The Politics of Soil – Details, episodes & analysis

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