Dirt Road Discussions

Send us Fan Mail Tyson Redpath joins us from Washington, DC to talk federal ag policy: where the farm bill stands, the ongoing fight over agricultural labor, and what's behind rising concerns in the beef industry. We also cover his advice for farmers and ranchers making their case on Capitol Hill, and why staying engaged in policy matters for agriculture's future. 

Send us Fan Mail We head to New Sweden Farms in Idaho Falls to talk pumpkins, corn mazes, and agritourism with co-owner Deby Infanger. Deby shares how her family’s farm grew from a personal project into a seasonal destination, the surprising science behind designing a corn maze, and why she hopes every visitor leaves with a little more appreciation for where their food comes from. New Sweden Farms...

Send us Fan Mail Matt Todd, founder and host of The Ranch Podcast, joins us to talk about building a show from scratch in the chaos of 2020 into over 1,000 episodes and 7 million YouTube views. Matt shares his philosophy on authentic, curiosity-driven interviewing and why he refuses to fake interest in a topic. We also get into his upcoming nuclear energy series, some of his most memorable guests,...

Send us Fan Mail Maddy Butcher, founder of Buck the Trend, and Anna Lickley of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture join us for an important conversation on mental health and suicide prevention in agriculture. We talk about the unique pressures farmers and ranchers face, how to check in on a struggling neighbor, and what to know about Buck the Trend's upcoming Idaho training, November 13...

Send us Fan Mail Andi Woolf-Weibye, executive director of the Idaho Bean Commission (better known around the office as the Bean Queen), joins us to talk about one of Idaho's most underrated crops.  We dig into why Idaho leads the nation in bean seed production, how beans quietly boost the state's economy by tens of millions of dollars, and why the humble bean shows up in everything from...

Send us Fan Mail Thomas Watson, owner of Spud Daddy and founder of Potato Days, sits down with us to talk all things potato: - From a crowdfunded card game to his viral baked-potato restaurant - Why a potato only has a 90-minute window of perfection - The ice cream potato, butter squishies, and other Spud Daddy quirks - Potato Days' growth from 500 people to 30,000 — and what's next

Send us Fan Mail Step onto the dirt road and into the vibrant world of high-altitude flower farming with Beth Brinkerhoff, owner of Teton Flower Farm in Victor, Idaho. In this episode of Dirt Road Discussions, she shares her story of what it takes to grow, harvest, and market delicate flowers in one of the state’s most challenging climates.  Beth and her husband learned how to use geothermal resou...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to carry a 100-year farming legacy into the future? On this episode of Dirt Road Discussions, hosts Cam Hammond and Ott Clark sit down with Mitchell Searle—a fifth-generation Burley, Idaho producer, father of six, and current Idaho Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Chair. From the financial realities and barriers facing the next generation of ag to balancing...

Send us Fan Mail Nate and Zoe Pancheri, a father-daughter farming team from Nampa, Idaho, join the podcast to talk about building a sweet corn operation from the ground up. Zoe, a fifth-generation farmer, shares how she now runs the family's packing shed, hiring and training local high schoolers to hand-sort and box every ear that comes through. Nate walks through the custom equipment he&apos...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive into the world of agricultural education alongside Andrea Schumaker, the Assistant Dean for the Agricultural Sciences program at the College of Western Idaho (CWI).  There is a changing landscape in modern agriculture, with community college programs successfully building pipelines to supply the industry with skilled, knowledgeable professionals in precisi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Avery Claire Wrigglesworth, the daughter and wife who left her career in international finance to return to her childhood farm.  In 2019, Avery got a call from her father indicating a need to pass the responsibilities of their LaGrange, Georgia farm to the next generation. Avery and husband Marc made a leap of faith. They uprooted their lives and...

Send us Fan Mail In this podcast, we sit down for an engaging chat with U.S. Senator Jim Risch. As a rancher himself, Senator Risch shares his life of being a Senator that spends most of his week in Washington D.C., but returns each weekend to Idaho.  Senator Risch gives his perspective on the resilience that is required to farm these days among tough market hurdles. He also shares his thoughts on...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder what actually happens behind the scenes during a legislative session? In this episode of Dirt Road Discussions , we sit down with Braden Jensen and Dexton Lake, who work for the Governmental Affairs Team for the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation. They also like to refer to themselves as legislative advisors. Braden and Dexton pull back the curtain on the ins and outs of the...

