That Farm Life

The current farm crisis threatens American food security and rural communities as global powers engage in economic warfare against US agriculture. Eddie Martin, President and CEO of Influence Media Network, explains how countries like China and Brazil are using government resources to create an unfair market that American farmers cannot compete in alone. We'd love to hear your feedback! Pleas...

The violence and darkness we witness in our world today point to something deeper than political division or mental health issues alone. In this powerful episode, we're joined by Pastor Larry Bailey, who brings wisdom from years of missionary work in Togo, West Africa, where spiritual warfare wasn't just theoretical—it was visibly manifesting before his eyes. We'd love to hear your...

The current agricultural crisis has created a perfect storm that threatens the very foundation of family farming in America. With input costs skyrocketing and commodity prices plummeting simultaneously, farmers are caught in a financial vice grip with seemingly no escape. Joining us to unpack this critical situation is Brett Provost, Vice President and Trust Farm Management Officer at Farmers and...

Faith, farming, and unexpected purpose converge in this powerful conversation with Arkansas State Representative DeAnne Vaught. Despite initially rejecting a political career, Vaught's journey changed when her teenage daughter posed a faith-challenging question: "When have you ever taught us to be Jonah and run from Nineveh?" That divine nudge launched her into becoming the first Re...

What happens when your entire life changes in an instant? When the unthinkable occurs, forcing you to reimagine everything about your future? Cattle farmer Carey Portell knows this reality intimately, having survived a devastating collision with a drunk driver that left her permanently disabled but remarkably determined. We'd love to hear your feedback! Please reach out to us if you have idea...

The remarkable journey of Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward takes center stage in this compelling episode that bridges two seemingly different worlds – military service and agricultural leadership. Growing up in rural Lake City, Arkansas, Ward's path took him from Marine Corps boot camp in San Diego to law school and eventually to his role as one of Arkansas' most important agri...

Ever wonder what it takes to build a business that stands the test of time? Blake Cox, third-generation owner of Cox Implement Company, reveals the remarkable journey of his family's equipment dealership and farm operation - now the oldest continuous business in Lawrence County, Arkansas. We'd love to hear your feedback! Please reach out to us if you have ideas for future shows or how we...

The veterinary profession is filled with stories of dedication, but few are as compelling as Dr. Bland Smith's journey from chuck wagon racer to pioneering rural veterinarian. On this landmark 100th episode, host Archie Mason welcomes a sixth-generation cattle producer whose family brand—now her practice name—stands as one of the oldest registered in Kansas. We'd love to hear your feedba...

The financial rollercoaster of agriculture demands both resilience and strategy. Nathan Sanders brings 28 years of agricultural lending expertise as VP and Branch Manager of Farm Credit Mid-South to share hard-earned wisdom about weathering financial storms in farming. We'd love to hear your feedback! Please reach out to us if you have ideas for future shows or how we can make That Farm Life...

A devastating EF-3 tornado slashed through the heart of Wynn, Arkansas on March 31st, leaving a community in pieces but not broken. Shannon Hobbs, a lifelong resident, local business owner, and school board member, takes us through those terrifying moments when the storm hit and the remarkable aftermath that followed. We'd love to hear your feedback! Please reach out to us if you have ideas f...

The transition from corporate life to full-time farming isn't just a career change—it's a complete lifestyle transformation that few successfully navigate. John Bruhl is making this journey alongside his wife and two young children, having recently purchased a pecan operation in Arkansas after working there seasonally for five years. We'd love to hear your feedback! Please reach out...

Navigating the complex landscape of modern agriculture demands strong advocates who understand both policy and practice. This revealing conversation with John McMinn, Director of Commodity Activities and Economics at the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, offers a fascinating glimpse into how agricultural advocacy organizations support farmers across diverse sectors. We'd love to hear your feed...

