Education

Ep 126: Moomers Homemade Ice Cream

Moomers Handmade Ice Cream is home to the best ice cream in Michigan and I can attest to that! It’s also approved by the President of the United States! Today on the show, I chat with Jon Plummer about his family dairy business, how it started, and how they do everything on-site in terms of milking cows, processing the milk, and selling it or turning it into some great ice cream.

Jon (Left) and POTUS (right) with the ice cream.

Check them out at the links below:

Moomers.com

Click here to subsrcibe to the show

Show Notes

Background of Moomers
Start of the dairy and ice cream
Why Holstein cows? Volume of milk!
Processing milk on site.
What goes into creating flavors?
Thoughts on farmer/consumer relationship
Traverse City is the Cherry capital of the world!
President Biden’s visit

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Transcript

coming soon!

Ep. 89: Michelle Martin – Jack of All Trades

Today our guest is a farmer. She also has a magazine. She ALSO has a TV Show. SHE ALSO is working on a food label called “Farmer Who”. Talk about a full plate! Michelle Martin is my guest today on the show. Michelle is a farmer, along with her husband, on South Texas. Michelle publishes AgMag which highlights Texas agriculture. Probably my personal favorite project she is working on is a label called “Farmer Who” which allows consumers to scan a QR code on the food label and see a quick video of Michelle and the actual farmer that grew that crop. HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!

Michelle and I chat a lot about ag education and misinformation we see in the industry as well as how she balances all these projects.

Check out Michelle at the links below

Michelle on Instagram

AgMag Webiste

Michelle’s YouTube Channel

Listen to the episode on the apps below:

Show Notes:

Michelle’s background
Her farms methods
Biggest misconceptions with agriculture
“Farmer Who”
Michelle’s show “Ag on Wheels”
Michelle’s magazine “AgMag”
How the heck does she manage all these projects?!

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Podcast Episode 85: Pesticides 101

Today our guest is an expert when it comes to pest management in agriculture. Dr. Norman Leppla is a Professor of Entomology and the founding director of UF/IFAS integrated pest management program. IPM, or Integrated Pest Management is one tool farmers use to eliminate pests on their farms. Dr. Leppla is going to explain the process of IPM, how chemical sprays are only one small part of the equation, what consumers should know about pesticides, and how these chemicals work.

Check out IPM and IFAS the links below:

IFAS Website

IPM at IFAS

Listen to the episode on the apps below:

Show Notes:

Dr. Norman Leppla’s Background
Working at the University of Florida IFAS (Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences)
Basics on pesticides (IRAC, FRAC, HRAC).
How do pesticides work?
Organic vs conventional pesticides.
Regulating pesticides – EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
What is IPM (Integrated Pest Management) and how is it incorporated?
What should consumers know about pesticides?
How UF and IFAS educate both farmers AND consumers.

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Podcast Episode 84: The Rise of the Farming Simulator

I am a HUGE fan of videos games. Since the dawn of the PlayStation 1, I’ve been gaming for well over two decades. Halo, NCAA Football, Spyro, and the list goes on. Don’t judge me, because pretty much everyone enjoys games nowadays with the rise of mobile gaming.

One game taking the world by storm in Farming Simulator, which has huge followings around the world as well as a popular e-Sports league! Our guest today is Martin Rabl, from the developers of Farming Simulator, Giants Software. Giants Software is a German based gaming company that has been working on the popular farming sim since 2013. The game features countless, name brand tractors and various farming equipment, crop management, livestock, and much, much, MUCH more! I’ve played it for several hours now and the depth of this game in incredible.

In our episode, Martin and I will talk about the development behind the game, how real to life the simulator is, how they work with farmers to stay accurate, and how they manage ongoing content for the game as well as their huge fan base.

