Welcome to Episode 191 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we share a new study on the factors influencing Iowa grocery shoppers' purchasing decisions, who those shoppers trust for information about food and farming, and more. We also hear what 25 Iowa Farm Bureau members learned while recently touring Belgium and the Netherlands to explore European agriculture and learn about European Union (EU) climate regulations. Resource Mentioned in this Episode: Learn more about Iowa grocery...
Jun 23, 2025•26 min•Ep. 191
Welcome to Episode 190 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we chat with Iowa State University’s resident expert on farmland values, economist Dr. Rabail Chandio. We also explore new research on Americans’ meat purchasing habits, with Rick Stein, who’s the Vice President of Fresh Foods for The Food Industry Association. Resource Mentioned in this Episode: Review Iowa State University’s annual Farmland Value Survey . Learn how farmers provide nutritious meat while caring for their an...
Jun 09, 2025•34 min•Ep. 190
Welcome to Episode 189 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we discuss learning opportunities, promotion, and funding available to Iowa farmers who grow specialty crops and livestock, through Choose Iowa and Iowa Farm Bureau programs. We also talk with Adam Ledvina, a young Tama County Farm Bureau member who raises Kiko goats for weed and brush management and meat, exemplifying the diverse, nontraditional opportunities in agriculture. Resource Mentioned in this Episode: Apply for Io...
May 26, 2025•37 min•Ep. 189
Welcome to Episode 188 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we talk with Farm Rescue about services they offer farm families facing crises, including illness, injury, and natural disasters. And Ben Covington, the chief test engineer for Iowa State University’s Digital Ag Innovation Lab, shares what he’s seeing as he tests the latest precision herbicide application technology. Resource Mentioned in this Episode: Learn more about Farm Rescue ....
May 12, 2025•36 min•Ep. 188
Welcome to Episode 187 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa State University Extension weed specialist Dr. Wesley Everman helps farmers navigate changing herbicide requirements, and economist Dr. John Newton offers his thoughts on the current farm economy. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Contact ISU Extension weed specialist Wesley Everman . See more economic analysis from Terrain. Register for one of Iowa Farm Bureau’s upcoming Take Root farm succession workshops . Sign u...
Apr 28, 2025•34 min•Ep. 187
Welcome to Episode 186 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson shares recent policy conversations he has had with new U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and national lawmakers. And Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig discusses Iowa’s conservation and water quality progress ahead of Earth Day. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Learn about USDA’s Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) . Visit ConservationCountsIowa.com to l...
Apr 14, 2025•42 min•Ep. 186
Welcome to Episode 185 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa’s State Climatologist, Dr. Justin Glisan, reveals his weather outlook for spring planting and beyond. Later, Amanda Van Steenwyk (who leads Iowa Farm Bureau’s farm succession planning program, Take Root) and farm succession planning attorney Erin Herbold-Swalwell share their tips for successfully transitioning the family farm from one generation to the next. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Register for Dr. Justin ...
Mar 31, 2025•36 min•Ep. 185
Welcome to Episode 184 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa Farm Bureau’s Dr. Christopher Pudenz and Zach Brummer share their outlook for crop and livestock markets, and Todd Thurman (an ag futurist and swine consultant with 25 years of international agriculture experience) predicts the future of the global ag economy. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Register for Iowa Farm Bureau’s April 1 “Livestock Risk Protection” webinar. Watch Todd Thurman’s webinar predicting the fut...
Mar 17, 2025•48 min•Ep. 184
Welcome to Episode 183 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Farm Bureau Financial Services regional crop consultant Angie Horn walks farmers through their crop insurance options, and Melissa Miller of the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative shares a new online tool to help farmers calculate their optimum nitrogen application rates. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Watch our recorded webinar with Farm Bureau Financial Services to learn more about your crop insurance options. Learn more abou...
Mar 03, 2025•27 min•Ep. 183
Welcome to Episode 182 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we speak with three Iowa farmers who are carving unique paths in agriculture: Meredith Nunnikhoven, who runs a farm and floristry business in Mahaska County, called Barnswallow Flowers . Lillie Beringer-Crock, who sells her family’s beef and a variety of other locally-produced goods online and in-person, through her business, Beringer Family Farms in Jones County. And Dan Venteicher, an eastern Iowa farmer who’s better know...
