Thinking Outside The Soil

Something interesting is happening in how people raise meat birds right now, and most of it is barely talked about. Many of the conversations still center on inputs. What feed to buy, how to reduce cost, what’s “better” or “cleaner.” But underneath that, there’s a different question we keep asking. What if we stop treating feed as a fixed cost and start treating it as the foundation for better health? Now, it’s not every day you’re scrolling through TikTok nonsense, and something actually makes you go, “whoa…” I was doing what a lot of folks do. Half paying attention, flipping through videos, not expecting to find anything useful. And then I came across a clip of someone feeding chicks that made me pause and look again. My first instinct was to map it onto what I already know. Assume I understood what was happening. But I’ve learned that’s usually where you get it wrong. So instead of projecting, I asked a question. And that’s where things started to open up. It was very clear that this wasn’t just another backyard chicken keeper doing the same thing as everyone else…parroting others and rebranding it as if they came up with the idea. If you’ve been around poultry long enough, you know the pattern. Chicken keepers are dependent on buying something that we have little control over, at a price we basically have to accept. And most setups reflect that. You can see it in the inputs and the way people talk about feed. When I went to look at the video owner’s profile, that’s what I expected to see. But that’s not what I saw. Instead, what kept showing up was a system that didn’t look like it was built around purchased feed at all. It looked like something else was doing the heavy lifting. A lot of chicken keepers have experimented with sprouting at some point. Most try it briefly and move on because it feels inconsistent or like more work than it’s worth. It gets treated as a supplement, something extra you might do if you have the time. That’s not what I saw in the first video or in the others I went through. This was integrated into the core feeding strategy. And more importantly, it was producing outcomes that most people claim can only be done in large houses using the calculations set by big producers. About Jessica Jackson On TikTok, she goes by @kjjacksonnaturals and she raises chickens in West Texas. She runs her setup mostly on her own, bringing in help when it’s time to process birds for the Abilene farmers market. She didn’t start with broilers. Like many people, she started with laying hens and began experimenting with sprouting grains in 2013. Over the past four years, she’s applied that same approach to broilers and turkeys, building a system around it rather than treating it as a supplement. And when you hear what’s coming from her farm, it makes sense. Why This Matters for Broiler Producers If you’re trying to grow out meat birds right now, you’re probably feeling some version of the same pressure most producers are. Feed costs fluctuate, your margins get thinner and thinner, and every decision starts to feel reactive. What Jessica is doing points to a different approach. Instead of treating feed as a fixed expense to be managed, it becomes part of the production system itself. Something you can influence, rather than something you’re always responding to. That doesn’t remove the work needed to raise healthy animals. But it does change the equation and shifts where the work happens. When you start producing even some of your feed, you gain control over variables that once seemed fixed, which makes planning easier. Common Misconception About Sprouting One reason most people don’t take sprouting seriously is that they don’t stick with it long enough to see what it actually does. A mason jar here. A bucket there. Something added in as a treat rather than built into a system. When it’s approached that way, it’s impossible to see clear results. It’s like eating a salad once in a blue moon and...

