Field Notes by AgChoice

Big things are on the horizon for Farm Credit. Effective July 1, AgChoice will merge with MidAtlantic Farm Credit to form Horizon Farm Credit. Together, we'll be lending support to agriculture and our local communities across Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. With the merger upon us, we're taking a summer break from our podcast, so this will be the final episode for a few months. For all of the podcast lovers out there - don't worry! We'll let you know when we start podcasting again so you can tune into the great content and interviews you've come to enjoy. It seems only fitting to have Darrell Curtis, AgChoice Farm Credit's president and CEO,  join us for a final episode. He was our first podcast interview back in March 2020 and here we are 120 episodes later. 

Jumpstart grant spotlight: This episode highlights Esperanzo Wilcox, or Espo. This past year, Espo began the PA Mushroom Company, an organic mushroom farm, specializing in cultivation of edible and medicinal mushrooms and mushroom grow kits. He is also a 2021 recipient of the AgChoice Farm Credit jumpstart grant which awarded 15 startup farmers with a $10,000 grant this past fall. Tune in for an inside scoop on mushroom production and tips for start up farmers!

Jumpstart grant spotlight: This episode features Jonathan and Winter Weaver. The Weavers operate Wheat and Sparrow, LLC, a 17-acre farm in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania. They are 2021 recipients of the AgChoice Farm Credit jumpstart grant which awarded 15 startup farmers with a $10,000 grant this past fall. Listen in to hear how their operation has benefitted from this grant opportunity. 

Jumpstart Grant spotlight: This episode features Rachel Wagoner who is the owner of Tall Pines Farms in western Pennsylvania. Rachel and her husband raise grass-fed pasture-raised beef and lamb along with breeding stock, and hay. Listen in to hear more about what it takes to raise and finish beef and lamb on grass and some of the management practices they utilize on their farm.

Jumpstart grant spotlight: This week's podcast highlights Matthew Hansen who is a beginning farmer and began growing  vegetable crops in western Pennsylvania. Matthew markets his products through a CSA and serves his local community through providing fresh produce to those in need. He is also a recent recipient of the AgChoice Farm Credit jumpstart grant which has helped to fund the startup of his operation.

Chris Herr, executive director of PennAg Industries, joins us to discuss Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. In recent weeks HPAI has had a tremendous disruption on the poultry industry in Pennsylvania and across the United States. Chris will help us learn more about HPAI, the current status in the state and next steps all of us can take to help prevent the spread of the disease.

Tiffany Kline is carrying on her family's farming legacy with her husband, Mack. This week's Field Notes is another feature from the AgBiz Cast podcast. 

Grant Winner Spotlight: Joel and Emily Kuhns will run Odyssey Orchard, a veteran-owned business. Odyssey Orchard focuses on producing high quality sharp and bitter-sharp apples for the fine and craft cider markets. 

Jumpstart grant spotlight: Mackenzie Strawser and her husband Eli own and operate Top Line Meats, LLC.  They started the business in late 2020 and raised shape for breeding and meat purposes. 

This week's podcast is a recap of the recent AgChoice Dairy Industry Outlook webinar. AgChoice ag business consultants Mike Hosterman and Heather Weeks share highlights from the report including a 2022 Pennsylvania milk price outlook and areas of focus for dairy producers.  

In this podcast episode with talk with Jim Hoge about the PA Agriculture Mentor Program. The program has five mentors with extensive agricultural backgrounds to assist beginning farmers, agribusiness entrepreneurs and others in troubleshooting new strategies and ideas for their farm businesses. 

Jumpstart grant spotlight: Devin Winklosky started Teufel Hunden Hops Company, a hop farm in western Pennsylvania. His two-acre hopyard includes seven varieties of hops. 

Mini grants for big dreams. Apply for a $2,500 grant for youth, ages 16 to 21, who began a farming business in the last two years or plan to start one in the next two years.

Jumpstart grant spotlight: Jesse and Lisa Vivian operate Lane's End Farm Creamery. The microdairy and creamery opened in February 2020 with one milking cow. Today, the Vivians milk seven cows and sell over 150 gallons of milk each week to the local community. 

