Mike Usry
Founder, Southland Organics · Host, AG & Culture Podcast
It's one thing for me to eat bad. I got a child coming in this world.
Founded Southland Organics in 2009
Daughter born 2010 — he started the company before he met her
South Georgia. Daddy kept cattle. Grandmother's side farmed.
Host of the AG & Culture Podcast
I got a child coming in this world
Mike Usry will tell you he is not a soil scientist.
Asked on his own podcast what qualifies him, he doesn't reach for a credential: "Expertise as far as a microbiologist or an ag major or a full-time farmer or anything like that — no." What he claims instead is narrower: "I have studied in-depth soil science over the years, and microbiology and chemistry."
The studying started because his wife was pregnant. "It's one thing for me to eat bad. It's one thing for my wife to eat bad — sorry, but we're older. I got a child coming in this world." He says it caught him off guard — "not that that caught me off guard, but just the thought process of it."
Organic back then was "just sort of fufu dust, to be honest with you. And it wasn't prevalent." He read The Omnivore's Dilemma. "The book impacted me greatly to go deeper." He founded Southland Organics in 2009. His daughter was born in 2010.
He grew up in South Georgia. Daddy worked civil service but kept cattle, horses, and gardens. "It was always a struggle when we lost a cow or something. That was a big deal to them." His grandmother's side were "all farmers, like legit farming" — leafy greens, row crops, cabbage, tomatoes.
So when Southland Organics sells to growers, it isn't selling into a world it read about. The company runs on one line: "We feed the soil that feeds the food that feeds the family."
What Mike brings to the mic
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Decades of selling and testing soil and animal-health solutions with real growers — not just lab data
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A marketer's eye for what actually moves the needle on a farm business
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A conviction that treating the earth 'as God intended' leads to healthier food and stronger rural communities
What keeps me going is watching a grower try something different with their soil and come back a season later saying it actually worked. That’s the whole reason Southland exists.
From Mike's notebook
Brown Spots in your Yard?
Many home owners who have dogs are bothered with the effects of dog urine on their grass. When your dog relieves itself on your grass, you can expect your grass to turn brown or yellow.
April 13, 2013
2014 The Year of Family Farming
According to the Days Of The Year website, 2014 is the International **Year of Family Farming**. To highlight the importance family farms play in the world’s food production...
February 1, 2026
Jump Start Your Garden
Whether you are a novice (like me), a master gardener, or interested in sustainable or permaculture gardening, April is a great time to jump start your garden. So, dust off that straw hat and get out in the garden.
March 3, 2014
Podcast Episodes with Mike
From Backyard to Commercial: Scaling Soil Health
Soil health principles are the same whether you have a backyard or a thousand-acre operation. Mike Usry explains how to scale soil conditioning from small to commercial.
Healthy Soil Starts at Home: Lawn & Garden Soil Conditioning
Your lawn and garden are only as healthy as the soil underneath them. Mike Usry shares practical soil conditioning tips for homeowners and backyard growers.
Carbon: The Most Misunderstood Element in Agriculture
Carbon is the foundation of all life, but it's the most overlooked element in modern agriculture. Mike Usry explains why carbon matters more than any other input.
Why Your Fertilizer Isn't Working (And What to Do Instead)
You're spending money on fertilizer, but your results aren't improving. Mike Usry explains the soil biology reasons your inputs fail and what to fix first.
Humic vs. Fulvic: The Difference That Actually Matters
Everyone talks about humic and fulvic acid, but most people can't explain the difference. Mike Usry breaks down what each one actually does in your soil and why it matters for your results.
The Invisible Economy Under Your Feet
Most farmers manage what they can see—but 90% of plant health happens underground. Mike Usry explains the hidden microbial economy that determines whether your inputs work or waste money.
Meet the Team
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Karin Usry
Co-Founder & Chief of Staff
As co-founder and Chief of Staff, Karin manages operations, human relations, accounts receivable, customer service, and more. She's the person behind the scenes making sure everything at Southland Organics actually works.
Meet Karin
Allen Reynolds
Vice President & Director of Operations
Allen serves as Vice President and Director of Operations, overseeing poultry development and ensuring our products reach the growers who need them most.
Meet Allen
Joseph Boehm
Co-Host, Ag & Culture Podcast
Joseph co-hosts the Ag & Culture Podcast alongside Mike Usry, bringing curiosity and practical questions to each conversation. His approach helps translate complex soil science and agriculture topics into accessible insights for growers of all levels.
Meet Joseph