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Ag Geek Speak

A Podcast for Precision Agriculture Geeks

GK Technology Inc Team Members, Jodi Boe and Sarah Lovas talk about precision agriculture, agriculture mapping, agronomy and drainage. 

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  • 20 episodes
  • Avg 22 min
  • English

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  • S3 · E8
    Wednesday · 29 min

    8. A Practical Look At Precision Agriculture Training And Farm Tech with Chandra Langseth Pt. 1

    We sit down with North Dakota State College of Science's Precision Ag Tech & Precision Ag Program Coordinator and farmer Chandra Langseth to talk about the winding path that took her from a non-farm background into soil science and agriculture. We also get into what precision ag looks like on a working North Dakota farm and how she brings real farm decisions into her classes at NDSCS. In this episode we chat about • Chandra’s background in North Dakota and how she finds her way into agriculture • switching majors and discovering soil science through key classes and mentors • why agriculture needs non-farm perspectives to solve real challenges • how soil variability changes management decisions across a single operation • corn, soybeans, and sunflowers plus the realities of irrigation and drainage work on-farm • remote irrigation monitoring that texts when pivots stop • starting variable rate fertility with limited equipment capability • using a real farm as a class problem for mapping and decision-making • what she teaches at NDSCS: intro precision ag, mapping, scouting, pesticide prep, weed ID • how NDSCS programs split between precision ag tech and precision agronomy career paths Find out more about NDSCS's Agriculture Program here: https://ndscs.edu/agriculture/ https://gktechinc.com/

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  • S3 · E8
    Wednesday · 14 min

    8.5 Tiny Bytes Soil Electrical Conductivity Made Simple

    We trade puns and practical advice while breaking down what soil electrical conductivity really measures and why soils can carry electrical current. We compare lab EC numbers to on-the-go EC mapping so you can spot salinity risk without over-reading a single map layer. In this episode we talk • soil electrical conductivity defined as soil water carrying current • soluble salts as a major driver of EC and why saltier water conducts better • other EC influences including porosity, texture, clay mineralogy, moisture, temperature, and organic matter • how cation exchange capacity ties into conductivity in clay and organic matter • lab EC as a standardized measurement that supports comparison across fields and years • on-the-go EC mapping as a way to see field variability while staying mindful of non-standard conditions • Va=eris depth measurements using discs and why dry soils can distort results • EM38 and magnetic susceptibility plus why it may handle dry soil differently • calibrating EC maps with soil cores and lab tests to understand what variability means • interpreting soil test EC thresholds such as EC over 4 dS/m being considered saline in NDSU guidance Tune in next time for a tiny bite of knowledge from GK Technology, where we have a map and an app for that. Other episodes mentioned: S2E17.5 Cracking the Code of Salty Soils https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/18217995 https://gktechinc.com/

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  • S3 · E7
    October 8 · 12 min

    7.5 Tiny Bytes: Penetrometers and the Real Cost of Compacted Soil

    We dig into why soil compaction is more than “hard ground” and how it quietly limits roots, water, and oxygen in ways that can cut yields. We also walk through how a penetrometer works, what PSI numbers actually mean, and how to take readings that do not fool you. In this episode we talk about... • soil compaction as reduced pore space and increased root resistance • common field hotspots like headlands and wet-traffic scars • impacts on oxygen movement, water uptake, root depth, drought resilience, and fuel use • why compaction severity varies and how that changes tillage decisions • penetrometers, cone index readings, and what 200 PSI and 300 PSI suggest • texture changes in the soil profile that can feel like compaction • best timing for testing at field capacity and why wet or dry soil skews results • sampling tips like steady pressure, avoiding tracks unless diagnosing, and clearing surface litter Tune in next time for a tiny bite of knowledge from GK Technology, where we have a map and an app for that. https://gktechinc.com/

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  • S3 · E7
    September 30 · 32 min

