The Millennial Ag Podcast

In this short, yet important episode, Katharine and Valene announce a planned six-week break from the podcast and reflect on what it means to hit pause with intention.

After an incredible stretch of episodes, including deep dives into ag labor, tech, education, policy, and more, the hosts share why now is the right time to rest, reset, and prepare for what’s next. With harvest season ramping up, kids heading back to school, and their own lives moving full tilt, they’re stepping away for a bit to recharge and return with fresh ideas and deeper conversations.

They talk about what it means to prioritize home, mental health, and meaningful downtime in a world that values constant productivity. From resisting the pull of clickbait headlines to the value of real science and unplugging at red lights, this episode is a gentle reminder to slow down and make room for reflection.

Whether you’re headed into silage season, juggling school schedules, or trying to make space for quiet moments in your own life, this one’s for you.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode! 

Connect with Valene & Katharine:

• Follow us on Instagram @millennial_ag
• Check out our website
• Email us at [email protected]
• Follow us on X/Twitter @millennial_ag
• Follow us on TikTok @millennial.ag

Resources & Links:

• Our sponsor, Peacock Technology
• Our sponsor, AGPRO

After a summer full of deep dives and serious conversations, Valene and Katharine are lightening things up with a fun, rapid-fire episode of “Would You Rather- Ag Edition.”

From moving irrigation pipe to sorting cows in the snow, talking WOTUS with high schoolers to explaining your job on TikTok, Valene and Katharine play through a fun list of ag-inspired scenarios. Along the way, they share funny personal stories from their own ag backgrounds, debate the lesser of two evils (hello, fencing projects and calving checks), and reflect on what it really means to grow up in agriculture.

This episode is relatable, hilarious, and packed with inside jokes only rural folks truly understand. If you’ve ever lost a boot in the corn pile, gotten chased by a mad mama cow, or argued about red vs. green tractors—you’ll feel right at home.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode! 

Connect with Valene & Katharine:

• Follow us on Instagram @millennial_ag
• Check out our website
• Email us at [email protected]
• Follow us on X/Twitter @millennial_ag
• Follow us on TikTok @millennial.ag

Resources & Links:

• Our sponsor, Peacock Technology
• Our sponsor, AGPRO

In this episode, Valene and Katharine are joined by longtime friend and ag educator Chaleesa Brocious for a powerful conversation about reimagining ag education through real-world industry connections.

Chaleesa shares how a summer internship with Intelligent Dairy Solutions (IDS) gave her the spark to rethink how she prepares students for careers in agriculture. From building personalized dairy reports to traveling on-farm and launching the new Dairy Data Partner program, she’s bringing that experience back to the classroom in a bold new way.

Together, they dive into how hands-on learning, industry partnerships, and intentional mentorship can create more relevant opportunities for students—long before college. They explore the growing role of AI, how to teach students digital discernment, and why breaking away from tradition might be the fastest way to close the labor gap in agriculture.

Whether you're an educator, an employer, or someone invested in the future of ag, this episode is full of forward-thinking ideas and practical inspiration.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode! 

Connect with IDS:

• IDS-Dairy
• Dairy Data Partners: Turning Disconnected Data into Confident Decisions

Connect with Valene & Katharine:

• Follow us on Instagram @millennial_ag
• Check out our website
• Email us at [email protected]
• Follow us on X/Twitter @millennial_ag
• Follow us on TikTok @millennial.ag

Resources & Links:

• Our sponsor, Peacock Technology
• Our sponsor, AGPRO

This week, Katharine and Valene are joined by a long-overdue guest: Katharine’s husband, Jimmy Lotspeich, an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor with 12 years of experience.

Jimmy brings a unique perspective from the front lines of ag education, sharing how he’s seen students’ needs and the industry’s demands evolve over the last decade. The conversation digs into how ag programs and FFA help students develop the skills that matter most today: communication, critical thinking, work ethic, and the ability to adapt in an AI-driven world. They also explore ways to create meaningful, hands-on opportunities for students—especially those without ag backgrounds—to explore production agriculture and related careers.

