Modern Farming

This week, we're bringing you a special episode from the Florida FFA State Convention! Guest host Maralee Thompson, Miss University of Florida, sat down with FFA members from across the state to hear firsthand about their leadership journeys, memorable FFA experiences, and the impact the organization has had on their lives. From developing confidence and communication skills to building lifelong f...

How does agriculture stay connected in a fast-changing world? It starts with the people dedicated to telling its story. In this episode, we sit down with Frank Giles , Editor-in-Chief at AgNet Media, to discuss his career in agricultural communications and the vital role trusted media plays in informing producers and connecting consumers to the industry. From row crops like cotton to specialty cro...

What if the future of education looks more like game night? In this episode of Modern Farming, we sit down with Joshua, a lifelong board game enthusiast whose passion for play led him to help transform the way students learn. From collecting hundreds of board games and coaching chess to helping build innovative educational platforms, Joshua has seen firsthand how gamification can spark curiosity,...

This week, we sit down with Francie Black, a technology entrepreneur, educator, and innovator with more than 20 years of experience spanning product training, project management, software development, and business development. From leading internet development initiatives for a Fortune 500 company to consulting for major corporations and emerging startups, Francie has spent her career helping orga...

This week, we sat down with Joanna Joseph of EVO Academy to discuss an exciting partnership with the Green Jean Foundation that is bringing agricultural education into the classroom. Joanna shares how EVO Academy is teaching students about the importance of agriculture, nutrition, and healthy living while helping young athletes understand the connection between what they eat and how they perform....

This week on Modern Farming , we sit down with Zack Farr , Founder and CEO of Biotech Applied Research (BAR), to discuss how innovation is transforming agricultural and environmental challenges into opportunities. As a third-generation citrus grower, Zack witnessed firsthand the struggles facing Florida agriculture and set out to create practical solutions. Through BAR, he is pioneering the use of...

This week on the podcast, we’re joined by Sonya Lee, president of Ag-Tronix, to talk about her work in agriculture and the new age of irrigation technology. From precision water management to fully automated irrigation systems, Sonya shares how innovation is transforming the agriculture industry and helping farmers use resources more efficiently. Tune in for an insightful conversation about sustai...

What happens when mental health support looks less like a clinic and more like a thriving community? In this powerful episode of the Modern Farming Podcast, we sit down with Elizabeth Statzer, Director of Vincent House Pasco, to explore a unique and deeply impactful approach to mental health recovery through the internationally recognized Clubhouse Model. For more than 23 years, Vincent House Pasc...

What if the secret to healthier plants, stronger yields, and more resilient growing systems starts with what’s happening beneath the surface? In this next installment of our Soil Health Series, Brad Turner of Sand to Soil Services returns to The Modern Farming Podcast to dig even deeper into the living world beneath our feet. This episode explores the biology that powers thriving growing systems a...

In this week’s episode of The Modern Farming Podcast, we sit down with Mykaela Billingsworth, a University of Florida student on the path to becoming an agricultural educator. Mykaela shares how her early involvement in FFA programs sparked a lifelong passion for agriculture and inspired her commitment to teaching the next generation. She reflects on her experience raising and showing livestock, a...

In this episode of The Modern Farming Podcast , we sit down with Veronica Grannan, a Kindergarten teacher at Englewood Elementary who is planting seeds that go far beyond the classroom. With deep roots in her school community, Veronica is shaping young minds through hands-on learning, leadership development, and a strong focus on stewardship. As the leader of the Everglades Club, she teaches stude...

From Axolotls to Aquaculture: Building Hands-On Ag Education with Aaron Bokelmann What happens when you take a marine science program and turn it into a full-scale agriculture pathway? Aaron Bokelmann is doing exactly that in Manatee County, and the results are something every ag educator should be paying attention to. In this episode of the Modern Farming Podcast, Aaron shares how he is transform...

In this episode of the Modern Farming Podcast, we sit down with Bert Johnson, Applied Engineering and Technology teacher at Melbourne High School in Brevard County, Florida, who is redefining what education can look like. Mr. Johnson brings engineering to life through aquaponics, creating a dynamic learning environment where students are not just memorizing information but actively building, growi...

