Three up-and-coming farm leaders: Part 3, James Hepp
The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family
Release Date: 12/09/2024
A harvest weather forecast and reasons to be optimistic about domestic demand for soybeans
The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family
Welcome to Episode 195 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa’s State Climatologist, Dr. Justin Glisan, analyzes Iowa’s wet summer and forecasts what farmers can expect for precipitation in the late summer and fall. And Dr. Scott Gerlt, chief economist for the American Soybean Association, talks about efforts to boost the domestic demand for soybeans. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Check out the website. video series
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How the One Big Beautiful Bill impacts agriculture
The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family
Welcome to Episode 194 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, American Farm Bureau economist Danny Munch shares what’s in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act for agriculture, including updated risk management programs, tax provisions and more. Later in the episode, we share what Iowa Farm Bureau will offer those who visit us at the 2025 Iowa State Fair. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: in your inbox. See at the 2025 Iowa State Fair.
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Diving into water quality
The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family
Welcome to Episode 193 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. Central Iowa's water quality challenges are making headlines. In this episode, we discuss those challenges and the progress that's being made in protecting water quality with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Iowa State University researcher Dr. Mike Castellano. Resources mentioned in this episode:
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Americans ‘taste what pork can do’ and ISU experiments with farming under solar panels
The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family
Welcome to Episode 192 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we hear how the National Pork Board developed its new “taste what pork can do” campaign to increase U.S. consumption. We also learn how Iowa State University and Alliant Energy are partnering to grow fruit, vegetables, and pollinator habitat under solar panels. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Visit the . Visit . at the Alliant Energy Solar Farm in Ames.
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EU overregulation rattles European farmers
The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family
Welcome to Episode 191 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we share a new study on the factors influencing Iowa grocery shoppers' purchasing decisions, who those shoppers trust for information about food and farming, and more. We also hear what 25 Iowa Farm Bureau members learned while recently touring Belgium and the Netherlands to explore European agriculture and learn about European Union (EU) climate regulations. Resource Mentioned in this Episode: Learn more about Iowa grocery shoppers' beliefs and behaviors, through the Visit Iowa Farm Bureau’s social media accounts...
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Fresh analysis of meat consumption and farmland values
The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family
Welcome to Episode 190 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we chat with Iowa State University’s resident expert on farmland values, economist Dr. Rabail Chandio. We also explore new research on Americans’ meat purchasing habits, with Rick Stein, who’s the Vice President of Fresh Foods for The Food Industry Association. Resource Mentioned in this Episode: Review Iowa State University’s annual . Learn how farmers provide nutritious meat while caring for their animals and the environment at . Learn more about the .
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They raise what?! Kiko goats and other unique farming opportunities
The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family
Welcome to Episode 189 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we discuss learning opportunities, promotion, and funding available to Iowa farmers who grow specialty crops and livestock, through Choose Iowa and Iowa Farm Bureau programs. We also talk with Adam Ledvina, a young Tama County Farm Bureau member who raises Kiko goats for weed and brush management and meat, exemplifying the diverse, nontraditional opportunities in agriculture. Resource Mentioned in this Episode: Apply for . Learn more about . Visit the .
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Doing more with less: Technology to maximize your herbicide efficiency
The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family
Welcome to Episode 188 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we talk with Farm Rescue about services they offer farm families facing crises, including illness, injury, and natural disasters. And Ben Covington, the chief test engineer for Iowa State University’s Digital Ag Innovation Lab, shares what he’s seeing as he tests the latest precision herbicide application technology. Resource Mentioned in this Episode: Learn more about .
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“In the weeds” analysis of herbicide rules and the farm economy
The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family
Welcome to Episode 187 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa State University Extension weed specialist Dr. Wesley Everman helps farmers navigate changing herbicide requirements, and economist Dr. John Newton offers his thoughts on the current farm economy. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: . See more Register for one of Iowa Farm Bureau’s upcoming . Sign up for Iowa Farm Bureau’s .
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What’s next for U.S. ag policy? A conversation with President Brent Johnson
The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family
Welcome to Episode 186 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson shares recent policy conversations he has had with new U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and national lawmakers. And Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig discusses Iowa’s conservation and water quality progress ahead of Earth Day. Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Learn about . Visit to learn about Iowa’s conservation and water quality progress. Try the new to help you determine your best nitrogen fertilizer application rates. Register for Iowa Farm...
info_outlineWelcome to Episode 177 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast, which is also Part 3 of our special three-part series with three farmers who are receiving Iowa Farm Bureau's 2024 Young Farmer Leadership Award: Nate Hofmann of Linn County, Kaitlyn Porter of Franklin County, and James Hepp of Calhoun County.
Part 1 (released December 2) features Nate Hofmann.
Part 2 (released December 5) features Kaitlyn Porter.
Part 3 (released December 9) features James Hepp.
Register to join farmers like Nate, Kaitlyn and James at Iowa Farm Bureau's 2025 Young Farmer Conference, January 17 and 18 in Des Moines!