509 Erica Matthews is a hero
SharkFarmer Podcast
Erica Matthews is a dedicated advocate, educator, and entrepreneur based in Pana, Illinois—a small town in Christian County. She's best known as the founder, owner, and lead instructor of the Autism and Movement Project (AAMP), also referred to as Autism Movement Therapy (AMT). This program uses movement-based therapy to support children and individuals with autism, focusing on brain-body connections, building communication skills, independence, and hope through structured physical activities and sequences. Her work was inspired by personal experience: she began the project around her...
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508 Larry Tombaugh Experimental Farms
SharkFarmer Podcast
Do you know who discovered Pluto? We get a history lesson from life long farmer Larry Tombaugh on this weeks episode
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507 Iowa Young Farmer Conference (Part 1)
SharkFarmer Podcast
Live podcasts from the 2026 Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Conference in Des Moines Iowa
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506 Troy Fiechter BioTownAg
SharkFarmer Podcast
We are live at Prudue talking with Troy Fiechter of BioTownAg
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505 Phillip Raines Beecame a Farmer
SharkFarmer Podcast
Can eating local honey help with allergies? Listen to Phillip Raines who became a first generation farmer by raising bees
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504 Holly Payne Watching The Sausage Get Made
SharkFarmer Podcast
In this episode of the Shark Farmer Podcast, host Rob Sharkey chats with Holly Payne from Bigelow, Arkansas, who shares her unique journey from theater costume designer to farmer. Holly discusses her background, including her time in Milwaukee and her husband Aaron's biochemistry expertise, which they now apply to their farming venture. The couple started a small farm during the COVID-19 pandemic, initially as a hobby, but it quickly evolved into a full-time business focused on raising Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs and producing high-quality pork products, including sausages. Holly emphasizes...
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503 Lauren & Ben Neale Knows Their Meat
SharkFarmer Podcast
In this episode of the Shark Farmer Podcast, host Rob Sharkey interviews Lauren and Ben Neal from Columbia, Tennessee, who share their inspiring journey in agriculture and entrepreneurship. The couple discusses their unique backgrounds—Ben grew up on a small farm while Lauren was a city girl from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They delve into how they met through the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and their decision to start a cow-calf operation after getting married. The conversation highlights their challenges and triumphs, including the impact of COVID-19 on their business and the launch of...
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502 Kevin Thompson Keepin Buzzards at Bay
SharkFarmer Podcast
In this episode of the Shark Farmer Podcast, host Rob Sharkey speaks with Kevin Thompson, the Director of the Middle Tennessee Ag Research and Education Center (M-TREC) at the University of Tennessee. They discuss Kevin's background in agriculture, the impact of black vultures on cattle production, and the importance of diversification in farming. Kevin shares insights on precision livestock technologies, the role of horses in cattle management, and the significance of teaching stockmanship. The conversation emphasizes the need for advocates in agriculture to educate the public and promote...
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501 Belinda Bowman Has A Huge Heart
SharkFarmer Podcast
In this episode, Rob Sharkey interviews Belinda Bowman, a sixth-generation farmer from Ontario, Canada. Belinda shares her journey through grief after the loss of her partner, Troy, and how it has shaped her life and farming practices. She discusses the importance of animals in her healing process, the challenges of parenting, and her desire to help others who are navigating similar experiences. The conversation also touches on the differences between farming in Canada and the U.S., the impact of social media on agriculture, and the importance of authenticity in sharing one's story. ...
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500 Tristan Swartz Drove To Wisconsin
SharkFarmer Podcast
In this episode of Shark Farmer Podcast, host Rob Sharkey interviews fifth-generation farmer Tristan Schwartz from Gilman, Wisconsin. Tristan shares his unique journey into farming, influenced by his family history and a pivotal friendship with neighbor Tom Victory. He discusses his innovative farming techniques, including the use of traditional equipment and sustainable practices, while emphasizing the importance of community and memories in agriculture. takeaways Tristan Schwartz is a fifth-generation farmer from Wisconsin. He moved to Wisconsin from Missouri to pursue his dream of dairy...
info_outlineGracee Workman is an Ohio pig farmer with an amazingly positive perspective on life. Growing up with parents who struggled with drug addiction, she chooses to not hold a grudge for the hardships she endured. Gracee now shares her love of pig farming! For her it is a lifestyle and her "calling." Proof that there is room for many voices to tell the story of agriculture!