In this episode of Growing the Future Productions, we explore what it means to go from Chaos Commander to CEO with Tim Schaefer, founder of Encore Consulting.
Tim has over 20 years of experience helping farm families professionalize their operations, strengthen leadership, and prepare the next generation to succeed.

In this episode:

The difference between managing chaos and leading a business

How to let go of control without losing your edge

What it takes to professionalize your farm operation

How to build systems and people that work without you

Why clarity and communication create freedom

Whether you’re stuck in the middle of harvest madness or planning your next growth phase, this episode will give you perspective, calm, and a plan for leading your farm like a business.

Brought to you by:
Aberhart Ag Solutions and GRIPP — the accountability app built for farms.
Try GRIPP risk-free for 90 days at gripp.ag/partner/aberhart

🎙 Host: Dan Aberhart
🎙 Co-Host: Nicole Dube
👤 Guest: Tim Schaefer, Encore Consulting
🌾 Growing the Future Productions – Innovate. Collaborate. Transform.

Welcome back to Season 7, Episode 15 of the Growing the Future Podcast with Dan Aberhart and Nicole Dubé—coming to you from our brand-new studio!

In this episode, we take you inside the Growing the Future Mastermind, featuring soil scientist Greg Patterson, founder of A&L Laboratories Canada. Together, we dig into advanced soil science concepts that can transform how you farm:

Why cation exchange capacity (CEC) is the key to understanding nutrient availability.

How base saturation makes soil chemistry actionable for real-world farming.

Why the balance of calcium, magnesium, and potassium drives energy production and yield stability.

This is just a taste of what happens inside the Mastermind—a place where producers, agronomists, and ag entrepreneurs come together to learn what’s really working in the field.

👉 Want access to the full sessions, transcripts, and community? Join the Growing the Future Mastermind today.

🔗 Join the Mastermind here https://www.skool.com/gtfmastermind/about?ref=ea63befe7e934417a3e7ebb42bb2080c

Why digital scouting tools are becoming a game-changer for producers

How Agscouter streamlines reporting between agronomists, farmers, and retailers

The top frustrations farmers have with ag-tech (and how to fix them)

Where tech fits — and where it fails — in real-world decision-making

Exclusive insights from farmers on what they actually want from innovators

Jill & Kara (Agscouter Co-Founders) — sharing the vision and roadmap

Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel (Producer, Mossbank, SK)

Scott Maurer (Maurer Family Grains)

Brett Casavant (Casavant Family Farms)

One year ago, independent agronomists joined forces with MNP, Canada’s largest private accounting and advisory firm. It was a move that surprised many in the industry and promised to change the way farms approach agronomy and business strategy.

In this episode, we look back at what happened, why it happened, and what it means for the future of farming in Western Canada. Panelists Ryan Goodwin, Mike Palmier, and Dean Klippenstine share their perspectives on:

The motivations behind the merger and the lessons learned along the way

The biggest challenges farmers face today and how independent advice can help

What separates good farms from great ones

How data, finance, and agronomy can work together to support better decisions acre by acre

Whether you’re curious about the evolution of agronomy or looking for insights to take your farm from good to great, this episode delivers a candid, practical conversation about the future of agriculture.

Listen in, and then check out the full webinar replay on the Growing the Future Productions YouTube channel.

Join Dan Aberhart on the Growing the Future Podcast for a special episode where we dive into the Growing The Future Mastermind community. 

In this episode, Dan highlights the top three reasons for joining the Mastermind and features expert Greg Patterson, with over 30 years of experience in soil science, plant nutrition, and microbiology. 

Learn about the crucial role of soil types in fertility planning, how plants reshape their microbial environment for better performance, and the significant impact of soil health on drought resilience. 

 Join the conversation and elevate your agricultural practices here: https://www.skool.com/gtfmastermind/about?ref=ea63befe7e934417a3e7ebb42bb2080c

00:00 Welcome to Growing the Future Podcast 

00:16 Introduction to the Mastermind Community 

01:12 Top Reasons to Join the Mastermind 

02:05 Insights from Greg Patterson: Soil Types 

06:57 Understanding Microbial Environments 

12:05 Soil Health and Drought Mitigation 

14:37 Conclusion and Invitation to Join

Farmers Evaluate PathoScan's Ag Tech: Real Feedback, Real Insights, Ep.2 

Join us in episode two of 'What Farmers Want,' hosted by Danny Aberhart, where REAL-WORLD producers dive deep into evaluating innovative Ag Tech solutions. 

In this episode, we feature Tayeb Soomro, founder of PathoScan, pitching his microbial profiling platform, PathoBox. 

The technology allows early detection and management of crop diseases, potentially transforming fungicide application decisions. 

Hear from seasoned farmers like Matt Wallington, Kris Mayerle, Janel Delage, and Scott Maurer, among others, as they provide candid feedback, discuss the practicality, and explore the potential ROI. 

CEO Doug Jones from Cornerstone Credit Union shares insights on supporting Ag Tech advancements. 

This interactive, no-nonsense series aims to bridge the gap between Silicon Valley innovation and practical farming needs, ensuring technologies not only impress but work effectively in the field. 

00:00 Introduction to What Farmers Want 

01:54 Meet the Panelists 

03:19 Farmers Share Crop Conditions and Innovations 

09:12 Cornerstone Credit Union's Role in Ag Tech 

16:32 Challenges in Ag Tech Adoption 

20:24 Introducing Patho Scan and Patho Box 

35:05 Challenges with Previous Device 

35:44 Improvements in Sample Preparation 

37:27 Cost and Pricing of the New Technology 

40:12 Fungicide Decision-Making on the Farm 

44:14 ROI and Cost Analysis of Fungicide Application 

49:48 Future Plans and Farmer Feedback 

58:26 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

Join Dan Aberhart in this Season 7, Episode 10 of Growing the Future Productions' 'Dollars in the Dirt,' sponsored by Precision Land Solutions. Dan sits down with top producers and tile drainage experts from Manitoba to discuss the transformative impact of water management on agricultural land. 

