In this episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Joel Penhorwood and Brianna Smith chat with the Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge and Assistant State Veterinarian Dr. Kristy Shaw. They discuss the county fair season and what the future holds for the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) within the state.

Then, Joel talks with Kelly Morgan, Director of the OH-Pigs Program where she highlights personal growth of the exhibitors, along with the opportunities the program holds for the future of the swine industry.

In this episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Joel Penhorwood speaks with Sam Park, Ohio Channel Technical Agronomist. Sam shares his knowledge on how to best mitigate the heavy rainfall this spring in terms of nitrogen management, more specifically denitrification and leeching.

Then, Dusty Sonnenberg checks in with Jordan Hoewischer, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Director of Water Quality and Research, to discuss their recent media and legislative field days focused on show casing conservation practices.

Wrapping up the episode, Brianna Smith talks with Kelley Tillmon, OSU Extension Entomologist, about what pests everyone should be on the lookout for this summer.

In this episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Dusty Sonnenberg and Brianna Smith visit Baumgarte Farms to meet young agriculturalists Trevor German and Emma Burchett. The duo shares their journey back to the family farm, insights on Ohio’s Beginning Farmer Tax Credit, and how they’re leading the way with drone technology through their business Eagle Eye Agriculture in crop spraying, cover crops, and even zoo greenhouses.

Also in this episode, Dale Minyo talks ethanol awareness with Gerry Puckett of Ohio Corn & Wheat, and Joel Penhorwood checks in from Pettisville High School with ag educator Whitney Short and her experience with GrowNextGen.

In this episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Dusty Sonnenberg talks with Dr. Horacio Lopez-Nicora, OSU Extension Soybean Pathologist and Nematologist, to discuss timely scouting tips for soybean seedling diseases. The conversation covers how to properly submit samples, the effectiveness and limits of seed treatments, and a practical approach to managing persistent pathogens like Phytophthora and Fusarium. Dr. Lopez-Nicora also dives into current insights on soybean cyst nematode (SCN), highlighting a free testing opportunity for Ohio growers and how rotating resistance sources is key to keeping SCN populations in check.

Then, Joel Penhorwood is joined by OSU Plant Pathologist Dr. Pierce Paul to unpack headlines surrounding a court case involving an attempted smuggling of Fusarium graminearum into the U.S. – a pathogen that’s no stranger to Ohio. They explore how this year's weather could be impacting its presence, how drone-applied fungicides are changing the game, and why now is a crucial time for farmers to stay on top of field monitoring.

This episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast brings together the latest in livestock leadership, soil health, and farm policy updates impacting Ohio producers.

Dusty Sonnenberg and Joel Penhorwood lead a timely conversation with Duane Stateler and Pat Hord – two Ohio hog producers now serving in key leadership roles with the National Pork Producers Council with Stateler currently servicing as President and Hord as Vice President. They dig into major industry topics including Prop 12 implications, biosecurity threats like screwworm, and how Ohio farmers are helping shape national pork policy.

Joel also catches up with Amy Weaver of Farm Credit Mid-America to learn more about the Growing Forward Program – designed to support young, beginning, and small farmers with tailored resources and opportunities.

Then, Dusty chats with Kate Shenk, Director of Regulatory Affairs with Clean Fuels Alliance America, about compelling new research on biodiesel’s benefits – findings with a major upside for Ohio’s agricultural economy.

Finally, Joe Everett and Brianna Smith talk soil strategy with Dr. Manbir Rakkar of The Ohio State University. With rain-soaked fields and delayed planting on many minds, Dr. Rakkar discusses when waiting just a bit longer might be the healthiest option for your soils in the long run, though far easier said than done.

The Ohio Ag Net Podcast crew heads back to southeast Ohio to talk with Morgan County cattle producers who joined us in September 2024 in the midst of an especially hard drought. Has land and more rebounded from that time? Join Dusty Sonnenberg as he talks with local livestock producers Austin Wiseman, Gary Haines, and OSU Extension Field Specialist Garth Ruff to discuss the past year.

