Virginia's Young Farmers Podcast
Join two Virginia Young "ag"vocates, Ashley & Dustin, as they discuss agriculture and farming from their perspective. We believe Thomas Jefferson said it best when he said, "Agriculture is our wisest pursuit because it will, in the end, contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness". So join us - a generational farmer and a farming hopeful - as we share our passion for all things agriculture and hopefully educate, inform, and entertain you along the way.
Send questions, comments, or podcast topic suggestions to vayoungfarmerspodcast@gmail.com!
Episodes
33 episodes
If You Could Talk To Your Ag Teacher...
National FFA Week is celebrated every February to highlight how to organization leads over 1 MILLON FFA members in leadership, community development, and career success through agricultural education.As many of us know, one of the most i...
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Season 2
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30:14
What I Need To Know From My Vet
We recovered THE lost episode from spring 2024 where we sit down with two respected Virginia veterinarians, Dr. Amanda Weakley-Scott and Dr. Melinda McCall. Dr. McCall shares fond memories and crazy stories about being a vet from h...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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38:26
What it takes to be a Christmas Tree Farmer
Back in 1977 The Clouses started a Christmas Tree Farm all because an FFA chapter planted their "seedling program" trees on their land. Leaving livestock behind, they now run a farm with 20,000+ trees welcoming thousands of customers from commu...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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50:34
Meet Your New Co-Host
Seasons are changing and Morgan felt it was time to hang up the podcast. Meet your new podcast co-host from Halifax, Virginia...Dustin Francis! From a career in law enforcement to a farmer and Community Relations Coordinator for an electric coo...
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52:59
Farming & Volunteering: A Family Affair
This episode started off as a nod to June's dairy month - and where we ended was a theme of finding opportunities to serve the agriculture industry. For Thomas French of French Brothers Dairy, all of the above involves family.Thomas sha...
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41:47
Could Asking the Right Question Be the Secret to Successful Family Business Conversations?
Active and engaged listening is a super power when it comes to having difficult conversations - this is what Ashley and Morgan learned while sitting down with Vance Crowe at the Virginia Farm Bureau Young Farmers Winter Expo.Vance's int...
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47:14
Land Access: A Young Farmer's Most Precious Commodity
Morgan and Ashley were able to catch up with Jacob Gilley at Virginia Farm Bureau Young Farmer's Winter Expo back in February to chat about land acquisition.As a first generation farmer himself, Jacob shares how relationship building is...
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49:55
Farm Taxes & Personal Finance- Doc White
Argh-- tax season! Doc White, professor at Virginia Tech, shares what is the most logical during tax season. He also shares some key successes to personal finance that will aid you in building your agribusiness. Listen closely for common mistak...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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36:24
It Ain't Easy, But It's Worth It: Family Farm Succession Planning
It is a question that seems to be the frequent elephant in the room among many farming families: "What does the future of the farm look like and how do I fit into that picture?"While the topic of farm transition sounds overwhelming,&nbs...
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44:14
Advocating for Rural America Alongside Your Family- Amanda Radke
Amanda Radke has always been an advocate for our industry. She travels across the country speaking to agriculturalists, consults cattle families, writes children’s books, hosts the podcast, Heart of Rural America, and so much more. She went dow...
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43:45
Family Helping Families (Part 1): Chris Earl, CK6 Consulting
Picture this: it's mid-morning in Southwest Virginia. The light fog is rising. The October foliage is starting to transition to red and orange. It's sale day at Point Pleasant Angus, and the cattle are calling back and forth to each other as th...
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43:13
Happy Anniversary to Us!
Ashley and Morgan took over the podcast a year ago and, man, what a year it has been!Join Ashley and Morgan as they take a look back on the past 365 days and reminisce on the lessons learned from our podcast guests. They've used that go...
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41:27
How To Make Farming Comebacks- Ty Smoke In Chimneys
Leaving the realtor business, Ty took a leap with his wife Shannon to become owners of a 1930s trout hatchery, Smoke In Chimneys, that is home to thousands of fish all operated from natural springs on the mountain in Craig County. Ty went from ...
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1:00:09
Starting A Meat Processing Facility From "Scratch"
Jordan Wicks was an unlikely person to become an advocate for the meat industry - but today she's pursuing her PhD after a successful career in meat processing.With no farm background, Jordan shares with us how her interest in the FFA m...
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1:03:06
The VA Dairy Girl Story: Courtney Henderson
Courtney Henderson never imagined she'd have a career on her family farm. And yet today - at the top of her long, impressive resume - she's proud to call herself a dairy farmer.To celebrate National Dairy Month, Courtney shares with us ...
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35:24
Special Episode: Happy Father's Day!
Morgan sits down for a one-on-one conversation with her dad, Jeff Slaven, on this special episode for some fatherly advice for young farmers.Jeff started making land payments when he was 17 years old. Farming, he says, is not just a lov...
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48:49
The Overlook Produce Story: Joe Ulmer
In this episode, Joe Ulmer will tell you that you've got to crawl before you can walk: his early farming lessons were learned painting fence and weed-eating. This first generation farmer got his start in the produce business by selling pu...
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40:56
Special Episode: Happy Mother's Day!
Farm mommin' ain't easy. The good news is you aren't alone! Tune in as Virginia Farm Bureau Young Farmers leaders, Lindy Fimon and Michelle Fox, give host, Ashley Kuhler, some motherly advice as she welcomes her first baby this spring!A...
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34:32
Making Conservation Your Story- Soil & Water Conservation Districts
Madison Coffey joined us to discuss SWCD programs just in time for Earth Day! She has visited farmers and landowners to learn more about their property needs and has helped them implement cost-share programs, equipment rentals, and how to call ...
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52:03
Sharks Don't Swim Backwards: Featuring The Shark Farmer
Cue the "Jaws" themesong. We interviewed the Shark Farmer!On this episode, we had the change to chat with Rob Sharkey while we were at the Virginia Farm Bureau Young Farmers Winter Expo in Halifax, VA. Rob was the keynote speaker for th...
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33:07
Grow your network, be inspired, and strengthen agriculture in the Young Farmers Program
From high schoolers to 35-year-olds, there are different events, opportunities, and contests to participate in. All you need to qualify for the Young Farmer program is an interest in agriculture and a Farm Bureau membership. Listen to see what ...
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22:30
Becoming An Agvocate 365, 24/7
What is Legislative Day? How can I become an advocate for the agriculture industry? Where can I learn more about ag policy? How can I grow the confidence to ask questions and learn? We sat down with Stefanie Taillon, Farm Bureau Lobbyist, ...
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39:43
Holiday Traditions & "Did you know" Ag Facts
Where is VA ranked nationally in Christmas Tree production? What livestock animal has been domesticated for thousands of years? Where do oysters fall in your holiday traditions? Get insight on holiday ag facts and see what traditions you have i...
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18:23
Cultivating a Culture of Safety
Each year, more people die while farming than while serving as police officers, firefighters, or other emergency responders. While farm safety is not the most glamorous topic to chat about, its an important one.Joining Ashley and Morgan...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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31:45
Mental Health. It's okay to not be okay, AND here is how to help.
Have you noticed changes in the behavior of a friend? Do you feel like you have more and more stress in your life daily? Are you experiencing physical pain and unhappiness continuously? Do you have questions about what therapy is or where to ge...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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31:41