The Specialty Crop Cast

How can autonomous robots help specialty crop growers tackle labor challenges and improve efficiency in the field? 🎙️

In this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast, recorded live at the Great Lakes Tek Flex event in Southwest Michigan, we sit down with the team at Burro to discuss autonomous robotics and how this technology is being used to support agricultural operations. We explore the potential for robotics to assist growers with everyday farm tasks, reduce labor pressures, and bring new levels of automation to specialty crop production.

As technology continues to evolve, events like Great Lakes Tek Flex give growers an opportunity to see these innovations in action and consider how they could fit into their own operations.

Thanks to Burro for taking the time to talk with us at the event, and thank you to Nichino America for sponsoring The Specialty Crop Cast!

Check out Burro and what they can offer to help you take your farm to the next level with the link below!

www.burro.ai

Subscribe to The Specialty Crop Cast for more conversations with the people, companies, and innovators shaping the future of specialty crop agriculture.

#Burro #SpecialtyCropCast #GreatLakesTekFlex #AgriculturalRobotics #FarmTechnology

On this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast, we're bringing together agricultural innovation, precision technology, and practical solutions for today's farmers with Ecorobotix and Farm Depot!

We're discussing how these two companies are helping move agriculture forward, combining innovative precision agriculture technology with the equipment, products, and support growers need to succeed. From AI-powered precision spraying to the latest advancements in farm equipment, we explore how technology and agricultural partnerships are shaping the future of farming.

A huge thank you to Ecorobotix and Farm Depot for joining us on the podcast and sharing their insights into the future of agriculture!

🌱 Learn more about Ecorobotix:
https://ecorobotix.com/en-us/

🚜 Learn more about Farm Depot:
https://www.farmdepot.biz/

🎙️ THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSOR — NICHINO AMERICA!

A special thank you to Nichino America, the title sponsor of the 2026 Specialty Crop Cast! We appreciate their continued support of the podcast and their commitment to serving growers with innovative crop protection solutions.

Learn more about Nichino America:
https://www.nichino.net/

Be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and FOLLOW the Specialty Crop Cast for more conversations with the people, businesses, and innovators shaping the future of specialty crop agriculture!

#SpecialtyCropCast #Ecorobotix #FarmDepot #NichinoAmerica #PrecisionAgriculture #AgTech #MichiganAgriculture #Farming #Agriculture

In this special LIVE episode of The Specialty Crop Cast, we took the podcast on the road to the first annual GL Tek Flex event, recording directly from the Ecorobotix plot.

We talked with exhibitors, specialty crop growers, and event staff about the technology being showcased and, more importantly, what these innovations could mean for the future of specialty crop farming.

From automation and robotics to precision agriculture and new technologies designed to solve real-world challenges in the field, GL Tek Flex brought together farmers and technology companies with one goal: finding ways to bring the next generation of farm technology to specialty crop operations.

We get perspectives from the people attending and exhibiting at the event and talk about where specialty crop technology is headed and what growers are looking for as these technologies move from the demonstration plot to the farm.

A huge thank you to Tim Schrank for stepping in as co-host from our sponsor Nichino! Also, to Ecorobotix for allowing us to record the podcast LIVE from their plot at GL Tek Flex.

🎙️ The Specialty Crop Cast
🍎 Apples | 🍒 Cherries | 🍇 Specialty Crops | 🚜 Farm Technology

#SpecialtyCropCast #GLTekFlex #Ecorobotix #SpecialtyCrops #FarmTechnology #PrecisionAgriculture #AgTech #SpecialtyCropFarming #MichiganAgriculture

The future of specialty crop farming is coming to Michigan with the inaugural Great Lakes Tek Flex! In this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast, we take a deep dive into a brand-new event designed to connect Great Lakes fruit, vegetable, vineyard, nursery and orchard growers with the latest agricultural technology.

