Ohio Ag Net Podcast

On this week’s podcast Dusty and Matt sit down with Morgan Anderson, current Ohio Country Journal FFA Reporter. Morgan is a past Ohio FFA State Vice President and a current broadcast journalism student at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. She talks about her experiences during FFA, and how this organization set her up to exceed in life after high school. 

Also, Dale talks with Wade Thorson, President of Benchmark Biodiesel in Columbus, Ohio, talking about the current market environment of transportation energy. Virgil Strickler, General Manager at Ohio Expo Center & State Fair, talks with Dale about the upcoming Ohio State Fair and some changes for 2023. All this and more on this week’s podcast! 

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

05:29 Wade Thorson - Benchmark Biodiesel

11:42 Virgil Strickler - Ohio State Fair

15:41 Back with Morgan

Dusty and Matt sit down with Elizabeth Harsh, Executive Director of Ohio Cattlemen’s Association and Ohio Beef Council. She talks about celebrating National Beef Month this May and the upcoming grilling season. Elizabeth also mentions how the cattle industry is constantly changing, but Ohio cattlemen are devoted to continuing growing a safe and wholesome food source. 

Also, Matt talks with Don Bailey, a farmer in Union County, about a recent court case regarding eminent domain and the farmland preservation easement on his farm. Rachel Sanders from the Global Impact STEM Academy talks with Dale on the GrowNextGen tour about making biodiesel and then using it to power toy boats. Lastly, Dale speaks with Cory Cockerill, Interim President of Wilmington College. All this and more on this week’s Podcast!

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

06:38 Don Bailey - Eminent Domain

12:21 Rachel Sanders - GrowNextGen

21:01 Cory Cockerill - Wilmington College

27:27 Back with Elizabeth

On this week’s podcast Matt and Dusty sit down to talk with the folks at Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation. They visit with Janelle Mead and Kris Swartz to discuss the conservation practices farmers are implanting within Ohio. H2Ohio is also a project OFSWC works closely with, and Janelle and Kris talk about the future of this program and possible expansion.  

Also, Dale visits with Farm Credit Mid America in Cambridge discussing the Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer campaign. Tom Verry with Clean Fuels Alliance America talks with Dusty about renewables and the growing demand. Lastly, Joel stops in to do a Cab Cam with Mike Elsner as he plants early soybeans. All this and more on this week’s podcast!

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

05:48 Farm Credit Mid-America - Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer campaign

13:13 Tom Verry - Clean Fuels Alliance America

16:54 Mike Elsner - Cab Cam

24:37 Back with OFSWC

On this week’s podcast Matt, Dusty, and Joel talk about spring planting. They discuss weather, field conditions, and anything and everything in-between that may affect when farmers can get into the field for this upcoming growing season. 

Matt talks with two 2023 Between the Row Farmers, Lawrence Onweller of Fulton County and Kyle Nietfeld of Mercer County. They talk about their farming operations and when they expect to be in the fields this spring. Next, Joel talks with with Dale Everman of Homan Inc. about what building projects farmers may have. Lastly, Joel stops in for an interview at Apple Farm Service with Alex Ryan, Precision Farming Manager. They discuss the introduction of new drones and what they mean for Ohio agriculture.   

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

07:39 Lawrence Onweller - BTR

11:50 Kyle Nietfeld - BTR

17:02 Dale Everman - Homan Inc

33:52 Alex Ryan - Apple Farm Service

40:28 Back to Matt, Joel & Dusty

On this week’s podcast Dusty and Matt sit down to talk to Katie Share. Katie works for the Ohio Ag Net, Ohio Country Journal, and Ohio Farm Bureau as a business administrator. Recently, she graduated from the AgriPOWER Institute through Ohio Farm Bureau. This program is designed for agriculture professionals and farmers to learn about public policy and develop their leadership skills to become devoted leaders in the agriculture industry.    

Joel then visits with Cindy Layman of Hardin County. Cindy is involved in Layman Farms, the Ohio Soybean Council board, and the Clean Fuel Alliance Association Board. She talks about biofuels and the development of them over the years. Lastly, Scott Higgins CEO of the American Dairy Association Mideast stops in to talk with Joel at the Spring Dairy Expo. He talks about the progression of the dairy industry and how it has stayed at the forefront of consumers top choices. All this and more on this week’s Podcast!