In a three part series we are highlight farm transition planning. Jody Anderson Leighty joins us for the final episode. As you are planning your farm transition, there are a long list of things to consider. Jody covers legal considerations.Thinking about farm transitioning? Check out PA Farm Link and their resources.

In a three part series we are highlight farm transition planning. Returning, Marlin Hartzler joins us for the second episode. His farming story started with a farm transition. Listen as Marlin shares his reflections of  a farm transition.

In a three part series we are highlight farm transition planning. John Black joins us for the first episode. He shares tips to guide families through a farm transition. 

This week's episode is a rerun of AgBiz Cast podcast, which shares inspiring stories of young, beginning and small farmers. We feature Arvin Horst, a poultry and crop farmer in Adams County, Pennsylvania. 

AgChoice recently announced a new Growing Your Career Scholarship for students this year, and Jenn Hilliard will share more about this opportunity.Apply today: http://ow.ly/QyXP50HJfzC

Welcome to our 100th Field Notes by AgChoice podcast! Our special guest is Dr. David Kohl.  Dr. Kohl has keen insight into the agriculture industry gained through extensive travel, research and involvement in ag businesses. During this podcast, he will share his perspectives on what's ahead for agriculture. 

Mandy Rhodes, an appraiser with AgChoice Farm Credit, shares about the process it takes to become an appraiser and her perspectives on the importance of an appraisal in the loan process. Mandy has held a number of positions during her tenure at AgChoice and recently passed her state certification exam to be a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser. 

Eliza Walton sits down with us this week to tell her story of growing up on a farm to eventually operating her own business in Centre County, Pennsylvania. She reflects on the challenges of finding farmland for young and beginning farmers while offering her advice for those looking to get started with their own businesses. 

Joining us this week is Kyle Kopko, director of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. We'll learn more from Kyle about the Center for Rural Pennsylvania and its resources. The Center serves as a resource for rural policy within the Pennsylvania General Assembly. 

AgChoice Loan Officer Kara McClure joins us for this episode. She discusses why balance sheets are important to loan officers and how to complete a year-end balance sheet. Need help getting started, check out our building a balance sheet guide: https://bit.ly/3zdDxWE

In this week's episode we talk with Leighton Rice who is part of R&L Orchards and Rice Fruit Company in Adams County, PA.  Leighton is also a semifinalist in the 2022 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge for his StemPunk invention.

Tis the season! We are gearing up for the holiday season by talking with Larry and Ashley Latta of Tuckaway Tree Farm. Listen to hear the couple's journey of buying a Christmas tree farm and their lessons learned. 

In this week's episode we sit down with Matt Gabler, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association. Gabler shares the importance of the forest products industry as well as updates and what issues are currently facing the industry. 

In this week's podcast episode, we talk with Brian Smyser from  Smysers Richlawn Farm about how to grow a diversified business. Brian shares his experiences with operating a roadside stand, hosting weekend fall festivals, selling freezer beef and more!

Daniel Hartzell joins us this week to share stories of his family's dairy farm. Daniel reflects on the rewarding feeling of farming as a career and focusing on what you can control in a business. Listen to hear more about his "growing" business!

In this interview, we speak with Sarah Meyers, AgChoice Accounting Officer, to discuss the importance of tax planning and how to make the process easier. Sarah shares her advice on what farmers can do to prepare for tax season as we approach the end of 2021.

In this week's podcast episode, we meet with Winifred McGee from the University of Scranton's Small Business Development Center. Winifred tells us about SBDCs and how they help entrepreneurs get their businesses started. Listen to learn how farmers benefit from the program. 

In this week's podcast episode, Executive AgChoice Loan Officer Jeff Moser breaks down leases, telling us how they work and when to use them instead of a loan. Listen to learn about the different kinds of leases and hear Jeff's advice. 

In this week's podcast episode, we talk with AgChoice Customer Service Specialist Emily Helman to learn about unsolicited mail following a closed or refinanced loan. Emily shares her advice on determining the legitimacy of a piece of mail and how to opt out of the solicitations. 

