SharkFarmer Podcast

In this episode, we explore the journey of Kelly Leffler from rural Illinois to becoming the US Small Business Administration administrator, discussing her insights on agriculture, deregulation, and supporting small businesses and farmers.

key topics

• Kelly Leffler's background and rural upbringing
• Impact of deregulation on small businesses and farmers
• The role of the SBA in supporting manufacturing and defense supply chains
• Policy perspectives on environmental regulation and green initiatives
• The importance of small businesses in American economic strength
• Leadership and decision-making in government and politics

Chapters

In this episode, Rob Sharkey interviews Barry and Michelle Acoke from Parma, Missouri, exploring their diverse ventures in agriculture, business, and community service. They share insights on farming, entrepreneurship, faith, and the importance of relationships in success.

key topics

• The Acoke family's farming background and diversification into cotton, rice, and other crops
• Barry's journey from cotton consultant to international distributor and business owner
• The role of faith and community service in their business philosophy
• Challenges and rewards of managing nursing homes and restaurants
• The importance of relationships and good leadership in rural businesses

Chapters

Rob Sharkey talks with Neil Koch of Harlan, Indiana, the creator behind Dig Drive DIY, about how a hobby channel grew into a full-time job. Neil explains the mix of heavy equipment work, family life, and practical projects that shaped his videos, plus the backstory behind his backyard pond, his agronomy career, and the community that supports him.We discuss how Neil builds videos around real projects, why storytelling matters more than just filming work, and what it took to leave a stable job to pursue YouTube full time. The conversation also covers equipment, sponsorships, and the patience required to grow an audience the right way.

• Neil shares how Dig Drive DIY started with casual uploads, then grew after a bulldozer-loading video unexpectedly took off.
• He explains the channel name and its three pillars: digging projects, driving equipment, and DIY work.
• Neil walks through the backyard pond project that helped his channel break out, including the concrete walkway, pier, and well that keeps it filled.
• He explains why the pond was designed to be low-maintenance, mowable, and visually interesting on camera.
• We discuss how Neil's background as a heavy-equipment operator shaped both his skills and his comfort with large projects.
• Neil shares the leap from agronomist to full-time YouTuber, including the gradual step down from five days a week to three before leaving altogether.
• He talks about the importance of a supportive spouse, family, and local community when making a risky career change.
• Neil describes how his video style blends education and entertainment, and why he tries to make each project feel like a story with a beginning, middle, and end.
• We discuss sponsorships, Patreon, and how income from YouTube typically grows only after an audience is already established.
• Neil offers advice to younger creators: be patient, accept criticism, build thick skin, and do not expect quick money.

00:00 — Rob introduces Neil Koch and Dig Drive DIY 00:35 — Harlan, Indiana, and life near the Ohio border 01:05 — Brandt sponsorship and a funny equipment-sizing conversation 04:53 — How Neil describes the Dig Drive DIY channel 05:21 — The bulldozer-loading video that helped the channel take off 06:21 — Why the channel is called Dig Drive DIY 07:40 — Firewood, driveway work, and the pond video that changed everything 08:39 — Why Neil built a backyard pond 09:09 — Concrete edging, a pier, and designing for easy maintenance 10:08 — How the pond is filled with a well instead of runoff 11:36 — Keeping the pond full and fresh with a switch system 13:24 — The emotional side of finishing a big project 14:51 — Using projects as an excuse to keep building 15:47 — An old pocket knife passed down from childhood 17:39 — Leaving his agronomy job to do YouTube full time 18:37 — The fear of quitting a stable job for creator work 20:29 — Neil's wife and family support 22:16 — Risk, uncertainty, and why YouTube can change fast 23:44 — Keeping the channel family-friendly and community-centered 25:08 — Studying elementary education and never becoming a teacher 26:38 — The teaching style that shows up in Neil's videos 28:03 — Explaining drainage tile and field work on camera 28:33 — Neil's work as an agronomist 29:33 — Learning agriculture through family and on-the-job experience 31:21 — Approaching new challenges without fear of failure 33:17 — The story behind the Dig Drive DIY name 34:14 — Reaching 350,000 subscribers and dealing with imposter syndrome 36:14 — Strong local support from family, friends, and neighbors 37:40 — Community cooperation and volunteerism in small-town life 39:04 — Natural equipment skill and the value of patience 40:46 — Favorite projects, including the Bruno garden tractor and a restored 1979 Ford Bronco 42:40 — Advice for people who want to start a YouTube channel 43:41 — Why AI content may not replace real stories 44:39 — Why creators should not expect to get rich quickly on YouTube 45:40 — How YouTube income works, including AdSense and sponsorships 47:37 — How brand deals come to Neil and why he uses an agent 49:02 — Why newer creators should be realistic about the timeline 49:58 — Closing thoughts and appreciation for positive online content

In this episode, we explore the impactful work of Karen Schiller at Compeer, her journey from journalism to agriculture, and the importance of community leadership and giving back in rural America.

key topics

• Karen Schiller's background and transition from journalism to agriculture
• The role of Compeer in supporting rural communities and agriculture
• The importance of leadership and volunteerism in rural areas
• Strategies for effective philanthropy and community investment
• The impact of small donations and community involvement

Chapters

Jimmy O'Connor, founder of the Second Story Foundation, shares his inspiring journey of recovery from severe substance use disorder and how his farm-based program helps others rebuild their lives through work, community, and purpose.

