The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family

Welcome to Episode 95 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we talk with American Farm Bureau economist Shelby Myers about private sector carbon credit markets. We also speak with USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley about the outlook for international ag trade. Resource mentioned in this episode: American Farm Bureau's Market Intel page

Welcome to Episode 94 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa Farm Bureau State Policy Advisor Kevin Kuhle discusses Farm Bureau's priorities for the 2022 Iowa Legislative Session. And Andrew McCrea shares his tips for revitalizing your rural community. McCrea is an Oscar-winning broadcaster, author, farmer and community leader who has studied successful small towns across America.

Welcome to Episode 93 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we introduce you to the new president of Iowa Farm Bureau: Brent Johnson of Calhoun County. We also welcome on Sam Kieffer (Vice President of Public Affairs for the American Farm Bureau) to talk about some of Farm Bureau's national policy priorities in 2022.

Welcome to Episode 92 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Greg Peterson (better known as Machinery Pete) discusses the wild market for used farm equipment, and Dr. Wendong Zhang (an economist at Iowa State University) shares his read on the current trade relationship between the U.S. and China. Resource mentioned in this episode MachineryPete.com

Welcome to Episode 91 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, which is also Part 3 of our special 3-part podcast series with three farmers who are receiving Iowa Farm Bureau's 2021 Young Farmer Leadership Award: Michael McEnany of Story County, Megan Kregel of Clayton County, and Cordt Holub of Tama County.   Part 1 (released December 6) features Michael McEnany. Part 2 (released December 7) features Meg...

Welcome to Episode 90 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, which is also Part 2 of our special 3-part podcast series with three farmers who are receiving Iowa Farm Bureau's 2021 Young Farmer Leadership Award: Michael McEnany of Story County, Megan Kregel of Clayton County, and Cordt Holub of Tama County.   Part 1 (released December 6) features Michael McEnany. Part 2 (released December 7) features Meg...

Welcome to Episode 89 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, which is also Part 1 of our special 3-part podcast series with three farmers who are receiving Iowa Farm Bureau's 2021 Young Farmer Leadership Award: Michael McEnany of Story County, Megan Kregel of Clayton County, and Cordt Holub of Tama County.   Part 1 (released December 6) features Michael McEnany. Part 2 (to be released December 7) featur...

Welcome to Episode 88 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Dr. Wendong Zhang (an Iowa State University economics professor) shares the factors driving rising farmland practices in Iowa, Iowa Farm Bureau President Craig Hill reflects on Farm Bureau's work (as Hill wraps up his final term as president), and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig introduces a new grant program for farme...

Welcome to Episode 87 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. This episode digs into agriculture's current supply chain disruptions, with Iowa State economist Dr. Bobby Martens (an expert in supply chain management). The episode also features an interview with Ed Kordick (Iowa Farm Bureau's Farmer Education Program Manager) about a new series of webinars to help farmers elevate their grain marketing abil...

Welcome to Episode 86 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. This episode features tips for managing your farm's income taxes in 2021, from Kristine Tidgren (Director of the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation at Iowa State University). It also includes a conversation with Dustin Petty of BASE, about a service that helps farmers manage their health care expenses in a way that helps them save on the...

Welcome to Episode 85 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. This episode features a peek inside Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences with Dr. Daniel Robison (dean of the college). Resource mentioned in this episode: Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's 2021 Iowa Farm Income Tax Webinar

Welcome to Episode 84 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. This episode includes some advice for a safe harvest and a discussion with 2021 America Needs Farmers Wall of Honor inductee Marshal Yanda (a former Iowa Hawkeye star, NFL All-Pro and Super Bowl champion) about his upbringing on an Anamosa, Iowa dairy farm. Resources mentioned in this episode: ANF Game Day details The National Education Center...

Welcome to Episode 83 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Greg Hanes (CEO of the Cattlemen's Beef Board) talks about the history of the Beef Checkoff (which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year) and what's around the corner. And the newly-elected chair of Iowa Farm Bureau's Young Farmer Advisory Committee (Randy Francois) shares the challenges and opportunities he sees for Iowa'...

Welcome to Episode 82 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture Kip Tom and U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action CEO Erin Fitzgerald discuss how they're sharing U.S. agriculture's story internationally (particularly the importance ag technology and livestock). Specifically, Tom and Fitzgerald talk about their wor...

Welcome to Episode 81 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall shares updates on some of the most important national policy issues facing farmers right now: possible environmental regulations, possible estate tax changes, and efforts to improve cattle market transparency. (President Duvall's interview took place on August 18, 2021.) We also talk...

Welcome to Episode 80 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we reflect on Iowa's derecho recovery (including a unique program to help livestock farmers who were impacted by the storm) with Brian Waddingham of the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers. We also chat with the newly-announced winners of Iowa's Conservation Farmer of the Year award; Ken Fawcett and his nephew Kent Stuart, who...

Welcome to Episode 79 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode Iowa Farm Bureau Conservation and Natural Resources Policy Advisor Rick Robinson discusses the water quality progress that you might not be seeing or hearing in recent news coverage. And Shane Wulf (Edge of Field Coordinator for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship) shares the assistance that's available to h...

Welcome to Episode 78 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we dig into the crucial issue of cattle market transparency. We also receive a status update on the Shell Rock Soy Processing plant in northern Iowa – a project that combines rural economic development with the latest advancements in renewable energy technology and valued-added agriculture. Resources mentioned in this episode:...

Welcome to Episode 77 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Representative Chad Ingels discusses a recently-signed state bill that provides support for new and existing meat lockers, as well as the workforce needed to make those lockers successful. Also, Dr. Kathryn Polking (the Bureau Chief for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's Meat and Poultry Inspection Burea...

Welcome to Episode 76 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, you'll hear some basics about private-sector sustainability markets for farmers, from Iowa Farm Bureau senior economist Dr. Sam Funk and American Farm Bureau economist Shelby Myers. This episode will prepare you for an even deeper dive into these markets, during Iowa Farm Bureau's virtual roundtable on July 14, titled "Carbon...

Welcome to Episode 75 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. This episode features two key players in a new, collaborative water quality "blitz" project that's adding 51 saturated buffers and bioreactors to the central Iowa landscape over the next year: Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Hardin County farmer (and Farm Bureau leader) Jacob Handsaker, who also runs the excavating company that's c...

Welcome to Episode 74 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. This special episode features a one-on-one conversation with U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (on May 24, 2021), regarding harmful estate tax proposals, proposed carbon/climate change policies, and an outlook for biofuels. Resources mentioned in this episode: Iowa Farm Bureau will host a virtual roundtable for farmers who are interested in private...

Welcome to Episode 73 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we introduce the Iowa Farm Family Wellness Alliance, a new first-in-the-nation service (created by Farm Foundation and Iowa State Extension) that provides Iowa's farm families with free, ongoing wellness coaching and counseling, from experts. Shari Rogge-Fidler (President and CEO of Farm Foundation) joins us to discuss the all...

Welcome to Episode 72 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we introduce you to ChopLocal – an online marketplace for farmers and butcherers that has dubbed itself "the Etsy of meat." Hear how ChopLocal co-founders Jared Achen and Katie Olthoff started their business in response to COVID-19 disruptions and an ongoing farm-to-table renaissance.  We also chat with Demi Johnson, a behavio...

Welcome to Episode 71 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Elyssa McFarland of the Soil Health Partnership offers tips for improving your soil's health – to benefit the environment and your farm's bottom line. And Barb Ristau of the Iowa Farmers Market Association shares the unique value that Iowa's farmers markets contribute to their local communities. Resource mentioned in this epis...