoilRegeneration
https://www.krissystems.net/
https://www.patreon.com/cw/KRISSystems
https://www.facebook.com/kris.nichols.9047
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-nichols-348041a5/
https://www.instagram.com/glomalin1972/
https://www.tiktok.com/@krisnichols279?lang=en
https://bsky.app/profile/krissystems.bsky.social
https://substack.com/@krisnichols
Sep 4, 2026
Sep 4, 2026
25 min
Dr. Kris Nichols and her father Jim share five generations of U.S. farming experience from southwestern Minnesota, discussing the 1980s farm crisis, the 1985 Farm Bill and CRP, ethanol policy, and the shift from diverse family farms to investor-owned land.
They explore how political decisions, economic pressures, and soil stewardship intersect, and consider regenerative, soil-first approaches to help keep farms viable for future generations.
#PoliticsOfSoil#SoilFirstFarming#RegenerativeAgriculture#SoilHealth#SoilBiology#CarbonFlows#SoilRegeneration
KRIS Systems patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/cw/KRISSystems
KRIS Systems website: https://www.krissystems.net/
https://www.facebook.com/kris.nichols.9047
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-nichols-348041a5/
https://www.instagram.com/glomalin1972/
https://www.tiktok.com/@krisnichols279?lang=en
https://bsky.app/profile/krissystems.bsky.social
https://substack.com/@krisnichols
Sep 4, 2026
Sep 4, 2026
35 min
Dr. Kris Nichols introduces The Politics of Soil, a podcast exploring soil as a living ecosystem and the central role of carbon flows in driving food production, water and nutrient cycling, and ecosystem resilience.
Episodes will be hosted by Dr. Nichols and her father. They connect soil biology, regenerative farming practices, and public policy to rethink how land, energy, and communities can be sustained.
Drawing on decades of scientific research and hands-on agricultural experience, each episode will examine practical soil-first strategies, historical policy lessons, and the intersections of farming, economics, and governance to regenerate soil and revitalize food systems.
#PoliticsOfSoil#SoilFirstFarming#RegenerativeAgriculture#SoilHealth#SoilBiology#CarbonFlows#SoilRegeneration
KRIS Systems patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/cw/KRISSystems
KRIS Systems website: https://www.krissystems.net/
https://www.facebook.com/kris.nichols.9047
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-nichols-348041a5/
https://www.instagram.com/glomalin1972/
https://www.tiktok.com/@krisnichols279?lang=en
https://bsky.app/profile/krissystems.bsky.social
https://substack.com/@krisnichols