AgWire

AgWire
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Your connection to the best stories in agriculture across the U.S.

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    Vivek Ramaswamy on Fighting for Ohio Agriculture

    What can a governor actually do to change the game for agriculture? In this episode of AgWire, I talk with Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy to discuss his vision for Ohio's oldest and largest industry. From combating the top economic challenges facing family farms to making agriculture an attractive career path for the next generation, we dive deep into the specific state actions and policy shifts that impact your operation. In this interview, we discuss: The Biggest Issues Facing Farmers: Overcoming economic hurdles, high input costs, and shifting markets.Fighting for Rural Economies: Specific plans to advocate for the agricultural community.The Next Generation of Ag: Practical steps to help young people get started and thrive in farming.The Real Power of State Government: What a governor can actually implement to create lasting change for farmers.Smart Economic Development: Designing regional development plans that elevate farmers rather than taking over fertile farmland. Disclaimer: AgWire is a non-partisan platform dedicated to sharing the stories, businesses, and policies shaping agriculture and rural America. AgWire does not endorse any political party or candidate. In the interest of fair, balanced, and comprehensive coverage for our viewers, the AgWire team has reached out to Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton's team to extend an equal invitation for a one-on-one interview. Subscribe to AgWire for more conversations with the farmers, leaders, entrepreneurs, and people shaping the future of American agriculture. Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

  2. 6d ago

    The Nutrients Are In Your Soil... Why Isn't Your Crop Getting Them? | Devin Baker, BW Fusion

    What if your soil already has the nutrients your crop needs - but those nutrients aren't making it into the plant? In this AgWire interview, recorded at the Farm Science Review, I sit down with Devin Baker, an agronomist with BW Fusion, to discuss one of the biggest questions in modern agronomy: how can farmers get more of the nutrients already in their soil? We also cut through the noise surrounding biological products in agriculture, explore what sets BW Fusion apart, and discuss how better soil analysis could help farmers make smarter input decisions, improve nutrient efficiency, and potentially save money. In this episode: The biologicals debate: Clearing the air about biological products and their role in agriculture.What sets BW Fusion apart: Devin's perspective on their approach to agronomy and crop production.Agronomy 365 & Baseline Rx: How soil analysis and data can help farmers make better management decisions.The nutrient availability problem: Why having nutrients in the soil doesn't always mean the plant can use them.Making inputs work harder: Approaches to improving nutrient availability and plant uptake.The bottom line for farmers: How better information could help reduce unnecessary spending and get more value from every acre. As input costs and margins continue to challenge farmers, understanding what's happening beneath the surface could be just as important as what's happening above it. Subscribe to AgWire for more conversations with the farmers, entrepreneurs, and leaders shaping the future of agriculture. Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

  3. Oct 7

    Farm Science Review 2026 | Zach Monroe, EZ Custom Ag

    How do you build a career in agriculture, work on the farm, grow a business, AND raise five kids? In this episode of AgWire, recorded live at Farm Science Review, I sit down with Zach Monroe of EZ Custom Ag for a conversation about agriculture, business, family, and finding a way to make it all work. Zach shares what he does at EZ Custom Ag, what goes into running the business, and how he balances that with the farming operation and life at home with five kids. We also get into the agronomic side of the business, including spray planning, weed management, new soybean traits, and the decisions farmers have to make throughout the growing season. But the conversation goes beyond farming and agronomy. Zach shares his advice for the younger generation of people who want to build something of their own in agriculture - including what it takes to get started, the importance of working hard, and how to build a business around relationships and trust. In this episode: Zach's role at EZ Custom AgThe founding of the businessWhat EZ Custom Ag does for farmersBalancing an ag business with farmingSpray plans and weed managementBuilding a career and business in agricultureManaging work and home with five kidsAdvice for young people wanting to start an ag business Recorded live from the Farm Science Review, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a life and business in modern agriculture. Subscribe to AgWire for more conversations with the farmers, entrepreneurs, and leaders shaping the future of agriculture. Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