    7. What If Farm Data Had One Common Language? ADAPT with Hudson Fuller Pt. 2

    We keep pulling back the curtain on why monitor compatibility is still hard in precision ag, even when everyone says they “just need a shapefile.” Hudson Fuller explains how AgGateway’s ADAPT standard and plugins can shrink guesswork, speed up exports and imports, and move the industry toward clearer data interoperability. In this episode, we also talk • AgGateway’s role in setting precision agriculture data standards • Why interoperability matters for yield data, soil tests, and controller exports • The hydraulic hookup analogy for incompatible monitor formats • Real controller constraints like polygon limits, vertex limits, and file size • ISOXML, GeoJSON, and GeoParquet differences and when each helps • Why GeoParquet can reduce file size but not polygon count • GeoTIFF prescriptions as raster surfaces with per-pixel values • How ADAPT targets GeoParquet for vector and GeoTIFF for raster • Plugin-based workflows vs hard-coding new proprietary formats • Estimated engineering time for new exports with and without plugins • ADAPT imports for viewing as-applied and yield maps in ADMS • Batch exporting multiple fields through ADAPT export in ADMS X • Using the ADM plugin and ADAPT Visualizer to validate prescriptions List of companies who have publicly announced they are utilizing ADAPT and support the project: https://adaptframework.org/companies-supporting-adapt/ As always, with GK we have map, and an app, for that! https://gktechinc.com/

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  • S3 · E6
    September 23 · 8 min

    6.5 Soil Sample the Extremes

    We dig into why skipping the lowest-yielding parts of a field can be the most expensive soil sampling decision you make. We lay out a simple “sample the extremes” plan that improves variable-rate fertilizer accuracy and helps put nutrients where they actually belong. In this episode we discuss... • reframing soil testing as nutrient placement, not just cost-cutting • why red zones like hilltops, saline spots, and drown-outs often need sampling most • how built-up phosphorus and potassium can hide in low-productivity areas • using variable rate yield goals alongside soil test results for tighter fertilizer decisions • choosing which management zones to sample and when to interpolate the rest • splitting low zones into separate mods and sampling both when causes differ • using ADMS to bring results back into zones and make educated interpolations Tune in next time for a tiny bite of knowledge from GK Technology, where we have a map and an app for that. https://gktechinc.com/

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  • S3 · E6
    September 16 · 31 min

    6. ADAPT Made Simple For Precision Ag with Hudson Fuller Pt. 1

    We talk with Hudson Fuller from GK Technology’s product development team about the ADAPT standard and why ADMS X is adding an ADAPT export for prescriptions. We break down shapefiles versus JSON and GeoJSON, then connect those basics to real controller workflows like ISOXML task data for CNH monitors. In this episode, we talk • who Hudson is and how he works on ADAPT at GK Technology • what ADAPT is and why AgGateway pushes an industry standard • why shapefiles break so easily and how the DBF schema causes controller-specific issues • how JSON and GeoJSON work as single-file containers for data and geometry • why a common data language reduces export guesswork across monitors • the difference between the 2014 ADAPT framework and the newer ADAPT standard • how ADAPT plugins translate an internal model into controller-ready file types • what ADMS X is testing with a beta ADAPT export to ISOXML task data • which controllers use ISOXML task data, including IntelliView 12 and Pro 1200 • why task data can support more detailed prescriptions than typical shapefile exports • what we still need to learn through in-cab testing and user feedback ADAPT Framework Website: https://adaptframework.org/ At GK Technology, we have a map, and an app, for that! https://gktechinc.com/

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  • S3 · E5
    September 9 · 6 min

