Modern Farming

In this inspiring episode of Modern Farming, we sit down with David Hafner, the Martin County 4-H Agent and head of the Florida 4-H State Ambassador Committee. From growing up on a horse ranch to becoming a champion for youth development and leadership, David shares his unique path through agriculture—one that began as a high school senior in 4-H and eventually led him to a career empowering the n...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Chris DeCubellis, a seasoned farmer, rancher, and Associate State 4-H Program Leader with the University of Florida’s IFAS Extension. Chris brings a lifetime of agricultural experience to the show, balancing a full-time role in youth development with running a diverse family farm in Florida, where he raises livestock, grows vegetables, and maintains frui...

In this inspiring episode of Modern Farming, we sit down with Stacy Young, a powerhouse educator and advocate for agricultural literacy and hands-on learning. Stacy is the agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Branford High School, where her influence stretches far beyond the classroom. As a National FFA Teacher Ambassador and Agriscience Ambassador, she brings national-level insights to a local...

In this episode, we’re joined by Emilyn Sharpless, a dynamic agricultural educator at Bok Academy in Lake Wales, Florida. With 10 years of teaching experience—six of those spent transforming Bok’s ag program—Emilyn shares how she rebuilt the curriculum from the ground up to align with FFA standards and student-driven learning. Her efforts paid off: Bok Academy was recently named one of Florida’s F...

In this episode of Modern Farming, we sit down with Paige Cruse, a proud seventh-generation cattle rancher from South Florida who’s making big waves as a youth ag leader, storyteller, and advocate for American agriculture. As a Florida FFA Star Farmer Finalist, Agricultural Communications SAE Finalist, and Extemporaneous Public Speaking State Champion and National Reserve Champion, Paige shares ho...

In this episode, we sit down with Brooke Holcomb, the dynamic voice behind media and marketing at Independence Classical Academy, a public charter school in Fort Pierce, Florida. With plans to grow from a current K–9 school of 650 students to a full K–12 campus serving over 1,500, Brooke shares how agriculture and outdoor learning are deeply rooted in the school’s classical education model. We exp...

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Sarah Jones, founder of Florida Farm School, to explore how one woman’s vision turned a simple piece of land into a transformative learning environment for children. Born from a deep respect for nature and a desire to help kids reconnect with the world around them, Florida Farm School is a place where education, healing, and agriculture meet. 🌿 What You...

In this inspiring episode, we chat with Tiffany Gallegos, a dedicated educator with 21 years in the classroom, who has taken her passion for agriculture and turned it into a hands-on learning journey for her students. What began as a classroom visit from Florida Ag Experience sparked a mission to connect kids with agriculture beyond the textbook. Tiffany shares how she started an ag club as a pass...

In this entertaining episode, we meet Courtney and Jennifer, AKA Two Blonde Heifers - the dynamic duo behind the Florida Ag Experience, a Florida-based mobile classroom bringing dairy education directly to schools and fairs. Inspired by the Southwest Dairy Farmers in Texas, they launched their trailer three years ago to teach kids and consumers the truth about dairy—from “cow to counter.” Based at...

In this episode, we explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping both agriculture and education—starting right in the classroom. From diagnosing plant diseases to predicting nutrient deficiencies, AI is helping students and future farmers see agriculture through a high-tech lens. Discussion includes: 🌾 How AI is being introduced into agricultural education 🧠 AI’s role in identifying healthy...

In part two of Community Farming Podcast’s Community Agriculture in Action, we’re joined by Emmanuel Roux, founder of 15th Street Farm in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. What started as a therapeutic garden for a drug and alcohol recovery center has grown into a thriving urban organic educational farm, connecting people—especially kids—with nature, healthy food, and each other. 🔍 In This Episod...

In the next Modern Farming podcast series, Community Agriculture in Action, we head to Chicago’s South Side to spotlight Hope Center Blue Island—a nonprofit born on the eve of the pandemic that has since blossomed into a community cornerstone. What began as a church has grown into a vibrant, community-driven nonprofit focused on economic development, intellectual growth, and healthy living, especi...

In this special recap episode of the Modern Farming Podcast, we bring together two powerful conversations from our What Is and Isn’t in Your Food series to highlight one essential truth: you don’t have to be a farmer to care about agriculture. The health of our soil directly impacts the health of our food—and ultimately, the health of you. Episode Highlights: We revisit key insights from two groun...

