The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family

Welcome to Episode 58 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, which is Part 1 of our special 3-part series with three Midwest Farm Bureau economists: Iowa Farm Bureau senior economist Dr. Sam Funk, Nebraska Farm Bureau senior economist Jay Rempe, and Illinois Farm Bureau senior economist Mike Doherty.

Part 1 (released November 9) covers farm income and credit conditions, government assistance, international trade, and more.

Part 2 (to be released November 12) will cover the changing nature of farm production, ownership, and management – as well as the impact of COVID-19.

Part 3 (to be released November 16) will cover changing farm demographics, the impact of consumer and farmland owner preferences on farming practices, how the next generation of farmers is changing things up, and more.

Welcome to Episode 57 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Farm Bureau Heath Plan Vice President Steve Kammeyer shares the unique benefits of the Farm Bureau Health Plan (which is designed for Iowans who don't qualify for subsidies under the Affordable Care Act) and why the plan is offering subscribers a base rate reduction in 2021.

Resources referred to in this episode:

• Check out the Farm Bureau Health Plan
• Voting resources from Iowa Farm Bureau
• ANF Homegate Giveaway

Welcome to Episode 56 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast.

In this episode, Kristine Tidgren (Director of the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation at Iowa State University) helps farmers make the most informed choices when filing their 2020 income taxes. From COVID-19 relief payments and programs to crop insurance claims resulting from the derecho, farmers have experienced a wide range of unusual things that they'll need to account for when filing their taxes in 2020.

Also, Terry Harrington (president of BASE) shares a way for farmers to leverage their health care expenses to save significantly on their income taxes.

Resources referred to in this episode:

• Iowa Farm Bureau's 2020 Farm Income Tax Webinar
• Leveraging your health care expenses to save on your income taxes, through BASE
• Farmers Vote - Voting Resources from Iowa Farm Bureau

Welcome to Episode 55 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast.

In this episode, we discuss CFAP 2 (the second round of coronavirus relief now available to farmers through USDA) with American Farm Bureau Chief Economist Dr. John Newton. We also meet the new head of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service in Iowa (incoming State Conservationist Jon Hubbert) to discuss his new role, his perspective on conservation in Iowa, some relief that's available to farmers hit by this summer's derecho, and more.

Resource referred to in this episode:

• Sign up for USDA's Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) at Farmers.gov/CFAP

Welcome to Episode 54 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast.

Harvest is a particularly stressful time that can produce more safety risks, and no one understands that better, both personally and professionally, than Emily Krekelberg (a farm safety and health expert for the University of Minnesota). This special episode features a conversation with Emily about staying safe and managing stress during the harvest season.

Below are resources referred to in this episode:

• Farm stress resources from Iowa Farm Bureau: IowaFarmBureau.com/FarmStress (including information for the Iowa Concern Hotline, our 3-part podcast series on managing farm stress with Iowa State University's Dr. Larry Tranel, Emily Krekelberg's webinar on farm safety and stress management, and much more)
• Rural stress resources from the University of Minnesota: https://extension.umn.edu/rural-stress

Welcome to Episode 53 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast.

This special episode features a one-on-one conversation with U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (on September 23, 2020) regarding derecho and COVID-19 relief, the RFS and other important national ag issues.

Welcome to Episode 52 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast.

In this episode, Iowa State University grain quality expert Dr. Charles Hurburgh shares his advice for farmers who will be handling crops damaged by Iowa's derecho storm and drought. And Iowa Farm Bureau President Craig Hill shares the highlights from Iowa Farm Bureau's recent Summer Policy Conference.

Below are resources referred to in this episode:

• Dr. Mark Licht (a cropping systems specialist for ISU Extension) offers farmers advice for managing crops damaged by Iowa's derecho (Episode 50, The Spokesman Speaks podcast)
• Safety and stress management during the 2020 harvest (recorded webinar featuring University of Minnesota Extension expert Emily Krekelberg)

Welcome to Episode 51 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast.

In this episode, Iowa DOT officer Sergeant Kevin Killpack talks about DOT's rules and exceptions for farmers during the 2020 harvest. And Iowa farm celebrity Michelle Miller (known to her social media followers as "The Farm Babe") shares how she welcomed Burger King executives to learn the truth about the sustainability of agriculture (after Burger King ran an ad mischaracterizing the environmental impact of cattle).

Below are resources referred to in this episode:

• Iowa DOT's Truck Information Guide
• Contact information for a DOT officer in your area
• The Farm Babe website

Welcome to Episode 50 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast.

This special episode features expert advice on managing crops that were damaged by Iowa's derecho storm on August 10. Dr. Mark Licht (a cropping systems specialist for Iowa State Extension) encourages farmers to start with their crop insurance agents and walks them through their management options.

Below are resources referred to in this episode:

• Farming Community Disaster Exchange
• Farm stress management resources
• Iowa Farm Bureau donates $15,000 to the American Red Cross for derecho relief
• Watch for future derecho updates from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, USDA and the Governor's office, as well as Iowa Farm Bureau's Spokesman publication and The Spokesman Speaks podcast.

Welcome to Episode 49 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast.

In this episode, Ed Kordick (Iowa Farm Bureau's Farmer Education Program Manager) offers tips for marketing your corn and soybeans after harvest.

Also, Rachel Cutrer (founder and owner of Ranch House Designs, Inc. and B.R. Cutrer, Inc.) shares how she built her own successful farm to table brand and how she's helping other farmers and ranchers do the same.

Below are some resources referred to in this episode:

• IowaFarmBureau.com/2020CropMarketing (Ed Kordick's tips for post-harvest crop marketing)
• Iowa Commodity Challenge (market simulation)
• Farm to Table Boot Camp webinar (2-part series)