The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family

Welcome to Episode 107 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa State University soil science expert Dr. Michael Castellano shares details about an effort to optimize and localize Iowa’s fertilizer application recommendations. And environmental scientist Shawn Richmond discusses how optimal fertilizer applications complement farmers’ other efforts to grow the crops we need while protecting water quality. To learn more about farmers' conservation and water quality protection...

Welcome to Episode 106 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig talks about the benefits of Iowa's new biofuels standard, which Governor Kim Reynolds recently signed into law. Later in the episode, Ben Gleason (the new executive director of the Iowa Nutrient Research and Education Council) talks about efforts to quantify Iowa's conservation progress. Resources mentioned in this episode: Iowa's new biofuels standardIowa Nutrient Research and...

Welcome to Episode 105 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we'll introduce you to some unique opportunities to connect with your farm and agribusiness peers, via tours and other hands-on learning events offered by Farm Bureau. This episode also includes an interview with Special Agent Justin King (Drug Enforcement Administration) about a dangerous trend that's sweeping through Midwest communities, involving fake prescription pills. Resources mentioned in this episode Young...

It’s no big deal. I don’t have time. Someone else needs help more than me. Are you creating excuses to not seek out mental health or wellness services? The Farm Family Wellness Alliance offers farm families free and confidential mental health and wellness services, from skilled professionals who understand the unique challenges of farm life. In Episode 104 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, we talk with Amie Merz (an account manager and clinician with Personal Assistance Services) and...

Welcome to Episode 103 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, which features three guests. Central Iowa farm couple Eric and Deb Finch explain how they got into the meat goat business (almost by accident) nearly 20 years ago, and they share their advice for other farmers who are exploring that niche market. And Adam Koppes of Iowa Farm Bureau’s Renew Rural Iowa program shares the unique services that Farm Bureau offers rural entrepreneurs, including educational seminars, mentoring, promotion, and...

Welcome to Episode 102 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, longtime water quality expert Shawn Richmond (who has 25 years of experience across academia, government, and the private sector) shares the results of Iowa farmers' conservation efforts (past and present). And motivational speaker Matt Booth shares his advice for effective goal setting.

Welcome to Episode 101 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. Spring is a time for new farm projects and taking stock of things. The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers helps livestock farmers enhance neighbor relations, site new livestock facilities, implement best management practices (like planting trees and windbreaks), and interpret more than 250 pages of rules and regulations. In this episode, Brian Waddingham (Executive Director of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers) discusses some of...

Welcome to Episode 100 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Dr. Dennis Todey (Director of the USDA's Midwest Climate Hub) provides a planting/growing season forecast. And Brent Johnson joins us to discuss his first four months as Iowa Farm Bureau president, along with a couple of topics that he knows well: precision agriculture technology and conservation.

Welcome to Episode 99 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Janis Hochstetler (a food safety and labeling coordinator for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Meat and Poultry Inspection Bureau) shares the first steps livestock farmers should take if they're interested in marketing directly to consumers. Then you'll hear from two young ag entrepreneurs who launched their own successful direct-to-consumer ventures: Ray Schmidt of Farm Story Meats and Lillie...

Welcome to Episode 98 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Cedar County row-crop farmer Noah Coppess shares his tips for building strong relationships with landowners. And Brian Waddingham (Executive Director of the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers) shares some tangible reasons for livestock farmers to plant trees, along with trends he's seeing in Iowa's livestock industry. Resources mentioned in this episode: Contact the Coalition to Support Iowa's FarmersIowa Farm...

Welcome to Episode 97 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig discusses new partnerships that are helping accelerate Iowa’s water quality progress. And award-winning speaker, author and farmer Jolene Brown shares her advice for managing the family dynamics in your farm business. Resources mentioned in this episode: Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's Acres of Opportunity Conference

Welcome to Episode 96 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we speak with two entrepreneurs who are "making waves" in Iowa's emerging aquaculture industry. Joe Sweeney is the CEO of Eagle's Catch, which raises tilapia in Ellsworth, Iowa. Glenn Ford is the CEO of InCity Farms, which is bringing aquaponics to large and small cities around the country, including Clarion, Iowa. Resource mentioned in this episode: Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's Acres of Opportunity conference.

Welcome to Episode 95 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we talk with American Farm Bureau economist Shelby Myers about private sector carbon credit markets. We also speak with USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley about the outlook for international ag trade. Resource mentioned in this episode: American Farm Bureau's Market Intel page

Welcome to Episode 94 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa Farm Bureau State Policy Advisor Kevin Kuhle discusses Farm Bureau's priorities for the 2022 Iowa Legislative Session. And Andrew McCrea shares his tips for revitalizing your rural community. McCrea is an Oscar-winning broadcaster, author, farmer and community leader who has studied successful small towns across America.

Welcome to Episode 93 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we introduce you to the new president of Iowa Farm Bureau: Brent Johnson of Calhoun County. We also welcome on Sam Kieffer (Vice President of Public Affairs for the American Farm Bureau) to talk about some of Farm Bureau's national policy priorities in 2022.

Welcome to Episode 92 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Greg Peterson (better known as Machinery Pete) discusses the wild market for used farm equipment, and Dr. Wendong Zhang (an economist at Iowa State University) shares his read on the current trade relationship between the U.S. and China. Resource mentioned in this episode MachineryPete.com

Welcome to Episode 91 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, which is also Part 3 of our special 3-part podcast series with three farmers who are receiving Iowa Farm Bureau’s 2021 Young Farmer Leadership Award: Michael McEnany of Story County, Megan Kregel of Clayton County, and Cordt Holub of Tama County. Part 1 (released December 6) features Michael McEnany. Part 2 (released December 7) features Megan Kregel. Part 3 (released December 8) features Cordt Holub.

Welcome to Episode 90 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, which is also Part 2 of our special 3-part podcast series with three farmers who are receiving Iowa Farm Bureau’s 2021 Young Farmer Leadership Award: Michael McEnany of Story County, Megan Kregel of Clayton County, and Cordt Holub of Tama County. Part 1 (released December 6) features Michael McEnany. Part 2 (released December 7) features Megan Kregel. Part 3 (to be released December 8) features Cordt Holub.

Welcome to Episode 89 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, which is also Part 1 of our special 3-part podcast series with three farmers who are receiving Iowa Farm Bureau’s 2021 Young Farmer Leadership Award: Michael McEnany of Story County, Megan Kregel of Clayton County, and Cordt Holub of Tama County. Part 1 (released December 6) features Michael McEnany. Part 2 (to be released December 7) features Megan Kregel. Part 3 (to be released December 8) features Cordt Holub.

Welcome to Episode 88 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Dr. Wendong Zhang (an Iowa State University economics professor) shares the factors driving rising farmland practices in Iowa, Iowa Farm Bureau President Craig Hill reflects on Farm Bureau's work (as Hill wraps up his final term as president), and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig introduces a new grant program for farmers who are looking to diversify the ag products they grow and how they sell those...