Ag Women Connect "Ag Talk, Your Story Matters!"

Hosted by Venessa Wood

Business EntrepreneurshipInterviews guests

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Episodes

152

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

"Ag Talk, Your Story Matters" is America's Platform for Women in Agriculture to share their thoughts, ideas and stories! This is a safe space for everyone in agriculture, no matter what their role is, to come together and have real and raw conversations with each other! We feature our AWC members, guest speakers, and current topics across the nation that affect our agriculture industry. Our goal is to include others into our discussions. We invite YOU to be a part of our conversation every week. Join us!

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60 recent

June 16, 202651 min

What Does Yoga and Agriculture Have in Common? Find Out With Krysta Paffrath

Send us Fan MailThis week, Venessa welcomes Krysta Paffrath, CEO & Founder of the Rural Podcast Network and Yoga Teacher to AgTalk: Your Story Matters for a candid catch-up about moving through hard seasons, growth, and entrepreneurship. Krysta shares about her journey completing her 500-hour yoga teacher training, which began in January 2025, graduating after a demanding year and a half that required stronger boundaries and saying no. The conversation explores discernment, avoiding “golden ticket” distractions that don’t align with purpose, and the burnout that comes from chasing status or growth at the expense of self. Krysta reflects on finding her own voice after years of telling others’ stories and discusses bridging agriculture and yoga through community, food, and mental health, including teaching at a conference. She announces new summer offerings: an eight-week one-on-one mentorship with personalized yoga and journaling, and customizable one-on-one retreats in Arizona combining yoga, business work, journaling, and local cooking, emphasizing accountability, community, and faith.Learn more about Krysta and her current offerings here: https://www.krystapaffrath.com/Support the showThank you for joining us at Ag Talk hosted by Ag Women Connect! America's Platform for Women in Agriculture. " Your Story Matters." We love recognizing our women in this industry! Go to www.agwomenconnect.com to find out a little more about us, and how you can connect with other women in agriculture! Want to be a speaker? You can reach us at AgWomenConnect@gmail.comJoin our Facebook Group | Connect With us on Instagram | Join Ag Women Connect

June 9, 2026Episode 15050 min

Ag Teacher, Cancer Survivor and Change Maker: The Story of Kate Barfield

Send us Fan MailA routine doctor's appointment changed the course of Kate Barfield's life forever.At just 25 years old, Kate was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. What followed was a challenging journey through surgery, chemotherapy, fertility preservation decisions, and recovery. But through that experience, Kate discovered a greater purpose.Today, Kate is an agricultural educator, horsewoman, nonprofit founder, wife, and cancer survivor who is helping other young women facing cancer treatment through her organization, Kate's Cause. By partnering with MD Anderson Cancer Center, she raises funds to help young cancer patients preserve their fertility before beginning treatment—an often-overlooked expense that is rarely covered by insurance.In this heartfelt conversation, Kate shares her upbringing in Southeast Texas, her love of horses, her unexpected path into agricultural education, and the lessons she learned about resilience, community, and living with purpose.Whether you're navigating a difficult season, pursuing a career in agriculture, or looking for inspiration to turn your own challenges into opportunities to serve others, Kate's story is one you won't want to miss.Support the showThank you for joining us at Ag Talk hosted by Ag Women Connect! America's Platform for Women in Agriculture. " Your Story Matters." We love recognizing our women in this industry! Go to www.agwomenconnect.com to find out a little more about us, and how you can connect with other women in agriculture! Want to be a speaker? You can reach us at AgWomenConnect@gmail.comJoin our Facebook Group | Connect With us on Instagram | Join Ag Women Connect

June 2, 202654 min

Embracing Your Gifts and Finding Your Place in Agriculture with Coach Kiah

Send us Fan MailThis week, Venessa Wood interviews Kentucky-based speaker and entrepreneur Kiah Burchett, a seventh-generation California rancher who calls herself a “Kentuckifornian.” Kiah shares her rural cattle ranch upbringing, their commercial herd and Corriente roping cattle, and how attending the Agriculture Future of America conference broadened her view of careers in agriculture. She recounts filming “Backroad Cowgirls,” a pivotal conversation with her grandfather (“Roots aren’t meant to keep you stuck; roots are meant to help you rise”), and encouragement for the next generation to find their place in ag. She explains how she moved to Kentucky after a Germany exchange program funded by selling cattle, landed a Kentucky Beef Council job, and met her husband at the state fair. She discusses entrepreneurship, motherhood as a clarifier (“thin things out”), comparison, shame, confidence through action, breaking generational patterns, handling “mean girls,” and pivoting careers.Support the showThank you for joining us at Ag Talk hosted by Ag Women Connect! America's Platform for Women in Agriculture. " Your Story Matters." We love recognizing our women in this industry! Go to www.agwomenconnect.com to find out a little more about us, and how you can connect with other women in agriculture! Want to be a speaker? You can reach us at AgWomenConnect@gmail.comJoin our Facebook Group | Connect With us on Instagram | Join Ag Women Connect

