North American Ag Spotlight

Listen to the podcast here - https://www.northamericanag.com/north-american-ag-spotlight In this week's North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak hears the inspiring story of how Hylio was built. CEO Arthur Erickson breaks down the importance of aerial farming solutions and gives advice to those still hesitant to adopt hi-tech farming methods. Hylio develops and offers innovative drone systems that automate precision agriculture treatments. Using Hylio’s technology, farmers/producers can now apply crop treatments directly to problem areas, allowing farmers to increase yields by addressing pests and deficiencies with more accuracy and efficacy. In 2015, Arthur Erickson and two fellow students at the University of Texas at Austin, Nikhil Dixit, and Mike Oda, were in their dorm room working on aerospace engineering assignments and discussing the possibilities of using drones in agriculture. This was the beginning of Hylio. While they were still in school, Arthur, Nikhil, and Mike began working on prototypes. Mike, who grew up on a ranch that Arthur often visited, provided insider knowledge on some of the logistics and challenges that farmers face when spraying crops. And the trio benefited from access to equipment in UT labs like prototyping machines, and the advice and feedback of professors, as they worked to get their fledgling business off the ground while finishing their degrees. Once the first Hylio agrodrones were ready for flight, the team began offering spray services to farmers and ranchers, and quickly realized that more testing and work were needed to perfect the drones. Because regulations for drones are more stringent in the U.S., the team decided to travel to Central America to work with farmers there as they worked on perfecting the technology. During the first year of operations in Central America, the team worked alongside farmers spending 10 hours or more in the fields, spraying thousands of acres, and working out bugs with the Hylio hardware and software. The farms in El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Guatemala where they worked were ideal testing grounds for agricultural spray drones. Farmers in these regions grow on extremely steep and rocky land, making it impossible to spray using ground rigs. The only option before Hylio was to spray by hand, which was very labor intensive and exposed workers to chemicals, or by plane or helicopter, which was expensive. Hylio is now one of the very few U.S. companies that are developing drone systems in-house and manufacturing them in the U.S. The Hylio team designs everything from the mechanical engineering components such as the power distribution system, the aerospace aspects – optimization of the flight envelope, propellers, and aerodynamics in general – and the software to control the drones. Because Hylio develops its own technologies from the ground up, it is uniquely positioned to sell a turn-key system to farmers and service operators that is optimized for effective and easy crop treatment. Learn more about Hylio at https://www.hyl.io #farm #farming #agriculture North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com This episode is sponsored by AMS Galaxy - BRINGING PRECISION DAIRY EQUIPMENT TO THE AMERICAN FARMER. Spend more time doing what you love. Use technology to your advantage. Visit https://agr.fyi/galaxy Want to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketing Don't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!

Listen to the podcast here - https://www.northamericanag.com/north-american-ag-spotlight - Election Season is Upon Us, How Should We Prepare? In this week's North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak discusses political strategy with Executive Director of the Institute for Sound Public Policy, Kevin Lynn. Kevin was raised on a small farm in Pennsylvania and is committed to the preservation of farmlands. But what’s most interesting is his response when asked where he stands politically, his typical response is he considers himself a lapsed Republican, an unrepentant Perotist, a failed Green, and frustrated Democrat. He is an astute observer of the hijinks being played not only on both sides of the political aisle but also with numerous NGO and activist groups across the US. Today we discuss how he got to this place, and how he looks at the myriad of issues that agriculture and essentially – the nation – is facing. And also how to navigate the issues to prepare yourself for voting season which lays dead ahead. The Institute for Sound Public Policy is an umbrella group that includes, among others, US Tech Workers, Doctors without Jobs, and Project for Immigration Reform. The Institute for Sound Public Policy is an organization with a reputation for fixing big problems through advocacy and activism. Not a think tank, rather partners with public and private nonprofit entities and community activists to formulate and implement sound policy at federal, state and local levels of government. Learn more about the Institute for Sound Public Policy at https://instituteforsoundpublicpolicy.org Learn more about #smartfarming #election2024 #agriculture North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com This episode is sponsored by AMS Galaxy - BRINGING PRECISION DAIRY EQUIPMENT TO THE AMERICAN FARMER. Spend more time doing what you love. Use technology to your advantage. Visit https://agr.fyi/galaxy Want to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketing Don't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!

Listen to the podcast here - https://www.northamericanag.com/north-american-ag-spotlight - Farming Forward: ASAC Conference 2023 In this week's North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak discusses the mission of the American Society of Agricultural Consultants, and their upcoming convention. Guests Pete Weisenberger, President of the American Society of Agricultural Consultants and Russell Morgan, Certified Agricultural Consultant talk about their passion for the organization. Founded and organized in 1963, the American Society of Agricultural Consultants' mission is to promote professional development of consultants in education, networking, and ethical standards. Owner of Weisenberger Agricultural Services, LLC in Tyler, Texas Pete Weisenberger grew up in Mississippi on a dairy and crop farm. Graduate of Mississippi State University (B.S. and M.S. in Agriculture) and Millsaps College (MBA). Long employed in agricultural lending, now independently offering business administration consulting services to farm and ranch families. Russell Morgan is a Certified Agricultural Consultant (CAC). He is the sole owner of Morgan Agricultural Consulting Services (MACS) and Morgan Tax Services with offices in Portland TN (MACS) and Paducah KY (Morgan Tax Services). Russell is a proud graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (twice) – Go Vols. He began his Agricultural Consulting career September 1, 1985, as an Area Specialist in Farm Management with the University of KY. Russell stepped out of the safety of graduate school into the throes of the 1980’s agricultural financial crisis. In the intervening 38 years, Russell has worked with numerous farm and agribusiness clients across a range of financial and economic matters. A few example matters include transition planning, preparing loan restructuring packages, preparing farm financial and economic projections, preparing Chapter 12 bankruptcy plans, and economic loss calculations. Learn more about ASAC and register for the conference here - https://www.agconsultants.org/ #farm #farming #agriculture North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com This episode is sponsored by AMS Galaxy - BRINGING PRECISION DAIRY EQUIPMENT TO THE AMERICAN FARMER. Spend more time doing what you love. Use technology to your advantage. Visit https://agr.fyi/galaxy Want to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketing Don't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!