Check out Giants Software and Farming Simulator at the links below:

Giants Software

Farming Simulator Website

Listen to the episode on the apps below:

Show Notes:

Martin Rabl
Giants Software: Farming Simulator #FS19
Developing a game
What goes in to Research and Development for a simulator?
Staying accurate with real equipment and technology
Working with name brands like John Deere, Case IH, and others
Crop and Livestock Management
Downloadable Content (DLC)
Working with Modders
e-Sports Teams
Populators of Farming Sim
Future plans and development

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Podcast Episode 83: How Artificial Intelligence is Improving Agriculture

Our guest today is Adam Greenberg the CEO of iUNU, a Seattle based startup that provides AI and computer vision technology to drive efficiencies and profits for greenhouse growers. iUNU & Mr. Greenberg has been recognized with a Medal of Excellence nomination from Greenhouse Grower, best new indoor growing technology from United Fresh Produce Association, and was recently named to GPN’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2020. Adam has also been a speaker & panelist at universities, associations, conferences, most recently as a speaker at Hemp Industry Daily as well as University of Maryland’s MAVRIC. Mr. Greenberg led an AI symposium for Congressional staffers on Capitol Hill late last year. He founded iUNU in 2013 to revolutionize the greenhouse industry by using machine vision technology. His passion for agriculture came from his father who is a botanist and entrepreneur. Mr. Greenberg earned his degrees in Finance and Entrepreneurship from the University of Washington and is a former financial analyst at Amazon. He is a fifth-generation native of San Francisco and lives in Seattle, Washington where he enjoys traveling and the outdoors.

Listen to the episode on the apps below:

Show Notes:

Adam Greenberg and iUNU
Developing Artificial Intelligence
The reception of iUNU
Silicon Valley meets Agriculture
How science and farming go hand in hand
Using AI to make greenhouse production more efficient
Will AI eliminate jobs in agriculture?
Showcasing to students that agriculture involves countless technologies
Thoughts on the farmer/consumer relationship

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Podcast Episode 82: How CashRent Helps Both Farmers and Landowners

This episode is brought to you by CashRent. Checkout CashRent.com for more information on how you can expand your operation or rent your land to farmers.

Available farmland in the United States is dwindling. Now more than ever, farmers are looking at simply renting land to either start their businesses or to expand their operation. In the past, most farmland renting has been handshake agreements, but one company is aiming to fix that and ease the whole process. CashRent was created to better manage the renting process for farmers and landowners. Today on the show, we are joined by CashRent co-founder, Noah Berkson. Noah will explain how CashRent has dramatically improved renting agreements in farming, the importance of getting fair land value, and how they are expanding their business across the Untied States.

Listen to the episode on the apps below:

Show Notes:

Noah Berkson’s Background
Start of CashRent
How CashRent’s online auctions work
The process of renting farmland
Why farmers want to rent land instead of owning land
Process of leasing your land
Farmer/landowner relationship
Getting fair land value
CashRent’s strategy towards building relationships
Is land ready to farm?
Any leasing advantages to organic or sustainable farmers?
The future of CashRent

Call to Action:

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Podcast Episode 81: What makes Southern Cuisine so Unique?

Today’s episode is a bit different. Usually we focus on farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs, and well…you know the deal. But today, we are talking about food. Specifically, the unique qualities of Southern Cuisine. I might be a little biased having lived in the south my whole life, but Southern food is absolutely amazing. Catfish, greens, fried green tomatoes, cornbread, oysters, and a loooooot more. But the Southern food scene is much more diverse than you might think. Our guest today is Stephanie Burt of the podcast, The Southern Fork. Stephanie is a food and beverage writer and podcaster that highlights the outstanding chefs, farmers, restaurateurs, bakers, and others revolutionizing the food scene here in the south. This episode was a ton of fun as Stephanie and I geek out about Southern Food, podcasting, and some North Florida landmarks. Be sure to check out Stephanie’s podcast!

