The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family

Welcome to Episode 220 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we explore why young Iowa adults are increasing their consumption of animal-based proteins and other findings from the 2026 Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index ® – an annual survey of Iowa grocery shoppers conducted by The Harris Poll. We also share new data from EPA and Iowa State University demonstrating the progress Iowa'...

Welcome to Episode 219 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we discuss the farm economy with Iowa Farm Bureau economist Dr. Christopher Pudenz and meet a Harrison County farmer and Farm Bureau member who's turning food waste, yard waste, manure and other organic matter into natural fertilizer for farmers. Resources mentioned in this episode Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's 2026 Economi...

Welcome to Episode 218 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we dip into water quality with two DNR experts. Water quality resource coordinator Adam Schnieders discusses Iowa DNR's extensive – and growing – water quality monitoring capabilities. And avian ecologist Anna Buckardt Thomas shares how Iowa's trumpeter swans are making a remarkable comeback.   Resources mentioned in this epi...

Welcome to Episode 217 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we talk with a central Iowa corn and soybean farmer who's experimenting with a unique perennial grain: Kernza. Later in the episode, Mykayla Hagaman of the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium explains how Iowa has grown its monarch habitat by more than 10x in just 5 years, while sharing tips for farmers to successfully add p...

Welcome to Episode 216 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa Farm Bureau economist Dr. Christopher Pudenz discusses current crop and livestock market conditions and future international trade opportunities for agriculture. And Brian Waddingham of the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers reminds livestock farmers of the free and confidential services the Coalition offers them – incl...

Welcome to Episode 215 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we sit down with a central Iowa farm family that's been producing honey for more than 40 years. We also discuss another ag topic that's creating plenty of buzz in recent years: regenerative agriculture. Resources mentioned in this episode Learn more about Spring Valley Honey Farms . View Iowa Farm Bureau's webinar on beekeepi...

Welcome to Episode 214 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Martin Gross, a central Iowa entrepreneur who's using algae to treat wastewater and create fertilizer. We also discuss crop and livestock market dynamics with Iowa Farm Bureau's market experts, economist Dr. Christopher Pudenz and farmer education program manager Zach Brummer.  Resources mentioned in this...

Welcome to Episode 213 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa farmer, Farm Bureau leader and ag excavating contractor Jacob Handsaker shares how nitrate filtering edge-of-field conservation practices are scaling quickly. And Iowa's State Climatologist, Dr. Justin Glisan, offers his forecast for planting season. Resources mentioned in this episode Hear more from Dr. Justin Glisan an...

Welcome to Episode 212 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, renowned behavioral scientist Dr. Abbie Maroño shares tips to help farmers build trust with consumers. Dr. Abbie has trained the FBI, Secret Service and Homeland Security on improving cooperation in high-stakes situations, and the U.S. Department of State has recognized her as being in the top 1% of behavioral scientists.  Re...

Welcome to Episode 211 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we dive into water quality progress and challenges (including soil nitrogen mineralization) with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson, Iowa State University researcher Dr. Michael Castellano and Iowa Nitrogen Initiative project manager Melissa Miller. Resources mentioned in this ep...

Welcome to Episode 210 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we highlight two programs helping Iowa's next generation step into farming with confidence: the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers Building Your Livestock Legacy program and Iowa Farm Bureau's Take Root program.   Resources mentioned in this episode Learn more about the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers Building Your Lives...

Welcome to Episode 209 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we sit down with farmer and ag celebrity Rob Sharkey (aka The SharkFarmer). Later in the episode, Seth Appelgate of Farm Credit Services of America shares personal budgeting tips for farmers.   Resources mentioned in this episode Check out the SharkFarmer Podcast . Register for the Ag Market Outlook Meeting near you. Register...

Welcome to Episode 208 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we discuss Farm Bureau members' priority issues for the 2026 state legislative session and analyze crop and livestock markets.   Resources Mentioned in this Episode Register for the Ag Market Outlook Meeting near you. Register for a Take Root farm succession workshop near you. Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's Acres of Opportun...

