In episode 19 of The Truth About Ag, Jeff Warkentin, COO of HGV, joins us to talk about what it takes to lead and grow a successful team. We cover everything from the realities of stepping into a family business and why asking tough questions matters, to the importance of separating personal life from business to avoid unnecessary tension.

We also dig into Jeff’s day-to-day as COO, what the role really looks like, and why storytelling is such a powerful tool for building culture. Sharing the struggles, mistakes, and lessons that brought the business to where it is today helps new team members understand the bigger picture.

In this episode of The Truth About Ag podcast, co-hosts Kristjan Hebert and Evan Shout sit down with Dean Klippenstine, Partner and Business Advisor with MNP’s Agriculture team. Dean shares insights from his extensive career in agriculture and business, touching on risk management, succession planning, and how collaboration between advisors and producers can unlock growth opportunities. The discussion gets into critical topics like navigating liability in farming operations, preparing for generational transitions, and using operational adjustments to maximize efficiency and profitability.

In episode 16 of The Truth About Ag podcast, co-hosts Evan Shout and Kristjan Hebert sit down with Craig Lothian of Lex Capital Corp. A former lawyer, Craig is a serial entrepreneur having founded and sold a number of successful private oil and land companies. In this episode, they dive into the similarities and differences between running businesses in Ag and Energy, lessons learned from raising capital, scaling, and exiting companies, things to consider when making million dollar decisions, and the benefits of structuring your team like company owners.

In Episode 15 of The Truth About Ag Podcast, Kristjan Hebert and Evan Shout dive into the complex world of land management and expansion with Darrel Monette of Monette Farms. Known for its impressive—and sometimes controversial—growth over the past 15 years, Monette Farms has become a force across multiple regions. Darrel shares hard-won insights into the essential role of real estate in long-term farm sustainability, managing rapid growth within a family business, and keeping the next generation engaged in an ever-evolving operation. This is a candid look at the high stakes of modern farming.

Evan Shout and Kristjan Hebert discuss this year’s challenging harvest, from managing unpredictable weather to empowering the team through cross-training and delegation. They talk about the role of guilt in farm decision-making, how to step back and let your team shine, and whether the “post-harvest hangover” is real.

They also share the top three things that went right on the farm, insights into capital planning, and how used equipment and loans play into succession planning.

In Episode 13 of The Truth About Ag Podcast, host Evan Shout welcomes Clint Fischer, a South Dakota attorney specializing in farm family transitions and succession. They explore the intricate challenges faced by farm families during ownership transitions and discuss strategies that can help. Clint is also founder of Braintrust Ag, an online farm peer group and resource center. Clint shares how such networks provide a vital connection point, reducing isolation and helping farmers manage the unique stresses of their work. Tune in for a deep dive into these essential topics.

Episode 12 of The Truth About Ag Podcast features John Stackhouse, a senior VP at the Royal Bank of Canada and former editor-in-chief at the Globe and Mail. John is also a member of the Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-Food’s operating committee; and dives into their origins. He outlines CANZA's commitment to enabling Canada to increase production while reducing emissions, emphasizing their unique approach of involving farmers directly and rewarding sustainable practices. The episode also explores the critical role of agriculture in the Canadian economy and the importance of investing in rural areas.

In Episode 11 of The Truth About Ag Podcast, co-hosts Evan Shout and Kristjan Hebert sit down with Steven McBee of McBee Farm and Cattle Co. Steven, a U.S. rancher with a diverse portfolio of companies and a stint in reality TV, shares his insights on diversification, the ups and downs of fame, and how the McBee family manages their expanding operations. Tune in for an engaging conversation about balancing growth, business, and family in modern agriculture.

Join co-hosts Evan Shout and Kristjan Hebert in Episode 10 of The Truth About Ag Podcast as they explore top-of-mind topics in the ag industry. They discuss the potential effects of the upcoming Canadian Rail strike and delve into the start of harvest and team management. They also reflect on CANZA’s recent visit to their farm, highlighting that industry giants like McCain, Maple Leaf, and Loblaws are now consulting primary producers to drive sustainability. Listen in for a candid, real-time conversation on agriculture’s current challenges.