Best Practical Farmers Of Iowa Podcasts (2025)

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Coffee on the Porch: Harvest is a GO 14:35

Play Pause

3h ago14:35

14:35

Send us a text Harvest season has officially begun in Southeast Iowa with unusually dry conditions causing corn to dry down faster than expected. We share our experiences with equipment preparations, plot tour takeaways, and our approach to maintaining balance during this busy time. • Currently harvesting corn at surprisingly low moisture levels in…

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Harvest Readiness and Farm Wives Club Reflections Part 1 26:14

9d ago26:14

26:14

Send us a text We discuss final harvest preparations including our new grain cart scale app for improved inventory tracking, and reflect on insights from the Farm Wives Club event about finding joy beyond productivity. • Equipment preparations complete with preventative maintenance thanks to our trusted mechanic • New bluetooth scale app will docum…

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Corn, Rust, and Deer With Expensive Taste 21:00

5d ago21:00

21:00

Send us a text Southern rust is significantly impacting corn yields this season with up to 40 bushel differences between treated and untreated fields, making fungicide applications a solid ROI despite high input costs. • Corn prices remain similar to 1970s levels while production costs have increased dramatically • Questioning conventional nitrogen…

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A Wake-Up Call: Don't Leave Your Legacy to Chance 20:44

19d ago20:44

20:44

Send us a text A medical emergency with Jesse's mother reveals an unsettling truth: most families don't know each other's wishes for end-of-life care or who's authorized to make decisions when someone can't speak for themselves. • Advanced directives allow you to make your own decisions in advance rather than burdening others with making them for y…

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Sweat, Showmanship, and Six-Horse Hitches: Our State Fair Adventure 23:31

21d ago23:31

23:31

Send us a text The countdown to harvest begins as we return from a successful but scorching State Fair where our kids showed their home-raised cattle and Henry lived his fitting dream. • Kids earned reserve breed championships with their self-raised shorthorn and simmental heifers • State Fair heat reached 95 degrees with heat index over 100, requi…

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Pork Chops And Pig Poop: Our State Fair Tradition 20:19

1M ago20:19

20:19

Send us a text We're heading to the Iowa State Fair with 4-H cattle and breeding heifers, continuing a family tradition that spans generations for Jesse while creating new memories for our entire family. • Comparing state fair experiences: Jesse has attended almost every year of his life, while Dr. Amy first attended in 2005 • Evolving accommodatio…

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Summer's Flying By: Why Family Matters Now More Than Ever 19:12

1M ago19:12

19:12

Send us a text Family connections remain vital despite our busy lives, especially as older generations age and health challenges arise for loved ones. • Summer is flying by, with county fairs marking the end of the season and family reunions filling our calendars • Both hosts come from large farming families – with 15-16 siblings in their parents' …

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Sun, Soil, and Supplements: Feed Your Body Like You Feed Your Crops 23:37

1M ago23:37

23:37

Send us a text Jesse and Dr. Leah discuss farming conditions in Iowa after significant rainfall, then share insights about nutritional supplements and their role in maintaining optimal health. • Recent weather in Southeast Iowa has brought 2.5-4 inches of rain, creating potential challenges for soybeans which dislike wet conditions • Using drones t…

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How To Eat For Health 27:44

2M ago27:44

27:44

Send us a text After months on a modified ketogenic diet, we share our personal journeys with giving up sugar and carbohydrates, exploring both the challenges and life-changing health benefits we've experienced. • Sugar is the most addictive substance humans consume, and breaking its grip requires complete elimination for at least 2-3 months • Keto…

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Growing Together: One Road Trip at a Time 16:56

2M ago16:56

16:56

Send us a text Jesse and Leah reflect on how their relationship has evolved over 19 years of marriage, from surviving the chaos of early careers and parenthood to finding deeper connection through everyday moments. • Finding quality time together has transformed from quarterly weekend getaways to valued truck rides and morning coffee conversations …

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All Things Fair: Hair Products & Heifery Attitudes 30:59

