507 Iowa Young Farmer Conference (Part 1)

This episode features innovative farmers and educators sharing their journeys, farm operations, and insights into modern agriculture, raw milk sales, and youth leadership in farming.   00:00Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:05LaKayla's Farming Background and Meeting Her Husband 02:28Advertising and Farm Equipment Tips 04:24LaKayla's Farm Operations and Niche Dairy Market 05:52Raw Milk: Controversy and Benefits 06:49Setting Up the Farm Store and Legal Aspects 08:11Winning the Grow Your Future Award 09:40Farm Store Details and Customer Experience 11:54Farm Events and Agritourism 13:38Customer Demographics and Health Benefits of Raw Milk 15:35Winning Moments and Future Plans 16:32Product Offerings and Business Expansion 17:30Cattle and Market Outlook 18:26Transition from Office Job to Farming 19:54Balancing Family and Farming Life 20:50Encouragement for Young Entrepreneurs 21:47Social Media and Business Marketing 22:46Guest Introduction Blake Anderson 23:14Blake's Farming and Teaching Background 24:10Challenges and Rewards of Teaching Agriculture 25:05Involvement in Farm Bureau and Leadership 26:26Agriculture Education and Youth Engagement 27:23Experience at the National Convention 28:21Advice for Aspiring Ag Teachers 29:15Work-Life Balance and Teaching Challenges 30:37Future Farming Goals and Community Impact 31:04Importance of Agriculture Advocacy 32:29Student Impact and Mentorship 33:52Encouragement for Future Educators 34:49FFA Traditions and Changes 36:39Communication and Technology in Agriculture Education 38:29Participation in National FFA Events 40:49Youth Engagement and Career Inspiration 41:45Reflections on Teaching and Farming 43:39Advice for Future Agriculture Leaders

Erica Matthews is a dedicated advocate, educator, and entrepreneur based in Pana, Illinois—a small town in Christian County. She's best known as the founder, owner, and lead instructor of the Autism and Movement Project (AAMP), also referred to as Autism Movement Therapy (AMT). This program uses movement-based therapy to support children and individuals with autism, focusing on brain-body connections, building communication skills, independence, and hope through structured physical activities and sequences. Her work was inspired by personal experience: she began the project around her connection to a child named Connor (diagnosed with autism at age 2½), whose progress—including developing short sentences and greater independence—became a powerful testament to the approach. She's been providing this specialized therapy in Pana since at least the early 2010s, with media coverage highlighting "magic in movement" and breakthrough moments, like early verbal interactions with students. More recently, she expanded her impact by opening Brewin' Hope Coffeehouse in Pana, which creates meaningful employment opportunities for teens and young adults (including those with autism), emphasizing their strengths, purpose, and potential in a community setting. Erica has been featured in local and regional media, including PBS's A Shot of Ag (in a 2026 episode), newspaper stories from outlets like the State Journal-Register, and nonprofit profiles, where she's portrayed as passionate, compassionate, and transformative in her small-town community. She's a Pana native (or long-time resident), holds a sociology background from Millikin University, and is certified in Autism Movement Therapy. Her efforts show a deep commitment to neurodiversity, inclusion, and creating accessible resources where they might otherwise be limited.

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Live podcasts from the 2026 Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Conference in Des Moines Iowa

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In this episode of the Shark Farmer Podcast, host Rob Sharkey chats with Holly Payne from Bigelow, Arkansas, who shares her unique journey from theater costume designer to farmer. Holly discusses her background, including her time in Milwaukee and her husband Aaron's biochemistry expertise, which they now apply to their farming venture. The couple started a small farm during the COVID-19 pandemic, initially as a hobby, but it quickly evolved into a full-time business focused on raising Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs and producing high-quality pork products, including sausages. Holly emphasizes the importance of sustainable farming practices and the joy of growing food that tastes like it did in their childhoods.   Throughout the conversation, Holly shares insights into the challenges and rewards of farming, including the need for effective marketing and the importance of building relationships with customers. She also highlights the significance of using animal fats in cooking and how they can enhance flavor. The episode wraps up with Holly offering practical cooking tips and encouraging listeners to embrace the joy of cooking with quality ingredients. This engaging discussion showcases the couple's passion for farming and their commitment to providing delicious, sustainably raised food to their community. takeaways "We started looking for a new bit of property." "It's all about food for us." "You have to have a five-year plan." "You need to do the research, you need to do the math." "Cooking shouldn't be intimidating." "You have to be willing to put yourself out there." "Our life is great, but we don't get new cars every year." "It's hard to go wrong with a pork shoulder." "You can make tacos with chorizo easily." "So many farms fold in the first five years."

In this episode of the Shark Farmer Podcast, host Rob Sharkey interviews Lauren and Ben Neal from Columbia, Tennessee, who share their inspiring journey in agriculture and entrepreneurship. The couple discusses their unique backgrounds—Ben grew up on a small farm while Lauren was a city girl from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They delve into how they met through the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and their decision to start a cow-calf operation after getting married. The conversation highlights their challenges and triumphs, including the impact of COVID-19 on their business and the launch of Lighthill Meats, a butcher shop that emphasizes clean, minimally processed foods.

In this episode of the Shark Farmer Podcast, host Rob Sharkey speaks with Kevin Thompson, the Director of the Middle Tennessee Ag Research and Education Center (M-TREC) at the University of Tennessee. They discuss Kevin's background in agriculture, the impact of black vultures on cattle production, and the importance of diversification in farming. Kevin shares insights on precision livestock technologies, the role of horses in cattle management, and the significance of teaching stockmanship. The conversation emphasizes the need for advocates in agriculture to educate the public and promote sustainable practices. Kevin Thompson is the Director of M-TREC at the University of Tennessee. M-TREC focuses on research and education in agriculture, particularly beef and poultry. Kevin's background includes managing a large family farm and academic achievements in animal science. Black vultures have become predatory, impacting calf survival and producer safety. Research is being conducted to understand and mitigate the impact of black vultures on cattle. Diversification in agriculture can improve economic stability for producers. Precision livestock technologies are being implemented to gather real-time data on cattle. Teaching stockmanship is essential for low-stress cattle handling. Horses are preferred for cattle management due to their low-stress impact on livestock. Aspiring farmers should seek entry-level opportunities and be willing to learn from mistakes.

In this episode, Rob Sharkey interviews Belinda Bowman, a sixth-generation farmer from Ontario, Canada. Belinda shares her journey through grief after the loss of her partner, Troy, and how it has shaped her life and farming practices. She discusses the importance of animals in her healing process, the challenges of parenting, and her desire to help others who are navigating similar experiences. The conversation also touches on the differences between farming in Canada and the U.S., the impact of social media on agriculture, and the importance of authenticity in sharing one's story.   takeaways Belinda is a sixth-generation farmer on a first-generation mortgage. The loss of her partner, Troy, profoundly impacted her life and farming. Animals played a crucial role in her healing process after loss. She emphasizes the importance of relationships during grief. Belinda wants to help others navigate their grief and trauma. Parenting has its own challenges, especially after loss. She feels a strong connection to the farming community. Belinda is open about her mental health struggles and healing journey. She believes in the power of authenticity on social media. Farming in Canada presents unique challenges compared to the U.S.