Listen to the episode on the apps below:

Don’t forget to check out Stephanie and the Southern Fork at the links below:

Southern Fork Website

Southern Fork on Instagram

The Southern Fork Podcast on iTunes

Show Notes:

Stephanie Burt’s background
Start of Southern Fork Podcast
What makes Southern cuisine so unique?
Stephanie’s favorite and most annoying food trends
Lesser known Southern delicacies
Chefs growing crops for their restaurants
COVID-19’s impact on local restaurants
Netflix’s Chefs Table
Interviewing Food Network’s Maneet Chauhan from Chopped
The popularity of Apalachicola Bay Oysters
Weird Bloody Mary’s
Geeking out over podcasts and trying to develop the perfect interview
Being in the present during interviews
Best food spots in North West Florida
Thoughts on the farmer/consumer relationship

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Podcast Episode 80: Behind the Scenes of a Family Orchard

Let’s learn about how fruits are grown and harvested. Specifically, apples, pears, peaches, and much more from McMullin Orchards in Utah. Angie McMullin from McMullin Orchards will give us a glimpse of what it’s liking working for a family owned and operated orchard. Angie will explain how the orchard was started, managing multiple harvest times, educating consumers, and much more!

Listen to the episode on the apps below:

Don’t forget to check out McMullin Orchard at the links below:

McMullin Website

McMullin Orchard on Instagram

Show Notes:

History of McMullin Orchard
Process of growing apples, pears, peaches, cherries, and many other fruits
Planting fruit trees and planning out crops
Organic vs conventional
Harvesting fruits
Processing and Shipping to stores or consumers
Education consumers
Utah agriculture
Common misconceptions

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Podcast Episode 79: Investing in Farmland

I’ve just started to invest in actual stocks and man, is there a lot to learn! But, I didn’t know that investing in farmland is a thing and sometimes sees higher returns than traditional stocks. One such company helping both investors and farmers is Acre Trader. Today on the show, we sit down with Ben Maddox to learn about AcreTrader, their mission, and how investment platforms like this help farmers as well as investors. Check it out if you want to learn more about how stuff like this works!

Listen to the episode on the apps below:

Don’t forget to check out ACre Trader at the links below:

acretrader.com

Show Notes:

Ben Maddox’s background
Start of AcreTrader
Bear and Bull markets
Investing 101
How investing in farmland differs than investing in stocks
Returns and investment rates
Long-term crops vs short term crop investments
How this helps first-time farmers
Investing in sustainable agriculture?
Can you invest in organic crops?

Call to Action:

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instagram.com/ludwigfarms_tessa

Podcast Episode 78: Milk, Cheese, and Showing Dairy Cattle

Tessa Pacion works at Ludwig Farmstead Creamery that produces great milk and even some cheeses. In our interview today, Tessa will talk about how her animal science degree and working with dairy cattle in college. Tessa will also address many misconceptions consumers have about milk production like the frequency milk is tested before consumption and why dairy calves are separated from their mothers. This is a full episode of great information on all things dairy, as well as what showing dairy cattle is all about.

Listen to the episode on the apps below:

Don’t forget to check out Tessa at the links below:

Tessa on Instagram

Ludwig Farmstead Website

Show Notes:

Tessa’s background.
Animal Science degree and working with dairy cows in college
What is homogenization and pasteurization
How many times milk is tested before it gets to the consumer
Cheese production
Misconceptions with dairy cattle
Why dairy calves are separated from their moms
Cow comfort
Showing dairy cattle
COVID-19’s impact
Switching production from restaurant to grocery stores
Experience with farm tours and showing consumers how milk is produced

Call to Action:

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instagram.com/ludwigfarms_tessa

Podcast Episode 77: Seed Salesman and Seminole Indian Reenactor

Matt Griffin and I met during our time at the University of Florida, pretty much everyone in the college of agriculture knew everyone. While we never shared any of the same classes, we both were active in various student organizations and share a love for all things Florida agriculture. Matt is a seed product development manager by day and a Seminole war reenactor by night. Our interview will cover a wide variety of topics, like how Matt develops certain plant varieties for his customers, some Florida agriculture history, as well as why he portrays a Black Seminole Indian for various war reenactments. This is a great one! Be sure to check out Matt at the links below as well as another podcast interview he was on, The Millennial Salesman.

