Today we’re taking a broader look at agriculture — how what happens on farms here at home connects to markets, policies, and decisions being made around the world — with one of the most respected voices in global commodity markets and agricultural strategy

My guest today is Emily French, CEO of Global Ag Protein. Emily grew up on a farm in Idaho, giving her a front-row seat to the realities of ag production — something that still shapes her perspective today, even as she advises Fortune 500 companies, producers, and policymakers around the world.

In this episode, Emily shares her incredible journey from the fields to the forefront of international trade. We talk about the fear of failure and the courage it takes to lead, the importance of authenticity in business and in life, and the evolving role of women in shaping agriculture’s future. She also sheds light on how global trade policy impacts everyday farmers—and why relationships and trust still matter more than ever in this business.

Emily’s insight is unmatched, but what I love most is her humility, her humor, and her belief in the power of community.

Let’s get dirty with Emily.

_________________________________________

Like the Dirt Diaries podcast? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and wherever you get your podcasts for new episodes every Thursday! Please also rate and review to help us continue growing. We want to hear your feedback, favorite moments and dream guests for the show!

Resources

• Connect with FarmHER + RanchHER 
• Sign up for our Newsletter 
• FarmHER: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | X | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn
• RanchHER: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube 
• Kirbe Schnoor: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
• Emily French: LinkedIn

Mentioned in this episode:

John Deere

See what’s happening now and make better decisions with all your data.

John Deere

Find a farm agent today with Nationwide.

Nationwide

Find a farm agent today with Nationwide.

Nationwide

John Deere

See what’s happening now and make better decisions with all your data.

John Deere

Follow us on social media

Follow us on social media

Today’s episode is going to be a little different... and a whole lot of fun.

I am welcoming two guys who I call my coworkers and good friends: Johnny Clark and Zach McCann — the producers, videographers and visionaries behind FarmHER + RanchHER. These guys are normally behind the camera, but today I am putting them in the hot seat to share all the dirty details of making the show.

Together, we’ve spent thousands of miles on the road, crossed just about every state line, and lived through just about every farm and ranch mishap you can imagine—as well as broken gear, 16-hour days, cicada attacks, and more coffee and gas-station snacks than I’d like to admit.

Jonny and Zach are the heartbeat our crew, capturing the beauty, grit, and realness of every FarmHer and RanchHer we meet. They’re also the ones who keep me sane and accountable when filming — whether they’re dishing out some brutal honesty, words of encouragement or a much needed laugh. They’ve got stories for days, and just as I expected, they don’t hold back at all!

In this episode, we talk about the chaos, the laughs, the occasional disasters, and the deep respect we all share for each other and the women whose stories we’re telling.

So buckle up, because we’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s really like behind the scenes of FarmHER + RanchHER. 

Let’s get dirty with Jonny and Zach. 

_________________________________________

Like the Dirt Diaries podcast? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and wherever you get your podcasts for new episodes every Thursday! Please also rate and review to help us continue growing. We want to hear your feedback, favorite moments and dream guests for the show!

Resources

• Connect with FarmHER + RanchHER 
• Sign up for our Newsletter 
• FarmHER: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | X | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn
• RanchHER: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube 
• Kirbe Schnoor: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
• Jonny Clark: Instagram
• Zach McCann: Instagram 

Mentioned in this episode:

Find a farm agent today with Nationwide.

Nationwide

John Deere

See what’s happening now and make better decisions with all your data.

John Deere

Find a farm agent today with Nationwide.

Nationwide

Follow us on social media

Follow us on social media

John Deere

See what’s happening now and make better decisions with all your data.

John Deere

Today I get to sit down with someone who I’ve known for a long time. We’ve worked together, traveled together, learned from each other, and I’ve watched her build a life and a voice that is as bold as it is genuine.

Today’s guest is the one and only Brandi Buzzard — cowgirl, rancher, mom, writer, speaker, communications pro, and self-employed powerhouse who somehow manages to rope steers, raise daughters, speak on national stages, and spark meaningful conversations in the cattle industry… all while being hilariously real and refreshingly honest.

In this conversation, Brandi opens up about her journey — from her early days freelancing and blogging, to her time with NCBA and Red Angus, to the moment she decided to leap into full-time self-employment. We talk about why she uses her voice so boldly, how she navigates change, her passion for correcting misinformation, the future of beef and global trade, what it means to raise kids in the western lifestyle, and how she learned to stop waiting for opportunities and start creating them.

We also get into some fun things… like teaching her daughters to drive the feed truck, junior rodeo memories, the Chiefs’ terrible season, and why a grilled cheese in the horse trailer tastes better than almost anything.

