Produce Common Sense

The agriculture industry faces a critical need to unify and amplify its narrative.In this episode, we talk with Patrick Kelly, Founder and Host of The Produce Industry Podcast, Produce and Supply Chain Industry Expert, about how the Ag Industry Needs to Get Together and Share Their Story.By leveraging modern tools, particularly social media platforms, farmers, ranchers, and agricultural professionals can directly connect with consumers and the wider public. Gone are the days of relying solely on traditional media; now, AG can showcase its practices, innovations, and passion behind food production through authentic stories, compelling visuals, and interactive engagement. This direct approach allows for transparency, dispels misconceptions, and builds trust, ultimately shaping a more informed and appreciative public understanding of agriculture's vital role.

In this episode, we talk about how to maximize your Trade Show experience. We talk with Ross Nelson, Executive in the Produce & Supply Chain Industry, Business Leader and Produce Advocate.Trade shows can be a whirlwind of activity. In this episode, we'll share insider tips to help you navigate the trade show floor. From maximizing your booth space and capturing attendee attention to building meaningful connections and leaving a lasting impression, we'll cover the essentials to make the most of your time and resources. Whether you're exhibiting or simply attending, this episode will provide valuable insights to enhance your overall trade show experience.

In this episode, we discuss the differences and similarities between Reachers and Farmers. We talk with Jay Doan, a Rancher, and Agropreneur from North Dakota Black Leg Ranch.Farmers actively cultivate crops through labor-intensive practices like planting, weeding, and harvesting. Ranchers raise livestock, primarily cattle, on large tracts of land. While both contribute to the food supply, their methods differ significantly. Both share the common goal of providing sustenance, but their methods differ significantly.#BeNDLegendary #NorthDakota

In this episode, we discuss how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics are transforming the agricultural industry by helping farmers produce more food with less input, improve quality, and reduce costs. We talked with Maxence Guillaumot, a French engineer, AgTech specialist, and Farmer.

In this podcast episode, we delve into the world of soil Bio-Nutrients and uncover the secrets behind Redox Bio-Nutrients' remarkable success in empowering farmers and growers worldwide. Join us as we embark on a journey to Redox headquarters, where we engage in insightful conversations with their experts Darin Moon and John Kelly Redox founders, to unravel the significance of soil Bio-Nutrients in achieving sustainable agriculture.At the heart of Redox Soil Bio-Nutrients lies an unwavering commitment to revolutionizing soil health and fostering bountiful harvests. Their innovative solutions harness the power of soil Bio-Nutrients to transform barren lands into thriving ecosystems, teeming with life and yielding abundant, nutritious crops.Discover how Redox Soil Bio-Nutrients meticulously crafts their products to enhance the soil's physical, chemical, and biological properties, creating an environment where plants can flourish.

Fair Trade is a term for an arrangement designed to help producers in developing countries achieve sustainable and equitable trade relationships.The fair trade movement combines the payment of higher prices to exporters with improved social and environmental standards. The movement focuses in particular on commodities, or products that are typically exported from developing countries to developed countries but is also used in domestic markets.In this Episode I had a talk with Paul Manfred, consultant for the fresh produce industry from farm to table, about the United States, Mexico, and Canada fair trade, this agreement was implemented to supposedly benefit American farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses, however, is far from perfect, not always deliver the intended results and in some specific circumstances it can be unfair and not as equitable as it ought to be.

In this Episode we talk about how wokeness can improve produce, we had a talk with Paul Manfre, consultant for the fresh produce industry from farm to table. Buyer, sales, and shipper of fresh produce. 

A goal is an objective or target that someone is trying to reach or achieve. The goal is also the end point of a race or something a player is trying to put an object into as part of a game. A goal is an aim or objective you work toward with effort and determination.We all have many goals in life, I have many in my job, trying to teach people about agriculture, and also in my personal life.In this episode, I have a conversation with Matt Maxwell, the founder of Hearthstone, he is a professional coach, and helps organizations and individuals to clarify what they really want to go after and take decisive actions, and we talk about how to reach or achieve goals.

Apples are one of the most valuable fruit crops in the United States. The 2021 apple crop totaled just over 10.5 billion pounds, down 5 million pounds from 2019.   The United States has 5,000 plus apple producers who grow, on average, 240 million bushels of apples each year. These producers grow the apples on an approximated 322 thousand acres of land.  The utilized apple crop was just over 11 billion pounds.  (NASS 2021) 32 states in the United States raise apples commercially. The top ten apple producing states are Washington, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, California, Virginia, North Carolina, Oregon, Ohio and Idaho (U.S. Apple Association, 2021).  In this Episode we have a conversation with Kait Thornton a Washington Farm Girl, "The Apple Girl", about all the processes to produce apples from Growing , Planting , And Harvesting.