There’s a question sitting underneath a lot of feed conversations right now… Is there a better way to feed horses when hay is expensive, water is hard to come by, and consistent feeding matters? In the world of horse care, finding a balance between quality feed and cost is a challenge many owners face. If you’re looking for a solution to keep your horses healthy without breaking the bank, then this is for you. In this episode of Thinking Outside The Soil, I sat down with Paul Johnson of Cripple Gray Ranch in Texas, a longtime horseman and polocrosse trainer who has been feeding fodder to performance horses since 2011. About Paul Johnson Paul Johnson is the owner and operator of Cripple Gray Ranch in McCade, Texas. With years of experience in horse riding and care, Paul has explored various feeding methods to ensure the health and performance of his horses. His journey into fodder began out of necessity, and his insights offer valuable lessons for horse owners everywhere. Why Traditional Horse Feed Can Be Costly and Ineffective Many horse owners are familiar with the increasing costs of hay and feed. In 2011, Paul faced a severe drought in Texas, making hay scarce and expensive. The quality was often poor, leaving him with limited options to keep his horses nourished. Traditional feeding methods can lead to high costs without guaranteeing the best nutrition for performance horses. The Fodder Solution: Transforming Horse Feeding In search of alternatives, Paul stumbled upon the concept of fodder feeding. Fodder, which consists of sprouted grains, offers several advantages: * Cost-Effective: Initially spending about $3 per horse per day for traditional feed, Paul discovered that he could reduce this cost to less than $0.50 with fodder. * Nutritional Value: Horses can digest over 70% of fodder, compared to only about 30% of commercial feed, making it a more efficient option for nourishment. * Health Benefits: Fodder is alkaline, helping to prevent issues like ulcers that are common with acidic commercial feeds. Paul noted that his horses showed improved health and performance after switching to fodder. Common Misconceptions About Fodder Despite its benefits, there are misconceptions about the nutritional value of fodder. Many equine nutritionists were unaware of how to evaluate fodder effectively at the time Paul began his journey. Most assessments required drying and grinding the plants, which does not accurately reflect the benefits of feeding live fodder. Key Takeaways * Cost Savings: Switching to fodder can significantly reduce feeding costs while improving the nutritional intake of horses. * Health Improvements: Fodder can enhance the overall health of horses, reducing common issues associated with traditional feeding practices. * DIY Approach: Implementing a fodder system may require some initial setup and daily maintenance, so consider a system built for you that saves time. Paul Johnson’s experience highlights the potential of fodder feeding for horse owners seeking a healthier, more cost-effective solution. By transitioning to fodder, you can not only save money but also ensure your horses receive the best nutrition possible. Check out the links below to learn more about how hydroponic fodder helps farmers save water, improve livestock quality, and become better stewards. Take care, and have a lovely day! — Our Substack: Paul’s YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@pjpxmcd2/videos Eleusis Feedhttps://eleusisfeed.com The Book:⁠thinkingoutsidethesoil.com⁠ Thinking Outside The Soil Audiobook:⁠https://amzn.to/3zr4x5S⁠ Blooming Health Farms:⁠https://www.bloominghealthfarms.com Apple Podcasts:⁠https://is.gd/UG2E5X⁠ Spotify:⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6RNFxHElKSwjumV3DcA3tr Instagram:⁠https://www.instagram.com/seany_alfalfaseed⁠ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bloominghealthfarms Get full access to Thinking Outside The Soil at thinkingoutsidethesoil.substack.com/subscribe

This episode is a relaunch of Thinking Outside The Soil. After 165 episodes exploring hydroponics and agriculture more broadly, the show is narrowing into a more disciplined format focused on hydroponic fodder, feeding systems, and the real-world operators using them for horses and chickens. From here forward, Tuesday episodes are for horses. Friday episodes are for chickens. Get full access to Thinking Outside The Soil at thinkingoutsidethesoil.substack.com/subscribe

Good Morning and Hello from Blooming Health Farms! Welcome to another episode of Thinking Outside The Soil, with your host Sean E. Alfalfaseed. Where I get to talk story and touch on topics about hydroponics and the farmers who grow the crops and creatures we need to eat. | Check out the links below to learn more about our farm and how hydroponic fodder helps farmers save water, improve livestock quality, and become better stewards. Follow the show and get the book so you don't miss out on the next agricultural revolution! Thank you for being with me on another episode of TOTS. Take care, and have a lovely day! Links: Blooming Health Farms:⁠https://www.bloominghealthfarms.com The Book:⁠thinkingoutsidethesoil.com⁠ Get full access to Thinking Outside The Soil at thinkingoutsidethesoil.substack.com/subscribe

