Have you ever sat in your tractor at the edge of the field with an invisible force holding you back and thought “How am I going to make it through today?”

Lesley Kelly’s husband Matt has lived with such anxiety.

For many years it fueled him.

Eventually, it became too much to bear alone.

It took great courage to share his story on social media.

In the end, it changed their lives, and the lives of many others.

There are very few that went before them.

Now the conversation about mental health in ag has changed.

Terry and Holden continue that conversation with Lesley on Season 4, Episode 9 of the  Growing the Future Podcast.

Lesley is known as “High Heels and Canola Fields” on social media.

She is a farmer, public speaker, Co-Founder of The Do More Agriculture Foundation, and co-host of the “What the Farm Podcast” along with Rob Sharkey .

This episode will flood you with emotions as we can already relate to the struggles that Lesley, Terry, and Holden have faced.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why is Lesley passionate about sharing their mental health story?
• Lesley’s background in farming
• Lesley’s social media influence
• How to deal with the stigma and feelings of mental health
• How can parents can help their kids when struggling?
• Why is it so hard to talk about mental health?
• How are schools dealing with student’s mental health
• What is the finger exercise and what is it good for?
• How to be self aware when it comes to your mental health
• What happened the first time Lesley opened up on social media about mental health?
• How you can help those struggling with their mental health?
• What is self care? How should one practice it?
• Succession plans that include mental health
• Lesley’s dad and the impact he made on the community
   

Connect with Lesley: 

Website:https://highheelsandcanolafields.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lesleyraekelly

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/highheelsandcanolafields

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/highheelsandcanolafields/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAv8ctmfnYIN2BTOi4I5rxg

Shop Lesley’s merch here: https://highheelsandcanolafields.com/shop/
 

Aberhart Family of Companies:

https://aberhartagsolutions.ca

https://aberhartfarms.com

https://suregrowth.ca

https://www.convergencegrowth.com

Connect with us on AGvisorPro: https://link-app.agvisorpro.com/aberhart-dan

If you want to be part of the Growing the Future community, make sure to say hi on social at: https://linktr.ee/Growingthefuturepodcast

You are never alone help is a call away: 

National Crisis Centre: 1-800-784-2433

Child/Youth Crisis Line: 250-723-2040

Mental Health Line: 211 or 211.ca

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

In this episode of the Growing the Future Podcast, Dan connects with Michelle Miller also known as The Farm Babe. 

Michelle is known as Forbes top farmer to follow! She has made a name for herself as a dedicated myth-buster in the food industry who has influenced corporations as powerful as Burger King. 

She is working hard to bring the real story of agriculture and food to the forefront of the headlines as seen in Business Insider, Vice, Forbes and many more. 

She is passionate about advocating for agriculture and bridging the gap between consumers and producers by sharing the science and behind the scenes of farming.  

She has stepped on stage among leading industry experts as one of the most well known voices in agriculture travelling over four continents. 

You won’t want to miss this episode, as Michelle and Dan dive deep into the myths in mainstream media and agriculture.  

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Michelle became an advocate for agriculture
• The moment she realized she was wrong about the food she eats
• How she got the name “The Farm Babe”
• How Michelle makes a living online
• How Michelle talks to her audience
• When Michelle’s career in speaking took off
• Michelle’s thoughts on public persecution and if she’s ever encountered it
• How humans got so off track with the truths of food and agriculture
• How celebrities support and effect agriculture
• World hunger versus food quality in the future
• Where Michelle gets her facts and information from
• The top three things Michelle has debunked in Agriculture
• Problems that agriculture is solving in the world currently
• The impacts Michelle has had on large corporations
• How corporation’s get so mislead in science
• Michelle’s end goal for agriculture and media
• Michelle’s journey to fame
• Michelle’s advice for reaching out to customers
• What is the next big thing for The Farm Babe
• Michelle’s final words to non farming folks

Connect with Michelle:  

Website: https://thefarmbabe.com

Twitter: https://thefarmbabe.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IowaFarmBabe

Instagram: https://instagram.com/thefarmbabe

Youtube: https://instagram.com/thefarmbabe

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle576/

Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/thefarmbabe

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefarmbabe?lang=en
 

Shop Michelle’s merch here: https://thefarmbabe.com/shop/

Aberhart Family of Companies: 

https://aberhartagsolutions.ca

https://aberhartfarms.com

https://suregrowth.ca

https://www.convergencegrowth.com
 

Connect with us on AGvisorPro: https://link-app.agvisorpro.com/aberhart-dan

If you want to be part of the Growing the Future community, make sure to say hi on social at: https://linktr.ee/Growingthefuturepodcast

In this episode of the Growing the Future Podcast, Dan catches up with long time friend Evan Shout.

