🚜 Not sure where to start with farm succession planning? You're not alone.

Many farm families know they need a succession plan, but the process can feel overwhelming, emotional, and difficult to begin.

In the second installment of this 2-part episode of On Life & Land, we continue our conversation with Lance Woodbury, farm succession planning expert and partner at Pinion Global, to break down the practical first steps every farm family can take to begin planning for the future.

You'll learn:

• Why so many families delay succession planning
• The biggest risks of waiting too long
• How to start productive family conversations
• The logical first steps for creating a transition plan
• Ways to protect both family relationships and the farm business

Whether you're preparing the next generation to take over or simply beginning to explore your options, this episode offers actionable guidance to help you move forward with confidence.

🌱 Listen now to learn how a thoughtful succession plan can help preserve your family's legacy and position your operation for long-term success.

Learn more at LanceWoodbury.com

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May.

🚜 Not sure where to start with farm succession planning? You're not alone.

Many farm families know they need a succession plan, but the process can feel overwhelming, emotional, and difficult to begin.

In the first installment of this 2-part episode of On Life & Land, we sit down with Lance Woodbury, farm succession planning expert and partner at Pinion Global, to break down the practical first steps every farm family can take to begin planning for the future.

You'll learn:

• Why so many families delay succession planning
• The biggest risks of waiting too long
• How to start productive family conversations
• The logical first steps for creating a transition plan
• Ways to protect both family relationships and the farm business

Whether you're preparing the next generation to take over or simply beginning to explore your options, this episode offers actionable guidance to help you move forward with confidence.

🌱 Listen now to learn how a thoughtful succession plan can help preserve your family's legacy and position your operation for long-term success.

Learn more at LanceWoodbury.com

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May.

AI is transforming agriculture faster than ever — but are farmers using it to its full potential? 🌱🤖 In this episode, you'll learn practical ways foundational AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini can improve farm operations, decision-making, communication, and crop management.

Nick Horob, founder of Harvest Profit, joins Brian Kohlmann, director of AI and emerging technologies at Bader Rutter, to explore how artificial intelligence is becoming a real-world tool for modern agriculture — not just another search engine.

Listeners will learn: ✅ How AI can streamline on-farm workflows ✅ Prompting tips for better AI results ✅ Which AI tools work best for agriculture applications ✅ How AI can assist with difficult conversations and business decisions

Whether you're a 10,000-acre row crop farmer, 500-head seedstock operation, or 5-acre market garden grower, this episode offers practical insights into using generative AI in agriculture today.

🎙 Featuring: Nick Horob — Founder, Harvest Profit Brian Kohlmann — Director of AI & Emerging Technologies, Bader Rutter

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May.

The High Plains Aquifer plays a critical role in supporting U.S. agriculture—but how is it changing over time?

In this episode, we speak with Dr. James Butler, senior hydrologist at the University of Kansas, to examine current trends in aquifer levels, the factors influencing water use, and what the data tells us about long-term sustainability.

💧 In this episode, we explore:

• Key drivers behind High Plains Aquifer depletion
• The relationship between irrigation practices and groundwater levels
• Regional differences in water availability across the Midwest
• Ongoing research and strategies to improve water efficiency
• What sustainable water management could look like moving forward

This episode offers a data-driven look at groundwater management, agricultural sustainability, and resource planning—valuable for producers, policymakers, and anyone interested in the future of food systems.

Can a small rural town reinvent itself—and actually thrive? Ottumwa, Iowa proves the answer is yes. 🌱

In this episode, we sit down with Kris Patrick, Director of Main Street Ottumwa, to unpack how a decade-long revitalization effort transformed a struggling downtown into a vibrant hub for businesses, residents, and community life.

You'll discover:

• 🏛️ How historic preservation fuels economic growth
• 🏘️ The role of housing development in rural revitalization
• 🌳 Why investing in public spaces drives long-term success
• 📈 A proven Main Street model other rural communities can replicate

Whether you're a city planner, economic developer, or community leader, this episode offers actionable insights into rural development strategy, downtown revitalization, and small-town growth.

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May.

What if an entire ancient civilization was hiding in plain sight—until 2002? Range Creek is one of North America's best-preserved archaeological discoveries… and most people have never heard of it.

In this episode, we uncover the astonishing story behind Range Creek, Utah—a remote canyon that protected a vast Fremont Native American site for centuries. From intricate rock art to intact granaries filled with ancient grain, this discovery reshaped what we know about early civilizations in the American West.