Brandi is real, raw, brave, opinionated in the best way, and deeply committed to making this industry better than she found it. And I can’t wait for you to hear this one.

Let’s get dirty with Brandi.

_________________________________________

Like the Dirt Diaries podcast? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and wherever you get your podcasts for new episodes every Thursday! Please also rate and review to help us continue growing. We want to hear your feedback, favorite moments and dream guests for the show!

Resources

• Connect with FarmHER + RanchHER 
• Sign up for our Newsletter 
• FarmHER: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | X | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn
• RanchHER: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube 
• Kirbe Schnoor: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
• Brandi Buzzard: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Mentioned in this episode:

John Deere

See what’s happening now and make better decisions with all your data.

John Deere

Find a farm agent today with Nationwide.

Nationwide

Follow us on social media

Follow us on social media

John Deere

See what’s happening now and make better decisions with all your data.

John Deere

Find a farm agent today with Nationwide.

Nationwide

Hey y’all—welcome back to Dirt Diaries. Today I’m joined by someone who has her boots firmly planted in both the fields and the financials of legacy farming.

Jenny Weg is raising her daughters on the same land her family has worked for generations in Ocheyedan, Iowa. She’s also a digital strategist by day, a farmhouse renovator by night, an ag and finance influencer online, and the creative force behind “Rooted in Wealth,” where she helps rural families build better financial futures.

In this conversation, Jenny and I talk about the realities of family farming—succession planning, balancing work and motherhood, and the role of faith and resilience when times get tough. We also dive into her use of social media to educate and connect, why financial planning is so critical in ag, and how she’s championing women to step confidently into leadership roles on the farm and beyond.

She’s funny, honest, and full of practical wisdom that comes straight from lived experience.

Let’s get dirty with Jenny. 

_________________________________________

Like the Dirt Diaries podcast? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and wherever you get your podcasts for new episodes every Thursday! Please also rate and review to help us continue growing. We want to hear your feedback, favorite moments and dream guests for the show!

Resources

• Connect with FarmHER + RanchHER 
• Sign up for our Newsletter 
• FarmHER: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | X | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn
• RanchHER: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube 
• Kirbe Schnoor: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
• Jenny Weg: Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok

Mentioned in this episode:

Find a farm agent today with Nationwide.

Nationwide

John Deere

See what’s happening now and make better decisions with all your data.

John Deere

John Deere

See what’s happening now and make better decisions with all your data.

John Deere

Follow us on social media

Follow us on social media

Find a farm agent today with Nationwide.

Nationwide

Today’s guest is someone who truly does it all—with a whole lot of style.

She’s a champion barrel racer, a chart-topping country music artist, fitness influencer and an entrepreneur whose fashion collections —including Shea Baby and Shea Michelle Buckles—have become Western staples.

But beyond the arena, the stage, and the studio, Shea Fisher Durfey is also a wife, to World Champion Tie-Down Roper Tyson Durfey, and a mom, navigating the balance of family life while continuing to build her own legacy. In our conversation, we dive into how she’s built a name for herself in music, rodeo, and business, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and the faith that keeps her grounded through it all.

Shea’s story is filled with resilience, authenticity, and the reminder that you can be more than one thing—you can be everything you’re called to be.

Let’s get dirty with Shea.

And check out the official music video for her latest single that dropped earlier this year, Ow in Cowboy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5l5DjjyGAA

_________________________________________

Like the Dirt Diaries podcast? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and wherever you get your podcasts for new episodes every Thursday! Please also rate and review to help us continue growing. We want to hear your feedback, favorite moments and dream guests for the show!

Resources

• Connect with FarmHER + RanchHER 
• Sign up for our Newsletter 
• FarmHER: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | X | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn
• RanchHER: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube 
• Kirbe Schnoor: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
• Shea Fisher Durfey: Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube | Spotify | ITunes | Amazon

Mentioned in this episode:

Follow us on social media

Follow us on social media

John Deere

See what’s happening now and make better decisions with all your data.

John Deere

Find a farm agent today with Nationwide.

Nationwide

Find a farm agent today with Nationwide.

Nationwide

John Deere

See what’s happening now and make better decisions with all your data.

John Deere

Today we’re diving in with a gal who is as sweet as she is inspiring. I had the pleasure of getting to know Katey Jo Evans while filming season 7 of FarmHER, and I couldn’t wait to catch up with her again on the podcast!