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

06:36 Cindy Layman - biofuels

20:25 Scott Higgins - ADA Mideast

34:14 Back with Katie

On this week’s podcast Matt sits down with Kristin Flowers who is a marketing specialist at the Ohio Ag Net and Ohio Country Journal. Kristin talks about her role with the team and how she manages it on top of being a mom and a grain and flower farmer. Also, she discusses how her farm has evolved into a you pick flower and pumpkin farm. 

Joel also talks with Melanie Strait-Bok, Senior Vice President of Agricultural Lending at Farm Credit Mid-America, to discuss patronage week. Also, the CCA of the Year Alex Lindsey, talks with Dusty about this honor and the work he performs. Matt talks with Dave Rowe, general manager of Mid-States’ Wool Growers, about closing its doors after more than 100 years. Lastly, Dale Minyo returns and talks with Dusty about his health over the past couple of months. All this and more on this week’s podcast!

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

07:13 Melanie Strait-Bok - Farm Credit Mid-America

18:15 Alex Lindsey - CCA of the Year

21:26 Dave Row - Mid-States Wool Growers

36:21 Dale Minyo - Update

42:28 Back with Kristin

Dusty and Matt sit down with Mike Hannewald to talk about his experience at the American Farm Bureau Discussion Meet where he was named the 2023 winner this past January. They also talked about his recent trip to Washington D.C. with the Ohio Farm Bureau’s President Trip where they talked all things about the upcoming farm bill. Lastly, they talked with Mike about the upcoming planting season as he works at Beck’s Hybrids as an agronomist. 

Dusty also talked with David Hula at the Conservation Technology Conference (CTC) about his top corn yield success and how he achieves it. Next, John Settlemyre chats with Dusty at the Commodity Classic discussing ethanol production and legislation. The Ohio Beef Expo celebrated its 35th year this past week and Matt catches up with John Rentz to talk about the history of it. All this and more on this week’s podcast!    

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

05:58 Dave Hula - CTC

09:01 John Settlemyre - Commodity Classic

17:30 Jim Rentz - Ohio Beef Expo

21:33 Back with Mike

In the 291st episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Matt Reese and Dusty Sonnenberg sit down with Putnam County farmer Jeff Duling, president of the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. They preview the upcoming Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference, talk the Haney test for soil health, and much more.

From there, the action doesn’t stop with several interviews following a roundtable with farmers and Ohio ag leaders in East Palestine, looking ahead with a positive perspective after the train derailment and subsequent fire in early February that grabbed world headlines. Brianna Gwirtz talks with Brian Baldridge, director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, John Patterson of the Ohio Farm Service Agency, State Veterinarian Dr. Dennis Summers, and local farmer Austin Chamberlain.

Following those chats, Matt talks with Jerry Seiler about the Seiler family winning the American Soybean Association National Conservation Legacy Award.

To wrap it up, Joel hears from a roundtable of Ohio Farm Bureau county presidents recapping their trip to Washington D.C. Guests include Mike Plotner of Union County, John Hummel of Franklin and Fairfield Counties, Mike Hannewald of Lucas County, Amanda Barndt of Wood County, Ryan Mohr of Van Wert County, Jacob Wuebker of Darke County, Kreig Smail of Miami County, Ryan Hiser of Fayette County, Abram Klopfenstein of Paulding County, Richard Maxwell of Perry County, Kyle Stockton of Allen County, and Joe Everett of Shelby County.

00:00 – Intro and OAN/OCJ Staff Update

05:56 – Brian Baldridge and John Patterson

13:26 – Dr. Dennis Summers

16:51 – Austin Chamberlain

20:43 – Jerry Seiler

24:30 – Ohio Farm Bureau County Presidents D.C. Recap Roundtable

40:29 – Back to Jeff Duling

More farm news online from Ohio Ag Net and Ohio's Country Journal.

On this week’s podcast Matt, Dusty, and Joe sit down to talk with Greg Peterson “Machinery Pete.” They discuss how Machinery Pete got started and share stories from his years in the business. Next, Joel talks with Dr. Chad McKay, Associate Professor of Agriculture at Wilmington College, to talk about the college and the 65^th Annual Aggies Livestock Judging Competition. Ms. Erin Willoett, Cardington FFA Advisor, talks with Joel about the Aggies Livestock Judging Competition and the importance behind it. Lastly, Matt talks with Dave Brandt about the meme that went famous with his face on it saying “It ain’t much, but it’s honest work.” All this and more on this week’s podcast!

