Advertise on podcast: The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family

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 episode Learn more about Gross-Wen Technologies at Algae.com. If you're looking to take your rural Iowa business to the next level, reach out to Iowa Farm Bureau Senior Investment Manager Adam Koppes, [email protected] Sign up for Iowa Farm Bureau's 2026 Economic Summit.

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 and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Climatology Bureau. Learn more about Jacob Handsaker and Hands On Tiling and Excavating.  Learn more about Iowa's conservation and water quality progress at ConservationCountsIowa.com.

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.  Resources mentioned in this episode Learn more from behavioral scientist Dr. Abbie Maroño. Learn more about Iowa Farm Bureau's F.A.R.M. (Farmer Advocates Reaching Mainstreet) Team. Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's March 27 webinar: Why it Pays to Test Your Soil Nitrogen Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's Beekeeping on the Family Farm webinar (March 19). Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's 2026 Spring Planting Weather Outlook webinar (March 31).

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 episode Learn more about Iowa's conservation progress at ConservationCountsIowa.com. Learn more about the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative at Iowa State University and N-FACT (the Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Consultation Tool).

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 Livestock Legacy program.  Register for a Take Root farm succession workshop near you. Hear more from Wyoming farmer and author Ron Rabou. Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's Acres of Opportunity Conference, February 21 in Spencer, Iowa.

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 for a Take Root farm succession workshop near you. Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's Acres of Opportunity Conference, February 21 in Spencer.

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 Opportunity Conference, February 21 in Spencer.

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 Ag Solutions.

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 more about Heartland Co-op's conservation offerings and contact Conservation Manager Ruth McCabe at ConservationAgronomy.com. Learn more about Iowa's conservation progress at ConservationCountsIowa.com. Contact your county Farm Bureau.

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 Francois. Part 3 (released December 10) features Blake Anderson.   Register to join farmers like Devon, Randy and Blake at Iowa Farm Bureau's 2026 Young Farmer Conference, January 23 and 24 in Des Moines.

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 Francois. Part 3 (released December 10) features Blake Anderson.   Register to join farmers like Devon, Randy and Blake at Iowa Farm Bureau's 2026 Young Farmer Conference, January 23 and 24 in Des Moines.

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 Francois. Part 3 (released December 10) features Blake Anderson.    Register to join farmers like Devon, Randy and Blake at Iowa Farm Bureau's 2026 Young Farmer Conference, January 23 and 24 in Des Moines.

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 Erickson.

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's 2026 Texas Market Study Tour. Register for the 2025 Iowa Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and County Leadership Conference. Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's 2025 Iowa Farm Income Tax Webinar. Register for one of Iowa Farm Bureau's upcoming Take Root farm succession planning workshops.

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 conservation investments, share their advice with farmers.     Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's Annual Meeting. Visit ISU's Ag Decision Maker website. Iowa Farm Bureau's Take Root farm succession program Learn more about Iowa State University Extension's Landowner Education Program.