What does it take to succeed in the egg industry? According to Mark Kleinsmith, it’s a mix of hard work, persistence, and sometimes… shaving your mustache to close a deal. In this episode, Greg sits down with Mark, a legendary industry salesman whose career spans decades of innovation, market shifts, and unforgettable negotiations.

Mark shares wild tales from his time in the field, from 5:30 AM swim tests with clients to sealing contracts in an 80-foot treehouse. But beyond the stories, he offers valuable insights into how the egg industry has evolved—from the rise of high-rise cage systems to the challenges of the cage-free transition. He also discusses the importance of building trust with customers, why fast response times are key to success, and how consolidation has reshaped the industry.

If you're in sales, agriculture, or just love a good business story, this episode is packed with hilarious stories, hard-earned wisdom, and lessons from a career spent getting the job done—no matter what it took.

Please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Are you an egg industry pro? Reach out to be a guest on the show! Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

What does it take to keep a poultry farm safe from disease outbreaks? In this episode of Eggheads, Greg sits down with Jack Hughes, a biosecurity advisor at LiveTec Systems based in the UK. Jack shares his perspective on how proactive measures, innovative solutions, and a disciplined mindset can transform the way farmers protect their operations.

From the risks posed by migratory birds to the importance of tailored solutions, Jack emphasizes that biosecurity is about more than compliance—it’s about care, resilience, and protecting livelihoods. The conversation also explores the human side of farming, the growing demands of free-range operations, and the role of technology in shaping the future of biosecurity.

As a UK-based expert, Jack offers a unique point of view that adds an international lens to the biosecurity challenges we face. Whether you’re a farmer or just curious about what it takes to safeguard the food supply, this episode offers practical insights and thought-provoking discussion.

Please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Are you an egg industry pro? Reach out to be a guest on the show! Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

What drives a 22-year-old to take on the world of egg farming? In this episode of Eggheads, Greg sits down with Michael Jimenez, the founder and CEO of JMZ Farms. Starting with a single baby chick named Peaches in his mom’s backyard, Michael has grown JMZ Farms into a thriving pasture-raised egg operation. 

Michael shares how his entrepreneurial spirit and a high school business plan paved the way for his success. From navigating USDA organic certification requirements to scaling his operation with a subscription-based model, Michael provides an inside look at the challenges and triumphs of running a farm as a young hispanic person.

The conversation touches on the discipline farming demands, the value of transparency in the egg industry, and Michael’s vision for the future—including doubling his flock and exploring nationwide distribution.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or simply curious about the story behind your eggs, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical insights. Please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Are you an egg industry pro? Reach out to be a guest on the show! Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Greg sits down with Ryan Bennett, Executive Director of the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs and the International Poultry Welfare Alliance, to discuss his journey from public policy to driving sustainability in agriculture. With a career rooted in supporting farmers and improving industry practices, Ryan shares how he transitioned from lobbying in DC to leading initiatives that unify the supply chain around meaningful, data-driven progress.

Ryan offers a behind-the-scenes look at how his team builds trust and transparency among farmers, processors, and retailers, using outcome-based standards to address challenges like greenhouse gas emissions and animal welfare. He explains how this collaborative, practical approach helps producers identify their strengths, set achievable goals, and continuously improve their operations. From tackling environmental concerns to aligning diverse stakeholders, Ryan’s insights shed light on the evolving role of sustainability in the poultry and egg industry.

If you’re curious about the intersection of sustainability and agriculture, you'll be interested in Ryan’s perspective on transparency, innovation, and progress within the egg industry. Please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Are you an egg industry pro? Reach out to be a guest on the show! Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Today, Greg Schoenfeld sits down with Danny Leckie, CEO of Hatch for Hunger, to learn about his journey from corporate agriculture to leading a mission-driven nonprofit. With roots in feeding people that trace back through his career, Danny shares how he transitioned from big agriculture to Hatch for Hunger, where he’s now tackling food insecurity by providing fresh, sustainable proteins like eggs to food banks across the country.

Danny offers a behind-the-scenes look at Hatch for Hunger’s unique model, which combines farm partnerships, innovative logistics, and cold storage solutions to address the economic and distribution challenges in delivering fresh protein to those who need it most. He explains how Hatch’s subsidy approach and close work with food banks and farmers enable more efficient, large-scale access to high-quality proteins, and why diversifying their offerings is key to future resilience.

If you’re interested in learning how nonprofits are rethinking food distribution, Danny’s insights into nutrition security, sustainability, and community impact are not to be missed. Don’t forget to rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Are you interested in being a guest on the show? Reach out to us on LinkedIn and Instagram and let's connect!

Today Greg Schoenfeld sits down with the "Queen of the Coop," Lisa Steele-- the fifth-generation chicken keeper behind Fresh Eggs Daily, to explore her unique path from Wall Street to the farm. Lisa shares how her family’s tradition of raising chickens, which traces back to Finland, influenced her shift from accounting to becoming one of the most recognized voices in the backyard chicken community.

