The EarthWorks Podcast

Hosted by EarthWorks

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314

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Jun 2026

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About the show

The EarthWorks Podcast is a series of interviews and conversations hosted by many of the EarthWorks agronomists, featuring friends from the turf industry. Interviews include noted golf course superintendents, industry experts, agronomists and business people. These conversations are designed to inform and entertain. EarthWorks has been a leader in the discussion of Biological Soil Management and has been producing professional grade carbon based fertilizers for over 30 years. Each year over 15,000 soil tests are performed by the companies agronomists and all of this builds the focus of The EarthWorks Podcast. Please enjoy.

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June 11, 20261 hr 0 min

The EW Podcast - Joel Simmons with Ryan Severidt

On this episode of the EarthWorks Podcast, we sit down with Ryan Severidt, Superintendent at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Maryland. Ryan's career has taken him from the Midwest to some of the most challenging turf environments in the country, managing both cool-season and warm-season grasses across a variety of climates and conditions.Ryan began his career at Kinloch Golf Club in Richmond, Virginia, one of the first all-bentgrass golf courses built that far south. Despite skepticism from many in the industry, Kinloch established itself as a world-class property. As Ryan explains, success came from focusing on the work at hand and doing whatever was necessary to keep the course performing at a high level.He later moved to The Olde Farm in Bristol, Virginia, where higher elevations and a cooler climate provided a different set of opportunities for managing bentgrass. His next move to Woodmont Country Club introduced a new challenge: maintaining both bermudagrass and zoysiagrass in the Mid-Atlantic region, where changing weather patterns continue to influence turf management decisions.Ryan discusses the increasing adoption of warm-season grasses in the region, the challenges presented by the winter of 2025, and how environmental conditions continue to shape management strategies. He also shares his approach to leadership, emphasizing education, communication, and helping team members understand the "why" behind every decision. By creating a culture of learning, Ryan has built strong teams and developed future industry leaders.This conversation offers valuable insights into turf management, leadership, and adapting to changing conditions in one of the most dynamic growing environments in the country.Visit EarthWorks at: https://www.earthworksturf.com Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/ EW Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

June 4, 20261 hr 1 min

The EW Podcast - Kevin Hicks & Joel Simmons - Soil Testing

EarthWorks began extensive soil testing nearly 40 years ago with one goal in mind: creating healthier soils that support stronger biological activity. By understanding soil chemistry through detailed testing, turf managers can improve soil structure, increase air and water movement, and build an environment where microbes thrive. It’s the foundation of the EarthWorks philosophy: Balance the Chemistry Feed the Soil.In this episode, Kevin Hicks and Joel Simmons dive into the importance of soil testing and how real data can help turf managers make smarter fertility decisions. They discuss how compaction, nutrient balance, and water quality all influence soil performance and long-term turf health. The conversation also explores the growing importance of water testing and how poor irrigation water can impact the nutritional position of the soil.Kevin and Joel also share updates on the future of the EarthWorks and Soil First Consulting soil audit programs, including the development of a new interactive soil protocol designed to give turf managers faster, more actionable insights. Packed with practical knowledge and decades of field experience, this episode is a valuable listen for anyone serious about building healthier soils and stronger turf from the ground up.Visit EarthWorks at: https://www.earthworksturf.com Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/ EW Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

