Best Practical Farmers Of Iowa Podcasts (2025)

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The Work Will Always Be There, But Your Kids Will Not 24:58

2d ago24:58

24:58

Send us a text Farm life means constantly juggling seasonal pressures with family needs while battling self-imposed time constraints. Jesse and Dr. Leah explore the mental and physical toll of the farming mindset that everything must be done immediately and perfectly. • Spring brings overwhelming task lists: side dressing corn, spraying, preparatio…

1
Seven Simple Steps to Feel Better Today 17:48

9d ago17:48

17:48

Send us a text May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and today we discuss practical strategies for farmers, ranchers, and anyone who's been running on empty during busy seasons. We share our personal experiences with burnout and stress while offering seven simple, research-backed steps to improve mental wellness. • Morning sunlight exposure within …

1
When the land means more than dirt 21:11

16d ago21:11

21:11

Send us a text We explore the deep emotional connection farmers have to their land and the importance of legacy planning to preserve family farms for future generations. • Farmland represents more than monetary value—it carries the blood, sweat, and tears of previous generations • Creating a mission statement and core values provides clarity for fa…

1
Buffalo Mentality: Facing Storms Head-On 19:01

23d ago19:01

19:01

Send us a text We believe the farm's greatest asset is the farmer – their knowledge, experience, mind, and health. • Springtime on the farm means planting crops and loading fat cattle in Southeast Iowa • Unexpected challenges are inevitable on the farm – from equipment breakdowns to cattle escaping • When faced with problems, most people initially …

1
Planting Seeds of Wellbeing 25:20

1M ago25:20

25:20

Send us a text We explore the transformative impact of taking breaks during busy farming seasons and how it can rejuvenate your mindset and productivity. Our recent family getaway in the middle of planting season proved that stepping away from farm responsibilities, even briefly, can significantly improve mood and perspective. • Spring planting upd…

1
Hydration and Sleep: Two Non-Negotiables for Health 32:58

1M ago32:58

32:58

Send us a text We explore the fundamentals of health by focusing on two critical but often overlooked aspects: proper hydration and quality sleep. These two pillars form the foundation of success by ensuring farmers maintain their most valuable asset - their own health and wellbeing. • Drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily to maintai…

1
Beyond the Acres: Learning to Listen in Tough Times 35:20

1M ago35:20

35:20

Send us a text Steve Boender returns to continue our heartfelt conversation about finding meaning through faith in farming and life's challenges. He shares wisdom about weathering economic cycles in agriculture, offering practical strategies for staying resilient during difficult times. • Economic downturns happen in roughly 50-year cycles, making …

1
Faith, Family, and Farming: How One Farmer Built a Multi-Generational Operation 39:02

2M ago39:02

39:02

Send us a text We welcome Steve Boender, a farmer from Oskaloosa who shares his remarkable journey of faith, family, and farming over 50 years. Steve reveals how he and his wife Jan started with nothing but an FHA loan at ages 18 and 19, building a diverse agricultural enterprise while raising six children who've all returned to agriculture in vari…

1
Spoon-Feeding Your Crops 47:00

2M ago47:00

47:00

Send us a text We dive deep into nitrogen management strategies, balancing science with the practical realities of farm operations to maximize yield while controlling input costs. • Fall versus spring anhydrous application depends on soil conditions, workload management, and weather patterns • Soil temperature and biology significantly impact nitro…

1
Soil Health, Root Structure, and Spring Planting Decisions Will Define Your Season 45:38

2M ago45:38

45:38

Send us a text Beck's Field Agronomist Greg Shepard shares insights on spring planting readiness, soil biology research, and practical farming recommendations based on Beck's Practical Farm Research (PFR) findings. The conversation explores the fascinating connection between soil health and crop performance, revealing how understanding root structu…

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Children Leaving the Family Farm: A Parent's Emotional Journey 37:45

2M ago37:45

37:45

Send us a text Wrestling with the paradox of wanting our farm kids to stay while knowing they need to leave to grow is an emotional journey every farming family understands. Together, we unpack our real conversations with our nearly-grown son about his impending departure from our operation. • Farming families uniquely struggle with the tension bet…

