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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.

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In today’s episode of Patio Pondering, I’m joined by Tracey Snider, an agricultural leader whose career path has taken her from life on the Ranch to helping farmers and food companies connect more meaningfully with innovation and opportunity.

Tracey shares how her early experiences raising livestock and working the land sparked a passion for communication, sustainability, and farmer-first solutions. We dive into her critical leadership role during the COVID-19 pandemic, where she helped farmers and partners stay informed and connected during one of the most turbulent periods in modern agriculture.

Our conversation also winds through some surprising places: boutique ice cream flavors, the economics of “bougie” backyard chickens, Tracey’s adventures in Ag and Consumer marketing, and how life experiences outside the traditional ag path shaped her leadership approach.

We explore the growing role of AI in agriculture and communication, featuring insights from thought leaders like Vance Crowe, and reflect on how technology can either bridge or widen the gap between farmers and the public if we're not careful. In one of our most thought-provoking moments, we discuss how history—and agriculture—might have been different if pioneers like George Washington Carver had lived and worked in a post–civil rights world.

We close the episode by diving into something deeply important: the need to reinvigorate mentorship in agriculture, passing along not just knowledge, but wisdom, encouragement, and resilience to the next generation.

Of course, we round out the episode with our Five Signature Questions, where Tracey shares her favorite ag innovations, her dream coffee date from ag history, and the small changes she believes could spark big ripples across the future of food and farming.

Whether you're deep in agriculture, raising a backyard flock, exploring new food trends, or just enjoy a thoughtful conversation with a few quirky twists, this episode will leave you with plenty to ponder—and maybe even a second helping of ice cream.

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In this special episode of Patio Pondering Podcast, Jim shares his personal story of overcoming career loss, finding new purpose, and building a new life after a job setback — all recorded from the patio where it began.

Reflecting on the end of Holy Week and the passing of Pope Francis, Jim explores how quiet moments of solitude helped him navigate the aftermath of losing his 12-year career in swine nutrition. He shares how starting Patio Ponderings became a path toward personal growth, writing, podcasting, and even publishing an essay in a local newspaper.

Jim also discusses the surprising role artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT played in enhancing his writing process, helping him "riff" like a jazz musician to find his authentic voice.

Whether you're navigating your own career transition, starting over, or searching for inspiration after life's unexpected turns, this episode offers hope, reflection, and a reminder that sometimes all you need is a quiet place to begin again.

Thanks for joining us on the patio. Until next time, keep pondering.

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Karen Corrigan joins Patio Ponderings to talk agronomy, opportunity, and saying "yes" to success—plus a few laughs with friends along the way.

In this episode of Patio Ponderings, Jim Smith sits down with Karen Corrigan, Certified Crop Adviser, educator, and co-owner of McGillicuddy Corrigan Agronomics. Karen shares her journey from Illinois farm country to becoming one of the clearest and most practical voices in independent agronomy today.

We dig into why getting the basics right—like managing soil pH and real weed control—is more important than chasing shiny new solutions. Karen offers straight talk about balancing science and intuition, the communication gaps she sees in modern agriculture, and how working independently has shaped her perspective.

Karen also shares how her willingness to say "yes" to opportunities—both big and small—has played a key role in her success, much like Corey Hillebo described during Episode 24. It's a powerful reminder of how openness can shape a career in unexpected and rewarding ways.

Along the way, we also bring up several mutual friends and colleagues who have impacted our journeys, including Corey Hillebo, Paul Butler, Angie Setzer, Jen Campbell, and the Hippie Farmer. Their names come up naturally as we reflect on the importance of community, authenticity, and shared experience in agriculture.

Stick around to hear Karen tackle our signature five questions, where she shares personal lessons, favorite tools, and what gives her hope for the future of farming.

Connect with Karen:
Follow her on Twitter @weedgirl24 and learn more about her consulting work at McGillicuddy Corrigan Agronomics.

Subscribe and Share:
If you enjoyed today’s conversation, be sure to subscribe to Patio Ponderings, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who appreciates honest, practical conversations about agriculture and life.

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In this solo episode of Patio Pondering, I explore the increasingly urgent topic of farmland preservation and rural land use through the lens of personal experience and regional change.