    05.5 Don't Guess, Soil Test - Fall 2026 Soil Sample Preview

    We’re staring at a messy fall where fertilizer prices are high, crop prices feel tight, and it’s not obvious what rotation makes the most sense next spring. We can’t control the markets or the weather, but we can find out what’s actually in our soil and make the most informed economic call. In this Tiny Byte, we talk • why 2026 feels like a high-stakes soil sampling year • how fertilizer price uncertainty changes fall vs spring decisions • drought vs flooding effects on mobile nutrients like nitrate nitrogen • what drowned-out zones can mean for denitrification and leftover N • lessons from prevent plant acres and mineralization turning organic matter into nitrate • why phosphorus and potassium tests matter when P and K are expensive • using soil test data to guide rotation choices and reduce risk Don't guess. Soil test. Tune in next time for a tiny bite of knowledge from GK Technology, where we have a map and an app for that. https://gktechinc.com/

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  • S3 · E5
    August 12 · 40 min

    5. Live! From Ag Mafia's Agronomy Conference

    Special episode! If the audio sounds a little different, we are live from Ag Mafia's Agronomy Conference. We trade precision agriculture hot takes with a room full of farmers and agronomists, starting with what makes a zone map trustworthy and ending with what “precision” really means when equipment, software, and agronomy do not line up. We share real field stories from prairie potholes, yield map pitfalls, fertilizer blending headaches, and the surprisingly fun side of variable rate prescriptions. In this episode, you can find us... • explaining GK Technology’s precision agriculture mapping tools and why field variability matters • breaking down the three pillars of precision ag: agronomy, equipment, and software • exploring why North Dakota adopts precision ag so fast, including field size, crop diversity, and zone sampling • discussing complex variable rate fertilizer blending when P and K maps do not match • debating what limits precision agriculture most: talent, equipment capability, controllers, and livestock knowledge gaps • arguing that a final zone map should make intuitive sense to the farmer, with the farmer as a key data layer • challenging the idea that precision ag always increases yield, focusing on ROI, realistic yield goals, and mineralization uncertainty • unpacking why yield maps are useful but not sufficient, including calibration issues and different causes of low yield • sharing favorite VRT projects, from IDC soybean maps to variable rate residual herbicides by pH and texture Mentioned in the episode: Ag Geek Speak Episode 1: Pioneering Precision Agriculture https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/14357348 More info on Ag Mafia and their upcoming Agronomy Conference: https://www.facebook.com/agmafiallc/ https://gktechinc.com/

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  • S3 · E4
    July 22 · 8 min

    4.5 Tiny Bytes: The 5% That Runs The Soil

    We break down what soil organic matter really is, from living microbes to old, dark humus that can take years to form. We also explain why that small slice of soil drives soil health through better structure, nutrient cycling, and water holding capacity. We discuss • defining soil organic matter as the biological legacy of a field • connecting soil composition to the “critical” 5% organic fraction • explaining humus as a stable end product of decomposition • improving soil aggregation and aggregate stability for better structure • boosting water retention and water holding capacity • increasing negative charge and cation exchange capacity to hold nutrients • chelating micronutrients like iron, copper, and zinc for plant availability • releasing nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur through organic matter breakdown • feeding soil microbes by expanding the soil food buffet • building organic matter with compost, residue, manure, cover crops, and reduced tillage Tune in next time for a tiny bite of knowledge from GK Technology, where we have a map and an app for that. https://gktechinc.com/

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  • S3 · E4
    July 15 · 27 min

    4. Getting Started with Management Zones - Spring 2026 Recap Pt. 2

    High fertilizer and seed costs make field-by-field efficiency feel urgent, so we walk through how variable rate technology turns “I know my field” into something your equipment can actually run. We also share the simplest places to start, what details matter with controllers and file exports, and how older gear can still deliver real ROI. In this episode, we talk • spring 2026 recap through the lens of input costs, weather, and markets • asking field-level questions that reveal profitable variability • building the workflow from boundary to variability map to prescription • choosing between zone maps from imagery and grid sampling maps • understanding why controller type changes how a shapefile must be written • reducing frustration by matching prescriptions to controller capabilities • starting with variable rate seeding for corn and soybeans • adjusting populations on droughty hilltops and sandier soils • making air seeders and multi-tank carts part of a precision ag plan • using research, forums, and testing to make older controllers work If you're interested in how GK can help you get started implementing VRT on your farm, check out our website for more information. https://gktechinc.com/

