Patio Ponderings
Exploring the Expected and the Obscure in Agriculture
From a lifetime in agriculture to deep dives into leadership, rural life, and the evolving food system, Patio Pondering is a podcast where thoughtful conversations meet the open air. Hosted by Jim Smith, Ph.D., a seasoned Swine Nutritionist, agricultural thinker, and storyteller, this podcast explores the connections between our agricultural roots and the broader world.
What started as daily reflections—scribbled with a morning coffee in hand—has grown into a podcast that uncovers the insights, challenges, and sometimes-forgotten history of the industry that feeds us all. Whether solo pondering or engaging in candid discussions with guests, this show digs into everything from livestock production to food trends, rural business shifts, and the personal stories that shape agricultural life.
Now available in both audio and video formats, Patio Pondering brings these discussions to life on YouTube and podcast platforms alike. Whether you prefer to listen on the go or watch the conversation unfold, you’ll find fresh perspectives, candid storytelling, and the kind of conversations that make you think twice.
Subscribe and join the conversation—because agriculture is more than just dirt and livestock. It’s a story worth telling.
Patio Ponderings
Latest Episodes
What We're Still Getting Wrong in Swine Production | Dr. Bob Thaler
What challenges will define the future of the pork industry? In this episode of the Patio Pondering Podcast, Jim Smith welcomes Dr. Bob Thaler of South Dakota State University for a thoughtful conversation about swine nutrition, sow mortality, ...
Bonus Episode: Three Ag Market Veterans Compare 2026 to the 1980s Farm Crisis
In this special bonus episode of the Patio Pondering Podcast, recorded live during Ag Day at the Allen County Fair, Jim Smith sits down with three respected voices in agricultural markets and communications: Rob Winters, Jon Cavanaugh, and Davi...
What Farming Really Costs with Mike Burkhart
What does farming really cost?For Mike Burkhart, the answer goes far beyond machinery, land, and interest rates.In this conversation, Mike reflects on beginning his farming career in the 1970s, surviving the 1980s Farm Crisis, the...
Why Farming Needs More Strategy and Less Guesswork | Dr. Michael Langemeier
Agriculture today faces many of the same pressures it did during the 1980s farm crisis—but the solutions may look very different.In this episode of the Patio Pondering Podcast, I sit down with Purdue agricultural economist Dr. Michael La...
What Has the Modern Swine Industry Gained… and What Has It Quietly Lost? | Dr. Doug Newcom
What Has the Modern Swine Industry Gained… and What Has It Quietly Lost? | Dr. Doug NewcomThe modern swine industry has never been more productive. Weaning rates are higher, pigs grow faster, feed efficiency continues to improve, and gen...