Listen to the podcast here - https://www.northamericanag.com/north-american-ag-spotlight - Cultivating Opportunity: Chris Rawley's Pioneering Approach to Ag Investments In this episode of North American Ag Spotlight, host Chrissy Wozniak welcomes Chris Rawley, the CEO and founder of Harvest Returns, a visionary platform that connects investors with agriculture. With a unique journey spanning military service, corporate management, and agriculture innovation, Chris Rawley's insights have led to the creation of Harvest Returns, a platform that bridges the gap between investors and agriculture. Unlike many others in the agriculture world, Chris Rawley did not grow up on a farm. He came from a family with deep Texan roots in farming, but his personal journey began in North Dallas. His military career, which spanned 30 years as a naval officer, took him to various strife-torn and underserved regions globally. These experiences heightened his awareness of the global significance of agriculture, especially in providing food security to those in need. His post-military life brought him back to Texas, where he found himself driving past large ranches daily. This sparked his interest in farming and agriculture. Despite lacking a farming background or substantial capital, Chris's determination led him to start Harvest Returns. He wanted to create a platform where individuals like him could invest in agriculture, providing an opportunity for those who lacked the traditional farming background. Teaming up with partner Austin Manis, who had some farming experience and also hailed from Texas A&M, they founded Harvest Returns in 2016. Initially focusing on agricultural producers, they later expanded to agribusinesses, realizing the importance of a broader value chain approach in the agriculture sector. Over the years, Harvest Returns has grown, boasting over 14,000 registered investors and raising $32 million to invest in farms, ranches, agribusinesses, and even early-stage agtech startups. Harvest Returns' mission is to bridge the gap between small to midsize, underserved farmers and producers in agriculture and investors looking to diversify their portfolios while connecting with the food system. Chris Rawley emphasizes the significance of supporting these farmers, many of whom are first-time or multigenerational farmers with limited resources but a strong desire to contribute to agriculture. The platform acts as a bridge, bringing farmers with viable business plans, vision, and a dedicated team to investors. They conduct thorough due diligence, assessing the potential for success while mitigating risks. Investors, ranging from high-net-worth individuals to everyday people, can contribute amounts as low as $5,000, creating a diversified portfolio across various agricultural ventures. This symbiotic relationship benefits both sides, supporting agriculture and fostering investor engagement in the food system. Chris Rawley highlights several challenges and exciting trends in agriculture and agtech. One significant trend is the rise of regenerative agriculture, where producers focus on sustainable land management and meeting consumer demands for environmentally responsible practices. This trend reflects consumers' growing interest in understanding where their food comes from and its impact on the environment. On the technology front, labor shortages in agriculture have spurred innovation. Robotics, precision agriculture, and other labor-saving technologies have gained prominence. However, it's essential to emphasize that technology doesn't replace hard work but rather changes the nature of it. The challenge is to help consumers and investors understand that technology isn't a magic solution but a tool to enhance productivity. Chris's vision for the future of agriculture centers on reducing government intervention and market distortion. He advocates for market-driven agriculture, where producers grow what consumers want rather than being influenced by government policies and subsidies. By promoting a free flow of capital and incentivizing market-driven practices, he believes agriculture can thrive and maintain its vitality as a crucial industry. Learn more about Harvest Returns at https://harvestreturns.com

Listen to the podcast here - https://www.northamericanag.com/north-american-ag-spotlight - "AI, Robotics & Autonomous Farming in Action at FIRA USA 2023" In this week's North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak gives us a look into the 2023 FIRA USA conference. The only 3-day event for ag robotics and autonomous farm solutions is held each fall in California, attracting growers, robot manufacturers, AI experts & researchers from across the globe. FIRA USA showcases state-of-the-art and the latest industry advances in technology, regulations, scientific research and use cases. Since 2016, FIRA has established itself as the leading event for professionals in the agricultural robotics sector. Launched and organized since then by Naïo Technologies, FIRA is now carried out by the association GOFAR – Global Organization for Agricultural Robotics. An independent organization emerged to make the voice of the sector ring out and develop a promotional component that is lacking in the existing structures. This was the preamble to the creation of GOFAR in 2019 by Axema and Naïo Technologies, with the participation of RobAgri to the Executive Board as a member and the entrance of Capagro as treasorier in 2020. The GOFAR non-profit organization undertakes to promote and develop the agricultural robotics sector at international level. Like Robagri, whose objective is to facilitate the technical development of agricultural robots, GOFAR meets the increasing need for visibility and networking of the agricultural robotics sector. GOFAR therefore aims to organize the meeting between the relevant stakeholders, and to support them by taking an active part in the development of the agricultural robotics market, implementing a promotional campaign of international scale (organization of events, production of actions of communication and participation of trade fairs in France and abroad). With a degree in Business Promotion, and Sustainable Development, Gwendoline has been working in agricultural robotics since 2014, as she managed the communication of a French robot manufacturer. She has always been passionate about innovation to solve environmental and social problems. By supporting the development of autonomous machines, she sincerely believes that robotics is a key to fight against climate change and reduce the drudgery of work. Gwendoline co-directs FIRA with Maialen Cazenave. Gwendoline develops strong partnerships around the world to bring together an involved community of actors in the agricultural robotics value chain. FIRAs events – the Agricultural Robotics Forum - are a powerful tool that she continues to develop with enthusiasm. Learn more at - https://fira-usa.com/ #agtech #autonomousfarming #agriculturetechnology North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com This episode is sponsored by AMS Galaxy - BRINGING PRECISION DAIRY EQUIPMENT TO THE AMERICAN FARMER. Spend more time doing what you love. Use technology to your advantage. Visit https://agr.fyi/galaxy This episode is sponsored by Fastline - A LEADER IN FARM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE Visit https://agr.fyi/fastline Want to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketing Don't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!

Listen to the podcast here - https://www.northamericanag.com/north-american-ag-spotlight - Empower, Support, Connect & Grow: With Ag Women Connect Founder Venessa Wood Today Chrissy Wozniak speaks with a girl on fire for the agriculture community, Founder of Ag Women Connect Venessa Wood. She has a passion for bringing the community of women in the ag together to connect, grow, and support one another, and to protect our agricultural industry throughout America. AG Women Connect was founded in 2021 with the desire to bring women in the agricultural community together. Engaging women in all aspects of agriculture across the United States is our prime goal. Ag Women Connect is a positive, safe, forward – thinking organization, where women in agriculture can come to for building relationships, trustworthy resources, education, events, and giving back to our local communities. We are committed to advocating for women who are experiencing real- life issues within the agriculture field. Our forum is built to equip women with what they need, to be progressive, professional, and confident, in the roles that they are striving for, to make a difference within their lives, communities, and for upcoming generations to come. Venessa grew up in the panhandle of Texas and now resides near Lubbock with her supportive husband who owns a landscaping and tree business. They have two beautiful children who are involved in sports, horses, outdoor activities, and who enjoy growing up in the agricultural world. The farming and entrepreneurial background she was raised in equipped her to graduate from Texas Tech in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Leadership. In the last 30 years she has served in leadership roles which cover different aspects of the agricultural arena including equine, ranching, farming and business. It is her passion to bring the community of women in the agriculture field together. Learn more about Ag Women Connect at - https://agwomenconnect.com #farming #agriculture #womeninag #agwomenconnect North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com This episode is sponsored by AMS Galaxy - BRINGING PRECISION DAIRY EQUIPMENT TO THE AMERICAN FARMER. Spend more time doing what you love. Use technology to your advantage. Visit https://agr.fyi/galaxy Want to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketing Don't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!