Feb 17, 2025•39 min•Ep. 182
Welcome to Episode 181 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, futurist Jack Uldrich and Iowa State University ag innovation professor Matt Darr share their thoughts on artificial intelligence (AI), technology and the future of farming. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Learn more about the Digital Ag Innovation Lab at Iowa State University . Learn about ISU Extension’s new digital agriculture specialist, Doug Houser . Contact information for Doug Houser See ISU’s Planter University...
Feb 03, 2025•45 min•Ep. 181
Welcome to Episode 180 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we share Iowa Farm Bureau’s priorities for the 2025 state legislative session, a new program that helps aspiring and beginning farmers get started with livestock, and a new program to help address the critical shortage of veterinarians in rural Iowa. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Contact your county Farm Bureau. Read more about Iowa Farm Bureau’s 2025 state legislative priorities . Learn more about the Coalition to S...
Jan 20, 2025•32 min•Ep. 180
Welcome to Episode 179 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson discusses agriculture’s challenges and opportunities in 2025, and motivational speaker John O’Leary shares the inspiring story of how he overcame seemingly impossible odds (surviving burns on 100% of his body, when doctors gave him a 1% chance of living). No matter what obstacles you’re facing in 2025, John O’Leary has helpful advice for you. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Regi...
Jan 06, 2025•40 min•Ep. 179
Welcome to Episode 178 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, economist and Vice President of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dr. Jason Henderson analyzes the current macro economy and offers farmers insights for 2025. Later in the episode, American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall shares agriculture’s national policy priorities for 2025 and explains why farmers can advocate for themselves more effectively through Farm Bureau. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Contac...
Dec 23, 2024•24 min•Ep. 178
Welcome to Episode 177 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, which is also Part 3 of our special three-part series with three farmers who are receiving Iowa Farm Bureau's 2024 Young Farmer Leadership Award: Nate Hofmann of Linn County, Kaitlyn Porter of Franklin County, and James Hepp of Calhoun County. Part 1 (released December 2) features Nate Hofmann. Part 2 (released December 5) features Kaitlyn Porter. Part 3 (released December 9) features James Hepp. Register to join farmers like Nate, Kaitlyn ...
Dec 09, 2024•24 min•Ep. 177
Welcome to Episode 176 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, which is also Part 2 of our special three-part series with three farmers who are receiving Iowa Farm Bureau's 2024 Young Farmer Leadership Award: Nate Hofmann of Linn County, Kaitlyn Porter of Franklin County, and James Hepp of Calhoun County. Part 1 (released December 2) features Nate Hofmann. Part 2 (released December 5) features Kaitlyn Porter. Part 3 (released December 9) features James Hepp. Register to join farmers like Nate, Kaitlyn ...
Dec 05, 2024•23 min•Ep. 176
Welcome to Episode 175 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, which is also Part 1 of our special three-part series with three farmers who are receiving Iowa Farm Bureau's 2024 Young Farmer Leadership Award: Nate Hofmann of Linn County, Kaitlyn Porter of Franklin County, and James Hepp of Calhoun County. Part 1 (released December 2) features Nate Hofmann. Part 2 (released December 5) features Kaitlyn Porter. Part 3 (released December 9) features James Hepp. Register to join farmers like Nate, Kaitlyn ...
Dec 02, 2024•23 min•Ep. 175
Welcome to Episode 174 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, the director of Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation offers farmers tips for strategically managing their income taxes and reminds farmers of a new federal law with costly consequences. Later in the episode, Iowa Farm Bureau economist Dr. Christopher Pudenz discusses the impacts of European climate regulations and offers Iowa farmers a chance to study those impacts firsthand, as participants in a...
Nov 18, 2024•33 min•Ep. 174
Welcome to Episode 173 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we cover the wide range of programs and services Iowa Farm Bureau offers farmers and rural entrepreneurs who want to diversify their businesses or take them to the next level. We also share some helpful tips farms and small ag businesses can use to create their own standout brands and marketing strategies, from an award-winning marketing agency. Finally, we discuss the Farm Bureau Health Plan, a great choice for Iowans who ...
Nov 04, 2024•41 min•Ep. 173
Welcome to Episode 172 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Brian Waddingham of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers shares timely reminders for livestock farmers who may face DNR or EPA inspections. Later in the episode, we chat with Zac Preston, a young farmer from Warren County who’s helping create opportunities for his peers across the state, as chair of Iowa Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer Advisory Committee. Resources mentioned in this episode: • Contact the Coalition to Support...