Featuring personal anecdotes and professional insights from Chris Unrau from Precision Land Solutions, Darryl Wiebe from Beaver Creek Farms, and Jim Pallister from Pallister Farms, the conversation explores key themes like improving land value through tile drainage, the return on investment, and the regulatory landscape. 

This episode is packed with valuable advice for farmers looking to enhance their land productivity and sustainability. Don't miss out on the rich discussion around the benefits, challenges, and practicalities of implementing tile drainage systems! 

00:00 Welcome to Growing the Future Productions 

01:02 Sharing Personal Wins 

01:52 Chris's Coffee Venture 

04:33 Discussing Land Values and ROI 

05:43 Chris's Journey with Tile Drainage 

12:24 Darrell's Family History with Tile Drainage 

16:29 Jim's Passion for Land Ownership and Improvement 

23:54 Benefits of Tile Drainage 

34:53 The Value of Tiling Land 

35:29 Net Worth and Land Renovation 

36:27 Payoff Time for Tiling 

37:02 Soil Conservation Anecdote 

38:19 Philosophical and Practical Views on Tiling 

39:21 Field-Specific Benefits of Tiling 

43:52 Complete Solutions for Tiling 

46:14 Challenges and Solutions in Tiling 

52:50 Regulatory Landscape and Advocacy 

01:00:48 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

Help STARS save Dan at rescueontheriver.ca ! 

STARS: Life-Saving Missions and Community Impact | 

Growing the Future Podcast S7 E9 

In this episode of 'Growing the Future Podcast,' host Dan Aberhart chats with Darren Entner, the Clinical Operations Manager at STARS in Regina. 

They dive into the vital role STARS plays in providing critical care in remote areas through air rescue missions. 

Dan also discusses his personal mission to raise $50,000 for STARS by participating in the 'Rescue on the River' campaign. 

With over 11 daily missions and nearly 4,000 in one year alone, the life-saving work of STARS is monumental. 

Discover how community support and innovative healthcare are making extraordinary impacts in rural Canada. 

00:00 Welcome to Growing the Future Podcast 

00:30 Personal Mission: Rescue on the River Campaign 

02:01 Introducing the Guest: Darren Entner from STARS 

04:11 Darren's Journey with STARS 

07:54 The Evolution and Impact of STARS 

14:25 Cutting-Edge Technology and Operations 

16:27 Mission Types and Procedures 

19:39 Scene Calls and Coordination 

21:35 Critical Care Logistics and Communication 

22:13 Challenges and Differences Across Provinces 

22:37 Manitoba's Unique Circumstances 

24:58 Mission Statistics and Busy Seasons 

27:44 Impactful Patient Stories 

31:48 Fundraising and Community Support 

34:02 Rescue on the River Event 

39:19 Concluding Remarks and Gratitude

Epic Solitude: A 122-Day Solo Canoe Expedition Across Canada's Wilderness | Growing the Future Podcast 

Join host Dan Aberhart on the Growing the Future Podcast for an awe-inspiring episode with special guest Calem Watson. 

In this episode, Caleb shares his incredible 122-day solo canoe expedition across the Northwest Territories, from Fort Smith to Tuktoyaktuk in the summer of 2023. 

Discover the compelling reasons behind his adventurous spirit, the profound solitude he experienced, the stunning wildlife encounters, and the motivation to pursue a career as a public speaker. 

Calem's journey offers invaluable lessons in resilience, courage, and the beauty of nature. 

Learn about his preparation, the kindness of strangers along the way, and the broader message of finding freedom and simplicity away from modern life's chaos. 

Tune in to hear Calem's story and be inspired to embrace adventure and follow your dreams. 

00:00 Welcome to Growing the Future Podcast 

01:52 Introducing the Esteemed Guest 

02:23 The 3000 Kilometer Solo Canoe Expedition 

03:57 The Motivation Behind the Adventure 

05:24 Experiencing Canada's Untamed Wilderness 

10:49 The Challenges and Rewards of Solo Travel 

16:17 Planning and Preparing for the Journey 

21:47 Sharing the Adventure and Inspiring Others 

31:28 Breaking into the Wilderness 

32:48 Wildlife Encounters 

33:31 Survival Diets and Pemmican 

37:18 Lessons from the Journey 

42:34 Indigenous Culture and Kindness 

47:32 Future Adventures and Reflections

What happens when you put bold ag tech in front of a panel of no-nonsense farmers and hand them the mic?

In the premiere episode of “What Farmers Want”—brought to you by Cornerstone Credit Union’s Rural Tech Act—host Dan Aberhart invites you to witness a high-stakes, Shark Tank-style pitch where Kyle Folk, Founder & CEO of GroundTruth Ag, makes his case for a new approach to on-farm grain grading automation.

But the decision isn’t up to investors. It’s up to the farmers.

This episode features direct, unfiltered feedback from a panel of respected Saskatchewan producers:

Matt Wallington – Hanover Ridge Farms

Brett Casavant – Cas-Grain Farms

Riley Kushniruk – K4 Ag

Scott Maurer – Maurer Family Grains

They ask the tough questions, challenge assumptions, and weigh in on whether this technology has what it takes to make it out of the shop and onto the farm.

💡 Highlights Include:

Why ag tech adoption so often misses the mark

The real-world challenges of grain grading and quality assessment

What it takes to earn the trust of producers

Live audience polling and Q&A participation

Is this the next game-changer—or just another gadget gathering dust? Listen in and decide for yourself.