1
The Farmer’s Health is the Key to Farm Success 52:00

2M ago52:00

52:00

Send us a text The episode focuses on the crucial link between a farmer's health and the business operation. We dive into how acknowledging personal well-being can create a thriving farming business. • Importance of asking for help and shifting mindset toward delegation • Recognizing the demands of physical and mental health on farmers • Discussing…

1
Finding Balance in Farming 22:09

3M ago22:09

22:09

Send us a text Our discussion shines a light on the transformative power of slowing down in the farming lifestyle. As we navigate the busy seasons, it is essential to prioritize health, relationships, and well-being, ultimately leading to a more productive and fulfilling farming experience. • Exploring the misconception that hard work is the only p…

1
Why Your Greatest Asset Might Just Be You! 16:37

3M ago16:37

16:37

Send us a text This episode highlights the profound connection between farming and personal health. We explore how farmers' well-being directly impacts their productivity and farm management. • Introduction of Jesse and Dr. Leah Steffensmeier • Discussion on how a farming accident revealed gaps • Importance of transferring knowledge and creating pr…

1
On-Farm, Episode 022: Jorgen Rose 22:56

3+ y ago22:56

22:56

In this episode, we talk with Jorgen Rose, who is the habitat and policy coordinator for Practical Farmers of Iowa. We talk a little about what PFI is up to in the habitat world, why we started doing habitat programming at PFI, and how people can get involved. You can learn more about creating wildlife habitat on farms by checking out Bringing Back…

1
On-Farm, Episode 021: Adam Janke 40:45

3+ y ago40:45

40:45

In this episode, we talk with Adam Janke, who is the Wildlife Extension Specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. We talk a little about what wildlife habitat actually means, how the landscape has changed and how that has affected wildlife, and a few things that landowners or farmers can do to improve wildlife habitat on their f…

1
On-Farm, Episode 020: John Rock 32:54

3+ y ago32:54

32:54

In this episode, we talk with John Rock, who raises cattle and row crops in northwest Iowa near near the picturesque Little Sioux River. We chat about his experience grazing cattle on neighboring land owned by The Nature Conservancy and cedar tree removal and native prairie restoration on his own farm. John was just featured in a new video series f…

1
On-Farm, Episode 019: Mark Quee 34:16

3+ y ago34:16

34:16

In this episode, we talk with Mark Quee, the Farm Manager at Scattergood Friends School, a boarding school near West Branch. The farm there raises organic fruits, vegetables and animals that the staff and students eat. We talk about beneficial insects, integrated pest management, flowers and the wonderful mysteries of ecological processes. Mark was…

1
On-Farm, Episode 018: Dick Sloan 41:00

3+ y ago41:00

41:00

In this episode, we talk prairie strips with northeast Iowa farmer Dick Sloan. We talk about why Dick decided to plant prairie strips, what they are, and what it takes to install and manage them. He was just featured in a new video series from PFI - Bringing Back the Edges: Creating Wildlife Habitat on Farms. You can check out the video on prairie …

1
Bonus Episode: Consider the Soil 51:56

3+ y ago51:56

51:56

In this special bonus episode in three acts, PFI member Gina Nichols weaves together the fiction and the non-fiction, science and art, past and future to paint a portrait of one of farming’s most important resources in “Consider the Soil.” If you’re curious about the soil, and you like a good story, you’re going to love this episode.…

1
Rotationally Raised, Episode 012: Small Grains in the Corn Belt: A Sustainable Supply Chain 12:58

6+ y ago12:58

12:58

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

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Rotationally Raised, Episode 011: Livestock II: Grazing Summer-seeded Cover Crop Mixes 17:54