From bridging the gap between an aging farmer population and the next generation, to encouraging industry openness and collaboration, Jimmy challenges both educators and producers to rethink how we prepare young people for ag’s future. This is an insightful, practical, and inspiring conversation for anyone invested in the future of agriculture.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode! 

Connect with Jimmy

• Platte Valley FFA

Connect with Valene & Katharine:

• Follow us on Instagram @millennial_ag
• Check out our website
• Email us at [email protected]
• Follow us on X/Twitter @millennial_ag
• Follow us on TikTok @millennial.ag

Resources & Links:

• Our sponsor, Peacock Technology
• Our sponsor, AGPRO

This week, we’re diving into the massive new legislation that’s making waves in ag policy and we’ve brought back one of our favorite repeat guests, Tanner Beymer from NCBA, to break it all down.

Tanner joins Katharine and Valene to unpack the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” signed on July 4th, offering insider insights on what it means for agriculture, rural communities, and the cattle industry. From permanent tax exemptions and estate planning protections to critical wins in animal health and disaster relief, this sweeping bill gives cattle producers more support than ever before.

They also cover the complexities of public lands, SNAP debates, and why the farm bill coalition in Washington is changing fast. Tanner offers a behind-the-scenes look at what went into shaping the bill, how different ag sectors fared, and what’s next on the policy horizon—including appropriations deadlines, regulatory fights, and more animal health concerns like screw worm and high-path avian influenza.

If you want clarity on how big federal decisions actually affect ag, and who’s working behind the scenes to protect your industry, this episode is a must-listen.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode! 

Connect with NCBA:

• Check out their website
• Follow on Instagram @beefusa
• Follow on Facebook @beefusa

Connect with Valene & Katharine:

• Follow us on Instagram @millennial_ag
• Check out our website
• Email us at [email protected]
• Follow us on X/Twitter @millennial_ag
• Follow us on TikTok @millennial.ag

Resources & Links:

• Our sponsor, Peacock Technology
• Our sponsor, AGPRO

This week, Valene flies solo and brings on a familiar and special guest: her husband, John.

Together, they give listeners a behind-the-scenes look at life on their farm right now: second cutting hay, Coors barley maturing, cows on public lands, and managing pink eye in the herd. John explains the unique tools they use for treating cattle on desert range, how barley quality is measured, and why chopped hay has been a game changer for their operation.

They also dive into insights from the recent Coors field day—covering everything from Yellowstone’s impact on Coors Original demand, to barley breeding for drought tolerance, stronger stems, and maximizing barrels of beer per acre.

This is an honest, educational, and down-to-earth conversation about resilience in farming, innovation in ag, and the rewards of sticking with it through tough times.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode! 

Connect with Valene & Katharine:

• Follow us on Instagram @millennial_ag
• Check out our website
• Email us at [email protected]
• Follow us on X/Twitter @millennial_ag
• Follow us on TikTok @millennial.ag

Resources & Links:

• Episode 179 - Whiskey Hour with the Real Ones: A Damn Cool Life We Live with John Cauhorn
• Our sponsor, Peacock Technology
• Our sponsor, AGPRO

This week, we have part two from the Idaho Cattle Association Summer Roundup with three more inspiring conversations from across the beef world.

Valene sits down with past ICA president Jerry Wroten, who shares his fascinating journey from Idaho ranching to managing cattle and ag operations in Tanzania. We hear how climate, cattle breeds, and community differ—and what lessons from East Africa might offer to producers everywhere.

Next, ICA president Spencer Black joins to discuss the unique challenges and successes in Idaho’s beef industry, including policy wins, the importance of grassroots engagement, and the value of building trust and connection with consumers.

Finally, we meet Kellsie Peterson, a direct-to-consumer rancher and creator of a children’s cow-calf coloring book that blends ag education, family life, and creativity. Kellsie’s passion for teaching the next generation shines through as she shares how she’s helping kids understand where their food comes from.

This episode is full of global perspective, local passion, and fresh ideas—proving once again that ag stories connect us all.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode! 