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  • S3 · E3
    July 8 · 14 min

    3.5 Tiny Bytes: Landsat vs Sentinel for NDVI and Variable-Rate Maps

    We take a practical trip into satellite imagery and explain how Landsat and Sentinel support real agronomy work like NDVI analysis and variable rate mapping. We break down what makes these datasets reliable, how resolution changes what you can see, and why revisit timing matters when clouds get in the way. In this episode, we tackle: • free government-operated imagery through NASA USGS and the European Space Agency • using multi-band satellite data to calculate NDVI for crop vigor mapping • why sun-synchronous orbits create consistent lighting and shadows • resolution explained as ground area per pixel and why 10 m shows more detail than 30 m • Landsat program timeline and the Landsat 7 data gap problem • constellations as a backup plan and a way to increase image frequency • Sentinel revisit cadence vs Landsat revisit cadence and what that means during the season Tune in next time for a tiny bite of knowledge from GK Technology, where we have a map and an app for that. Related episodes: S1 20.5 Tiny Bytes: Choosing Quality Imagery https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/16135793 S2 1.5 Tiny Bytes: Check Out GK Technology's Imagery Library https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/16524859 GK Technology Info on obtaining satellite imagery: https://gktechinc.com/data-links/ https://gktechinc.com/

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  • S3 · E3
    July 1 · 28 min

    3. Winter Is Chasing Us And So Is Urea - Spring 2026 Recap Pt. 1

    Fertilizer prices and spring weather pressure forced a hard look at how we manage time, logistics, and precision across every field. We break down why variable rate fertilizer is becoming the practical choice, especially given the conditions of spring 2026 and how soil testing and better planning help keep expensive inputs from getting underutilized. In this episode, Sarah and Jodi discuss • fertilizer prices reshaping decision-making around variable rate technology • balancing fast spring logistics with precise input placement in short seasons • using fall planning to line up soil sampling, maps, prescriptions, and controller readiness • why soil tests unlock better zone decisions, especially in saline and low-yield areas • adapting sampling depth to region, moisture, and nitrogen movement • using post-harvest and in-season nitrate tests to measure overapplication in corn • operational constraints like one-bin applications driving creative fertility timing and placement • noticing field variability first, then building a realistic plan to improve over time Need a precision map or the software to make your own? Check our website out! www.gktechinc.com https://gktechinc.com/

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  • S3 · E3
    June 10 · 10 min

    02.5 Zone Soil Sampling: Making Fertilizer Dollars Go Farther

    In this episode, Sarah and Jodi dig into why zone soil sampling pays off when fertilizer prices are high and every pound has to earn its keep. We explain why composite soil sampling can hide field extremes and how better sampling leads to smarter variable rate fertility prescriptions. We talk: • high fertilizer prices driving interest in variable rate fertilizer and better prescriptions • composite soil samples providing an average while hiding extremes like low pH pockets • pH variability on sandy ridges and why missing it increases yield and input risk • sampling every zone at least once to build a dependable baseline • sampling high and low productivity zones to capture the true spread • low productivity areas often holding excess phosphorus and potassium from years of flat-rate applications • using soil test data to cut back safely in poor zones and reallocate dollars to higher return acres Tune in next time for a Tiny Byte of Knowledge from GK Technology, where we have a map and an app for that. https://gktechinc.com/

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  • S3 · E2
    May 27 · 38 min

