Whole Grain
Hosted by Jim Lenz, GEAPS’ Director of Global Education and Training, The Whole Grain Podcast shares expert insights, real-world stories, and innovative ideas shaping the future of grain handling and processing. Each episode features voices from across the industry, including GEAPS members, educators and special guests. With a growing audience spanning 94 countries, the podcasts fuels growth, innovation and connection in the grain and grain processing industries—one conversation at a time.
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-Register for our online courses at https://www.geaps.com/training-education/online-learning/full-course-catalog/
-Connect with host Jim Lenz at james@geaps.com.
Episodes
63 episodes
Mission Continues: Veterans Building Careers in the Grain Industry
Hosted by Jim Lenz, Director of Global Education and Training at GEAPS, this episode of the Whole Grain Podcast explores how military experience translates into meaningful careers in the grain handling and processing industry.A lot of ve...
Designing Grain Facilities That Last: Lessons from the Field
Designing a grain facility is one of the most critical—and infrequent—decisions in grain handling and processing operations. The choices made during planning, layout, and construction can impact efficiency, safety, and long-term performance for...
The Modern Grain Facility: Markets, Risk, and the Systems That Make It Work
Across the grain industry, facility leaders are navigating a level of uncertainty we haven’t seen in years. Volatile commodity markets. Weather extremes. Labor shortages. Tighter margins. Rising expectations around safety, uptime, and quality.<...
GEAPS Exchange 2026: More Than a Trade Show — Education, Innovation, and Connections That Move Our Industry Forward
GEAPS Exchange 2026: What to Expect — and How to Get the Most ValueEvery year, there’s one time when the global grain community gathers in one place to learn, connect, and solve real-world challenges together. In this special episode, Ji...
Helping Grain Customers Do More with Less: Real Value in Real Time
In this episode of the Whole Grain Podcast, host Jim Lenz, Director of Global Education and Training at GEAPS, talks with Kyle Dixon, Vice President of Sales at IBT Industrial Solutions, about how grain facilities can do more with less—w...
What Does a Test Tell You? How Sampling and Testing Protect Grain Safety and Quality
In this episode of the Whole Grain Podcast, host Jim Lenz, Director of Global Education and Training at GEAPS, sits down with Dr. Gretchen Mosher, Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State Un...
Temporary Storage – Is Your System Ready?
Temporary Storage – Is Your System Ready?Temporary storage plays a critical role in grain operations—but it comes with unique challenges, risks, and costs that must be carefully managed. In this episode, 40-year industry veteran B...
Lower Costs, Cleaner Air, Bigger Demand: Geoff Cooper on California’s E15 Breakthrough
California is on the verge of legalizing E15 fuel for the first time after the legislature unanimously passed Assembly Bill 30. In this episode of the Whole Grain Podcast, Jim Lenz, Director of Global Education and Training at GEAPS, talks with...
Right-Sizing, Reliability, and ROI — Smarter Equipment Choices for Grain Facilities
What does 50 years in the grain industry teach you about smarter equipment decisions? Today’s guest, Jeff Schwab, knows the answer firsthand.Jeff began his career at just 15 years old, working night shifts at a local mill while finishing...
Connecting People, Building Leaders- How Scott Brittingham Champions Growth in the Grain Industry
Scott Brittingham doesn't just recruit members to GEAPS—he builds community by forging meaningful connections that last a lifetime. As the organization's top recruiter for six of the last seven years, his approach reveals profound insights abou...
Plug In and Grow: GEAPS’ No-Cost Internship Companion Program
Internships are more than just short-term work experiences—they’re the first step in building a future-ready workforce.In this episode of the Whole Grain Podcast, host Jim Lenz and Betsy Polis, Sr. Director of Proj...
Port Pressures: Navigating Grain Facility Challenges with Smart Equipment Solutions
Port Pressures: Navigating Grain Facility Challenges with Smart Equipment Solutions Sponsored by AGI – Ag Growth InternationalIn this episode of the Whole Grain Podcast, host Jim Lenz, Director of Global T...
Grain for the Glass: What Bourbon Distillers Expect from Grain Handlers
In this episode of the Whole Grain podcast, we’re heading deep into bourbon country—to the rolling hills of Loretto, Kentucky — where time meets tradition, and grain quality isn’t just important... it’s everything. Today, we’re pouring a glass ...
E15, Ethanol, and the Future of Agriculture: What’s Next, Why It Matters, and How Congress Can Help
Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, joins Jim Lenz, Director of Education and Training at GEAPS, to share a powerful vision for expanding ethanol markets through permanent E15 access — and the tremen...
Sukup Manufacturing and the Future of Grain Storage: A Conversation with Brent Hansen
Episode Summary:In this episode of The Whole Grain Podcast, host Jim Lenz welcomes Brent Hansen, Commercial Accounts Manager for Sukup Manufacturing Co., for a fascinating discussion on the evolution and future of grain storage. From the...
The Role of Cooperatives in Global Food and Fuel Systems
How do cooperatives enhance stability, resilience, and profitability in the grain industry? In this insightful episode of the Whole Grain Podcast, host Jim Lenz sits down with Dr. Keri L. Jacobs, Associate Professor of Agricultural and Applied ...
GEAPS: Transformational Shifts in Agriculture, Brings New Opportunities for GEAPS Members
In this episode of the Whole Grain Podcast, host Jim Lenz welcomes John Caupert, Executive Director of GEAPS, to discuss the transformational shifts happening in agriculture and what they mean for GEAPS members. Fresh off t...
Driving Change: The 45Z Tax Credit's Impact on Biofuels and Beyond with Eric McAfee
What if the future of renewable energy could lie in the hands of agriculture? In this captivating conversation, host Jim Lenz, sits down with Eric McAfee, the visionary CEO of Aemetis. McAfee shares groundbreaking insights into sust...
Keeping Grain Moving: Preventative Maintenance and Supplier Tips
Discover the keys to mastering conveyor system maintenance in grain operations with our special guest, Jake Crockford from IBT Industrial Solutions. Jake shares with the Whole Grain podcast host and GEAPS’ Director of Education and Training, Ji...
Fueling the Future: The Role of Renewable Fuels in the Grain Industry
In this insightful episode of the Whole Grain Podcast, host Jim Lenz sits down with Robert White, Vice President of Industry Relations and Market Development at the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). With decades of experience in ethanol market...
All About GEAPS Exchange 2025!
Unlock the secrets to staying ahead in the grain industry as we gear up for the GEAPS Exchange 2025, the ultimate event for grain professionals. With GEAPS Executive Director John Caupert joining us, learn how this year’s conference is set to b...
Continuous Improvement with April-Hope Wareham
In her job at Cargill, GEAPS Member April-Hope Wareham serves as continuous improvement lead for more than 30 grain terminals along and east of the Mississippi River. In the latest episode of Whole Grain Podcast, GEAPS’s Director of Education a...
Optimizing Grain Inventory Management
Have you ever wondered how to transform your grain inventory management for peak efficiency and profitability? In this episode of Whole Grain, we're joined by Jim Voigt, a long-time veteran of the grain industry with extensive experience in inv...
Unpacking the Boom: What’s Driving Growth in the Soy Crush Industry
Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn soybeans into the versatile products we use daily? You might know Danny Lein as one of the newest additions to GEAPS International Board of Directors. He's also a skilled plant manager at Oxbow Crush...
Why Internships Matter: Planting the Seeds
What if the key to building a successful agricultural career lies in a well-structured internship? Join us as we discuss the transformative potential of internships in the agriculture industry. Our guest, Dustin Toberman, president and founder ...