Connect with Valene & Katharine:

• Follow us on Instagram @millennial_ag
• Check out our website
• Email us at [email protected]
• Follow us on X/Twitter @millennial_ag
• Follow us on TikTok @millennial.ag

Resources & Links:

• Idaho Beef Council website
• Idaho Cattle Association website
• Peterson Cattle on Instagram @peterson_cattle 
• Peterson Cattle website
• Our sponsor, Peacock Technology
• Our sponsor, AGPRO

This week, we’re coming to you straight from the Idaho Cattle Association Convention, where we’re bringing on-the-ground conversations with industry leaders across the beef sector.

In this packed episode, Valene interviews three guests: Lynn Bachman and Jared Brackett from the Idaho Beef Council, Cody Hendrix of AgWest Farm Credit, and Rex Hoagland, a packing industry veteran. Together, they paint a timely picture of the beef industry—from cow-calf economics and consumer perception to carcass sizes, exports, and the next generation of ranchers.

From rising beef prices and tight supplies to creative ways consumers can still enjoy affordable protein, this episode is full of insights, candid conversations, and a deep appreciation for the people and systems keeping the beef industry moving forward. Whether you're in the business or just passionate about where your food comes from, this episode connects the dots between policy, production, and the plate.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode! 

Connect with Valene & Katharine:

• Follow us on Instagram @millennial_ag
• Check out our website
• Email us at [email protected]
• Follow us on X/Twitter @millennial_ag
• Follow us on TikTok @millennial.ag

Resources & Links:

• Idaho Beef Council website
• Idaho Cattle Association website
• Our sponsor, Peacock Technology
• Our sponsor, AGPRO

This week, Katharine and Valene are back with a long-overdue market update, diving into the latest trends, pressures, and opportunities facing the beef and dairy sectors. From record-high calf prices and manufacturing expansions to shifting consumer demands and the rise of high-protein convenience foods, the hosts explore how global and domestic factors are shaping protein production across the board.

They dig into big-picture questions: Are we headed for a boom or a bubble? Can processors stay nimble as product trends shift? Is AI ready to meaningfully solve labor shortages? And where does innovation need to happen next to keep up with evolving markets?

This episode is packed with thoughtful insights and honest curiosity. If you're a producer, processor, or involved in all things ag, you’ll appreciate this candid take on where we are and where we might be headed.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode! 

Connect with Valene & Katharine:

• Follow us on Instagram @millennial_ag
• Check out our website
• Email us at [email protected]
• Follow us on X/Twitter @millennial_ag
• Follow us on TikTok @millennial.ag

Resources & Links:

• Our sponsor, Peacock Technology
• Our sponsor, AGPRO

Welcome back to the Millennial Ag Podcast! This week, we’re thrilled to introduce a rising star in agriculture, Kaedyn, a California FFA student with big ideas and an even bigger heart for ag literacy.

Kaedyn shares her journey through FFA, how she found her voice through public speaking, and why she’s passionate about bridging the gap between agriculture and the general public. From raising goats and lambs to citrus judging and chapter leadership, Kaedyn shares her story of growth, leadership, and the importance of taking every opportunity.

They also dive into the real-world importance of ag literacy, why it's not just about farming, but about how informed voters and consumers shape the future of agriculture. Kaedyn offers insight on the role of social media, personal connections, and even old-school methods like billboards and radio to reach people beyond the ag community. Her clarity, conviction, and compassion offer a refreshing take on the next generation of ag leaders.

If you’ve ever wondered how Gen Z is going to shape the future of farming, this episode proves the industry is in very good hands.

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode! 

Connect with Kaedyn from Fresno-Central FFA:

• Follow on Fresno-Central FFA Facebook

Connect with Valene & Katharine:

• Follow us on Instagram @millennial_ag
• Check out our website
• Email us at [email protected]
• Follow us on X/Twitter @millennial_ag
• Follow us on TikTok @millennial.ag

Resources & Links:

• Our sponsor, Peacock Technology
• Our sponsor, AGPRO