    Spring Planting Playbook: Precision Ag Prep for Every Planting Season

    We walk through what we’re thinking about for spring planning in 2026, from realistic yield goals to the map decisions that actually save money when inputs are high. We keep it practical by tying variable rate strategies to agronomy, controller readiness, and the real limits in each zone. In this episode, Sarah and Jodi talk • setting realistic yield goals for averages and zones • handling fields without recent soil sampling using yield potential and zone logic • separating salty areas from other low zones to avoid wasting fertilizer • using variable rate seeding to manage sand, salinity, IDC, drought and disease pressure • balancing population changes with weeds, canopy and row spacing • treating soil pH as a high-cost lever and avoiding too-good-to-be-true fixes • improving phosphorus and zinc efficiency through banding and seed safety planning • exploring variable rate residual herbicides with pulse width modulation • powering up controllers early and running test prescriptions to avoid spring surprises Thanks for listening and come back next time for another episode of Ag Geek Speak! At GK Technology, we have a map, and an app, for that. VRT Herbicides with Kyle Okke pt. 1: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/18096941-15-variable-rating-herbicides-with-kyle-okke-pt-1 VRT Herbicides with Kyle Okke pt. 2: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/18144514-16-variable-rating-herbicides-with-kyle-okke-pt-2 VRT Herbicides with Kyle Okke pt. 3: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/18216234-17-variable-rating-herbicides-with-kyle-okke-pt-3 Seed Safety Calculator (SDSU): https://extension.sdstate.edu/starter-fertilizer-calculator-and-final-report https://gktechinc.com/

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  • S3 · E1
    February 20 · 22 min

    1. Talking Cybersecurity with Tech Support Farm's Chris Sherman

    We sit down with Chris Sherman of Tech Support Farm to explore how cybercrime targets modern agriculture and what practical steps protect farms and agribusinesses from losses. From avoiding spoofed invoices to equipment lockouts, we share simple defenses any grower, consultant, or retailer can start today. In this epsiode, we discuss with Chris • why agriculture is a prime target for cybercrime • social engineering that targets busy planting and harvest seasons • real cases of spoofed invoices and wire fraud • risks in connected equipment and robotics • password best practicesand password managers • consumer email vs commercial domains and DMARC • backups, rapid recovery, and remote support • reducing tech fatigue with managed services • how Fence Check evaluates your cyber posture • Tech Support Farm's free webinar on passwords, phishing, and email security You can find out more about Tech Support Farm at https://techsupport.farm/ Complete your free Tech Support Farm Fence Check at https://techsupport.farm/fencecheck/ to get a free, actionable report within 48 hours Find our more about Tech Support Farm's winter webinars https://techsupport.farm/winter-webinars/ At GK Technology, we have a map and an app for that! https://gktechinc.com/

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  • S3 · E1
    January 14 · 11 min

    0.5 Tiny Bytes - Value of NAIP Imagery In Ag Mapping

    Sarah and Jodi discuss NAIP aerial imagery and why this high-resolution imagery is invaluable for precision agriculture work in the United States. They share workflows for validating zones, aligning layers, and spotting year-over-year patterns while noting timing pitfalls, thanks to NAIP imagery as a background source. In this episode, we discuss... • what NAIP is and who collects it • benefits of high resolution often associated with newer NAIP imagery • four-band imagery (RGB with NIR) enabling NDVI • leaf-on timing and when imagery misleads • state-by-state differences in resolution and frequency • FSA and CLU uses that ensure strong georeferencing • practical steps to draw boundaries and validate zones • aligning offset satellite layers to NAIP • leveraging multi-year NAIP to confirm stable patterns • free access and where to get the data Tune in next time for a Tiny Byte of knowledge from GK Technology, where we have a map and an app for that https://gktechinc.com/

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  • S2 · E20
    Dec 18, 2025 · 55 min

