The Toast Podcast
From farmers to venture capitalists, The Ag Center dives deep into everything agriculture. Doug Brunner and Sam Looper are young ag entrepreneurs that want to explore the modern side of agriculture, how things are quickly evolving and how young entrepreneurs can get involved.
Episodes
45 episodes
Scalable or Stuck? A Real Talk on Ag Business Growth w/ Kyle Espinola
In this episode of The Toast Podcast, we sit down with Kyle Espinola, a Central Valley entrepreneur and founder of Caddyshack Rodent Services, Tree Barber, and Watts Up Solar Cleaning. Kyle shares his journey from college graduate to a...
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Season 6
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Episode 3
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38:28
A Toast to Saving Family Farms: W/ Riley Chaney & Nino Carvalho
TheToast Podcast | Nino Carvalho & Riley Chaney In this episode, we are joined by Nino Carvalho & Riley Chaney who share their insights on the future of agriculture, discussing the challenges of b...
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Season 6
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Episode 2
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54:11
A Toast to Agriculture in 2025 w/Sean Haynes
In this episode of The Toast we’re unpacking the biggest trends, challenges, and opportunities in agriculture from 2024 and looking ahead to 2025. We’ll dive into the transition to e-commerce in the ag industry, reflecting on the rise of online...
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Season 6
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Episode 1
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49:32
A Toast To: Ag on Wheels
In this episode, we sit down with Michelle Martin, founder of Ag on Wheels and AgMag, to explore her journey from her early influences to becoming a prominent voice in agriculture. We dive into Michelle’s beginnings, her goals for launching her...
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Season 5
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Episode 13
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49:04
A Toast To Agronomists!
In this episode we sit down with agriculture experts Joe Coelho with American Pistachio Growers and Chris Morgner with Agri-Valley Consulting as we explore their early careers and specializations in agronomy. We discover their industry se...
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Season 5
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Episode 12
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1:04:27
The Toast x Central Valley Podcast
Join us on "Unveiling The Central Valley Podcast" as we dive into the inspiring journey of Micah Diele from Merced, California. Discover the origins of The Central Valley Podcast and Micah's mission to challenge the misconceptions and negative ...
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Season 5
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Episode 11
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1:19:08
The 13th Congressional District w/ John Duarte
We're diving into the political world of John Duarte, Congressman of California's 13th District. We'll explore his background, including his upbringing in Modesto, education at San Diego State, and MBA from the University of the Pacific. We'll ...
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Season 5
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Episode 10
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58:02
Making Crime A Crime Again
A Toast to Making Crime a Crime Again. In this episode we are joined with Merced County Sheriff Vernon Warnke who dives into nearly four-decades of dedication to the Merced community. From his early days in law enforcement to specialized ...
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Season 5
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Episode 9
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55:49
Behind the Scenes with the Creators of My Job Depends on Ag
A Toast to Unity: Behind the Scenes with the Creators of My Job Depends on Ag! Join us in this episode of The Toast as we sit down with the dynamic duo behind the My Job Depends on Ag sticker - Erik and Steve. Discover the fascinating ...
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Season 5
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Episode 8
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56:28
From Seed to Table with Zach Wortiska
"A Toast to educating on the ag industry" In this episode, we're joined by Zach Wortiskas, an expert in the vegetable industry and agricultural social media. We explore Zach's journey, from his early influences and education at Cal Poly to his ...
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Season 5
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Episode 7
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35:19
Celebrating The 2024 World Ag Expo!
Join us for "OG Talk" a special episode of "The Toast" as we raise our glasses to the 2024 World Ag Expo! In this exclusive episode, we're thrilled to bring you live from The Ag Center booth at this year event. Our esteemed guests include John ...
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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30:26
A Toast To: Investing in Agriculture
In this episode of The Toast we're jumping into the world of agriculture investments, featuring two prominent companies, Madera Pumps and Axia Water. Your host, Sam Looper dives into the rich history of Madera Pumps and Axia Water's recen...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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38:42
A Toast To: Reducing Inflation & The Cost of Living
In this episode of The Toast, we explore the political journey of Michael Maher. Covering his early influences, education, and tech involvement, we dive into Maher's diverse professional experiences, from the U.S Navy to leading a jet company. ...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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58:46
A Toast to: The Next Generation of Cain Trucking!
