Farming For Dummies

Emma from everywhere calls no place home because wherever there is dry wheat to be harvested IS home. This week we learn about custom harvest crews and how a convoy of combines, tractors, grain carts, semi trucks and trailers travels all across the country in search of dry wheat. We also get to hear Emma's story as a first generation farmer and how she got involved in agriculture with her Farm Tours and social media. If you've ever wondered what it's like chasing golden waves of grain from Texas to Montana, this episode is for you!

We hear all the time how impossible it is to start a farm from scratch, so today we decided to squash this myth once and for all. In this weeks episode we chat with Gavin Spoor, a first generation farmer from Missouri who started out with 6 acres of popcorn in college and worked his tail off to become a full fledged farmer. We had a chance to hear his story, learn what it takes to grow the perfect popcorn kernel and how aspiring farmers can get started. Turns out the answer is pretty simple. Dreams only work if you do. So pop a big bag of Spoor Farms popcorn, sit back and enjoy this inspirational episode.

This week we head to Noah's favorite state of Iowa to visit with Huey Boelen about growing Microgreens. Originally from the Netherlands, Huey shares his story of moving to America to run a dairy farm with his family and how he transitioned from poking cow placentas to cutting lettuce everyday. From seed selection, germination, harvest and delivery Huey walks us through their process and what makes these nutrient packed little bites of energy into a profitable business.

Everyone's familiar with popular pollinators such as honeybees and butterflies, but did you know mosquitoes and bats are also responsible for pollinating crops? This week we invited the Queen of Bees from the Empire State, Hannah with Hannah's Honeycomb on to give us the all the buzz on how important pollinators are to the food and drinks we consume everyday. You'll learn some amazing facts about honeybees and how you can play a part in helping native pollinators thrive in your area.

This week we're headed to Big Sky Country to learn all about bison (or is it buffalo?) from Jon at Roam Free Bison ranch in Montana. We had the chance to learn a little bit of bison history and how the dreams of a young child in Yellowstone Park came true. We also discuss the nature of the meat itself and what sets it apart from other forms of proteins. Buckle your seatbelt and stay in your cars because this episode is going to get wild!

In the exciting return of the Farming For Dummies podcast for season 2 we are kicking things off with the Queen of Chickens, Lisa Steele of Fresh Eggs Daily. We discuss the current chicken feed conspiracies, egg shortages and some of the most popular myths around chickens.

Your favorite farmers are back on the mic for season two and he have so much ground to cover! Episode 1 of Season 2 drops March 14th! 

In this exciting finale episode of season 1 , Tyler takes a deep dive into the rich history of mules. The mule today is mostly considered a novelty, but this beast of burden was once only rode by royalty in some nations. From mysterious beginnings and some pretty wild breeding programs, the mule slowly rose to prominence and once it hit the scene, those long ears would change the world forever. Join us as we explore the vast history of the mule and how it became the backbone of building civilization.  

California is known for gold, sunshine, and beaches, but today we are going to add another word to that list and that is sweet potatoes! We had the opportunity to speak with Alexandra with Harvest Joy who told us all about how photographing produce lead her on a journey into the world of sweet potatoes. Baked, casseroled, or in a pie there is no bad way to enjoy these delicious roots. Grab your shovels, because you're gonna dig it! 

Today we're headed across the pond, not for the fish and chips, but to learn all about farriers. Danny Gallagher from Cumbria England takes us into the exciting world of shoeing horses and the journey he took to becoming a farrier. We learned strait from the horse mouth why horses need shoes, if it hurts them at all and why a healthy hoof is so important. You'll see by the end of this episode why Danny has a colt following.

G’Day mate! We are headed down under to meet Australia’s most famous dairy farmer, Big Farmer Andy! Andy takes us on a journey, learning about his family’s history, the breed of dairy cows he raises and how the Australian dairy industry differs from the United States. Andy’s fun loving spirit, passion for cattle, and over-arching message will definitely put a smile on your face and have you pouring a big ol' glass of milk!

Tip your hat to cowboy next to you because today in Texas we're learning all about the extension agency. Stephen Janak is an extension program specialist with Texas A&M Agri-life and a second generation extension agent who tells us all about the rich history of the extension service, the resources they have to offer, and if there's anything they can't do! Whether you are in agriculture or not, the extension service has a program or resource that you can benefit from. If you're stuck and don't know where to turn, this episode is for you. 