Evan is the President and founder of Maverick Ag and CFO at Hebert Grain Ventures (HGV), as well as Aberhart Farms.

Evan’s goal is to change the face of financial risk management in agriculture, and to leave the dirt and financial statements of the industry in a better state than the last generation.

Evan has also been working on a new coaching program specifically designed for farmers.

As an attendee of Strategic Coach he saw a need for coaching on farms and took action.

He is now bringing his plan to life, and is excited to share his knowledge and wealth with the agriculture industry!  

You won’t want to miss this episode, as Evan shares about his new coaching program. 

 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Current events in the agriculture world spring 2022
• What is the media presenting to the farmer?
• Why did some producers hold back on ordering fertilizer this year?
• Lifetime opportunities and big margin for producers in 2022
• Outcomes of those who planned with risk management and those who didn’t
• What producers don’t know right now that they should
• Evan’s coaching advice on planning for the next two years
• Evan’s number one tool to implement with risk management
• Evan’s role in insurance marketing for producers
• Why farmers seek out Maverick
• How Evan uses metrics and dashboards for his clients
• What is an Entrepreneurial Operating System?
• What Evan has experienced working with Aberhart Farms
• What are free days?
• Why should you take 150 free days?
• The key concepts of Strategic Coach
• What is Evan’s new coaching program?
• All about Farmer Coach and the benefits
• Evan’s plan for Farmer coach in three years
• How to learn more about Farmer Coach
   

Connect with Evan: 

Website: https://maverickag.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EvanShout

                https://twitter.com/Maverick_Ag

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-shout-985483209/

Farm Forum Event 2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMv88zxEqm8

Evan’s first episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17HzGD_oSEw

Aberhart Family of Companies:

https://aberhartagsolutions.ca

https://aberhartfarms.com

https://suregrowth.ca

https://www.convergencegrowth.com

Connect with us on AGvisorPro: https://link-app.agvisorpro.com/aberhart-dan

If you want to be part of the Growing the Future community, make sure to say hi on social at: https://linktr.ee/Growingthefuturepodcast

In this episode of the Growing the Future Podcast Dan chats with the Founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture and host of Regenerative Agriculture Podcast John Kempf.

Today John is known as a top expert in the field of biological and regenerative farming who is building a comprehensive systems-based approach to plant nutrition.

John has an incredible story of starting at a young age working on his family farm using horses instead of tractors and taking a problem on the farm and turning it into a big opportunity for himself creating Advancing Eco Agriculture.

You won’t want to miss this episode as Dan and John get into the nitty gritty of regenerative ag and John’s future plans for the space.  This episode features John’s eloquent speech and stories which are incredible to hear first hand.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How John started his farming systems
• How the world has gotten off track with soil knowledge
• Where and when producers lost the holistic view of farming
• John’s biggest influences and mentors
• How John has put his learnings from elders into action
• How Advancing Eco Ag was founded
• All about Advancing Eco Ag
• The primary reasons that producers come to John for help
• What are we actually consuming in our foods
• Micro plastics vs human consumption
• Are producers learning enough about biomes and the parallels of soil
• How Amish practices have played into John’s business, approaches to farming and food
• The cursed soil and three beliefs
• The outcomes of working with John and his clients journey
• The culture John created in Advancing Eco Ag
• John’s advice for those starting out
• What John envisions for the future of agriculture

Buy Johns Book here: https://www.qualityagriculture.com

John’s thoughts on agriculture in 2050: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeJ2IEslH4E&t=5s

Regenerative Agriculture Podcast:http://regenerativeagriculturepodcast.com

Advancing Eco Agriculture: https://www.advancingecoag.com

Connect with John: 

Website: https://johnkempf.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/realJohnKempf

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-kempf-6b59a450/
 

Aberhart Family of Companies:

https://aberhartagsolutions.ca

https://aberhartfarms.com

https://suregrowth.ca

https://www.convergencegrowth.com

Connect with us on AGvisorPro: https://link-app.agvisorpro.com/aberhart-dan

If you want to be part of the Growing the Future community, make sure to say hi on social at: https://linktr.ee/Growingthefuturepodcast

In this episode of the Growing the Future Podcast Dan chats with Scott Gillespie, Regenerative Ag Consultant and host of Plants Dig Soil podcast.

With his 15 years experience in dryland and irrigated specialty crop agriculture he has created a Cover Crop course that contains 37 lessons.

By the end of this course you will have plan for when, and when not, to implement cover crops on your farm -  For the first 10 listeners Scott is offering an exclusive deal on his course!

You won’t want to miss this episode as Dan and Scott dive deep into regenerative ag and cover crops!