Oct 21, 2024•26 min•Ep. 172
Welcome to Episode 171 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Story County brothers Jason and John Maxwell share the journey that led to them becoming Iowa’s 2024 Conservation Farmers of the Year. Later in the episode, Iowa State University Extension behavioral health expert Dr. David Brown reminds farmers of steps they should take to care for their mental health needs during the stressful harvest season. Resources mentioned in this episode: Read more about 2024 Iowa Conservation Farm...
Oct 07, 2024•27 min•Ep. 171
Welcome to Episode 170 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Spokesman reporter Bob Bjoin sits down with Hiro Iwanaga, CEO and co-founder of Talus Renewables, to discuss modular green ammonia systems that could reduce fertilizer costs for Iowa's farmers. These systems are designed to provide locally produced, low-cost fertilizer with a reduced environmental footprint. We also speak with American Farm Bureau economist Danny Munch about the latest USDA farm income forecast and strategi...
Sep 23, 2024•36 min•Ep. 170
Welcome to Episode 169 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we share some crop marketing and risk management tips for farmers to apply in this challenging ag economy. We also introduce you to Brandon Myers, a former Iowa Hawkeye and NFL star who is the newest addition to the ANF (America Needs Farmers) Wall of Honor at Kinnick Stadium. Resources mentioned in this episode: Iowa Farm Bureau’s Cash Bid Search Tool Upcoming farm stress webinar: Successful Self-Care in a Challenging Ag E...
Sep 09, 2024•24 min•Ep. 169
Welcome to Episode 168 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we discuss highlights from the 2024 Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index ®, a survey of Iowa grocery shoppers (by the Harris Poll) about factors influencing their grocery purchases, their feelings about real meat and dairy, and who they trust for information about the nutrition and safety of their food. We also sit down with Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johson to discuss the state of the farm economy and the urgent need...
Aug 26, 2024•26 min•Ep. 168
Welcome to Episode 167 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we talk with the co-founder and CEO of Distynct, an ag tech company that’s turning traditional livestock alarms into smart alarms. Then we visit with Marshall County farmer and Cloverleaf Animal Welfare Systems COO Jamee Eggers about how Iowa hog farmers can comply with the requirements of California’s Proposition 12, in order to sell pork in that state. Resources Mentioned in This Episode Learn more about Distynct smart al...
Aug 12, 2024•30 min•Ep. 167
Welcome to Episode 166 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we discuss new research on the evolution of Iowa farms and agriculture’s contribution to Iowa’s jobs and the overall economy, with Iowa Farm Bureau economist Dr. Christopher Pudenz and Brian Waddingham of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers. Resources Mentioned in This Episode 2024 Iowa Agriculture Economic Contribution Study RSVP for the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers 20th anniversary reception at the Iowa State F...
Jul 29, 2024•34 min•Ep. 166
Welcome to Episode 165 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we share state and federal assistance available to Iowans impacted by recent severe storms, tornadoes and flooding, with a guest from the FEMA disaster response team that covers Iowa (John Mills) and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. Resources Mentioned in this Episode DisasterRecovery.Iowa.gov Iowa’s new Disaster Recovery Farm Interest Program (DRFIP) Two-sheet background document on Iowa’s Disaster Recovery Farm In...
Jul 15, 2024•38 min•Ep. 165
Welcome to Episode 164 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Washington D.C. insider Frank Kelly shares geopolitical factors farmers should consider as they eye agriculture's future. And Ed Usset, a grain marketing economist from the University of Minnesota, offers his strategic grain marketing recommendations for farmers. Resources mentioned in this episode See slides from Frank Kelly's presentation at Iowa Farm Bureau's Economic Summit. Learn more from Ed Usset and the University o...
Jul 01, 2024•41 min•Ep. 164
Welcome to Episode 163 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Vice President of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dr. Jason Henderson analyzes Iowa’s current ag economy and explores keys he sees for future economic success. And young Iowa farmer Hans Riensche shares what he hopes to learn about transitioning farms to future generations sustainably, through an international study program. Resources mentioned in this episode: Learn more about the Nuffield Scholar program and ...
Jun 17, 2024•41 min•Ep. 163
Welcome to Episode 162 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Madelynn Wuestenberg, an Iowa native and recent master's graduate in Agricultural Meteorology from Iowa State University, speaks with us about her new role as the Agricultural Climatology Specialist for ISU Extension. Then Iowa Farm Bureau’s Farmer Education Program Manager offers a sneak peek of our upcoming Young Farmer Ag Insights Tour, which will include stops at unique ag sites across western Iowa & Nebraska. If yo...
Jun 03, 2024•25 min•Ep. 162
