Advertise on podcast: On Life and Land

Some machines do a job. Others change a generation. The John Deere 4020 didn't just work the land — it became part of farm families, memories, and livelihoods. Decades after production ended, these tractors are still starting at dawn and heading back to the field. So what made the 4020 different? We sit down with Chris Boyens from John Deere Heritage Marketing to trace the story behind the iron — the engineering breakthroughs, the farmer loyalty, and the quiet reliability that turned a tractor into an icon. In this episode, you'll hear: 🌾 How the 4020 changed everything for row-crop farmers 🔧 Which features made it feel years ahead of its time ❤️ Why owners refuse to sell them, and why collectors love them If you've ever smelled diesel at sunrise or watched the dust roll behind a field cultivator, this one's going to feel like home. On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May.

In this season-closing episode, award-winning ag journalist and photographer Katie Knapp shares the behind-the-scenes world of Christmas tree farming featured in her latest story for The Furrow magazine, "The Boughs That Bind." Katie—fresh off travels with the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists—breaks down the realities most of us never see: 15-year planning horizons, shifting consumer trends, labor challenges, shearing by hand, and the families preserving farmland in rapidly developing regions. She also reflects on her path as both Writer of the Year and Photographer of the Year for the Ag Communicators Network, and what fuels her passion for human-centered ag storytelling. If you love stories from rural America, specialty crops, or the people who keep agriculture moving, this episode will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the trees that make the holidays bright. On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May.

What happens after service ends? In this inspiring conversation, John Deere Global Executive Recruiter and Governance Lead Dave Underwood, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, shares how Deere is opening doors for veterans through its dedicated military hiring programs. Dave also talks about building a strong veterans' support network in and around the Quad Cities Area, and offers practical advice for veterans navigating the transition to civilian careers. Whether you're a veteran, employer, or ally, you'll learn how purpose-driven hiring and community connection can make a lasting impact. On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May.

Over the course of nearly 100 years, Future Farmers of America has given millions of members the tools they've used to build careers in agriculture and agribusiness, education, research, even sports and entertainment. In this episode of John Deere's On Life and Land podcast, FFA alum and Territory Manager Abrah Wright talks about her journey from FFA blue to John Deere green. On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

High yields, low prices, shifting demand – it's been a strange and unsettling few years for U.S. corn growers. In this episode of John Deere's On Life and Land, we speak with Neil Caskey, CEO of the National Corn Growers Association, on a wide range of rapid-fire topics, including the record-setting 2025 crop, new export markets, and the future of nationwide, year-round E15. On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

Steve Werblow, field editor for John Deere's The Furrow magazine and president of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists, has seen agriculture on six continents. In this episode, we chat with Steve about telling ag's story on a global scale, about foreign perceptions of U.S. agriculture, and about some of his favorite moments during his international travels.   On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

From Missouri to Tennessee to North Carolina to Iowa, John Deere plans to invest nearly $20 billion in U.S. manufacturing over the next ten years. In this episode, we chat with Jon Chase, Vice President, Turf & Utility Business Unit, to learn more about the investment and expansion plans, and about the impacts on local communities.  On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

What have we learned about soil health in the last 10 years? And wow do we even define soil health? Is it simply organic matter content? And what can farmers start doing right now to help boost the health of their own soils? Join us as we talk with Bill Spiegel, farmer and field editor for The Furrow, about everything happening in the ground underfoot.  On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

During a 2017 live-stream from their own kitchen table, Canadian farmers Lesley and Matt Kelly admitted they had both recently suffered mental health crises...Lesley from post-partum depression, Matt in the form of panic attacks. Today, they prioritize mental health on their own farm, with daily check-ins and discussions. Lesley even helped establish Do More Agriculture, a foundation devoted to advancing the state of mental health care in rural areas. In this episode, host David Jones is joined by Lorne McClinton, field editor for The Furrow, for a frank discussion with Lesley about her and Matt's experiences.  On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

If there were to be a Mount Rushmore of ag journalism, the face of Jim Patrico would occupy a position of honor. Jim spent a decades-long career telling ag's story, most notably for The Progressive Farmer magazine. Now he's a written a book, Dispatches from Farm Country, that more closely resembles an anthropological or sociological study of rural America than a collection of random rural reminiscings. In this episode, we talk with Jim about his book, his career, and his next project.  On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

Jim Whitaker and his family are model stewards, and operate by the belief that "What's good for the land is good for the farmer." Their approach to stewardship has paid off in reduced water, fertilizer, and chemical use, increased productivity from their ground and their equipment, and improved wildife habitat. Join us as we chat with Jim about the his stewardship efforts, and learn more about what it takes to produce one of the world's most prolific crops.  On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

The decision of whether or not to stay on the family farm after graduation is a personal one, and can be difficult for those who have never known a life off the farm. But Travis, Trent, and Tyler Smeltzly of Port Byron, Illinois, are perfect examples of how well it can work when the 'farm children' are encouraged to seek their own paths, whether or not they lead back to the family operation. Today, Travis works the farm with his father and other family members, while Trent and Tyler both work for John Deere. Hear how they each came to their decisions - with bonus commentary from Grandma Darlene Smeltzly - in this episode. On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

The story of the John Deere Classic isn't one of one-percent players. It's a story of local enthusiasm, and of giving back. Join us as we speak with Mara Downing, Vice President, Global Brand Management and Corporate Communications, Deere & Company, about this unique tournament and its impact on the Quad Cities and the golf community.  On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

California's Sonoma County prides itself on being a center of excellence for sustainable grape production; ninety-nine percent of of Sonoma County's vineyard acreage is third-party certified sustainable. In addition, Sonoma County has established itself as a proving ground for advanced equipment technologies and cultural practices, many of which promise to reduce inputs, reduce labor requirements, improve soil quality and, ultimately, boost production.  In this episode, we speak with four experts in the field of wine grape production: Karissa Kruse, president and CEO of Sonoma County Winegrowers; her husband, Steve Dutton, co-owner of Dutton Ranch and co-founder of Dutton-Goldfield winery; Tyler Klick, co-owner of Redwood Empire Vineyard Management; and Bret Munselle, a fifth-generation Sonoma County grape grower.  On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May. 

You probably know Rob Wolfe as co-host of the popular series American Pickers, but he's much more than a TV personality. Rob has spent a lifetime finding and collecting antique cars and motorcycles, along with other bits of Americana; Rob is also deeply familiar with the history of Davenport, Iowa, and the larger Quad Cities Area. In this episode, Rob talks to us about his love of antiques, and about one of the stranger events in Davenport history.  On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May.