Our Two Cents Podcast

John Moore is the former President of the Kern County Farm Bureau, and real estate agent with a demonstrated history of working in the agricultural industry. His main focus is on maintaining economic viability and environmental sustainability of the agricultural industry. He obtained his bachelor's degree from Texas Christian University, and firmly believes in agricultural advocacy.

Lucas Espericueta is currently the Vice-President at Farm Credit West where he has worked for the past 10 years. He comes from a family of farmers and custom harvesters here in Kern County. He is an alumni of California Ag Leadership and the current Regional Director for recruiting and fundraising for CALF. He and his wife Candice are raising their three boys here in Kern County!

Todd Snider is the Owner and Principal Agent for Western Ag Crop Insurance Services, L.L.C. in Bakersfield, CA. Western Ag Crop Insurance is premier provider of Crop Insurance and consists of a highly skilled staff that possess a combined 30 years of Crop Insurance policy and program knowledge. Todd works to customize Crop Insurance policies to best match a grower's risk tolerance, and to control the size and scope of any future losses.

Scott Hanson welcomes back John Moore, Lucas Espericueta, and Todd Snider for the 2023 Agriculture Round Table!! All three guests give us updates on both their personal lives and businesses. They discuss our local water issues and how the constant rise in prices are affecting everyone in the agricultural industry and not just farmers. They end the show with their predictions for the new year in each of their industries.

LEARN MORE ABOUT:

Western Ag Crop Insurance Services

Website: https://westernagcropinsurance.com/

Phone: 661-695-1700

Instagram: @WesternAgCropInsurance

Facebook: Western_Ag_Crop_Insurance

LinkedIn: WesternAgCropInsurance

Tech Ag Financial Group

Website: www.techagfinancial.com/

Phone: 661-695-6500

Instagram: @techagfinancial

Facebook: Tech_Ag_Financial

Farm Credit West

Website: www.farmcreditwest.com/

Phone: 661-399-7360

Christina Springstead has over 20 years experience in helping others develop and operate their business successfully. She is a Certified Public Bookkeeper equipped with an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management, and a Profit First Certification, Mastery Level, which has set the foundation for Springstead Solutions. Her passion is to see businesses thrive and help clients build long-term success for themselves personally and professionally.

John Duffield and Amanda DiGiacomo host OTC's first ever accounting roundtable with Christina Springstead, the Owner and CEO of Springstead Solutions! Amanda updates us on the changes that have been made to the 1099 K forms that will be sent out from 3rd party apps. Christina gives advice for what businesses need to be prepared for with the new year, such as combing through all their transactions and double checking all invoices. If you are a business owner and looking for guidance on what to do with the new year, tune into this week's episode!

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPRINGSTEAD SOLUTIONS:

Website: www.springsteadsolutions.com

Instagram: @springsteadsolutions

Facebook: Springstead_Solutions

LinkedIn: @Christina_Springstead

*Holiday Replay*

Local music sensation Jim ranger has been involved in music since he was 20 years old. He was on American Idol when he was 28 and the Voice when he was 38. He has also had the privilege of singing the national anthem for the Lakers over 20 times! He has recorded 3 solo albums and 2 eps and produced music for others. In addition to being involved in the music business, Jim has been a Pastor since he was 24.

Jim dives into his family background and how they inspired his love for music. He tells us the story of how he met his beautiful wife and the successes they have had over the years. Finally he gives us an inside look at his journey from auditioning at American Idol to The Voice.

LEARN MORE ABOUT JIM RANGER:

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @JimRanger

Instagram: JimRangerMusic

Facebook: Jim_Ranger_Music

YouTube: @Jim_Ranger

Angel Cottrell has consulted with and coached entrepreneurs and taught entrepreneurship topics for more than 15 years. Most recently, she joined the Kern High School District as Program Manager of Entrepreneurship Resource Centers (ERC). The KHSD ROC & CTEC ERC are designed to support youth in developing entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial mindsets and thinking. As CEO of Apollo Consultancy Group Inc, Angel utilizes 25 years of successful business development, innovative change management initiatives, and strategic leadership experience to support entrepreneurs and leaders who aim to accomplish groundbreaking goals. Angel believes everyone should have the opportunity to experience the greatest version of their grandest vision in business and in life.

