Call of the American Toad

The second most common species in Iowa, the American toad makes a "long, musical trill" when advertising to potential mates.  Courtesy of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 

Listen to identify 5 species of frog and toad calls in Iowa

Volunteers listen for chorus frogs, spring peepers, northern leopard frogs, American Toads and Eastern gray treefrogs.  To identify them, listen for these sounds: The chorus frog sounds like running your finger over a fine-tooth comb; the spring peeper sounds like the "peep" of a baby bird; the no…

Future Facing Farms-Ep. 6- How curiosity and joy led two cousins on a journey into regenerative agriculture

Episode 6 - Janski Farms with Nora Hertel and Sarah Kocher Cousins Daniel and Tyler Janski have been experimenting with cover crops and no-till farming practices for the last four years on their family's St. Augusta, Minn., farm. 

Future Facing Farms-Ep. 5- Two Harbors farmers were drawn to tree seedlings project. Here's why

Episode 5 - Chelsea Morning Farm with Nora Hertel and Erik Newland Cree and Jason Bradley produce maple syrup, raise vegetables, sell spring plants and now raise tree seedlings to help northern Minnesota forests adapt to climate change.

Future Facing Farms-Ep. 4- Little Falls farmer uses cover crops to leave soil better than he found it

Episode 4 - Jason Lorenz's farm with Nora Hertel and Sarah Kocher Jason Lorenz says every farming magazine these days has an article on sequestering carbon. He enrolled in a program to do that with cover crops his cattle can graze on.

Future Facing Farms-Ep. 3- How a nonprofit Minnesota farm builds up soil for healthy plants, people and planet

Episode 3 - Dream of Wild Health with Nora Hertel and Erik Newland Rather than feeding plants fertilizer, Jessika Greendeer, a farm manager and seedkeeper, supports the soil so it can support plants.

Future Facing Farms- Ep. 2- Why this Cold Spring farm family opted into a new cover crop pilot program

Episode 2 - Lahr Heritage Acres with Nora Hertel and Sarah Kocher Larry Lahr and Jen Wagner-Lahr talk about scrutiny and risk in agriculture today. Jen shares why she's excited to be part of a pilot carbon market program. 

Future Facing Farms - Ep. 1-How cattle help Todd County farmers restore degraded soil and landscape

Episode 1 - Early Boots Farm with Nora Hertel and Erik Newland Kate Droske and Tyler Carlson talk about their work on a 200-acre farm and the bigger picture of climate change and agriculture.