Ep. 388 - Bryn Bird on the future of the Ohio Farmers Union and more
Release Date: 03/24/2025
Ep. 397 - Pork Leadership, Biodiesel Breakthroughs, and Smart Decisions for the Future
Ohio Ag Net Podcast
This episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast brings together the latest in livestock leadership, soil health, and farm policy updates impacting Ohio producers. Dusty Sonnenberg and Joel Penhorwood lead a timely conversation with Duane Stateler and Pat Hord – two Ohio hog producers now serving in key leadership roles with the National Pork Producers Council with Stateler currently servicing as President and Hord as Vice President. They dig into major industry topics including Prop 12 implications, biosecurity threats like screwworm, and how Ohio farmers are helping shape national pork policy. Joel...
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Ep. 396 - Rebounding from the 2024 drought
Ohio Ag Net Podcast
The Ohio Ag Net Podcast crew heads back to southeast Ohio to talk with Morgan County cattle producers who joined us in September 2024 in the midst of an especially hard drought. Has land and more rebounded from that time? Join Dusty Sonnenberg as he talks with local livestock producers Austin Wiseman, Gary Haines, and OSU Extension Field Specialist Garth Ruff to discuss the past year. Later on, Ohio Ag Net's Dale Minyo catches up with Luke Crumley of Ohio Corn & Wheat about how they and their farmer leaders are staying busy in an ever-changing policy environment.
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Ep. 395 - Farming, Wetlands and the Fight for Fairness
Ohio Ag Net Podcast
In this episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, we’re on location in Ottawa County, where a packed barn at the Sheldon and Samantha Miller farm hosted a standout legislative meeting of the Ottawa County Farm Bureau. Ohio Ag Net's Dusty Sonnenberg moderates a thoughtful roundtable with farmers Sheldon Miller, Samantha Miller, Josh Behnke, and Jordan Moore as they dive into the personal and community-wide impacts of conservation programs, land use pressures, weather disasters, and the unintended consequences of federal incentives. Later, Adam Sharp of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation reflects on...
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Ep. 394 - 97th Ohio FFA Convention: Student Voices, Star Interviews, and Final Reflections
Ohio Ag Net Podcast
Need motivation? Look no further. This special edition of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast takes you inside the 97th Ohio FFA State Convention with the help of our 2025 Student FFA Reporters. The episode opens with a roundtable featuring returning reporters Sydney Beiting of East Clinton FFA and Alexis White of Fort Frye FFA, alongside new team members Cole Bauman (Liberty Center FFA), Tara Kremer (New Bremen FFA), and Emily Lichtle (Crestview FFA). From there, hear in-depth interviews with the four recipients of the prestigious Ohio Star State FFA Degree awards: Delaney Jones, Ohio Star Farmer (Allen...
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Ep. 393 - Bringing the brews to the farm
Ohio Ag Net Podcast
In this week's Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Joel Penhorwood sits down with Nick Sheets, founder of Henmick Farm & Brewery in Delaware. Nick shares the story of transforming his family's century-old farm into a thriving brewery and community destination. From the rustic charm of the 1860s barn to the commitment to locally sourced ingredients, Henmick offers a unique blend of agriculture and craft brewing. Nick discusses the vision behind Henmick, the importance of community, and the journey of reinvigorating a family legacy. Featured audio includes: Cab Cam with David Phelps: Join...
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Ep. 392 - A History of the Ohio Ag Net
Ohio Ag Net Podcast
In this special edition of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, we take a heartfelt journey through the roots and growth of Ohio's premier farm broadcast network. Host Matt Reese is joined by former owner Bart Johnson, legendary broadcaster Dale Minyo, and team member Joel Penhorwood. Together, they unpack the legacy of Ed Johnson, the birth of Ohio Ag Net, the evolution of ag media through radio, print, and podcasts, and the stories—some serious, many humorous—that shaped nearly two decades of service to Ohio agriculture. Also in this episode, featured audio from around the state, beginning just...
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Ohio Ag Net Podcast Ep 391 - Show vs Commercial Livestock
Ohio Ag Net Podcast
Show season is upon us, and Roger High of the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association (and a noted livestock judge himself) joins several members of the Ohio Ag Net team for a unique discussion about the trends - both differences and similarities - between commercial and show livestock. Ohio Ag Net's Jeff Reese and Joel Penhorwood, each with unique experience in the show world from a feed and showing perspective, join OCJ's Matt Reese for this talk about the convergence between the world of market vs. show. How do judges walk the line between the two standards? It's a topic with many opinions,...
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Ep. 390 - Breaking Free of the Echo Chamber
Ohio Ag Net Podcast
In this thought-provoking episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, host Matt Reese is joined by Ty Higgins of Ohio Farm Bureau and Melanie Wilt of Shift•ology Communication and Clark County Commissioner. Together, they dive into the concept of echo chambers—what they are, how they affect us, and the implications for agriculture, media, and beyond. From a tragic community crisis in Springfield to Chihuahua anecdotes and family holiday debates, the trio explores how differing perspectives shape our understanding of the world. They also offer insights on how agriculture can better communicate...
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Ep. 389 - Celebrating the best of Ohio Corn & Wheat: Yield contest winners and more
Ohio Ag Net Podcast
Do you know who Ohio's "corn model" is? According to Matt Reese in this week’s Ohio Ag Net Podcast, that model is Tyler Drewes of Wood County, a corn producer and the president of the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association. Matt and Tyler catch up at the 2025 Celebration of Ohio Corn & Wheat on Feb. 4 to discuss crop genetics, grower adaptability, and year-round E-15. Featured audio includes: Matt talks with both the corn and wheat winners of the 2024 Yield Contest. In the Ohio corn yield contest, Kent Edwards of Erie County achieved the highest yield with 344.82 bushels per acre....
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Ep. 388 - Bryn Bird on the future of the Ohio Farmers Union and more
Ohio Ag Net Podcast
In this week's Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Matt Reese catches up with newly-elected Ohio Farmers Union President Bryn Bird. They talk cross-country moves, diverse vegetable production, and family farming. Bird also shares what the union is advocating on behalf of farmers for, including strengthening regional food systems and farms. Featured audio includes: Dale Minyo catches up with the Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture Brian Baldridge at the Ohio Beef Expo. Joel Penhorwood meets with the President of the Ohio Auctioneers Association Darby Walton at the Ohio Beef Expo. Dale stops...
info_outlineIn this week's Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Matt Reese catches up with newly-elected Ohio Farmers Union President Bryn Bird. They talk cross-country moves, diverse vegetable production, and family farming. Bird also shares what the union is advocating on behalf of farmers for, including strengthening regional food systems and farms.
Featured audio includes:
- Dale Minyo catches up with the Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture Brian Baldridge at the Ohio Beef Expo.
- Joel Penhorwood meets with the President of the Ohio Auctioneers Association Darby Walton at the Ohio Beef Expo.
- Dale stops by the Farm Credit Mid-America office in Brown County to talk with Rudi Pitzer Perry during Patronage Week.