Episode 61: Roy Bardole — A Conversation on Stewardship, Soil, and Faith

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In this episode of the Patio Pondering Podcast, I sit down with longtime friend, mentor, and Iowa farmer Roy Bardole for a wide-ranging conversation about conservation farming, soil health, faith, and stewardship.


Roy grew up farming in Iowa’s prairie pothole region, shaped by parents and grandparents who lived through the Great Depression, drought, loss, and relentless hard work. Those early experiences instilled a deep respect for land and water — and a belief that soil is not something we own, but something we are entrusted to care for.


Our discussion moves through Roy’s early lessons in soil structure and water management, his adoption of no-till farming long before it became common, and the skepticism he faced for sticking with conservation practices even when they were unpopular. Roy explains how firsthand observation of erosion, runoff, and soil loss convinced him that long-term soil health requires patience, humility, and the willingness to stand apart from the crowd.


We also explore Roy’s decades of service beyond the farm, including leadership roles in his church and nearly 30 years serving the soybean industry at the state, national, and international levels. For Roy, service was never about prestige or power, but about responsibility: using the gifts you’re given and leaving institutions stronger than you found them.


Faith weaves quietly but firmly through the conversation. Roy reflects on how the teachings of Christ shaped his approach to leadership, conservation, and community; returning again and again to a simple but demanding principle at the heart of faith and farming: love your neighbor, live by example, and care for what you have been given.


This episode is a thoughtful reflection on stewardship, resilience, and the long view — of land, people, and purpose.


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 Patio Pondering is a long-form podcast exploring the important and the obscure in agriculture through thoughtful conversation.
 https://www.patiopondering.com/podcast