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
Are We in a Farm Crisis Or Seeing the Gap Between Good and Struggling Operations? — Shay Foulk
There’s a lot of noise in agriculture right now.From ag media to Washington, depending on who you listen to, we’re either heading into a financial crisis… or standing on the edge of a golden age.But what if the real story isn’t ei...
Shaping the Story of Agriculture — A Conversation with Shaun Haney
When I started the Patio Pondering Podcast, there were a handful of conversations I hoped I might get to have someday. This is one of them.In this episode, I sit down with Shaun Haney, founder of RealAgriculture, to talk about something ...
Seeing Risk from All Sides of the Desk - Anya Pinkerton
Agriculture runs on risk.Weather. Markets. Policy. Input costs. And increasingly — the mental weight of managing all of it.In this episode of the Patio Pondering Podcast, Jim sits down with Anya Pinkerton — a Purdue Animal Science...
Stay Positive and Look Forward — Lessons from the Farm with Terry Sible
Terry Sible grew up on a farm outside Churubusco, Indiana, learning the same lessons many farm kids do: responsibility, patience, and the value of community.At eighteen, Terry’s life took an unexpected turn. Just five years earlier he ha...
Leadership, Service, and the Power of a Pause — with Jill Zimmerman
Leadership in agriculture is often talked about as if it simply appears — the loudest voice in the room or the person willing to take charge.But real leadership is something different. It can be cultivated, sharpened, and intentionally d...