  4. Sep 29

    From Graves to Gardens | Zach and Regan Ault

    What happens when faith, family, farming, and a dream come together? In this episode of AgWire, I sit down with Regan and Zach Ault, owners of Regan's Greenhouse at the Farm in Washington Court House, Ohio. Zach and I have been best friends since childhood, so this conversation is a little different from a typical AgWire interview. We talk about how we met, their backgrounds, how Zach and Regan started building their greenhouse business, and what they've learned along the way. Regan's Greenhouse at the Farm produces flowers, vegetables, herbs, mums, and more - but the business is about much more than what they grow. We talk about the challenges of building a young family business, their goals for the future, and what they hope the greenhouse can become. We also have a very honest conversation about Zach's tractor accident and how that experience shifted their faith. Faith is a major part of this conversation. We talk about trusting God when the future isn't easy, finding purpose through difficult circumstances, and believing that something beautiful can grow out of trusting God's timing. In this episode: A back story of Zach and I's friendshipRegan and Zach's backgroundsThe story behind Regan's Greenhouse at the FarmGrowing flowers, vegetables and familyZach's tractor accident and how it shifted their faithFaith, family, and trusting God through difficult seasonsTheir vision and goals for the greenhouseThe future of their business and agriculture This is a conversation about more than a greenhouse. It's about friendship, marriage, faith, adversity, entrepreneurship, and what it looks like to keep planting when you don't know exactly what the harvest will look like. Subscribe to AgWire for more conversations with the farmers, entrepreneurs, families, and leaders shaping the future of agriculture and rural America. Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

  5. Sep 15

    The Future of Ohio Agriculture Starts Now | Brian Baldridge, Director of Ohio Dept. of Agriculture

    What does the future of agriculture look like in Ohio? In this episode of AgWire, I sit down with Brian Baldridge, Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, for a wide-ranging conversation about his journey into one of the most important positions in Ohio agriculture - and where he believes the industry is headed next. Brian shares his story of how he went from his background in farming and public service to leading a department responsible for an incredibly broad range of issues affecting Ohio farmers, businesses, consumers, and rural communities. We talk about whether he ever imagined himself becoming the Director of Agriculture and what it's like to have farmers across the state looking to him for answers. We also tackle the issues farmers are talking about right now. If 100 Ohio farmers walked into Brian's office and could ask him anything, what would they want to know? We discuss their biggest concerns and what the state can - and can't - do to help. Brian also explains his vision for revamping Ohio Proud, positioning Ohio as one of the strongest agricultural states in the country, and preparing Ohio agriculture for a future that could look dramatically different with autonomy, robotics, and new technology becoming more common on the farm. And we finish with some of the more personal side of the job: what's the most fun part of being Director of Agriculture - and what's the hardest? In this episode: Brian Baldridge's journey to becoming Director of AgricultureDid he ever see himself leading the ODA?What it's like leading such a wide-ranging state departmentThe biggest concerns Ohio farmers are bringing to himWhat 100 farmers might ask the Director of AgricultureThe future of the Ohio Proud programPositioning Ohio as a national agricultural leaderAutonomy, robotics, and the future of farmingLand use planning - solar farms and data centersThe biggest opportunities facing Ohio agricultureThe hardest- and most rewarding- parts of his job This is a conversation about Ohio agriculture today, the challenges farmers are facing, and the vision for where Ohio agriculture could be 10, 20, or even 50 years from now. Subscribe to AgWire for more conversations with the farmers, leaders, entrepreneurs, and people shaping the future of American agriculture. Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

  6. Sep 8

    They Started A Seed Company... And Then Another | Chris Jeffries and Todd Jeffries