Good Morning and Hello from Blooming Health Farms!Welcome to another episode of Thinking Outside The Soil, with your host Sean E. Alfalfaseed. Where I get to talk story and touch on topics about hydroponics and the farmers who grow the crops and creatures we need to eat. |Check out the links below to learn more about our farm and how hydroponic fodder helps farmers save water, improve livestock quality, and become better stewards.Follow the show and get the book so you don't miss out on the next agricultural revolution!Thank you for being with me on another episode of TOTS. Take care, and have a lovely day!Links:Blooming Health Farms:⁠https://www.bloominghealthfarms.comThe Book:⁠thinkingoutsidethesoil.com⁠ Get full access to Thinking Outside The Soil at thinkingoutsidethesoil.substack.com/subscribe

Good Morning and Hello from Blooming Health Farms! Welcome to another episode of Thinking Outside The Soil, with your host Sean E. Alfalfaseed. Where I get to talk story and touch on topics about hydroponics and the farmers who grow the crops and creatures we need to eat. | Check out the links below to learn more about our farm and how hydroponic fodder helps farmers save water, improve livestock quality, and become better stewards. Follow the show and get the book so you don't miss out on the next agricultural revolution! Thank you for being with me on another episode of TOTS. Take care, and have a lovely day! Links: The Book: ⁠thinkingoutsidethesoil.com Broilers, pt. 1 https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/nkGizSPWwKb Broilers, pt. 2 https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/fpCDZaKWwKb Get full access to Thinking Outside The Soil at thinkingoutsidethesoil.substack.com/subscribe

Good Morning and Happy Aloha Friday from Blooming Health Farms!Welcome to another episode of Thinking Outside The Soil, with your host Sean E. Alfalfaseed. Where I get to talk story and touch on topics about hydroponics and the farmers who grow the crops and creatures we need to eat. |Check out the links below to learn more about our farm and how hydroponic fodder helps farmers save water, improve livestock quality, and become better stewards.Follow the show and get the book so you don't miss out on the next agricultural revolution!Links:Blooming Health Farms:⁠https://www.bloominghealthfarms.comThe Book:⁠thinkingoutsidethesoil.com⁠ FarmBox Foods: https://www.farmboxfoods.com Get full access to Thinking Outside The Soil at thinkingoutsidethesoil.substack.com/subscribe

Got chickens? Want to make your farm work smarter, not harder? Sean, an aquaponics expert and author of "Thinking Outside The Soil," invites you to a revolutionary session that might change your thoughts about egg farming. "Aquaponics in the Coop: Cleaner Water, Healthier Feed, Better Eggs" isn't your usual farming talk. Sean will share some secrets about making the most of what you've got. He's using something as simple as water and seeds in ways you wouldn't believe, getting amazing environmental and chicken health results. What's his secret to better feed and top-notch eggs? How does he turn waste into a winning formula for egg farmers? These are just some of the questions Sean will dive into, sharing insights from his aquaponic chickening journey. This session is a must for anyone looking to shake things up in their poultry game. Whether you're a farming expert or an aquaponics novice, this presentation promises practical insights and inspiring revelations. It's more than just tips and tricks; it's about a fresh perspective on farming. Join in and discover the missing pieces to make your farm thrive. Watch here on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mrsflHnixwg?si=4nop7KxpzVwDTdON Get full access to Thinking Outside The Soil at thinkingoutsidethesoil.substack.com/subscribe

Good Morning and Hello from Blooming Health Farms! Welcome to another episode of Thinking Outside The Soil, with your host Sean E. Alfalfaseed. Today's episode is about food safety in eggs. | Check out the links below to learn more about our farm and how hydroponic fodder helps farmers save water, improve livestock quality, and become better stewards. Follow the show and get the book so you don't miss out on the next agricultural revolution! Thank you for being with me on another episode of TOTS. Take care, and have a lovely day! Links: Blooming Health Farms:⁠https://www.bloominghealthfarms.com The Book:⁠thinkingoutsidethesoil.com⁠ Get full access to Thinking Outside The Soil at thinkingoutsidethesoil.substack.com/subscribe

