How one farmer is turning dirt into a climate solution

Summary

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Climate Connections – "How one farmer is turning dirt into a climate solution"

Episode Date: May 26, 2026
Host: Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz (Yale Center for Environmental Communication)
Guest Featured: Will Brownback, Spiral Path Farm

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Episode Overview

This episode spotlights innovative climate solutions on the farm, focusing specifically on Will Brownback, owner of Spiral Path Farm in Pennsylvania. The discussion explores how regenerative farming practices—particularly improving soil health—can combat climate change impacts, bolster farm resilience, and create tastier, more abundant crops.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Building Healthy Soil as Climate Adaptation

• Will Brownback emphasizes that "growing healthy food starts with growing healthy soil" (00:05).
• His strategies include:
  • Adding compost to fields.
  • Growing cover crops, later tilled into the soil to decompose and add nutrients.

Soil’s Role in Climate Resilience

• Enhanced water absorption: Healthy, organic-rich soils function like superior sponges, absorbing more water during heavy storms and reducing flooding and erosion—key as extreme weather events become more frequent due to climate change.
• Extended moisture retention: These soils also dry out more slowly, aiding resilience during increasingly common dry spells in Pennsylvania (00:51).

Quote ([00:38]) — Will Brownback:
"Soil with a small amount of organic matter may only be like your kitchen sponge, whereas a soil with more organic matter might be like a sponge you use to wash your car."

Benefits Beyond Climate

• Boosted yields and plant strength: Rich soils help plants grow stronger and produce more.
• Enhanced flavor and texture: Healthier soils can even improve the flavor and texture of crops—research-backed and experienced on Brownback's farm.

Quote ([01:06]–[01:09]) — Will Brownback:
"That's what makes a tomato go from—eh, it's a tomato—to 'wow, now that's a tomato.'"

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Growing healthy food starts with growing healthy soil."
  — Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz ([00:05])
• "Soil with a small amount of organic matter may only be like your kitchen sponge, whereas a soil with more organic matter might be like a sponge you use to wash your car."
  — Will Brownback ([00:38])
• "That's what makes a tomato go from—eh, it's a tomato—to 'wow, now that's a tomato.'"
  — Will Brownback ([01:06])
• "By building healthier soil, he can adapt to changing growing conditions and produce delicious, abundant harvests."
  — Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz ([01:13])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:01 – 00:22: Introduction of Will Brownback and overview of Spiral Path Farm's soil practices
• 00:23 – 00:38: Explanation of compost and cover crop benefits
• 00:38 – 00:51: Will's analogy comparing organic matter in soil to different types of sponges
• 00:51 – 01:06: Discussion of drought, crop yield, and flavor improvements
• 01:06 – 01:13: Memorable tomato flavor quote and overall benefits of building healthy soil

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Conclusion

This episode delivers a hopeful, practical outlook: By focusing on soil health, farmers like Will Brownback are building climate resilience, improving food quality, and turning "dirt into a climate solution." The benefits ripple out—from tastier tomatoes to climate adaptation strategies that can inspire other growers.

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Transcript

[A]

I'm Dr. Anthony Liesiewicz, and this is Climate Connections. For Will Brownback, owner of Spiral Path Farm in Pennsylvania. Growing healthy food starts with growing healthy soil on his 300 acre organic farm. He adds compost to his fields, and he grows cover crops that he later tills into the soil, where they add nutrients as they decompose. All this organic material helps create rich, loose soil, which benefits his farm in multiple ways. It can soak up more water, so it can reduce flooding and erosion during heavy storms, which are growing more common as the climate warms.

[B]

Soil with a small amount of organic matter may only be like your kitchen sponge, whereas a soil with more organic matter might be like a sponge you use to wash your car.

[A]

And the soil does not dry out as fast during dry spells, which are also growing more common in Pennsylvania. What's more, nutrient rich soil can help plants grow stronger and increase yields. And research shows it can even enhance the flavor and texture of crops.

[B]

That's what makes a tomato go from

[A]

eh, it's

[B]

a tomato to wow, now that's a tomato.

[A]

So by building healthier soil, he can adapt to changing growing conditions and produce delicious, abundant harvests. Climate Connections is produced by the Yale center for Environmental Communication. To learn more about climate change, visit climateconnections.org.