The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family

Welcome to Episode 28 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. This episode features Governor Kim Reynolds' speech at Iowa Farm Bureau's 2019 Annual Meeting, regarding pending trade deals and biofuels. Also in this episode: crop expert Ken Ferrie gives tips for maximizing corn yields and cutting costs, and Iowa Farm Bureau's Farm Business Development Manager, Amanda Van Steenwyk, shares advice for farmers who want to diversify their operations or pass the farm to the next generation. If you have questions for Amanda, you can reach her at [email protected].

Welcome to Episode 27 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa Farm Bureau Senior Economist Dr. Sam Funk invites you to join Iowa Farm Bureau's Market Study Tour of Brazil.

The episode also includes a discussion about Iowa farmland values with Iowa State University (ISU) professor Dr. Wendong Zhang and ISU professor Dr. Daniel Andersen's analysis of a recent study about how hog farmers are reducing odor from manure.

Welcome to Episode 26 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa State University researcher Dr. Mike Castellano shares the results of a new study about the environmental benefits of updating Iowa's 100-year-old drainage system.

The episode also includes a conversation with Shawn Richmond (Director of Environmental Technology with the Iowa Nutrient Research and Education Council) about the water quality progress he's seeing in the research he's conducting and observing.

Welcome to Episode 25 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa FFA Executive Director Scott Johnson discusses FFA's recent growth (in Iowa and around the country) and how the organization has appealed to both rural and urban students (with new chapters popping up in places like Sioux City, Ames and Clear Lake).

The episode also includes snippets from our October 7 (Episode 23) interview with Farm Bureau Health Plan Vice President Steve Kammeyer. You can listen to Kammeyer's complete interview back in Episode 23 (https://www.iowafarmbureau.com/Article/Why-America-Needs-Farmers-ANF-the-economic-impact-of-ag-and-a-new-health-plan-thats-saving-Iowans-thousands-of-dollars-The-Spokesman-Speaks-Podcast-Episode-23) or visit https://www.iowafbhealthplan.com/ to learn about how some Iowans are saving thousands of dollars on their health coverage with the Farm Bureau Health Plan.

Welcome to Episode 24 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we meet with two Virginia Tech researchers to discuss the 2019 Global Agricultural Productivity Report (also known as the GAP Report), which was released at the World Food Prize last week.

Are we on track to feed 10 billion people (the projected world population in the year 2050)? What role will meat and livestock play in sustainably feeding the world? Get the answers in this episode of The Spokesman Speaks!

Welcome to Episode 23 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we discuss the Farm Bureau Health Plan (a one-year-old comprehensive health plan that's saving some Iowans thousands of dollars) and a new study quantifying the economic impact of Iowa agriculture. We also chat with Iowa Hawkeye greats Kirk Ferentz and Matt Kroul about the America Needs Farmers (ANF) cause, as we prepare to celebrate the ninth annual ANF Game Day, October 12 at Kinnick Stadium.

Welcome to Episode 22 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, American Farm Bureau chief economist Dr. John Newton shares proof that agriculture's environmental footprint is shrinking, and representatives from Iowa Farm Bureau, the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, and the Greater Des Moines Partnership discuss the importance of the USMCA trade agreement on WHO Radio's The Big Show.

Welcome to Episode 21 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Dr. Andrew Hennenfent of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) discusses efforts to prevent African Swine Fever from reaching Iowa; Farm Bureau's environmental policy advisor Rick Robinson shares the latest on Iowa's water quality progress; and Fareway's Senior Vice President of Merchandising Mike McCormick talks about a brand new partnership between Fareway and the Iowa Farm Bureau to promote meat, milk, eggs, and Iowa's livestock farmers.

Is agriculture part of your school's curriculum? Would you like it to be?

Welcome to Episode 20 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Cindy Hall of the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation, shares effective ways to work with teachers and incorporate agriculture into the classroom.

The episode also includes a discussion with Carrie Padgett of RALI (Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative) about the warning signs of opioid abuse in the home.

Welcome to Episode 19 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Dr. Dan Grooms, the new Dean of Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, talks about the shortage of rural veterinarians, preventing devastating diseases like African Swine Fever, and antibiotic use.

The episode also includes an interview with Jarad Weber, a Lee County Farm Bureau member who was recently named the 2019 Iowa Conservation Farmer of the Year.