What if the future of farming didn’t stretch across miles of rural land—but up your living room wall? In this episode, Peter sits down with Conner Tidd, co-founder of Just Vertical, to talk about how he and his team are reimagining agriculture with vertical farming technology. From leafy greens to cherry tomatoes, they're helping farmers, nonprofits, and everyday consumers grow fresh, sustainable food year-round—whether they live in Iowa or the Arctic.

Conner shares the journey of building a startup from a grad school research project to thousands of home gardens and commercial farms. They dive into the challenges of manufacturing, the power demands of controlled environment ag, the wild west of tariffs, and how Just Vertical’s work is feeding both bellies and hope—from food banks in Canada to refugee kitchens in Moldova. This episode is packed with real talk, startup hustle, and ideas that might just change the way you think about where your food comes from.

Hear the full show: https://iowapodcast.com/conner-tidd-urban-farming-innovation

In the high-stakes world of modern agriculture, farmers face a relentless barrage of risks, from volatile markets and unpredictable weather to the ever-increasing costs of equipment and insurance. How can family farms, often operating on razor-thin margins, protect themselves against these uncertainties? This week, we dive deep into a powerful, yet often overlooked, tool that could improve how farmers manage risk and build financial stability.

Join us as we sit down with Van Carlson, CEO and founder of SRA 831B Administration, to demystify the 831B tax code. Discover how this provision, originally designed to support farmers, allows agricultural businesses to create their own self-insurance plans, using pre-tax dollars to fund potential losses. From crop insurance gaps to equipment depreciation and even health coverage, Van breaks down the complexities of 831B, revealing how it can empower farmers to take control of their financial destinies and navigate the challenging landscape of today's agricultural economy

Hear the full show: https://iowapodcast.com/van-carlson-family-farm-financial-strategies

Managing farmland has never been more complex—or more data-driven. In this episode of the Iowa Ag Podcast, Peter Jaques sits down with Ron Dunker of Oaken.ag to discuss how technology is revolutionizing farm management. With a background in business development and a passion for connecting with people, Ron explains how Oaken.ag is helping farmers track leases, streamline operations, and improve efficiency through an intuitive, cloud-based CRM. Whether you're managing thousands of acres or just starting out, this episode dives into why having a single source of truth for farm operations is a game-changer.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by spreadsheets, scattered documents, or the daily juggle of farm relationships, this conversation is for you. Ron and Peter explore how Oaken.ag integrates financial tracking, lease management, and relationship-building tools into one seamless platform—without replacing the personal touch that makes agriculture thrive. Tune in to hear how farmers are cutting down administrative work by 40-50% while future-proofing their operations for generations to come.

Hear the full show: https://iowapodcast.com/ron-dunker-farm-management-software