Turnin' Dirt

In Episode 35 of Turnin’ Dirt, Sarah Shymko, Director of Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan, joins Jon to discuss how witnessing real food insecurity while working overseas shaped her passion for agricultural education. Sarah shares how those experiences have influenced the growth of Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan and the importance of engaging children and students in conversati...

In Episode 33 of Turnin’ Dirt, Chris Finley, VP of Parts & Service Operations at Mazergroup, joins Jon for a deep dive into what sets their service department apart. From the history that shaped Mazergroup into a leader in agriculture equipment service to the role of technology and AI in the future of the industry, Chris shares insights on the innovation, strategy, and customer focus driving their...

In Episode 32 of Turnin’ Dirt, Sarah Johnston from Atlas York Insurance shares how she transitioned from corporate life to co-founding one of Canada’s fastest growing women-led insurance brokerages. She discusses how Atlas York is helping Saskatchewan farmers, residents, and businesses protect what matters through personalized insurance solutions while actively supporting the communities they serv...

In Episode 31 of Turnin’ Dirt, we sit down with Maris Osins, Precision Technology Consultant at Mazergroup. Originally from Latvia, Maris shares his remarkable journey growing up in Europe, living in multiple cities, and how a chance meeting while bartending and running a restaurant led him to a new life in Canada. Maris opens up about the impact Mazergroup has had on his career and personal growt...

In Episode 30 of Turnin’ Dirt, we sit down with Matt Holizki, Precision Technology Consultant at Mazergroup. With a background in large construction machinery, Matt shares how his experience shaped his passion for agricultural tech and led him to Mazergroup. We dive into the future of farming with New Holland units—exploring how advanced technology is enhancing the operator experience, improving p...

In Episode 29 of Turnin’ Dirt, we sit down with Kris Heshka, the visionary behind Red Leaf Pulp. Kris walks us through the incredible journey of bringing a bold idea to life—creating high-value organic pulp from agricultural residue. From boosting the bottom line for farmers to revolutionizing sustainable manufacturing, Kris shares how Red Leaf Pulp is poised to change the world—starting with a ne...

In Episode 28 of Turnin’ Dirt, we sit down with Justin Simpkins, the driving force behind Prairie Farm Protection and Prairie Hockey Academy. Justin shares his expertise in farm management, discussing how he helps farmers maximize efficiency and optimize their operations. Beyond agriculture, Justin dives into his passion for hockey and how he balances running multiple businesses, including his loc...

In Episode 27 of Turnin’ Dirt, we sit down with Allan Levesque, a Construction Sales Consultant with Mazergroup, to explore the art of farm and construction equipment sales. Allan’s journey is anything but ordinary—he moved to Canada from France and quickly made a name for himself, breaking first-month sales records and thriving in a competitive industry. With his high energy and passion for sales...

In Episode 26, we chat with Nathan Bean from Poor Boy Producers, a 5th-generation farmer dedicated to keeping his family's legacy thriving. Nathan offers a glimpse into the history of their grain farm, the challenges of managing multiple locations with Saskatchewan's wettest soil, and the operational details that drive their continued success. His story highlights the hard work, innovation, and pa...

In Episode 25, we chat with Rhett Parks from Whitewood Livestock Sales, one of Canada’s top 10 auctioneers. Rhett shares his journey in livestock auctions and reflects on the resilience required during the BSE (Mad Cow) crisis, which reshaped the industry. He also breaks down the factors behind cattle price calculations and beef price fluctuations, making complex market dynamics easy to understand...