2M ago30:59

30:59

Send us a text We reflect on our county fair memories while preparing for this year's Lee County Fair in Iowa, where our son will show a heifer he's raised from birth. Fair traditions have evolved over time, but the values of hard work, responsibility, and personal growth remain central to the 4-H and FFA experience. • The show industry has changed…

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Reimagining the Modern Family Farm 36:18

2M ago36:18

36:18

Send us a text Summer on the farm brings a whirlwind of activity as we balance baling, spraying, fair preparation, and finding moments to connect as a family amid the busy season. The weight of sustaining our agricultural legacy weighs heavily as we navigate the challenges of modern farming and explore ways to diversify and strengthen our operation…

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Coffee on the Porch: Copper and Sugar 21:22

3M ago21:22

21:22

Send us a text In this hot and humid Iowa summer, we share updates on our hay making, crop conditions, and innovative approaches to foliar feeding crops with precise nutrient mixtures. We discuss how we're transitioning to drone technology for better application of nutrients while reducing compaction and crop damage. • Corn is looking good at V10 s…

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Coffee on the Porch: Haymaking, Mindset, and Green Beans 24:31

3M ago24:31

24:31

Send us a text Jesse and Dr. Leah share their "Coffee on the Porch" conversation covering farm updates, personal reflections, and practical health tips for agricultural families. • Discussing the satisfaction of haymaking season and the nostalgia of fresh-cut hay smell • Comparing the surprising growth difference between expensive hybrid soybeans a…

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Hay Bales and Life Tales: Dad Edition 12:55

3M ago12:55

12:55

Send us a text Jesse and Leah reflect on the invaluable lessons learned from their fathers that have shaped who they are as farmers and as people. Despite being busy with hay baling during Father's Day weekend, they take time to honor the wisdom that's been passed down through generations on their family farms. • Hard work as a foundational value t…

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The Rhythm of Rural Life: Planting and Growing Together 24:08

3M ago24:08

24:08

Send us a text Jesse and Dr. Leah share updates from their farm life, discussing their new high tunnel greenhouse project and the seasonal transition from planting to summer maintenance. They explore the physical and mental health benefits of growing your own food, getting your hands in the dirt, and connecting with the natural world. • Installatio…

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The Work Will Always Be There, But Your Kids Will Not 24:58

4M ago24:58

24:58

Send us a text Farm life means constantly juggling seasonal pressures with family needs while battling self-imposed time constraints. Jesse and Dr. Leah explore the mental and physical toll of the farming mindset that everything must be done immediately and perfectly. • Spring brings overwhelming task lists: side dressing corn, spraying, preparatio…

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Seven Simple Steps to Feel Better Today 17:48

4M ago17:48

17:48

Send us a text May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and today we discuss practical strategies for farmers, ranchers, and anyone who's been running on empty during busy seasons. We share our personal experiences with burnout and stress while offering seven simple, research-backed steps to improve mental wellness. • Morning sunlight exposure within …

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When the land means more than dirt 21:11

4M ago21:11

21:11

Send us a text We explore the deep emotional connection farmers have to their land and the importance of legacy planning to preserve family farms for future generations. • Farmland represents more than monetary value—it carries the blood, sweat, and tears of previous generations • Creating a mission statement and core values provides clarity for fa…

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Buffalo Mentality: Facing Storms Head-On 19:01

4M ago19:01

19:01

Send us a text We believe the farm's greatest asset is the farmer – their knowledge, experience, mind, and health. • Springtime on the farm means planting crops and loading fat cattle in Southeast Iowa • Unexpected challenges are inevitable on the farm – from equipment breakdowns to cattle escaping • When faced with problems, most people initially …

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Planting Seeds of Wellbeing 25:20

5M ago25:20

25:20

Send us a text We explore the transformative impact of taking breaks during busy farming seasons and how it can rejuvenate your mindset and productivity. Our recent family getaway in the middle of planting season proved that stepping away from farm responsibilities, even briefly, can significantly improve mood and perspective. • Spring planting upd…

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Hydration and Sleep: Two Non-Negotiables for Health 32:58

