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Ryan Martin has never been particularly afraid to say what he thinks, even when his opinion runs against conventional wisdom.

Ryan is a meteorologist, grain originator, farmer, seed salesman, and one of the two people who encouraged me to start the Patio Pondering Podcast. So, with Episode 100 right around the corner, it seemed appropriate to finally invite him onto the patio for Episode 99.

What followed wasn't really a conversation about weather.

We talked about why agriculture struggles with uncertainty, our fear of being wrong, what failure actually means, how farming has changed Ryan's perspective, and why relationships may matter more than we sometimes admit. We wandered into farmers advertising themselves, the changing scale of agriculture, opportunities for the next generation, and whether we spend too much time protecting the status quo.

But one idea kept resurfacing: listening.

Ryan believes good conversations require us to hear what someone is actually saying, even when we disagree. Near the end, he put it another way: agriculture needs more discourse, not discord.

That's probably a pretty good description of what we try to do here on the patio.

Join Ryan Martin and me for a conversation about agriculture, relationships, uncomfortable questions, and the value of occasionally being willing to admit we might be wrong.

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Most agricultural businesses begin with a business plan.

New Ag Supply began with a farmer trying to solve a problem.

In this episode, I sit down with Kansas farmer and New Ag Supply founder Brian Sieker to talk about the entrepreneurial mindset that has quietly shaped agriculture for generations. What starts as a conversation about planter parts quickly becomes a discussion about trust, relationships, purpose, and why the best businesses are built by helping other people succeed.

Along the way we explore:

• Why entrepreneurs are often driven by problems, not profits
• Building a business while returning to the family farm
• Trust versus technology in modern agriculture
• Helping other agricultural entrepreneurs succeed
• Why relationships still matter in an increasingly digital world
• The future of entrepreneurship in agriculture

Whether you farm, own a business, or simply enjoy conversations about leadership and innovation, Brian offers thoughtful insights into what it means to build something that lasts.

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We've all said it.

Somebody ought to do something.

Somebody ought to volunteer. Somebody ought to run. Somebody ought to help.

It's an easy sentence to say because "somebody" doesn't have a face.

But every once in a while, life asks a harder question:

What happens when somebody has a name...and that name is yours?

In this solo episode, Jim explores the other side of leadership. The previous episode focused on knowing when to step back and let others lead. This conversation asks when experience becomes responsibility and when it's time for us to step forward.

Whether you're thinking about your community, your family, your church, your business, or your own life, this episode is an invitation to ask one simple question:

Where are you uniquely qualified to serve?

Because leadership isn't always about taking charge.

Sometimes it's about recognizing that the person you've been waiting for is already looking back at you in the mirror.

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We all say we want young people to become leaders.

But are we willing to let them lead?

In this solo episode, I use what I call the 0.6x lens to look at three seemingly unrelated experiences: livestock showing, an Eagle Scout project, and preparing a crew for Philmont Scout Ranch.

The more I stepped back, the more I realized they were all asking the same question:

Who needs to be doing this?

Along the way, I share stories from agriculture, Scouting, and my own leadership experiences—including a few moments when I had to admit I didn't always get it right.

Whether you're a parent, mentor, teacher, employer, coach, or volunteer, I hope this conversation challenges you to think differently about what it really means to help someone grow.

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Swine nutrition has become increasingly precise. We have better models, better ingredient analytics, better data, and more technology than ever before.

But pigs still have to get fed.

Dr. Hyatt Frobose has spent the last eleven years working in the space between what nutritionists can design on a spreadsheet and what actually happens inside a barn. In this conversation, Hyatt and I talk about why he chose an unconventional career path after earning his Ph.D. at Kansas State University, what he has learned about translating science into practical application, and why sometimes there is elegance in simplicity.

Our discussion moves well beyond feeding equipment. We talk about leadership and developing people, learning from lost sales, breaking down silos between nutrition, production, facilities, and engineering, the opportunities and limitations of precision feeding, and why the swine industry should be uncomfortable with current levels of mortality.

We also discuss animal welfare, the importance of maintaining a strong connection between research and the realities of commercial production, and the challenge of turning nuanced science into information people can actually use.

This is a conversation about technology, but more importantly, it is about implementation. Because the best science in the world only creates value when we can make it work on the farm.

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What does the next generation of agriculture really want?

In this episode of the Patio Pondering Podcast, I sit down with Purdue student, sheep producer, dairy cattle judge, and former Indiana FFA State Officer Seth Ariens for an honest conversation about where agriculture is headed and what it will take to keep young people engaged.

Seth shares why he believes production agriculture still offers tremendous opportunities, why the barriers to entry may not be as high as many people think, and how technology, leadership, and relationships are shaping the future of farming. Along the way, we discuss Purdue's role in preparing students for careers in agriculture, the value of leadership experiences through FFA and FarmHouse Fraternity, and why authentic conversations matter more than scripted answers.

Whether you're a farmer, student, educator, or simply care about the future of rural America, this episode offers thoughtful perspectives on leadership, opportunity, and finding your place in agriculture.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why young people still want careers in production agriculture
• Breaking down the barriers to entering farming
• Purdue, leadership, and preparing the next generation
• The future of livestock, technology, and family farms
• Lessons from FFA, FarmHouse, and the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA)
• Why relationships remain agriculture's greatest asset

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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, pig survivability, and the future of animal agriculture.

Drawing on decades of experience in research, Extension, consulting, and commercial pork production, Dr. Thaler shares his perspective on improving sow productivity, reducing mortality, developing the next generation of animal scientists, and why Land-Grant universities remain critical to the future of agriculture. The discussion also explores workforce challenges, livestock economics, technology, and the practical realities of modern pork production.

Whether you're a swine producer, nutritionist, veterinarian, animal science student, or agribusiness professional, this episode offers practical insights into some of the biggest questions facing today's pork industry.

Topics include:
• Swine nutrition and sow productivity
• Sow mortality and pig survivability
• Land-Grant universities and Extension
• Graduate education and workforce development
• Technology, automation, and the future of pork production

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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 David Kohli.

Collectively, these three gentlemen bring well over 150 years of experience serving agriculture. From broadcasting and market reporting to grain merchandising, commodity brokerage, and risk management, they have helped generations of farmers navigate changing markets and economic conditions.

Their conversation explores today's agricultural economy, compares current conditions to the challenges of the 1980s farm crisis, and discusses what producers should be watching in the months ahead. Drawing on decades of experience, they share candid perspectives on farm profitability, grain markets, interest rates, and the resilience of American agriculture.

Whether you remember listening to farm radio on the tractor or are simply interested in where agriculture may be headed next, this discussion offers valuable insights from three men who have spent their careers helping farmers make sense of uncertainty.

Guests:
• Rob Winters – Agricultural Broadcaster
• Jon Cavanaugh – Grain Merchandiser and Marketing Advisor
• David Kohli – Commodity Broker, Marketing Advisor, and Risk Management Consultant

Recorded live at the Allen County Fair.