Young Farmer Podcast

Michael Howlett - From vegetables to grain

Michael Howlett has led Howlett Farm's transformation from a commercial vegetable operation to a vertically integrated grain operation focused on growing markets for Northeast crop growers.

Dairy farmer Jess Peters, social media success

If you don't know Jess Peters yet, you will someday. She is a dairy farmer in northwest Pennsylvania, but she's also made her mark as a sort-of social media star for agriculture. It's her outlet to tell not only her farm's story, but to also tell agriculture’s story to the world.

 

Links:

Facebook: Spruce Row Farm

Twitter, Instagram, TikTok: SeeJessFarm

 

https://www.farmprogress.com/management/got-deans-letter-heres-what-do

 

William Thiele, dairy farmer

Description: Dairy farmer William Thiele is partnering with Slippery Rock University on its Farmer Friday series, Zooming himself on the farm to hospitality students in the university.

Links:

Thiele Dairy Farm 

American Agriculturist

Penn State Extension entomologist Heather Leach

Michigan native Heather Leach is on the frontlines of battling spotted lanternfly. She is an Extension entomologist with Penn State Extension working exclusively on this dangerous pest.

Keeping farming alive on Long Island

William Lee is the third generation farmer at Sang Lee Farms in Peconic, N.Y. At 35, he is in partnership with his father, Fred, and markets 100 crops from his 100 acres through direct-to-retail sales and a CSA. The farm’s environmental practices earned it the 2020 AEM Award in New York state, in partnership with the Leopold Conservation Award.

More information:

• Sang Lee Farms
• AEM Award
• Leopold Conservation Award

Gareth Yoder and Joy Beam - Local beef

After striking out on creating a Fitbit for beef cattle, Gareth Yoder and Joy Beam decided local beef was their sweet spot. And with COVID-19 creating a new renaissance for locally grown foods, they've found an eager audience for their locally grown beef. They are the owners of Cedar Meadow Meats in Chester County, Pa.  

• Cedar Meadow Meats on Facebook

Bob DiCarlo and John Knopf of Fa-Ba Dairy Farm

Bob DiCarlo and John Knopf of Fa-Ba Dairy Farm in Canandaigua, N.Y., talk about their farm's transition plan and how their partnership has evolved over the years. They offer some advice to farm owners who are planning to transition their operation and business to a nonfamily member.

Checking in with Bryan Harnish and Karl Shlagel

Labor Day is right around the corner, so we're taking stock of the 2020 growing season here in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. We're revisiting with past guests Bryan Harnish and Karl Shlagel. Harnish farms 600 acres in Pequea, Pa., while Shlagel is co-owner of Shlagel Farms in Waldorf, Md.

Here are links to the past episodes featuring Harnish and Shlagel:

Direct marketing during COVID-19

Bryan Harnish: First season with hemp

 

 

Brandon and Ashley Bonk - Outstanding Young Farmers

Where there's an opportunity to grow and improve the business, Brandon and Ashley Bonk are there. This young farming couple from Magnolia, Del, started with nothing in 2007 and have grown the business to 5,500 acres, always with the goal of being efficient and profitable.

Earlier this year, Brandon and Ashley were named Outstanding Young Farmers by the Outstanding Farmers of America Organization.

For more information on the award, go to https://www.ofafraternity.org/.

Diverse group leads NY FFA

They each have different goals and come from completely different areas of New York state, but the six new members of the New York State FFA State Officer Team are ready to promote ag education in the Empire State.