Preview: Farmer Civic Engagement Special

What if farm success means making farming fit your life—not the other way around? In this season two wrap-up, Dan and Sarah revisit stories of creative land access, farm transitions, and the relationships that make them possible. From incubator farms and off-farm jobs to redefining work-life balance and honoring a farm's legacy, they explore why there's no single path to success. Tune in for standout moments and reflections on building a farm that works for everyone involved—and leaves room for life beyond the farm gate. Chapters 00:18 — Season Two Wrap-Up: Creative Paths to Farming 01:20 — Flexibility, Incubator Farms, and Mentorship 02:38 — Off-Farm Jobs and Redefining Who Can Be a Farmer 04:29 — Changing Workloads and Work-Life Balance 07:36 — Putting Quality of Life at the Center of Farm Planning 09:33 — Clear Roles, Trust, and Hard Conversations 12:02 — Relationships That Make Farm Transitions Possible 14:06 — Valuing the Farm Beyond Land and Equipment 16:22 — No One-Size-Fits-All Recipe for Success 17:23 — Building a Farm That Supports the Life You Want 19:13 — Beyond the Farm Gate: Civic Engagement and Community Service 21:41 — Thanking Our Guests and Sponsors 22:18 — Looking Ahead to Season Three

Susan Jutz of ZJ Farm and Carmen and Maja Black of Sundog Farm in Solon, Iowa, speak about transferring land, knowledge, and the Local Harvest CSA farm business that Susan started over three decades ago.  Susan details the process she, Carmen, and Maja took to achieve this transition over time. Carmen and Maja, now fully running Local Harvest CSA under their farm business, discuss how their partnership relies on flexible roles, open communication, and continually adapting responsibilities. Both owners have sought to serve the surrounding community while preserving the land.  This conversation explores creative financing options, the integration of new farm enterprises, the valuation of a CSA business, and the impact of mentorship.   This episode is made possible by the support of Renewing the Countryside.  

Richie Buser and Jordan Lyon of Buser's Produce, a multi-generational melon farm in Conesville, Iowa, talk about their long-standing partnership and farm transition efforts. Both farmers talk about how business succession goes far beyond the simple transfer of assets. They detail the many strategies, from new wholesale accounts to evolving production techniques, that have helped the farm navigate instability in markets, weather, and labor.  This episode explores equity building strategies, expanding decision-making and responsibilities, and the evolving obstacles that farmers face in supporting a sustainable and healthy farm business.  This episode is made possible by the support of Practical Farmers of Iowa.   

Monica Ponce and Demetrius Milling of Love is Love Cooperative Farm in Mansfield, Georgia, talk about navigating land access barriers as well as the many aspects of farming in cooperation with four worker-owners.   Detailing the evolution of Love is Love over the last five years, Monica and Demetrius also describe the process of understanding each worker owner's personalities, leadership styles, and strengths. They also share their experiences farming on much larger acreage than what any of the worker-owners had originally anticipated. This episode explores creative approaches to capital and community investment, determining whether there is an ideal growth rate for both the business and the team, and key challenges and opportunities associated with cooperative farming. This episode is made possible by the support of The Conservation Fund.   

Cassie Wyss and Michael Noltner of Crossroads Community Farm in Cross Plains, Wisconsin, talk about starting their farm and, several years later, making the decision to continue farming together after their divorce.   Both farmers detail the process of redefining their business partnership and how deeply they rely on open communication, clearly defined roles, and the trust they have in one another. Having run their farm for 21 years and counting, Cassie and Michael also talk about including quality of life as a core part of their farm business planning. This episode explores the legal aspects of renegotiating a farming partnership, creative childcare strategies, and intentional marketing channels that support farmer quality of life.  

Carly and Ethan Zierke of Sweet Season Farm and Barb Kraus of Canoe Creek Produce near Decorah, Iowa, detail their experience working together to scale down one farm business while incubating another.  Carly and Ethan share how their incubator arrangements with Barb and with the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust provided a low-risk place to experiment, develop their markets, and gain confidence. Along the way, Barb details her own experience with scaling back and sharing not just her decades' worth of knowledge but her land, infrastructure, and equipment as well. This conversation explores creative approaches to farmland access, work-life balance, and the value of shared infrastructure, mentorship, and flexibility as farms grow and change.  This episode is made possible by the support of the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust. Carly and Ethan Zierke of Sweet Season Farm and Barb Kraus of Canoe Creek Produce near Decorah, Iowa, detail their experience working together to scale down one farm business while incubating another.  Carly and Ethan share how their incubator arrangements with Barb and with the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust provided a low-risk place to experiment, develop their markets, and gain confidence. Along the way, Barb details her own experience with scaling back and sharing not just her decades' worth of knowledge but her land, infrastructure, and equipment as well. This conversation explores creative approaches to farmland access, work-life balance, and the value of shared infrastructure, mentorship, and flexibility as farms grow and change.  This episode is made possible by the support of the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust. Carly and Ethan Zierke of Sweet Season Farm and Barb Kraus of Canoe Creek Produce near Decorah, Iowa, detail their experience working together to scale down one farm business while incubating another.  Carly and Ethan share how their incubator arrangements with Barb and with the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust provided a low-risk place to experiment, develop their markets, and gain confidence. Along the way, Barb details her own experience with scaling back and sharing not just her decades' worth of knowledge but her land, infrastructure, and equipment as well. This conversation explores creative approaches to farmland access, work-life balance, and the value of shared infrastructure, mentorship, and flexibility as farms grow and change.  This episode is made possible by the support of the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust.  

Season 2 of Pivot Points spotlights creative land access and farm transition stories—from incubator farms and cooperative stewardship to ex-spouses still farming together and a multigenerational melon farm. Tune in mid-September to hear how farmers are finding land, redefining success, and securing fair exits without selling everything at auction.

Jack Hedin of Featherstone Farm and Maine State Representative Bill Pluecker of Begin Again Farm share how their decades of civic engagement grew directly out of their identities as farmers and their desire to shape the policies that affect rural communities. Both farmers are candid about the real costs of that engagement, whether it's nearly losing a carrot crop while advocating in Washington or scaling a farm down from $120K to $10K in gross sales to make room for legislative work. From practical first steps like calling your rep's agriculture staffer to big wins like Maine's first-in-the-nation ban on sludge application, this episode showcases how farmers can play both the inside and outside game of civic power.

Organic farmers Kat Becker of Cattail Organics and Janaki Fisher-Merritt of Food Farm share how stepping out of their fields and into civic life — from school boards to food pantries — has made them better farmers and more grounded community members. Both farmers reflect on how structured volunteer commitments create the "hard stops" that farming rarely provides on its own, helping them reclaim balance without sacrificing their drive to contribute. Whether you're feeling the urge to get involved in your community, or simply curious about what civic engagement looks like in rural America, this conversation will leave you rethinking where your skills could make a difference beyond the farm gate. This episode is made possible by the support of the Wisconsin Farmers Union

Coming Soon! Farmers share their experiences with civic engagement — from building deeper community connections at the local level to influencing agricultural policy in state and national legislative chambers. Tune in for this special two-episode series of Pivot Points, featuring Janaki Fisher-Merritt, Kat Becker, Jack Hedin, and Bill Pluecker. Hosted by Dan Fillius, with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, and Sarah Janes Ugoretz, of Dane County Extension and FairShare CSA Coalition.