Katey is a third-generation farmer from Delaware who took a big risk, a little creativity, and a whole lot of faith—and turned it into The Frozen Farmer, a nationally recognized brand of sorbets and frobert™ that’s now sold across the country. When traditional markets turned away her family’s “imperfect” produce, Katey found a way to upcycle it into something people couldn’t resist. That idea not only saved fruit from going to waste, but it also caught the attention of Shark Tank—where she landed a deal with Lori Greiner that helped take her dream nationwide.

In our conversation, Katey and I talk about what it’s really like to run a family business, how she balances life as a mom and entrepreneur, and the creative process behind developing unique flavors that connect people back to the farm. We also get into her faith, her drive, and the future she’s building for both her family and her community.

She’s innovative, grounded, and proof that sometimes the sweetest successes come straight from the dirt.

Let’s get dirty with Katey.

_________________________________________

Like the Dirt Diaries podcast? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and wherever you get your podcasts for new episodes every Thursday! Please also rate and review to help us continue growing. We want to hear your feedback, favorite moments and dream guests for the show!

Resources

• Connect with FarmHER + RanchHER 
• Sign up for our Newsletter 
• FarmHER: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | X | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn
• RanchHER: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube 
• Kirbe Schnoor: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
• The Frozen Farmer: Website | Instagram | Facebook
• Katey Jo Evans: Instagram | Facebook

Mentioned in this episode:

Follow us on social media

Follow us on social media

Find a farm agent today with Nationwide.

Nationwide

John Deere

See what’s happening now and make better decisions with all your data.

John Deere

John Deere

See what’s happening now and make better decisions with all your data.

John Deere

Find a farm agent today with Nationwide.

Nationwide

Today’s guests are a mother-daughter duo whom I’ve not only long admired but also make me miss my own mom and sisters!

I’m joined by the incredible women behind TrailblazHER Co., Jan and Erin Johnson, who together created TrailblazHER Magazine, a publication that’s become a lifeline and a love letter to rural women everywhere.

What started as a wild idea during the pandemic has grown into a movement—one that celebrates creativity, resilience, and the beautiful, often unseen stories of women living beyond city limits. Sadly (unknown to me before we recorded), they’ve announced they’ll be releasing their final issue of TrailblazeHER Magazine at the end of this year. A twist I didn’t see coming! (You can pre-order the final issue at the link below.) But Jan and Erin explain why they felt this was the right time to put a bow on their passion publication.

This episode is one that really speaks to the heart of what this show is all about—authentic storytelling, community, and the rural women we find so inspiring. Jan and Erin open up about their journey from urban life back to the farm, what it’s been like to build something so meaningful together, and how they’ve used their platform to spotlight and relate to other women. We talk about the challenges of entrepreneurship, the lessons they’ve learned along the way, and what it means to close one chapter while trusting in what comes next.

They’re creative, courageous, and completely genuine—and I know their words will stick with you long after this conversation ends. (They even have me tearing up!)

Let’s get dirty with Jan and Erin.

_________________________________________

Like the Dirt Diaries podcast? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and wherever you get your podcasts for new episodes every Thursday! Please also rate and review to help us continue growing. We want to hear your feedback, favorite moments, and dream guests for the show!

Resources

• Connect with FarmHER + RanchHER 
• Sign up for our Newsletter 
• FarmHER: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | X | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn
• RanchHER: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube 
• Kirbe Schnoor: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
• Strauss: Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube 
• Pre-Order The Last Issue of TrailBlazHER Magazine!

Mentioned in this episode:

John Deere

See what’s happening now and make better decisions with all your data.

John Deere

Follow us on social media

Follow us on social media

Find a farm agent today with Nationwide.

Nationwide

Find a farm agent today with Nationwide.

Nationwide

John Deere

See what’s happening now and make better decisions with all your data.

John Deere

Today’s episode is all about two women who are changing the way the world sees agriculture—one podcast, one YouTube show, and one pop-culture headline at a time.

Tara Vander Dussen and Natalie Kovarik are the dynamic duo behind Discover Ag, the hit podcast and TV series where they break down food, farming, and Western culture with sharp commentary, plenty of laughs, and a side of unapologetic realness. Natalie’s a 4th-generation cattle rancher from Nebraska. Tara’s a 5th-generation dairy farmer and environmental scientist from New Mexico. And together, they’ve built a community of hundreds of thousands of listeners and viewers who tune in weekly to hear their rural perspective on everything from viral food trends to the future of ag.

In this conversation from Farm Progress, Tara and Natalie open up about their own journeys back to agriculture, why representation for women in ag matters, and how they’ve built Discover Ag into a platform that’s as entertaining as it is educational.

They’re funny, fearless, and redefining what it means to talk agriculture.