Listen to the podcast here - https://www.northamericanag.com/north-american-ag-spotlight - The 30x30 Landgrab with Margaret Byfield In this week's North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak speaks with Margaret Byfield who serves as the Executive Director of American Stewards of Liberty, about the concerning trajectory of property rights regulation in the United States. She discusses the actions of the Biden Administration, the overreach of the administrative state, and what our part is in this fight. 30 x 30 is an international environmental agenda to permanently protect 30 percent of our land and oceans by 2030, in their natural state. It was initiated by the Biden Administration in the Climate Crisis EO (14008) signed January 27th, 2021. Proponents argue that climate impacts are human-caused, and permanently preserving 30% of America’s land and oceans is necessary to reverse climate change. This action must be taken immediately, they claim, to avoid impacts on the ecosystem and wildlife. However, the science and data do not justify these extreme policy measures. 30 x 30 is an unconstitutional policy shift, moving us from a nation founded on private property principles to one controlled by the administrative state. Margaret Byfield serves as the Executive Director of American Stewards of Liberty (ASL), and is a natural resource policy expert with over 30 years experience. Her education began on Pine Creek Ranch in Central Nevada where her family became one of the first Western landowners targeted by the radical environmental agenda resulting in the 27 year legal battle, Hage v. United States. Byfield works directly with policy leaders at the local, State and Federal level helping to advance strategies that protect the production of America’s food, fiber, minerals and energy. She runs the national “Property Rights Task Force” and “Multiple-Use Alliance” that confront the agendas eroding property rights in America. She is a national speaker, writer and commentator on natural resource issues. American Stewards of Liberty is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to protect property rights and the liberties they secure by defending the use of our land and restoring local control. American Stewards educate federal, state, and local officials and property owners, on federal actions that erode property rights, such as the 30x30 agenda, and identifies responses that bring these actions into alignment with full Constitutional protections of these rights. Learn more at https://americanstewards.us/ #farm #farming #agriculture North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com This episode is sponsored by AMS Galaxy - BRINGING PRECISION DAIRY EQUIPMENT TO THE AMERICAN FARMER. Spend more time doing what you love. Use technology to your advantage. Visit https://agr.fyi/galaxy Want to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketing Don't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!

Listen to the podcast here - https://www.northamericanag.com/north-american-ag-spotlight - Ag to Gen Z: Gen Z's Impact on Agriculture In this episode of North American Ag Spotlight, Chrissy Wozniak interviews Jill Bramble, the President and CEO of the National 4-H Council. Jill shares her background as a fourth-generation 4-H member and discusses the significant impact 4-H has had on her life and countless others. Jill explains how 4-H has evolved over its 120-year history and how it continues to adapt to the needs of Gen Z, emphasizing the importance of local customization while providing a national framework. The conversation highlights several success stories, including a young 4-H member named Eli who combined his love for agriculture with robotics and computer science, illustrating the potential of young people to drive innovation and positive change in their communities. Jill also touches on her experience in fundraising and partnerships, showcasing how collaboration with organizations and corporations has expanded 4-H programs and opportunities. The podcast concludes with a discussion about Jill's perspective as a mother of Gen Z children and the unique challenges and opportunities they face, emphasizing the importance of providing support and guidance for this generation. Jill Bramble is President and Chief Executive Officer at National 4-H Council, the nonprofit partner to Cooperative Extension’s 4-H program. An experienced nonprofit leader, she has dedicated more than 18 years of service to National 4-H Council, starting as a grant writer and rising through the ranks to join the executive leadership team in 2013. A fourth generation 4-H’er from Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Jill knows firsthand the life-changing impact of 4-H programs and volunteers. A champion of young people and their ability to drive change, she is motivated every single day to pay it forward and ensure these same opportunities are available to all youth. Jill has cultivated teams and organizations to grow the impact of their missions through sustainable, social impact investments. Prior to stepping into her role as CEO, she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer focusing on the enterprise alignment of people, marketing, partnerships, and processes to drive revenue and ensure all young people have the opportunity to access 4‑H’s positive youth development programs. As Council’s Chief Development Officer, she led a team of development professionals and oversaw a portfolio of corporate and foundation partnerships that raised more than $35 million annually to grow and support Cooperative Extension’s 4-H program. Before joining National 4-H Council, Jill was a senior consultant for Just Cause Consulting where she led strategic planning and grant-writing for nonprofit organizations on the East Coast. Prior to her consulting work, Jill was the Income Development Director for the Mid-Atlantic Division of the American Cancer Society where she led fundraising and local board development in Maryland and Delaware. 4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for career tomorrow. 4-H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. 4-H is the youth development program of our nation’s Cooperative Extension System and USDA and serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3000 local Extension offices. Globally, 4-H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries. The research-backed 4-H experience grows young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs. Discover the inspiring stories and insights about the impact of 4-H and Gen Z's role in shaping the future of agriculture in this engaging episode. Learn more about 4H at https://4-h.org/ #farm #farming #agriculture North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com This episode is sponsored by AMS Galaxy - BRINGING PRECISION DAIRY EQUIPMENT TO THE AMERICAN FARMER. Spend more time doing what you love. Use technology to your advantage. Visit https://agr.fyi/galaxy Want to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketing Don't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!