May 26, 202651 min

Kristen York: Bridging the Insurance Industry and Equine Passions

Send us Fan MailOn this week’s episode, Venessa Wood interviews Kristen York of Remuda Insurance Group from Weatherford, Texas, about her path in agriculture and the equine industry. Kristin shares growing up in California with a farming background, pursuing horses and softball, playing at Colorado State, and choosing the equine science path. After college she moved to Wyoming, spent 25 years ranching, showing cutters and reined cow horses, and raising her son, a successful young trainer. Following a divorce and increased time in Texas through NCHA/NRCHA involvement, she entered equine insurance, emphasizing relationships and education. Kristen explains mortality, major medical eligibility, colic surgery coverage, claim requirements like veterinarian reports/necropsy, and common loss scenarios. She describes founding Remuda Insurance Group with three partners, their nationwide licensing, focus on grassroots horse communities, and discusses her stallion and lessons from multiple performance disciplines.Support the showThank you for joining us at Ag Talk hosted by Ag Women Connect! America's Platform for Women in Agriculture. " Your Story Matters." We love recognizing our women in this industry! Go to www.agwomenconnect.com to find out a little more about us, and how you can connect with other women in agriculture! Want to be a speaker? You can reach us at AgWomenConnect@gmail.comJoin our Facebook Group | Connect With us on Instagram | Join Ag Women Connect

May 19, 202651 min

Three Farm Daughters: Cultivating Community and Innovation in the Pasta Aisle

Send us Fan MailThis week on the podcast, Venessa interviews Mollie Ficocello, Co-Founder of 3 Farm Daughters, a North Dakota, Red River Valley farm family pasta brand founded by three sisters who returned to the farm after careers in marketing/finance, law, and beauty. They created a clean-label, high-fiber pasta after noticing their high-fiber wheat was going only into commodity markets, and they built the brand with a standout farm pink/peach box, minimal ingredients (wheat flour and durum semolina), and a farm-to-table story. After self-distributing to local retailers, learning packaging and shelf-fit lessons, and moving production back to North Dakota, Whole Foods became their first major retail partner; they now sell online and through retailers including Whole Foods, Meijer, Central Market, United, and select Target placements. Mollie discusses juggling motherhood and business, advice to “launch before you’re ready,” and plans to expand beyond pasta into other pantry staples from their farm. Venessa closes by emphasizing AgTalk’s focus on guests’ stories, women’s growing role in agriculture, faith and “being the light. Learn more about 3 Farm Daughters pasta here: https://3farmdaughters.com/Support the showThank you for joining us at Ag Talk hosted by Ag Women Connect! America's Platform for Women in Agriculture. " Your Story Matters." We love recognizing our women in this industry! Go to www.agwomenconnect.com to find out a little more about us, and how you can connect with other women in agriculture! Want to be a speaker? You can reach us at AgWomenConnect@gmail.comJoin our Facebook Group | Connect With us on Instagram | Join Ag Women Connect

May 12, 2026Episode 1451 hr 2 min

Transforming K-12 Education with Ashley Cash

Send us Fan MailVenessa Wood is joined by guest Ashley Cash, who discusses her work to reshape K–12 education based on her children’s learning differences (dyslexia, ADHD, processing delays, dysgraphia) and her experience with private schooling and outside testing that revealed an eye-tracking disorder; she plans Texas legislation for universal eye-tracking screening and therapy. Cash argues the system’s watered-down curriculum and social promotion undermine reading, math, communication, critical thinking, and work ethic, and supports more practical instruction such as required personal financial literacy (Texas HB 27, class of 2030) and “adulting” topics like contracts and insurance. The conversation turns to policy and elections, explaining support for congressional candidate Abraham Enriquez over lobbyist Tom, and addresses AI data center impacts on land, water, energy, and trades. Cash also details helping pass Texas funding for ibogaine FDA trials for veterans’ PTSD, addiction, depression, and TBI, tied to Texas universities, and notes President Trump’s related executive order.Support the showThank you for joining us at Ag Talk hosted by Ag Women Connect! America's Platform for Women in Agriculture. " Your Story Matters." We love recognizing our women in this industry! Go to www.agwomenconnect.com to find out a little more about us, and how you can connect with other women in agriculture! Want to be a speaker? You can reach us at AgWomenConnect@gmail.comJoin our Facebook Group | Connect With us on Instagram | Join Ag Women Connect