Good Morning and Hello from Blooming Health Farms! Welcome to another episode of Thinking Outside The Soil, with your host Sean E. Alfalfaseed. Where I get to talk story and touch on topics about hydroponics and the farmers who grow the crops and creatures we need to eat. | Check out the links below to learn more about our farm and how hydroponic fodder helps farmers save water, improve livestock quality, and become better stewards. Follow the show and get the book so you don't miss out on the next agricultural revolution! Thank you for being with me on another episode of TOTS. Take care, and have a lovely day! Links: Blooming Health Farms:⁠https://www.bloominghealthfarms.com The Book: ⁠thinkingoutsidethesoil.com⁠ Get full access to Thinking Outside The Soil at thinkingoutsidethesoil.substack.com/subscribe

Good Morning and Hello from Blooming Health Farms! Welcome to another episode of Thinking Outside The Soil, with your host Sean E. Alfalfaseed. Where I get to talk story and touch on topics about hydroponics and the farmers who grow the crops and creatures we need to eat. | Check out the links below to learn more about our farm and how hydroponic fodder helps farmers save water, improve livestock quality, and become better stewards. Follow the show and get the book so you don't miss out on the next agricultural revolution! Thank you for being with me on another episode of TOTS. Take care, and have a lovely day! Links: Blooming Health Farms:⁠https://www.bloominghealthfarms.com The Book:⁠thinkingoutsidethesoil.com⁠ Get full access to Thinking Outside The Soil at thinkingoutsidethesoil.substack.com/subscribe

Good Morning and Hello from Blooming Health Farms! Welcome to another episode of Thinking Outside The Soil, with your host Sean E. Alfalfaseed. Where I get to talk story and touch on topics about hydroponics and the farmers who grow the crops and creatures we need to eat. | Check out the links below to learn more about our farm and how hydroponic fodder helps farmers save water, improve livestock quality, and become better stewards. Follow the show and get the book so you don't miss out on the next agricultural revolution! Thank you for being with me on another episode of TOTS. Take care, and have a lovely day! Links: Blooming Health Farms:⁠https://www.bloominghealthfarms.com The Book:⁠thinkingoutsidethesoil.com⁠ Get full access to Thinking Outside The Soil at thinkingoutsidethesoil.substack.com/subscribe

Good Morning and Happy Aloha Friday from Blooming Health Farms! Welcome to another episode of Thinking Outside The Soil, with your host Sean E. Alfalfaseed. Where I get to talk story and touch on topics about hydroponics and the farmers who grow the crops and creatures we need to eat. | Check out the links below to learn more about our farm and how hydroponic fodder helps farmers save water, improve livestock quality, and become better stewards. Follow the show and get the book so you don't miss out on the next agricultural revolution! Thank you for being with me on another episode of TOTS. Take care, and have a lovely day! Links: Blooming Health Farms:⁠https://www.bloominghealthfarms.com The Book:⁠thinkingoutsidethesoil.com⁠ Get full access to Thinking Outside The Soil at thinkingoutsidethesoil.substack.com/subscribe

Good Morning and Hello from Blooming Health Farms! Welcome to another episode of Thinking Outside The Soil, with your host Sean E. Alfalfaseed. Where I get to talk story and touch on topics about hydroponics and the farmers who grow the crops and creatures we need to eat. | Check out the links below to learn more about our farm and how hydroponic fodder helps farmers save water, improve livestock quality, and become better stewards. Follow the show and get the book so you don't miss out on the next agricultural revolution! Thank you for being with me on another episode of TOTS. Take care, and have a lovely day! Links: Blooming Health Farms:⁠https://www.bloominghealthfarms.com The Book:⁠thinkingoutsidethesoil.com⁠ Get full access to Thinking Outside The Soil at thinkingoutsidethesoil.substack.com/subscribe

Good Morning and Hello from Blooming Health Farms! Welcome to another episode of Thinking Outside The Soil, with your host Sean E. Alfalfaseed. Where I get to talk story and touch on topics about hydroponics and the farmers who grow the crops and creatures we need to eat. | Check out the links below to learn more about our farm and how hydroponic fodder helps farmers save water, improve livestock quality, and become better stewards. Follow the show and get the book so you don't miss out on the next agricultural revolution! Thank you for being with me on another episode of TOTS. Take care, and have a lovely day! Links: Blooming Health Farms:⁠https://www.bloominghealthfarms.com The Book:⁠thinkingoutsidethesoil.com⁠ Get full access to Thinking Outside The Soil at thinkingoutsidethesoil.substack.com/subscribe

