Ag Women Connect "Ag Talk, Your Story Matters!"

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Ag Talk: Your Story Matters, Venessa sits down with Michelle Martin, founder of Ag Mag and an advocate for the agricultural community. They discuss Michelle's journey from discovering her passion for media at Texas A&M, to starting Ag Mag without any initial knowledge of the agriculture industry, and building it into a successful publication. Michelle s...

Send us Fan Mail Vwnessa Wood hosts Heather Garcia on Ag Talk: Your Story Matters, discussing Heather's journey and impact on her community. Heather shares her background, growing up in Sudan, Texas, her experiences as a single mother, and the challenges she faced such as divorces and controlling tendencies. She details her spiritual journey, the healing of her marriage, and the authorship of...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Ag Talk, Venessa Wood interviews Keely Brazil-Covello, the investigative journalist behind American Unwon. Keely shares her journey from growing up in a small Californian town to becoming a journalist focused on ag advocacy. She discusses the significance of telling stories from rural America to bridge the urban-rural divide and highlights her experiences workin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Ag Talk, Venessa Wood interviews Nikki Burgett, an author and expert in national security and workplace violence from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Nikki shares insights from her tumultuous upbringing, her early career, and her extensive work in criminal justice and law enforcement. With a rich background in enhancing global safety, Nikki discusses her journey into national...

Send us Fan Mail The episode features Venessa Wood and several women discussing their experiences and takeaways from the Red, White, and Blue Ag Women Connect conference held three weeks prior. The event included a check-in at the Overton Hotel, an agriculture tour at Texas Tech University, a bubbles and blue jeans fashion show, a gala benefiting the Ag Women Connect Foundation, a dove hunt, a ser...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Ag Talk, Venessa Wood interviews Kaycie, a lifelong equine enthusiast whose passion for agriculture and storytelling has shaped her career. Kaycie shares her background, describing how she started showing horses at a young age and pursued a journalism career to stay connected with the equine world.  She discusses her educational journey at West Texas A&M bef...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Ag Talk: Your Story Matters', Venessa chats with Jacqueline, a prominent advocate for agriculture and health, who is spearheading a movement to revive the World War Victory Gardens. Jacqueline discusses her efforts to empower families, schools, churches, and farmers to grow their food locally and her involvement with the 'Make America Healthy Aga...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Ag Talk: Your Story Matters,' Venessa interviews Raigen Royal, founder of the newly formed non-profit, 'Rage for Love,' which aims to combat domestic violence and empower women. Reagan shares her personal journey of overcoming an abusive relationship, finding solace and stability in agriculture, and developing a successful career in Western...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Ag Talk, Venessa Wood welcomes Elizabeth Tate Bennett, a leader in U.S. agriculture policy. Tate shares her roots on a Shelbyville, Kentucky, horse farm, her work in agricultural policy at the National Economic Council and U.S. EPA, and insights into today’s farm economy and trade challenges. She also discusses the America First Policy Institute’s efforts—like t...

Send us Fan Mail In this upcoming episode of Ag Talk: Your Story Matters, Venessa sits down with Debbie Saviano — educator, speaker, business owner, and LinkedIn strategist — to talk about the power of telling your professional story with confidence and clarity. From driving a yellow school bus to leading six campuses as a school principal, and now empowering professionals around the world through...

