We’re kicking the show off in West Union, Iowa, where No-Till Innovator Loran Steinlage recently opened his doors to no-tillers and ag leaders from all over for a private farm tour.

The event was hosted in conjunction with the Sand County Foundation, Practical Farmers of Iowa and others. Three farmers from Ukraine were in attendance. Steinlage has hosted several Ukrainian farmers in recent years. He says he’s impressed by their spirit and desire to learn about conservation practices.   

“And I go back to the last time I was in Ukraine, the last night I was there, the one I remember the most, the conversation I remember most is the guy lost four combines that fall due to landmines. This is before the current war started. These guys have been dealing with it since 2014. This is not new. They're seasoned veterans, but it's pretty scary when you can get numb to war and that's almost what I'm seeing right now. With that said, the biggest thing I'm starting to watch is several of the guys that I've been in contact since the war started or escalated is you can tell fatigue is setting in.

Their demeanor is changing. They're tired, they need help, and I'm more than willing to do whatever I can help them. Just helping them give ideals and access to knowledge. That's the best way we can help them right now and that's why they're coming over here to help learn and educate their people. On the flip side though, the group last week, some of the guys that were with us, we were learning as much more than we were teaching.”

Steinlage says iron sharpens iron, and he’s learned a lot from the hardened veterans from Ukraine.  

Watch the full version of this episode of Conservation Ag Update.