The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family

Welcome to Episode 108 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we speak with Mike Telford, Executive Director of the Iowa Farm Animal Care Coalition (IFAC). IFAC is a first-of-its-kind network of professionals, veterinarians, animal behavior scientists, and farmers committed to answering Iowans' farm animal care questions and providing livestock farmers with the assistance they need.

Resources mentioned in this episode

• Call the Iowa Farm Animal Care Coalition at 1-800-252-0577 or visit their website.
• See advice for preparing for potential summer power outages

Welcome to Episode 107 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa State University soil science expert Dr. Michael Castellano shares details about an effort to optimize and localize Iowa's fertilizer application recommendations. And environmental scientist Shawn Richmond discusses how optimal fertilizer applications complement farmers' other efforts to grow the crops we need while protecting water quality. To learn more about farmers' conservation and water quality protection efforts, visit ConservationCountsIowa.com.

Welcome to Episode 106 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig talks about the benefits of Iowa's new biofuels standard, which Governor Kim Reynolds recently signed into law. Later in the episode, Ben Gleason (the new executive director of the Iowa Nutrient Research and Education Council) talks about efforts to quantify Iowa's conservation progress.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Details on Iowa's new biofuels standard
• Iowa Nutrient Research and Education Council

Welcome to Episode 105 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we'll introduce you to some unique opportunities to connect with your farm and agribusiness peers, via tours and other hands-on learning events offered by Farm Bureau.

This episode also includes an interview with Special Agent Justin King (Drug Enforcement Administration) about a dangerous trend that's sweeping through Midwest communities, involving fake prescription pills.

Resources mentioned in this episode

• Iowa Farm Bureau's Young Farmer Ag Insights Tour
• Iowa Farm Bureau's USDA Crop Report Trip
• Iowa Farm Bureau's Take Root farm succession workshops
• Iowa Farm Bureau's Young Farmer Program (website)
• Facebook groups for local (district) Farm Bureau young farmer groups
• Apply for Iowa Farm Bureau's Grow Your Future Award
• Contact your county Farm Bureau
• See all of Iowa Farm Bureau's upcoming events

It's no big deal. I don't have time. Someone else needs help more than me.

Are you creating excuses to not seek out mental health or wellness services?

The Farm Family Wellness Alliance offers farm families free and confidential mental health and wellness services, from skilled professionals who understand the unique challenges of farm life.

In Episode 104 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, we talk with Amie Merz (an account manager and clinician with Personal Assistance Services) and Monica McConkey (a farm and ranch counselor) about those services for farm families and why folks should set aside their reservations about reaching out for help.

Resources mentioned in this episode

• Check out the mental health and wellness services available through the Farm Family Wellness Alliance at https://farmfamilywellness.com/. You can also call 833-999-FARM or text 314-451-5727.
• Register for one of Iowa Farm Bureau's upcoming Take Root farm succession planning workshops.
• Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's upcoming Young Farmer Ag Insights Tour.

Welcome to Episode 103 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, which features three guests. Central Iowa farm couple Eric and Deb Finch explain how they got into the meat goat business (almost by accident) nearly 20 years ago, and they share their advice for other farmers who are exploring that niche market. And Adam Koppes of Iowa Farm Bureau's Renew Rural Iowa program shares the unique services that Farm Bureau offers rural entrepreneurs, including educational seminars, mentoring, promotion, and financial resources.

Resources mentioned in this episode

• Register for Renew Rural Iowa's Journey to Your Vision seminar, held June 10 in Dyersville.
• RenewRuralIowa.com
• Learn about the Ag Startup Engine.

Welcome to Episode 102 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, longtime water quality expert Shawn Richmond (who has 25 years of experience across academia, government, and the private sector) shares the results of Iowa farmers' conservation efforts (past and present). And motivational speaker Matt Booth shares his advice for effective goal setting.

Welcome to Episode 101 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. Spring is a time for new farm projects and taking stock of things. The Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers helps livestock farmers enhance neighbor relations, site new livestock facilities, implement best management practices (like planting trees and windbreaks), and interpret more than 250 pages of rules and regulations. In this episode, Brian Waddingham (Executive Director of the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers) discusses some of the ways that farmers can enhance their neighbor relations, and he gives livestock farmers some tips for preparing for a potential EPA or DNR inspection.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Call the Coalition at 800-932-2436.
• Visit the Coalition online at SupportFarmers.com.
• Tips for preparing for an EPA inspection.

Welcome to Episode 100 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Dr. Dennis Todey (Director of the USDA's Midwest Climate Hub) provides a planting/growing season forecast. And Brent Johnson joins us to discuss his first four months as Iowa Farm Bureau president, along with a couple of topics that he knows well: precision agriculture technology and conservation.

Welcome to Episode 99 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Janis Hochstetler (a food safety and labeling coordinator for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's Meat and Poultry Inspection Bureau) shares the first steps livestock farmers should take if they're interested in marketing directly to consumers. Then you'll hear from two young ag entrepreneurs who launched their own successful direct-to-consumer ventures: Ray Schmidt of Farm Story Meats and Lillie Beringer of Beringer Family Farms Beef.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Contact information for Janis Hochstetler of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's Meat and Poultry Inspection Bureau.
• FarmStoryMeats.com
• Beringer Family Farms Beef