You'll hear directly from Dr. Shannon Boomgarden, field station director, and Corinne Springer, field station manager, as they reveal:

• 🏺 Who the Fremont people were and how they lived
• 🧭 Why Range Creek remained untouched for so long
• 🔍 What archaeologists are still discovering today
• 🌄 How the site is being preserved for future generations

Whether you're fascinated by archaeology, Native American history, or hidden discoveries, this episode offers a rare look into a truly untouched past.

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May.

Can you start farming without land or a family farm? Yes—and greenhouses might be the key.

In this episode, we explore greenhouse and nursery production as one of the more accessible entry points into agriculture. For aspiring farmers who didn't grow up on a farm and don't have inherited land, controlled-environment agriculture can offer a lower-cost, scalable way to get started.

🌱 What you'll learn in this episode:

• Why greenhouse and nursery production can be a practical starting point for new farmers • The economics of small-scale greenhouse operations • How beginners can enter the ornamental, and nursery plant markets • The skills, infrastructure, and mindset required to succeed in controlled-environment agriculture • Lessons from an industry insider working with national turf and ornamental producers

Our guest is Broch Martindale, nursery producer and national strategic accounts manager for Corteva Agriscience, who brings us firsthand insight into nursery and greenhouse production, plant markets, and the opportunities available to beginning farmers.

Whether you're dreaming about farming, exploring urban agriculture, or looking for low-capital agriculture business ideas, this conversation offers a realistic look at how new growers can find their way into the industry.

🌿 Topics include: greenhouse farming, nursery production, controlled-environment agriculture, beginning farmer strategies, and ornamental plant markets.

The Gathering of the Green is one of the premier events for vintage John Deere collectors, restoration enthusiasts, and agricultural history fans — and this year's theme, "An American Original," celebrates the legacy of one of farming's most iconic brands.

Host David Jones sits down with Ken Reese, one of the founders of the Gathering of the Green, to explore how the event began, why it continues to grow, and what makes it a must-attend experience for collectors and rural history lovers alike.

🌾 In this episode, you'll hear about: • The origins and mission of The Gathering of the Green • What makes John Deere restoration culture so enduring • Behind-the-scenes stories from the event's founders • Highlights including rare parts vendors, restoration workshops, farm and factory tours, and memorabilia sessions • Why this biennial gathering feels like a reunion for the agricultural community

Whether you're restoring a tractor, fascinated by rural heritage, or simply love stories of American innovation, this episode offers insight, nostalgia, and inspiration from the heart of farm country.

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May.

How did a thriving farming valley lose its water — and what does it still mean for California agriculture today? In this episode, we explore the history, conflict, and lasting impact of the California Water Wars.

The story of Owens Valley and the city of Los Angeles is one of the most controversial chapters in American water history — a clash between urban growth, rural livelihoods, and the struggle over one of the West's most precious resources.

Host David Jones speaks with Dan Keppen, counselor to the Family Farm Alliance and a longtime expert on California water policy, to unpack how the California Water Wars began, why they still matter, and what they reveal about water rights, agriculture, and government power today.

🌾 In this episode, you'll learn: • The history behind the Owens Valley water diversion • How Los Angeles reshaped California's water landscape • Why water rights remain central to California agriculture • The lasting political, legal, and cultural consequences of the conflict • How past decisions still influence modern debates over farming and water policy

This episode offers historical perspective and thoughtful context on an issue that continues to shape the future of the American West.

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May.

Some machines do a job. Others change a generation.

The John Deere 4020 didn't just work the land — it became part of farm families, memories, and livelihoods. Decades after production ended, these tractors are still starting at dawn and heading back to the field.

So what made the 4020 different?

We sit down with Chris Boyens from John Deere Heritage Marketing to trace the story behind the iron — the engineering breakthroughs, the farmer loyalty, and the quiet reliability that turned a tractor into an icon.

In this episode, you'll hear: 🌾 How the 4020 changed everything for row-crop farmers 🔧 Which features made it feel years ahead of its time ❤️ Why owners refuse to sell them, and why collectors love them

If you've ever smelled diesel at sunrise or watched the dust roll behind a field cultivator, this one's going to feel like home.

On Life & Land is produced for John Deere by Bader Rutter and is hosted by David Jones, former editor of John Deere's The Furrow magazine. Recording, mixing and mastering services are provided by RecWest Studio, and our music is by Dale May.