People In The Know

Getting Through Life. A book about rural determination and Thankfulness

Jackie Listen's Book is titled: "A Place Called Through"
He is from Oklahoma and talks of his rural upbringing, his mentors and the struggles of being a land developer in the 1980's.
He moved to being a banker for 30 years and now is "Refired" in his determination to be a helper to others who are trying to make their way through life.

Orion Samuelson Turns 90 "The Voice of God"

Orion Samuelson is known by more farmers and city dwellers than any farm broadcaster in the last one hundred years of radio and television.  He is doing well and passes this milestone with dignity and grace.  
I do not talk directly to him but a few excerpts of his voice are heard.  I mainly focus on what he has meant to the people of Chicago and all farmers and ranchers in the United States.
A few twists and turns in his career should impress you.
Also a couple of ladies in a Senior Center in Wisconsin tell what they think of this man with the golden voice.
Happy Birthday to our fellow broadcaster that we affectionately call: God".
 

Surveying Jeremiah Bullfrog and Friends for Science

This could be weird but aren't we all weird for something?
Frogs and Toads make noise.  They "sing" so they can be monitored and their populations estimated if you are willing to take a clipboard and sneak around puddles and wetlands at night.  Fun, Heh?
Serious business for my guest: Stephanie Shepherd with Iowa DNR.
Yes, I made it a bit fun....make a bullfrog your friend and drink some of his wine.

Fishing Iowa - Coast to Coast

Davis Horton has fished all 99 counties of Iowa.  It was a determined three year adventure that he documented.,  In the process he caught the state record Spotted Bass on a fly rod.  He caught fifty-eight species of fish.
One deer tried to assassinate him but only killed his truck.
He made many friends and has lots of stories and tips that he is documenting in a handbook....
 

Fifty Years of Agriculture, Commodities and Faith - Rich Balvanz

Rich Balvanz and I started our farm broadcasting careers within two months of each other, back in 1974.  He spent most of his broadcasting career at WMT Radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.   
He left broadcasting and founded a Farm Commodities Company as the new century began and later became an Ordained Lutheran Minister.  He just retired from that vocation.
We talk about the ups and downs in agriculture, our good and challenging experiences in a volatile period in American Agriculture.  Should be required listening to any student in Agricultural Economics.

Early Planting in Iowa? Soybeans and Sweet Corn

No one was hurt in the recording of this podcast.  Nothing crazy was done.
An agronomist planted a test strip of soybeans in February and a Des Moines Sweet Corn Grower speculates on planting in March.
Agriculture may be more prepared to exploit a warmer climate than you know.

Ag Census Released Iowa Statistician Reviews Numbers

Iowa is a very productive state.  It ranks second to California in total gross sales of agricultural products.  I spoke with Greg Thiessen, USDA State Statistician for Iowa.  We examine the number of farms, farmers, expansion of broadband, increase in use of cover crops, technology and other measures.
They all reveal that farming is big business in Iowa but conducted mostly by family units who attempt to keep the farm in the family as they move into the future.

Brazilian Agriculture Deloss Jahnke IL Farm Broadcaster

Deloss Jahnke works for the Illinois RFD Radio Network.  He travelled to Brazil's major agricultural regions for ten days in January of this year.
I speak with him about the infrastructure of the region and the farms that dwarf the size of ours in the Midwest.
A wonderful dialogue with an up and coming young farm broadcaster.
Deloss is currently National Vice President of the NAFB Organization.
 

Bill Northey Interview from 2022

I am very sad to lose Bill Northey from this world.  He was a farmer, a commodity organization leader, an elected official in Iowa and served as an :Undersecretary of Agriculture in Washington.
I spoke to him in 2022 as he was the CEO of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa, based in Des Moines.
 

Improving Water Quality in Iowa Rivers and Lakes - Chad Dolan DNR

Chad Dolan is a Fisheries Management Biologist for Iowa Department of Natural Resources.  He and I converse about the interaction of land use with water quality. He believes farmers and developers have a growing appreciation for the value of clean water by using best management practices.