If you have a private water well, do you get it tested every year? Did you know Iowa has a water well program that allows private well owners to have their private well water tested for free? Tune in as Olivia interviews Catherine DeLong, Water

Safe Mushroom Foraging

Apr 19th, 2023 18m 56s

Do you know the best practices when mushroom foraging? Tune in as Olivia interviews Chelsea Harbach, Plant Disease Diagnostician in Iowa State University's Plant & Insect Diagnostic Clinic. They discuss tips when it comes to foraging for mushro

Coyotes and Foxes in Iowa

Apr 14th, 2023 28m 11s

Do you have coyotes or foxes around your farm? Or maybe you even see/hear them around town! Tune in as Olivia interviews Andy Kellner, Wildlife Biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. They discuss why you may see these creature

Recent Weather and Coming Growing Season Outlook

Apr 7th, 2023 18m 47s

We’re happy to share a podcast from our friends, Dan Fillius, ISU Extension Horticulture Field Specialist, and Dr. Justin Glisan, Iowa’s State Climatologist. This episode is the pilot episode and gives a recap of weather this past winter, how

Beginning Fruit Farms: Episode 10- Getting Your Small Fruit Farm Ready for Spring

Apr 7th, 2023 30m 25s

In this episode of the Beginning Fruit Farm Series, Suzanne Slack, Assistant Professor of Horticulture at Iowa State University specializing in perennial fruit crops, Brandon Carpenter, Agriculture Specialist with Iowa State Horticulture Resear

Spring Clean-Up in Gardens and Flower Beds

Apr 4th, 2023 15m 47s

Do you have a backyard garden, or maybe a flower bed or two? Do you know what you should do in the spring to get them cleaned up and ready for planting? In this episode, Olivia interviews Aaron Steil, Consumer Horticulture Specialist with ISU E

Beginning Fruit Farms: Episode 9- Grape Pruning

Apr 1st, 2023 37m 16s

In this episode of the Beginning Fruit Farm Series, Suzanne Slack, Assistant Professor of Horticulture at Iowa State University specializing in perennial fruit crops, Randall Vos, Commercial Fruit Crop Specialist with Iowa State University Exte

Innovations in Organic Agriculture

Mar 27th, 2023 1h 33m

We're bringing you a very special episode with guest host Dr. Kathleen Delate. Tune in as she interviews 4 organic farmers and an organic researcher engaged in organic technologies that may offer some value in organic operations. As with all te

Beginning Fruit Farms: Episode 8- Apple Tree Pruning

Mar 22nd, 2023 32m 20s

Beginning Fruit Farms: Episode 7- Bramble Pruning

Mar 17th, 2023 20m 37s

Considerations When Purchasing an Acreage

Mar 14th, 2023 15m 27s

Are you considering buying an acreage? You should keep a handful of things in mind before doing so! There are also plenty of resources you can research before committing to a property. In this episode, Olivia interviews Ann Johanns, Extension P

Beginning Fruit Farms: Episode 6- Grape Trellising

Mar 11th, 2023 35m

Olivia is again joined by Suzanne Slack, Assistant Professor of Horticulture at Iowa State University specializing in perennial fruit crops, Brandon Carpenter, Agriculture Specialist with Iowa State Horticulture Research Station, and Liv Meyer,

Bald Eagles in Iowa

Mar 7th, 2023 11m 27s

Have you been noticing more Bald Eagles in Iowa lately? In today's episode, Olivia interviews Heidi Anderson, a Naturalist with Polk County Conservation, and we're talking about Bald Eagles! Where can we go to see them, what should we do if we

Shed Hunting

Mar 1st, 2023 13m 3s

It's that time of year again when we can go out and shed hunt! If you're interested in shed hunting but don't know where to start, or maybe you're just looking for a few tips on where to find them, tune in to this episode! Olivia interviews Hei

Winter Weather Preparedness

Feb 25th, 2023 14m 58s

Winters in Iowa can be really challenging! How do you prepare for them and keep yourself, your family, and your farm safe? In this episode, Olivia interviews Brandi Janssen, Director of the Iowa Center for Agricultural Safety and Health. Tune i

2023 Iowa Specialty Producers Conference

Feb 13th, 2023 11m 20s

In this episode, Olivia interviews Kendra Meyer, Executive Secretary for the Iowa Specialty Crop Growers Association and Christie Jensen, Executive Director for the Iowa Wine Growers Association. Tune in to hear all about the upcoming 2023 Iowa

Beginning Fruit Farms: Episode 5 - Apple Trellising

Feb 8th, 2023 40m 9s

Olivia is joined by Suzanne Slack, Assistant Professor of Horticulture at Iowa State University specializing in perennial fruit crops, Brandon Carpenter, Agriculture Specialist with Iowa State Horticulture Research Station, and Liv Meyer, a gra

Backyard Chickens

Feb 3rd, 2023 13m 31s

Egg prices are rising, and the idea of having backyard chickens is gaining popularity! In this episode, Olivia interviews our very own Christa Hartsook, Small Farms Program Coordinator with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Christa

Beginning Fruit Farms: Episode 4 - Raspberry and Blackberry Trellising

Feb 1st, 2023 23m 18s

You want to start producing raspberries and/or blackberries, but what does the trellising systems look like for them? In this episode, Olivia is joined by Suzanne Slack, Assistant Professor of Horticulture at Iowa State University specializing

Beginning Fruit Farms: Episode 3 - What is a Trellis and Why Do I Need It?

Jan 24th, 2023 34m 5s

Do you really need a trellis on your fruit farm? In this episode, Olivia is joined by Suzanne Slack, Assistant Professor of Horticulture at Iowa State University specializing in perennial fruit crops, Brandon Carpenter, Agriculture Specialist w

Farm Transitions Conference 2023

Jan 13th, 2023 16m 12s

In this episode, Olivia interviews Kitt Tovar Jensen, Staff Attorney at Iowa State University's Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation. Tune in to hear all about the upcoming 2023 Farm Transitions Conference! The conference will start on Febr

Practical Farmers of Iowa Conference 2023

Jan 10th, 2023 11m 9s

In this episode, Olivia interviews Liz Kolbe, Senior Farmer Lead Education Manager for Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI). Tune in to hear all about the upcoming 2023 PFI Conference! The conference will start on January 20, 2023 and go through Jan

Emerald Ash Borer

Dec 30th, 2022 28m 17s

In this episode, Christa interviews Dr. Billy Beck, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Forester. He gives some great insight on the Emerald Ash Borer, signs to look for if you think your tree may be infested, ways to determine if your

Beginning Fruit Farms: Episode 2 - Fruit Farming Equipment Needed to Get Started

Dec 22nd, 2022 27m 23s

What tools would you need in order to start a fruit farm? Join us and listen in on the second episode of the Beginning Fruit Farm Series! In this episode, Olivia is joined by Suzanne Slack, Assistant Professor of Horticulture at Iowa State Univ

Contract Pricing Options & Micro Farm Policy Options

Dec 16th, 2022 17m 7s

In this episode, Olivia interviews Kate Hansen, Policy Associate with the Center for Rural Affairs. Tune in as she answers our questions about the different options for contract pricing and micro-farm policy. She explains some of the eligibilit