Send us Fan Mail In this upcoming episode of Ag Talk: Your Story Matters, we welcome Clare Dunn—country music artist, songwriter, and passionate advocate for agriculture. Clare shares her story of growing up on a family farm in southeast Colorado, how her roots shaped her music career, and why she continues to champion the voices of farmers and ranchers.  She also gives us a look ahead at her appe...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Ag Talk: Your Story Matters, Venessa Wood interviews Heather Maude, a fifth-generation cattle and sheep rancher from South Dakota. Heather shares her background growing up in Wyoming and her passion for journalism and agriculture.  The conversation then delves into Heather's recent struggles with the federal government concerning property rights on her fami...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Ag Talk. Your Story Matters,  Venessa sits down with Dr. Nicole Nicholson, a fifth-generation California cattle rancher and president of the San Luis Obispo County Cattle Women. Nicole shares her journey of balancing a career in educational psychology with ranch life, leading initiatives like the “Giving Back with Beef” campaign, and building supportive networks...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Venessa Wood interviews Lubbock County Commissioner Jason Corley about his background and the future of agriculture in West Texas. The discussion focuses on cloud seeding—using technology to stimulate rainfall—and its potential to address water shortages and boost local farming. Jason explains the science, history, and regulatory challenges of cloud seeding, and h...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Ag Talk,' Venessa sits down with Jana Earp from Fort Worth, Texas, to discuss life on the ranch, fashion, and the importance of community. They start by discussing their matching outfits and Jana's love for cowboy hats. Jana shares her background growing up on a ranch, her relationship with her husband Jimmy, and their collaborative efforts in bo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Ag Talk, Venessa Wood speaks two dynamic, young women thriving in FFA. Both Alyssa Sullenberger from Alaska and Miru from Massachusetts chat more about their respective journeys in agriculture and FFA. Alyssa discusses the challenges of agriculture in Alaska, focusing on her innovative use of hydroponics to grow food year-round. She details her inspiration, tech...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Ag Talk, Venessa interviews Chelsea Criswell from Plainview, Texas. They discuss Chelsea's journey from public education to homeschooling, her family's background, and her entrepreneurial ventures. Chelsea details the transition from being a public school administrator to starting a homeschooling enrichment center, Kairos Enrichment Center, which has s...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Ag Talk,' Venessa Wood is joined by members of Ag Women Connect: Krysta Paffrath, Krystal Butler, and Mandy Tapp. They discuss the upcoming Red, White, and Blue Conference in Lubbock, Texas. The event is scheduled for October 17-18 and will feature a variety of activities including guest speakers, a gala, fashion show, breakout sessions, sunrise yoga,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Ag Talk, Venessa interviews Sarah Falen-Tate, a sixth-generation rancher from Wyoming and mother of a seven-and-a-half-month-old baby. Sarah is known as the 'Constitution Cowgirl,' a moniker she developed from her childhood interest in the U.S. Constitution. They discuss her experiences balancing work and motherhood, restarting her social media presenc...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Ag Talk, Venessa Wood interviews Holly Haralson from Eastland, Texas. Holly shares her journey growing up in a suburban area with agricultural influences from her father's profession, leading to her high school years on a family farm. Holly’s professional path included obtaining a degree in animal science and a career in pharmacy before transitioning to agr...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Ag Talk,' Venessa Wood interviews Amanda Radke, an advocate for the agriculture industry from South Dakota. They discuss various issues affecting the agriculture community, including the impact of the American Angus Association's partnership with the Bezos Earth Fund and Global Methane Hub on low methane livestock breeding. Amanda outlines her ex...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Ag Talk: Your Story Matters,' Venessa interviews Elizabeth 'Lizzie' Shurley, a young agricultural advocate from Florida. Lizzie shares her journey from growing up on a family farm in Center Hill, Florida, to becoming a passionate leader in the agricultural community. She discusses her early involvement in 4-H, the leadership roles she held,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of 'Ag Talk,' Venessa Wood welcomes Mandi Tapp, a long-time member of Ag Women Connect. They discuss her background, growing up in Southern California, and her journey to Texas. Mandi shares her experiences in agriculture, including her advocacy for ag education, the nuances of organic vs. conventional farming, and insights into being a police officer&apo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Ag Talk , host Venessa Wood sits down with Brooke Belicek to discuss building Rockin B Farms from the ground up, navigating Chapter 12 bankruptcy, and raising three daughters rooted in faith, hard work, and agriculture. Brooke shares her journey through rice farming, financial hardship, and the mental health challenges of ag life—highlighting the power of resili...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Ag Talk with Venessa Wood, the hosts of Millennial Ag, Katharine Lotspeich, and Valene Lickley, share their journey from ag students to podcast hosts and industry voices. They discuss dairy and beef backgrounds, mental health in farming, policy’s impact, and the need for tough conversations around labor and leadership. Plus, advice for the next generation of ag...