Cultivating Leaders

What would be your strategy if you only had one shot to negotiate a billion-dollar trade deal?

Gregg Doud, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation, joins this episode of The Cultivating Leaders Podcast. From his roots on a Kansas farm to the global stage of international trade, Gregg shares his career journey marked by dedication, conviction and service to U.S. agriculture. He shares a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to negotiate billion-dollar trade deals, and why technical knowledge, cultural awareness and clear communication are vital skills.

Gregg dives into:

- The Complexity of Negotiations: it requires technical, cultural, and strategic awareness

- Principles of Effective Leadership: the importance of knowing what you want before entering a room

- The Importance of Relationships: strong mentors have guided his career and prepared him for hard conversations

Gregg’s stories and advice give great insight into a career in agriculture, policy and business.

Connect with Gregg

- Connect on LinkedIn

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About The Cultivating Leaders Podcast

Real stories. Practical advice. Tangible growth. Join The Cultivating Leaders Podcast, brought to you by Agriculture Future of America, as we explore what it takes to lead in food, agriculture, and beyond. Whether you’re just starting out or leading at the highest level, this podcast is your go-to resource for leadership that matters. Listen now and start cultivating your leadership journey.

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss another episode!

What if one rancher’s vision could shape the future of the agriculture job market and create a movement of connecting leaders?

In this episode of The Cultivating Leaders Podcast, Nicole is joined by Jessie Jarvis, a third-generation rancher, entrepreneur, and the visionary behind Of The West. Raised on her family’s cattle ranch in Southern Idaho, Jessie shares how her entrepreneurship journey shaped her unique perspective on serving the industry, helping others build a career in agriculture, and the power of connection.

Jessie shares about:

• Recognizing an Industry-wide Issue:  personal experiences opened her eyes to a successful business opportunity
• Building a Successful Startup: spoke candidly about launching the platform, stressing the sacrifices and risks of entrepreneurship
• Navigating the Evolving Ag Labor Market: addressed the challenges in agriculture’s current job market

Full of honest stories, bold insights, and deep passion, Jessie reminds listeners that the best leaders don’t just build businesses—they build communities.

Connect with Jessie

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Follow Of The West on LinkedIn
• Visit the Of The West website - Here

Connect with AFA

• Follow us on LinkedIn
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• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on TikTok
• Visit our Website

About The Cultivating Leaders Podcast

Real stories. Practical advice. Tangible growth. Join The Cultivating Leaders Podcast, brought to you by Agriculture Future of America, as we explore what it takes to lead in food, agriculture, and beyond.  Whether you’re just starting out or leading at the highest level, this podcast is your go-to resource for leadership that matters. Listen now and start cultivating your leadership journey.

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss another episode!

What if the reason you're struggling as a leader isn’t your fault?

Dr. Katie Ervin—author, founder, and creator of the Catalyst Workplace Model—joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast for an honest conversation about what it really takes to lead without preparation, “being kind,” and bad managers. Through her career, Katie has learned the importance of vulnerability, feedback, and honesty.

Katie gets real about:

- Leaders are Often Set Up to Fail: People are often promoted into leadership roles without the proper tools, support, or training

- Culture is Changed Through People-centered Solutions: advocating for directly addressing interpersonal or cultural issues rather than making vague company-wide announcements

- Feedback and Accountability are Kind: don’t avoid the truth to spare feelings when the truth can lead to development

Katie offers grounded, practical advice on becoming a leader, not just a manager.

Connect with Katie

- Connect on LinkedIn

- Visit her website - Here

- Check out here book - Here

Connect with AFA

- Follow us on LinkedIn

- Follow us on Instagram

- Like us on Facebook

- Follow us on TikTok

- Visit our Website

About The Cultivating Leaders Podcast

Real stories. Practical advice. Tangible growth. Join The Cultivating Leaders Podcast, brought to you by Agriculture Future of America, as we explore what it takes to lead in food, agriculture, and beyond. Whether you’re just starting out or leading at the highest level, this podcast is your go-to resource for leadership that matters. Listen now and start cultivating your leadership journey.

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss another episode!

What if real leadership isn’t about having the answers but rather about having the courage to ask better questions?