Listen to the podcast here - https://www.northamericanag.com/north-american-ag-spotlight - Why Accurate Farming Info Eludes Consumers In this week's North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak discusses the great divide between farm and table with Ali Cox, founder of Noble West, an award-winning marketing consultancy that specializes in the entire agricultural ecosystem. From fresh produce and nuts to dairy and agTech, Noble West works in all aspects of agriculture. As a fifth-generation farmer, Cox returned home to California’s Central Valley in 2007 with the singular goal of making world-class marketing services available to the abundance of farmers and growers in the area. A fierce advocate for farmers, Ali’s blend of a deep personal connection to the land and business acumen has made her a highly sought after strategist by her clients. With an eye on the future of farming and the climate crisis, Cox regularly consults with her clients on upcycling, regenerative water use, and hydroponic and organic farming practices. As a testament to her extreme work ethic and perseverance, Cox was a walk-on rower at the University of San Diego and went on to win a Silver Medal in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens! Noble West is an award-winning, specialty marketing agency in the agriculture and food ingredients industry. Fusing the worlds of strategy, art and nature, with a fifth-generation Californian farmer leading the helm, they embody the spirit of the past while charting a course toward the future. As a female-founded and operated company, they draw the blueprint of the future while keeping the big picture in sight. Noble West's fearless and intentional approach, driven by innovation and fueled with technology, sets them apart in the field of agriculture marketing. With noble hearts and westward thinking, they believe there are no limits to what they can achieve together and that ag deserves better. They specialize in empowering and elevating companies that aim to impact the entire agriculture ecosystem. Founded in 2007, Noble West, formerly known as AC&C Marketing, is a collective of globally-minded creatives and strategists dedicated to creating transparency about where our food comes from, one campaign at a time. Headquartered in California's Central Valley, with satellite team hubs in Sacramento, Los Angeles and Columbus, Ohio, they are a remote-first agency that hires disruptive talent from anywhere. Noble West offers a comprehensive range of services, including brand identity, campaign development, content planning, media planning, production, and more. They are the industry leaders in strategic and creative services, particularly in the niche area of Grower Marketing (B2G). They revolutionize the agricultural landscape, cultivating a brighter future for food. Learn more about Noble West at https://WeAreNobleWest.com #agrimarketing #farming #agriculture North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com This episode is sponsored by AMS Galaxy - BRINGING PRECISION DAIRY EQUIPMENT TO THE AMERICAN FARMER. Spend more time doing what you love. Use technology to your advantage. Visit https://agr.fyi/galaxy Want to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketing Don't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!

Listen to the podcast here - https://www.northamericanag.com/north-american-ag-spotlight - Agriculture's Role in the Immigration & Border Security Crisis In this week's North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak sits down with Joe Guzzardi of the Institute for Sound Public Policy to talk about the current border crisis, and his ideas for what the ag industry could do about it. With more than 30 years of immigration analysis; Joe Guzzardi is a nationally syndicated columnist, California native, and a former English as a second language (ESL) teacher whose students were migrant farm workers. Rebranded in early 2023 from Progressives for Immigration Reform. the Institute for Sound Public Policy is an umbrella group that includes, among others, US Tech Workers, Doctors without Jobs, and Project for Immigration Reform. The Institute for Sound Public Policy is an organization with a reputation for fixing big problems through advocacy and activism. We are not a think tank. Rather, we partner with public and private nonprofit entities and community activists to formulate and implement sound policy at federal, state and local levels of government. Learn more about the Institute for Sound Public Policy at https://instituteforsoundpublicpolicy.org Guzzardi's columns also appear on Substack: joe.guzzardi.substack.com #bordersecurity #immigration #farming North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com This episode is sponsored by AMS Galaxy - BRINGING PRECISION DAIRY EQUIPMENT TO THE AMERICAN FARMER. Spend more time doing what you love. Use technology to your advantage. Visit https://agr.fyi/galaxy Want to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketing Don't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!

Listen to the podcast here - https://www.northamericanag.com/north-american-ag-spotlight - Transformative Farmer First Platform for Sustainable Agriculture In this week's North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak speaks with Bayer's Alyssa Cho about their transformative farmer-first platform for sustainable agriculture ForGround by Bayer. ForGround by Bayer is transforming the way farms of all sizes are more easily making the transition to sustainable agricultural practices. ForGround offers growers hands-on agronomic support, tools and resources, discounts, as well as and the potential to earn revenue for the adoption of regenerative practices and to connect with businesses looking to advance their sustainability and carbon goals. Alyssa leads a team of sustainable systems agronomists to provide support to farmers adopting or expanding their regenerative agriculture practices. This includes hands-on expertise as well as self-serve and tailored resources. Prior to Bayer, Alyssa was the agronomy lead for a drone-based technology start-up, Aker Technologies. Alyssa also held a position as professor of sustainable cropping systems, including faculty and research roles. She holds a Ph.D. in agronomy, a M.S. in horticultural sciences, and a B.S. in natural resources and environmental management. Alyssa is excited to lead a team to support sustainable and systems-based management in agricultural production. Learn more about ForGround by Bayer at https://agr.fyi/ForGround #sustainable #farming #agriculture North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com This episode is sponsored by AMS Galaxy - BRINGING PRECISION DAIRY EQUIPMENT TO THE AMERICAN FARMER. Spend more time doing what you love. Use technology to your advantage. Visit https://agr.fyi/galaxy Want to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketing Don't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!

Listen to the podcast here - https://www.northamericanag.com/north-american-ag-spotlight - The American Royal Livestock Show, a Kansas City Tradition! This week on North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak talks to Jeff Nemecek, the American Royal Livestock Show Manager about the upcoming livestock show, what's new and why you shouldn't miss it! Jeff has been a member of the team for the past 20 years serving on the Swine Committee where he helped grow the swine show to over 1000 head. Today, Jeff serves on the staff full-time and has been in this role for a little over a year. Jeff brings over 35 years of livestock knowledge to the team. A Kansas City tradition since 1899, the American Royal is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to be the nation’s leader for food and agriculture education, events, and engagement. The American Royal provides opportunities for nearly half a million youth and adults from around the world to engage in high-quality events and experiences, including nationally competitive livestock shows, the world’s largest barbecue competition, regional and national equine shows, youth and professional rodeos, and elementary and secondary education outreach. Support from partners, members, and volunteers help the American Royal achieve its vision of a world where food and agriculture are celebrated, and all generations are committed to its future. Learn more about The American Royal at https://agr.fyi/american-royal #livestockshow #farming #agriculture North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com This episode is sponsored by AMS Galaxy - BRINGING PRECISION DAIRY EQUIPMENT TO THE AMERICAN FARMER. Spend more time doing what you love. Use technology to your advantage. Visit https://agr.fyi/galaxy Want to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? Visit https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketing Don't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!

