Virginia's Young Farmers Podcast

Ashley Kuhler & Dustin Francis
  • 4.8 (8)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Join two Virginia Young "ag"vocates, Ashley & Dustin, as they discuss agriculture and farming from their perspective. We believe Thomas Jefferson said it best when he said, "Agriculture is our wisest pursuit because it will, in the end, contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness". So join us - a generational farmer and a farming hopeful - as we share our passion for all things agriculture and hopefully educate, inform, and entertain you along the way. Send questions, comments, or podcast topic suggestions to vayoungfarmerspodcast@gmail.com!

  1. Virginia Leads Rural Broadband - Part 2

    12/16/2025

    Virginia Leads Rural Broadband - Part 2

    In part two of this episode, we met up with Casey Logan, President & CEO of Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative, and Chandler Vaughan, Associate Director in the Virginia Office of Broadband, to discuss rural broadband in Virginia. Join the conversation and the historic work that Virginia is having in connecting our state to broadband. Stay tuned for part two!  Contact Chandler: broadband@dhcd.virginia.gov   Share your thoughts on our social media at vafbyoungfarmers or email us at vayoungfarmerspodcast@gmail.com Share your thoughts on our social media at vafbyoungfarmers or email us at vayoungfarmerspodcast@gmail.com

    29 min
  2. Virginia Leads Rural Broadband - Part 1

    10/15/2025

    Virginia Leads Rural Broadband - Part 1

    In part one of this episode, we met up with Casey Logan, President & CEO of Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative, and Chandler Vaughan, Associate Director in the Virginia Office of Broadband, to discuss rural broadband in Virginia. Join the conversation and the historic work that Virginia is having in connecting our state to broadband. Stay tuned for part two!  Contact Chandler: broadband@dhcd.virginia.gov   Share your thoughts on our social media at vafbyoungfarmers or email us at vayoungfarmerspodcast@gmail.com

    58 min
  3. Top Farm Accidents and Preventions

    08/26/2025

    Top Farm Accidents and Preventions

    We sat down to speak with Matt Nuckols, Virginia Farm Bureau Safety Program Coordinator, to hear about the data and tracking of farm safety and accidents. Listen to become more aware and hear safety preventions to keep the family farming. You're the biggest asset to your farm. Also, get the details on state safety contests to promote safety. Contact Matt: Matt.Nuckols@vafb.com Virgnia Farm Bureau Safety Website Safety Products The Dairy Wife Website Share your thoughts on our social media at vafbyoungfarmers or email us at vayoungfarmerspodcast@gmail.com

    58 min

  4. 02/19/2025

    If You Could Talk To Your Ag Teacher...

    National FFA Week is celebrated every February to highlight how to organization leads over 1 MILLON FFA members in leadership, community development, and career success through agricultural education. As many of us know, one of the most influential people in your life is a teacher, and for a lot of our ag folks, it is your ag teacher. Join Dustin as he sits down with his ag teacher after all this time to talk about why she teaches ag, memories she loves (and not so much) with Dustin, and what she has to say to those who are looking to teach ag or have kids in FFA. Share your thoughts on our social media at vafbyoungfarmers or email us at vayoungfarmerspodcast@gmail.com

    30 min

  5. 01/26/2025

    What I Need To Know From My Vet

    We recovered THE lost episode from spring 2024 where we sit down with two respected Virginia veterinarians, Dr. Amanda Weakley-Scott and Dr. Melinda McCall.  Dr. McCall shares fond memories and crazy stories about being a vet from her book, "Driving Home Naked", which sheds light on being a vet, connecting with farmers, and motherhood. She was a speaker at our Women's Conference offering advice and tips from herself and Dr. Temple Grandin on talking to consumers, like "soccer moms", about what we do as farmers. Listen closely as Amanda and Melinda all fill us in on what we need to be doing with our large animals to be PROACTIVE this spring on the farm.  Share your thoughts on our social media at vafbyoungfarmers or email us at vayoungfarmerspodcast@gmail.com

    38 min

  6. 12/22/2024

    What it takes to be a Christmas Tree Farmer

    Back in 1977 The Clouses started a Christmas Tree Farm all because an FFA chapter planted their "seedling program" trees on their land. Leaving livestock behind, they now run a farm with 20,000+ trees welcoming thousands of customers from communities and cities from all over. Hear from Ryan, 2nd generation farmer, on how he works with his 78-year-old father, is a leader in the Christmas Tree Association, and shares the joys and challenges of operating a Christmas Tree farm. Share your thoughts on our social media at vafbyoungfarmers or email us at vayoungfarmerspodcast@gmail.com

    51 min

  7. 10/15/2024

    Meet Your New Co-Host

    Seasons are changing and Morgan felt it was time to hang up the podcast. Meet your new podcast co-host from Halifax, Virginia...Dustin Francis! From a career in law enforcement to a farmer and Community Relations Coordinator for an electric cooperative, Dustin shares with us his farm mistakes, joys, and hopes. He also enlightens us on what it is like to work with your family...or not! Let's give a warm welcome to Dustin and a good farewell to Morgan by listening to this transition episode.  Side note: you can donate funds or apply for Hurricane Helene disaster relief as an affected farmer at vafairs.com/virginia-farm-relief-fund Share your thoughts on our social media at vafbyoungfarmers or email us at vayoungfarmerspodcast@gmail.com

    53 min

  8. 07/07/2024

    Farming & Volunteering: A Family Affair

    This episode started off as a nod to June's dairy month - and where we ended was a theme of finding opportunities to serve the agriculture industry. For Thomas French of French Brothers Dairy, all of the above involves family. Thomas shares the evolution of his family's dairy farm, along with the technology and innovation they've integrated to stay viable over the generations. Recently named as the Outstanding Young Cooperator, Thomas also explained the role of a milk cooperative and how milk gets from the tank to your table. Thomas has had opportunities to advocate for the industry through Farm Bureau and his milk cooperative. He talks about key issues the dairy industry is facing right now, and we dove into a great conversation about recruiting and retaining members into advocacy organizations. And the juiciest part of this interview? The discussion between skim milk, whole milk, A2, and imitation beverages! Share your thoughts on our social media at vafbyoungfarmers or email us at vayoungfarmerspodcast@gmail.com

    42 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Join two Virginia Young "ag"vocates, Ashley & Dustin, as they discuss agriculture and farming from their perspective. We believe Thomas Jefferson said it best when he said, "Agriculture is our wisest pursuit because it will, in the end, contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness". So join us - a generational farmer and a farming hopeful - as we share our passion for all things agriculture and hopefully educate, inform, and entertain you along the way. Send questions, comments, or podcast topic suggestions to vayoungfarmerspodcast@gmail.com!

Information

  • Creator
    Ashley Kuhler & Dustin Francis
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Virginia's Young Farmers Podcast
  • Show Website
    Virginia's Young Farmers Podcast