Let’s get dirty with Tara and Natalie.

_________________________________________

Like the Dirt Diaries podcast? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and wherever you get your podcasts for new episodes every Thursday! Please also rate and review to help us continue growing. We want to hear your feedback, favorite moments and dream guests for the show!

Resources

• Connect with FarmHER + RanchHER 
• Sign up for our Newsletter 
• FarmHER: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | X | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn
• RanchHER: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube 
• Kirbe Schnoor: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
• Discover Ag: Website | Instagram | TikTok
• Discover Ag TV: Instagram | YouTube
• Tara Vander Dussen: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok
• Natalie Kovarik: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok

Mentioned in this episode:

John Deere

See what’s happening now and make better decisions with all your data.

John Deere

Find a farm agent today with Nationwide.

Nationwide

Follow us on social media

Follow us on social media

Find a farm agent today with Nationwide.

Nationwide

John Deere

See what’s happening now and make better decisions with all your data.

John Deere

Today I’m excited to introduce you to someone who’s helping shape the future of farming from inside one of the most iconic names in agriculture.

Taryn Fischels is a Product Marketing Manager for Precision Upgrades at John Deere. Growing up in northeast Iowa, she developed a deep appreciation for farmers and the role they play in feeding the world—and now she channels that passion into making sure farmers have access to the very best technology. Whether it’s creating launch plans for new Precision Upgrade Kits, working alongside dealers, or even producing how-to videos for the John Deere YouTube channel, Taryn is focused on meeting farmers where they are and helping them get the most out of their equipment.

In this episode, Taryn shares her journey into agriculture, the mentors and experiences that shaped her along the way, and why she believes there’s room for every young woman to find her place in this industry. We talk about John Deere’s legacy, the role of technology in the future of farming, and the community that keeps agriculture grounded in relationships, not just machines.

She’s smart, passionate, and deeply connected to the people she serves—and I can’t wait for you to hear her perspective.

Let’s get dirty with Taryn.

_________________________________________

Like the Dirt Diaries podcast? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and wherever you get your podcasts! Please also rate and review to help us continue growing. We want to hear your feedback, favorite moments and dream guests for the show!

Resources

• Connect with FarmHER + RanchHER 
• Sign up for our Newsletter 
• FarmHER: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | X | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn
• RanchHER: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube 
• Kirbe Schnoor: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
• John Deere: Website | Instagram | Facebook | X | TikTok | YouTube | LinkedIn
• Taryn Fischels: Instagram | Facebook 

Mentioned in this episode:

John Deere

See what’s happening now and make better decisions with all your data.

John Deere

Find a farm agent today with Nationwide.

Nationwide

John Deere

See what’s happening now and make better decisions with all your data.

John Deere

Follow us on social media

Follow us on social media

Find a farm agent today with Nationwide.

Nationwide

Today’s guest is someone you may not always see front and center, but I promise you’ve felt the impact of her work in a big way.

Emily Sharkey is the creative force behind the SharkFarmer brand—serving as Executive Producer of SharkFarmer Radio on SiriusXM Rural Radio Channel 147 and Producer of SharkFarmer TV on RFD-TV. She’s the heart and the hustle behind the SharkFarmer operation—and she also happens to be married to the SharkFarmer himself, Rob.

We met up while at Farm Progress to record this episode in front of a live audience at the RFD-TV booth stage! Emily opens up about her journey back to farming, the struggles her family faced across generations, and the innovative solutions that helped them stay afloat. We talk about the evolution of the SharkFarmer podcast and TV show, the importance of connecting with other farmers through honest storytelling, and the pride that comes from overcoming obstacles in both business and life.

We also share some fun personal anecdotes—hidden talents, family dynamics, and the moments that keep her grounded through it all. Emily is warm, witty, and as real as it gets, and I know y’all are going to love getting to know the woman behind the SharkFarmer brand.

Let’s get dirty with Emily.

_________________________________________

Resources

• Connect with FarmHER + RanchHER 
• Sign up for our Newsletter 
• FarmHER: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | X | Pinterest | YouTube | LinkedIn
• RanchHER: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube 
• Kirbe Schnoor: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
• Shark Farmer: Website | Instagram | Facebook | X | YouTube | Podcast
• Emily Sharkey: Instagram | Facebook 

Mentioned in this episode:

John Deere

See what’s happening now and make better decisions with all your data.

John Deere

Find a farm agent today with Nationwide.

Nationwide

Find a farm agent today with Nationwide.

Nationwide

Follow us on social media

Follow us on social media

John Deere

See what’s happening now and make better decisions with all your data.

John Deere