Where Landowners Get Their News

After two decades of fighting for immigration reform, Idaho Dairymen’s Association CEO Rick Naerebout believes change may finally be within reach. Amid chaos and uncertainty for farm employers and their workforce, Naerebout remains focused on creating legal pathways for essential dairy workers. He discusses the unique labor demands of dairy operations and how recent policies from the White House m...

Mike and Cathy Pullins didn’t plan to become Ohio’s berryambassadors, but customers, and life, had other ideas. From double lung transplants to black raspberries and family succession, the couple behind Champaign Berry Farm opens up about why more farmers should consider growing berries and how it might just be the perfect second career. In our interview they discuss: • Berry crops as a high-value...

Mary Swander is taking Map of My Kingdom back on the road, using storytelling and theater to crack open one of rural America’s toughest conversations: farm succession. With wit, warmth, and a bit of role-play, her one-woman show invites families to finally talk about what comes next for their land. After each performance, audiences engage in candid community discussions—often emotional, sometimes...

While debates swirl in Washington over clean energy tax credits, farmer and entrepreneur Mitchell Hora is optimistic. As CEO of Continuum Ag, Hora is already helping farmers benefit from the extended Section 45Z credits in the Inflation Reduction Act, which reward low-carbon farming practices. Hora believes this legislation could be a multi-billion-dollar opportunity that revitalizes rural America...

Jackson and Amanda Drost are raising crops, cattle, and kids—while working off-farm and keeping their marriage strong. From late-night shop talks to T-ball games and cover crops, the Drosts show how modern farm families find balance in the chaos.

Montana solar entrepreneur Ralph Walters flew to Washington, D.C. to defend the tax credits that fueled his family‑run company’s explosive growth. As he met with lawmakers, he argued that a sudden rollback of the Inflation Reduction Act incentives would crush small installers and stall America’s push for energy independence.

Rob Taylor, co-owner of Revelton Distillery in Osceola, Iowa, blends a deep love for his community with a commitment to sourcing local. From partnering with nearby farmers for corn and rye to helping out with harvest, Taylor keeps his roots close. His “tree ring” sourcing philosophy starts in Osceola and expands outward only when necessary. It’s all about building relationships, boosting rural eco...

After losing her husband to cancer, Iowa farmer Jolene Riessen has faced the hard questions about pesticide use head-on. With firsthand experience, a scientific family background, and deep care for her community, she challenges the oversimplified blame placed on agriculture. In her words: “Farmers don’t want to harm anyone—we grow safe, nutritious food.”

Connor McMahon of Full Draw Vineyard is on a mission to connect with a new generation of wine drinkers. With wine sales dropping 6% in 2024 compared to 2023, this Iowa native turned California vintner is challenging traditional perceptions of wine by making it more approachable, less intimidating, and ultimately more enjoyable for younger consumers. Through travel, conversation, and a laid-back ph...

When American corn prices sank in the early 2000s, Tyler Bruch saw more than a crisis; he saw a turning point. Rather than stay rooted in Iowa, he ventured abroad, eventually working across 15 countries and four continents. This global journey reshaped his understanding of agriculture, revealing the power of collaboration over competition. As co-founder of Boa Safra Ag, Bruch now channels that per...

Blake Hurst, a Missouri farmer and former president of the Missouri Farm Bureau, shares how rising tariffs under Donald Trump's trade policy are creating costly uncertainty for growers. Hurst relies on imported potting soil from Canada and plastic pots from China—materials that are increasingly vulnerable to fluctuating tariffs. He argues that the unpredictable nature of these trade shifts mak...

Tariff skeptics are plentiful these days. Chad Tentinger is not one of them. As a lifelong Iowa cattleman and ag entrepreneur he believes higher tariffs could give American beef producers a fighting chance in global markets. Tentinger argues that “Trump 2.0” tariffs could help balance unfair trade practices that disadvantage U.S. farmers. With deep roots in cattle production and ag infrastructure—...

This week we sit down with Scott Bozzo—California’s 2025 Farm Manager of the Year and president of Macotera Ag Group—to unpack the staggering $17 billion loss in California farmland value. From SGMA-driven water restrictions to rising bankruptcies and struggling commodity prices, Bozzobreaks down what's driving the downturn, why some land still holds value, and where investors should look next...

