The Specialty Crop Cast

Talon Felker

Welcome to The Specialty Crop Cast on Pomes and Stones! Join us for real conversations with farmers, agribusiness owners, and industry experts as we dive into farming, products, and the business of agriculture—all from the people who know it best.

  1. 5d ago

    Technology Meets the Farm: Smarter Solutions for Growers

    On this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast, we're bringing together agricultural innovation, precision technology, and practical solutions for today's farmers with Ecorobotix and Farm Depot! We're discussing how these two companies are helping move agriculture forward, combining innovative precision agriculture technology with the equipment, products, and support growers need to succeed. From AI-powered precision spraying to the latest advancements in farm equipment, we explore how technology and agricultural partnerships are shaping the future of farming. A huge thank you to Ecorobotix and Farm Depot for joining us on the podcast and sharing their insights into the future of agriculture! 🌱 Learn more about Ecorobotix: https://ecorobotix.com/en-us/ 🚜 Learn more about Farm Depot: https://www.farmdepot.biz/ 🎙️ THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSOR — NICHINO AMERICA! A special thank you to Nichino America, the title sponsor of the 2026 Specialty Crop Cast! We appreciate their continued support of the podcast and their commitment to serving growers with innovative crop protection solutions. Learn more about Nichino America: https://www.nichino.net/ Be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and FOLLOW the Specialty Crop Cast for more conversations with the people, businesses, and innovators shaping the future of specialty crop agriculture! #SpecialtyCropCast #Ecorobotix #FarmDepot #NichinoAmerica #PrecisionAgriculture #AgTech #MichiganAgriculture #Farming #Agriculture

  2. Aug 27

    GL Tek Flex: The Future of Technology for Specialty Crop Farmers

    The future of specialty crop farming is coming to Michigan with the inaugural Great Lakes Tek Flex! In this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast, we take a deep dive into a brand-new event designed to connect Great Lakes fruit, vegetable, vineyard, nursery and orchard growers with the latest agricultural technology. Taking place September 10–11, 2026, at Michigan State University’s Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center in Benton Harbor, GL Tek Flex will put robotics, drones, autonomous equipment, precision agriculture, AI, orchard technology, weed management, harvesting technology and other labor-saving innovations directly in front of growers. Day one is all about seeing the technology work in the field, while day two brings growers, technology companies, industry leaders and other stakeholders together to tackle the challenges of adopting AgTech in the Great Lakes region. We talk about what makes GL Tek Flex different, why technology adoption matters for the future of specialty crops, and what growers can expect when they attend. If you're interested in farming technology, specialty crops, precision agriculture, agricultural robotics, orchard technology, farm automation or the future of farming, this is an event you won't want to miss. Learn more about the Great Lakes Tek Flex at GL Tek Flex. Also check out https://sprayers101.com/ ! Its a non-profit resource describing best practices in safe, efficient and effective agricultural spraying as mentioned in this episode. #GreatLakesTekFlex #AgTech #SpecialtyCrops #FarmingTechnology

  3. Jul 21

    Countdown To Cherry Harvest!

    Get ready for cherry harvest with Zach and Steve as they take you through a final pre-harvest check across Northern Michigan's orchards. In this episode, we discuss how we're preparing for the busy harvest season, what we're seeing in this year's sweet cherry and tart cherry crops, and the final steps growers are taking before the first shakers hit the orchards. We also shift our focus to apples and grapes, sharing crop updates, current growing conditions, and what producers across Northern Michigan can expect as the season progresses. Whether you're a grower, part of the specialty crop industry, or simply enjoy learning what goes into producing high-quality fruit, this episode offers an inside look at one of the most important times of the year. In this episode: Final preparations before cherry harvestSweet cherry crop updateTart cherry crop updateWhat we're seeing in Northern Michigan orchardsApple crop outlookGrape crop conditionsWhat growers are watching as harvest approaches👍 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and follow Pomes and Stones across all of our social media channels for more behind-the-scenes content from the orchard, harvest updates, and conversations from the specialty crop industry. A special thank you to our title sponsor, Nichino America, for supporting The Specialty Crop Cast. Nichino is committed to providing innovative crop protection solutions that help growers produce healthy, high-quality crops. Be sure to learn more about their products and support for specialty crop growers. Thanks for listening, and we'll see you in the next episode!

  4. Jul 1

    How GoGo squeeZ Sources Apples from American Growers | Rachael Miller on Rengenerative Ag and Healthy Snacking

    In this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast, I sit down with Rachel Miller from GoGo squeeZ to discuss how one of America's most recognizable applesauce brands works with growers, supports agriculture, and delivers healthy snacks to millions of families. We talk about where GoGo squeeZ apples come from, how the company partners with U.S. fruit growers, what goes into producing high-quality applesauce, sustainability initiatives, food innovation, and what consumers may not realize about the journey from orchard to pouch. Whether you're a farmer, grower, or simply curious about where your food comes from, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the specialty crop industry and one of its most recognizable brands. If you enjoy conversations about farming, apples, orchards, agriculture, and the people shaping the future of specialty crops, be sure to subscribe to The Specialty Crop Cast for new episodes featuring growers, researchers, agribusiness leaders, and innovators from across the industry. 👍 Like the episode 💬 Leave a comment with your favorite GoGo squeeZ flavor. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss a new episode. GoGo squeeZ has been helping families enjoy convenient, real-fruit snacks since launching in the U.S. in 2008. Today, the company offers a wide variety of fruit, yogurt, smoothie, and protein snack pouches while partnering with American growers and operating one of its major production facilities in Traverse City, Michigan. The brand is also committed to sustainability through responsible sourcing, manufacturing improvements, recycling initiatives, and community partnerships. To learn more about GoGo squeeZ, explore their products, or read about their sustainability initiatives, visit: https://gogosqueez.com/ #SpecialtyCropCast #GoGoSqueeZ #AppleFarming

  5. Jun 18

    100 Years of the National Cherry Festival | Kat Paye

    The National Cherry Festival is celebrating 100 years, and in this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast, we sit down with Executive Director Kat Paye to explore the history, impact, and future of one of America's most iconic agricultural festivals. From its humble beginnings in Traverse City, Michigan, to becoming a world-renowned celebration of cherries, agriculture, and community, Kat shares what it takes to organize this landmark event, how the festival has evolved over the past century, and what visitors can expect during the historic 100th anniversary celebration. We also discuss the festival's connection to Michigan's cherry industry, its economic impact, volunteer efforts, and why this celebration continues to be a cornerstone of Northern Michigan. Whether you're a grower, agriculture enthusiast, festival-goer, or simply curious about the people behind one of the nation's longest-running agricultural celebrations, this episode offers an inside look at a century of tradition and the future of the National Cherry Festival. 🍒 Learn more about the National Cherry Festival:https://www.cherryfestival.org/ This episode of The Specialty Crop Cast is proudly sponsored by Nichino America. Nichino America is committed to providing innovative crop protection solutions that help growers maximize crop quality, productivity, and profitability. Their trusted portfolio of insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, and miticides helps specialty crop growers protect what matters most. Learn more about Nichino America:www.nichino.net 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with fellow growers, industry professionals, and anyone passionate about agriculture. #SpecialtyCropCast #NationalCherryFestival #MichiganCherries

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Specialty Crop Cast on Pomes and Stones! Join us for real conversations with farmers, agribusiness owners, and industry experts as we dive into farming, products, and the business of agriculture—all from the people who know it best.

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