STAPLES FARM

We are excited to share that Staples Farm has been chosen for the Oklahoma Soil Health Implementation Program (SHIP). Over the next three years, we will collaborate with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to create and execute a tailored conservation plan. This plan will feature comprehensive soil testing and carbon tracking to support our ongoing commitment to soil health. Additionally, we were selected to join the Ecdysis Foundation's Project Avalanche, which helps farmers assess and observe the impact of their land management practices on ecosystem health. We already conduct annual soil tests, but this program uses advanced, in-depth testing methods to establish reliable baselines and track improvements in our soil's health. An Ecdysis team of nine experts will travel to Oklahoma in June to train farmers in proper sampling techniques. Later in the year, the team and the program's farmers will meet to review the findings. I have agreed to serve as the Cohort representative for this region in 2027, which will require some additional training. The Ecdysis Foundation is a research-focused non-profit and working farm based in rural South Dakota. Devoted to transforming agriculture, they aim to create positive change for farmers, rural communities, and the environment. Ecdysis offers free research findings to farmers, sells no products or services, and operates independently from government organizations. To learn more, visit their website: https://www.ecdysis.bio/. When my parents bought the farm in 1971, years of improper farming and overgrazing had cut deep ditches into much of the land. Although most of the property was eventually restored, about seven acres at the back remained unaddressed. In 2017, during the reconstruction of Highway 62 along our southern boundary, the State of Oklahoma's construction team asked if they could deposit excess dirt on our land. We agreed, and in 2019, we planted a cover crop on the reclaimed field—a practice we've continued annually since. The soil has steadily improved, and today the field is covered with clovers. The final step is introducing grazing livestock, which we plan to do later this year. Please feel free to send any questions about what we are doing to [email protected]. -Leo

We send our love to Emma and all the children who have DDX3X.

Staples Farm was pleased to be a sponsor of the 2026 DDX3X Beast Feast in Newkirk Oklahoma. We also donated a Yeti 45 cooler stocked with our delicious pasture-raised Berkshire pork. DDX3X syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by spontaneous mutations in the X-linked DDX3X gene, primarily affecting females. https://ddx3x.org/ This is our third year to attend and second to be a sponsor. -Leo

You might have noticed we're distributors for Osborne Livestock Equipment. Not only do we sell their products, but we also use them in our farrow-to-finish pig operation. Last night, I snapped a photo in the feeder pig paddock. With the abundance of high-quality forage, none of the pigs were at the Osborne Big Wheel feeder. At Staples Farm, we only offer products that we trust and use ourselves. -Leo

Gabe Brown, a leading figure in regenerative agriculture, brought widespread attention to six key principles of soil health. 1. Context 2. Minimize Disturbance 3. Soil Armor 4. Diversity 5. Living Roots 6. Animal Integration These principles are part of our regenerative plan. For years, obtaining a no-till drill was a significant challenge, often forcing us to plant outside the ideal windows for fall and summer cover crops. We overcame this hurdle last fall by purchasing a Great Plains 1006NT, allowing us to plant on schedule. In Oklahoma, April is a challenging month for planting as it is generally considered too late for spring oats and too early for warm-season crops. My dad always believed that successful farms are built on a willingness to experiment, whether that means trying a new plant variety, method, timing, or type of fertilizer. Today, we’re planting the one-acre plot where our pigs grazed late last fall with a diverse seed mix, including: * Forage Oats (50 pounds) * Yellow Peas (50 pounds) * Buckwheat (5 pounds) * Chicory (5 pounds) * Forage Collards (1 pound) * Forage Kale (1 pound) * Red Mammoth Fodder Beets (2 pounds) * Berseem Clover (4 pounds) We also threw in the alfalfa, GA9908 red clover, and Daikon Radish seeds (1 pound) that we cleaned out of the no-till last fall. The early growth of oats and peas supports the establishment of the other plants. The brassicas (collards, kale, and radish) develop deep roots and provide excellent grazing for our pigs. Chicory mines minerals from deep within the soil, while the fast-growing Berseem Clover, technically not a true clover, delivers high-quality forage. Buckwheat is notable for scavenging phosphorus and being rich in lysine, an essential nutrient for pigs. Fodder beets offer high-energy forage, though our current grazing schedule prevents them from reaching full maturity. Although cool-season plants dominate, this multi-species blend is designed to extend grazing into the warmer months. The Buckwheat, Chicory, and Berseem Clover were gifts from Tom Ross of Ross Seed Company. Tom and his son Mason have been strong supporters of our mission to produce high-quality forage for our pasture-pig operation. We are still missing animal integration across our farming operation, which I consider the most important principle of soil health. In the coming months, we hope to solve this issue by adding pasture-raised broiler chickens, hair sheep, and cattle to the farm. -Leo