The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family

Hosted by Iowa Farm Bureau

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219

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Since 1934, The Iowa Farm Bureau Spokesman has been Iowa's leading agriculture news source, and today it has the largest readership of any ag newspaper in Iowa. While The Spokesman newspaper is available exclusively to Iowa Farm Bureau members, The Spokesman Speaks podcast is available publicly, providing the ag news and farmer education that matter most.

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60 recent

June 8, 2026Episode 21845 min

Why Iowa's swans are thriving and how DNR monitors our water

Welcome to Episode 218 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we dip into water quality with two DNR experts. Water quality resource coordinator Adam Schnieders discusses Iowa DNR's extensive – and growing – water quality monitoring capabilities. And avian ecologist Anna Buckardt Thomas shares how Iowa's trumpeter swans are making a remarkable comeback. Resources mentioned in this episode DNR water quality monitoring sites: AQuIA public information portal, BioNet database, ADBNet Learn more about Iowa's conservation progress on the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy site and at ConservationCountsIowa.com.

May 25, 2026Episode 21740 min

Kernza: Pros and Cons

Welcome to Episode 217 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we talk with a central Iowa corn and soybean farmer who's experimenting with a unique perennial grain: Kernza. Later in the episode, Mykayla Hagaman of the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium explains how Iowa has grown its monarch habitat by more than 10x in just 5 years, while sharing tips for farmers to successfully add pollinator habitat to their fields. Resources mentioned in this episode Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's Economic Summit. Learn more about Kernza. Apply for Iowa Farm Bureau's Grow Your Future Award. Learn more about establishing monarch habitat through the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium. Learn about funding opportunities for monarch habitat: ISU Natural Resources Stewardship, FSA CRP, NRCS EQIP, NRCS Ag Conservation Easement Program, NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program, IDALS cost share, DNR REAP Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's immersive, two-day farm succession planning workshop. Apply for Iowa Farm Bureau's Market Study Tour of India.

May 11, 2026Episode 21636 min

Today's markets and tomorrow's trade opportunities

Welcome to Episode 216 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa Farm Bureau economist Dr. Christopher Pudenz discusses current crop and livestock market conditions and future international trade opportunities for agriculture. And Brian Waddingham of the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers reminds livestock farmers of the free and confidential services the Coalition offers them – including tips to help farmers prepare for potential EPA and DNR inspections. Resources mentioned in this episode Visit SupportFarmers.com to learn more about the free and confidential services offered by the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers. Check out the Coalition's resources for complying with livestock rules and regulations, including a checklist for inspections. Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's 2026 Economic Summit. Apply for Iowa Farm Bureau's 2027 Market Study Tour of India. View free resources to help farm families cope with stress.

April 27, 2026Episode 21532 min

The buzz about beekeeping and honey production

Welcome to Episode 215 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we sit down with a central Iowa farm family that's been producing honey for more than 40 years. We also discuss another ag topic that's creating plenty of buzz in recent years: regenerative agriculture. Resources mentioned in this episode Learn more about Spring Valley Honey Farms. View Iowa Farm Bureau's webinar on beekeeping, featuring Iowa's State Apiarist, Andrew Joseph.

April 13, 2026Episode 21452 min

Using algae to clean water and create fertilizer

Welcome to Episode 214 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Martin Gross, a central Iowa entrepreneur who's using algae to treat wastewater and create fertilizer. We also discuss crop and livestock market dynamics with Iowa Farm Bureau's market experts, economist Dr. Christopher Pudenz and farmer education program manager Zach Brummer. Resources mentioned in this episode Learn more about Gross-Wen Technologies at Algae.com. If you're looking to take your rural Iowa business to the next level, reach out to Iowa Farm Bureau Senior Investment Manager Adam Koppes, akoppes@insidefb.com Sign up for Iowa Farm Bureau's 2026 Economic Summit.

March 30, 2026Episode 21353 min

Why edge-of-field nitrate filters are scaling quickly

Welcome to Episode 213 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, Iowa farmer, Farm Bureau leader and ag excavating contractor Jacob Handsaker shares how nitrate filtering edge-of-field conservation practices are scaling quickly. And Iowa's State Climatologist, Dr. Justin Glisan, offers his forecast for planting season. Resources mentioned in this episode Hear more from Dr. Justin Glisan and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Climatology Bureau. Learn more about Jacob Handsaker and Hands On Tiling and Excavating. Learn more about Iowa's conservation and water quality progress at ConservationCountsIowa.com.

March 16, 2026Episode 21231 min

How to build trust like a top behavioral scientist

Welcome to Episode 212 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, renowned behavioral scientist Dr. Abbie Maroño shares tips to help farmers build trust with consumers. Dr. Abbie has trained the FBI, Secret Service and Homeland Security on improving cooperation in high-stakes situations, and the U.S. Department of State has recognized her as being in the top 1% of behavioral scientists. Resources mentioned in this episode Learn more from behavioral scientist Dr. Abbie Maroño. Learn more about Iowa Farm Bureau's F.A.R.M. (Farmer Advocates Reaching Mainstreet) Team. Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's March 27 webinar: Why it Pays to Test Your Soil Nitrogen Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's Beekeeping on the Family Farm webinar (March 19). Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's 2026 Spring Planting Weather Outlook webinar (March 31).

March 2, 2026Episode 21129 min

Practical tips to manage soil nitrogen mineralization and protect water quality

Welcome to Episode 211 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we dive into water quality progress and challenges (including soil nitrogen mineralization) with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson, Iowa State University researcher Dr. Michael Castellano and Iowa Nitrogen Initiative project manager Melissa Miller. Resources mentioned in this episode Learn more about Iowa's conservation progress at ConservationCountsIowa.com. Learn more about the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative at Iowa State University and N-FACT (the Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Consultation Tool).

February 16, 2026Episode 21034 min

Opportunities for young and aspiring farmers

Welcome to Episode 210 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we highlight two programs helping Iowa's next generation step into farming with confidence: the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers Building Your Livestock Legacy program and Iowa Farm Bureau's Take Root program. Resources mentioned in this episode Learn more about the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers Building Your Livestock Legacy program. Register for a Take Root farm succession workshop near you. Hear more from Wyoming farmer and author Ron Rabou. Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's Acres of Opportunity Conference, February 21 in Spencer, Iowa.

February 2, 2026Episode 20940 min

Beneath the surface with The SharkFarmer, Rob Sharkey

Welcome to Episode 209 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we sit down with farmer and ag celebrity Rob Sharkey (aka The SharkFarmer). Later in the episode, Seth Appelgate of Farm Credit Services of America shares personal budgeting tips for farmers. Resources mentioned in this episode Check out the SharkFarmer Podcast. Register for the Ag Market Outlook Meeting near you. Register for a Take Root farm succession workshop near you. Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's Acres of Opportunity Conference, February 21 in Spencer.