The Specialty Crop Cast

The National Cherry Festival is celebrating 100 years, and in this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast, we sit down with Executive Director Kat Paye to explore the history, impact, and future of one of America's most iconic agricultural festivals.

From its humble beginnings in Traverse City, Michigan, to becoming a world-renowned celebration of cherries, agriculture, and community, Kat shares what it takes to organize this landmark event, how the festival has evolved over the past century, and what visitors can expect during the historic 100th anniversary celebration. We also discuss the festival's connection to Michigan's cherry industry, its economic impact, volunteer efforts, and why this celebration continues to be a cornerstone of Northern Michigan.

Whether you're a grower, agriculture enthusiast, festival-goer, or simply curious about the people behind one of the nation's longest-running agricultural celebrations, this episode offers an inside look at a century of tradition and the future of the National Cherry Festival.

🍒 Learn more about the National Cherry Festival:
https://www.cherryfestival.org/

This episode of The Specialty Crop Cast is proudly sponsored by Nichino America.

Nichino America is committed to providing innovative crop protection solutions that help growers maximize crop quality, productivity, and profitability. Their trusted portfolio of insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, and miticides helps specialty crop growers protect what matters most.

Learn more about Nichino America:
www.nichino.net

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with fellow growers, industry professionals, and anyone passionate about agriculture.

#SpecialtyCropCast #NationalCherryFestival #MichiganCherries

What happens when it's time to pass the farm to the next generation? In this episode of the Pomes and Stones Podcast, we sit down with succession planning expert Art Littlefield to discuss one of the most important—and often most difficult—topics facing farm families today.

We cover the challenges of transferring land, equipment, and management responsibilities while preserving family relationships and keeping farms viable for future generations. Whether you're actively planning a transition or just beginning to think about the future, this conversation offers valuable insights for growers of all ages.In this episode:

🍏 Why succession planning should start earlier than most growers think

🍒 Common mistakes farm families make during transitions

🚜 How to navigate conversations between generations

🌱 Fair vs. equal inheritance among farming and non-farming heirs

📈 Building a plan that protects both the farm and the family

👨‍🌾 Preparing the next generation for leadershipIf you're part of a family farm, orchard, or agricultural business, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Arthur Littlefield, MBA

Farm Succession & Estate Planning Coordinator

Academy Financial, Inc. – Agribusiness Services

Cell: (630) 408-0110

Text: (269) 201-5480

Fax: (630) 369-3360

[email protected]

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or

recommendations for any individual.

This information is not intended to be a substitute for individualized legal advice. Please consult your legal advisor regarding

your specific situation.

Associates of Academy Financial, Inc. are registered representatives of LPL Financial

Securities and advisory offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC.

A frosty spring update from the guys

Join us for a special 1 year anniversary episode of the podcast with special guests from the past and future episodes!

Irrigation decisions can make or break a season—and too often, growers are left guessing when and how much to water. In this episode, we sit down with Eugene and Val from Verdi to talk about how data-driven irrigation is helping growers make smarter, more efficient decisions in the field. From timing and water use to improving crop performance, this conversation breaks down what better irrigation management really looks like in modern agriculture.

A big thank you to Eugene and Val from Verdi for joining the podcast and sharing their insights with growers. Learn more about Verdi and their technology here: https://www.verdi.ag/

Follow them on all socials @verdi.ag

This episode is sponsored by Nichino—supporting growers with innovative crop protection solutions and trusted expertise in the field. Find out more in the link below.

www.nichino.net

Be sure to subscribe and follow for more conversations on farming, orchard management, irrigation, and ag technology.

Independent crop consulting, agronomy insight, and practical specialty crop advice are at the center of this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast with Kyle Kelley of Crop Watch LLC. As an independent CCA, Kyle shares valuable perspectives on crop scouting, decision-making, pest management, and helping growers navigate challenges with unbiased agronomic recommendations.

In this conversation, we dig into what it means to be an independent Certified Crop Adviser, why trusted crop intelligence matters, and how sound agronomic decisions can impact orchard performance from season to season. Whether you grow apples, cherries, seed corn or other specialty crops, this episode is packed with insight for growers looking to make better decisions in the field.

A big thank you to our sponsor, Nichino America, for supporting this episode and supporting growers with innovative crop protection solutions.

