Resolve to stop complaining (and improve your mental health) in 2024
The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family
Release Date: 01/01/2024
Navigating your farm income taxes and exploring Europe’s climate policies
The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family
Welcome to Episode 174 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, the director of Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation offers farmers tips for strategically managing their income taxes and reminds farmers of a new federal law with costly consequences. Later in the episode, Iowa Farm Bureau economist Dr. Christopher Pudenz discusses the impacts of European climate regulations and offers Iowa farmers a chance to study those impacts firsthand, as participants in a 2025 Market Study Tour of Brussels and the Netherlands. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: ...
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Farm marketing and branding tips, from an award-winning marketing agency
The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family
Welcome to Episode 173 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we cover the wide range of programs and services Iowa Farm Bureau offers farmers and rural entrepreneurs who want to diversify their businesses or take them to the next level. We also share some helpful tips farms and small ag businesses can use to create their own standout brands and marketing strategies, from an award-winning marketing agency. Finally, we discuss the Farm Bureau Health Plan, a great choice for Iowans who need an affordable alternative to costly individual health coverage. Resources Mentioned in...
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Important reminders for livestock farmers and a conversation with young farm leader Zac Preston
The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family
Welcome to Episode 172 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Brian Waddingham of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers shares timely reminders for livestock farmers who may face DNR or EPA inspections. Later in the episode, we chat with Zac Preston, a young farmer from Warren County who’s helping create opportunities for his peers across the state, as chair of Iowa Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer Advisory Committee. Resources mentioned in this episode: • Contact the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers by calling 800-932-2436 or visiting . • ...
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Tips from Iowa’s 2024 Conservation Farmers of the Year
The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family
Welcome to Episode 171 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Story County brothers Jason and John Maxwell share the journey that led to them becoming Iowa’s 2024 Conservation Farmers of the Year. Later in the episode, Iowa State University Extension behavioral health expert Dr. David Brown reminds farmers of steps they should take to care for their mental health needs during the stressful harvest season. Resources mentioned in this episode: Read more about . Learn more about Iowa’s conservation progress at . website and hotline. , including free, one-on-one,...
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Iowa's new, more affordable fertilizer, a locally produced solution
The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family
Welcome to Episode 170 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Spokesman reporter Bob Bjoin sits down with Hiro Iwanaga, CEO and co-founder of Talus Renewables, to discuss modular green ammonia systems that could reduce fertilizer costs for Iowa's farmers. These systems are designed to provide locally produced, low-cost fertilizer with a reduced environmental footprint. We also speak with American Farm Bureau economist Danny Munch about the latest USDA farm income forecast and strategies farmers can adopt in today’s challenging economy. Resources mentioned in this episode: Learn...
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Crop marketing and risk management tips for harvest season
The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family
Welcome to Episode 169 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we share some crop marketing and risk management tips for farmers to apply in this challenging ag economy. We also introduce you to Brandon Myers, a former Iowa Hawkeye and NFL star who is the newest addition to the ANF (America Needs Farmers) Wall of Honor at Kinnick Stadium. Resources mentioned in this episode: Upcoming farm stress webinar: , including free, one-on-one counseling for Iowa’s farm families Contact Iowa Farm Bureau Farmer Education Program Manager Zach Brummer at about ANF Wall of Honor inductee...
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Iowa Farm Bureau President assesses the farm economy, calls for a new Farm Bill
The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family
Welcome to Episode 168 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we discuss highlights from the 2024 Iowa Farm Bureau Food and Farm Index ®, a survey of Iowa grocery shoppers (by the Harris Poll) about factors influencing their grocery purchases, their feelings about real meat and dairy, and who they trust for information about the nutrition and safety of their food. We also sit down with Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johson to discuss the state of the farm economy and the urgent need to pass a new Farm Bill. Resources Mentioned in This Episode See more highlights from the .
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How to sell pork in California by complying with Prop 12
The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family
Welcome to Episode 167 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we talk with the co-founder and CEO of Distynct, an ag tech company that’s turning traditional livestock alarms into smart alarms. Then we visit with Marshall County farmer and Cloverleaf Animal Welfare Systems COO Jamee Eggers about how Iowa hog farmers can comply with the requirements of California’s Proposition 12, in order to sell pork in that state. Resources Mentioned in This Episode Learn more about . Learn more about (a company that offers Prop 12 compliance certification). See .
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New study: Agriculture’s economic impact is growing
The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family
Welcome to Episode 166 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we discuss new research on the evolution of Iowa farms and agriculture’s contribution to Iowa’s jobs and the overall economy, with Iowa Farm Bureau economist Dr. Christopher Pudenz and Brian Waddingham of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers. Resources Mentioned in This Episode at the Iowa State Fair Visit
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Disaster recovery assistance for Iowa’s farmers
The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family
Welcome to Episode 165 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we share state and federal assistance available to Iowans impacted by recent severe storms, tornadoes and flooding, with a guest from the FEMA disaster response team that covers Iowa (John Mills) and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. Resources Mentioned in this Episode Two-sheet background document on Iowa’s Disaster Recovery Farm Interest Program (DRFIP) ) and hotline: 1-800-621-3362
info_outlineWelcome to Episode 151 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, internationally acclaimed speaker Will Bowen shares his advice for turning complaints into constructive conversation – and improving our mental health. And America Farm Bureau Director of Government Affairs R.J. Layher provides an update on national policy priorities.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Prepare for the Iowa caucuses with Iowa Farm Bureau’s Farmers Caucus guide