    What happens when you build a business around people instead of profit? In this episode of AgWire, I sit down with Chris and Todd Jeffries of Seed Genetics Direct - a father and son team with decades of experience in the seed business. Chris started Seed Consultants Inc. and later founded Seed Genetics Direct. Throughout the conversation, Chris and Todd explain the philosophy that has guided their business for years: take care of the customer, take care of your people, and don't make profit the primary goal. We talk about their backgrounds, the lessons they've learned building businesses in agriculture, and what they believe separates a great company from an average one. Chris also opens up about his health journey and how this difficult season unexpectedly created an opportunity for Todd to step into a greater leadership role. We discuss what it was like for Chris to hand over more responsibility, how Todd grew as a leader, and what they've learned about working together as father and son. This conversation goes far beyond the seed business. It's about leadership, family, adversity, building a lasting company, and understanding that the people inside and around a business are ultimately its greatest asset. In this episode: Chris Jeffries' journey from starting Seed Consultants to Seed Genetics DirectThe Jeffries' customer-first business philosophyWhy they don't believe profit should be the primary focusLessons from decades of building an agricultural businessAdvice for other business owners and entrepreneursChris's cancer journey and its impact on the businessHow Todd grew into a stronger leaderFather-son leadership and successionWhy people are the most important part of a businessBuilding a company that lasts beyond one generation This may be one of the most important lessons in business: take care of your people, and let the rest follow. Subscribe to AgWire for more conversations with the farmers, entrepreneurs, and leaders shaping American agriculture. Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

  7. Sep 1

    The Protection Farmers Need | Mike Vallery

    In this episode of AgWire, I sit down with Mike Vallery of Vallery & Dorn Insurance. Mike wears a few different hats in agriculture - he's a farmer first, crop insurance agent, and a crop scout on the Pro Farmer Crop Tour. We start with his biggest takeaways from this year's Crop Tour, what he saw in the fields, and what the tour can - and can't - tell us about the crop ahead. Mike also shares the story of his own farm and how he got into the crop insurance business. We break down the programs available to farmers, how crop insurance actually works, and some of the things producers should understand when making their coverage decisions. Then we look toward the future of farming. Mike talks about some of the new technology he's experimenting with on his own operation, including Solinftec autonomous sprayers, and what autonomous equipment could eventually mean for the way farmers operate. In this episode: Mike's biggest takeaways from the Pro Farmer Crop TourWhat he saw across the Corn BeltMike's own farming operationHow he got into selling crop insuranceHow crop insurance programs workImportant crop insurance considerations for farmersNew technology he's testing on his farmAutonomous spraying and the future of farm equipmentWhere agriculture is headed next This is a conversation about what the crop looks like today, how farmers can protect themselves from risk, and what the farm of the future could look like. Subscribe to AgWire for more long-form conversations with the farmers, business owners, and industry leaders shaping American agriculture. Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

  8. Aug 25

    Why Is Farmland So Expensive? | Luke Arthur

    In this episode of AgWire, I sit down with Luke Arthur, a farm appraiser with Farm Credit who lives in Kentucky and raises cattle of his own. We sit down to talk about his background, his cattle operation, and how he found his way into the world of agricultural appraisal. Luke explains what it actually takes to determine the value of a piece of farmland. We get into the science behind an appraisal, the factors that can make one farm worth dramatically more than another, and what is driving farmland values to levels we've never seen before. We also talk about why farmland prices have skyrocketed, whether today's values can continue, how young farmers can get started in the industry, and what Luke believes the future holds for agriculture and rural America. In this episode: Luke's background and how we know each otherRaising cattle in KentuckyHow to get started in agricultural appraisalHow appraisers determine what farmland is worthThe science and data behind farmland valuesWhy farmland prices have skyrocketedWhat could happen to land values in the futureOpportunities for the next generation of farmersThe future of agriculture and rural America If you ever wondered how someone puts a dollar value on a farm - or why farmland is selling for what it is today - this conversation will give you a behind the scenes look at one of the most important markets in agriculture. Subscribe to AgWire for weekly long-form conversations with the people shaping agriculture. Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