On October 19th Ann Coulter an American Conservative, media pundit, author, syndicated columnist, and lawyer made a statement on the Social Media platform Twitter.Ann Tweeted:“If farmers ran the world, we'd still be sweeping, instead of vacuuming, and washing our clothes in rivers, instead of washing machines.Why should Americans be forced to subsidize this one industry's refusal to move into the 1900s?”-Ann Coulter Well… definitely Farmers are not dumb, The development and adoption of new technologies and crop varieties is the primary reason why crop yields have increased manyfold over the past century.In this Episode  we  discuss about Framing Subsidies and how Farmers now use automated harvesters, drones, autonomous tractors, seeding, and weeding to transform how they cultivate their crops. The technology takes care of menial and recurring tasks, allowing them to focus on more critical functions. Farmers apply Information and data technologies to optimize complex farming systems.So, NO Ann Coulter! Farmers are not dumb and don't live In the 19th Century.

Growing up in a small town has its pros and cons, and all the experiences in a small community may seem insignificant during your childhood, but they can actually play a significant role in shaping how you see the world as an adult.In this episode I have a talk with Allan Draper, Business Startup Expert about how growing up in a small town can teach you so many important lessons that you will carry with you for the rest of your life.

Agricultural robots automate slow, repetitive, and dull tasks for farmers, allowing them to focus more on improving overall production yields. Some of the most common robots in agriculture are used for Harvesting, Picking, and Weed Control.In this episode, I had a talk with  Paul Mikesell CEO and Founder Of Carbon Robotics about Robotics in Agriculture and the Laserweeding Robot which is an innovative, reliable, and sustainable solution for farmers and has proven to be effective on more than a dozen crops. The Carbon Robotics™ LaserWeeder™ leverages robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and laser technology to safely and effectively identify, target, and eliminate weeds.

“USA is a nation of immigrants. We are the children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the ones who wanted a better life, the driven ones, the ones who woke up at night hearing that voice telling them that life in that place called America could be better.”The United States has the highest immigrant population in the world at 50.6 million (as of mid-2020), which equates to approximately 15.3% of the total U.S. population and 18% of international immigrants worldwide. The number of immigrants in the U.S. today is more than five times the 1960 total of 9.7 million.75 % of Americans across the political spectrum believe that immigration is good for the United States. And they're right. People emigrated to the United States in the past for the same reasons as today: to join their families, to work, and to seek safety and refuge from war, violence, and natural disasters.Being an immigrant in the United States in the past few years has been difficult, to say the least.Many immigrants live in fear, lack basic rights: We have the power to change the system.Across the nation, we see the consequences of inhumane immigration policies that leave families without protection, resources or access to care. But our vibrant immigrant community doesn't have to remain a vulnerable population.In this episode I had a conversation with James O'Neill, Michael Deheeger and Enrique Sanchez from American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) about how Immigrants make USA stronger, more diverse and more innovative and how Together, we will advance sensible immigration reforms that grows jobs, strengthens our economy, and benefits all American families.

Supply chain management is an essential part of business success. How well a company manages this process can directly translate into increased revenues. COVID Has disrupted supply chains around the world. But they've also been a vital lifeline to support the response, keeping essential supplies like food and other key necessities flowing where they're needed most. There's no doubt that the pandemic has tested the ingenuity, resilience and flexibility of supply chain globally.In this episode, we discuss  with Cait Gillespie what supply chain management involves, why it's so important, the Challenges and Disruptions, how the Increasing commodity prices are raising the cost of raw materials, the higher labor costs from suppliers and manufacturers, the complex international logistics, transfer and management of products.

 “AgTech” is an emerging economic sector that has the potential to completely reshape global agriculture, dramatically increasing the productivity of the agriculture system while reducing the environmental and social costs of current ag production practices.Agriculture Technology  is the use of technology in agriculture, horticulture, and aquaculture with the aim of improving yield, efficiency and profitability for farm managers and growers.In this eleventh Episode I had a talk with Creg Fielding Founder of Fusionware about the Importance of  data management technologies and predictive analytics into farming, and how the AgTech sector can make agriculture far more efficient and precise.

In this episode I will talk about how I ended up communicating and trying to teach about farming and agriculture all because of an onion tree, In this Episode you will know and understand a little more about me and my motivation, the purpose and the mission of why I do what I do as a Podcaster and Social Media Content Creator. 

In todays episode we speak with The Produce Nerd, Megan,  about why she found her way onto the farm.   Her background wasn't farming, but once she saw how the crops were harvested she couldn't help wanting to learn more, so much so that she started social media dedicated to the process.