In this episode of the Cultivating Leaders Podcast, Nicole sits down with Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute, to explore what it takes to lead through transformation, uncertainty, and industry evolution. She shares her experience navigating a major organizational merger, uniting stakeholders around a bold sustainability strategy, and steering the meat industry through the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic. Julie Anna shares practical advice on what makes leadership work when the pressure is high.

She dives into:

- Driving purposeful transformation: aligning business goals with sustainability, transparency, and consumer trust

- Shaping culture with trust and vision: Focusing on forward momentum rather than legacy divisions

- Leading through Uncertainty: championing simplicity, clarity, and empowerment through challenging times

Julie Anna shares practical advice on what makes leadership work when the pressure is high.

Connect with Julie Anna

- Connect on LinkedIn

- Visit the Meat Institute’s website - Here

- Book Recommendation: Race for Relevance by Mary Byers

- Book Recommendation: Start With Why by Simon Sinek

- Book Recommendation: The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive by Patrick Lencioni

Connect with AFA

- Follow us on LinkedIn

- Follow us on Instagram

- Like us on Facebook

- Follow us on TikTok

- Visit our Website

About The Cultivating Leaders Podcast

Real stories. Practical advice. Tangible growth. Join The Cultivating Leaders Podcast, brought to you by Agriculture Future of America, as we explore what it takes to lead in food, agriculture, and beyond. Whether you’re just starting out or leading at the highest level, this podcast is your go-to resource for leadership that matters. Listen now and start cultivating your leadership journey.

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss another episode!

Technology in agriculture isn't about the most expensive tractors — it's about solving real problems.

In this episode of the Cultivating Leaders Podcast, Teddy Bekele, Chief Technology Officer at Land O’Lakes, explores the powerful intersection of agriculture, technology, and leadership. Teddy offers insight on what it takes to lead meaningful change in a tradition-rich industry.

He opens up about:

• Changing Team Organizations Structure: restructuring teams for better business integration
• Adopting Digital Change in Ag: farmers, the original entrepreneurs, adopt innovations when there's clear, demonstrable value
• Transformative Ideas for the Future of Ag: his bold vision for the future includes circularity and personalized nutrition

Teddy challenges leaders to rethink risk, embrace innovation, and lead with purpose.

Connect with Teddy

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Visit Land O’Lakes’ website - Here

Connect with AFA

• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Instagram
• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on TikTok
• Visit our Website

About The Cultivating Leaders Podcast

Real stories. Practical advice. Tangible growth. Join The Cultivating Leaders Podcast, brought to you by Agriculture Future of America, as we explore what it takes to lead in food, agriculture, and beyond.  Whether you’re just starting out or leading at the highest level, this podcast is your go-to resource for leadership that matters. Listen now and start cultivating your leadership journey.

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss another episode!

In a culture that says, “tough it out”, perhaps the most strength comes from vulnerability and courage. In this episode of the Cultivating Leaders Podcast, John Sachse – cattleman, Army National Guard officer, and AFA alum – explores what it really takes to build a resilient mindset. John shares how military training and returning to the family ranch shaped his approach to leadership, service, and mental toughness.

John breaks down:

- What it Means to be Resilient: it is about developing a mindset that allows you to bounce back from adversity

- Strengthening Mental Resilience: there is power of setting meaningful goals and connecting them to your “why”

- Leaning into Vulnerability: challenging the traditional agricultural norm that discourage emotional openness

John gets real about the hard stuff and how to push through it. This episode will challenge you to show up differently, embrace discomfort, and lean into growth.

Connect with John

- Connect on LinkedIn

- Follow him on Instagram

- Visit his website - Here

Connect with AFA

- Follow us on LinkedIn

- Follow us on Instagram

- Like us on Facebook

- Follow us on TikTok

- Visit our Website

About The Cultivating Leaders Podcast

Real stories. Practical advice. Tangible growth. Join The Cultivating Leaders Podcast, brought to you by Agriculture Future of America, as we explore what it takes to lead in food, agriculture, and beyond. Whether you’re just starting out or leading at the highest level, this podcast is your go-to resource for leadership that matters. Listen now and start cultivating your leadership journey.

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss another episode!

Level-up your career by investing in the relationships that really matter. David Nothmann — a seasoned strategic growth leader with 25+ years of experience in agriculture, technology, and food innovation—joins the Cultivating Leaders Podcast for a discussion around building relationships. He shares practical insights on how leaders can build trust intentionally, approach networking as a learned skill, and play the long game when it comes to cultivating influence.

