In this powerful episode of Just Say Hay: The Podcast, Jon sits down with family nurse practitioner Leslie Ferrell to talk about the real challenges facing rural healthcare today — from hospital closures and low Medicaid reimbursements to the nursing shortage and tele-health struggles.

Leslie, a long-respected healthcare provider in Southern Illinois, shares her insights from decades on the front lines. Together, they discuss what makes rural healthcare so hard to sustain, how community members can help, and why access to care is becoming a luxury in small towns across America.

🔹 Why are so many rural hospitals shutting down?

🔹 How do insurance reimbursements impact your local clinic?

🔹 What’s the future of telehealth in underserved areas?

🔹 Can we bring back house calls and community-based care?

🔹 Why mental health still carries a stigma in farming communities

👉 Don’t miss this heartfelt conversation about the real people keeping rural America healthy — and the uphill battle they face every day.

#ruralhealthcare #smallfarms #nursing #ruralamerica #mentalhealth #justsayhay

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This quick Memorial Day episode of Just Say Hay takes a lighthearted but meaningful look at Clarkson’s Farm, the hit Amazon series that unexpectedly became a voice for small farmers. Jon shares why this British show has made a surprising impact on agriculture — raising public awareness, spotlighting red tape, and showing what real farm life looks like. It’s a fun watch with real lessons, especially for those of us working the land. Also, a moment of gratitude for the sacrifices that made our freedom possible.

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In this episode of Just Say Hay: The Podcast, we sit down with market farmer Caleb Boulds of The 280 Farm to talk about the hard-won lessons of building a small farm business from scratch. From eighth-grade pumpkin flops to roadside self-serve veggie stands, Caleb shares his entrepreneurial journey, the struggle for land access, and why community relationships matter more than ever in today’s ag world. If you’ve ever questioned whether small farms can thrive in a big ag system, this one’s for you.

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This week on Just Say Hay: The Podcast, Jon reflects on the best advice he ever received — and how it transformed his farm from a passion project into a thriving business. From equipment upgrades and rebuilding a friend’s old service truck to deep conversations on tariffs, trade, and the future of ag exports, it’s been a busy few weeks. Jon also dives into practical steps small farmers can take to treat their operations like true businesses, including tracking data, improving marketing, and focusing on what you do best. Real talk for real farms — let’s get growing!

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The global trade war is heating up—and small farms are caught in the crossfire. Here’s what’s happening, why it matters, and how we can brace for the impact.

The headlines say “tariffs,” but for small farmers, it feels like a gut punch. In this episode of Just Say Hay: The Podcast, Jon shares a brutally honest take on how the U.S.–China trade war is already hitting farms across the country. From intellectual property theft to skyrocketing input costs and shrinking export markets, Jon connects the global dots and brings it all back to the field. Plus, a personal update on farm life, and the kind of resilience only farmers understand.

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The Farm Bill is often presented as a lifeline for American agriculture, but is it actually working for small farmers? In this episode of Just Say Hay: The Podcast, we uncover the hidden reality behind this massive piece of legislation—how it overwhelmingly benefits corporate agribusiness while small farms struggle to survive.

We take a deep dive into the history of the Farm Bill, from its origins in the Dust Bowl era to its modern-day consequences. While subsidies, crop insurance, and conservation programs are meant to stabilize agriculture, they often shut out small and mid-sized farmers. Meanwhile, corporate consolidation is skyrocketing, and access to markets remains a major hurdle for independent producers.

But it’s not all doom and gloom—there’s a way forward. What if grocery stores were incentivized to source locally? Could tax breaks for purchasing from small farms within a 100-mile radius help shift the balance, strengthen local food systems, and improve food quality?

If you care about the future of small farms, food security, and agricultural policy, this episode is a must-listen.

👉 Follow & Subscribe to Just Say Hay:The Podcast on your favorite podcast app or YouTube to stay informed on the challenges and solutions shaping small farming today.

#FarmBill #SmallFarms #AgriculturePolicy #FoodSecurity #JustSayHay #FarmSubsidies

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What if AI could tell you the best time to cut hay or monitor your livestock 24/7? In this episode of Just Say Hay: The Podcast, Jon explores how artificial intelligence is transforming small farms—not just for big ag, but for farmers like you. From AI-powered weather predictions to computer vision tools that identify weeds in your field, we break down what’s real, what’s hype, and where the biggest risks lie. Plus, John sits down with a special “guest” to demonstrate AI in action—can it really hold a conversation? Tune in for an insightful discussion on how farmers can embrace AI without getting lost in the tech.

🔹 How AI is already helping small farms

🔹 The biggest myths about AI in agriculture

🔹 Risks, biases, and the future of AI-driven decision-making

🔹 Why staying informed about AI policies is crucial for farmers

Don’t miss this deep dive into the rise of AI in everyday farming!

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In this episode of Just Say Hay: The Podcast, we take a deep dive into the controversial topic of immigration—specifically how it impacts small farms. With mass deportations and labor shortages making headlines, large-scale agriculture often dominates the conversation, but what about the small farmer? We break down the realities of labor costs, the H-2A visa program, and how policies disproportionately favor big farms. Is there a fair solution? Tune in for a raw, insightful discussion on the challenges small farms face and the potential policy changes that could shape the future of agriculture.

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Beyoncé snagging the Country Music Album of the Year at the Grammys might sound like a joke, but it's a reality that sparked our deep dive into media manipulation and industry dynamics. How did the Grammy voting process transform from an honor system to one where commercial interests hold sway? With two decades of music and broadcasting experience, I pull back the curtain on what really happens behind the scenes. As we unravel this surprising turn of events, we also tackle the broader implications of media manipulation, including its surprising influence on small farm issues. Join us as we question the integrity of award processes and spotlight the critical need for awareness and critical thinking in a landscape swayed by hidden agendas.

Provoking, isn't it? Social media often amplifies our emotions and sometimes misleads us. Ever wondered how easily misinformation spreads or how Russian hacker farms might play a role? We'll explore these questions and emphasize personal responsibility when sharing information online. Our discussion doesn't stop there; we also focus on understanding and respecting differing viewpoints. How can you stand firm in your beliefs while remaining open to learning from others? We talk about balancing advocacy with openness to foster meaningful discourse, reinforcing the importance of fairness and compromise in today's divided media environment. Prepare to challenge your perspectives and discover new ways to engage responsibly with the world around you.

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I've watched Elon Musk for years and how he thinks about efficiencies in business.  These are some of my thoughts on how DOGE (The Department Of Government Efficiency) might recommend changing the USDA and how these changes might impact those of us who farm.

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