Listen to the podcast here - https://www.northamericanag.com/north-american-ag-spotlight - Leveraging the Cooperative Model in Agriculture In this week's North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak speaks with another Women in Agribusiness Featured Speaker, Dr. Keri Jacobs. Jacobs is Executive Director of the Graduate Institute of Cooperative Leadership and associate professor and MFA Chair in Agribusiness at the University of Missouri. Keri’s passion is to assist cooperatives in elevating their success and prominence by partnering to address the unique needs of agricultural cooperatives. Her outreach focuses on the development of governance and financial acumen of directors and employees, and on raising awareness and engagement among cooperative members. Her research considers producers’ opportunities through collective action within their supply chains and the consequences of consolidation on agricultural cooperatives. Keri was raised on her family’s farm in eastern Iowa and earned her B.A. in economics from Coe College and PhD in agricultural economics from North Carolina State University. Dr. Jacobs' presentation at the Women in Agribusiness event will focus on the role of agricultural cooperatives and the impact they can have in their producer-owners' supply and value chains. She'll outline how the co-op's provision of "value' to farmers is changing as ag becomes increasingly complex, from technology to access to capital. The University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) is a land-grant institution that strives to create a healthy world. They are driven to pioneer impactful solutions for agriculture, food and natural resources. CAFNR strives to create a healthy world and touches every aspect of the food system through research, extension and teaching. CAFNR, partnering with other MU collaborators, has world class strengths in human health response to nutrition choice and physical activity, plant sciences and novel compounds, animal models for human health applications, genomics, natural resources, and food and agricultural policy. The college is well positioned to make an impact, as MU is an R1, land-grant university and member of the Association of American Universities. The uniqueness of the climate, soils and topography of the state of Missouri allow us incredible variety in our research – from corn and soybean in the northwest, to cotton and rice in the southeast, to beef production in the southwest. Register for Women in Agribusiness September 26-28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee here - https://www.womeninag.com/ Learn more about Dr. Keri Jacobs at https://cafnr.missouri.edu/person/keri-l-jacobs/ #farm #farming #agriculture North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com This episode is sponsored by AMS Galaxy - BRINGING PRECISION DAIRY EQUIPMENT TO THE AMERICAN FARMER. Spend more time doing what you love. Use technology to your advantage. Visit https://agr.fyi/galaxy Want to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? Visit https://chrissywozniak.com Don't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!

Listen to the podcast here - https://www.northamericanag.com/north-american-ag-spotlight - Innovations Changing the Future of Agriculture & Food This week on North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak speaks with Susanne Wasson, senior commercial executive with over 30 years of experience in the global agriculture industry. She'll be speaking at the Women in Agribusiness Summit this fall in Nashville, Tennessee, with an exciting hour featuring brief Ted-talk like presentations on the diverse innovations that are changing the future of agriculture and food. Susanne gives us a sneak peak at what will be discussed at the Summit! Susanne recently retired as President of the Crop Protection Business Platform of Corteva Agriscience. She led the $7.2B business including P&L accountability, strategy, asset management and research and development investment. She held commercial leadership roles, as well as global portfolio roles in the crop protection and seeds and traits businesses. She was active in the industry serving as the Chairman of the Board of CropLife America and was Chairman of the National FFA Foundation Sponsors Board. Susanne received undergraduate degrees in Agricultural Economics and Accounting from Oklahoma State University and a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University. Learn more about the Women in Agribusiness Summit at https://www.womeninag.com/ #farm #farming #agriculture North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com This episode is sponsored by AMS Galaxy - BRINGING PRECISION DAIRY EQUIPMENT TO THE AMERICAN FARMER. Spend more time doing what you love. Use technology to your advantage. Visit https://agr.fyi/galaxy This episode is sponsored by Fastline - A LEADER IN FARM EQUIPMENT FOR SALE Visit https://agr.fyi/fastline Want to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? Visit https://chrissywozniak.com Don't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!

Listen to the podcast here - https://www.northamericanag.com/north-american-ag-spotlight - New Resources for Spanish Speaking Producers Through Farm Aid This week on North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak talks to Caitlin Arnold Stephano, Hotline Program Manager at Farm Aid about their new Spanish-language hotline for Spanish producers and farm workers. In partnership with Migrant Clinicians Network (MCN), and with funding from the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network – Northeast (led by Cultivemos), Farm Aid is providing Spanish-language hotline support through the organization’s new Spanish-speaking hotline. Beginning and established farmers and farmworkers are encouraged to call the Farmer Hotline. Farm Aid’s hotline operators are familiar with agriculture and with resources for farmers around the country; they work with hotline callers to find the best resources for their individual situation, whether they are looking for assistance with farm stress, financial issues, legal questions or business-related questions. The Farm Aid Hotline Staff has an existing database of Spanish resources and they are working to expand this database even further. Through the Farm Aid hotline and email service, Farm Aid’s Hotline Staff refers farmers to an extensive network of family farm and rural support organizations across the country. All farmers can call the hotline at 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243). It’s well documented that the suicide rate has been higher for farmers than for the general population for decades. And a December 2017 front page story in The Guardian brought to America’s attention a harsh reality about its farmers: people working in agriculture in the U.S. — including farmers, farm laborers, ranchers, fishers and lumber harvesters — take their lives at a rate higher than any other occupation. Today, mental health support services — both professional and church- and community-based — are less available and accessible in rural areas than they were in the 1980s, due to factors such as fewer people attending church, fewer community-building events in which people can interact/establish relationships in rural areas, and a decrease in overall population among rural areas. In general, rural residents have higher rates of depression, substance abuse and completed suicide. However, farmers face additional challenges to maintaining their mental health. Mental health professionals point to the nature of farming as one likely cause — it is a business largely influenced by factors that are beyond farmers’ control, including weather, disease, pests, prices and interest rates, and which can come and go without warning. Farmers can be isolated, geographically and socially, since they often work alone. They are self-reliant, independent and can be unlikely to ask for help. Many come from a tradition of not sharing their challenges, choosing instead to tough them out on their own. They work long, hard days and may deprioritize their own health and well-being to get the job done. Stress as a concept may often be seen by farmers as something that urban office dwellers experience. Farming itself is unique, and many clinicians don’t “get it.” Farmers cannot be advised to take a vacation or search for a less stressful job. Farmers feel a tremendous weight at the possible loss of their land, the possibility that they could be the one to lose something that has been in their family for generations. Their role as a farmer is at the root of their identity; it’s their culture, not just a job. Due to the nature of their work, farmers often lack health insurance coverage, or have minimal coverage that covers catastrophic injury only, rather than comprehensive care. If they do have insurance, behavioral health services may be considered “out of pocket.” As people who often keep their personal struggles to themselves, farmers worry about their privacy; it can be a challenge to seek care and maintain anonymity in small, rural communities. To further complicate matters, farmers and rural Americans face barriers to accessing mental health care. Ninety million people live in designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas, per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and a majority of those areas (61 percent in 2011) are in non-metropolitan areas. About 4,000 to 6,000 new mental health professionals are needed to fill that gap nationwide. A dramatic illustration of this shortage can be seen in the state of Iowa, where there are 123 psychiatrists, 122 nurse practitioners and 33 physician assistants that specialize in psychiatry, statewide. That equates to one trained professional for every 11,151 Iowans. Right now, as farmers struggle with a 50 percent decrease in net farm income since 2013, the incidence of farmer stress is reaching a high point. In 2018, the predicted median net farm income is a loss of $1,300, and prices are not expected to rise in the near future. Meanwhile, production expenses and interest rates are increasing, putting family farmers in a vise that is forcing many to call it quits, or consider worse. Farm Aid’s mission is to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and Margo Price host an annual festival to raise funds to support Farm Aid’s work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family farm food. For more than 35 years, Farm Aid, with the support of the artists who contribute their performances each year, has raised more than $64 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms. Caitlin Arnold Stephano grew up riding the tractor at her Grandfather’s cherry and apple farm in Eastern Washington state, and has been working in agriculture, farmer organizing, and advocacy since 2006. Caitlin holds a Masters in Sustainable Food Systems with a focus on farmer mental health. She currently lives in Southern Maine with her family, and loves exploring the coastal nooks and crannies, walking in the woods, and growing her garden. Learn more at www.farmaid.org #farm #farming #agriculture North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com This episode is sponsored by AMS Galaxy - BRINGING PRECISION DAIRY EQUIPMENT TO THE AMERICAN FARMER. Spend more time doing what you love. Use technology to your advantage. Visit https://agr.fyi/galaxy Want to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? Visit https://chrissywozniak.com Don't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!