    20. Using Autonomous Tractors on the Farm with Matt Krueger

    We talk with Matt Krueger about his field-level view of autonomous tillage with a 9R series John Deere tractor, from kit installation to dust-driven safety stops, and how better boundaries and AutoPath boost both uptime and data quality. Matt's story centers on labor flexibility, real costs, and where autonomy should expand next. In this special hour-long episode we talk: • autonomy kit details, JDLink Boost connectivity, dual receivers • autonomy-grade boundaries and safe offsets near obstacles • dust sensitivity, camera logic, alerts and overrides • AutoPath benefits for cleaner headlands and data integrity • remote control of depth, pressure and implement settings • ROI framed as uptime and labor flexibility, not replacement • likely next targets for autonomy: sprayers and air seeders • subscription pricing models and reliability trade-offs • NDVI plus as applied maps to trace application misses • skills and fallbacks when GPS degrades or sensors fail With GK Technology, we have a map, and an app, for that! https://gktechinc.com/

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  • S2 · E19
    Dec 10, 2025 · 11 min

    19.5 Map The Acidity, Save The Harvest

    We dig into why low (acidic) soil pH unlocks aluminum toxicity, how that halts root growth, and which crops suffer first. Then we lay out a practical plan to find acidic patches with smarter sampling, NDVI, and grid-the-zone strategies, and point to lime and buffer pH for the fix. In this episode, we discuss... • soil pH as chemical control and pH level of 7 is neutral • aluminum toxicity risk to crops increases below 6.5 pH • wheat relatively tolerant, legumes struggle with nodulation • stunted roots and thin stands on slopes and sandier spots • acidic areas are patchy and do not always follow productivity maps • importance of using intensive grids and how 0–3 inch sampling in no-till helps detect acidicity issues • soil testing: pair pH with buffer pH to set lime rates • target NDVI-low areas and grid inside zones • variable-rate lime as the remediation path Gridding the Zone with Ag Genesis Part 1: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/16692855 Gridding the Zone with Ag Gensis Part 2: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/16692855 Tune in next time for a Tiny Byte of knowledge from GK Technology, where we have a map and an app for that. https://gktechinc.com/

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  • S2 · E19
    Dec 4, 2025 · 30 min

    19. Preston Sundeen Pt. 2 - Teaching Precision Ag That Works Today

    Welcome back to the second part of our conversation with Preston Sundeen to explore how a two-year ag program prepares students for precision agriculture careers by building real-world skills across hardware, software, GIS, and agronomy. Sundeen's focus is practical confidence: clean data, sound troubleshooting, critical thinking, and learning to ask better questions. We also talk about... • defining precision ag as practical, cross-disciplinary work • balancing agronomy, GIS, hardware and software fundamentals • building file discipline, projections and boundary workflows • sourcing NAIP, PLSS, and satellite imagery effectively • controller setup, CAN bus basics and diagnostics • using simulators to teach certain types of controllers • as-applied data, JD Operation Center, SMS, and FieldView exposure • teaching troubleshooting: manuals, credible videos and tests • digital literacy and AI as time-saving tools • measuring success by momentum, confidence and community impact We had an excellent conversation with Preston and we know you'll enjoy it too. Part 1 of our conversation: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2297340/episodes/18257891 https://gktechinc.com/

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  • S2 · E18
    Dec 4, 2025 · 8 min

    18.5 Is There a Way to Predict IDC Risk?

    We unpack why soybean leaves turn yellow in patches, thanks to soybean IDC (iron deficiency chlorosis) and how to predict IDC risk for management. We share the exact soil tests that matter, how to read the lab results, and where precision mapping saves money and yield thanks to IDC management. We also discuss... • defining iron chlorosis • why iron-rich soils still cause deficiency • limits of testing for DTPA iron alone • three key predictors: pH, EC (salts), and CCE (calcium carbonate equivalent) • why percent CCE beats a simple fizz rating • thresholds where CCE raises severe IDC risk • how residual nitrate can worsen chlorosis • grid versus zone sampling for better maps • using maps to place tolerant varieties and inputs • practical steps to keep beans green Tune in next time for a Tiny Byte of knowledge from GK Technology, where we have a map and an app for that! https://gktechinc.com/

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