Jay Matteson's Rural America

Dairy Farmer, Country Music Singer/Songwriter, and Agricultural Advocate Stephanie Nash joins Jay and Ron to talk about the work she is doing to share agriculture's story. Her message is amplified through her powerful, beautiful voice and her experiences growing up as a dairy farmer. At the end of the podcast, enjoy Stephanie's song - "Raised on". Don't forget to visit Stephanie on Youtube and all...

An investment firm that works with professional athletes recently purchased a farm in Iowa with plans to buy more. Ron and Jay explore farmland as investments and what that may mean for the future of agriculture in the United States.

How many loads of milk were dumped during the blizzard of '22. Jay, Ron and Al share notes about the impacts of the blizzard of 2022 across NYS and locally. Then they do a wrap up of agriculture in 2022 and a little outlook for 2023. A lot is wrapped into this episode so you might as well grab a cold glass of milk, some beef stick and sit back and relax!

Scott Zehr, a Business Development Manager with Agragrian Solutions, owner of Maplewood Sweets and a participant in the Young Dairy Leaders Institute sits down with Jay for a wide ranging discussion on agriculture, technology and leadership development. In the irst part of the conversation we discuss Scott's work with Agararian Solutions, focusing in on the use of technology in the dairy industry....

The Netherlands Government have a proposal out to reduce their livestock herd by 30% by the year 2030. They are proposing to do this to comply with European Union Environmental standards and reduce nitrous oxide emissions into the atmosphere. Agribusinesses around the globe are protesting this heavy handed approach being implemented by the Dutch government. Dr. Frank Mitloehner, Director of the CL...

Former radio personality Alan Walts is back in the studio with Jay Matteson and Ron Robbins for the show today. The trio discuss New York Farm Bureau's 2022 Annual Conference. Jay talks about his question on whether New York State has a plan on how to help our food processing plants in the State comply with the Climate Action Plan requirements of no fossil fuels in the near future. How realistic i...

During this episode we are joined by Les Berghorn, General Manager of Afgritech and a 48 year veteran in agriculture and the animal feed industry. Ron, Jay and Les discuss the potential impact a railroad strike will have on agriculture and the food industry. Its a lot more serious than presents under a Christmas tree.....

Ron and Jay discuss a variety of agricultural issues occurring around the world and back home in NNY.

Dr. Richard Stup, Director of Cornell University's Agricultural Workforce Development Program and Jay Canzonier, Extension Support Specialist, join Jay Matteson to discuss supporting workforce development across New York State's agricultural industry. This in depth discussion explores many of the issues impacting agriculture. This relatively new program is trying to develop ways to help our farms...

Ron and Jay discuss an upcoming Dairy Feeder School and the importance of dairy feeder staff in the operation of a dairy farm. Afterwards they tackle into Federal Milk Marketing Order Reform, dairy pricing and several other important topics in the world of dairy farming.

Jay and Ron both were on the road recently! Jay talks a little on his visit to Salem Massachusetts. Ron shares what he saw while he was in Florida recently about the impacts from Hurricane Ian on agriculture..

Dave Timerman joins Jay in the studio to talk about the history of turkey farming in Jefferson County. At one time, Jefferson County NY was the largest turkey producing County in NYS. Dave shares his experiences with turkey farming since he and his dad farmed in the early 1950's.

In this episode we interview Jim Handley, Executive Vice President of the Florida Cattlemen's Association and Alex Johns, Executive Director of the Seminole Tribe of Florida about the impacts of Hurricane Ian and the floods that followed. Farmers, their livestock and crops are struggling to recover from the devastation. Cattle are trapped in standing water in remote fields and it is a struggle to...

Ron and Jay interview Dr. Scott Steiger, Director of the Lake Effect Storm Prediction and Research Center at SUNY Oswego, about a study that just started on the eastern end of Lake Ontario to examine "Thunder - Snow", the occurrence of lightning during Lake Effect Snow Storms. Lightning detection arrays have been placed across the countryside on the eastern end of Lake Ontario to detect and locate...

Ron and Jay interview the new Business Development Specialist at Jefferson County Economic Development about her thoughts on a variety of business development topics inlcuding networking, location, and marketing. It is a wide ranging fun and informative conversation for everyone from farmers to shop owners! and yes, we always talk about the weather too.....

What's happening with dairy prices? Jay and Ron discuss dairy prices and what is happening on our dairy farms in terms of reinvestment and expansion. It is nice to hear something positive once in a while!

Jay and Ron dive deep in this episode in their discussion on the Farm Labor Wage Board's recommendation to lower the overtime threshold to 40 hours over the next ten years. Ron expresses a few opinions and Jay shares insights on the expected impacts from this recommendation.

Podcast host Jay Matteson sits down with three members of the secretive "Agrarian Economic Forum", as they jokingly refer to themselves, a 15 member think tank that gathers twice a year to look at national and world food systems. The three share their views on what is happening in the nation and globally that will impact our economies and our food supply. Gary Niemeyer, from Springfield Illinois,...

Hmmm, Barbeque Potato Chips and Cottage Cheese?? Sounds good to us! Should Ron and Jay participate in goat yoga? These are the important lead discussions Ron and Jay have, but then it get's better - Ron and Jay discuss a recent visit by three of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik's Washington D.C. staff to the NY 21st Congressional District. Emma Johnston, Congresswoman Stefanik's Legislative Assistant...

Ron Robbins and Jay Matteson discuss many different topics including growing concerns about the impact inflation is having and growing lines at food distribution events; the drought in the west and loss of prime farmland! Phew, we covered a lot of ground in 30 minutes....

Listen in as Jay Matteson and Ron Robbins discuss the labor crisis facing agriculture. Of course they offer their insight and strong opinions, like always, about how to solve some of the labor problems facing America's farmers and manufacturers.

Ron Robbins and Jay Matteson interview Marshall Weir, Deputy Director of Jefferson County Economic Development about a grant program the agency has available for small businesses.

Jay and Ron cover a wide range of topics including the impact the weatyher is having on the planting season in NNY and they dive in to cannabis as a crop for farmers.

Ron Robbins and Jay Matteson interview Dr. Larry Jones with Farm Institute, and an expert in how milk pricing works across the United States. We talk with Larry trying to gain a better understanding of how milk pricing back to our farms works. It is crazy! Can you imagine trying to run a business when you don't know what the price of your product will be for at least a month?

Hosts Jay Matteson and Ron Robbins interview Shawn Hackett, President of Hacket Financial Advisers and author of Hacket Agriculture Report. Shawn has spent the last 30 years following market trends and global economies to better advise his agricultural clients on what to expect financially. The conversation with Shawn explores how the markets are currently impacting agriculture and what producers...