  9. Aug 18

    Someone Burned Down Their Family Business... They Built It Back | Dale Mayer

    In this episode of AgWire, I sit down with Dale Mayer, the third generation of Mayer Farm Equipment in Jeffersonville, Ohio, for one of the most fascinating conversations I've had about family, agriculture, and rural business. Dale shares the story of his family's farm equipment business - including the devasting event that nearly destroyed it all: arson at the dealership. We talk about how Mayer's grew through multiple generations, the evolution of selling both new and used equipment, and what it takes to keep a family business alive in an industry that continues to change. Dale also takes us inside the family's incredible antique tractor collection and shares why preserving agricultural history matters. But perhaps most importantly, we talk about community - why rural businesses matter beyond selling a product, what Dale believes the next generation of agriculture needs, and where he sees farming and rural America heading in the future. In this episode: The story behind the Mayer Farm Equipment fireHow the family rebuilt after arsonThree generations in the farm equipment businessExporting tractors internationallyNew vs used farm equipmentThe family's antique tractor collectionThe importance of community organizationsThe future of agriculture and farm equipment This is more than a conversation about tractors. It's a story about losing something, rebuilding it, and carrying a family legacy into the future generations. Subscribe to AgWire for weekly long-form conversations with the people shaping agriculture. Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

  10. Aug 11

    The Truth About Your Food | Jennifer Harbage

    In this episode of AgWire, I sit down with Jennifer Harbage, owner of Fat Hen Farmhouse, for a conversation about farming, food, and the journey that brought her from being a flight attendant to becoming a farm wife and farm business owner. Jennifer shares the history of her family's farm and what it was like transitioning into farm life. We also talk about the growing interest in local food, how food from a small farm compares with what you find at the grocery story, and the differences between small-scale and commercial agriculture. We get into meat quality, where our food comes from, how it is produced, and whether consumers can actually tell a difference. Jennifer also gives her perspective on why connecting consumers directly with farmers matters. In this episode: Jennifer's journey from flight attendant to farmerThe history of Fat Hen FarmhouseSmall farms vs commercial agricultureLocal food vs grocery store foodMeat quality and how production methods matterConnecting consumers with their farmersThe challenges and opportunities facing small farms If you've ever wondered where your food really comes from - and whether buying directly from a farmer makes a difference - this conversation is for you. Subscribe to AgWire for more conversations with the farmers, business owners, and leaders shaping agriculture. Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

  11. Aug 5

    Farm Succession Planning, Precision Technology & Ohio Agriculture | Eric Tipton

    In this episode of AgWire, I sit down with Eric Tipton, president of the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association and owner of Progressive Edge Ag Service, for a conversation about the future of agriculture and what it takes to build a successful farming operation. We discuss one of the biggest challenges facing agriculture today - farm transition and succession planning - and why preparing the next generation is about much more than passing down land. Eric shares lessons from his own experience, along with practical advice for farm families navigating difficult conversations. We also dive into the growth of precision agriculture and what it's like balancing a precision ag business and farming while serving as president of the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association. Along the way, we cover leadership, innovation, and the opportunities ahead for Ohio farmers. Whether you're a farmer, involved in agriculture, or interested in the future of rural America, this episode is packed with valuable insights from one of Ohio's agricultural leaders. Topics covered: Farm transition and succession planningBuilding Progressive Edge Ag ServiceLeadership in the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers AssociationChallenges and opportunities facing farmers Follow AgWire for weekly long-form conversations with the people shaping agriculture. Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

  12. Aug 5

    The Business of Agriculture: Farming, Food, & What's Next | Evan Schaefer

    In this episode of AgWire, I sit down with Evan Schaefer, co-owner of EZ Custom Ag, for a wide-ranging conversation about agriculture, food, and business. We discuss Evan's farming background, what it's like running an independent ag retail business, how crop production has changed over the years, and where he sees the future of agriculture heading. We also dive into the U.S. food industry, the growing MAHA movement, consumer perceptions of farming, and why it's more important than ever for farmers to tell their own story. Whether you're a farmer, work in agriculture, or simply want a better understanding of where your food comes from, this episode offers an honest conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing American agriculture today. Topics covered: Evan's farm and family historyBuilding and operating EZ Custom AgThe realities of ag retailThe U.S. food systemMAHA and food policyPublic perception of farmingThe future of American agriculture Follow AgWire for weekly long-form interviews with the people shaping agriculture. Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

  • 12 Episodes

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About

Your connection to the best stories in agriculture across the U.S.

Information

  • Creator
    AgWire
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © AgWire
  • Show Website
    AgWire

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