Ohio Ag Net Podcast

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.

Show season is upon us, and Roger High of the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association (and a noted livestock judge himself) joins several members of the Ohio Ag Net team for a unique discussion about the trends - both differences and similarities - between commercial and show livestock. Ohio Ag Net's Jeff Reese and Joel Penhorwood, each with unique experience in the show world from a feed and showing perspective, join OCJ's Matt Reese for this talk about the convergence between the world of market vs. show.

How do judges walk the line between the two standards? It's a topic with many opinions, and we dive into a few of them in this episode. Tune in!

In this thought-provoking episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, host Matt Reese is joined by Ty Higgins of Ohio Farm Bureau and Melanie Wilt of Shift•ology Communication and Clark County Commissioner.

Together, they dive into the concept of echo chambers—what they are, how they affect us, and the implications for agriculture, media, and beyond. From a tragic community crisis in Springfield to Chihuahua anecdotes and family holiday debates, the trio explores how differing perspectives shape our understanding of the world.

They also offer insights on how agriculture can better communicate across divides in an era dominated by curated information and social media algorithms. It's a challenging yet constructive conversation about the importance of stepping outside our comfort zones.

Do you know who Ohio's "corn model" is?

According to Matt Reese in this week's Ohio Ag Net Podcast, that model is Tyler Drewes of Wood County, a corn producer and the president of the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association. Matt and Tyler catch up at the 2025 Celebration of Ohio Corn & Wheat on Feb. 4 to discuss crop genetics, grower adaptability, and year-round E-15.

Featured audio includes:

• Matt talks with both the corn and wheat winners of the 2024 Yield Contest. In the Ohio corn yield contest, Kent Edwards of Erie County achieved the highest yield with 344.82 bushels per acre. Meanwhile, in the wheat contest, Aaron Stuckey of Fulton County topped the charts with 140.1286 bushels per acre. Matt asks both of them for their tricks of the trade, especially during the challenging 2024 growing season.
• Dale Minyo speaks with Mike Ralph of Marion County, a corn and soybean farmer who serves on the Ohio Soybean Council Board of Trustees. The two discuss reducing greenhouse gas emissions through biodiesel and renewable fuels, as well as the rise of soybean oil across the United States.

In this week's Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Matt Reese catches up with newly-elected Ohio Farmers Union President Bryn Bird. They talk cross-country moves, diverse vegetable production, and family farming. Bird also shares what the union is advocating on behalf of farmers for, including strengthening regional food systems and farms.

Featured audio includes:

• Dale Minyo catches up with the Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture Brian Baldridge at the Ohio Beef Expo.
• Joel Penhorwood meets with the President of the Ohio Auctioneers Association Darby Walton at the Ohio Beef Expo.
• Dale stops by the Farm Credit Mid-America office in Brown County to talk with Rudi Pitzer Perry during Patronage Week.

The Commodity Classic brings together some of the biggest names in agriculture, and this episode takes you on a virtual tour of the trade show floor. Ohio Ag Net's Dusty Sonnenberg and Joe Everett catch up with industry leaders to hear the latest on everything from crop protection and seed innovation to ag lending and equipment advancements. Whether it's new technologies, financing options, or the latest in biologicals, this episode has something for everyone in ag.

We kick off the podcast in an in-depth discussion with Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association's Tadd Nicholson

Featured interviews include:

• Dale Ireland, Syngenta
• Gail Stratman, FMC
• Jared Cox, Meristem
• Pat Clay, Valent
• Tara Durbin, Farm Credit
• Tim Hennessy, Phyco Terra
• Todd Jeffries, Seed Genetics Direct
• Tony White, Bayer
• Kim Tutor, BASF
• David Brennan, Case IH
• Andrew Luzum, Corteva

The annual Commodity Classic is a big deal for agriculture, bringing together voices from across the industry to talk about what lies ahead. In this episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Farm Director Dusty Sonnenberg brings you insights from the recent Commodity Classic 2025, featuring updates from a wide range of key agricultural commodity organizations. From market trends and trade discussions to sustainability efforts and transportation challenges, this episode covers it all.

Featured interviews in order of appearance:

• Jed Bower, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA)​
• Tyler Drewes and Jared Cox, Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association (OCWGA)​
• Caleb Ragland, American Soybean Association (ASA)​
• Rusty Goebel, Ohio Soybean Association (OSA)
• Jerry Bambauer and Tom Fontana, Ohio Soybean Council (OSC)
• Tom Verry, Clean Fuels Alliance America​
• Janna Fritz and Jim Sutter, U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC)​
• Phillip Good and Brent Gatton, United Soybean Board (USB)​
• Mike Steenhoek, Soy Transportation Coalition

Planting season is just around the corner, so listen to this episode for a one-stop place to hear what issues farmers face that could impact your crops in the field.