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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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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.

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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.