• The mission of the Second Story Foundation
• The role of farm work in recovery and resilience
• Systemic barriers faced by those in early recovery
• The importance of community and support networks
• The impact of natural settings on mental health
• The process of building a sustainable recovery program
• The significance of self-sufficiency and independence in recovery
• The role of professional help and peer support in overcoming addiction

• Farm-based programs can provide real work experience and build confidence for those in recovery.
• Long-term sobriety is a daily journey that requires community, purpose, and support.
• Systemic barriers like unstable housing and unemployment are major hurdles for recovery.
• Natural settings and farm work have inherent healing properties.
• Building a sustainable, generational recovery program requires careful planning and stewardship.

Chapters

In this episode of Shark Farmer, Rob talks with Chandler Janes of Urbana, Illinois about life, farming, faith, and the path that shaped her career in agriculture. Chandler shares how growing up in central Illinois, losing her dad unexpectedly at a young age, and finding her place on the family farm influenced both her personal life and professional journey.They kick things off with a lively conversation about Beck's Hybrids' big event and the energy of ag shows, including how farmers and ag professionals tend to bring a more positive attitude than the average trade show crowd. Chandler, who works on the digital marketing team at Beck's, talks about the trust farmers place in seed decisions and how the rewards program has helped build long-term confidence on her farm.From there, the conversation turns more personal. Chandler opens up about studying agriculture leadership education at the University of Illinois, then earning a master's degree in agriculture production after her father passed away unexpectedly when she was 20. She talks honestly about grief, faith, and how the loss pushed her to stay close to home, support the family farm, and build a life in Champaign-Urbana.The episode also explores:

• Chandler's role in agriculture marketing and social media
• Her experience working for an ag agency and Precision Planting
• A memorable trip to Germany through an agriculture policy program
• How she and her husband Connor learned to farm together
• The realities of raising a young child while balancing work and farm life
• Why authenticity matters more than polish in interviews and leadership

Chandler's perspective is grounded, thoughtful, and refreshingly honest. She talks about resilience not as a buzzword, but as something shaped by real life — tragedy, responsibility, family, and choosing to keep moving forward.

• Farm shows and ag events can create a uniquely positive, community-driven atmosphere.
• Loss and adversity can reshape career direction and personal purpose.
• Authenticity builds stronger connection than a polished persona.
• Expanding your network and job shadowing are powerful ways to enter agriculture careers.
• Family, faith, and adaptability are central to Chandler's life and work.

• Resilience after loss
• Faith in difficult seasons
• Family farming and shared responsibility
• Agriculture careers for young women
• Marketing, communication, and leadership in ag

Chandler Janes is an agriculture marketing professional from Urbana, Illinois, with experience in social media, paid media, dealership marketing, and ag communications. She works for Beck's Hybrids and remains closely involved in her family farm while balancing work, motherhood, and community life.

Rob Sharkey interviews Sam Goldberg about his journey from acting to creating impactful media about agriculture, focusing on the series Perfect Sundays. They discuss the importance of authentic storytelling in farming, addressing mental health, family dynamics, and supporting rural communities.

key topics

• The transition from acting to farm media
• The making of Perfect Sundays and its themes
• The importance of authentic storytelling in agriculture
• Addressing mental health and family dynamics in farming
• The role of community and industry support in farm media
• The impact of storytelling on farm safety and mental health awareness
• Partnerships with agricultural companies like Sukup
• The significance of farm authenticity and avoiding stereotypes
• Engagement with farmers and rural communities
• Future projects and community events for farm storytelling

Chapters

In this episode, Rob Sharkey interviews agriculture journalist Chris Bennett about the hidden stories of farming, wildlife encounters, and the complexities of agricultural media. They explore fascinating tales from the field, the challenges of investigative reporting, and the unique culture of rural America.

key topics

• The role of storytelling in agriculture
• Wild pig attacks and their impact
• Historical mysteries like the lady in red
• Crop insurance fraud schemes
• Challenges of investigative journalism in farming
• The culture and biases of agriculture media
• The importance of authentic farm stories
• Wildlife interactions and their dangers
• The influence of history on modern farming
• The complexity of rural law enforcement

Chapters

Have a listen as we talk with Bo Allen about how he started a custome harvest busness in Ohio

In this episode, Rob Sharkey interviews Loran Steinlage from West Union, Iowa, exploring innovative farming practices, soil health, crop diversification, and the future of agriculture. Discover insights on relay cropping, cover crops, data-driven farming, and industry collaborations that are shaping sustainable agriculture.

key topics

• Relay cropping and its benefits
• Soil health and carbon sequestration
• Use of cover crops like cereal rye and annual ryegrass
• Data collection and farm management technology
• Industry collaboration and biofuel policies
• Farm diversification and crop rotation strategies
• Challenges and solutions in modern farming
• Farmer mentorship and community engagement

Takeaways

Relay cropping can produce three cash crops a year, boosting income. Cover crops like cereal rye improve soil structure and reduce weeds. Data collection with soil sensors shows soil health is improving. Industry engagement helps farmers adopt new technologies. Farmers can balance profitability with sustainability.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and guest overview 02:02 Farm history and crop diversification 03:58 Industry events and technology showcases 06:50 Relay cropping and soil health benefits 12:06 Data collection and farm management 15:54 Soil improvement and cover crop strategies 21:11 Industry collaboration and policy insights 27:52 Farmers' perspectives on innovation 34:58 Future trends and industry partnerships 42:05 Closing thoughts and farmer advice