John Rich, Special Envoy for American Agriculture, discussed his new role, which he took on after successfully opposing a $2 billion TVA project threatening farmland in Tennessee. Rich highlighted ongoing efforts in seven states, including a case in Illinois and a significant issue in New York over redefined prime farmland. He emphasized the importance of landowners reporting issues via usda.gov/lawfair and advised against signing NDAs. Rich also addressed the impact of federal regulations on farmers and the need for balanced data center development. Balancing his music career with this role, Rich aims to protect landowners with the support of the Trump administration.
Tom Wojno, COO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), discussed the robust growth and optimism in the dairy industry. He highlighted a $13 billion investment, making dairy the largest retail category with $80 billion in sales and nearly $10 billion in annual exports. He noted the impact of GLP-1s, with 9-13% of consumers currently using them, and the potential for oral GLP-1s to increase this to 30%. Wojno emphasized the importance of flexibility, sustainability, and efficiency in dairy production. He also mentioned IDFA's new state government affairs team and Project Diversify, aimed at expanding dairy exports.
Kim Rounds, Talent Acquisition Manager at Five Rivers Cattle Feed Yard, discusses strategies for entering the agriculture industry. She emphasizes the importance of showcasing all relevant experiences, even if they seem unrelated to agriculture. Most jobs at Five Rivers are feedlot roles, with a smaller percentage in office positions. Rounds advises applicants to use online platforms strategically and to persistently follow up. She notes a significant increase in female applicants and the need for companies to support work-life balance. Rounds also highlights the importance of soft skills and the adaptability of candidates without traditional ag backgrounds.
The Ag Queen podcast discusses sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with Tom Michaels of United Airlines and Allison Graab from the Sustainable Aviation Coalition. SAF is made from renewable products like corn, soybeans, and sorghum. The U.S. is a leader in SAF technology, with production rising 157% to 240 million gallons in 2025. Despite this, jet fuel use in 2025 was over 26 billion gallons, projected to reach 31 billion by 2045. SAF doesn't require new infrastructure and can help airlines mitigate fuel price volatility, making it a strategic investment for long-term resilience.
Lorrie Boyer interviews Michael Hinton, CEO of TalkingTractors.com and founder of Antique Tractor Preservation Day, who recently attended a White House event. Hinton shares his passion for promoting agriculture and heritage tractors, including his induction into the National Agriculture Hall of Fame. Gary West, a country music singer and race car driver, discusses his background, including his transition from playing drums to singing and his recent racing experiences. Both Hinton and West express their mutual support and future plans to collaborate on promoting agriculture and heritage through music and racing events.
In March, the Morril fire ravaged over 6,000 acres of Nebraska Sandhills, including the Circle L Ranch owned by Naomi Loomis and her family. Loomis recounted the day's events, detailing how her husband and sons fought the fire while she and their children helped neighbors and tried to save their own property. Despite the chaos, their faith and community support were crucial. The fire destroyed trees, corrals, and hay, but spared their house and barns. She emphasized the resilience of their family and the community's role in the aftermath, which will be further discussed in part two of the interview.
Elena Myhre, Director of Marketing and Communications for the International Poultry Welfare Alliance and the US Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry and Eggs, discussed the organizations' efforts in sustainability and welfare. The US Roundtable, founded in 2019, has released two sustainability reports, covering 101 voluntary metrics under three pillars: people, planet, and poultry.
Angela Ganter, a barrel racer from Abilene, Texas, shared her inspiring story of overcoming stage four breast cancer diagnosed in 2010. Despite undergoing nine surgeries and seven years of chemotherapy, she returned to barrel racing, winning six pro rodeos and making the Canadian finals with her daughter Jackie. Ganter's documentary, "Outriding the Devil," premiered in Las Vegas and highlights her resilience and the support of her family and community. The film is set to appear in film festivals, with a Lifetime Channel movie also in the works. Ganter emphasized the healing power of horses and the importance of perseverance.
Keaton Dugan, senior manager at Pinion Global, shared insights into his leadership role in managing commodity crop services, which encompass tax audits, land advisory, and risk management. He underscored the critical value of long-term tax planning for farmers, urging them to prioritize future financial goals rather than focusing solely on annual tax minimization. Dugan outlined several strategic approaches, including deferred grain contracts, crop insurance deferrals, and bonus depreciation. He also emphasized the necessity of maintaining precise records, engaging in timely communication with CPAs, and understanding how pre-paid expenses and capitalized assets influence overall tax strategy.
David Grindle, President and CEO of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, discussed the organization's role in supporting fairs since 1884. He highlighted the economic impact of fairs, noting that the average U.S. fair runs for 6.6 days, generating $30 billion annually, and fairgrounds contribute $52 billion and 343,000 jobs. Grindle emphasized the importance of volunteer efforts, with 101 fairs in Illinois alone generating significant local economic benefits. He also mentioned unique cultural events at fairs, such as Wife Carrying races in Scotland and Australia.