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

07:36 Dr. Chad McKay - Aggies Livestock Competition

13:25 Ms. Erin Wollett - Aggies Livestock Competition

19:01 Dave Brandt - Meme

23:26 Back with Machinery Pete

On this week’s podcast Matt and Dusty sit down to chat with Elizabeth Long of Ag Resource Management. She discusses the important deadlines related to crop insurance especially the March 15^th deadline. Joel talks with Doug Mollenkopf about the East Palestine train derailment disaster. Lastly, Dusty interviews with Tadd Nicholson, Executive Director of the Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association, and John Linder, past president of the National Corn Growers Association. They discuss the potential Mexican ban on U.S. non-GMO corn imports. All this and more on this week’s Podcast!

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

06:54 Doug Mollenkopf - East Palestine Train Disaster

22:29 Tadd Nicholson & John Linder - potential ban

32:05 Back with Elizabeth

On this week’s podcast Matt and Dusty sit down to chat all things Ohio FFA with Jessica Parrish, Executive Director at The Ohio FFA Foundation, and Hannah Saum, FFA State Vice President. They talk about what to expect this week in Ohio FFA as they celebrate National FFA Week. Matt attended Ag Day at the Capital with Ohio Farm Bureau where Farm Bureau members talked with legislators about important farm topics. At Ag Day at the Capital Matt talked with Brandon Kern, Senior Director of State and National Policy, Amanda Barndt from Wood County, and Jonathan Francis from Madison County. Leah Curtis and Ty Higgins of Ohio Bureau also talk about Current Ag Use Valuation deadline approaching. All this and more on this week’s podcast!

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

05:20 Brandon Kern - OFBF

11:40 Amanda Barndt - Wood County Farm Bureau

14:53 Jonathan Francis - Madison County Farm Bureau

19:07 CAUV - OFBF

20:56 Back with Ohio FFA

This week on the podcast Matt and Dusty sit down to talk with Joe Everett, Ohio Ag Net Marketing Specialist, to talk about his role in the company and his farming operation. Next, Matt chats with Bryan Humphreys, CEO of the National Pork Producers Council, at the recent Ohio Pork Congress to discuss the pork industry from a national standpoint. Dr. Dennis Summers, Ohio State Veterinarian, visits with Joel to talk about foreign animal diseases related to HPAI and the swine industry. Lastly, Matt talks with John Hummel, farmer in Fairfield and Franklin Counties, about development pressures with farming near Columbus, Ohio. All this and more on this week’s podcast!   

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update  

04:55 Bryan Humphreys - NPPC CEO

08:31 Dr. Dennis Summers - Ohio State Veterinarian

20:09 John Hummel - Fairfield/Franklin Co. farmer

22:37 Back with Joe

On this week’s podcast Matt and Joel visit with Evan Callicoat, Director of State Policy with Ohio Farm Bureau. He talks about the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit program, and what his goals are for the new assembly. Matt talks with Brian Baldridge, ODA Director, about his agriculture background and his objectives as director. Raegan Felder, leadership chair for OSU’s Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, to talk about their upcoming night for young professionals. Lastly, Dale talks with Chris Brown of Glandorf Schools and Leah LaCrosse of Huron City Schools who recently attended a GrowNextGen event. All this and more on this week’s podcast!

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

06:25 Brian Baldridge - ODA Director

12:50 Raegan Feldner – ACT

17:05 GrowNextGen

42:07 Back with Evan   

Matt and Dusty sit down with Mike Estadt of Ohio State University Extension to talk about carbon. Mike talks about what practices are available in the carbon credit world and the benefit they provide for farmers and the environment. Also, Matt chats with Paul Bertels with Farm Gate Insights discussing biofuels. Lastly, Jill Adelsberger with Cargill discussing marketing strategies. All this and more on this week’s podcast!