Amanda DiGiacomo sits down with Angel Cottrell, the Program Manager, Angel teaches 4 different entrepreneurship programs that help shape the mindsets of 7th to 12th graders to help them become successful entrepreneurs. If you are interested in signing your child up for classes, enrollment is now open!

LEARN MORE ABOUT CTEC:

Website: https://erc.kernhigh.org/

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 661-827-3739

LinkedIn: @Angel_Cottrell

Mr. Hathaway is the owner and founder of Hathaway LLC. In 2011, 2012 and 2013 Hathaway LLC was named the fastest growing privately owned company in Kern County by Inc. Magazine and was named the TEEMCO 2013 West Coast E&P Company of the Year. Chad is the co-founder/President of the Kern County Energy Foundation and the Eastside Water Management Area.

Prior to starting Hathaway LLC, Mr. Hathaway spent several years in various oil and gas fields, learning operations first hand. He also worked in the directional drilling business, before founding Payzone Direction Services. This wide array of experience has provided him the knowledge and ability to gain a competitive advantage in the industry. Chad attended Bakersfield College and California State University, Fresno majoring in Communications with an emphasis in Business.

Troy Burden welcomes Chad Hathaway, the owner of Hathaway, LLC. as he discusses the current state of our oil industry and how oil is used in almost every business. Chad outlines the different regulations that are put on oil and how it can lead to increased prices. He also explains that the best way to be an ally is to educate yourself on the issues that surround oil and vote to make a difference.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HATHAWAY LLC.:

Website: www.hathawayllc.com/

Phone: 661-393-2004

Instagram: @Chad.Hathaway

LinkedIn: Chad_Hathaway

Aaron Falk has served as the President and CEO of Kern Community Foundation since 2021.

Aaron grew up in Bakersfield, CA and graduated from Stockdale High School. He has a degree in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara and is currently in the MBA program at California State University, Bakersfield. He also completed the U.S. Air Force Air Command and Staff College as a civilian.

Before joining the Foundation, Aaron worked for over a decade as a Congressional staffer. For 7 years in Washington, D.C. Aaron focused on policy supporting the U.S. military, national security, and veterans. He returned to Bakersfield in 2017 and worked for U.S. Representative Kevin McCarthy through 2021. As Kevin's local representative, Aaron saw firsthand both Kern County's potential and challenges. Through these experiences, Aaron has fully committed himself to improving life for everyone in Kern County.

Scott Hanson sits down with Aaron Falk the current President and CEO of the Kern Community Foundation as he explains the difference between them and nonprofits. The foundation works with anywhere between 250 and 300 fund holders that donate their money to causes that are close to their heart. For instance, the Kern Community Foundation is in charge of Give Big Kern which is an event on the first Tuesday of May where anyone can donate to local nonprofits. They are also offering college scholarships for high school seniors. If you would like to learn about getting involved check out their website below!

LEARN MORE ABOUT KERN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION:

Website: www.kernfoundation.org/

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 661-325-5346

Instagram: @kernfoundation

Facebook: @KernFoundation

Twitter: @kernfoundation

YouTube: @Kern_Foundation_LIVE

Dr. Hugh Beatty, aka "The Wellness Doc", is committed to providing quality medical care for your entire family. Dr. Beatty graduated from Occidental College in 1981 and obtained his BA in Chemistry from USCD School of Medicine in 1985. He has been practicing medicine in Bakersfield since 1998 where he offers comprehensive medical care and pain management procedures.

