In this episode of The Cereal Grain Café, we're joined by Chrissy Wozniak, a marketing strategist, agricultural communicator, and podcast host who is passionate about connecting people across the food and agriculture industries.

Originally from Ridgeway, Ontario, Canada, Chrissy grew up with deep agricultural roots before building a successful career in agribusiness. After serving as Sales Manager for an agricultural and horticultural structures manufacturer, she founded her own marketing and consulting agency, helping companies in the agriculture and animal health sectors strengthen their marketing, communications, and sales strategies.

Today, Chrissy serves as the U.S. Marketing & Communications Manager for Ecorobotix, an innovative precision agriculture company developing ultra-high-precision spraying technology. Their ARA and ALBA sprayer platforms are helping producers dramatically reduce crop protection inputs while improving application accuracy in specialty crops and turfgrass systems.

Chrissy is also the founder of North American Ag, a multimedia platform dedicated to telling agriculture's stories and elevating the voices of the people who produce our food. Through her podcasts, The North American Ag Spotlight and What Color Is Your Tractor?, along with the daily news site Farm News Daily, she explores the technologies, trends, and conversations shaping modern agriculture while creating a forum for thoughtful discussion across the industry.

When she's not interviewing industry leaders or promoting agricultural innovation, Chrissy enjoys spending time with her family, practicing her faith, and taking advantage of the outdoors through fishing and horseback riding.

Join us as we discuss agricultural communication, precision agriculture, innovation, and the importance of sharing the stories that keep the agricultural community connected.

Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is available at Pixabay.

Today's episode is serving up something special as we sit down with Renee Marton, author of Rice, to uncover the remarkable story behind one of the world's most important—and most overlooked—grains. Drawing on her experience as a professional chef, Renee brings a cook's curiosity and a storyteller's perspective to food writing, offering insights that are as practical as they are fascinating. From ancient paddies to modern food systems, prepare to discover that there's a whole lot more to rice than what ends up in your bowl.

More information about her work can be found at the Reaktion Books website, and she can be contacted at [email protected].

Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is available at Pixabay. 

This is Part 2 of a two-part series.  In this insightful conversation, I meet with Juan Arbelaez from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to explore the evolving science of oat breeding. From unlocking the genetic potential of oats to improving yield, nutrition, and resilience, Dr. Arbelaez shares how modern breeding tools are helping elevate this often-overlooked crop. We dive into the challenges and opportunities facing oat production, and how innovation is positioning oats for a stronger role in sustainable agriculture and healthy food systems. Whether you’re a producer, researcher, or simply an oat enthusiast, this conversation offers a fresh look at the future of this versatile grain.

More information about his work can be found at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Small Grains Improvement team.

Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is available at Pixabay. 

This is Part 1 of a two-part series.  In this engaging conversation, I sit down with Jessica Rutkoski from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to dig into the science and strategy behind modern wheat breeding. From harnessing genetics to accelerate selection, to developing resilient varieties that can withstand disease and shifting climates, Dr. Rutkoski shares how cutting-edge breeding approaches are reshaping one of the world’s most essential crops. We explore the balance between yield, quality, and sustainability—and how today’s innovations are helping secure the future of wheat production. Whether you’re in the field or the lab, this conversation offers a compelling look at how plant breeding continues to evolve to meet global challenges.

More information about her work can be found at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Small Grains Improvement team.

Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is available at Pixabay. 

In this fascinating conversation, I sit down with Paul Gepts of University of California, Davis to explore the powerful intersection of plants, genes, and biotechnology. From decoding the genetic stories hidden within crops to advancing tools that are reshaping modern agriculture, Dr. Gepts shares insights from a career at the forefront of plant science. We dive into how genetics is unlocking new possibilities for crop improvement, food security, and sustainability—and what it all means for the future of farming. Whether you’re rooted in agriculture or simply curious about the science behind the food we eat, this conversation reveals how cutting-edge biology is transforming the field from the ground up.

More information about his work can be found at his UC Davis webpage.

Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is available at Pixabay. 

From sunlit fields to global markets, wheat sits at the heart of the grain economy.  Few understand its journey better than Claudia Carter of the California Wheat Commission. In this insightful conversation, we dive into the unique dynamics of wheat production, quality, and trade, exploring how California’s distinct growing conditions shape both functionality and value. Dr. Carter shares her perspective on connecting farmers to end users, advancing wheat research, and navigating the challenges and opportunities facing the grain industry today, offering listeners a compelling look at where wheat is heading next.

More information about her work at the commission can be found at their website.

Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is available at Pixabay. 

Few people have shaped modern grain handling and quality management as profoundly as Charlie Hurburgh. In this engaging conversation, we explore his decades of work at Iowa State University, where science meets the real-world challenges of storing, measuring, and preserving grain. From the evolution of grain grading and moisture measurement to the future of data-driven decision-making in the industry, Dr. Hurburgh offers sharp insights, practical wisdom, and a behind-the-scenes look at how research and Extension have transformed the way grain moves from field to market.

More information about his work and his publications can be found at his Iowa Grain Quality Initiative website at Iowa State University.

Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is available at Pixabay. 

Red or green?  Do you have allegiance to a specific tractor?

Few authors can move as effortlessly between industrial intrigue and the rumble of vintage iron as Lee Klancher. In this engaging conversation, we dive into his fascinating book Snoopy and the Spy (check it out!  It has a reversible cover!), where espionage history takes an unexpected turn, before shifting gears into his celebrated work documenting classic tractors—from the legacy of International Harvester to the enduring cultural impact of John Deere. Whether you’re drawn to stories of spies or the heritage of American agriculture, Klancher brings these worlds to life with depth, curiosity, and a storyteller’s touch that keeps you hooked from start to finish. More information about him, his work, and his publications can be found at his website at Octane Press.

Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is available at Pixabay. 

Today we step back in time.  Into the richly layered world of French bread, where wheat, flour, and culture intertwine with politics and myth.  From the humble baguette to the indulgent brioche, de Belleville unpacks how these staples became symbols of class, power, and daily life in pre-revolutionary France.  At the center of our discussion is the enduring legend of Marie Antoinette—and the famous (and often misunderstood) phrase about cake—revealing how bread was never just food, but a flashpoint in history.  This interview invites readers to reconsider what they know about bread, brioche, and the stories we’ve inherited.  Information about Edith, her books, and her tours can be found at her website.

She also has pages on Facebook and Instagram.  Hopefully you will be inspired to read one of her books and to visit Paris to discover French bread for yourself!

Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is available at Pixabay. 

Do you work in the grain industry?

If so, you should consider joining the GEAPS organization.  This is the Grain Elevator and Processing Society.  It consists of more than 4000 members who work in all aspects of grain – from farm to consumer, especially storage, handling, preservation, and processing.

Every year I am excited to attend their annual conference, known as Exchange.

I get to reconnect with friends and colleagues across the grain industry, both in the U.S. and internationally.  And the trade show (more than 400 exhibits this year) showcases all of the new tech that is being commercialized and implemented in the industry.  So many exciting new developments are underway!

In this episode I take inspiration from Chrissy Wozniak, the host of North American Ag Spotlight podcast.  She frequents ag trade shows and talks to vendors to learn about their developments.

I hope you enjoy, and hope to see you at Exchange next year!

Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is available at Pixabay.