David dives into:

1. Relationships as an Asset: Real success is built through authentic, long-term relationships
2. Networking How-To’s: It takes an intentional mindset, preparation, and follow up.
3. Building Trust in Professional Relationships: Investing in people early builds the trust needed when stakes are high.

Whether you're navigating career growth or leading change, David's mindset of "relationships first" offers a blueprint for a lasting leadership impact.

Have you ever felt like an outsider in the industry you were raised in? In this episode of the Cultivating Leaders Podcast, we welcome Courtenay DeHoff—television host, fifth-generation rancher, and founder of the Fancy Lady Cowgirl movement—for a bold conversation about pursuing a fulfilling career, challenging exclusion in agriculture, and empowering bold ideas.

Courtenay shares great advice around:

- Encouraging bold change: How exclusion in ag holds the industry back—and what to do about it

- Authenticity as a superpower: Identity and individuality fuel impact

- Finding your place in ag: Pursuing purpose despite pushback

This episode will challenge you to show up fully, lead unapologetically, and create space for others to do the same.

Connect with Courtenay

- Connect on LinkedIn

- Follow her on Instagram

- Like her on Facebook

- Follow her on TikTok

- Visit her Website

Connect with AFA

- Follow us on LinkedIn

- Follow us on Instagram

- Like us on Facebook

- Follow us on TikTok

- Visit our Website

About The Cultivating Leaders Podcast

Real stories. Practical advice. Tangible growth. Join The Cultivating Leaders Podcast, brought to you by Agriculture Future of America, as we explore what it takes to lead in food, agriculture, and beyond. Whether you’re just starting out or leading at the highest level, this podcast is your go-to resource for leadership that matters. Listen now and start cultivating your leadership journey.

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss another episode!

What does it take to build a lasting, meaningful career in agriculture? In this episode, Matt Plitt, President and CEO of Valent USA, shares his insights on leading with intention, creating a strong workplace culture and navigating a rapidly changing industry. From personal growth to sustainable leadership strategies, this conversation is a masterclass in what it means to lead with purpose.

Matt dives into:

- Creating an Effective Workplace Culture: How he empowers his team

- Embracing a Changing Industry: Practicing innovation and an open mindset

- The Power of Personal Investment: Leading yourself well to inspire others

Matt drops some great advice for leading through people, purpose and growth to make the most out of your career.

Connect with Matt

- Connect on LinkedIn

About Valent U.S.A

- Visit their Website

- Connect on LinkedIn

Connect with AFA

- Follow us on LinkedIn

- Follow us on Instagram

- Like us on Facebook

- Follow us on TikTok

- Visit our Website

About The Cultivating Leaders Podcast

Real stories. Practical advice. Tangible growth. Join The Cultivating Leaders Podcast, brought to you by Agriculture Future of America, as we explore what it takes to lead in food, agriculture, and beyond. Whether you’re just starting out or leading at the highest level, this podcast is your go-to resource for leadership that matters. Listen now and start cultivating your leadership journey.

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss another episode!

Great leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about trust, humility, and impact. In this episode, Scott Stump, CEO of the National FFA Organization, shares his experience on what it means to lead with integrity, empower teams, and stay open to growth. He shares a wealth of knowledge around the future leaders of the agriculture industry and how seasoned professionals can accelerate their potential.

Scott shares more on:

- The Current State of Ag Education: Where he sees gems and gaps

- Trends for the Future of Agriculture: His thoughts on new technologies and innovations

- Practicing Humility: The importance of learning from past mistakes

With Scott’s personal experience as a leader and educator, this conversation will challenge you to connect with future agriculture leaders and embrace your unique leadership skills.

Connect with Scott

- Connect on LinkedIn

About the National FFA Organization

- Visit their Website

- Connect on LinkedIn

Connect with AFA

- Follow us on LinkedIn

- Follow us on Instagram

- Like us on Facebook

- Follow us on TikTok

- Visit our Website

About The Cultivating Leaders Podcast

Real stories. Practical advice. Tangible growth. Join The Cultivating Leaders Podcast, brought to you by Agriculture Future of America, as we explore what it takes to lead in food, agriculture, and beyond. Whether you’re just starting out or leading at the highest level, this podcast is your go-to resource for leadership that matters. Listen now and start cultivating your leadership journey.

Don’t forget to follow/subscribe so you never miss another episode!