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

05:58 Paul Bertels – Biofuels

16:50 Jill Adelsberger – Cargill

22:21 Back with Mike

This week Matt and Joel catch up with Warren Dick who is the President and Director at Bethel Agriculture Association, Inc. At Bethel Agriculture Association, Inc. they work to help teach sustainable agriculture practices in Ethiopia and other parts of Africa. Jared Bernstein, a member of the White House Council on Economic Advisors chats with Dusty about the current state of inflation and the economy. Dusty also talks with Paul Schadegg, who is the Sr. Vice President of Real Estate Operations for Farmers National Company. He discusses trends they are seeing in land sales nationwide and the competition for high quality farm ground. All this and more on this week’s podcast.

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update  

06:48 Jared Bernstein - Economy

10:21 Paul Schadegg - Real Estate

16:04 Back with Warren

This week Dusty and Matt visit with Zoe Kent who is an agriculture advocate in Ohio through her social media handles Farm With Zoe. She talks about the challenges she has faced throughout the years in conjunction with advocating while being an Ohio State University Cheerleader. To keep the athlete trend going Matt talks with Cade Stover, Ohio State University Star Tight End Football Player, about his passion for agriculture and football. Lastly, Matt talks with Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, about the hot topics, challenges, and high points within the industry. All this and more on this week’s podcast!

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

19:56 Cade Stover – Ohio State Football Player

24:50 Colin Woodall – NCBA

33:24 Closing

The podcast returns this week with Tim Norris who is the Outstanding No-Till Farmer. Matt and Dusty talk with Tim about his farming story and his journey to being named the honor. Jim Chakeres of the Ohio Poultry Association visits with Matt about HPAI and Feed Prices. Next up, Brad Bergfurd talks with matt about vegetables and specialty crops. Lastly, Matt chats with Doug Walton about auctions. All this and more on this weeks Podcast!

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

11:08 Jim Chakeres - Ohio Poultry Association  

19:38 Brad Bergfurd - Vegetables & Specialty Crops

30:21 Doug Walton – Auctions

38:40 Back with Tim

On this week’s podcast Matt and Dusty sit down with Ag Resource Management (ARM) folks, Larry Davis and Elizabeth Long who talk about a year recap when it comes to Ohio agriculture. Dusty also talks with Kris Schwartz of Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative (OACI) to discuss water quality and what OACI does. Then, Matt catches up with Bill Chain and Jeff Duling to also talk water quality. Finally, Nathan Brown chats with Dusty about the importance of mental health in agriculture especially around the holiday season. All this and more in this week’s podcast episode!

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

07:22 Kris Schwartz - OACI Update

11:48 Bill Chain and Jeff Duling – Water Quality

21:06 Nathan Brown – Holiday Mental Health

25:28 Back with ARM

This week Dusty and Matt sit down with the Queen of Sales, Risë Labig who has worked at the Ohio Ag Net and Ohio Country journal for the past several years as the marketing specialist. Risë talks about her journey of being a woman in agriculture and how she kept her faith during her career. Matt also chats with Anne Thompson of the National Corn Growers Association and Luke Crumley of the Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association on politics and policy. The folks at Farm Credit Mid-America talk with Dale about their Fight Hunger – Stock the Trailer event. Finally, Joel chats with the Lorain County Junior Fair Board who were the winners of the 2022 Fight Hunger – Stock the Trailer event. All this and more in this week’s episode of the podcast!

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update

04:42 Luke Crumley and Anne Thompson – Policy

10:11 Farm Credit Mid – America – Stock the Trailer Event  

25:32 Stock the Trailer Event 2022 Winner

29:58 Back with Risë Labig 

On this week’s podcast Dusty and Matt sit down with Randall Reeder who talks about the No-Till Conference. Matt also chats with Jill Adelsberger from Cargill who talks about the issues facing the agriculture industry in relation to the markets. Ben Klick of the Ohio Corn and Wheat Association and Patrick Knouff who is the President of Ohio Soybean Association talk with Matt at the Grain Farms Symposium. Both guys farm on different ends of Ohio. Dale also talks with Shelby Guthrie who was named the Teacher of Year in relation to GrowNextGen. All this and more on this week’s episode!

00:00 Intro and OCJ/OAN Staff Update  

14:17 Jill Adelsberger – Cargill

19:52 Ben Klick and Patrick Knouff

36:03 Shelby Guthrie - GrowNextGen

47:25 Back with Randall Reeder