Setting Roots with Ian Bennett

Chinmay Soman is the co-founder and CEO of EarthSense, Inc.  The company's first robot, TerraSentia, is a small agricultural robot that uses machine learning to convert field data into specific, actionable information for crop breeders, plant protection product developers, crop scientists and field agronomists.  

Farm.One is a vertical farm with the vision to grow rare, interesting, and unusual produce for chefs. Robert Laing, the CEO and Founder, joined the podcast with Michael Chin, the VP of Corporate Development, on this episode. We discussed their operation and the finer details of vertical farming.

Hannah Borg is a 6th generation farmer from Northeast Nebraska where she works with her family to grow a variety of crops while raising cattle and chickens. 

Emily Matzke is the Communications Specialist for the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.  

Ethan Harkins is an 8th generation farmer for Northeast Georgia.

Jim Goodman ran Northwood Farm, an organic dairy in Wonewoc, Wisconsin for 40 years. Currently, he serves as a board member of Midwest Environmental Advocates, the Family Farm Defenders and is the President of the National Family Farm Coalition.

Sat down remotely to talk with Willie Sizemore to talk about his experiences in lock down, woodworking and much more.

Rodolfo "Rudy" Muro-Felix is the UGA Cattlemen's Association President. He has worked around livestock for most of his life, and will graduate with a degree in Animal and Dairy Science at the University of Georgia.

As part of class project, my teammates and I were tasked with creating a media presentation about veganism. We decided to sit down with a former vegan and listen to what they had to say.  In this episode, we talk about her reasons for veganism, the challenges of the lifestyle change, and why she decided to return to eating meat. Enjoy! Make sure to like, subscribe and tell all your friends.

Since 1974, The Great Southland Stampede Rodeo has been operated entirely by UGA Block & Bridle members with a mission of providing a quality rodeo experience according to the National Cowboy Professional Rodeo Association guidelines while developing skills that will allow them to advance both personally and professionally. In this episode, we sit down with the Rodeo chair, student committee members, rodeo judges, competitors and even the rodeo clown himself. Enjoy!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gssrodeo/ Website: https://www.gssrodeo.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ugagssr/ Make sure to Like, Subscribe and tell all your friends. 

From Ellijay, Georgia, Sadie Lackey is Agricultural Communication student at the University of Georgia. She spent 6 months in DC working for Congressman Austin Scott and interning with the Animal Agriculture Alliance, in which attended several vegan conferences. With her experience in strategic communications, she has been a part of both sides of the discussion surrounding animal agriculture. While at the University of Georgia, she works in communications to share the story of the college of agriculture as well as help rebrand the college’s Research and Education Centers.

Finally got settled into my new apartment in Athens and got to sit down with some of my new roommates and their friend Kevin. We didn't really have much of a plan when we sat down for this episode so we just talked about school and the plans for afterwards. We covered everything from online marketing to Crimson Hexagon, criminal law, and investment banking. Get ready for a blast of an episode. 

It's a wrap! I finished the 4th day of convention and am no loner a National FFA Officer. In this episode i summarize the last day and try to put some closer to the best year of my life. Enjoy.  Make sure to Like, Subscribe and Tell all your friends. 

Wow today was a good day. We went through 4 sessions today which was a crazy amount of work and effort on behalf of the stage crew, and everyone else involved. Props to all those people for making us look so good. Definitely starting to feel the effects of the lack of sleep and the wear-n-tear of putting on a convention for 70,000ish people. Alas, the show must go on and tomorrow will be the biggest day yet. Enjoy.    Make sure to Like, Subscribe and Tell all your friends. 

Day 2 is in the books! Another crazy 18 hour day. We started early 6am and got started with our third and final opening session. It went great. We had the process down and delivered quality content. Then we moved into session two and three. In session three, I delivered my retiring address which I discuss in detail. Please enjoy. I'm headed off to bed.  Make sure to Like, Subscribe and tell all your friends. 

Day 1 is a wrap! What a crazy way to kick off the convention. Everyday this week, I'll be doing a recap of the day from my perspective. Today, we did some final rehearsal, I led a #SpeakAg Dialogue, and a whole lot more. Enjoy!    Make sure to Like, Subscribe and tell all your friends. 