6+ y ago17:54

17:54

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

1
Rotationally Raised, Episode 010: Livestock I: Feeding Small Grains 20:32

6+ y ago20:32

20:32

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

1
Rotationally Raised, Episode 009: Markets: Challenges and Opportunitites 16:18

6+ y ago16:18

16:18

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

1
Rotationally Raised, Episode 008: Post-Harvest: Handling and Storage 18:14

6+ y ago18:14

18:14

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

1
Rotationally Raised, Episode 007: Harvest: When and How 17:50

6+ y ago17:50

17:50

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

1
Rotationally Raised, Episode 006: Crop Protection: Growth Stages, Fertilizers and Fungicides 22:18

6+ y ago22:18

22:18

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

1
Rotationally Raised, Episode 005: Planting II: Seed to Soil 25:25

6+ y ago25:25

25:25

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

1
Rotationally Raised, Episode 004: Planting I: Calibrate to Populate 19:59

6+ y ago19:59

19:59

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

1
Rotationally Raised, Episode 003: What to Plant, Where and Why 19:32

6+ y ago19:32

19:32

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

1
Rotationally Raised, Episode 002: Freedom From Inputs 12:01

6+ y ago12:01

12:01

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

1
Rotationally Raised, Episode 001: Small Grains: A Revival 24:42

6+ y ago24:42

24:42

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

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On-Farm, Episode 017: Maria and Ron Rosmann – Rosmann Family Farms 56:32

7+ y ago56:32

56:32

For the final episode of the first season of On-Farm, we visited the farm of Maria and Ron Rosmann of Rosmann Family Farms near Harlan. The Rosmanns have been instrumental in many of the most important agricultural movements of the last 30 years: They were pioneers in organic livestock and row crops, and were among the core of farm families that he…

1
On-Farm, Episode 016: Jamie Hostetler – Rolling Meadows Farm 48:36

8y ago48:36

48:36

This week on the show, we have Jamie Hostetler of Rolling Meadows. Jamie farms with his family near Bellevue in eastern Iowa, where they raise 100% grass-fed beef and sell Red Devon cattle for seed stock. In 2010, shortly after moving to the area, they seeded row crop ground down to pasture and have been practicing high-density grazing to regenerat…

1
On-Farm, Episode 015: Earl Canfield – Canfield Family Farm 55:03

8y ago55:03

55:03

This week on the show, we have Earl Canfield of Dunkerton in northeast Iowa. Earl farms with his wife Jane and their four children. Their children represent the sixth generation of the Canfield family to be on the land since the mid-1860s, for which they received a Heritage Farm Award at the Iowa State Fair in 2016. The Canfields are making a trans…

1
On-Farm, Episode 014: Chris Teachout 55:18

8y ago55:18

55:18

Chris Teachout (left) This week on the show, we had Chris Teachout, who farms near Shenandoah in southwest Iowa with his wife Janenne. Chris is a fifth-generation farmer, and he and his family have been using conservation practices on their farm since the mid-80s. He raises corn, soybeans and small grains, and has been using no-till practices for o…

1
On-Farm, Episode 013: Kevin Dietzel – Lost Lake Farm 1:32:11

8y ago1:32:11

1:32:11

This week, On-Farm traveled to Lost Lake Farm, the farm of Kevin and Ranae Dietzel, to talk to Kevin while he made mozzarella cheese and cheese curds. Lost Lake Farm is a small, grass-fed cow dairy that produces artisanal cheese in an on-farm cheesery. The Dietzels operate the farm with low capital and a small herd. They focus on what they’re good …

1
On-Farm, Episode 012: Tyson Allchin – Allchin Acres 56:22

8y ago56:22

56:22

Tyson Allchin of Allchin Acres (photo courtesy of Muscatine Area Farmers Market) This week on the show, we have Tyson Allchin of Allchin Acres near Columbus Junction. Tyson has spent much of the last 10 years of his life learning everything he can about mushroom cultivation. He’s grown a variety of different species of mushrooms, from oysters – whi…

1
On-Farm, Episode 011: Russ Wischover – Windswept Acres 53:08

8y ago53:08

53:08

St. Croix sheep graze at Russ Wischover’s farm in southwest Iowa. This week, On-Farm is back on the road and we visited the farm of Russ Wischover – Windswept Acres – right on the Missouri border in south west Iowa. Several years ago, Russ retired from his job as a herdsman at the University of Illinois’s swine research farm and bought a farm near …

1
On-Farm, Episode 010: Wendy Johnson – Joia Food Farm 43:35

8y ago43:35

43:35

Wendy Johnson and Johnny Rafkin of Joia Food Farm. This week on the show, On-Farm was back on the road, this time stopping at Joia Food Farm near Charles City to talk to PFI Board Vice President Wendy Johnson. Wendy and her husband Johnny own and operate the farm, where they raise a little of everything, from chickens and turkeys to pigs and sheep …

