The Spokesman Speaks: Ag Insights for Your Farm and Family

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

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

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

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

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