In this week's North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak talks to Ecorobotix North America's Jose Marchetti about their ultra-precise, plant-by-plant technology that identifies and sprays weeds only. Ushering in the new generation of crop protection!Jose Marchetti is a distinguished Agronomy Engineer with a Master's degree in Agribusiness, bringing to the forefront a rich tapestry of experience in crop production across Argentina, Brazil, and the USA. With a passion for addressing contemporary societal and environmental challenges in agriculture, Jose plays a pivotal role as the driving force behind the business development of Ecorobotix in The Americas. His journey is characterized by a commitment to sustainable farming practices, a vision embodied in Ecorobotix's flagship product, ARA—an Ultra-High-Sprayer machine designed to offer precise, reliable, and affordable robotic weeding solution for farmers. Jose's leadership has propelled Ecorobotix's growth, marked by the establishment of Ecorobotix Inc. in 2023, significant market presence in North America, and an unwavering dedication to environmental responsibility.Ecorobotix is the manufacturer of ARA, which enables the ultra-targeted application of herbicides, fungicides, insecticides or fertilisers. Improving the profitability of farms, while adhering to environmental regulations.They develop, manufacture and commercialize innovating, energy-saving farming machines, which allow both the ecological impact of modern farming and its costs to be reduced. They contribute to the emergence of farming which respects the environment, focuses on preserving soils and hydrological resources, by using a minimal amount of energy.Learn more about Ecorobotix at https://ecorobotix.com/en/#farm #farming #agricultureNorth American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.comThis 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/galaxyWant to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.comNeed help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketingDon't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!Register for the Unconventional Ag Conference at unconventionalag.comSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com

In this week's North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak speaks with guest & speaker at this year's Unconventional Ag Conference, David Hightower, of the Hightower Report.  David lends his insight into the economy as we wrap up 2023.Where will interest rates go? When to purchase fertilizer? What opportunities are there for producers? David Hightower discusses each of these and more in this Ag Spotlight episode. David Hightower is a founding principal of The Hightower Report, a commodity research and information firm specializing in high quality futures research and analysis for individual investors, brokers, commercial producers, farmers and end users. The Hightower Report publishes one of the most widely read daily commodity wires in the world and has become a highly utilized industry consulting service with many utilizing their primary commodity research coverage. A keen eye on the complex interaction of the world markets insures that Mr. Hightower thoroughly examines the financial, agricultural and geopolitical situations around the globe. This in turn allows his company to provide analysis and commentary on a wide variety of markets, ranging from grains to livestock, precious metals, stock indices, bonds, currencies and the energy complex. Learn more about the Hightower Report at https://www.hightowerreport.com/#finance #farming #agricultureNorth American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.comThis 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/galaxyWant to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.comNeed help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketingDon't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!Register for the Unconventional Ag Conference at unconventionalag.comSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com

This week on North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak learns about RNAi technology in agriculture from Todd Hauser, the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Trillium Ag.  With more than 20 years of experience in biotechnology and gene silencing, Todd is a leader in the movement to modernize crop protection.  With an expert understanding of crop science and a passion to protect the long-term global food supply and the environment, Todd brings a unique combination of scientific experience and technological knowledge to Trillium Ag.Trillium Ag (www.trillium.ag) was founded in 2016 by Todd Hauser and Paul Olivier, two Seattle-area scientists and entrepreneurs with a more then 50 years of combined experience in bio-technology and RNA Interference (RNAi).  Their goal was to unlock the potential for a safer and more sustainable approach to farming by creating a revolutionary new class of biologicals that target pests and provide superior crop protection.  Leveraging their scientific expertise and new developments in RNAi technology, Trillium’s co-founders recognized an opportunity to develop a crop protection platform that is greener, more effective and provides the answer to agriculture’s escalating pest problem.      Traditional approaches to crop protection, such as synthetic chemicals and bacterial toxins, are in rapid decline. Due to increasing pest resistance, as well as regulatory and consumer pressures, there is an urgent need for new crop protection strategies in order to avoid continued worldwide crop losses of $220 billion annually.  The Trillium Ag team understood that the agricultural industry was facing a growing problem and it was critical to uncover a solution in order to secure the world’s long-term food supply.  Tapping cutting-edge science and modern technology, Trillium Ag has developed Agrisome, the future of crop protection.Trillum Ag’s patented Agrisome technology is a revolutionary crop protection platform that employs first-of-its-kind biologicals to target agriculture’s most problematic pests, including, but not limited to, the lepidoptera and hemiptera insect classes.  Alone, these two orders of insects are responsible for $50 billion in crop losses across the globe annually.  Leveraging innovative RNAi science, Trillium Ag’s breakthrough platform delivers a scalable, adaptable and stacked line of crop defense, providing a sustainable and biodegradable solution in the fight against crop-targeting pests. Agrisome utilizes naturally-derived protein coated RNA molecules creating a new class of biologicals that address and solve challenges that have hindered prior RNAi-derived crop protection attempts.  Agrisome targets and activates a pests own naturally occurring processes through gene silencing, unlocking a safer and more sustainable approach to farming.  Offering a topical and seed trait based product platform, Agrisome serves as a replacement for synthetic chemical pesticides and is poised to transform the agricultural industry. Agrisome has proven efficacy in both in vitro and in vivo models and Trillium Ag is currently collaborating with the industry’s top commercial and academic leaders to further confirm commercial feasibility and broad scale agricultural application.  In addition, Trillium Ag’s pipeline, which is based on naturally-derived protein coated RNA molecules, includes added sustainable bio-agriculture products currently in the research and development stage.Learn more about Trillium Ag at https://trillium.ag#rnai #modernfarming #agricultureNeed help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketingDon't just thank a farmer, pray foRegister for the Unconventional Ag Conference at unconventionalag.comSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com