In this "What Is and Isn't In Your Food: Defining Nutrient Density" episode, we sit down with Dan Kittredge, a regenerative organic farmer and founder of the Bionutrient Food Association (BFA), to unpack a concept that’s changing the way we think about food: nutrient density. Dan coined the term nutrient density back in 2007, and since then has dedicated his life to helping farmers and consumers u...

n this episode of Modern Farming, What your Food Is and Isn't with Anne Bikle and David Montgomery, we dig into what’s really beneath our food—starting with the soil. Joined by husband-and-wife team David R. Montgomery and Anne Biklé, we explore how both natural processes and human practices like conventional agriculture have contributed to widespread soil depletion, and what that means for the fu...

In this recap of the Dirt to Dinner series, Brad and Nick reflect on their conversations with two trailblazers in regenerative agriculture—Dr. Jonathan Lundgren from Ecdysis Foundation and Will Harris of White Oak Pastures. Brad shares firsthand insights from his time with Dr. Lundgren and his research team, who spent over a week in Florida gathering data on soil health, biodiversity, and regenera...

Guest: Will Harris, fourth-generation cattleman and owner of White Oak Pastures, a pioneering regenerative farm in Bluffton, Georgia. Episode Overview: In the final installment of Dirt to Dinner on the Modern Farming podcast, we sit down with Will Harris, a leader in regenerative agriculture who transformed his family’s farm from an industrialized cattle operation into a sustainable, pasture-based...

In this second installment of the Dirt to Dinner series, we welcome agroecologist Dr. Jonathan Lundgren, Executive Director of Ecdysis Foundation and CEO of Blue Dasher Farm. Jon’s groundbreaking research is reshaping the future of agriculture, demonstrating how regenerative farming can restore ecosystems, improve farm profitability, and transform rural communities. In this episode, Jon shares his...

Welcome to the Modern Farming podcast's newest three-part series, Dirt to Dinner, exploring the connections between soil, farming practices, and the food we eat. In our Soil Special episode, Brad and Nick dig deeper into the foundations of regenerative agriculture and its role in modern farming. Is regenerative the new organic? And what does that mean for farmers and consumers alike? Topics Covere...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Modern Farming, we’re diving into the fascinating world of pollination with special guest Helena Peterson! As an 18-year-old Agriculture Advocate, 4-H State Executive Board member, and one of Florida’s six Youth Pollinator Ambassadors, Helena is passionate about educating the next generation on the importance of pollinators and how we can protect them. What You’...

In this episode of Modern Farming, we dive into the business of producing food as a passion, exploring how innovative thinkers are transforming passion in agriculture into full-fledged businesses. Logan shares his journey from a small idea to a thriving enterprise, while Brad discusses the role of technology in modern agriculture. Nick reminds us that success isn’t just about growth—it’s about net...

In the final episode of our Modern Farming podcast series, You Are What You Eat , we welcome Erin Martin, founder of FreshRx Oklahoma and Co-Lead of the Oklahoma Food is Medicine Policy Coalition. A dedicated advocate for regenerative agriculture, soil health, and the power of food as medicine, Erin is transforming the way we think about nutrition and health. Brad, Logan, and Nick sit down with Er...

Welcome to the second episode of our “You Are What You Eat” series on the Modern Farming Podcast! In this episode, we dig deep into the nutrient density of foods—what it is, why it’s critical for your health, and how it’s been declining over the past 50 years. Shockingly, studies show we’ve lost 20–50% of the nutritional value in many common foods. But what’s behind this decline, and what can we d...

In this episode of “You Are What You Eat,” on Modern Farming, we dig into the fascinating world beneath our feet—where plants, microbes, and nutrients work together to sustain life. We explore how soil biologics and root exudates influence crop nutrition and soil health. Understanding these processes not only helps farmers and gardeners grow healthier plants but also ensures the food we eat is pac...

Join Modern Farming hosts, Brad and Nick, as they explore the dynamic and ever-changing world of farm nutrients. From carbon-powered biological tools to the complex processes that link soil health with the food you consume, this episode offers valuable insights and expert perspectives. Highlights of the Episode: • A deep dive into the rhizophagy process, where plants attract, internalize, and mana...