Dr. Lauren Hendricks shares her journey from growing up on a poultry farm to becoming an accredited financial counselor and advocate for women in agriculture through Annie's Project. She explains how Family and Consumer Sciences addresses critical components of quality of life including financial management, particularly important for farm families dealing with volatile income. We'd love...

Marcus Creasy lives a life where faith, family, and farming intertwine to create a uniquely modern agricultural experience. From his rural Arkansas homestead, Marcus navigates the complexities of running a commercial cattle operation while simultaneously managing a specialized agricultural insurance business that serves clients across multiple states. We'd love to hear your feedback! Please r...

Steve Watkins shares his journey from a cotton farm in Northeast Arkansas to becoming an author and property owner at Real Foot Lake. Through multiple life restarts, he discovered the importance of serving others and embracing risk as essential steps toward finding purpose and peace. We'd love to hear your feedback! Please reach out to us if you have ideas for future shows or how we can make...

Dr. Tori Linemann shares her family's journey from building a successful registered Angus seed stock operation to facing the devastating reality of her husband's depression and eventual suicide. Through her story, she illuminates the critical importance of mental health awareness in agriculture and offers hope to those facing similar struggles. We'd love to hear your feedback! Pleas...

Could the future of farming include welcoming tourists to your land? Dr. Susan West thinks so. As Associate Professor of Agriculture and Tourism at Arkansas Tech University, she's witnessing firsthand how these two powerhouse industries—ranked first and second in Arkansas's economy—are creating natural partnerships with tremendous potential. We'd love to hear your feedback! Please r...

Kelley Lammers shares how her background in education and counseling has helped transform the culture of her family's farm through intentional leadership and weekly mental health meetings. Her journey from small-town Arkansas to the mission field in Uganda and back again offers valuable insights on creating supportive farm environments where teammates feel valued beyond their agricultural con...

Step into the dynamic world of agritourism as we chat with Cass Capen Housley from Arkansas Tech's Department of Agriculture and Tourism. This conversation goes beyond traditional farming to explore how agricultural experiences are reshaping rural economies and connecting consumers with food sources. We'd love to hear your feedback! Please reach out to us if you have ideas for future sho...

Jessica Angel's story beautifully illustrates how deep agricultural roots can flourish into powerful community initiatives. Raised in tiny Cord, Arkansas—a one-stoplight town where farming forms the community's backbone—Jessica's childhood immersion in agriculture shaped her future path in unexpected ways. We'd love to hear your feedback! Please reach out to us if you have idea...

The powerful connection between physical wellness and mental health takes center stage as Archie Mason welcomes Emily Shaw, the dynamic force behind Dairy Girl Fitness, to That Farm Life Podcast. Emily's remarkable journey from Pennsylvania dairy enthusiast to Florida-based fitness entrepreneur reveals how seemingly separate passions can merge into a fulfilling life mission. We'd love to...

Stepping away from his usual solo format, Archie Mason welcomes his wife Angie to the microphone for an intimate glimpse into the realities of farm life through a woman's perspective. As the self-described "unpaid ranch manager" of their family operation, Angie shares her journey from classroom teacher to full-time cattle wrangler with candor and humor that only comes from lived exp...

Alaina Reeves transforms from a girl who "doesn't like to get dirty" into a successful mushroom entrepreneur through her FFA experience. Her accidental journey into agriculture shows how educational programs can spark unexpected passions and business opportunities for today's youth. We'd love to hear your feedback! Please reach out to us if you have ideas for future shows...

The future of American rice production is taking shape in northeast Arkansas, where Dr. Tim Burcham is leading the development of something truly exceptional - the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center, the only brand-new agricultural experiment station being built from scratch in the United States today. We'd love to hear your feedback! Please reach out to us if you have ideas for fut...

Jennifer Cook shares her inspiring journey from growing up in a single-parent home on food stamps to becoming Arkansas FFA's first female state president and now operating 5C Cattle with her husband while directing the Arkansas FFA Foundation. Her story demonstrates how finding the right mentors and opportunities can completely change a person's life trajectory. We'd love to hear yo...