No Dirt No Flowers Podcast

Mike Roy & Drew Gaskell

Will Rogers famously said that a farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn’t still be a farmer. The agricultural industry has seen its share of ups and downs over the years, and even in the face of current challenging times, we keep our optimism on greener pastures in the future. No Dirt No Flowers takes a fun look behind the scenes of the hop and agriculture world through the lens of Roy Farms, a 5th generation farm in Moxee, Washington. We cover topics like market conditions, the joys and pains of farming, social issues, brewing relationships, and so much more. The show is co-hosted by Mike Roy and Drew Gaskell from Roy Farms.

  1. 1d ago

    Friendship Forged Through Hops / Ft. Leslie Roy & Mike Smith

    In Episode 26, Mike and Drew welcomed good friends Leslie Roy and Mike Smith of Loftus Ranches for a long, fun conversation. Filled with stories, history, and insights from their decades in the hop industry as we look back on memorable moments like the 1970s "Think Tank" meetings, hauling refrigerators and generators to Idaho for hop cuttings, and the legendary "midnight roll" during the Marketing Order era. We also discuss the industry's evolution—from drip irrigation, direct brewer contracts, and the creation of Yakima Chief through the Hopunion merger to the rise of craft brewing, the fall of the Yakima Co-op, and navigating major market corrections—before exploring today's challenges around breeding programs, quality, branding, contracting, and grower-brewer relationships. Above all, Mike and Leslie reflect on the friendships and partnerships that have defined an industry they are grateful to have been part of for generations.

    Friendship Forged Through Hops / Ft. Leslie Roy & Mike Smith

  2. Jul 2

    Mid Year Market & Crop Update

    In Episode 25, Mike and Drew catch up on both the hop market and how this year's crop is looking. The industry continues to work through an inventory correction as acreage declines, market share shifts, and availability tightens for certain varieties. The conversation explores why now is the time for stronger partnerships and better communication across the supply chain. Mike and Drew also discuss early crop observations, current production challenges, and why growers, brewers, and brokers need to share market shifts, inventory levels, and future needs earlier and more often as the market continues to evolve.

    Mid Year Market & Crop Update

  3. May 27

    Supply Chain Advocate & Connector / Ft. Pete Mahony

    In Episode 24, Mike and Drew sit down with the legendary Pete Mahony, a true friend to hop growers, to discuss nearly 40 years in the hop industry—from the days of handshake contracts, to the craft beer boom that changed the business forever. Pete shares thoughtful insight on the industry’s evolution, process innovation, hop extracts, and the balance between tradition, technology, and relationships that continues to shape the future of hops.

    Supply Chain Advocate & Connector / Ft. Pete Mahony

  4. May 12

    Advanced Farming Equipment Trends / Ft. Tom Riel

    In Episode 23, Mike and Drew sit down with Tom Riel of Burrows Tractor, a Pacific Northwest staple since 1939, to discuss his job as sales manger and the company’s relationship-driven culture. They explore the rising cost of innovation in ag equipment and how manufacturers and dealers collaborate to deliver advanced solutions, then look ahead to emerging technologies like autonomous tractors, AI-driven robotics, Orchard IQ camera systems, drones, and electric machinery. The conversation also touches on rapid advancements abroad, all underscoring a central theme of partnership across the industry to keep agriculture moving forward—“No tractors, no dirt, no flowers.”

    Advanced Farming Equipment Trends / Ft. Tom Riel

  5. Apr 27

    Trust Through Daily Discipline / Ft. Mathias Gargus

    In Episode 22, Mike and Drew catch up with Mathias Gargus, reflecting on a 30-year friendship and partnership with Roy Farms—and plenty of stories from the journey with D&M Chem. They revisit the early years in Moxee, the ups and downs of building a business, and how consistency shapes long-term outcomes. Built by two brothers on hard work and service, D&M grew into a team of agronomists dedicated to supporting growers with crop input expertise and innovative solutions, meeting challenges with grit and daily discipline. More than anything, it’s a story about trust, relationships, and the power of staying the course.

    Trust Through Daily Discipline / Ft. Mathias Gargus

  6. Apr 9

    Leader Built to Solve Problems / Ft. Scott Haney

    In Episode 21, Scott Haney, COO of Roy Farms, joins Mike and Drew to share his fast transition into the role after five years of hands-on leadership. With a mechanical mindset and relentless problem-solving approach, he’s helped bring structure and stability to operations. Alongside a few fun side conversations, we explore his 20-year journey in packaging, the value of reinvesting in technology, and strategies for staying competitive in agriculture—all with a focus on placing the right people in the right roles and making smart internal moves for long-term growth.

    Leader Built to Solve Problems / Ft. Scott Haney

  7. Mar 26

    Varietal Origin Series / Summit / Ft. Leslie Roy

    In Episode 20, Mike sits down with Leslie to explore the origin story of Summit™—a conversation that quickly wanders through other hop varieties and dips into the history of low-trellis farming. Along with plenty of squirrel moments, they unpack Summit’s complicated reputation, shaped by strong opinions and some challenging years. After years of work to clean it up and eliminate viruses, Summit™ is making a comeback—healthier, stronger, and finally being expanded again this year.

    Varietal Origin Series / Summit / Ft. Leslie Roy

  8. Mar 12

    Road Rambles: Co-Captaining Roy Farms

    In Episode 19, Mike and Drew hit the road and record an almost full hour of unedited conversation while driving down to Bend, Oregon for meetings. The convo quickly flows into what it’s like to co-captain Roy Farms together; Dividing roles and responsibilities, the different skill sets we each bring to the operation, and how understanding each other’s energy management systems has become a critical part of making the partnership work. Learning how each person shows up — mentally, physically, and emotionally — is just as important as the work itself. This episode is about partnership and removing those energy vampires!

    Road Rambles: Co-Captaining Roy Farms
See All (26)

4.6
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Will Rogers famously said that a farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn’t still be a farmer. The agricultural industry has seen its share of ups and downs over the years, and even in the face of current challenging times, we keep our optimism on greener pastures in the future. No Dirt No Flowers takes a fun look behind the scenes of the hop and agriculture world through the lens of Roy Farms, a 5th generation farm in Moxee, Washington. We cover topics like market conditions, the joys and pains of farming, social issues, brewing relationships, and so much more. The show is co-hosted by Mike Roy and Drew Gaskell from Roy Farms.

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Roy & Drew Gaskell
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © No Dirt No Flowers 2025
  • Show Website
    No Dirt No Flowers Podcast

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