How do you reach the next level in your career?Most of us want to grow our careers, in some capacity. Perhaps moving up the ladder means more financial freedom, or a different social standing, or even a more fulfilling and challenging role. Whatever the reason, we all want to expand our knowledge, learn something new, prove our worth and progress our careers. But with strong competition for jobs in the construction and infrastructure sectors, you can't just rely on people spotting your talent. To grow in your career, you need to have a plan and follow it. But…how do you get started?  In this ninth episode of the Podcast I had a talk with Javier Echeverria  about how to develop your career.These tips work in all industries, so regardless of whether you're a Farmer, Architect or Engineer looking to develop your project management abilities, or a skilled trade. Here we talk about the steps you should consider. Work EthicWillingness to speak upBe BilengualBe willing to try new thingsUnderstanding company processes start to finishTeamwork and working with different peopleFind  a MentorPositive criticismLearn the businessDo what you enjoy

The amount of moisture available at the different growth stages can affect how well the plants grow, their resistance to disease, and the yield of the crop. So farmers need to manage when they irrigate just as much as when they harvest!In areas that have irregular precipitation, irrigation improves crop growth and quality. By allowing farmers to grow crops on a consistent schedule, irrigation also creates more reliable food supplies. Ancient civilizations in many parts of the world practiced irrigation.Crops are irrigated by several methods: flooding an entire field, channeling water between rows of plants, spraying water through large sprinklers, or letting water drop onto plants through holes in pipes.In this Episode I have a talk with Darren Siekman from Valley Irrigation about Irrigation Technology, the efforts to save water and how to improve the use of water in agriculture.

The amount of moisture available at the different growth stages can affect how well the plants grow, their resistance to disease, and the yield of the crop. So farmers need to manage when they irrigate just as much as when they harvest!In areas that have irregular precipitation, irrigation improves crop growth and quality. By allowing farmers to grow crops on a consistent schedule, irrigation also creates more reliable food supplies. Ancient civilizations in many parts of the world practiced irrigation.Crops are irrigated by several methods: flooding an entire field, channeling water between rows of plants, spraying water through large sprinklers, or letting water drop onto plants through holes in pipes.In this Episode I have a talk with Darren Siekman from Valley Irrigation about Irrigation Technology, the efforts to save water and how to improve the use of water in agriculture.

Not all farmers will disappear within 10 years, but as we've seen over the past couple of generations, their role will diminish.  At one time, most Americans were farmers. Now, there are only 2 million across the country. ... In this seventh episode of the Podcast I had a talk with Paul Manfre General MGR at TOP KATZ LLC about how Agriculture, an essential industry and the backbone of our society, is undergoing immense global stress. Pressing issues such as climate change, depleted resources, politics, shortage of workers  –  to name a few – are negatively impacting the industry as we know it. And while not all parts of the world will feel the effects to the same magnitude, the world's overall food security is in jeopardy.  As a result, agriculture demands both study and action to successfully combat the full effects of all this issues.#Farming #Farmers #Produce #Farm #Agriculture

Farmer demonization has become an acceptable pastime, but much of the criticism comes from a place of ignorance about the reality of life on the land.In this sixth episode of the Podcast I had a talk with Derrick Josi about how farmer face their own peculiar challenges and most are occasionally demonized by the public opinion.Other than the action of farming itself, farmers like nothing more than to talk about their work; they would just like to be engaged in the conversation before they are demonized.

America is a nation of immigrants, nearly one of every four Americans —70 million people — is ​an immigrant or the child of parents who came from another country.  Some fled war, persecution, or environmental disaster; others pursued the American ideal of opportunity for all.In this fifth episode of the Podcast I had a talk with BJ Grewal, Owner of Produce Purchasing & Produce Sales at Chicago Basil, about how the Immigrant experience defines the American experience and how he ended up being so successful in the produce world.

Growing crops of any type is no easy feat; the number of challenges farmers encounter can seem overwhelming to newcomers and outsiders and can change on a yearly basis or even more often. Hemp growers face a lot of challenges, too, some of which are unique to hemp. In this fourth episode of the Podcast I had a talk with Scot Schwab, from Mett Naturals  about the challenges specific to growing the crop. These challenges largely focus on hemp for cannabinoid or essential oil production, though some apply to grain and fiber production. 

Every year more Non-GMO products are being created, but there's something really tricky and important you need to know about these products.What exactly does the “Non - GMO” label mean? And the difference with Organic Produce.In this third episode of the Podcast I had a talk with Karalynne Call, Just Ingredients CEO, about the difference between Organic Produce & Non - GMO Labels.

Desert farming is the practice of developing agriculture in deserts. As agriculture depends upon irrigation and water supply, farming in arid regions where water is scarce is a challenge. However, desert farming has been practiced by humans for thousands of years. In this second episode of the Podcast I had a talk with Derek Azevedo, Vice President and COO from Bowles Farming about the challenges of farming In the Desert.

In this first episode we welcome you to our new Podcast, Produce Common Sense, and we will get to know a little more in depth some of the key family members who collaborate in Owyhee Produce, we will have guests from different generations who work in the business and help make things possible.