May 5, 202651 min

Clay McKesson on Legacy, Faith, and Entrepreneurship

Send us Fan MailThis week, Venessa Wood talks with Clay McKesson on Ag Talk. Clay, vice president of the faith-based Western Legacy Project, describes how it formed quickly and its youth timed-event rodeo camp May 18–21 at Parker County Sheriff’s Posse Arena, with vetted counselors, nightly faith discussions, and events including breakaway, barrels, steer wrestling, calf roping, team roping, poles, goat tying, and added horsemanship. He lists elite clinicians such as Hailey Kinsel, Haley Williams, Strand Smith, Billy Bob Brown, Wesley Thorp, Rayna Chavez, and horsemanship with Chris Cox and Nate Iker. Clay also discusses leading the Ranch Horse Association of America (RHAA), its May finals at the Western Heritage Classic in Abilene, and a new point-based format. He shares his Texas-made Rock & J barbecue sauce business growth into grocery chains and gives his contact info. Support the showThank you for joining us at Ag Talk hosted by Ag Women Connect! America's Platform for Women in Agriculture. " Your Story Matters." We love recognizing our women in this industry! Go to www.agwomenconnect.com to find out a little more about us, and how you can connect with other women in agriculture! Want to be a speaker? You can reach us at AgWomenConnect@gmail.comJoin our Facebook Group | Connect With us on Instagram | Join Ag Women Connect

April 28, 2026Episode 14451 min

Meet the Founders of 'From the Farm', AJ and Jessica Richards

Send us Fan MailThis week, Vanessa Wood talks with Jessica and AJ Richards about their story, marriage, and their business, From the Farm.High school sweethearts married at 19, the couple now raises three daughters. AJ shares how a new generation of farmers is doing things differently through direct-to-consumer sales, social media, and regenerative practices.After COVID exposed weaknesses in the food supply chain, they moved to Cody, Wyoming, where AJ began building a more direct path from producer to consumer.Through From the Farm, their mission is to help farmers keep more of what they earn while creating a more connected, transparent food system—“shake the hand that feeds you.”Support the showThank you for joining us at Ag Talk hosted by Ag Women Connect! America's Platform for Women in Agriculture. " Your Story Matters." We love recognizing our women in this industry! Go to www.agwomenconnect.com to find out a little more about us, and how you can connect with other women in agriculture! Want to be a speaker? You can reach us at AgWomenConnect@gmail.comJoin our Facebook Group | Connect With us on Instagram | Join Ag Women Connect

April 21, 2026Episode 14351 min

The Path to Entrepreneurship with Hannah Skoog

Send us Fan MailAg Talk host, Venessa Wood, interviews Hannah Skoog of Stephenville, Texas, who connected with Ag Women Connect through a women’s tour of the 6666 Stallion Barn and now helps with t-shirts and merch. Hannah shares how she grew up in suburban DFW, returned to horses at Texas Tech after burnout from an academia-only focus, and was humbled while learning horsemanship, eventually buying her first horse and earning an equine science certificate. She pursued a Master's at Tarleton State University focused on equine nutrition, built industry connections, and began offering equine photography. Living and interning with mentor Lorna Neal at LJ Equine, Hannah helps with barn work and foaling services while testing media analytics. Together, they launched Rollback Designs, a western/stock-horse niche apparel and graphic design business. Tune in today to hear her whole story!Support the showThank you for joining us at Ag Talk hosted by Ag Women Connect! America's Platform for Women in Agriculture. " Your Story Matters." We love recognizing our women in this industry! Go to www.agwomenconnect.com to find out a little more about us, and how you can connect with other women in agriculture! Want to be a speaker? You can reach us at AgWomenConnect@gmail.comJoin our Facebook Group | Connect With us on Instagram | Join Ag Women Connect

April 14, 2026Episode 14251 min

Land Rights and Policy in American Agriculture with Jim Mundorf and Shad Sullivan, host of Lonesome Lands

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Ag Talk, Venessa Wood hosts a special session with cattle rancher and policy advocate Shad Sullivan and Iowa farmer/media creator Jim Mundorf to discuss agricultural policy, property rights, and public lands. Sullivan recounts losing his ranch operation in a 1999 Colorado land grab and says it propelled him into advocacy against what he views as bureaucratic corruption, sustainable development, and production control; Mundorf describes growing up on an Iowa farm and founding Lonesome Lands to cover concentrated agriculture and related issues. They argue attacks on private property and grazing/water rights are widespread, tied to ESG, conservation, and rewilding ideologies, and emphasize local leadership such as county commissioners. They also discuss carbon pipelines, eminent domain, data centers raising land prices, and support USDA’s revised voluntary “Product of USA” label requiring born, raised, and harvested in the U.S., while saying mandatory country-of-origin labeling remains a goal. They close by sharing where to find Mundorf’s work and reflecting on the burdens and motivation of advocacy.Support the showThank you for joining us at Ag Talk hosted by Ag Women Connect! America's Platform for Women in Agriculture. " Your Story Matters." We love recognizing our women in this industry! Go to www.agwomenconnect.com to find out a little more about us, and how you can connect with other women in agriculture! Want to be a speaker? You can reach us at AgWomenConnect@gmail.comJoin our Facebook Group | Connect With us on Instagram | Join Ag Women Connect