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Scott became a Regenerative Ag Consultant
• Scott's background in agriculture
• What is considered regenerative
• What is Scott’s definition of regenerative
• Scott's advice for producers looking into this space
• The problems producers are facing and how they fix them
• The difference between a coach and consultant
• What your return in investment might look like
• Changes Scott has seen in his clients after working together
• All about Scott’s Cover Crops course
• How many producers are currently doing cover crops
• Why are so few doing cover crops
• What are the net benefits of doing these practices
• How Scott measures ROI
• Can problems be solved with cover crops
• Problems Scott has run into as a consultant
• When are farmers going to get paid for this
• Where Scott really stands on the subject
• What working with Scott looks like

*Exclusive Deal* 

Use Code: Future for $20.00 off! (First ten listens)

Take the Cover Crop Course here:  https://plantsdigsoil.thinkific.com/courses/cover-crops-prairies?coupon=future
 

Plants Dig Soil podcast: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast
 

Connect with Scott: 

Website: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/scottcgillespie

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/

Aberhart Family of Companies:

https://aberhartagsolutions.ca

https://aberhartfarms.com

https://suregrowth.ca

https://www.convergencegrowth.com

If you want to be part of the Growing the Future community, make sure to say hi on social at: https://linktr.ee/Growingthefuturepodcast

In this episode of the Growing the Future Podcast Dan connects with Lacey Owens, the author of Get Up and Get Your Sh!t Together: A Guided Morning Journal.

Lacey is a Professional Speaker, Personal Development Coach, Writer and Global Ag Risk Solutions Advisor helping producers with one-on-one risk management.

She is truly passionate about helping people get their sh!t together to live life to the fullest. Her vision is to Learn, Speak, Write, Teach, and Coach in a way that truly empowers people to be the best version of themselves.

You won’t want to miss this episode as Dan and Lacey get deep about personal development!

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Lacey got into personal development and coaching
• The feeling of achieving everything in entrepreneurship
• How Lacey’s systems have impacted her personally
• Decision Fatigue and how to deal with it
• The lasting impacts your health can have on your mental clarity
• What Focus Five is and how to use it
• All about Lacey’s journal and the benefits
• Why writing your own obituary is important
• Improvements in Lacey’s clients after working with her
• The need for coaching in agriculture
• The importance of living in the moment
• Lacey’s advice for starting with a coach

Buy Lacey’s Journal Here:  https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09P278358

Connect with Lacey:

Website: https://twitter.com/LaceyRhea

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/LaceyRhea

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lacey-owens-922b2aa8/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laceyrheaowens/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5S-n1rsORdebYo2LT4bZRQ

Aberhart Family of Companies:

https://aberhartagsolutions.ca

https://aberhartfarms.com

https://suregrowth.ca

https://www.convergencegrowth.com
 

If you want to be part of the Growing the Future community, make sure to say hi on social at: https://linktr.ee/Growingthefuturepodcast

In this episode of the Growing the Future Podcast, class is in session.  Dan learns from former business teacher turned tech startup Jordan McFarlen.

Jordan is the Tech Incubator at Cultivator powered by Conexus and Co founder of Big Idea Camp. He has a passion for helping entrepreneurs of all ages and stages and believes creating community is the most rewarding thing you can do.

Right now you can find him accelerating Canadas top early stage ag-tech companies some of which have previously been on the show!

Since launching in 2019, Cultivator has supported over 50 companies that has raised over $30 million in private capital and public funding. Learn how Jordan and the team at cultivator bridge the gap on launching and scaling startups

Jordans story of teaching to ag-tech is truly inspiring and  you won’t want to miss it

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Jordan went from business teacher to Tech Incubator
• Who is Cultivator
• The difference Jordan sees between young and older entrepreneurs
• The scope of ag innovations
• How the name Cultivator came to be
• Who are the stakeholders and what are their positions
• Where are they finding hotspots in development
• Where is the accelerator fund focused on now
• The process of working with a startup
• Entrepreneurial life cycles Jordan has seen in his career so far
• What the before and after transformation looks like when taking this program
• Who have they brought in to make a difference
• Where is all the money coming from
• What works for founders and what doesn’t
• Where they see a gap on some of the biggest problems that could be solved
• How safe are startups after they go through the course, failure rates
• How you can get involved
• What is the Million Acres Project
• Jordans messages to new founders
• What Jordan would be a founder of if he had a startup

Connect with Jordan:

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/mcfarljo

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-mcfarlen/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcfarljo/
 

Find Cultivator at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cultivatorsk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cultivatorsk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cultivatorsk

Website: https://www.cultivator.ca
 

Aberhart Family of Companies:

https://aberhartagsolutions.ca

https://aberhartfarms.com

https://suregrowth.ca

https://www.convergencegrowth.com

If you want to be part of the Growing the Future community, make sure to say hi on social at: https://linktr.ee/Growingthefuturepodcast

In this episode of the Growing the Future Podcast, Dan catches up with longtime friend Colin Rush of Clean Seed Capital. 