Good Morning and Hello from Blooming Health Farms! Welcome to another episode of Thinking Outside The Soil, with your host Sean E. Alfalfaseed. Where I get to talk story and touch on topics about hydroponics and the farmers who grow the crops and creatures we need to eat. | Check out the links below to learn more about our farm and how hydroponic fodder helps farmers save water, improve livestock quality, and become better stewards. Follow the show and get the book so you don't miss out on the next agricultural revolution! Thank you for being with me on another episode of TOTS. Take care, and have a lovely day! Links: Blooming Health Farms:⁠https://www.bloominghealthfarms.com The Book:⁠thinkingoutsidethesoil.com⁠ Get full access to Thinking Outside The Soil at thinkingoutsidethesoil.substack.com/subscribe

Good Morning and Hello from Blooming Health Farms! Welcome to another episode of Thinking Outside The Soil, with your host Sean E. Alfalfaseed. Where I get to talk story and touch on topics about hydroponics and the farmers who grow the crops and creatures we need to eat. | Check out the links below to learn more about our farm and how hydroponic fodder helps farmers save water, improve livestock quality, and become better stewards. Follow the show and get the book so you don't miss out on the next agricultural revolution! Thank you for being with me on another episode of TOTS. Take care, and have a lovely day! Links: Blooming Health Farms:⁠https://www.bloominghealthfarms.com The Book:⁠thinkingoutsidethesoil.com⁠ Get full access to Thinking Outside The Soil at thinkingoutsidethesoil.substack.com/subscribe

Good Morning and Hello from Blooming Health Farms! Welcome to another episode of Thinking Outside The Soil, with your host Sean E. Alfalfaseed. Where I get to talk story and touch on topics about hydroponics and the farmers who grow the crops and creatures we need to eat. | Check out the links below to learn more about our farm and how hydroponic fodder helps farmers save water, improve livestock quality, and become better stewards. Follow the show and get the book so you don't miss out on the next agricultural revolution! Thank you for being with me on another episode of TOTS. Take care, and have a lovely day! Links: Blooming Health Farms:⁠https://www.bloominghealthfarms.com The Book:⁠thinkingoutsidethesoil.com⁠ Get full access to Thinking Outside The Soil at thinkingoutsidethesoil.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to another episode of Thinking Outside The Soil, with your host Sean E. Alfalfaseed. Where I get to talk story and touch on topics about hydroponics and the farmers who grow the crops and creatures we need to eat. | Check out the links below to learn more about our farm and how hydroponic fodder helps farmers save water, improve livestock quality, and become better stewards. Follow the show and get the book so you don't miss out on the next agricultural revolution! Thank you for being with me on another episode of TOTS. Take care, and have a lovely day! Links: Blooming Health Farms:⁠https://www.bloominghealthfarms.com The Book:⁠thinkingoutsidethesoil.com⁠ Get full access to Thinking Outside The Soil at thinkingoutsidethesoil.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to another episode of Thinking Outside The Soil, with your host Sean E. Alfalfaseed. Where I get to talk story and touch on topics about hydroponics and the farmers who grow the crops and creatures we need to eat. | Check out the links below to learn more about our farm and how hydroponic fodder helps farmers save water, improve livestock quality, and become better stewards. Follow the show and get the book so you don't miss out on the next agricultural revolution! Thank you for being with me on another episode of TOTS. Take care, and have a lovely day! Links: Blooming Health Farms:⁠https://www.bloominghealthfarms.com The Book:⁠thinkingoutsidethesoil.com⁠ Free Sprouting Video:⁠thinkingoutsidethesoil.com/sprouting⁠ Get full access to Thinking Outside The Soil at thinkingoutsidethesoil.substack.com/subscribe