Taking place September 10–11, 2026, at Michigan State University’s Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center in Benton Harbor, GL Tek Flex will put robotics, drones, autonomous equipment, precision agriculture, AI, orchard technology, weed management, harvesting technology and other labor-saving innovations directly in front of growers. Day one is all about seeing the technology work in the field, while day two brings growers, technology companies, industry leaders and other stakeholders together to tackle the challenges of adopting AgTech in the Great Lakes region.

We talk about what makes GL Tek Flex different, why technology adoption matters for the future of specialty crops, and what growers can expect when they attend. If you're interested in farming technology, specialty crops, precision agriculture, agricultural robotics, orchard technology, farm automation or the future of farming, this is an event you won't want to miss.

Learn more about the Great Lakes Tek Flex at GL Tek Flex.

Also check out https://sprayers101.com/ ! Its a non-profit resource describing best practices in safe, efficient and effective agricultural spraying as mentioned in this episode.

#GreatLakesTekFlex #AgTech #SpecialtyCrops #FarmingTechnology

In this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast, we sit down with Randy the Farmer to talk about life on the farm, modern agriculture, and what it really takes to build a life in farming. Randy shares his experiences in agriculture, the challenges farmers face, and how social media has become a powerful way for farmers to connect with consumers and tell their story. We also talk about the business of farming, family, equipment, and where agriculture is headed next.

Whether you're a farmer, ag enthusiast, or just interested in seeing what really happens behind the scenes on a working farm, this episode gives you an honest look at farming from Randy's perspective.

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FOLLOW RANDY THE FARMER
📱 TikTok: @fieldrows
📸 Instagram: @fieldrows
▶️ YouTube: @fielrows

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR
A huge thank you to Nichino for supporting The Specialty Crop Cast and helping us continue to bring conversations from the people working in agriculture directly to you.

Interested in supporting the podcast or partnering with The Specialty Crop Cast? Reach out to us for sponsorship opportunities.

#Farming #Agriculture #RandyTheFarmer

Welcome back to The Specialty Crop Cast! In this episode, Talon, Zach and Steve sit down with Jim McArthur from Field Rows to discuss life on his Florida farm, where he grows cotton and peanuts. Jim shares the realities of modern row crop farming, the challenges of producing peanuts and cotton in the Southeast, and how his family's multi-generational operation works together to keep the farm moving forward.Whether you're a row crop farmer, specialty crop grower, or simply passionate about agriculture, this conversation is packed with insights on farming, family dynamics, crop management, and the future of American agriculture. Don't forget to follow, share and subscribe, leave a comment with your biggest takeaway, and share this episode with a fellow farmer!🌱 Connect with Jim McArthur & Field Rows:⁠https://www.youtube.com/@FieldRows⁠🎙️ Follow The Specialty Crop Cast & Pomes and Stones for more agriculture content:👍 Subscribe for weekly farming conversations, grower interviews, and behind-the-scenes content from orchards and farms across the country.Thanks to our sponsor Nichino for supporting specialty crops for 25 years!!#agriculture #PeanutFarming #CottonFarming

Welcome back to The Specialty Crop Cast! In this episode, Talon, Zach and Steve sit down with Jim McArthur from Field Rows to discuss life on his Florida farm, where he grows cotton and peanuts. Jim shares the realities of modern row crop farming, the challenges of producing peanuts and cotton in the Southeast, and how his family's multi-generational operation works together to keep the farm moving forward.

Whether you're a row crop farmer, specialty crop grower, or simply passionate about agriculture, this conversation is packed with insights on farming, family dynamics, crop management, and the future of American agriculture. Don't forget to follow, share and subscribe, leave a comment with your biggest takeaway, and share this episode with a fellow farmer!

🌱 Connect with Jim McArthur & Field Rows:
https://www.youtube.com/@FieldRows

🎙️ Follow The Specialty Crop Cast & Pomes and Stones for more agriculture content:

👍 Subscribe for weekly farming conversations, grower interviews, and behind-the-scenes content from orchards and farms across the country.

Thanks to our sponsor Nichino for supporting specialty crops for 25 years!!

