The Germinate Podcast

In this episode of The Germinate Podcast , Joe Sampson reconnects with longtime friend and international trade veteran Alex Mussa , now Director of Business Development at SNA Manufacturing LLC . With decades of experience at the Italian Trade Commission , Alex brings deep knowledge of global ag equipment markets, including the complexities of navigating U.S.–Italy trade relationships. The two div...

In this episode of The Germinate Podcast , Joe Sampson sits down with Henry Gordon-Smith, Founder and CEO of Agritecture , a global leader in urban agriculture consulting. Broadcasting from Spain, Henry shares his personal journey — from traveling the world as a digital nomad to becoming a thought leader in vertical farming. He offers a masterclass on what vertical farming really is, its ancient o...

Today, we’re diving into what it really takes to grow a business with intention—through systems, strategy, and a deep commitment to people. Joining us is Justin Brown, President of Downing Construction in Indianola, Iowa—a long-time friend and visionary leader whose story of transforming a legacy residential construction firm into a high-performing commercial powerhouse is packed with lessons for...

In this episode of the Germinate Podcast, Joe Sampson sits down with longtime friend and manufacturing leader Todd Miller, President of Myers Spring , a third-generation spring manufacturer based in Indiana. Todd shares the powerful story behind the company’s growth, what it takes to build lasting customer relationships, and how the values of integrity, consistency, and trust have helped Myers Spr...

In this episode of the Germinate Podcast, host Joe Sampson sits down with Celeste Lindsey , Executive Director of EMDA (Equipment Marketing Distribution Association) , to explore everything you need to know about the organization supporting reps, distributors, and manufacturers in the shortline ag equipment industry. Celeste shares her unique path from teaching and recruiting into the world of ag...

Joe Sampson welcomes Michael Bird, CEO of Spindustry, to talk about what really matters when it comes to digital marketing and branding in agriculture. Michael pulls back the curtain on why most ag equipment companies are failing at basic digital strategy — and how to fix it. They dive into: Why websites are still the digital front door (even if you're not selling online) The truth about SEO vs. G...

In this episode of The Germinate Podcast , Joe Sampson sits down with Mike Lessiter, President of Lessiter Media, to discuss the evolution of agricultural journalism, the role of media in shaping the farm equipment industry, and how niche publishing serves as a powerful resource for agribusiness professionals. Mike shares his journey from sports journalism aspirations to leading a respected ag med...

In this episode of The Germinate Podcast, host Joe Sampson sits down with Matthew Meade, founder of FX Machine Tool, to discuss his journey from farm life in Iowa to leading a successful machine tool business. Matthew shares insights on transitioning from engineering to sales, the importance of building strong customer relationships, and how FX Machine Tool has grown into a trusted name in the ind...

Host Joe Sampson sits down with Jeremy Groeteke , Head of IT & Strategy at Syngenta Group , to discuss the future of artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture and how farmers, agronomists, and agribusinesses can stay ahead of rapid technological advancements. 🌱 What You’ll Learn: ✅ How AI and machine learning are transforming farming & agribusiness ✅ Why agronomists using AI will outp...

Host Joe Sampson sits down with Matt Perreault , a fourth-generation farmer and former R&D leader at Shoup Manufacturing , to discuss the biggest trends shaping the future of agriculture . They dive into: ✅ High-speed planting and why farmers are doubling their planter speeds ✅ Strip tillage adoption and how it’s reducing costs & increasing yields ✅ Farm equipment market challenges – ri...

Host Joe Sampson welcomes Jamie Meier , longtime industry expert and sales leader at Landoll Corporation . They discuss Landoll’s long-standing reputation for quality, customer commitment, and relationship-driven sales , tracing its roots back to Don Landoll’s vision in 1963. Joe and Jamie dive into the current challenges facing the ag industry , including commodity price fluctuations, high intere...

Host Joe Sampson sits down with Henning Schwinum , Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Vendux LLC , to discuss the growing demand for fractional sales leadership . Henning shares his journey from corporate sales leader to entrepreneur , the inspiration behind Vendux , and why companies today are redefining how they scale their sales teams . They dive into why multitasking CEOs struggle to grow ,...

Host Joe Sampson welcomes Marc Adams, VP of Sales at GBGI Inc., to discuss his unexpected journey into agriculture, the importance of hands-on product knowledge, and how GBGI has evolved into a leading manufacturer of sealing solutions and precision components. Marc shares insights on business growth, adapting to market slowdowns, and why investing in technology and relationships is key. He also d...

Host Joe Sampson sits down with JC Hatton, a seasoned manufacturer’s representative, to discuss the importance of relationships, diversification, and problem-solving in sales. JC shares his journey into sales, the value of industry organizations like FEMA, and how staying authentic is key to success. Plus, he showcases his incredible singing talent at the end! Key Takeaways- Manufacturer’s reps br...

Join Joe Sampson and guests as we explore the intersection of agriculture, business and innovation. With nearly two decades of expertise in agricultural equipment and scaling businesses, this podcast delivers actionable insights, inspiring stories, and strategic advice to help manufacturers and professionals grow their ventures. Whether you're an industry veteran or just starting out, join us...