Welcome to Episode 207 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, legendary Iowa Hawkeye women's basketball coach Lisa Bluder shares her advice for leaders. Later in the episode, you'll meet two young Iowa entrepreneurs who recently earned national recognition for their innovative ag businesses. Resources Mentioned in this Episode Learn more about Terraform Tillage . Learn more about Renner...

Welcome to Episode 206 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Heartland Co-op Conservation Manager and agronomist Ruth McCabe shares the "batch and build" process that's helping Iowa farmers quickly install edge-of-field practices to filter nitrates from water. And ag policy expert Mary Kay Thatcher offers her outlook on farm policy in 2026.   Resources Mentioned in this Episode Learn m...

Welcome to Episode 205 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, which is also Part 3 of our special three-part series with three farmers who are receiving Iowa Farm Bureau's 2025 Young Farmer Leadership Award: Devon Murray of Floyd County, Randy Francois of Buchanan County and Blake Anderson of Adams County.   Part 1 (released December 8) features Devon Murray. Part 2 (released December 9) features Randy...

Welcome to Episode 204 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, which is also Part 2 of our special three-part series with three farmers who are receiving Iowa Farm Bureau's 2025 Young Farmer Leadership Award: Devon Murray of Floyd County, Randy Francois of Buchanan County and Blake Anderson of Adams County.   Part 1 (released December 8) features Devon Murray. Part 2 (released December 9) features Randy...

Welcome to Episode 203 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, which is also Part 1 of our special three-part series with three farmers who are receiving Iowa Farm Bureau's 2025 Young Farmer Leadership Award: Devon Murray of Floyd County, Randy Francois of Buchanan County and Blake Anderson of Adams County.   Part 1 (released December 8) features Devon Murray. Part 2 (released December 9) features Randy...

Welcome to Episode 202 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, retiring Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen shares her career highlights and discusses future opportunities and challenges facing agriculture and ISU. And Terrian ag economist Matt Erickson offers his thoughts on the U.S. economy. Resources Mentioned in this Episode Learn more from Terrian economist Matt Ericks...

Welcome to Episode 201 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson shares trade conversations he and other Iowa Farm Bureau leaders are initiating in Washington D.C. and around the globe. And Kansas State University economist Dr. Glynn Tonsor offers a clear-eyed look at beef markets.   Resources Mentioned in this Episode Apply to join Iowa Farm Bureau...

Welcome to Episode 200 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we share expert tips for strengthening the communication between farmers and their landlords. Erin Herbold-Swalwell, a Farm Bureau attorney with extensive experience in farm succession and landowner relations, and Catherine DeLong, an ISU Extension professional who specializes in helping farmers and landowners discuss conserv...

Welcome to Episode 199 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we reflect on the 40 th anniversary of ANF (America Needs Farmers) at the University of Iowa, with stories from Iowa Hawkeye football legends Hayden Fry, Chuck Long, Chad Greenway, Marshal Yanda, Aaron Kampman, Bryan Bulaga, Bruce Nelson and Micah Hyde.   Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Visit AmericaNeedsFarmers.org for...

Welcome to Episode 198 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, American Farm Bureau economist Faith Parum analyzes USDA's most recent forecast of net farm income, and we introduce you to the new chair of Iowa Farm Bureau's Young Farmer Advisory Committee, Michael McEnany.    Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Read and subscribe to American Farm Bureau's Market Intel updates . Use Iowa...

Welcome to Episode 197 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we explore a grain bagging system that could be a solution for some farmers facing logistical challenges or inadequate grain storage. We also sit down with Iowa's 2025 Conservation Farmer of the Year.    Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Learn more about grain bagging systems from Dammann Farms . Visit ConservationCountsIo...

Welcome to Episode 196 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa Farm Bureau's in-house ag economics experts (Zach Brummer and Dr. Christopher Pudenz) share their analysis of crop and livestock markets heading into harvest season.  Resources Mentioned in this Episode: View recorded educational webinars for farmers and watch for more upcoming events and webinars , including Iowa Farm B...