When it comes to running a farm, negotiation isn’t just for the boardroom—it’s for every handshake, lease renewal, and equipment sale. In this episode, negotiation and conflict resolution expert Attia Qureshi joins us to share her proven framework for turning tense conversations into productive partnerships. From navigating tough lease talks to buying inputs in bulk, Attia’s strategies will help you protect your bottom line without damaging relationships.

At the Iowa State Fair, the Sale of Champions isn’t just about big bids—it’s about investing in the future of agriculture. In this episode, we’re joined by Joe Stien, 2024 Reserve Grand Champion 4-H Market Hog exhibitor and host of The Joe Show, and Mike Doran, long-time Sale Manager for the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement (IFAA). Together, they take us behind the scenes of one of the most prestigious youth livestock events in the country

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig talks all things soil, water, and the future of Iowa ag. From his deep farming roots to leading one of the most ag-forward states in the nation, Mike shares what it’s really like to balance conservation goals, regulatory oversight, and economic growth—all while keeping farmers front and center.

From a Twitter page for college confessions to a Midwest-wide marketing engine, Scott Burak and Bryce Bortscheller have turned internet culture into a career — and reshaped how brands speak to rural America in the process.

Dr. Vinayak Shedekar, a research scientist and expert on advanced water management strategies in agriculture. Dr. Shedekar’s recent work explores how subsurface tile drainage systems—the ones many farmers already have—can be upgraded for improved profitability, sustainability, and even irrigation.

Kris Thayer. From college wrestling in Nebraska to the sales floors of AgriVision Equipment and now flipping equipment, selling seed, and working for DPA Auctions, Kris is the definition of multi-talented in the ag world. Whether it’s turning a wrench, closing a deal, or loading the auction block, Kris brings energy, insight, and a relentless work ethic.

From feedlot and cow-calf operations to data-driven decisions and live-market insights, this episode breaks down the tools modern producers are using to boost their bottom line. Whether you're managing 50 head or 5,000, you're going to want to hear how Performance Beef and Cattle Krush are helping producers simplify record-keeping, understand cost of gain in real time, and make smarter marketing decisions—without a steep learning curve.

We're thrilled to welcome Ryan Bare, founder of Century Farms Distillery based in Spencer, Iowa. Ryan’s journey is one of grit, innovation, and tradition. With a background in mechanical engineering and a career that’s spanned oil refining, ethanol production, and now whiskey distilling, he brings a unique perspective to what it means to grow value from the land. In this episode, we dive into what it takes to build a farm-to-bottle distillery, the legacy behind Century Farms, and how storytelling, soil, and spirit come together in one compelling brand.

Mark, founder of SimpleHedge, a tech-forward platform built specifically to help farmers hedge smarter—not harder. With a background at Meta and McKinsey, Mark brings a fresh, farmer-first approach to solving one of ag’s most stubborn pain points: protecting profits in volatile markets. In this episode, we’ll explore how SimpleHedge simplifies hedging without requiring farmers to become futures experts.

We welcome James Pieper, the voice and face behind the fast-growing @allaboutfarming social media brand. James didn’t grow up on a farm—in fact, he grew up in the city—but that didn’t stop him from pursuing his dream. Now in his fourth season farming in southern Minnesota, he’s building a career rooted in crops, content, and community. From growing sweet corn and soybeans to adding a brand-new 46,000-bushel grain bin and becoming a dad for the first time, James has a lot going on—and he shares it all with clarity and passion online.

Mike Downey, Farm Business Coach and Succession Planning Lead at UnCommon Farms. Mike brings decades of experience helping farm families across the country prepare for one of the most important transitions in their operation—succession. In this episode, Mike shares real strategies and tools to simplify the overwhelming task of passing the farm to the next generation, including how to build a plan that protects both relationships and wealth.

Andrew, a colorblind tulip farmer, Air Force veteran, and multi-degreed entrepreneur who’s rewriting the script on what it means to innovate in agriculture. After serving as a linguist and intelligence officer in the U.S. Air Force and later holding leadership roles at Amazon and Expedia, Andrew returned home to Mount Vernon, Washington to build a bold new vision for American floriculture.

What if you could measure feed intake and growth in real time, make smarter mating decisions, and accelerate herd progress—all with fewer inputs and less labor? We’re joined by Vytelle, a precision-livestock company on a mission to deliver sustainable genetic progress. Headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas. From hormone-free IVF to AI-driven genetic selection, Vytelle is helping beef and dairy producers increase profitability through smarter, data-backed breeding and management decisions.

Brian Hefty, co-host of Ag PhD TV and Radio, is joining us from Baltic, South Dakota. Brian is a father, farmer, entrepreneur, author, and educator who’s passionate about helping producers make better decisions based on ROI, not just cost-cutting. From growing up on a diversified farm to helping build Hefty Seed Company into a national ag retailer, Brian brings decades of hands-on wisdom.

Turning farmland into opportunity without giving up legacy. We're joined by Ethan Branscum, Partner and Director of Farmland Investments at Sower. You might remember our conversation with Eric Mueller last spring, where we introduced the Legacy Farmland Fund. Today, we’re digging deeper into the model with Ethan—exploring how a Farm4Profit listener helped bring Sower its very first deal, what farmland investing looks like in today’s market, and how landowners can unlock equity while keeping generational roots intact.

Back to the heart of Sonoma County, California, where tradition, sustainability, and innovation intersect in the wine industry. We’re joined by two expert guests: Jake Terrell, Director of Vineyards at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, where he oversees 400 acres of Certified Sustainable Estate Vineyards, and Glenn Proctor, Owner of Puccioni Ranch & Vineyards, a fourth-generation vintner producing Zinfandel and Petite Sirah from 100-year-old vines in Dry Creek Valley.

It's all about unlocking the power of Plant Growth Regulators, or PGRs — what they are, how they work, and how to use them profitably. To help us break it all down, we’ve invited Gunther Kreps, a crop science expert from AgXplore, a company known for innovation in biologicals, nutritional's, and crop enhancement technologies. Gunther walks us through what every farmer should know about PGRs, from the science to the field-level strategy.

Originally from the Cornhusker State but has called Iowa home for years. He’s a proud husband, grandfather, cattleman, and longtime Corteva Agriscience leader. We’re excited to welcome Ron Geis to the Farm4Profit podcast! From growing up on a dairy farm to shaping the next generation of farmers and ag professionals, Ron brings a lifetime of experience and a deep-rooted passion for agriculture.

Scott Berden, Precision Agriculture Manager at U.S. Sugar, one of the nation’s largest and most innovative farming operations. Joining him is Brad Rucks, Precision Solutions Specialist at Everglades Equipment Group, a trusted John Deere dealership that’s been working with Florida growers since 1963. Together, they’ll walk us through the advanced technologies revolutionizing the production of sugarcane, citrus, sweet corn, and more.

Joining us are Evan Boderman, part of Ag Leader’s Product Management team, and Chad Stensrud, a Minnesota Territory Manager. Together, they bring decades of experience in both agriculture and ag tech. From planting and harvesting to product testing and innovation, this conversation bridges the gap between the farm and the factory.