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and follow The Specialty Crop Cast, and share this episode with a fellow grower or agronomy enthusiast.

Learn more about Crop Watch LLC:

https://www.cropwatch.us/

#SpecialtyCropCast #CropConsulting #AgronomyPodcast

In this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast, we sit down with Lauren to break down regenerative agriculture in Michigan and how it connects to the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). We dive into what MAEAP is, how it functions to support farmers through environmental stewardship and risk management, and take a closer look at the new regenerative agriculture program and what it could mean for specialty crop growers.

From soil health and sustainability to real-world applications in apple and cherry orchards, this conversation explores how regenerative ag is being discussed, measured, and applied across modern farming systems in Michigan. Whether you're a grower, agronomist, or just interested in the future of agriculture, this episode brings practical insight into where regenerative practices fit in today’s specialty crop industry.

👉 Be sure to like, subscribe, and follow The Specialty Crop Cast for more conversations from the field.
📲 Follow Lauren here:

Instagram: laur.shaf 

Facebook: Lauren Shaffner 
🌱 Learn more about MAEAP: https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/environment/maeap

🎧 This episode is sponsored by Nichino America!

In this episode of the Specialty Cropcast, we sit down with Kait Thornton to talk about bridging the gap between farmers and consumers through education, storytelling, and transparency. Kait shares her mission to reconnect people with where their food comes from and why understanding modern agriculture matters now more than ever. If you’re a grower, ag professional, or consumer who wants a closer connection to the farm, this conversation is for you.

👉 Don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe to the Specialty Crop Cast for more conversations that connect you directly to the people shaping agriculture today.

🔗 Follow Kait Thornton on all socials @applegirlkait

🎧 Listen on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Acres TV
📲 Follow us for more clips on TikTok & Instagram: @SpecialtyCropcast

Huge thanks to our sponsor Nichino for support specialty crop conversations like this!

Federal crop insurance for farmers is one of the most important risk management tools in agriculture, helping protect crops, revenue, and farm stability from weather events like frost, hail, and drought. In this episode of the Specialty Crop Cast, we sit down with Cory Blumerick, a federal crop insurance expert with Greenstone Farm Credit Services, to break down how crop insurance works and why it’s critical for specialty crop growers.

We cover the fundamentals of federal crop insurance, including coverage options, policy structure, and how growers can use these programs to reduce risk and protect their operations. Cory shares real-world insights on how farmers can prepare for unpredictable weather and make smarter decisions when selecting crop insurance that fits their farm.

Whether you grow cherries, apples, or other specialty crops, this episode highlights how crop insurance supports long-term farm resilience, financial protection, and peace of mind in an industry impacted by Mother Nature.

If you found value in this episode, make sure to like, follow, and share the Specialty Crop Cast with other growers and ag professionals—it helps us keep these conversations going.

Big thanks to Cory for sharing his expertise and helping simplify federal crop insurance for today’s farmers.

This episode is brought to you by Nichino. Thanks for supporting conversations that help move specialty crop growers forward. Find more information about the solutions they can bring you in the link below!

https://nichino.net/

In this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast, we sit down with Leon Miller to talk about the story behind Brush Tamer and how a practical idea from the field turned into a valuable tool for orchard and specialty crop growers. Leon shares the inspiration behind the Brush Tamer, the challenges of managing prunings and brush in orchards, and how farmer-driven innovation can lead to better solutions for growers.

We also dive into the process of developing new equipment for specialty crop agriculture, the importance of efficiency in orchard systems, and what Leon has learned along the way building a service designed specifically for growers. If you work in orchards, vineyards, or specialty crops, this conversation highlights how real-world farm challenges often lead to some of the best innovations in agriculture.

👍 If you enjoy conversations with growers, innovators, and leaders in specialty crop agriculture, make sure to LIKE this video and SUBSCRIBE to the channel so you don’t miss future episodes of The Specialty Crop Cast.

Learn more about Brush Tamer:
🌐 Website: https://brushtamer.com/

This episode is brought to you by our sponsor:
Nichino America – delivering crop protection solutions designed to help specialty crop growers protect their investment and maximize crop quality.

Learn more about Nichino America here:
🌐 Website: https://nichino.net/