Listen to the podcast here - https://www.northamericanag.com/north-american-ag-spotlight - Insight into Farmland Values: A Comprehensive Recap & Outlook In this week's North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak sits down with Dr. Bruce J Sherrick to talk farmland values, the current economic landscape and Bruce's outlook for the future. Dr. Bruce J. Sherrick, is the Marjorie and Jerry Fruin Professor of Land Economics, and Director of the TIAA Center for Farmland Research in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics at the University of Illinois. He also serves on the Board of Leading Harvest, and a variety of financial service company boards and advisory boards. He was nominated by the President and Confirmed by the Senate to serve on the Board of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Association, or Farmer Mac where he served as chair of Audit through 2020. Dr. Sherrick teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in applied finance, and financial modeling. He has been recognized on the List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent 19 times and has won Outstanding Teaching awards in both his College and Department, as well as the Hughes Teaching Enhancement Award at the University of Illinois, and the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences Paul A. Funk Excellence Award. Dr. Sherrick’s research is concentrated in the areas of farmland values, market structure, risk analysis, crop insurance evaluation, and performance, and modeling of risk for financial institutions. He is also one of the faculty members who have created and maintain programs at the farmdoc and farmdocdaily websites, the multiple award winning agricultural decision making support program at the University of Illinois (http://www.farmdocdaily.illinois.edu/). Dr. Sherrick earned his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University with subject matter fields in Finance and Marketing. Dr. Sherrick is also managing partner of integrated Financial Analytics & Research (iFAR), a consulting firm in Champaign that specializes in developing private market insurance models, credit risk assessment, and modeling of agricultural finance institutions, and is also an author/coauthor of the FAST (Financial Analysis and Solution Tools) suite of decision tools supporting agricultural producers and lenders. Learn more about Dr. Sherrick's work at https://farmdoc.illinois.edu Learn more about the Women in Agribusiness Summit happening September 26-28 at https://www.womeninag.com/ #farm #farming #agriculture North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com This episode is sponsored by AMS Galaxy - BRINGING PRECISION DAIRY EQUIPMENT TO THE AMERICAN FARMER. Spend more time doing what you love. Use technology to your advantage. Visit https://agr.fyi/galaxy Want to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? Visit https://chrissywozniak.com Don't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!

Listen to the podcast here - https://www.northamericanag.com/north-american-ag-spotlight - How to Get a Solid Start in the Thoroughbred Industry In this week's North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak talks to Leslie Janecka, Coordinator for The Kentucky Equine Management Internship (KEMI) program. They discuss some of the many options that today's youth have when it comes to a career in farm management & the thoroughbred industry. The Kentucky Equine Management Internship (KEMI) program coordinates internships for college students with Central Kentucky horse farms to introduce these students to the broad scope of the industry and the multitude of job opportunities within the industry. Born in Dallas, Texas with degrees in Animal Science and Agricultural Science from Texas A&M University and graduate work in Reproductive Physiology at Texas Tech University, Leslie managed a full-service Thoroughbred breeding, training, sales prep & racing farm in Fort Worth, prior to accepting the position as Coordinator of KEMI in 2001. Learn more about the Kentucky Equine Management Internship (KEMI) program at https://kemi.org/ #farm #farming #thoroughbredracing North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com This episode is sponsored by AMS Galaxy - BRINGING PRECISION DAIRY EQUIPMENT TO THE AMERICAN FARMER. Spend more time doing what you love. Use technology to your advantage. Visit https://agr.fyi/galaxy Want to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? Visit https://chrissywozniak.com Don't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!

Listen to the podcast here - https://www.northamericanag.com/north-american-ag-spotlight - Discover Advances in Agriculture Robotics & Autonomy at FIRA USA 2023! In this week's North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak sits down with Gwendoline Legrand of FIRA USA to hear about the highlights of this year's conference. Building on the success of last year's show, Gwen talks about the venue change, the live robotics and autonomous machinery demos, and the topics to be covered my speakers and panelists throughout the three day event. Since 2016, FIRA has established itself as the leading event for professionals in the agricultural robotics sector. Launched and organized since then by Naïo Technologies, FIRA is now carried out by the association GOFAR – Global Organization for Agricultural Robotics. An independent organization emerged to make the voice of the sector ring out and develop a promotional component that is lacking in the existing structures. This was the preamble to the creation of GOFAR in 2019 by Axema and Naïo Technologies, with the participation of RobAgri to the Executive Board as a member and the entrance of Capagro as treasorier in 2020. The GOFAR non-profit organization undertakes to promote and develop the agricultural robotics sector at international level. Like Robagri, whose objective is to facilitate the technical development of agricultural robots, GOFAR meets the increasing need for visibility and networking of the agricultural robotics sector. GOFAR therefore aims to organize the meeting between the relevant stakeholders, and to support them by taking an active part in the development of the agricultural robotics market, implementing a promotional campaign of international scale (organization of events, production of actions of communication and participation of trade fairs in France and abroad). With a degree in Business Promotion, and Sustainable Development, Gwendoline has been working in agricultural robotics since 2014, as she managed the communication of a French robot manufacturer. She has always been passionate about innovation to solve environmental and social problems. By supporting the development of autonomous machines, she sincerely believes that robotics is a key to fight against climate change and reduce the drudgery of work. Since 2016, Gwendoline co-directs FIRA with Maialen Cazenave. Gwendoline develops strong partnerships around the world to bring together an involved community of actors in the agricultural robotics value chain. FIRAs events – the Agricultural Robotics Forum - are a powerful tool that she continues to develop with enthusiasm. Learn more and register for FIRA USA 2023 at - https://fira-usa.com/ #agtech #farming #agriculture North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com This episode is sponsored by AMS Galaxy - BRINGING PRECISION DAIRY EQUIPMENT TO THE AMERICAN FARMER. Spend more time doing what you love. Use technology to your advantage. Visit https://agr.fyi/galaxy Want to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? Visit https://chrissywozniak.com Don't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!

