📝 Episode Summary:
A jam-packed episode filled with storm recovery, auction gems, ag education, and sweet summer stats.
It’s been a rough weather week across the region, but the skies clear just in time for farmers and communities to rally. Hosts Dean and Bridgette welcome a studio full of guests — including 16-year-old wrestling and FFA standout Naomi Miller, auction expert Brad Olstad, and succession strategist Mike Downey from Uncommon Farms.
From storm damage auctions and crop insurance deadlines to strawberry trivia and next-generation farm transitions, this episode is the perfect blend of serious insight and fresh summer fun.
⏱️ Key Moments & Timestamps:
0:03 – 2:00
🎯 Qualifier Time! — The $10K Grocery Giveaway rolls on!
2:00 – 5:30
🤼 Meet Naomi Miller — Student, wrestler, FFA & 4-Her talks about her busy life and local storm damage.
5:30 – 8:15
🚜 Live Auctions & Skid Steers — Brad Olstad from Steffes Group shares updates on hot auction items and how even storm-damaged equipment still sells strong.
8:16 – 10:20
🌪️ After the Storm — Insight on equipment insurance, assessing storm damage, and the emotional toll of losing shelterbelts and sheds.
10:24 – 11:35
🌽 Enderlin FFA Cleans Up — Students walk fields clearing debris. Photos shared on livestream.
12:00 – 13:21
🧑🏫 Ag Education + EPA Visits — Bridget previews her events with teachers and the EPA this week.
13:22 – 18:47
🌱 Uncommon Farms & NextGen Ag — Mike Downey explains how his team helps farms with financials, succession, and even “matchmaking” young and retiring farmers. (Think FarmersOnly meets legacy planning.)
18:48 – 19:48
🌪️ LRC Weather Prediction — Dean confirms Friday’s supercell was predicted by the LRC. Expect a repeat end of July/early August.
19:49 – 27:23
📊 Risk Management & Coaching Farms — Mike shares tips on keeping farms protected and how coaching helps keep family operations thriving long-term.
27:23 – 30:48
🏢 Corporate Farm Myths — 96% of Illinois farms are still family-owned despite popular misconceptions.
30:49 – 33:00
🌦️ Forecast Alert! — Severe weather possible Friday & Saturday night. Dean says it could resemble last week’s derecho (again 😬).
33:00 – 36:10
🍓 Strawberry Stats + Sweet Summer Facts
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51,000 lbs per acre
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200 seeds per berry
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94% of U.S. households consume them
Plus: "How many bushels do YOU weigh?" jokes ensue 🤣