Jim Farrell, a veteran agricultural and financial executive, believes that current interest rates between 4% and 5% strike a healthy balance for the U.S. economy—especially in agriculture. Drawing on his experience as a director of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Board during the Great Recession, Farrell supports the Fed’s independence from political influence and warns against a return to artific...

Illinois farmland values began to decline in late 2024, with the most significant drop hitting in the first quarter of 2025. According to Luke Worrell, Co-Owner and Managing Broker at Worrell Land Services, this downturn isn't a sign of a crash but rather a necessary correction following the dramatic surge in land prices during 2022 and 2023. Worrell, who also chairs the Illinois Farmland Valu...

Andre Faul, Jr. co-manages Faul Family Riverside Farm in Kentucky with his father, Andre, Sr., operating a diverse 100-acre farm that includes pasture-raised meats, eggs, shrimp, and farm-to-table services. This spring, the family faced an unexpected crisis when the USDA abruptly cut funding for the Local Food Purchasing Assistance (LFPA) Program, which had enabled local farms to sell directly to...

Joe and Dave's discussion focuses on the key factors that sustain strong agricultural communities, including healthcare, education, broadband, and economic policies. Joe Murphy, President of the Iowa Business Council, highlights agriculture’s critical role in economic growth and workforce development, emphasizing the need for policies that support both farmers and the industries that rely on t...

Catherine DeLong, a water quality program manager at Iowa State Extension, focuses on helping farmland owners discuss conservation practices with tenants. She highlights the challenges of starting these conversations, the financial risks involved, and the impact of shifting federal funding for conservation programs. With a background in soil and water conservation, DeLong provides insight into lan...

Natalie Kovarik, a fourth-generation rancher and formerpharmacist, shares her journey of embracing rural life, entrepreneurship, and agriculture advocacy. She discusses the challenges and rewards of small-town living, building a social media brand, and co-hosting Discover Ag , a podcast covering food, farming, and industry trends. Kovarik also highlights the importance of digital platforms in conn...

Despite concerns that GLP-1 weight loss drugs might reduce food demand, new research from Kansas State University economist Dr. Glynn Tonsor reveals that users are actually more likely to eat meat. His study shows that GLP-1 users prioritize high-protein foods like beef, pork, and chicken, helping sustain meat demand even amid rising prices. With these drugs growing in popularity, their impact on...

Paul Neiffer, a CPA, farmer, and speaker, educates farmlandowners and investors on tax strategies, particularly 1031 exchanges - a critical tax strategy for farmers and landowners looking to defer capital gains taxes when selling and reinvesting in similar properties. He discusses the complexities of using 1031 exchanges for farm-related assets, particularly when dealing with Section 1245 property...

A new report highlights agriculture as North Dakota’s top industry, generating $41.3 billion, supporting 123,000 jobs, and producing $10 billion in labor income. Growth was fueled by two new soybean processing plants, boosting the industry from $30.8 billion in 2022. Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring emphasized the state’s dominance in crop production and noted that 90% of North Dakota’s land...

Dr. Peter Goldsmith, an agricultural economist, led the Soybean Innovation Lab (SIL) at the University of Illinois for 12 years, overseeing research on soybean production, disease resistance, and market expansion. SIL was part of a nationwide network of 19 Innovation Labs, but it will shut down on April 15, 2025, due to the cessation of USAID funding under the Trump administration. Goldsmith lamen...

Mark McHargue, a fourth-generation Nebraska farmer and president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau, emphasizes diversification and a measured approach to navigating agricultural challenges. Amid concerns over federal funding freezes and potential trade disruptions under a Trump administration, McHargue urges patience, citing past experiences with the former president’s disruptive but ultimately strategi...

in this week's interview, Danny Thomas, Senior Director at LAWD in Melbourne, discusses agricultural strategies as well as the International Ag Alliance. The IAA was recently formed by three agribusiness investment firms: LAWD (Australia), Peoples Company (USA), and Brown & Co. (UK). The alliance facilitates global agricultural investments, offering market insights and collaboration for in...