May 28, 20261 hr 2 min

The EW Podcast - Joel Simmons with Scott McLean - The Davey Tree Expert Company

On this week’s EarthWorks Podcast, Joel Simmons talks with Scott McLean, Plant Healthcare Business Developer for Northeast Operations at The Davey Tree Expert Company.Like many turf professionals, Scott didn’t begin his career with a clear roadmap. After taking a job at a local golf course, he quickly fell in love with the turf industry. He spent twelve years in golf course management, earned his turf degree from University of Massachusetts Amherst, and built a strong foundation in traditional turf management. But as family priorities changed, Scott began looking for a career path that offered a better work-life balance while still keeping him connected to the industry he loved.That search led him into lawn care, where he initially followed conventional high-synthetic fertilizer programs. Over time, however, he began questioning whether there was a better approach. After speaking with a local golf course superintendent about organic fertilizers, he discovered EarthWorks and started experimenting with carbon-based fertility programs on his own lawn.What he saw changed everything. His lawn developed a darker, richer green color, stayed greener later into the fall, and greened up earlier in the spring. But the moment that truly convinced him came during a late winter thaw, when the snow melted off his lawn days before it disappeared from neighboring properties receiving traditional fertilizer programs.Today, Scott is a strong believer in Biological Soil Management and carbon-based fertility. He believes the lawn care industry is shifting away from high-input, ala carte service models toward more efficient flat-fee programs that reduce inputs, lower labor and fuel costs, and improve profitability, all while producing healthier lawns and happier clients. This is a conversation about changing industry philosophies, building better soil, and the future of lawn care.Visit EarthWorks at: https://www.earthworksturf.com Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/ EW Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

May 21, 202636 min

The EW Podcast - Jack Higgins with Josh Saunders & Jason Bataille

On this week’s EarthWorks Podcast, Jack Higgins catches up with longtime friend and superintendent Josh Saunders for a ride around Lancaster Country Club as they discuss spring conditions, tournament preparation, and the 64th Compher Cup.Josh shares insights into managing the historic William Flynn-designed golf course following an unusually cold winter with extended snow cover, late frosts, and slow soil temperatures. The conversation covers A1/A4 bentgrass greens, Tahoma bermudagrass tees, spring fertility programs, plant growth regulators, and the patience required to properly manage turf during difficult spring transitions.Jack and Josh also discuss the restoration work at Lancaster Country Club, preparations for tournament play, and the balance between delivering championship conditions while protecting long-term plant health throughout the season.Later in the episode, Jack is joined by competitive amateur golfer Jason Bataille, who shares his perspective after competing in the Compher Cup at Lancaster. Jason discusses the strategy and architecture of the course, memorable holes from the Flynn design, and the appreciation players have for superintendents who are passionate about both turf management and the game of golf itself.Visit EarthWorks at: https://www.earthworksturf.com Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/ EW Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

May 14, 20261 hr 4 min

The EW Podcast -Joel Simmons with Marissa McDowell - Vista Seed

On this week’s EarthWorks Podcast, Joel Simmons sits down with Marissa McDowell, a third-generation seed producer whose family played an important role in the growth of Pickseed, one of the most recognized names in turfgrass seed production. Based in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the center of grass seed production in the United States, Marissa grew up immersed in the seed business before eventually joining the family industry herself.During the conversation, Marissa walks Joel through the entire turfgrass seed production process, from securing farmland and growing seed crops to harvesting, cleaning, packaging, and bringing premium turfgrass varieties to market. She shares insight into the complexity behind producing high-quality bentgrasses, bluegrasses, fescues, and ryegrasses through Vista Seed Partners.Joel and Marissa also discuss the economics of the seed industry and what impacts grass seed pricing from year to year. One major concern highlighted in the discussion is the continued loss of grass seed acreage in Oregon to commodity crops like hazelnuts, which require large amounts of land and can permanently remove valuable turf seed production acreage for decades.If you’ve ever wondered where your grass seed comes from or how much work goes into producing the seed used on golf courses, sports fields, and home lawns, this episode provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the turfgrass seed industry.And one of the most entertaining moments of the episode comes when Marissa discusses one of Vista’s newer turfgrass varieties, “Simmons” red creeping fescue, named after Joel himself.Visit EarthWorks at: https://www.earthworksturf.com Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/ EW Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

May 7, 202655 min

The EW Podcast - Kevin Hicks with Jeff Gullikson, CGCS

On this week’s EarthWorks Podcast, Kevin reconnects with longtime friend Jeff Gullikson, CGCS, to explore how the First Green program first took root in the late 1990s.As the golf course superintendent at Kalispel Golf & Country Club in Spokane, Washington, Jeff balances running a 128-year-old course with family life and coaching high school golf. Along the way, he’s helped grow First Green into a meaningful bridge between golf courses and education.This conversation dives into legacy, the evolution of the industry, and the story behind one of the Pacific Northwest’s oldest clubs.Visit EarthWorks at: https://www.earthworksturf.com Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/ EW Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