In this week's podcast episode we talk with Thad Taylor, Director of Agribusiness Lending and Forest Products Specialist with AgChoice Farm Credit, to learn about this year's Forest Products Industry Outlook. Listen to hear some of the highlights from the outlook and Thad's perspective. 

For this week's episode, we feature Marlin Hartzler, pig and crop farmer, to share the story behind his operation with our listeners. Marlin tells us about the importance of making wise investment decisions, striving for growth, and finding mentors. This episode includes an interview from the AgBiz Cast, a podcast created by AgBiz Masters. 

In this week's episode, we talk with Leslie Hoover, AgChoice Assistant Accounting Services Manager. Leslie offers her advice on how farmers should approach budgeting and how to budget for success. Listen to learn why budgeting is so important and how your own farm can benefit from it. 

In today's episode, we sit down with Heather Weeks, AgChoice Loan Officer, to discuss her experiences with the Farmer-to-Farmer Program through USAID. Heather tells us her story of how she got involved, why she loves the volunteer program, and what she has learned over the years. 

In this week's episode, we talk with Jana Davidson, Content Education Specialist with the Progressive Ag Foundation. Davidson reminds our listeners of some safety tips as we gear up for harvesting season, and also talks about stress management during the busy time. 

In this week's podcast episode, AgChoice Crop Insurance Specialist Joel Alsdorf busts common crop insurance myths. Listen to learn how crop insurance can help you survive a disaster and return your business to profitability, improve your cash flow in a down year and manage your risk.

In this week's podcast episode, we meet AgBiz Masters graduate and dairy farmer William Thiele. William shares the history behind his farming operation, challenges he has faced along the way, and advice for other young farmers just like him. 

In this week's podcast episode, AgChoice Business Consultant Mike Hosterman tells us the importance of benchmarking and how to do it. Listen to learn why farming operations should care about how they compare to their peers and what to look for in benchmarking. 

For this week's podcast episode, Krista Pontius, agricultural teacher at Greenwood High School in Millerstown, Pennsylvania, sits down with us to share her favorite parts about teaching for Back to School Month. Krista tells us her perspective on how ag education might look in the future and how the community can offer support to the classroom. 

In this week's podcast episode, we chat with Dr. Laura Bryan, EAP Director of the McLaughlin Young Group, about building better mental health. Dr. Bryan offers advice on dealing with negative thoughts and strategies for improving mental health. We also discuss AgChoice's Member Assistance Program, a supportive resource for customers to using during challenging times. 

In this week's episode, we talk down payments with AgChoice's Katie Epstein, Assistant Regional Manager of the Chambersburg and York offices. Katie explains what a down payment is and what future buyers should know about them in order to be successful borrowers. 

In honor of our 75th podcast episode, we interviewed AgChoice CEO Darrell Curtis to discuss the company's milestones so far in 2021 and what to look forward to for the remainder of the year. Listen to hear how you can be entered to win a pair of Apple Airpods in this special edition! 

In this week's podcast episode, we talk with AgChoice Accounting Officer Kenny Nearhoof on the importance of recordkeeping in farm operations. Listen to hear how and why you should keep record of payroll and taxes, as well as Kenny's advice for accounting success. 

In this episode, we talk with Jim Brown, Assistant Manager of the Penn State Berkey Creamery about the creamery's history and how it has changed over the years. Listen to learn more about the milk and ice cream business and hear our guest's favorite ice cream flavor for this National Ice Cream Month. 

In this week's episode, Todd Shaak, AgChoice IT Specialist, discusses how individuals can stay safe online. Todd shares his most important cyber security tips for avoiding ransomware, creating a strong password, and using smartphones securely. Listen to the podcast to learn how you can protect yourself and your digital devices. 

This week we chat with two members of this year's Pennsylvania Dairy Royalty Team, Gabrielle Swavely, PA Dairy Princess and Katerina Coffman, PA Alternate Dairy Princess. They shared how the program promoted dairy during the pandemic, their greatest takeaways so far from their year and what excites them the most about the future of agriculture.

In this week's episode, we hear from AgChoice Support Analyst Rosie Zaginaylo about her own experience in dairy farming. Listen to find out how Rosie incorporates sustainability into her family's dairy operation in this June dairy month.