In this week's North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak talks with Iowa State Professor Kurt Rosentrater, who has a passion for the past present and future of cereal grains. He expresses his interest in how grain has shaped our modern world, how science as managed to open new doors to the use of grain, and how his students inspire him every day. He also talks about why he started his podcast, The Cereal Grain Cafe and how he'd like to use it to reach consumers at every level. Kurt Rosentrater is a teacher, researcher, scientist, engineer, and author.  He is a multi-disciplinary creator whose work encompasses grains, foods, biofuels, beverage alcohols, and sustainable approaches to agricultural systems.  He grew up on a corn and soybean farm in Iowa, and has worked with the grain processing industries for over 30 years.  Since 1905, Iowa State University's Department of Agricultural Engineering (the first in the world), now the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), has been a leader in providing engineering solutions to agricultural problems in the United States and the world. The department’s original mission was to mechanize agriculture. That mission has evolved to encompass a global view of the entire food production system–the wise management of natural resources in the production, processing, storage, handling, and use of food fiber and other biological products.More about Kurt can be found on his webpage: The Cereal Grain Cafe https://graindotcafe.wordpress.com/Learn more about #farm #farming #agricultureNorth American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.comThis 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/galaxyWant to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.comNeed help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketingDon't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!Register for the Unconventional Ag Conference at unconventionalag.comSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com

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 #agricultureNorth American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.comThis 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/galaxyWant to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.comNeed help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketingDon't just thank a farmer, pray for onRegister for the Unconventional Ag Conference at unconventionalag.comSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com

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.orgLearn more about #smartfarming #election2024 #agricultureNorth American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.comThis 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/galaxyWant to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.comNeed help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketingDon't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!Register for the Unconventional Ag Conference at unconventionalag.comSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com

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 #agricultureNorth American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.comThis 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/galaxyWant to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.comNeed help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketingDon't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!Register for the Unconventional Ag Conference at unconventionalag.comSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com

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.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.comRegister for the Unconventional Ag Conference at unconventionalag.comSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.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 #agriculturetechnologyNorth American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.comThis 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/galaxyThis episode is sponsored by Fastline - A LEADER IN FARM EQUIPMENT FOR SALEVisit https://agr.fyi/fastlineWant to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.comNeed help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketingDon't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!Register for the Unconventional Ag Conference at unconventionalag.comSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com

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 #agwomenconnectNorth American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.comThis 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/galaxyWant to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.comNeed help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketingDon't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!Register for the Unconventional Ag Conference at unconventionalag.comSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com

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 #agricultureNorth American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.comThis 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/galaxyWant to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.comNeed help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketingDon't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!Register for the Unconventional Ag Conference at unconventionalag.comSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com

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.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 #agricultureNorth American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.comWant to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.comNeed help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketingDon't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!Register for the Unconventional Ag Conference at unconventionalag.comSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com

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 #agricultureNorth American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.comThis 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/galaxyWant to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.comNeed help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketingDon't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!Register for the Unconventional Ag Conference at unconventionalag.comSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com

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.orgGuzzardi's columns also appear on Substack: joe.guzzardi.substack.com#bordersecurity #immigration #farmingNorth American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.comThis 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/galaxyWant to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.comNeed help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketingDon't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!Register for the Unconventional Ag Conference at unconventionalag.comSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com

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 #agricultureNorth American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.comThis 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/galaxyWant to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.comNeed help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketingDon't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!Register for the Unconventional Ag Conference at unconventionalag.comSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com

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 #agricultureNorth American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.comWant to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.comNeed help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? Visit https://www.northamericanag.com/full-service-agri-marketingDon't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!Register for the Unconventional Ag Conference at unconventionalag.comSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com

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 #agricultureNorth American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.comThis 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/galaxyWant to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.comNeed help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? Visit https://chrissywozniak.comDon't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!Register for the Unconventional Ag Conference at unconventionalag.comSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com

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 #agricultureNorth American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.comThis 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/galaxyWant to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.comNeed help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? Visit https://chrissywozniak.comDon't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!Register for the Unconventional Ag Conference at unconventionalag.comSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com

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.eduLearn more about the Women in Agribusiness Summit happening September 26-28 at https://www.womeninag.com/#farm #farming #agricultureNorth American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.comWant to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.comNeed help with your agriculture based company's marketing plan? Visit https://chrissywozniak.comDon't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!Register for the Unconventional Ag Conference at unconventionalag.comSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com

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.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 #agricultureNorth American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.comDon't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!Register for the Unconventional Ag Conference at unconventionalag.comSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com