>>> A MONDAY FEBRUARY 3rd.
PETE BUTTIGIEG AS THE NEW FRONT
RUNNER IN THE STATE THAT'S PROUD
OF ITS LONG TRADITIONS OF
KICKING OFF THE ELECTION.
AMONG OTHER VOTERS, THE PRIMARY
CANDIDATES WILL HAVE TO WIN
OTHER FARMERS IN THE STATE AND
ONE IN PARTICULAR.
JOE BIDEN WENT TO SEE HIM JUST
YESTERDAY.
HARRY SMITH INTRODUCES US IN OUR
SUNDAY'S SPOTLIGHT.
>> Reporter: ON A FARM SOUTH OF
DE MOINES.
MATT RUSSELL HELPS WITH THE
CALF.
IS THERE STILL SOME ROMANCE LEFT
OUT HERE?
>
>> IT IS ALL ROMANCE.
>> Reporter: MATT AND HIS
HUSBAND, PATRICK, BOUGHT THE
RANCH 14 YEARS AGO.
CONVERTED IT TO ALL PASTURES AND
PRODUCE.
WE ARE NOT DEPLETING THE SOILS,
WE ARE BUILDING UP THE SOIL.
MATT IS A LEADER IN THE MOVEMENT
TOWARDS ECO-FRIENDLY.
HIS PLACE IS AS MUCH STOP FOR
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES.
HIS MESSAGE IS IOWA CAN HELP
CURE THE ILL THAT PLAGUED THE
PLANET.
>> WHEN WE DO THAT, WE REDUCE
EMISSIONS.
>> RUSSELL STUDIED TO BECOME A
PRIEST WHEN DEVOTED HIMSELF TO
PUBLIC POLICY WHEN HE CAME UPON
THIS FARM UP FOR SALE.
HE REALIZED HE FOUND HIS TRUE
CALLING.
>> WHEN I FIGURED OUT MY
DISCIPLE SHIP, WHAT'S MY CALL,
IT WAS SUSTAINABLE AND NATURAL
RESOURCES.
>> Reporter: THE BLUE JEAN
EVANGELICAL SPEAKS TRUTH.
>> IF WE KEEP THIS SOYBEANS THE
NEXT 20 YEARS WHERE IT IS RIGHT
NOW, WE ARE ACCEPTING THE T
TIPT
TIPPING POINT.
WE ARE GOING INTO THE
CATASTROPHIC CLIMATE CRISIS.
>> Reporter: HE'S BEEN
CONVERTING FARMERS OF TSTORING
THINGS IN THE GROUNDS.
DR. EMILY HEATON SAYS THERE IS
SALVATION IN THE SOILS.
>> Reporter: THIS IS THE MAGIC?
>> ABOUT 2.5 FEET HERE.
THIS USED TO BE IN THE
ATMOSPHERE, THIS IS DARK BECAUSE
THERE IS NO CARBON IN HERE.
THE PRAIRIE CAPTURES IT AND
PUTTING IN OUR SOIL.
>> Reporter: PRAIRIE, PERENNIALS
AND FORMING SOMETHING LIKE A
GIANT VACUUM TO CLEANSE THAT
POISON SKY AND WATER, TOO.
IF I AM A FARMER, I DON'T GET
PAID FOR THAT.
>> YOU CANNOT TAKE IT TO THE
ELEVATOR AND GET A CHECK FOR IT.
>> Reporter: THIS COULD BE A
CASH CROP.
IT IS A GRASS THAT'LL GROW OVER
12 FEET HIGH, YEAR AFTER YEAR.
>> IT IS FANTASTIC AND KEEPS ON
SUCKING UP CARBON.
WE USE THE ABOVEGROUND STUFF OR
WHATEVER WE WANT, YOU NAME IT.
WHAT IS SET BELOW GROUND STAYS
THERE.
>> Reporter: COULD THIS BE THE
FUTURE?
>> OH YEAH, THIS IS A BIG PIECES
OF THE PUZZLE.
>> Reporter: A FIELD FULL OF
EXPERIENCE, MONITORING WAYS
FARMERS CAN LEAN INTO THE
FUTURE.
>> I THINK I AM A REALIST, I AM
FROM THIS LAND.
I WANT THIS LAND TO PERSIST.
>> Reporter: FOR THAT TO HAPPEN,
THEY NEED PAYING FARMERS TO
IMPLEMENT SOME OF THESE
PRACTICES.
FOR TRUE BELIEVERS LIKE MATT
RUSSELL, IT WOULD BE MONEY WELL
SPENT.
>> IF IS THIS DOABLE.
YOU TALK ABOUT THIS STUFF.
IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR AND YOU
KNOW PEOPLE START TO OH, YOU
KNOW THE IOWA FARMLANDS CAN HELP
SAVE THE PLANET?
I MEAN REALLY?
YEAH, I BELIEVE IT.
WITH EVERYTHING I