Join our journey through history as we explore how an inedible plant became one of the most widely grown crops in the entire world. From its humble beginnings in central Mexico, corn has played a huge role throughout world history as a food source and even in religion. We'll explore how selective breeding led to thousands of corn varieties, the classification of corn types, and some of the unique ways we use corn today!   Sources Used:  https://www.britannica.com/plant/corn-plant https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/rethinking-corny-history-maize-180971038/ https://www.lhf.org/learning-fields/crops/corn/#:~:text=Corn%20comes%20from%20a%20wild,the%20corn%20we%20know%20today. https://www.britannica.com/plant/teosinte https://www.nativeseeds.org/pages/teosinte https://www.seriouseats.com/popcorn-history-movie-theaters#:~:text=Corn%20was%20probably%20cultivated%20as,cobs%20studded%20with%20puffed%20kernels. Music Used:  Suavemente - Alysha Sheldon Unsolved - Mythical Score Society In the Amazonas - Kikoru Excavation at the Amazon - Trace Way Nights in Mexico - Alysha Sheldon Bluegrass Boogie - The Undertowns Caravan Trails - Sight of Wonders Acoustic Ornaments - Codey Randall Tumbleweed Town - River Run Dry 

The stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas! That’s right, we are headed back to the Lonestar state where we are joined by Braxton and Raven of Dolce Holistic Horsemanship. Whether it’s sharing their life’s on social media, training horses using a natural method, or inviting everyone to their ranch for the pumpkin and ponies events, they are always having a good time! In this episode we learn about their training approach and why it is so effective. As well as their own history and how they got to where they are today. So tighten up your cinch and get your heels down in the stirrups, because this is a good one! 

Grab your maple syrup and poutine, because we are headed to Canada eh. On this episode, we got the opportunity to sit down with Hayden Fox, a Canadian hay farmer and social media personality. He educated us on the different types of hay, what it’s uses are, how they grow it, and of course, what type of vehicle you should (or should not) use to pick up hay if you want to avoid being the main character in one of his videos. This is a fun one, full of laughs and education!

The stars and stripes are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas! That’s right, we’re back in the Lonestar state to talk with Lindsey Williams, sheep farmer and Herd dog trainer. In this episode Lindsey, the Lonestar shepherdess, shares her inspiring story of healing, becoming a farmer, and of course the bond between her and her dogs. We learn that herding is so much more than just a dog chasing livestock, it’s a usable tool on the farm, and creates an incredible bond between a shepherd and their dog. This inspiring story is one you won’t want to miss!

Grab your armadillo eggs and straw hats, because we are headed back to Texas. We are joined today by Trey Rutherford of Rutherford show goats to take a deep dive into the show goat industry. We take a glimpse back 30 years ago when boer goats first started showing up In the show ring, and then bring it to present day to discuss what makes a good show goat, how Trey runs an award winning breeding program, and the way his family is involved every step of the way. Community is the name of the game when it comes to show goats, and The Rutherford’s have sure built a good one!

Grab your umbrella and a cup of coffee because today we are headed to Washington to learn all about Canning. Jordyn and Kay of Portage View Farm aren’t your average homesteaders. They’ve taken a whole new approach with their in-law dynamic and education forward content. Not to mention they both share a passion for growing food and preserving it. In this episode we get two outlooks, the seasoned canning veteran, and the rookie on a mission. This one will blow your lid off, unless of course, you use your pressure canner.

Grab a Coca-Cola and a bag of peanuts because today we’re headed to Georgia to learn all about gardening and how tools from the past are key to solving modern problems. Greg shares his story of how he built his business from garden tools, seeds, and social media to provide everything you need to successfully grow food for yourself at home. Don’t listen to this episode if you’re still fighting the urge to garden. It’ll push you over the edge.

In todays episode, we are introducing a new segment called “To The Root Of It”. In this segment, we will explore the vast history of an important piece of agriculture. This weeks topic is the plow. A groundbreaking piece of equipment that forever changed farming and how we feed the world. Join us at the very beginning with 2 sticks and some sand and eventually we’ll meet some Romans, Thomas Jefferson, John Deere, and the iconic steel plow. Despite some controversy in the 1930’s, this revolutionary tool has quite the story to tell.