The Millennial Ag Podcast

Ever wondered about onions? We have to admit, we haven't much either. They're always just solidly, dependably there, waiting to be scooped up along with other pantry staples. They don't often make it into the headlines, and even during the pandemic, we didn't hear too much about them. This week, we caught up with Stephen Parrott, CFO at Fort Boise Produce in Idaho, a company that specializes in on...

This week, we take the reins and discuss consolidation in agriculture. We ask if big is bad, and consider what the pandemic has taught us about the American food supply chain. Do you think consolidation in the industry is a good thing or bad thing? Somewhere in between? Let us know! Follow Millennial Ag online: www.millennialag.com www.facebook.com/millennialag www.instagram.com/millennial_ag www....

This week, we dive into what ag producers' bottom lines actually looked like at the end of 2020. Amid near-record high and low prices combined with extreme volatility and more government assistance than usual, it's safe to say that 2020 was a year like no other. We're joined by the Idaho Dairymen's Association CEO, Rick Naerebout, who shares his perspective on how and why producers received paymen...

We have finally reached the end of 2020. No matter your feelings on the year, whether you look on it as a growing experience or with straight up loathing, there's no denying it was one for the ages. As is our custom, Millennial Ag is sharing with you our reflections on the year and some of our goals for the upcoming months. What are you planning for 2021? Let us know! Follow Millennial Ag online:...

Merry Christmas! We bring you our short and sweet Christmas episode, complete with reminisces about our growing up years' traditions, and what we're feeling as we approach the end of 2020. Thank you so much for being a part of Millennial Ag this far, and we wish you and your families a very Merry and safe Christmas. Love, Katharine and Valene Follow Millennial Ag online: www.millennialag.com www.f...

Last year, the nation’s largest dairy food processor, Dean Foods, declared bankruptcy. About two weeks ago, many dairy producers were shocked and taken completely by surprise when they received demands for payment of funds paid to them by Dean Foods, by the company’s estate. This week, we’re joined by Jessica Peters of Spruce Row Farms in Pennsylvania to get the inside scoop on these demands on al...

As we barrel through the holidays, we thought it might be interesting to bring in a perspective we haven't heard from before: meat processing and research and product development. Natalie Wyne joins us this week to discuss what's really behind some of those labels that make us scratch our heads, including paleo, keto-friendly, and that perennial favorite, all-natural. Natalie sheds a little light...

Friends, we’re at the tail end of 2020. It’s certainly been a year for the books and the temptation to let the rest of the year slide is certainly enticing. This week, we share with you how we’ve leaned into some discomfort and change as the year starts to turn, and how it’s helping us learn grace for ourselves, focus on growth, and recognize that change isn’t just reserved for January 1. Join us...

For once, the both of us were in the same place to record this week, and we bring you our annual gratitude episode. We each share things that we're especially grateful for in this crazy year, some life updates, and encouragement to finish the year strong and with grace. Millennial Ag, thank you for the chance to bring you our thoughts and perspectives through this medium. We can't do this podcast...

This week, we are excited to bring you Katharine's parents, John and Maria Nye. Dairying together for nearly 40 years, John and Maria join us this week to talk about the decision they made five years ago to market their milk in a completely new way than most producers in the United States do. They discuss some of the challenges and opportunities that have arisen from this decision, how life has ch...

We're excited to be joined this week by Angela Dwyer, Habitat Coordinator with the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies. Angela's work often intersects with the farming and ranching communities, and sees huge opportunities for collaboration between seemingly disparate communities. She says the most important thing is making sure that all stakeholders, not just the loudest ones, are at the tables during...

It’s been a heck of a week. It’s been a heck of an election season. By most any metric, it’s been a heck of a year. This week, we decided to go against the noise, and give you updates on where we’re at and some encouragement. We hope this short and sweet episode restores you just a little like it did for us. Here’s to more compassion and grace in every part of our lives. https://millennialag.com/...