Rob Rozar and Kyle King are seniors pursing a degree in Natural Resource Management from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. I've known these two for years and had the chance to sit down with them again as I passed through town. In this brief episode, we talk about wildlife, natural resource management, quail, forestry, and how to improve the environment to make it more wildife friendly.    Make sure to Subscribe, Like, and tell all your friends. 

Breanna Holbert is the National President of the Future Farmers of America. 

I met Desiree at the 2017 National FFA Convention and Expo where she served as a member of the committee which selects the National FFA Officer team. She had the unique opportunity to sit in on over 10 interviews with each of the officers selected. After the convention we kept in touch, and had the chance to catch up the other day when I was in Springfield Missouri where she attends college. On this episode we talk in detail about the National Officer Selection process and the recent revision that went into effect last year. Enjoy.  Please make sure to Subscribe, Like and tell all your friends. 

Coty Back is the team leader and coach of the National FFA Officer team. We catch up on a retreat down to the Black Mountains of North Carolina. On this episode we discuss leadership from ourselves and others, genetic advancements, water rights, our times on the road, and how we continue to learn, grow and develop. Enjoy.    Make sure to Subscribe, Like, and tell all your friends. 

Blake Allen is the owner and operator of "Snopacalyse" a rapidly expanding New Orleans style Snoball Shop, a college student and my high school best friend. We catch up on old times, and talk business at his newest location. 

Sonny Perdue is the Secretary of Agriculture for the United States of America. We discuss his beginnings in business and why he decided to become a public servant. 

Shane Jacques is an education specialist for the National FFA organization focusing on State Officer Programs. We talk leadership development, facilitation, instructional design, and international travel.    Make sure to Like, Subscribe and tell all you friends. 

Luke Love is the Tennessee FFA President. A fellow Eagle Scout and FFA member, Luke and I quickly bonded over a love of the outdoors. Listen in as we talk about our time in Scouts, the joys of summer camp, and why the environment around us is so important.    Make sure to Like, Subscribe and tell all your friends

Ben Bennett is my brother, and a third year Agricultural Education Teacher. On this episode we discuss hiking trails, stories from college, and what it take to be a good teacher.  Make sure to Like, Subcribe, and tell all you friends. 

Sam Johnson is a past state FFA officer, first generation farmer, and a student at the Kentucky Welding Institute. Garrett Maddox is a journeyman welder, and instructor at the Kentucky Welding Institute. 

I met Ridge several years ago as a National Officer Candidate in Indianapolis during the national FFA convention. Since then, Ridge as served a second term as an Oklahoma State Officer, and it was a blast to get to catch up with him again. Ridge plans on becoming a lawyer and moving back to his home area to serve the people he grew up with. From Alva, Oklahoma Ridge comes from a wheat, soybeans, and cattle operation. Farming in Oklahoma is very different from what I am used to, especially when it comes to wheat. It was fascinating to hear about the challenges they face, and what they are doing to work around those.We start the episode off with an in depth discussion on summer camps, and why they are such a magical place. Pretty quickly we get on the topic of farming, and then slowly move back into talks about leadership and motivation. Enjoy.

Jordan Popp & Grady Johnson are both State FFA officers in Nebraska. Coming production agriculture backgrounds in the corn belt of america, these two literally work to feed the world.

David Townsend was the 2016-2017 National FFA President. He is currently a junior at the University of Delaware studying plant science.

Mark Poeschl is the CEO of the National FFA Organization. He works with teachers, industry representatives, and staff to improve the educational opportunities for it's members while maintaining the organization's status as a leader in 21st century agriculture.

Andy Paul served as the 2014-2015 National FFA President. From Lexington, Georgia he grew up in a small town of 222 people. Andy was recently hired to be the leadership program specialist for the Georgia FFA association.

Dr. William Vencill has been at the University of Georgia in the Crop and Soil Sciences Department as a weed scientist since 1989. At the University of Georgia, Dr. Vencill has conducted research in the areas of herbicide physiology and persistence in soil and water. Dr. Vencill has authored or co-authored 61 refereed journal articles, 150 conference papers or abstracts, and 25 technical research reports and related publications. He was the editor of the eighth edition of the Herbicide Handbook published in 2002, and he is the editor of the journal of Weed Science.