Send us Fan Mail Why does your vote matter on the farm and beyond? On this episode of Dirt Road Discussions , Cam and Ott sit down with Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane.  With nearly two decades of experience protecting the integrity of our elections, Phil dives into his mission to make government more transparent and efficient. Join us for a timely conversation on the power of the individual...

Send us Fan Mail Dirt Roads make up 1/3 of all roads in the United States and they require more than a sprinkle of gravel and a steamroller to make them functionable and durable. Both chemists and engineers use crazy science to make that top layer of dirt more like concrete than the average dirt out in the farm field.  In this episode, Royal Marty, CEO of Substrata, offers a fascinating, easy-to-u...

Send us Fan Mail BONUS EPISODE: Those who rely on the Port of Lewiston for their livelihoods are trying to understand a 2026 order that came from a federal Oregon judge to increase water over the dams and lower water levels in some areas.  Scott Corbitt, General Manager of the Port of Lewiston, wants to see both fish and industry succeed on the Lower Columbia River Basin. In this interview, he exp...

Send us Fan Mail As energy demand surges across Idaho, what does it mean for the farmers and ranchers who depend on affordable, reliable power? We sit down with Eric Olsen, Partner at Echo Hawk & Olsen, to break down the growing strain on the grid, the rise of large energy users, and how it could impact irrigation, input costs, and the future of agriculture. It’s a conversation that connects p...

Send us Fan Mail Barley is sometimes known as the underappreciated crop, but to breweries across the nation, barley is essential. Laura Wilder, Executive Director of the Idaho Barley Commission, talks about how Idaho has become the #1 barley-producing state, helping give it the unofficial title as the “Beer State.” Laura gives us a look at how an ag commodity commission works—covering research, ma...

Send us Fan Mail Many people mistakenly think that cryptocurrency is just bitcoin. Actually, there are many different types of cryptocurrency. One recently developed is SPUD, a meme coin built for the agricultural community. SPUD was created by Cody Holm, 5th generation farmer from Southeast Idaho. Cody knows there are skeptics about crypto. In this episode he takes the opportunity to address misc...

Send us Fan Mail Mary Huff is the Director of Owyhee County Community Planning, as well as a rancher. She has a message for everyone to be involved with their local and state elected officials. From planning and zoning to farmland loss, Mary shares her real-world experiences.  She reminds us that people living in rural areas have a responsibility to speak up for rural issues. 

Send us Fan Mail Matt Dorsey, the President of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, joins Cam and Ott for this episode of Dirt Road Discussions. They explore Matt's experiences as a farmer, his insights from traveling the state, and the importance of community and mentorship in agriculture. They also dive into the challenges facing farmers today, while emphasizing the resilience and optimism nee...

Send us Fan Mail Consumers can be overwhelmed as they walk through the aisles of the grocery store. Food has become a battleground where marketing labels and misinformation persuades people around their eating choices.  Michele Payn brings clarity and common sense to the conversations surrounding food, farming, and science. Whether it’s helping farmers and scientists communicate more effectively,...

Send us Fan Mail Winter months in rural Idaho may lack a Friday night football game, but locals are discovering Skijoring: a sport where competitors ski behind a galloping horse, navigating jumps, grabbing rings, and trying not to break any bones. It has been described as rodeo adrenaline for participants and crowds, only you need a warm coat. Shailee and Sage Lish got hooked on skijoring from fri...

Send us Fan Mail 100th Episode! The Dirt Road Discussion crew literally hit the road to travel to Sun Valley for 10-minute interviews with a lineup of ag experts attending the Idaho-Oregon Grain & Oilseed Convention. They each share a personal message on the status and future of farming in the Northwest.   Erin Hansell-Heideman 2026 President, Oregon Wheat Growers League   Kyle Wangemann Vice...

Send us Fan Mail In 1980, the eruption of Mount St. Helens left a landscape of devastation. Decades later, that volcanic soil has become the foundation for a farm that produces products that become our holiday boughs, wreaths, garlands, and centerpieces. In this special holiday episode, we sit down with Troy Turnbull, VP of Northwest Operations at Continental Floral Greens. He takes us behind the...