This week, we're excited to welcome back Laurie Lickley, a rancher and state representative from Idaho. She walks us through how we as citizens can be engaged in the policy and lawmaking processes. She lays out how and why things happen in the legislative process, and how typically, most legislation starts at the grassroots level, with regular citizens just like ourselves. If you're still wonderin...

Two weeks out from the U.S. elections, we're joined by Jason Medows, a pharmacist and agriculture producer, not to mention a podcaster in his own right. Jason talks with us about how mindset is the most important thing you can cultivate for mental health. He shares real world advice on how he keeps his mental health in top shape. He also discusses the importance of keeping perspective as we head i...

This week, we take the Millennial factor to the max. We’re excited to welcome three Millennials from agriculture, to talk about where they’re standing politically as we barrel towards November 3. Dan Lotspeich joins us as a produce grower from northeastern Nevada. A registered Republican, he describes himself as a reluctant but strident Biden voter. Leah Pratt grew up in a conservative household i...

In anticipation of US elections occurring in just less than a month, this week we're excited to welcome a veteran political strategist and consultant, Brett Moore to the show. A native from a wheat farm in western Kansas, Brett breaks down how the electoral college works, and more importantly, how it might actually be in favor of agriculture and rural voters (California has 55 electoral votes, Wyo...

"Even though I'm over 50, I'm still the kid." Do those words ring true for you? Are you trying to start the succession planning conversation in your family but don't know where to begin? Paul Marchant will be the first to tell you that he still doesn't know, but that you have to start somewhere. The generational cattleman and writer for Progressive Cattle joins the podcast this week to share some...

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you just...DID the thing? Let the excuses go, no holds barred, and dove straight into something? Whatever it may be - weight loss, starting a business, becoming an astronaut....let your dreams take hold and steer? Kiah Twisselman did just that...and she changed her life. Kiah is a generational ranch lady from California (yes, really), life coach, and bee...

We're excited to welcome back Damian Mason,former political comic, agriculture economist and keynote speaker this week. What are we talking about? Agriculture subsidies. Damian takes us back to how subsidies in agriculture began, why we have them, and what they mean today. We talk about the recent farm payments the industry has received due to trade wars and COVD-19, and discuss what it might mean...

Progressive. In this day and age, that word has many meanings, and leading up to a presidential election here in the United States, it’s even more loaded. But this week, we’re joined by a special guest from the dairy publishing world. Walt Cooley, Editor-in-Chief of the Progressive Dairy magazine gives us his own definition of progressive, how his magazine defines it, and how being open to new exp...

What else is there to say besides YAY?! Listeners, we've made it to one year. One year of Millennial Ag, of no topic off limits, of questioning our own and others' perspectives, of not backing down from hard conversations. If you've been with us since the beginning, thank you. If you're just joining us now, welcome. We're so glad you're here. We reflect on where we started, how we've grown, and wh...

This week’s conversation ranges far and wide, covering everything from agriculture’s diminishing representation in elected positions, particularly in executive branches, to how agriculture must remain engaged even in the face of what seem like David versus Goliath battles. We’re joined by one of rural Colorado’s finest, state Senator Jerry Sonnenberg (R-Sterling). As an agriculture producer himsel...

This week, we’re joined by Justin Lewton, a Millennial dryland grain farmer in northeastern Colorado. Justin serves on an industry board, and we invited him to speak with us about the topic we introduced last week. In his volunteer capacity, he’s noticed too that agriculture, and especially production ag, seems to silence itself to the detriment of its profit, for fear of backlash from any number...

When the same old techniques aren’t working, do you keep doing what you’re doing (Einstein’s definition of insanity) or do you start considering the problem from different perspectives? Over many conversations the last several weeks, Valene and Katharine have been discussing how agriculture taking a neutral stance against outside pressures is having an adverse effect on the viability and sustainab...

Ranch kid. TV host. Fancy lady cowgirl. Meet Courtenay DeHoff, the rockstar guest we had the privilege of hosting this week. Courtenay is the whirlwind force behind the #fancyladycowgirl movement taking ag social media by storm. Courtenay shares with us her origin story, and how she tried to ignore her rural roots but found her strength and unique voice in the world by finally embracing those same...