Colin is the COO of Clean Seed Capital and has 20 years experience in the agricultural equipment industry. He has held senior positions with John Deere, Case IH and JCB Canada.

Clean Seed is a public company on the TSX.V, symbol CSX. 

For the last decade they have been working on commercializing a new concept in seeding.  Now it’s coming to market and it’s an exciting time for the company, and for farmers. There is an incredible story behind this product that you are not going to want to miss.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Colins professional journey in the industry and equipment business
• Clean Seeds entrepreneurial journey
• How Smart Seeder Max is the next best evolution in seeding technology
• What Colin brought to the table from the dealer and OEM level to the startup
• The differences Colin experienced in leadership from equipment dealerships to OEM
• Why OEMs are not investing in seeding like spraying, tractors and combines
• What the Smart Seeder can really do for producers
• The agronomists who have been involved and their thoughts on the equipment
• The next steps after purchasing the Smart Seeder
• What Clean Seed will look like in three years
• What the equipment dealers are saying and thinking
• How long before the “big boys” start waving their cheques
• Colins core values he has installed into the company

Learn more about Clean Seed and Colin here: https://www.cleanseedcapital.com
 

Aberhart Family of Companies:

https://aberhartagsolutions.ca

https://aberhartfarms.com

https://suregrowth.ca

https://www.convergencegrowth.com
 

If you want to be part of the Growing the Future community, make sure to say hi on social at: https://linktr.ee/Growingthefuturepodcast

In this episode of the Growing the Future Podcast, Dan interviews Cole Powers. Co-Founder of IntelliCulture.

Cole has an extensive background ranging from

- Working at Tesla in powertrain systems integration firmware engineering

- Helping farmers in this new digital era we are entering

- To leadership coaching for students and early grads who are interested in starting businesses. 
 

IntelliCulture’s mission is to provide farmers with affordable technology that drives ROI in their operations. Their farm management software is designed to address three of the industries largest challenges; labor availability, pest prevention & machine safety.

 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Cole went from the automotive industry to agriculture
• The origin story of IntelliCulture and how the company name was picked
• The fundamental differences between the target market in automotive and agriculture
• The differences of the barriers and opportunities in those two markets when it comes to automation
• The top thing Cole learned in the automotive industry that he would like to translate into the agriculture industry
• What IntelliCulture really does for producers and how their software works for producers in different levels
• Why IntelliCulture stands out in the crowded market
• Where their product has the biggest impact on farms
• What amount of Prairie producers Cole thinks are really implementing technology in a meaningful way
• What producers in California do differently then Canada
• How IntelliCulture is getting their solutions and product to market
• What is the next big thing for IntelliCulture
• Will Cole be farming on mars with Elon
• What year Cole thinks 85% of tractors that famers use will be automated tech
• Coles journey of entrepreneurship from automotive to agriculture fresh out of college
• What Cole has to say to young entrepreneurs getting started

Learn more about IntelliCulture and Cole: https://www.intelliculture.ca
 

Aberhart Family of Companies: 

https://aberhartagsolutions.ca

https://aberhartfarms.com

https://suregrowth.ca

https://www.convergencegrowth.com

If you want to be part of the Growing the Future community, make sure to say hi on social at: https://linktr.ee/Growingthefuturepodcast

Don't forget to share this episode with your fellow Growing the Future trailblazers and subscribe to the podcast. 

In this episode of Growing the Future Podcast, Dan interviews Marcia Cripps. In addition to her very impressive credentials and diverse background, Marcia is an avid entrepreneur who describes herself as the nerd behind her company Agfluence. Agfluence is a focused marketing company whose goal is to integrate academic research into marketing and promotion for all aspects of agriculture. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Marcia's strong connection to agriculture, her training and education, and her experiences winning beauty pageants
• Marcia's take on modern agronomy education
• Marcia's personal experience working as a sales agronomist in California
• Marcia's experience working with biology as an independent potato agronomist in Michigan
• The difference between working as a sales agronomist and the entrepreneur consulting route
• The unsafe working condition for women in the agriculture industry
• Based on data and research what are some of the things that growers may want to implement next year
• How Marcia became an Ag influencer
• How Agfluence is helping agricultural businesses with their social media presence
• Marcia's recommended social media platforms for people in agriculture
• How companies in the agriculture space can incorporate social media
• The advantages of having a social media presence
• Twitter lighting round

Learn more about Agfluence and Marcia here

And if you want to be part of the Growing the Future community, make sure to say hi on social at: 

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Say hi to Dan on IG

GTF YouTube Channel

Also, don't forget to share this episode with your fellow Growing the Future trailblazers and subscribe to the podcast.