Later on, Ohio Ag Net's Dale Minyo catches up with Luke Crumley of Ohio Corn & Wheat about how they and their farmer leaders are staying busy in an ever-changing policy environment.

In this episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, we’re on location in Ottawa County, where a packed barn at the Sheldon and Samantha Miller farm hosted a standout legislative meeting of the Ottawa County Farm Bureau. Ohio Ag Net's Dusty Sonnenberg moderates a thoughtful roundtable with farmers Sheldon Miller, Samantha Miller, Josh Behnke, and Jordan Moore as they dive into the personal and community-wide impacts of conservation programs, land use pressures, weather disasters, and the unintended consequences of federal incentives.

Later, Adam Sharp of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation reflects on the importance of civil, local conversations in shaping statewide agricultural policy.

Finally, Dale Minyo visits with Optimus Technologies CEO Colin Huwyler to learn how 100% soy biodiesel is hitting the road in real-world fleet operations, including some right here in Ohio.

Need motivation? Look no further.

This special edition of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast takes you inside the 97th Ohio FFA State Convention with the help of our 2025 Student FFA Reporters. The episode opens with a roundtable featuring returning reporters Sydney Beiting of East Clinton FFA and Alexis White of Fort Frye FFA, alongside new team members Cole Bauman (Liberty Center FFA), Tara Kremer (New Bremen FFA), and Emily Lichtle (Crestview FFA).

From there, hear in-depth interviews with the four recipients of the prestigious Ohio Star State FFA Degree awards:

• Delaney Jones, Ohio Star Farmer (Allen East FFA)
• Emma Brandenburg, Ohio Star in Agricultural Placement (Felicity-Franklin FFA)
• Callie Finnegan, Ohio Star in Agribusiness (Firelands FFA)
• Joanna Hamilton, Ohio Star in Agriscience (Felicity-Franklin FFA)

The episode also features conversations with outgoing State FFA President Anna Moeller, newly elected State President Carter Boyd, keynote speaker Nicki Joiner, Versailles FFA members recognized for chapter and proficiency honors, and a final FFA convention reflection with farm broadcaster Dale Minyo.

In this week's Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Joel Penhorwood sits down with Nick Sheets, founder of Henmick Farm & Brewery in Delaware. Nick shares the story of transforming his family's century-old farm into a thriving brewery and community destination. From the rustic charm of the 1860s barn to the commitment to locally sourced ingredients, Henmick offers a unique blend of agriculture and craft brewing. Nick discusses the vision behind Henmick, the importance of community, and the journey of reinvigorating a family legacy.​

Featured audio includes: 

• Cab Cam with David Phelps: Join David as he navigates the fields, offering insights into the challenges and rewards of modern farming.​

• Cab Cam with Robert Gray: Robert provides a firsthand look at the intricacies of planting season, sharing experiences and techniques.​

• Cab Cam with Adam and Alan Vonderhaar: In this episode, Adam and Alan discuss the dynamics of family farming and the evolving landscape of agriculture.

In this special edition of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, we take a heartfelt journey through the roots and growth of Ohio's premier farm broadcast network. Host Matt Reese is joined by former owner Bart Johnson, legendary broadcaster Dale Minyo, and team member Joel Penhorwood.

Together, they unpack the legacy of Ed Johnson, the birth of Ohio Ag Net, the evolution of ag media through radio, print, and podcasts, and the stories—some serious, many humorous—that shaped nearly two decades of service to Ohio agriculture.

Also in this episode, featured audio from around the state, beginning just after the 8-minute mark:

• A Between the Rows update with OCJ Editor Brianna Smith and Dale Miller of Wayne and Holmes County

• Jennie Schultice from Farm Credit Mid-America on the Stock the Trailer program

• Pettisville teacher Donna Meller discusses ag in the classroom with GrowNextGen

• Luke Crumley of Ohio Corn & Wheat shares insight on H2Ohio and water quality policy

Main Podcast Conversation Resumes – 46:32 The crew reflects on the rise of podcasting, video integration, and what's next for connecting with Ohio farmers.

Don’t miss this behind-the-microphone look at the unique history of the Ohio Ag Net.