Mike lessiter - Articles

Reflections on a Week of Collaboration & Learning in Springfield, Ill.

By Hayden Lessiter posted on August 14, 2026 | Posted in Investing in Regenerative Ag

Springfield has its share of attractions to visit, but it wasn’t tourism that attracted so many people to Springfield for the week. Rather, it was to meet with their like-minded peers who share a common goal of seeking a better way for their businesses and industry.

Discovering America’s Entrepreneurial Spirit in Rural Illinois

Innovation in ag is a staple of the region

By Hayden Lessiter posted on July 28, 2026

"I recently took a business trip through Illinois and discovered some things about the ag industry and our nation's history along the way."

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Want to Reduce Your Land Rental Expenses?

Award-winning no-tiller Mike Starkey educates his tenants on how he’s caring for their land – and was ‘perfect from the line’ in getting rent reductions in this tough economy.

By Mike Lessiter posted on March 21, 2026 | Posted in Agriculture Policy & Programs, Soil Health

Award-winning no-tiller Mike Starkey educates his tenants on how he’s caring for their land – and was ‘perfect from the line’ in getting rent reductions in this tough economy.

Frankly Speaking

Our Tribute to Amy Johnson, an Amazing Co-Worker

By Frank Lessiter posted on September 11, 2025

A dedicated and valuable member of the Lessiter Media family, Amy earned the respect of hundreds of folks she worked closely with from around the world.

This Week

Cover Crop Strategies' Best of the Web: Aug. 1, 2025

By Mackane Vogel posted on August 1, 2025

This Week's Lineup:

How History Is Shaping the Future of No-Till Farming
Mixed Results from No Till with Nitro Seasonal Cover Crop Cocktail
How One Farmer Turned Cover Crops Into Profit
The Economic and Ecological Aspects of Soil Health
Field Crops Virtual Breakfast — Planting Cover Crops After Wheat

A Meeting of the Minds — Conservation Ag Style

By Mackane Vogel posted on July 31, 2025 | Posted in Investing in Regenerative Ag, Soil Health

NACD's Annual Summer Meeting moves around from city to city each year but with our home court as the location for this year, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to get together with like-minded conservation ag-focused folks and see what the week had in store.

Mike Lessiter Luncheon Keynote Presentation from 2025 NACD Summer Meeting

July 28, 2025 | Posted in Investing in Regenerative Ag, Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Cover Crop Strategies' Mike Lessiter spoke on the key elements of no-till history and why it’s a blueprint for future change. He also examined critical success factors needed to sustain and grow the practices, and the key role of conservation districts in making successful transitions and adoption a reality.

Learn From Conservation Leaders at NACD Summer Meeting

June 19, 2025

Cover Crop Strategies' Mike Lessiter is the Luncheon keynote speaker at this year's event.

[Podcast] The State of Soil Conservation — Cover Crops, No-Till, Strip-Till & More

For this episode of the Cover Crop Strategies Podcast, brought to you by the National Strip-Tillage Conference, listen to a panel discussion on the state of soil conservation from the most recent Conservation in Action Tour.

By Mackane Vogel posted on May 16, 2025 | Posted in Agriculture Policy & Programs

On this episode of the Cover Crop Strategies Podcast, brought to you by the National Strip-Tillage Conference, listen to a panel discussion on the state of soil conservation from the most recent Conservation in Action Tour.

Degenerative or Regenerative Ag

April 21, 2025 | Posted in Agriculture Policy & Programs, Investing in Regenerative Ag, Seeding Practices

Let’s head south now to Fort Myers, Fla., for the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association convention. Mach CEO Colin Hurd served as technology chair for the event.