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On-Farm, Episode 009: Marty Schnicker – Schnicker Specialties 51:20

8y ago51:20

51:20

Marty Schnicker’s state-record-winning watermelon Have you ever wondered how they grow those giant veggies at the state fair? This week on the show, we have Marty Schnicker of Schnicker Specialities, who has your answers. Marty, who farms with his wife Mary near Mt. Pleasant in southeast Iowa, knows how to grow really big vegetables. He holds the I…

1
On-Farm, Episode 008: Scott Ausborn 47:51

8y ago47:51

47:51

Jack and Scott Ausborn This week on the show, Scott Ausborn stopped by the KHOI studios. Scott farms with his parents, Jack and Linda, where they raise corn, soybeans, hay and pasture as well as sheep and cattle. He also works for Blue River Hybrids, an organic seed company based in Ames, and he serves as board president for the Iowa Organic Associ…

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On-Farm, Episode 007: Tom Frantzen – Frantzen Farm 42:29

8y ago42:29

42:29

Tom Frantzen in his hybrid rye This week on the show, On-Farm was on the road – I traveled to Frantzen Farm in northern Chickasaw County to talk to Tom Frantzen. He and his wife Irene run a diversified organic farm where they raise organic hogs, cattle, corn, soybeans, hay and small grains. They have been members of Practical Farmers of Iowa since …

1
On-Farm, Episode 006: Jon Yagla – The Millet Seed Farm 37:35

8y ago37:35

37:35

Jon Yagla and Wren Almitra of The Millet Seed Farm Jon Yagla of The Millet Seed Farm in Iowa City was our guest this week on the show. Jon runs this urban farm with his partner Wren Almitra in the Longfellow Historic Neighborhood of Iowa City. The farm consists primarily of a series of vegetable beds in yards in the neighborhood making up about a f…

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On-Farm, Episode 005: Phil Specht – Pearlmaker Holsteins 51:32

8y ago51:32

51:32

Phil Specht Phil Specht of Pearlmaker Holsteins was our guest this week on the show. Phil farms with his wife Sharon near MacGregor in northeast Iowa. He’s been running a grass-based, rotationally grazed dairy in the hills of Clayton County since the 1970s, and conservation has always been important to him. In 2013, his brother Dan passed away in a…

1
On-Farm, Episode 004: Maggie McQuown and Steve Turman – Resilient Farms 46:16

8y ago46:16

46:16

Maggie and Steve on Resilient Farms Maggie McQuown and Steve Turman of Resilient Farms were our guests on the show this week. Maggie and Steve moved to the their farm near Red Oak in southwest Iowa where they “retired” about five years ago. Since then, they’ve been working to improve the resilience of the farm, which has been in Maggie’s family for…

1
On-Farm, Episode 003: Deb Finch – Finch Livestock 52:14

8y ago52:14

52:14

This week on On-Farm is Deb Finch of Finch Livestock. Deb farms with her husband Eric near Marshalltown in east-central Iowa, where they raise meat goats for direct to consumer sales. They began raising goats a little more than 15 years ago. On the show, I talk with Deb about all things goats – from feed to fencing to health to markets, and her upc…

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On-Farm, Episode 002: T.D. Holub – Garden Oasis Farm 55:09

8y ago55:09

55:09

T.D. Holub was featured on this week’s On-Farm. This week on On-Farm, T.D. Holub of Coggon in eastern Iowa. T.D. and his fiancée, Sarah Gericke, grow fruits and vegetables for farmers’ markets, restaurants, grocery stores and for a 100-person CSA. On the show, I talk to T.D. about his upcoming field day – on June 9, “Tractors and Tools with T.D.” –…

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On-Farm, Episode 001: Jill Beebout – Blue Gate Farm 44:59

8y ago44:59

44:59

“On-Farm: Conversations with Practical Farmers” is a new podcast from Practical Farmers of Iowa. Each week, I’ll interview a different farmer. We’ll hear from new and experienced; young and old; small and large; horticulture, livestock and row-crop farmers. We’ll talk with farmers about the issues most relevant to the farming community: the nitty g…

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Practical Farmers Of Iowa Podcasts

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