Listen to the podcast here - https://www.northamericanag.com/north-american-ag-spotlight - Rural Selling Requires a Solid Strategy & Effort to Understand Your Buyer In this week's North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak speaks with St John (pronounced “Sinjin”) Craner, the founder of Agrarian, a company that helps businesses gain access to more effective sales and marketing strategies in the agribusiness space. He is an author, speaker, blogger, and podcaster. He writes for NZ Marketing, Idealog, Dairy Exporter, Farmers Weekly, and interest.co.nz. St John is also a regular Chair and speaker on the New Zealand and Australian Ag conference circuit. St John has over 25 years of corporate sales and marketing agency experience in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand working for the likes of McCann Erickson, Young & Rubicam and Westpac. He comes from a farming family in the UK and is a Lincoln University Kellogg scholar. His current focus is in sales coaching, helping rural companies and agribusinesses bridge the gap between sales and marketing with an emphasis on supporting the buyer’s buying process (learning to speak the buyer’s language) vs traditional, self-serving selling. Though he has mastered the rural sales space, St John’s expertise in teaching sales teams world-wide how human-centered psychology changes the selling process is universally applicable. St John has advised leading agribusiness companies such as John Deere, Vodafone, Bayer, DeLaval, DLF Seeds, Gallagher and World Wide Sires. Agrarian is New Zealand’s most trusted rural sales and marketing training company, dedicated exclusively to the business of agribusiness. Agrarians help agribusiness grow using digital strategies, marketing campaigns, sales training, and farmer panel research. This positions them better in their marketplace to uphold margin and sell more products for more revenue to more customers more of the time. Learn more at - https://www.agrarian.co.nz Free How To Succeed In Rural Sales ebook - www.ruralsalessuccess.com Rural Sales Training Calculator - https://www.agrarian.co.nz/rural-sales-training-calculator St. John Craner - www.linkedin.com/in/stjohncraner #agribusiness #ruralsales #agriculture *** North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com This episode is sponsored by AMS Galaxy - BRINGING PRECISION DAIRY EQUIPMENT TO THE AMERICAN FARMER. Spend more time doing what you love. Use technology to your advantage. Visit https://agr.fyi/galaxy Want to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? Visit https://chrissywozniak.com Don't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!

Listen to the podcast here - https://www.northamericanag.com/north-american-ag-spotlight - AAW Road to Influence: ENGAGE. LEAD. IMPACT. This week American Agri-Women (AAW) President Heather Hampton Knodle joins Chrissy Wozniak to talk about their new leadership program 'AAW Road to Influence'. Heather shares her thoughts on why leadership development is critical today to the future of the agricultural industry. Heather Hampton + Knodle grew up working on her family’s farm near Windsor, Illinois and continues to farm with her husband Brian and their four children in Montgomery County where they grow corn, soybeans, winter wheat and black Angus cattle. Their use of technology informs their efforts to apply regenerative practices across their farm and capture data to improve management. Heather earned her bachelors in agriculture news/editorial with emphasis in geography and economics and the equivalent of a minor in Russian language and area studies from the Univ. of Illinois, including an academic year at the University of Nottingham, England and exchange with St. Petersburg Agricultural Institute in Russia. Her masters work in post-socialist privatization was at University of Illinois Springfield as she launched her communication consulting business that quickly evolved into association management. Heather has served as Executive Director for the Upper Mississippi, Illinois and Missouri Rivers Association and statewide organizations in Illinois as well as the volunteer President of Illinois Agri-Women. She was the founding chairman of the public-private Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation and the $250 million, 11-county bond authority Central Illinois Economic Development Authority. In her time as an elected official on the Montgomery County Board, she helped leverage $6000 in coal royalty funds into a more than $15 million privately-funded fiberoptic to the premises buildout. She has been appointed by four governors to serve on the Illinois Governor’s Rural Affairs Council and was reappointed in 2021 by the Federal Communications Commission to serve on the Precision Agriculture Task Force and chair the Examining Current and Future Connectivity Demand Working Group. Heather also serves as Farm Journal Foundation’s Lead Farmer for Illinois to advocate for agricultural research investments and training for smallholder farmers in developing countries. American Agri-Women are women from farms, ranches and agri-business forming a nationwide coalition of state and commodity affiliates and at-large members with a mission to provide networking and leadership development opportunities as we educate each other and the public about issues impacting our ability to feed, fuel and clothe our country and others around the world. Learn more about American Agri-Women at https://americanagriwomen.org/ #farm #farming #agriculture North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com This episode is sponsored by AMS Galaxy - BRINGING PRECISION DAIRY EQUIPMENT TO THE AMERICAN FARMER. Spend more time doing what you love. Use technology to your advantage. Visit https://agr.fyi/galaxy Want to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? Visit https://chrissywozniak.com Don't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!

In this week's North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak talks to Jim Ethington, CEO of Arable about how technology is transforming how producers make educated decisions about their crops. Giving them the tools they need to increase profit and reduce wasted time and resources. Prior to joining Arable as CEO, Jim spent 10 years at The Climate Corporation where he was VP of Product and grew the company to 50 million paid acres and built a team from 10 to over 600 individuals. Previous to The Climate Corporation, Jim worked at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, where he led several high- profile engagements, including developing innovative financial analysis and fraud detection software products. Arable, the leader in crop intelligence, advances digital agriculture globally. Forward-thinking agribusinesses, farming operations and food and beverage companies use Arable to be more productive, sustainable and profitable. Arable’s intuitive IoT-based solution combines reliable in-field weather, forecast, plant, soil and irrigation data with advanced modeling and machine learning to deliver real-time, actionable insights into the entire crop system. Arable helps customers in more than 30 countries optimize water use, crop protection, fertilization, field work, research trials, food supply chains and sustainability initiatives. Visit www.arable.com for more information. #farm #farming #agriculture North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com This episode is sponsored by AMS Galaxy - BRINGING PRECISION DAIRY EQUIPMENT TO THE AMERICAN FARMER. Spend more time doing what you love. Use technology to your advantage. Visit https://agr.fyi/galaxy Want to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? Visit https://chrissywozniak.com Don't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!