April 30, 20261 hr 5 min

The EW Podcast - Kevin Hicks with Joel Simmons - Construction

For over 30 years, EarthWorks has helped turf managers successfully establish golf courses and sports fields during construction and grow-in. Our soil-first approach has consistently delivered stronger rooting, more efficient fertility programs, and long-term performance.Sand-based root zones, however, present a unique set of challenges. They are naturally low in mineral content, have limited nutrient holding capacity (CEC), and provide little to no carbon to fuel soil biology. The result is reduced microbial activity, an overreliance on synthetic nitrogen during grow-in, and the development of excessive, unmanageable thatch.In this episode, Kevin Hicks sits down with Joel Simmons to explore the origins of the EarthWorks construction grow-in program—and the why behind amending sand-based soils from the start.As Joel puts it, “someone you know has used the EarthWorks grow-in program.” Built around proven inputs like Renovate Plus, Ecolite, and MycoReplenish, this construction-focused approach has been trusted by thousands of turf managers since the mid-1990s.The results are consistent—faster grow-ins, deeper rooting, reduced nitrogen inputs, and a dramatic reduction in thatch. By shifting from a nitrogen-heavy strategy to a carbon-driven, biologically active system during construction, turf managers turn thatch into usable organic matter—and make grow-ins far more manageable from day one.Visit EarthWorks at: https://www.earthworksturf.com Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/ EW Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

April 16, 202640 min

The EW Podcast - Jack Higgins with Tim Hollowell, Horticulturalist

In this episode, Jack Higgins sits down with horticulturalist Tim Hollowell to explore the deeper connection between soil health, plant performance, and practical horticulture. Tim shares his perspective from years of hands-on experience, breaking down how soil biology, structure, and nutrient balance all work together to influence plant success.The conversation moves beyond surface-level plant care and dives into what’s really happening below ground. From managing soil conditions to understanding how plants respond to their environment, Tim offers insights that apply across landscapes—from turf to gardens and beyond.This episode is a great listen for anyone looking to strengthen their understanding of the soil-first approach and how thoughtful horticultural practices can lead to healthier, more resilient plants.Visit EarthWorks at: https://www.earthworksturf.com Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/ EW Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

April 16, 202658 min

The EW Podcast - Joel Simmons & Marshall Evans with Nate Maurer

Construction is booming across Florida, and for Director of Agronomy Nate Maurer, the clock is ticking toward a major course reconstruction set to begin next year. After years of planning and finalizing a partnership with golf course architect Andy Staples, the project will kick off with a full turf removal in late spring.When asked what advice he’d offer superintendents considering a renovation, Nate didn’t hesitate: communication is everything. Years before breaking ground, he began educating members on the “why” behind the project. He led tours across the course, highlighting problem areas and even using a soil profiler to reveal the real challenges beneath the surface.From drainage improvements and earthmoving to a much-needed irrigation upgrade, Nate shares how transparency and preparation helped align expectations and build support for change. Coming off one of Florida’s toughest winters in recent memory, he’s also hoping for a little cooperation from Mother Nature as the work begins.Nate brings clarity, energy, and real-world insight to this conversation, offering valuable takeaways for any turf manager facing the challenge of reconstruction.Visit EarthWorks at: https://www.earthworksturf.com Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/ EW Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

April 9, 202656 min

The EW Podcast - Jack Higgins with Zach Holm - Central Park Conservancy

In this episode, Jack Higgins sits down with Zach Holm of the Central Park Conservancy to explore what it takes to manage one of the most iconic landscapes in the world. From high-traffic turf challenges to long-term soil health strategies, Zach shares how his team balances performance, sustainability, and aesthetics in a demanding urban environment.The conversation dives into practical approaches to building resilient turf systems, the importance of soil-first thinking, and how thoughtful inputs can support both plant health and playability under constant pressure. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at managing turf where expectations are high and the margin for error is slim.Visit EarthWorks at: https://www.earthworksturf.com Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/ EW Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/