Voices From the Dirt Road with Shawn Harris

Voices from the Dirt Road With Shawn Harris
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

Voices from the Dirt Road is a show built for anyone who cares about the people and stories behind American agriculture. Each episode starts on a working farm and brings listeners into real conversations with ranchers, farmers, rural advocates, and community leaders. We talk about the work that keeps rural America running, the challenges created by markets and policy, and the deep connection between land, livestock, and livelihood. This podcast highlights the heartbeat of agriculture through honest storytelling. Listeners will hear practical insights, personal stories, and straight talk about

Episodes

  1. 12/29/2025

    Episode 8

    n this live episode, Sean checks in from the farm to talk through what is really happening in agriculture right now. From cattle markets and soybean trade uncertainty to the ripple effects of a government shutdown and SNAP disruptions, this conversation connects policy to real life on the ground. Sean shares updates from his own operation, reflects on the realities facing farmers and rural communities, and explains why agriculture, food access, and economic stability are inseparable. The episode also features a conversation with a veteran farmer working to launch a regional agriculture center focused on education, food access, and community resilience. This is a real time look at farming without polish or politics. Just facts, lived experience, and a commitment to keeping rural voices heard. Coffee encouraged. Boots optional.

    51 min

  2. 12/14/2025

    Episode 6: The Meat Monopoly & Quality Genetics with Handy Kennedy Jr.

    After last week’s "slap in the face" regarding beef imports, Shawn goes upstream to investigate the real source of high grocery prices: the "Big Four" meatpacking companies. This week, Shawn is joined by Handy Kennedy Jr., a fourth-generation cattleman and founder of AUbeef.net. Handy shares his expertise on building a profitable herd through superior genetics and discusses the challenges independent ranchers face in a market controlled by corporate monopolies. Shawn shares a boots-on-the-ground report from his recent cattle-buying trip to Tennessee. In this episode: Guest Voice: Handy Kennedy Jr. on legacy farming, genetics The Big Four: Exposing the meatpacking giants controlling your dinner plate. Price Fixing: Why the rancher gets pennies while the packer makes millions.

    1h 1m

  3. 12/14/2025

    Episode 5: Day 24: The Shutdown, The Stool, and The Stress

    We are on Day 24 of the government shutdown, and the pressure is mounting on America's "three-legged stool": livestock, row crops, and forestry. In this episode of Voices from the Dirt Road, Shawn "The Farmer" breaks down a chaotic week for agriculture. We start with the controversial news regarding imported beef from Argentina—a move Shawn calls a "slap in the face" to American ranchers. Why is the administration doing it, and will it actually lower prices at the grocery store? (Spoiler: The problem isn't the cows; it’s the meatpackers). Shawn also discusses the heartbreaking reality for soybean farmers facing a bumper crop with no buyers, and the looming crisis for families relying on SNAP benefits as funding threatens to dry up before Thanksgiving. In this episode: The Beef Battle: Why importing foreign beef hurts local ranchers and fails to fix consumer prices. Soybean Standoff: The impact of trade wars and the loss of the Chinese market. The Shutdown Effect: USDA office closures and the potential freeze of food stamp (SNAP) benefits by November. Mental Health in Ag: A candid look at farmer suicide rates and a call to support the AgStress hotline. Join us for a cup of coffee and the real truth from the dirt road.

    40 min

  4. 12/05/2025

    Episode 4: Week 4 on the Dirt Road

    Episode 4 of Voices from the Dirt Road brings listeners straight into the rhythm of a working farm. Shawn shares what the week looked like including caring for a newborn calf and the everyday challenges that come with keeping a family farm running. It is an honest, engaging look at rural life and a great entry point for anyone who wants real stories from the people who live them.

    28 min

  5. 12/05/2025

    Episode 3: SNAP Updates and Life on the Dirt Road

    Episode 3 brings a clear, down-to-earth look at what’s happening in the community this week. Shawn walks through the latest SNAP benefit updates for Georgia, explains what families should expect, and talks about how local farmers are navigating a challenging season. It is a calm morning conversation that mixes practical information with real-life perspective, offering listeners a steady voice and a sense of connection as they start their day.

    46 min

  6. 12/05/2025

    Episode 2: The State of Forestry and the Future of American Agriculture

    In this episode of Voices from the Dirt Road, Shawn breaks down a fast moving week for farmers in the United States. He talks about the ripple effects of Argentina’s commodity decisions, China’s soybean purchases, and how these global shifts land directly on American row crop growers. He also explains how the government shutdown is slowing critical support for farmers who are already struggling. The episode then shifts to forestry. Shawn welcomes industry expert Alex, who shares decades of knowledge about timber markets, mill closures, hurricane damage, and the programs that can help small and medium sized landowners recover. They talk about CRP, EQIP, reforestation tax credits, and the new block grants designed to support farmers hit by natural disasters. Above all, the conversation focuses on getting real information to rural communities so they can protect their land, their livelihoods, and their future.

    42 min

  7. 12/05/2025

    Episode 1: Welcome to Voices from the Dirt Road

    Our first episode sets the heart and purpose of Voices from the Dirt Road. Shawn talks about his roots on a red dirt road in rural Georgia, his journey from the military back to the farm, and why supporting the agricultural community matters so much to him. He shares his hopes for the show, the work happening behind the scenes for farmers, and the importance of staying grounded in small-town values while taking on big challenges. This opening episode brings listeners into the community, the mission, and the honest conversations ahead as we highlight everyday people who keep American agriculture moving.

    32 min
  • 7 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Voices from the Dirt Road is a show built for anyone who cares about the people and stories behind American agriculture. Each episode starts on a working farm and brings listeners into real conversations with ranchers, farmers, rural advocates, and community leaders. We talk about the work that keeps rural America running, the challenges created by markets and policy, and the deep connection between land, livestock, and livelihood. This podcast highlights the heartbeat of agriculture through honest storytelling. Listeners will hear practical insights, personal stories, and straight talk about

Information