In this episode of The Modern Farming Podcast , we sit down with Katrin Rudge, Aquascience teacher at Riverview High School, whose program is nothing short of extraordinary. What started with simple aqua balls has grown into a full-scale, immersive aquascience program that gives students hands-on experience in aquatic ecosystems, marine life, and real-world conservation. At the center of it all is...

In this episode of The Modern Farming Podcast, Kris and Tara sit down with Janyel Taylor, Nursery Operations Manager and Chief Financial Officer at Ralph Taylor’s Nurseries. Janyel’s journey into agriculture began in high school, where an influential FFA teacher sparked a passion that would shape her future. That early inspiration led her to the University of Florida, and eventually into the class...

In this episode of the Modern Farming Podcast, Kris and Tara sit down with Scott Thompson, co-founder of Tree Defender, a Florida-based company on a mission to help save the citrus industry. As citrus greening continues to challenge growers across the state and beyond, Tree Defender has developed an innovative solution designed to protect young trees and give growers a fighting chance. Scott share...

In this episode of Modern Farming , we sit down with John Hall, founder of Promised Land Family Ministries, to explore how agriculture, education, and faith can come together to create meaningful change. John’s journey began in high school through his involvement in FFA, where he discovered a passion for agriculture that would shape his future. He went on to earn a degree in Agricultural Education...

Modern Farming Podcast – Episode 212 Guest: Nick Ager from Growing Back to Eden Farm – Crystal River, Florida In this episode of the Modern Farming Podcast, Kris and Tara sit down with Nick Ager, a regenerative no-till farmer based in Crystal River, Florida. Nick shares insights from years of experience managing farms and consulting on agricultural projects across the country, helping growers reth...

In Episode 211 of the Modern Farming Podcast, Kris and Tara sit down with Phil Reasons of Aquasol International, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on aquaponics, sustainable farming design, large-scale greenhouse systems, and helping communities around the world develop reliable food systems. Phil shares how Aquasol International is working alongside organizations like the Green Jean Foun...

In this episode of the Modern Farming Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Stella Brownlee, soil scientist and founder of RootLogic Ag Consulting. With more than a decade of hands-on research and field experience in soil fertility, plant nutrition, plant physiology, microbiology, and water management, Dr. Brownlee brings both science and strategy to the conversation. This is not theory. This is practical...

🎙️ Episode 209 In this episode of the Modern Farming Podcast, Kris and Tara sit down with Maralee Thompson, Forever Miss Winter Haven and founder of the community service initiative Grow Together, to talk about how agriculture can be a powerful solution in the fight against food insecurity. Maralee is a Public Relations major at the University of Florida who is using her platform in both pageantry...

Modern Farming Podcast – Episode 208 Raising the Next Generation: Youth Voices from the Florida State Fair In this special episode, we traveled to the Florida State Fair to spotlight the next generation of agricultural leaders. We sat down with dedicated 4H and FFA youth livestock exhibitors who are learning responsibility, leadership, and lifelong skills through hands-on experience in agriculture...

In this episode, Kris and Tara sit down with Reba Mazak, the 2025 Woman of the Year in Agriculture for Florida. Reba’s story is one of deep roots, steadfast commitment, and unwavering dedication to the agricultural community. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson said it best: “Reba Y. Mazak embodies the resilience, dedication, and innovation that define Florida agriculture. Her lifel...

Episode 206 Broken But Beautiful: Faith, Farming, and Transformation with Dan & Julie Klob In this episode, Kris and Tara sit down with Dan and Julie Klob, founders of TLC Edible Landscape and Broken But Beautiful Ministries in Pasco County, Florida. What began as a simple dream to serve others has grown into a thriving 5-acre permaculture farm and nonprofit mission focused on restoration, pur...

Modern Farming Podcast – Episode 205 In this episode, Kris and Tara sit down with Tammy Gantt, a true powerhouse in Florida’s equine industry and the Vice President of Membership, Events & Sales for the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ & Owners’ Association. With more than 30 years of experience in the thoroughbred world, Tammy brings a deep well of knowledge, stories, and passion for one of...