Advertise on podcast: Dirt Road Discussions

Send us Fan Mail We head to New Sweden Farms in Idaho Falls to talk pumpkins, corn mazes, and agritourism with co-owner Deby Infanger. Deby shares how her family’s farm grew from a personal project into a seasonal destination, the surprising science behind designing a corn maze, and why she hopes every visitor leaves with a little more appreciation for where their food comes from. New Sweden Farms' website: https://www.newswedenfarms.com

Send us Fan Mail Matt Todd, founder and host of The Ranch Podcast, joins us to talk about building a show from scratch in the chaos of 2020 into over 1,000 episodes and 7 million YouTube views. Matt shares his philosophy on authentic, curiosity-driven interviewing and why he refuses to fake interest in a topic. We also get into his upcoming nuclear energy series, some of his most memorable guests, and what he's learned about Idaho after moving from California.

Send us Fan Mail Maddy Butcher, founder of Buck the Trend, and Anna Lickley of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture join us for an important conversation on mental health and suicide prevention in agriculture. We talk about the unique pressures farmers and ranchers face, how to check in on a struggling neighbor, and what to know about Buck the Trend's upcoming Idaho training, November 13-15.

Send us Fan Mail Andi Woolf-Weibye, executive director of the Idaho Bean Commission (better known around the office as the Bean Queen), joins us to talk about one of Idaho's most underrated crops.  We dig into why Idaho leads the nation in bean seed production, how beans quietly boost the state's economy by tens of millions of dollars, and why the humble bean shows up in everything from burritos to gluten-free chocolate cake. Plus: garbanzo beans, coffee beans, and why neither one gets to call itself a real bean.

Send us Fan Mail Thomas Watson, owner of Spud Daddy and founder of Potato Days, sits down with us to talk all things potato: - From a crowdfunded card game to his viral baked-potato restaurant - Why a potato only has a 90-minute window of perfection - The ice cream potato, butter squishies, and other Spud Daddy quirks - Potato Days' growth from 500 people to 30,000 — and what's next

Send us Fan Mail Step onto the dirt road and into the vibrant world of high-altitude flower farming with Beth Brinkerhoff, owner of Teton Flower Farm in Victor, Idaho. In this episode of Dirt Road Discussions, she shares her story of what it takes to grow, harvest, and market delicate flowers in one of the state’s most challenging climates.  Beth and her husband learned how to use geothermal resources to heat and cool crops naturally using underground air tubes. Beth breaks down the reality of her daily routine—from pre-dawn harvests to fulfilling orders for Jackson Hole florists and Whole Foods—and shares her plans to expand into agritourism with "cut-your-own-bouquet" nights.

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to carry a 100-year farming legacy into the future? On this episode of Dirt Road Discussions, hosts Cam Hammond and Ott Clark sit down with Mitchell Searle—a fifth-generation Burley, Idaho producer, father of six, and current Idaho Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Chair. From the financial realities and barriers facing the next generation of ag to balancing big-family chaotic energy with harvest season, Mitchell shares an inside look at what it really means to step up, take risks, and how to navigate working alongside family members without losing your vision Beyond the daily grind of spuds, beets, and beef, Mitchell dives deep into multi-generational farm management, smart investments, and why common-sense is critical for the future of agriculture. Whether you’re trying to navigate high machinery costs, looking to build stronger relationships with state policymakers, or just wondering how to manage a farm with six kids in tow, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, humor, and values.