Coty Back is the team leader over National Officer management at the National FFA Convention. Growing up in the foothills of the Appalachians, Coty became interested in leadership early in life as an FFA member himself. He served as a National FFA officer, and worked in the agriculture industry for several years before returning to agricultural education. Today, we talked about his personal leadership philosophy, how to learn how to lead, and dive deep into leadership from several different angles. Enjoy.

Grab your pens and pencils! Blaze Currie is a Team Leader for the Leadership Development Team at the National FFA Organization. On this episode we talk about his long and meandering path from a small town in Texas to where he is today. He has started non-profits, been a special contractor for the US Military, and has some of the best ideas about what the future of agriculture and education will look like. Enjoy. 

Got to sit down with Bob Crain and AGCO this morning to talk about their company. They are leading the way in efficiency and adding new technology to their workforce all the time. They recently pioneered efforts to use Google Glasses in their Minnesota operation and use a variety of other tech to help increase quality and production.

Finally got the National FFA President! Breanna Holbert is the national President for the Future Farmers of America. From Lodi California, Bre has been traveling the country meeting with FFA members, and working with the National FFA Foundation to help raise support for the FFA's programs. Bre and I talk about her travels, the difficulties on the road, the little moments that make it worthwhile and everything in between. Make sure to Subscribe, Like, and Tell all your friends!

This is the best one yet! Dr. Marshall Bennett has been a practicing Veterinarian for over 25 years in the small town of Adel, Georgia. In addition to being my dad, Dr. Bennett has been an active member of his community and was able to grow his small practice through tough times in rural america. We talk about his beginnings in the business, the challenges he faced, the hard decisions he has made and what the future of Small town USA looks like. Make sure to Subscribe, Like and tell all your friends.

Bryce is back! On this episode we recap our recent travels to Houston and Phoenix, discuss the the development of our workshops and speech, and talk about latest trends on twitter. Make sure to Subscribe, Share and tell all your friends!

On this episode, Erica and I talked about corn, how to write a good speech and the challenges of modern farming. Tune into a wrap-up on FFA Week and another great episode. Make sure to Subscribe, Like and tell all your friends!

Tune into the latest episode to hear about the great work our FFA chapters do in their local communities, the 5th Paragraph of the FFA Creed, and what it means to be an American. Make sure to Subscribe, Like and tell all your friends!

Colorado is such a great state. Each day here just keeps getting better. On this episode I talk about my recent trip to some local FFA chapters in the Denver Area, the 4th Paragraph of the FFA Creed and how we can make a difference in the world around us. Make sure to Subscribe, Like and tell all your friends!

Tune into day Three of National FFA Week! This episode covers what it means to be a leader, my opinion on working hard, and where the future of agriculture is headed. Make sure to Subscribe, like and tell all your friends!

A great first day of FFA Week! Listen for a recap Day One, my thoughts about the second paragraph of the FFA Creed, and a look into the joys and discomforts of agricultural life. Make sure to Subscribe, Like and tell all your friends!

Each day of National FFA Week, I'll be tackling a paragraph of the FFA creed. I'll be explaining the meaning of each one and how that can relate to each on of us. Enjoy! Make sure to Subscribe, Like, and tell all your friends about Setting Roots!

Riley has one of the coolest jobs for the national FFA organization. As the director of government and nonprofit relations, Riley works daily in our national’s capitol to strength our connections with countless agencies. Advocacy is a major part of this episode and Riley has one of the best messages about how and why we should advocate for everything we believe in. We talk about common misconceptions in agriculture and the struggles of working to improve public perception.

Gracie Furnish is the National Eastern Region Vice-President for the National FFA Organization. Today we talk about our recent visit to her home state of Kentucky. In this episode, we talked about emerging industries in agriculture, why we chose to serve, and why the future is looking bright for everyone. This one is a blast!

Piper Merritt is the Central Region Vice-President for the National FFA Organization. From Owasso, Oklahoma she raised and show swine through her local FFA chapter. Piper studies Agricultural Economics at Oklahoma State University. Today, we talk about our recent trip to Japan.

Bryce Cluff is the Western Region Vice President of the National FFA Organization. From Queen Creek Arizona, Bryce is the first National Officer from his home chapter. Bryce studies Agricultural Education at Arizona State University. On this Episode we talk about National Office, leadership training, and an update on the year.