Lisa discusses into her work across cookbooks, a thriving blog, TV shows, and social media, all centered on the value of fresh, farm-raised eggs. She shares why she made the leap to focus on eggs over chickens, offering listeners her candid take on terms like “cage-free” and what the commercial egg industry could learn from more sustainable, hands-on practices. For those looking to deepen their knowledge or start their own flock, Lisa’s insights into creating healthy, humane, and productive chicken environments are invaluable. Plus, catch a preview of her latest projects, including a new cookbook and a fresh season of her TV show. 

Please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Are you interested in being a guest on the show? Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram and send us a message, and we’ll be in touch!

In the debut episode of The Egghead Scramble, host Greg Schoenefeld reconnects with industry experts Brian Moscogiuri, VP of Eggs Unlimited, and Dr. Kay Russo, a leading veterinarian, to tackle the most pressing issues facing the egg industry today. Together, they dive into the economic turmoil caused by recent avian influenza outbreaks, which have led to record-high egg prices and significant supply chain disruptions.

The episode sheds light on the unpredictable nature of the virus, from its devastating impact on farmers to growing public health concerns. Brian and Kay discuss the crucial role of early detection through innovative methods like bulk tank testing, and explore how the industry can move beyond reactive measures to more strategic, long-term solutions. The conversation touches on the limitations of current biosecurity practices and considers vaccination as a critical, humane alternative to controlling the spread of the virus.

As we head into the holiday season and look ahead to 2025, this episode emphasizes the industry's need for adaptation, sustainability, and preparedness in the face of continuing challenges. With new state regulations on the horizon and a volatile market, the egg industry must take decisive steps toward a more resilient future.

An episode of the Egghead Scramble will return every quarter for insightful updates on eggonomics and avian influenza developments.  Subscribe on Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more discussions, industry news, and behind-the-scenes insights.

In this episode, we explore the cutting-edge of agricultural innovation with Robert Yaman, CEO of Innovate Animal Ag. A veteran of the tech industry, Robert is focused on in-ovo sexing technology, which addresses the significant issue of male chick culling in the egg industry. By determining the sex of a chick before it hatches, this technology promotes both animal welfare and sustainability.

Robert explains how he applies a 'techno-optimist' philosophy to agricultural innovation, showcasing how technology can solve some of the industry’s most pressing problems. While in-ovo sexing has seen widespread adoption in Europe, thanks to legal incentives, it is now beginning to gain momentum in the U.S., particularly in the specialty egg market.

Robert and Greg also dive into the challenges and opportunities of bringing such advancements to the U.S. market, as well as the broader potential for technological innovation in agriculture. Robert and his team at Innovate Animal Ag are leading the charge by spreading awareness and promoting adoption of technologies that align with both animal health and the future of sustainable farming.

Did you enjoy learning about the latest advancements in modern egg farming? If so, please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Are you interested in being a guest on the show? Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram and send us a message, and we’ll be in touch!

In this episode, we dive into the bold gamble that changed the organic egg farming game. Cameron Whitehead, COO of Pete & Gerry's, shares the inspiring story of how a small family farm in Monroe, New Hampshire, went from the brink of collapse to becoming a trailblazer in the organic egg industry. In the 1990s, when 'organic' was still a rarity, Pete & Gerry’s made a daring move that saved the farm—and set them on the path to becoming a leader in the market.

Cameron takes us through the highs and lows of their journey, from the pressures of competing with large-scale producers to their deep commitment to animal welfare. We explore the evolving egg industry, the differences between organic, free-range, and pasture-raised eggs, and what the new OLPS guidelines mean for organic farming. Plus, we uncover the unsung heroes of their operation—the truck drivers—and learn how biosecurity measures keep their supply chain safe. It’s a fascinating look at how passion, innovation, and a bit of risk can change everything.

Did you enjoy the Pete & Gerry's story? If so, please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Interested in being a guest on the show? Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram, send us a message, and we’ll be in touch! 

Jacques Klempf is a true veteran in the egg industry, with a family legacy that spans three generations of egg farming. In this episode, we learn about his remarkable journey, starting with his grandfather’s humble beginnings as an egg candler, through his father’s entrepreneurial drive, and into Jacques' own leadership in the modern egg industry.

We explore how Jacques embraced technological advancements, from inline processing systems to automation, which transformed his company into one of the most efficient in the industry. He also shares insights into the major challenges the industry faces today, including the devastating effects of avian influenza and how market dynamics, like fluctuating egg prices, continue to impact farmers.

Beyond business, Jacques emphasizes the critical need for agricultural education, both for consumers and future generations, to bridge the gap between farm practices and consumer understanding. He also weighs in on the growing trend of industry consolidation, offering a unique perspective on what the future may hold for both independent farmers and large-scale operations.

If you're interested in learning more about FFA (Future Farmers of America), please visit www.ffa.org. The FFA is focused on growing leaders, building communities, and strengthening agriculture all across the US.

Enjoyed this episode with Jacques Klempf? If so, please rate Eggheads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Interested in being a guest on the show? Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram, send us a message, and we’ll be in touch!