Matt’s interview on the Millennial Salesman

Listen to the episode on the apps below:

Don’t forget to check out Matt at the links below:

Matt’s Instagram

OmniPresentBeauty – Matt’s photography page

Show Notes:

Matt’s Background
United Genetics Seed Company
Selling seeds
Marketing different varieties
Researching best growing varieties
Working with seed companies vs working with farmers
History of Florida Agriculture
Importance of remembering our history
Seminole Indian Reenactments

Call to Action:

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Podcast Episode 76: 4th Generation Michigan Farm

Imagine the pressure of carrying on your family business. Or better yet, imagine being the 4th generation to work on the family farm, which one day, will be yours. That’s the challenge and course taken by our guest today, Derek Thom from D & D Thom Farms in Michigan. Derek will cover the history of his family farm as well as what they grow including wheat, soybeans, cattle, and much more.

Listen to the episode on the apps below:

Don’t forget to check out D&D Thom Farms at the link below:

Thom Farms on Instagram

Show Notes:

Derek’s Background –
D&D Thom Farms – soybean, wheat, corn, sugar beets, hay, 120 cows, beef steers,
Pressures of a 4th generation
Michigan Agriculture
Crops production methods (organic or conventional)
Difference between cash crops and cover crops
Beef side of the farm, what type of cattle, daily care, etc.
Thoughts on the farmer/consumer relationships
What are some misconceptions you think consumers have of farmers.
Organic vs Conventional
Thoughts on farmer/consumer relationship

Call to Action:

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Podcast Episode 74: What is A2 Milk?

Eileen Warburton is a dairy farmer at Sunset Ridge Warburton Farm in Pennsylvania. Her son has a health condition where he can’t drink regular milk without having severe side effects. Determined to find a solution for her son, Eileen found that some of her dairy cows can produce A2 milk, which her son can enjoy with no side effects. So what exactly is A2 milk? You’ll find out in this episode.

Listen to the episode on the apps below:

Don’t forget to check out sunset Ridge at the links below:

Sunset Ridge Farms

Show Notes:

Eileen’s background
Her sons need for A2milk
Difference between lactose free milk and A2 milk
What type of cows produce A2 milk?
Alternative forms of milk
Misconceptions consumers have of milk
Thoughts on farmer/consumer relationship

Call to Action:

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Podcast Episode 73: What Makes Coffee “Fair Trade”?

Do you like coffee? I love coffee. Today, my guest is Ben Weiner of Gold Mountain Coffee Growers a specialty coffee farming group that is aimed to connect coffee roasters with coffee farmers. Ben is going to educate us on the coffee trade, why coffee has risen in popularity, and how Gold Mountain Coffee Growers is working to bring high quality coffee to coffee lovers everywhere.

Listen to the episode on the apps below:

Don’t forget to check out Gold Mountain Coffee Growers at the links below:

Gold Mountain Coffee Growers Website

Gold Mountain Coffee on Instagram

Show Notes:

Ben’s background
Why so many types of coffee
What is “Fair Trade” coffee?
Why has coffee gained in popularity?
COVID-19’s impact
Misconceptions of coffee
Best brewing methods

Call to Action:

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Podcast Episode 72: The Humanity Behind Farming

Dillon Hancoop is the host of the Real People, Real Food podcast, aimed at discovering real stories of the people behind our food. Today, Dillon and I talk about his podcast, Washington state agriculture, and why animal rights groups are actually really nuts.

Listen to the episode on the apps below:

Don’t forget to check out Dillon and his podcast at the links below:

Real People, Real Food Podcast

Show Notes:

Real People, Real Food Podcast
Humanity behind farming
Radio backgrounds
Washington agriculture
False Narratives
Activist groups
How to support farmers
Building an interview
Podcast interviews

Call to Action:

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