What if the future of farming didn’t stretch across miles of rural land—but up your living room wall? In this episode, Peter sits down with Conner Tidd, co-founder of Just Vertical, to talk about how he and his team are reimagining agriculture with vertical farming technology. From leafy greens to cherry tomatoes, they're helping farmers, nonprofits, and everyday consumers grow fresh, sustainable food year-round—whether they live in Iowa or the Arctic.

Conner shares the journey of building a startup from a grad school research project to thousands of home gardens and commercial farms. They dive into the challenges of manufacturing, the power demands of controlled environment ag, the wild west of tariffs, and how Just Vertical’s work is feeding both bellies and hope—from food banks in Canada to refugee kitchens in Moldova. This episode is packed with real talk, startup hustle, and ideas that might just change the way you think about where your food comes from.

Hear the full show: https://iowapodcast.com/conner-tidd-urban-farming-innovation 

In the high-stakes world of modern agriculture, farmers face a relentless barrage of risks, from volatile markets and unpredictable weather to the ever-increasing costs of equipment and insurance. How can family farms, often operating on razor-thin margins, protect themselves against these uncertainties? This week, we dive deep into a powerful, yet often overlooked, tool that could improve how farmers manage risk and build financial stability.

Join us as we sit down with Van Carlson, CEO and founder of SRA 831B Administration, to demystify the 831B tax code. Discover how this provision, originally designed to support farmers, allows agricultural businesses to create their own self-insurance plans, using pre-tax dollars to fund potential losses. From crop insurance gaps to equipment depreciation and even health coverage, Van breaks down the complexities of 831B, revealing how it can empower farmers to take control of their financial destinies and navigate the challenging landscape of today's agricultural economy

Hear the full show: https://iowapodcast.com/van-carlson-family-farm-financial-strategies 

Managing farmland has never been more complex—or more data-driven. In this episode of the Iowa Ag Podcast, Peter Jaques sits down with Ron Dunker of Oaken.ag to discuss how technology is revolutionizing farm management. With a background in business development and a passion for connecting with people, Ron explains how Oaken.ag is helping farmers track leases, streamline operations, and improve efficiency through an intuitive, cloud-based CRM. Whether you're managing thousands of acres or just starting out, this episode dives into why having a single source of truth for farm operations is a game-changer.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by spreadsheets, scattered documents, or the daily juggle of farm relationships, this conversation is for you. Ron and Peter explore how Oaken.ag integrates financial tracking, lease management, and relationship-building tools into one seamless platform—without replacing the personal touch that makes agriculture thrive. Tune in to hear how farmers are cutting down administrative work by 40-50% while future-proofing their operations for generations to come.

Hear the full show: https://iowapodcast.com/ron-dunker-farm-management-software

“Hey Hun, I’m going to run down to the local seafood market and get some fresh shrimp.” That isn’t a common saying in Iowa of all places… I mean you can get fresh shrimp in Iowa, but at what cost? Quality? Freshness? Can you really farm shrimp in Iowa? Jackson Kimley, founder and CEO of Midland Co, says yes—and he’s proving it with a revolutionary approach that’s shaking up the seafood industry. In this episode, we dive into Jackson’s journey from lamb farming to launching a sustainable shrimp farming model using innovative algae-based systems. Learn how he’s creating new opportunities for farmers while delivering premium-quality shrimp to consumers in the heartland.

Whether you're a farmer looking for a new revenue stream or a foodie curious about fresh, locally raised seafood, this episode has something for you. Tune in as we discuss the challenges of aquaculture, the surprising advantages of growing shrimp inland, and the exciting future of this pioneering industry. You won’t want to miss it!

Hear the full show: https://iowapodcast.com/jackson-kimle-how-to-raise-shrimp

How do venture capitalists decide which startups to fund? What does it take to build a $30 million investment fund from scratch? And why is Iowa a hotbed for agricultural innovation? In this episode of the Iowa Ag Podcast, I sit down with Kaylee Williams, Investment Director of InnoVenture Iowa, to explore these questions and more. Kaylee shares her unconventional journey into venture capital, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and the Iowa-based startups that are making waves in ag-tech. From natural insecticides to Wi-Fi-enabled barns, these innovations are shaping the future of farming—and venture capital is fueling the growth.

If you're an entrepreneur, investor, or simply interested in how new technologies emerge and scale, this episode is packed with insights. Kaylee’s passion, humor, and strategic mindset make for an engaging discussion that highlights why funding bold ideas today is crucial for shaping tomorrow’s industries. Tune in to hear her take on what makes a startup truly investable, the unexpected challenges of the ag-tech world, and why venture capital is more than just writing checks—it’s about building the future.