Kyle Jones welcomes back Dr. Hugh Beatty back as he explains how he is now implementing a concierge service to his existing and new patients. This means they are able to contact Dr. Beatty outside of business hours as well as schedule appointments quicker! He also discusses Ozone Therapy, which he is now offering, and explains why this is another service he uses to help his patients.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HUGH BEATTY, MD:

Website: www.hughbeatty.com/

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 661-395-0315

Instagram: @docnbak

Facebook: @The_Wellness_Doc

LinkedIn: @Hugh_Beatty_MD

Russell Johnson is a Bakersfield native and after obtaining his undergraduate at Bakersfield College, he transferred to the University of California Santa Barbara where he obtained his bachelor's degree in history. He has extensive experience in government and has served as a District Representative for a local State Senator, Chief of Staff to a County Supervisor, Planning Commissioner, and Councilmember at the City of Bakersfield. In 2010, Russell started the government affairs firm, Common Sense Consulting, a full-service government relations and public affairs firm where he helps clients with issues such as land entitlement, property tax assessment appeals, permits, and association management. Currently, he serves as CEO of Victory Family Services, a foster family agency where resource families are supported through continuous training, education, and Development. Russell and his wife Susanne were married in 2006, and together they are raising their sons, Benjamin and Ryan.

John Duffield and Dave Plivelich sit down with Russell Johnson, owner of Common Sense Consulting, a business he created from his passion of helping others solve problems. He explains that the government speaks its own language and what we consider to be inefficiencies are actually processes that protect the general public. Russell also touches on his passion projects as well as the different nonprofits he is a part of. If you have big plans but find yourself overwhelmed by government policies give Russell a call!

LEARN MORE ABOUT RUSSELL JOHNSON:

Website: https://consulting-commonsense.com/

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 661-203-1838

LinkedIn: Russell_Johnson

La Rosa has been a family business and a Bakersfield favorite since 1980 and is now in its second generation of owners. Norma Diaz took over the family business in 2004 and has watched it gain even more happy customers. Meanwhile, Norma has also made a strong commitment to the company's community involvement, including La Rosa's sponsorship of a blood drive at Houchin Blood Bank. The "Beat the Heat Blood Drive" gave a free La Rosa bar to anyone who donated blood. The effort was designed to increase the number of Hispanic donors, many of whom carry a rare antigen in their blood which could save another's life.

OTC host Dave Plivelich from The Marcom Group welcomes Norma Diaz the owner of La Rosa Fruit Bars & Ice Cream as she shares the history behind La Rosa and how her parents started it all. Norma is proud to say that their fruit bars are still made from scratch and are always fresh. The business has remained in the family and the everyday operations have stayed the same since the beginning. While you can find La Rosa Fruit Bars in a lot of locations around town, she also lets us in on a secret…you can rent a cart full of your favorites for any event! If you want La Rosa to be a part of your special event, give Norma a call directly at 661-619-9359.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LA ROSA:

Website: https://larosafruitbars.com/welcome.html

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 661-323-6877 or 661-619-9359

Instagram: @LaRosaFruit

Facebook: @La_Rosa_Fruit

Carli O'Cana is a woman of passion who is here to educate and guide her community through natural options for healthy and comfortable living. Her journey began in 2012 when she learned about the benefits of CBD and pain. Carli searched and thought of noninvasive ways to bring a product to the market that even your grandma wouldn't fear. She is here to help break the stigma around cannabis and all of its beautiful benefits. With years of research and experience she has been able to help so many with quality CBD products and more recently, nootropics and adaptogens.

Amanda DiGiacomo sits down with Carli O'Cana the owner of Quartz Trading Co as she discusses the common misconceptions that surround CBD and how helpful it can be with treating pain and anxiety. She also explains what to look for when purchasing CBD products to ensure that it is safe. Carli also tells us the challenges she faced when starting her company and how difficult it was trying to be a part of the community when there are negative feelings towards CBD. If you are interested in trying CBD products listen in to hear how Quartz Trading Co. differs from other local shops.

LEARN MORE ABOUT QUARTZ TRADING CO.:

Website: https://quartztradingco.com/

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 661-235-8CBD

Instagram: @quartztradingco

Facebook: @quartztradingco