Send us Fan Mail Nate and Zoe Pancheri, a father-daughter farming team from Nampa, Idaho, join the podcast to talk about building a sweet corn operation from the ground up. Zoe, a fifth-generation farmer, shares how she now runs the family's packing shed, hiring and training local high schoolers to hand-sort and box every ear that comes through. Nate walks through the custom equipment he's rebuilt from the ground up to harvest corn overnight, cutting out the heat, the labor risks, and the quality issues that come with hand-picking in the dark.  Together they explain why sweet corn never travels far; from field to store shelf in under 24 hours; and how that speed, paired with cold-harvest timing, is what actually makes it taste sweet. The conversation also digs into the difference between sweet corn and field corn, the economics of a contract-free, handshake-driven crop, and what it means to build a legacy your kids actually want to inherit.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive into the world of agricultural education alongside Andrea Schumaker, the Assistant Dean for the Agricultural Sciences program at the College of Western Idaho (CWI).  There is a changing landscape in modern agriculture, with community college programs successfully building pipelines to supply the industry with skilled, knowledgeable professionals in precision technology, agribusiness, and hands-on trades. Andrea shares her inspiring personal journey, from growing up on a small Idaho farm and navigating college as a first-generation student, to serving in the Peace Corps in Jamaica and ultimately helping build CWI's agriculture department from scratch. CWI ,the largest community college in Idaho, supports a diverse, non-traditional student body through affordable education, hands-on community partnerships, and impactful initiatives like a campus garden project designed to combat student food insecurity. A look at how local educational programs are anchoring communities and cultivating the future of the agricultural workforce.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Avery Claire Wrigglesworth, the daughter and wife who left her career in international finance to return to her childhood farm.  In 2019, Avery got a call from her father indicating a need to pass the responsibilities of their LaGrange, Georgia farm to the next generation. Avery and husband Marc made a leap of faith. They uprooted their lives and returned to Lily Hill Farm with one determination: save the land from foreclosure. However, they quickly discovered that some markets were built against independent producers—a vulnerability that became obvious when the COVID-19 pandemic affected global meat processing supply chains, leaving producers with historically low payouts while grocery store prices skyrocketed. Refusing to let the farm fail, Avery & Marc pivoted from a traditional cow-calf operation to a thriving, direct-to-consumer retail model. They share how circumstance required them to blend their  corporate background with a passion for agriculture to revitalize their family legacy.

Send us Fan Mail In this podcast, we sit down for an engaging chat with U.S. Senator Jim Risch. As a rancher himself, Senator Risch shares his life of being a Senator that spends most of his week in Washington D.C., but returns each weekend to Idaho.  Senator Risch gives his perspective on the resilience that is required to farm these days among tough market hurdles. He also shares his thoughts on America as a whole, tackles the challenges posed by China, and talks about how his personal relationship with the White House administration has positively affected the way he is able to navigate political battles for his home state of Idaho.

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder what actually happens behind the scenes during a legislative session? In this episode of Dirt Road Discussions, we sit down with Braden Jensen and Dexton Lake, who work for the Governmental Affairs Team for the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation. They also like to refer to themselves as legislative advisors. Braden and Dexton pull back the curtain on the ins and outs of the state legislature, sharing what it really takes to navigate the session.  They also discuss their vital roles in representing IFBF—a true grassroots organization—and how they champion the voices and interests of Idaho’s farming and ranching families at the capitol. Tune in for an insider’s look at agricultural advocacy in action!

Send us Fan Mail Why does your vote matter on the farm and beyond? On this episode of Dirt Road Discussions, Cam and Ott sit down with Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane.  With nearly two decades of experience protecting the integrity of our elections, Phil dives into his mission to make government more transparent and efficient. Join us for a timely conversation on the power of the individual vote and what goes on behind the scenes to keep Idaho’s elections secure and accessible.

Send us Fan Mail Dirt Roads make up 1/3 of all roads in the United States and they require more than a sprinkle of gravel and a steamroller to make them functionable and durable. Both chemists and engineers use crazy science to make that top layer of dirt more like concrete than the average dirt out in the farm field.  In this episode, Royal Marty, CEO of Substrata, offers a fascinating, easy-to-understand explanation of what goes into making modern-day dirt roads. He also shares just how important these traffic corridors are for rural America.

Send us Fan Mail BONUS EPISODE: Those who rely on the Port of Lewiston for their livelihoods are trying to understand a 2026 order that came from a federal Oregon judge to increase water over the dams and lower water levels in some areas.  Scott Corbitt, General Manager of the Port of Lewiston, wants to see both fish and industry succeed on the Lower Columbia River Basin. In this interview, he explains how the judge’s order could affect energy, barging, fish, agriculture, air quality, and farmers' ability to stay in business.