Hear the full show: https://iowapodcast.com/kaylee-williams-venture-capital-in-iowa-innoventure

Imagine stepping into one of the largest agricultural expos in the country, surrounded by cutting-edge innovation, seasoned industry leaders, and the next generation of ag pioneers. Now, picture the person leading this charge—someone who, just a few years ago, had never climbed into a combine. That’s Mark Hennessey, CEO of the Iowa Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association (INEDA). In this episode, Mark shares his remarkable journey from firefighter to corporate leader to head of one of the Midwest’s most influential ag organizations. With a fresh perspective and an outsider’s curiosity, Mark has become a passionate advocate for agricultural innovation and workforce development.

If you think agriculture is just about tractors and cornfields, think again. Mark pulls back the curtain on the Iowa Ag Expo, revealing how technology is reshaping farming—self-driving tractors, AI-driven yield monitoring, and even shrimp farming in Iowa. He also dives into the real challenges facing the industry, from workforce shortages to the urgent need for a new farm bill. Whether you’re in ag, tech, or just fascinated by the intersection of innovation and tradition, this conversation is packed with insights that might just change the way you see the future of farming.

Hear the full show: https://iowapodcast.com/mark-hennessey-iowa-ag-expo 

On this episode of The Iowa Ag Podcast, I sit down with Yale Zhang, a serial entrepreneur whose journey took a surprising turn from human healthcare tech to revolutionizing livestock management. Initially developing sensors to monitor seniors in assisted living, Zhang's company, Seismi, struggled to gain traction—until an unexpected opportunity in animal health changed everything. Now, he's tackling one of the beef industry's biggest challenges: bovine respiratory disease (BRD), which costs producers billions each year. His innovative ear tag sensor detects illness earlier than traditional methods, helping farmers reduce cattle losses, improve treatment effectiveness, and boost profitability.

But there’s a twist—just as Seismi secured USDA grant funding for critical research, the federal budget freeze halted it indefinitely. In this episode, Zhang shares how his team is adapting, why early disease detection is a game-changer for agriculture, and what this technology means for the future of the beef industry. Whether you’re in ag tech, cattle production, or just love a good entrepreneurial pivot, this episode is packed with insight and innovation you don’t want to miss!

Hear the full show: https://iowapodcast.com/yale-zhang-smart-ear-tags-for-cattle 

In this episode of the Iowa Ag Podcast, Peter Jaques sits down with Mason Mead, a fifth-generation agriculturalist and Iowa State junior, to explore the dynamic shift happening in modern farming. Mason shares his journey from growing up in a family rooted in ag traditions to diving deep into cutting-edge technology like precision drone applications and autonomous tractors. Their conversation touches on how young professionals are balancing respect for longstanding farming values with the excitement of innovations reshaping the industry. Mason offers candid insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the next generation of ag leaders, including the friction between tradition and tech, and the importance of building personal connections in an increasingly digital world.

Listeners will be inspired by Mason’s passion for agriculture, his hands-on experiences with emerging technologies, and his thoughtful reflections on the role of integrity and hard work in both farming and life. Whether you're an ag professional, a student, or just curious about how technology is revolutionizing the fields that feed the world, this episode delivers a fresh perspective on the future of farming.

Hear the full show: https://iowapodcast.com/mason-mead-agriculture 

Join Peter and Luke in Part II as they continue the discussion about John Deere. Last week was a history lesson on how we get to a point that the FTC "needs" to file a suit against the Big Green company John Deere & Co. Is it really needed? Was it political? The answer is a yes it seems from the general public. So now what? Listen in as we talk about the result to the big iron markets, how companies will control their products, and what the result of this suit will truly be.

Hear the full show: https://iowapodcast.com/ftc-filing-against-john-deere/

The FTC’s lawsuit against John Deere is shaking up the ag industry, challenging restrictions on repair tools and software. In this episode, intellectual property attorney Luke Mohrhauser joins host Peter Jaques to break down the legal battle, its impact on farmers, intellectual property rights, and what it means for software-controlled industries.

From the Gutenberg press to the DMCA, we trace the history leading up to this case and explore whether this lawsuit could spark a new era of open-source repair solutions. Don’t miss this two-part deep dive—plus an amateur farmer’s take next week!

Hear the full show: https://iowapodcast.com/FTC-filing-against-john-deere