Listen to the podcast here - https://www.northamericanag.com/north-american-ag-spotlight - Take Action to Stop the Bureau of Land Management This week's North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak speaks with Ben Burr, Executive Director of the BlueRibbon Coalition, about their opposition to the Bureau of Land Management's proposed rule to sell public land to highest bidder - called the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule. The Bureau of Land Management states in the proposed rule: "The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes new regulations that, pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), as amended, and other relevant authorities, would advance the BLM's mission to manage the public lands for multiple use and sustained yield by prioritizing the health and resilience of ecosystems across those lands. To ensure that health and resilience, the proposed rule provides that the BLM will protect intact landscapes, restore degraded habitat, and make wise management decisions based on science and data. To support these activities, the proposed rule would apply land health standards to all BLM-managed public lands and uses, clarify that conservation is a “use” within FLPMA's multiple-use framework, and revise existing regulations to better meet FLPMA's requirement that the BLM prioritize designating and protecting Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACECs)." Burr states that "this rule is problematic and should be withdrawn. At the BlueRibbon Coalition we are working to unite public land users of all types to oppose this rule for the following reasons: First, the Bureau of Land Management doesn’t have the authority to create this rule out of administrative thin air. FLPMA doesn’t contemplate a conservation lease scheme, and if Congress wanted the BLM to administer such a program, they would have expressly authorized it. This scheme would also likely raise revenue for the government, which again, is something BLM doesn’t have authority to do. Only Congress, can authorize a new program like this that raises revenue for the government. Second, this rule won’t work. I have reviewed BLM project files where the agency and high-minded conservation organizations have entered into agreements to manage land towards conservation priorities. In these cases, all parties to the agreement flagrantly neglected to uphold the terms and conditions of the agreement. If the conservation leases don’t have any teeth for non-compliance, then they could cede management control of public lands to 3rd parties at the same time the public will have few if any tools to hold the 3rd parties accountable for non-compliance. Third, this rule is unnecessary. The BLM is already required to comply with dozens of other laws and executive orders to prioritize conservation on public lands. Scores of environmental lawsuits that get filed every year ensure that the compliance with these laws is taken seriously. Despite the statutory requirement the BLM has to manage public lands for multiple use, conservation is prioritized above all other uses on a regular basis. Fourth, this rule could easily lead to unintended intervention into public land management by foreign governments. As a leading national non-profit that works to protect recreation access to public land, at the BlueRibbon Coalition we are worried that this rule will be used to limit motorized recreation, dispersed camping, and all other forms of outdoor recreation on public lands. This rule will be a way for conservation organizations to create de facto wilderness, where they have failed to get Congress to make such restrictive designations. The $800 billion outdoor recreation industry thrives because of BLM’s careful efforts to balance conservation with other uses. By prioritizing conservation even more than it already is, we will undermine an industry that is fueling the livelihoods of many who live in the West." Join the BlueRibbon Coalition and sign the letter at - https://www.sharetrails.org/add-your-organization-to-our-letter-opposing-the-bureau-of-land-management-conservation-rule/ To comment on this rule to BLM follow this link - https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/04/03/2023-06310/conservation-and-landscape-health #propertyrights #farming #agriculture North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com This episode is sponsored by AMS Galaxy - BRINGING PRECISION DAIRY EQUIPMENT TO THE AMERICAN FARMER. Spend more time doing what you love. Use technology to your advantage. Visit https://agr.fyi/galaxy Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? Visit https://chrissywozniak.com Don't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!

Listen to the podcast here - https://www.northamericanag.com/north-american-ag-spotlight - Would you like more ESG on your RFID? In this week's North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak hears what R-Calf CEO Bill Bullard sees as the down side of adopting RFID technology on US cattle herds. Like anything that starts out as a good idea, this could lead to the possibility of ranchers losing control of the cattle industry, and being told how to ranch. Bullard points out that we are in a cattle industry in which the four largest packers control 85% of the fed cattle market. Clearly, if these behemoths colluded to deny market access to anyone who didn’t meet whatever standard they collectively imposed, then those producers would be relegated to selling their cattle to the 15% of the market that is not controlled by the largest packers. Bill Bullard joined R-CALF USA as the organization’s first Chief Executive Officer at national headquarters in Billings, Mont., on April 9, 2001. Bullard has testified on behalf of R-CALF USA members before Congress and executive branch agencies, has managed numerous lawsuits on behalf of the organization, and is the organization’s registered lobbyist. Bullard, formerly a cow/calf rancher in Perkins County, S.D., served as the Executive Director of the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission from 1995-2001. He has a B.S. in Political Science from Black Hills State University and completed a year of graduate studies at the University of South Dakota. The Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA) represents the U.S. cattle and sheep industries in trade and marketing issues to ensure the continued profitability and viability of independent U.S. cattle and sheep producers. R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America), is the largest producer-only membership based organization that exclusively represents U.S. cattle and sheep producers on domestic and international trade and marketing issues. R-CALF USA, a national, non-profit organization, is dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. R-CALF USA’s membership of more than 5,000 consists primarily of cow-calf producers, cattle backgrounders, and feeders. Its members are located in 43 states, and the organization has many local and state association affiliates, from both cattle and farm organizations, along with various main street businesses as associate members of R-CALF USA. R-CALF USA began in 1998 when 3 independent cattle producers launched an anti-dumping lawsuit against trading partners Canada and Mexico accusing them of exporting their products below market prices and production costs in the U.S. The group successfully convinced the U.S. Department of Commerce to implement anti-dumping tariffs against Canada. A year later, R-CALF USA was officially formed into an membership based organization. Since its inception, R-CALF USA has profoundly impacted the U.S. live cattle industry. In an industry dominated by 4 meatpackers controlling every aspect and unjust trade agreements, R-CALF USA quickly rose to become the national voice for independent cow-calf producers and feeders across America. R-CALF USA is the single largest producer-only organization fighting to bring back mandatory country-of-origin labeling, fighting to stop anti-competitive and unjust practices by the packers, to prevent high-risk imports from countries with disease outbreaks, fighting to allow U.S. cattle producers to promote their USA beef within the beef checkoff program and make the program voluntary. Learn more about R-CALF at https://www.r-calfusa.com/ or call 406-252-2516. #farm #farming #agriculture North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com This episode is sponsored by AMS Galaxy - BRINGING PRECISION DAIRY EQUIPMENT TO THE AMERICAN FARMER. Spend more time doing what you love. Use technology to your advantage. Visit https://agr.fyi/galaxy Want to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com Need help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? Visit https://chrissywozniak.com Don't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!