Sparked by a conversation on The Little Red Barn Podcast, I reflect on the silent erosion of farm ground in northeast Indiana—not by massive developments, but by smaller projects: executive housing estates, solar farms, and hobby farmettes that chip away at our agricultural heritage acre by acre.

As a multi-generational farmer and landowner in DeKalb County, I wrestle with the delicate balance between private property rights and community impact. Can we really claim we’re protecting agriculture if we stay silent while 10-acre developments replace row crops? What are we risking when we pave over prime soil?

From zoning board decisions to nostalgic memories of the family farm, this episode dives into the heart of the farmland debate. It’s a conversation about stewardship, sustainability, and asking the hard questions:

• When should farmland be preserved?
• Who decides what’s worth saving?
• And what legacy do we leave behind?

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Episode Description (Final Version):
In this episode of Patio Pondering, we sit down with Amanda Minton, Manager of Reproductive Solutions at AcuFast Swine Genetics and Purdue University alum, to explore the journey from rural farm kid to leading expert in swine breeding and reproduction.

Amanda shares how her agricultural roots and mentorship from Dr. Alan Schinckel laid the foundation for her career in swine genetics, from graduate research to cutting-edge work with AI-driven fertility tools. We dive deep into how failure and setbacks—both in the lab and in life—have shaped her leadership style, built resilience, and strengthened her ability to guide others.

In a candid discussion about grit, resilience, and leading with empathy, Amanda reflects on how the book The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday has influenced her perspective, reinforcing the idea that the path to success often runs straight through adversity.

Whether you're a swine professional, ag student, or someone navigating your own challenges, this conversation blends science, humanity, and hope—with practical takeaways for building stronger teams and finding purpose in persistence.

Tune in to hear how Amanda Minton turns failure into fuel—and how her journey from sheep to pigs shaped the leader she is today.

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In this solo episode of Patio Ponderings, we take a short detour from exploring agriculture roots to reflect on today’s economic climate and personal resilience strategies.

I dive into the impact of recent tariffs on agriculture and the broader economy, sharing how market volatility has affected our family's retirement accounts—and why we’re still committed to a long-term investment strategy. I also discuss our decision to return to the direct-to-consumer livestock market by selling lambs, and how that choice helps us build both income and resilience on the farm.

This episode also touches on what some are calling “Liberation Day,” examining how we balance protest, political engagement, and practical realities in our day-to-day lives.

If you're navigating uncertainty in agriculture, finances, or personal direction—this reflection is for you. We’re building financial resilience one lamb, one stock, and one grounded decision at a time.

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In this episode of Patio Ponderings, I sit down with Hayden Heigl, founder of Frosty Bunk, a fast-growing direct-to-consumer beef sales business based in Kansas. Hayden shares the story behind launching his local beef brand, how he’s connecting farm and consumer in today’s market, and what it takes to build trust—and a loyal customer base—in the farm-to-table movement.

We talk about the challenges and rewards of launching a small business rooted in agriculture, the logistics of processing and delivery, and how staying true to your values can shape your brand’s identity. This conversation offers inspiration for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, local food systems, or supporting independent beef producers.

Whether you’re a fellow farmer, an ag startup enthusiast, or a curious consumer who wants to know where their meat comes from—this episode is packed with insight and authenticity straight from the pasture.

Connect with Hayden:
🐂 Frosty Bunk Beef – Premium Local Beef, Direct from the Ranch
Website: https://www.frostybunk.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564627391732
Phone: (785) 447-2662

🕯 Rough Cut Candles – Rustic Candles Made with Heart
Website: https://roughcutcandles.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hayden.heigele

📸 Mary Marsh Photography and Communications
Website: https://marymarshphotography.zenfoliosite.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryMarshPhotographyandCommunications
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksualmondfarmer/profilecard/?igsh=MTVuOGxzNDdkamRnMQ%3D%3D

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#FrostyBunk #LocalBeef #DirectToConsumer #BeefBusiness #FarmToTable #SupportLocalFarms #AgricultureEntrepreneur #SmallFarmBigImpact #RanchLife #AgPodcast #PatioPonderings #KansasBeef #BuyLocalMeat #BeefProducers #AgBusiness #MeatFromTheSource #MaryMarshPhotography