5M ago32:58

32:58

Send us a text We explore the fundamentals of health by focusing on two critical but often overlooked aspects: proper hydration and quality sleep. These two pillars form the foundation of success by ensuring farmers maintain their most valuable asset - their own health and wellbeing. • Drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily to maintai…

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Beyond the Acres: Learning to Listen in Tough Times 35:20

5M ago35:20

35:20

Send us a text Steve Boender returns to continue our heartfelt conversation about finding meaning through faith in farming and life's challenges. He shares wisdom about weathering economic cycles in agriculture, offering practical strategies for staying resilient during difficult times. • Economic downturns happen in roughly 50-year cycles, making …

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Faith, Family, and Farming: How One Farmer Built a Multi-Generational Operation 39:02

5M ago39:02

39:02

Send us a text We welcome Steve Boender, a farmer from Oskaloosa who shares his remarkable journey of faith, family, and farming over 50 years. Steve reveals how he and his wife Jan started with nothing but an FHA loan at ages 18 and 19, building a diverse agricultural enterprise while raising six children who've all returned to agriculture in vari…

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Spoon-Feeding Your Crops 47:00

5M ago47:00

47:00

Send us a text We dive deep into nitrogen management strategies, balancing science with the practical realities of farm operations to maximize yield while controlling input costs. • Fall versus spring anhydrous application depends on soil conditions, workload management, and weather patterns • Soil temperature and biology significantly impact nitro…

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Soil Health, Root Structure, and Spring Planting Decisions Will Define Your Season 45:38

6M ago45:38

45:38

Send us a text Beck's Field Agronomist Greg Shepard shares insights on spring planting readiness, soil biology research, and practical farming recommendations based on Beck's Practical Farm Research (PFR) findings. The conversation explores the fascinating connection between soil health and crop performance, revealing how understanding root structu…

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Children Leaving the Family Farm: A Parent's Emotional Journey 37:45

6M ago37:45

37:45

Send us a text Wrestling with the paradox of wanting our farm kids to stay while knowing they need to leave to grow is an emotional journey every farming family understands. Together, we unpack our real conversations with our nearly-grown son about his impending departure from our operation. • Farming families uniquely struggle with the tension bet…

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The Farmer’s Health is the Key to Farm Success 52:00

6M ago52:00

52:00

Send us a text The episode focuses on the crucial link between a farmer's health and the business operation. We dive into how acknowledging personal well-being can create a thriving farming business. • Importance of asking for help and shifting mindset toward delegation • Recognizing the demands of physical and mental health on farmers • Discussing…

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Finding Balance in Farming 22:09

6M ago22:09

22:09

Send us a text Our discussion shines a light on the transformative power of slowing down in the farming lifestyle. As we navigate the busy seasons, it is essential to prioritize health, relationships, and well-being, ultimately leading to a more productive and fulfilling farming experience. • Exploring the misconception that hard work is the only p…

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Why Your Greatest Asset Might Just Be You! 16:37

7M ago16:37

16:37

Send us a text This episode highlights the profound connection between farming and personal health. We explore how farmers' well-being directly impacts their productivity and farm management. • Introduction of Jesse and Dr. Leah Steffensmeier • Discussion on how a farming accident revealed gaps • Importance of transferring knowledge and creating pr…

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On-Farm, Episode 022: Jorgen Rose 22:56

4y ago22:56

22:56

In this episode, we talk with Jorgen Rose, who is the habitat and policy coordinator for Practical Farmers of Iowa. We talk a little about what PFI is up to in the habitat world, why we started doing habitat programming at PFI, and how people can get involved. You can learn more about creating wildlife habitat on farms by checking out Bringing Back…

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On-Farm, Episode 021: Adam Janke 40:45

4y ago40:45

40:45

In this episode, we talk with Adam Janke, who is the Wildlife Extension Specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. We talk a little about what wildlife habitat actually means, how the landscape has changed and how that has affected wildlife, and a few things that landowners or farmers can do to improve wildlife habitat on their f…

