The EarthWorks Podcast EarthWorks

Thrilled to bring back our friend and chemist, Lawrence Mayhew. As always, we run through a gamut of topics including humic substances, biological activity in the soil, the humification process and the life of soil microbes.  Lawrence is always informative and entertaining and has become one of our most anticipated guests. In this conversation we talked about a new procedure for testing soil nitrogen known as the ACE (Autoclaved Citrate Extractable) Nitrogen process. Lawrence shared some information about a recently published paper from researchers at Michigan State University. Although this paper was only published in the fall of 2023 and has no known commercial testing facilities using the method, Lawrence is very excited about its potential. We ended the conversation talking about how the state of California tests products for humic acids, a flawed method, that does not take into account that when humates are added to a formula that contains cations, like calcium, the humic acids combine with the cations and is no longer extractable as a free molecule. But the good news is, this is exactly what we want to see because it tells us they are doing their job. As always, the conversation with Lawrence is intense, interesting and fun.

Visit EarthWorks at:  https://www.earthworksturf.com
Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/
2 Minute Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

On this week’s podcast, we catch up with Benton Hodges, owner of Mountain West Turf Technologies. Benton was formerly the assistant superintendent at 3 Creek Ranch GC, but recently broke out on his own after seeing the opportunity to represent the many technology advancements in the turf industry. We talked about everything from the current state of robotic mowing, GPS sprayers, and even Artificial Intelligence and how we can use it to make our jobs easier. We took a glimpse into the future of turf management and where Benton sees us in the year 2050. We appreciate Benton taking time to talk with us about the many things he’s involved with and it was a great conversation about the future.  

Visit EarthWorks at:  https://www.earthworksturf.com
Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/
2 Minute Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

Jack Higgins has been the Northeast Agronomist with EarthWorks since 2009. In 2020, when Covid first hit, we were concerned about staying in touch with clients and it was Jack who suggested the idea of starting the EarthWorks Podcast. Today, the podcast team of Jack, Kevin Hicks and Joel Simmons has recorded over 200 podcasts and reached thousands of turf managers and friends. In this podcast we hear Jack’s story and learn about his time at St. Andrews Golf Club, Penn State and Lehigh Country Club. Those who know Jack understand his passion for biological soil management, greens keeping and watching turf managers succeed. Be sure to check out some of his reels found at https://www.instagram.com/earthworks4home/reels/, the company’s eCommerce residential division, to enjoy more of Jack’s trademark style and sense of humor.  It’s not often that we have one of our own as a podcast guest, but this interview was long overdue.

Visit EarthWorks at:  https://www.earthworksturf.com
Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/
2 Minute Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

We are very excited to announce that the EarthWorks Podcast has reached its 200th Episode! This project was started in 2020, at the beginning of COVID, when we weren’t sure how we were going to be able to stay in touch with clients and friends. Jack Higgins, one of our hosts on the EW Podcast, came up with the idea and we never looked back. As we celebrate our 200th episode, we have close to 1000 listens every week, and our archives are constantly being searched and older episodes are being found and enjoyed multiple times. Our goal was simply to help our clients tell their stories, many of which have been very successful using Biological Soil Management, others are just good friends of the industry. Everyone has a story and if that story helps just one turf manager discover a better way to manage their property than all the work we put into it is well worth it.  

This week our three podcast hosts are being featured and have invited one of their favorite guests to join them for a short thank you. Joel invited Glenn Smickley, the General Manager of the California Golf Club, who he credits for much of the success of EarthWorks. Kevin met with one of our most popular guests, Dave Wilber, Turfgrass Consultant Extraordinaire and they talked about construction projects in the turf industry. And, last but never least, Jack brought back one of our favorite Lawn Care Operators, Jay Lo Monaco from Paul’s Best Lawn Service where Jay shared his story of how carbon based fertility changed his business model. We can’t thank everyone enough for listening to the EW Podcast and Turf Talk over these past few years. We look forward to continuing the string of weekly events!

Visit EarthWorks at:  https://www.earthworksturf.com
Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/
2 Minute Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

We welcome back Josh Saunders from Lancaster Country Club to talk about everything US Women’s Open 2024. The LCC crew is 70 days from the tournament and we discuss his agronomic plan for between now and the Open. We have a lot of fun in this podcast. There’s a lot of anticipation here. We also discussed plans for setting up a studio to record EW podcasts with a variety of guests from LCC and volunteers from around the country during the tournament week. It’s gonna be great!

Visit EarthWorks at:  https://www.earthworksturf.com
Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/
2 Minute Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

Edward Olsen, is the Parks and Forestry Supervisor for the Town of Needham, Massachusetts. We have known Ed for over 20 years and followed him through his golf course career as a superintendent, to his current position in the Town of Needham. The contrast in the two careers is very interesting and he loves his role in public service. It is not uncommon for golf course superintendents to take jobs in the public sector. There are many reasons they make the switch and Ed cites security being one of them. The challenges in public service are unique, and Ed shares some of those stories with us. He also talked about his days on the golf course including a very precarious start with a superintendent who was less than excited to have him on board!  One of the more fascinating stories he shared was about learning the 150 rule from one of his mentors. He was learning to scout for insect and disease pressures and how to spot problems before they started. The 150 rule is when temperature and humidity reach a collective number of 150 for three days. This is the point at which we know that disease incubation has hit critical mass and disease becomes inevitable. A very funny conversation that will keep you entertained, and you just may pick up a few tricks!

Visit EarthWorks at: https://www.earthworksturf.com
Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/
2 Minute Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/