How Tariffs, Land Values and High Rates Are Shaping the World of Farming w/Jake Espenmiller

Barn Talk

Welcome back to another episode of Barn Talk! In today’s episode, Sawyer and Tork dive deep into the world of agricultural finance with special guest Jake Espenmiller, the new President and CEO of Conterra Ag Capital. If you’ve ever wondered how tariffs, interest rates, and the shifting economic landscape are impacting America’s farms—or you just want to know what it really takes to thrive in ag finance—this episode is for you.

Jake shares his winding journey from small-town Iowa to becoming a leader in ag lending, including what it was like to step into a business during a time of growth, uncertainty, and industry change. The discussion covers everything from the current state of commodity markets and the reality behind headlines about tariffs, to how top farmers are managing costs, embracing technology, and running their operations like true businesses. Plus, the crew explores the future of rural America, with candid takes on housing, AI, the evolving job market, and lessons learned from nearly a century of farming wisdom.

Whether you’re a farmer, a lender, or just ag-curious, you’ll find honest advice, some laughs, and plenty of practical takeaways in this jam-packed conversation. Let’s get into it!

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00:00 Ag Finance and Tariffs Discussion

05:18 Gold's Influence and Stock Trends

14:21 Long-Term Resilience in Farmland Lending

16:52 Unexpected Agriculture Journey

22:43 Career Journey in Agriculture Lending

26:59 Community Bonds and Farm Legacy

31:49 Agricultural Commodity Shipping Tax Repeal

40:10 Fed's Dual Mandate and Market Rates

44:37 Rising Costs of Agricultural Loans

48:21 Revitalizing Small Town America

54:00 "Value of Face-to-Face Interaction"

01:00:22 Winning in Agriculture: Strategy and Adaptation

01:04:46 Self-Reliance in Farm Operations

01:09:42 "Legacy Farmer Coaching Impact"

01:17:43 Streamlining Financial Data Processing

01:22:23 AI Replacing Human Jobs

01:28:08 Hiring for Cultural Fit

01:33:29 Cigarettes as Unconventional Therapy

01:37:29 Unsustainable Farming Practices

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