In this episode of The Toast Podcast, we explore the rich history of Cain Trucking, a company celebrating a remarkable 100 years in the business. Special guest Paul Barcellos shares his personal connection to Cain Trucking, its origins, ...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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46:50
A Toast To: Westside Equipment
In this episode, we're bringing you the perfect blend of technology and industry know-how. None other than Westside Equipment's CEO, Robert Huckaby, is here to bring you the latest updates, along with our host, Sam Looper. In this exciting segm...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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24:28
A Toast To: The Future of The Ag Center
We're back and ready for Season 5! In our kickoff episode, Doug Brunner and Sam Looper discuss the upcoming transformations at The Ag Center and the preparations farmers and growers should make. Discover the newly enhanced E-commerce platform s...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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20:23
Toast to: The world's first and only autonomous orchard sprayers -- GUSS Automation
He is the COO of GUSS Automation, the company that developed the world's first and only autonomous orchard sprayers. Today we get to talk to Gary Thompson, one of the influential men behind the technology that is helping solve some of the most ...
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33:18
Toast to: Staying Grounded in Ag with Jay Mahil
One of Madera's finest, Jay Mahil from Creekside Farming, comes on The Toast with our host Doug Brunner. Tune in as he talks about the importance of investing in our youth in the agriculture industry, diversification, the immense op...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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36:22
Toast to: Getting your WATTS UP!
One of the top up and coming entrepreneurs in the ag service industry, Kyle Espinola, unpacks what it takes to build a successful business and how he got to where he is today - running 3 powerful ag service businesses in the Central Valley. Tun...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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40:38
Toast to: Ag Tech
This week, Doug Brunner gets to welcome The Ag Center's newest affiliate Cultivated Technology Group on The Toast Podcast! Tune in as Doug Brunner and John Paul discuss how John's background in farming gave him better understanding of a farmer'...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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31:32
A Toast to: Entrepreneurs
Welcome back to Season 4 of The Toast Podcast! If you've tuned in before, you know by now that The Ag Center is all about entrepreneurs, so much so that we dedicated a whole series to it! In this episode, Doug Brunner interviews Luis Gil, Farm ...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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34:26
A Toast to: Lorenzo Neal!
Today we are talking about America's favorite sport with one of Doug Brunner's favorite NFL players, Lorenzo Neal! Tune in as this hometown hero talks about Faith, Family, and Sports to finish off Season 3 of The Toast.
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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45:28
A Toast To: sustainibeef!
The Ag Center is all about entrepreneurship, and this week we were lucky enough to host Tony Lopes, agriculture enthusiast and business owner. Tony is the founder of sustainibeef, a monthly subscription box of premium quality and local...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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47:18
A Toast To: Ag On Wheels
There is definitely a place for women in the agriculture industry, and on today's episode of The Toast, Michelle Martin proved that. Michelle is a mother, wife, entrepreneur, ag enthusiast/educator, tv show host, and magazine owner. Michelle ca...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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39:31
A Toast To: Sustainability.
In order to continue to provide food for the entire world and its growing population, farmers need to become more efficient and also more sustainable. Tune in as we talk about sustainability within the agriculture industry, the issues farmer's ...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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33:56
A Toast To: Major Williams
We’re back with a very special guest on Episode 6 of Season 3 of The Toast! The Republican candidate for the Governor of California 2022 race, Mr. Major Williams, joined The Ag Center for a full day of discussion, education, and fun! On this ep...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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47:07
A Toast To: Friendships
Tune in to our latest episode of The Toast! Today we are talking with Brendan Johnson, a friend of many and a huge supporter of The Ag Center. Listen along as Doug Brunner and Brendan dive into their backgrounds and discuss the success of The A...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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39:01
A Toast To: Doug Brunner
Welcome back to The Toast! We are in our 4th episode of season 3 and we are switching things up a bit! Tune in as Josh Dowell of Water and Land Solutions interviews Doug Brunner, founder of The Ag Center, as he takes us back to his initial visi...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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21:06