#Agriculture #PeanutFarming #CottonFarming

Get ready for cherry harvest with Zach and Steve as they take you through a final pre-harvest check across Northern Michigan's orchards.

In this episode, we discuss how we're preparing for the busy harvest season, what we're seeing in this year's sweet cherry and tart cherry crops, and the final steps growers are taking before the first shakers hit the orchards. We also shift our focus to apples and grapes, sharing crop updates, current growing conditions, and what producers across Northern Michigan can expect as the season progresses.

Whether you're a grower, part of the specialty crop industry, or simply enjoy learning what goes into producing high-quality fruit, this episode offers an inside look at one of the most important times of the year.

In this episode:

• Final preparations before cherry harvest
• Sweet cherry crop update
• Tart cherry crop update
• What we're seeing in Northern Michigan orchards
• Apple crop outlook
• Grape crop conditions
• What growers are watching as harvest approaches

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and follow Pomes and Stones across all of our social media channels for more behind-the-scenes content from the orchard, harvest updates, and conversations from the specialty crop industry.

A special thank you to our title sponsor, Nichino America, for supporting The Specialty Crop Cast. Nichino is committed to providing innovative crop protection solutions that help growers produce healthy, high-quality crops. Be sure to learn more about their products and support for specialty crop growers.

Thanks for listening, and we'll see you in the next episode!

In this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast, I sit down with Dr. John Murphy, Director of Agronomy at AgXplore, to learn about his journey through agriculture and what led him to one of the industry's leading crop nutrition companies.

We discuss the similarities and differences between row crops and specialty crops, how agronomic principles translate across both industries, and why specialty crop growers can benefit from innovative nutrition strategies. We also take a closer look at the N Zone Max trial we're conducting in my high-density Honeycrisp apple orchard in Northern Michigan, what we're hoping to learn, and how these products could impact tree health and productivity.

Topics covered:

• Dr. John Murphy's background in agronomy

• The story behind AgXplore

• Row crop vs. specialty crop production

• Bringing innovative nutrition programs into orchards

• Our N Zone Max Honeycrisp trial

• What growers should watch for this season

A special thank you to our title sponsor, Nichino America, for supporting The Specialty Crop Cast and helping us bring educational conversations like this to growers across the specialty crop industry. Be sure to learn more about their crop protection solutions at Nichino America.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to The Specialty Crop Cast, leave a review, and share it with another grower.

To learn more about AgXplore and their crop nutrition products, visit AgXplore.

Thanks for listening, and be sure to follow The Specialty Crop Cast for more conversations with the people shaping the future of specialty crop agriculture.

In this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast, I sit down with Rachel Miller from GoGo squeeZ to discuss how one of America's most recognizable applesauce brands works with growers, supports agriculture, and delivers healthy snacks to millions of families.

We talk about where GoGo squeeZ apples come from, how the company partners with U.S. fruit growers, what goes into producing high-quality applesauce, sustainability initiatives, food innovation, and what consumers may not realize about the journey from orchard to pouch. Whether you're a farmer, grower, or simply curious about where your food comes from, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the specialty crop industry and one of its most recognizable brands.

If you enjoy conversations about farming, apples, orchards, agriculture, and the people shaping the future of specialty crops, be sure to subscribe to The Specialty Crop Cast for new episodes featuring growers, researchers, agribusiness leaders, and innovators from across the industry.

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💬 Leave a comment with your favorite GoGo squeeZ flavor.

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GoGo squeeZ has been helping families enjoy convenient, real-fruit snacks since launching in the U.S. in 2008. Today, the company offers a wide variety of fruit, yogurt, smoothie, and protein snack pouches while partnering with American growers and operating one of its major production facilities in Traverse City, Michigan. The brand is also committed to sustainability through responsible sourcing, manufacturing improvements, recycling initiatives, and community partnerships.

To learn more about GoGo squeeZ, explore their products, or read about their sustainability initiatives, visit:

https://gogosqueez.com/

#SpecialtyCropCast #GoGoSqueeZ #AppleFarming