You may recall (see episode 11 of this season), that Claire Beitz joined me as a cohost for several episodes. The goal of these episodes was to help those outside agriculture better understand the people, practices, and innovations that keep our world fed. And to provide deeper communication within the field of agriculture as well. Together we talked with several guests from a wide range of backgrounds, including soils, plants, beef, and dairy. Hopefully you enjoyed our conversations!

Good luck with everything you do moving into the future, Claire!

Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is available at Pixabay.

How did we get to the end of Season 3 already?

Have you ever wondered what students think about the things that they are learning? It is always informative to hear their thoughts. Join me as we discuss what we have been learning in a graduate course devoted to Agroecosystems Analysis, the current state of farming and grain production, and the future of agriculture. I think you will find our discussions wide-ranging and fascinating. The future is in good hands with these emerging leaders!

Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is available at Pixabay.

Michael Crinion is a dairy farmer from Lake Benton, Minnesota. He has 18 years of international dairy experience and is a member of the South Dakota Ag and Rural Leadership Class IV, South Dakota Development Board, and Vice President of Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative board. He is the US Farmers and Ranchers in Action (USFRA) Board Chair.

Originally from Ireland, Crinion is a partner with Ash Grove Dairy. Michael studied Agriculture and Farm Management at Warrenstown Agricultural College. In 2002, I was the first runner-up in the Farmers’ Business Development’s All Ireland Young Farmer of the Year competition.

More information about his work can be found at the USFRA website.

Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is available at Pixabay.

In many countries modern agriculture produces a variety of foods, feeds, fuels, and other industrial products. And does so very efficiently. Indeed, the bioeconomy has been seen as the future of farming. But there are always challenges and problems associated with industrialization. This week’s guest is Connie Mutel. She has recently edited a volume entitled “Tending Iowa’s Land”, in which she and colleagues discuss various challenges for the agricultural systems in Iowa, including soil erosion, degradation, and loss; water quality and flooding; biodiversity, and climate change. It is inspiring how so many experts discuss positive ways forward to agriculture.

If you have any questions or podcast suggestions, please leave them below.

More information about Connie can be found at her university website.

Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is available at Pixabay.

This week we had the opportunity to speak with Curtis Jensen, who is an Iowa cattle farmer and owner of Curtis Cattle Co., where he focuses on raising high-quality beef and caring for the land his operation depends on. With years of hands-on experience in the cattle industry, Curtis was able to provide us with insights on the genetics he introduces into his herd, and how the markets are affecting his operation. Tune in to listen to a modern cattle farmer.

If you have any questions or podcast suggestions, leave them below.

More information about Curtis Cattle Co. can be found at their website.

Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is available at Pixabay.

Beyond the bushel

This week, we welcomed Reece Cannady to the podcast. Reece Cannady serves as the regional director for South Asia for the U.S. Grains & Bioproducts Council, a non-profit organization that promotes the use of U.S. barley, corn, sorghum, and related products. Our conversation explored how trade connects U.S. farmers to international markets, what cultural dynamics shape grain demand across South Asia, and why understanding where our food comes from matters.

For more information about Reece, visit his webpage.

More about the work and the impacts of the U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council can be found at their website.

Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is available at Pixabay.

If you wonder about where your food comes from, you should also ask who are the people who produce this food? Intertwined throughout the history of food and agriculture are the stories of people, but they are most often behind the scenes. Jim Patrico is a photojournalist who has spent his career documenting these stories. Join us for a conversation about his journeys through rural America, and beyond, as we learn about the human element of food.

More about Jim and his amazing work can be found at his webpage.

Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is available at Pixabay.

In this week's episode, we sit down with Dr. C. Lee Burras, an Agronomy professor at Iowa State University, to talk about the fascinating role that soils and agriculture play in shaping our world. Dr. Burras shares stories from his experiences studying agriculture across the globe and explains how they connect to people, communities, and food systems. We also discuss the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods, and the impact that donors have on children and agricultural practices in Uganda.

To find more information about the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods, see the program webpage.

More about Dr. Burras can be found at his ISU faculty webpage.

Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is available at Pixabay.