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In this solo episode of Patio Ponderings Podcast, host Jim Smith, Ph.D.—farmer, swine nutritionist, and ag communicator—reflects on the evolving face of modern agriculture.

Over the past few weeks, Jim watched hay and wheat straw harvests unfold across northeast Indiana. What once was a one-person job has become a fast-moving operation involving truckers, baler operators, skid loaders, and field managers working together like a choreographed crew.

This episode dives into:
• The shift from traditional farming to modern, team-based ag operations
• The importance of farm labor crews in hay and straw harvest
• How trust, timing, and communication drive agricultural success
• What agriculture teaches us about leadership, logistics, and community

Whether you're a farmer, agribusiness professional, or just someone curious about the people behind your food, this reflection offers insight into the teamwork and trust required to make modern farms run smoothly.

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• Her ag roots and how a childhood moment in a grain truck shaped her early view of the industry
• Lessons learned from her dad, Chip Flory, without walking in his shadow or relying on his influence
• Building a career in ag sales as a woman, mother, and high achiever
• An unexpected shift into residential construction and what ultimately pulled her back to agriculture
• The weight of replant decisions, succession planning, and helping growers carry emotional loads
• Why Crop Tour matters, even when the data stings
• And how a grain cart mishap led to the infamous “Emily Clause” in the Grain Cart Safety Protocol on Chris Barron’s farm

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What do show pigs and school bands have in common? According to Colby Stackhouse, a whole lot more than you'd expect.

In this episode of Patio Pondering, I talk with Colby—band director at Leo Junior/Senior High School—about his unlikely journey from barn boots to baton. Raised on a working farm and seasoned through years in 4-H livestock programs, Colby learned early how responsibility, structure, and resilience shape success. Today, those same lessons anchor his approach as a music educator and mentor to dozens of students navigating high school life.

We explore the parallels between agriculture and the arts, the daily challenges of running a band program, and why community support and strong leadership matter just as much in the band room as they do in the show ring.

Whether you’re an educator, a 4-H parent, a former band kid, or someone who believes in the transformative power of music education, Colby’s story will resonate.

Highlights include:

• How 4-H and livestock shape discipline, leadership, and grit
• Navigating student dynamics in group performance
• The critical role of arts in education and school culture
• Teaching emotion, not just notes
• The power of celebrating student achievement

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In this solo episode of Patio Pondering, host Jim Smith, Ph.D., a swine nutritionist and farmer from Northeast Indiana, digs into the agronomic and personal lessons behind uneven corn emergence in the 2025 growing season. Drawing from his own no-till, cover-cropped fields, Jim discusses how planter setup, sidewall compaction, and low oxygen conditions caused by saturated soils all play a role in delayed or inconsistent emergence.

If you’re evaluating emergence issues, troubleshooting planter performance, or wondering how excess rainfall and waterlogged soils affect early plant growth, this episode blends field-level insight with big-picture perspective.

👉 Topics Covered:

• 2025 corn emergence variability
• Diagnosing sidewall compaction and oxygen-limited soils
• Impacts of no-till, cover crops, and planter setup
• How saturated conditions hinder root development

Pour a cup of coffee, take a seat on the patio, and join Jim for a grounded look at emergence, compaction, and the conversations we all need to have—on and off the farm.

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What happens when a swine industry veteran opens up about the real cost of leadership, sobriety, and finding purpose after decades in feed sales?

In this powerful episode of Patio Ponderings, Jim Smith sits down with Mark Johnson, a retired feed and livestock professional from Britt, Iowa, whose career spanned decades in swine nutrition, sales leadership, and industry transformation.

Together, they explore:

• The early days of grinding ear corn and mixing bags at his father’s feed mill
• The collapse of the 1980s farm economy and how it took down the family business
• Surviving the 1998 swine crash, the shift to integrated systems, and the fading loyalty in feed sales
• The emotional trauma of COVID-19 in agriculture — including the mass euthanasia of pigs
• Sobriety, the loss of two marriages, and finding Christ at age 60
• The urgent need for real male friendships, mental health support, and mentorship in agriculture

Mark’s story is a reflection of the challenges too many professionals in the livestock and feed industry carry silently. This isn’t just about pigs and profit margins — it’s about identity, purpose, and healing.

📌 Whether you’re a swine nutritionist, feed sales rep, livestock producer, or simply someone who’s ever felt like you’ve given too much to your job — this episode is for you.

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In this episode of Patio Pondering, host Jim Smith, Ph.D., sits down with writer and farmwife Jen Campbell to tackle a topic close to every ag communicator’s heart — and frustration: the double-edged sword of “Tell your story.”

From her Indiana farm to the far reaches of the internet, Jen has shared honest snapshots of real farm life — the beautiful, the messy, and sometimes, the controversial. Together, Jen and Jim explore when telling your story builds trust and when it invites criticism you never saw coming.

Their candid conversation touches on:

• The pressure to protect the image of agriculture while staying truthful
• Stories Jen shared that sparked unexpected backlash
• How to navigate online judgment — especially from fellow farmers
• Advice for farmers and ranchers wanting to open up without regret
• Rethinking the “tell your story” mantra for the next generation

Whether you’re an advocate, a storyteller, or someone simply trying to connect the farm gate to the consumer’s plate, this episode offers an unfiltered look at the power — and pitfalls — of authentic storytelling.

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In this episode of Patio Pondering, host Jim Smith, Ph.D., sits down with Kaylee Keppy-McDonnell to explore the themes that have defined her journey through agriculture: communication, boundaries, and foundational values.

From her roots on an Eastern Iowa farm to her new role as Director of Retail at United Animal Health, Kaylee shares how livestock judging, strong mentors, and a passion for swine production shaped her path. The conversation ranges from navigating the early-career pressure to prove yourself, to setting healthy boundaries as a working mom, to the lessons learned through networking and community.

Kaylee and Jim also dive into:

• The reality of career pivots and blank canvases
• Organizing the “Elevate Women in Ag” event at World Pork Expo
• The nuanced differences—and overlap—between show pigs and commercial swine
• Raising strong kids through agriculture, whether in the barn or in the boardroom

Whether you're a young professional building your career, a parent balancing life and livestock, or someone reflecting on the deeper purpose of ag life, this conversation offers grounded insight with honesty and heart.

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“AT Amber would not be AT Amber if she had not been Miss Allen County.”

In this episode of Patio Ponderings, host Jim Smith, Ph.D. sits down with Amber Hoopengardner to explore her journey of reinvention after a career setback in agriculture. From her early days in 4-H and FFA to her lifelong passion for horse showing, Amber opens up about the personal and professional chapters that shaped her—including her termination from The Andersons and her transition into a new career at Howard Bailey Financial.

Amber shares what she calls the emergence of “AT Amber,” a version of herself that is more intentional, reflective, and focused on meaningful mentorship. We talk about her work mentoring contestants in the Miss Allen County Scholarship Pageant and how being Miss Allen County helped shape her voice and purpose.

We also explore the importance of mentorship and professional networks in agriculture and finance, and how Amber’s Fair Folk Family continues to support her personal growth. She even adds humor and insight with references to TikTok creators like tr_jones7 and justajacksonthing during our “Five Questions” segment.

Whether you're navigating change, mentoring others, or rediscovering your purpose, this episode is a powerful reminder that connection is often the bridge to resilience.