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On-Farm, Episode 020: John Rock 32:54

4y ago32:54

32:54

In this episode, we talk with John Rock, who raises cattle and row crops in northwest Iowa near near the picturesque Little Sioux River. We chat about his experience grazing cattle on neighboring land owned by The Nature Conservancy and cedar tree removal and native prairie restoration on his own farm. John was just featured in a new video series f…

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On-Farm, Episode 019: Mark Quee 34:16

4y ago34:16

34:16

In this episode, we talk with Mark Quee, the Farm Manager at Scattergood Friends School, a boarding school near West Branch. The farm there raises organic fruits, vegetables and animals that the staff and students eat. We talk about beneficial insects, integrated pest management, flowers and the wonderful mysteries of ecological processes. Mark was…

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On-Farm, Episode 018: Dick Sloan 41:00

4y ago41:00

41:00

In this episode, we talk prairie strips with northeast Iowa farmer Dick Sloan. We talk about why Dick decided to plant prairie strips, what they are, and what it takes to install and manage them. He was just featured in a new video series from PFI - Bringing Back the Edges: Creating Wildlife Habitat on Farms. You can check out the video on prairie …

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Bonus Episode: Consider the Soil 51:56

4y ago51:56

51:56

In this special bonus episode in three acts, PFI member Gina Nichols weaves together the fiction and the non-fiction, science and art, past and future to paint a portrait of one of farming’s most important resources in “Consider the Soil.” If you’re curious about the soil, and you like a good story, you’re going to love this episode.…

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Rotationally Raised, Episode 012: Small Grains in the Corn Belt: A Sustainable Supply Chain 12:58

6+ y ago12:58

12:58

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

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Rotationally Raised, Episode 011: Livestock II: Grazing Summer-seeded Cover Crop Mixes 17:54

6+ y ago17:54

17:54

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

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Rotationally Raised, Episode 010: Livestock I: Feeding Small Grains 20:32

6+ y ago20:32

20:32

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

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Rotationally Raised, Episode 009: Markets: Challenges and Opportunitites 16:18

6+ y ago16:18

16:18

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

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Rotationally Raised, Episode 008: Post-Harvest: Handling and Storage 18:14

6+ y ago18:14

18:14

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

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Rotationally Raised, Episode 007: Harvest: When and How 17:50

6+ y ago17:50

17:50

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

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Rotationally Raised, Episode 006: Crop Protection: Growth Stages, Fertilizers and Fungicides 22:18

6+ y ago22:18

22:18

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

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Rotationally Raised, Episode 005: Planting II: Seed to Soil 25:25

6+ y ago25:25

25:25

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

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Rotationally Raised, Episode 004: Planting I: Calibrate to Populate 19:59

6+ y ago19:59

19:59

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

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Rotationally Raised, Episode 003: What to Plant, Where and Why 19:32

6+ y ago19:32

19:32

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

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Rotationally Raised, Episode 002: Freedom From Inputs 12:01

6+ y ago12:01

12:01

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

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Rotationally Raised, Episode 001: Small Grains: A Revival 24:42

6+ y ago24:42

24:42

By Practical Farmers of Iowa

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On-Farm, Episode 017: Maria and Ron Rosmann – Rosmann Family Farms 56:32

8y ago56:32

56:32

For the final episode of the first season of On-Farm, we visited the farm of Maria and Ron Rosmann of Rosmann Family Farms near Harlan. The Rosmanns have been instrumental in many of the most important agricultural movements of the last 30 years: They were pioneers in organic livestock and row crops, and were among the core of farm families that he…

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On-Farm, Episode 016: Jamie Hostetler – Rolling Meadows Farm 48:36

8y ago48:36

48:36

This week on the show, we have Jamie Hostetler of Rolling Meadows. Jamie farms with his family near Bellevue in eastern Iowa, where they raise 100% grass-fed beef and sell Red Devon cattle for seed stock. In 2010, shortly after moving to the area, they seeded row crop ground down to pasture and have been practicing high-density grazing to regenerat…