​In this episode, Johanna Rohrer interviews Amy Rowe, Farm Credit loan officer and Leah Petersen, Farm Loan Specialist with Maryland Farm Service Agency. This round table conversation focuses on connecting young, beginning, and small (YBS) farmers with resources from the Farm Service Agency.​ Together, we highlight how FSA and Farm Credit work together, the differences in direct and guaranteed loan programs, and tips for new farmers to consider as they are making their start in farming.Episode Notes: https://www.mafc.com/blog/agvocates-podcast-jessica-harrisAll Podcast Notes: https://www.mafc.com/podcast

In this episode, Morgan Figgins interviews Farm Credit Loan Officer Jessica Harris. Jessica walks us through applying through your first farm loan and what you need to know to make the process easier.Episode Notes: https://www.mafc.com/blog/agvocates-podcast-jessica-harrisAll Podcast Notes: https://www.mafc.com/podcast

During this episode, Kurt Fuchs interviews Madison (Madi) Walter, Urban Agriculture Outreach Coordinator with the New Castle Conservation District. Madi tells us all about urban agriculture, challenges urban agriculturalists are facing, and growth with Delaware urban ag initiatives. Madi also shares her involvement in the Delaware Urban Farm and Food Coalition and the future of urban agriculture.Episode Notes: https://www.mafc.com/blog/agvocates-podcast-madi-walterAll Podcast Notes: https://www.mafc.com/podcast

On this episode, Johanna Rohrer interviews Raechel Sattazahn, Knowledge Center Director from AgChoice Farm Credit. She introduces the AgBiz Master’s program and discusses the benefits of enrolling in the course. Raechel also gives an overview of the program components and identifies key farm financial skills participants can expect to takeaway.Raechel and her husband operate a dairy in partnership with their family in Womelsdorf, PA. She is a proud mom, dairy farmer, and agricultural enthusiast known for developing farm business tools to help support the future of agriculture.This is our first episode in our Young, Beginning, Small (YBS) Farmer Podcast Series, where we’ll explore helpful resources and different types of agriculture! Subscribe for email alerts to stay in the know at mafc.com/podcast.Episode Notes: https://www.mafc.com/blog/agvocates-podcast-raechel-sattazahnAll Podcast Notes: https://www.mafc.com/podcast

On the third and final episode of our Farm Transition Planning series, guest host Darlene Livingston, Executive Director from PA Farm Link interviews Jody Anderson Leighty, attorney with Stock and Leader in York, PA. We explore legal considerations in farm family transitions, and Jody shares her expertise. We also dive into the issues that come along with succession planning, business planning and more. Subscribe for email alerts to stay in the know at mafc.com/podcast.Episode Notes: https://www.mafc.com/blog/agvocates-podcast-jody-anderson-leightyAll Podcast Notes: https://www.mafc.com/podcast

On the second episode of our Farm Transition Planning series, guest host Darlene Livingston, Executive Director from PA Farm Link interviews Marlin Hartzler, a crop and hog farmer in Belleville, Pennsylvania. We learn about Marlin’s journey in farming and transitions he’s gone through along the way.Subscribe for email alerts to stay in the know at mafc.com/podcast.Episode Notes: https://www.mafc.com/blog/agvocates-podcast-marlin-hartzlerAll Podcast Notes: https://www.mafc.com/podcast

On this episode, guest host Darlene Livingston, Executive Director from PA Farm Link interviews John Black, Farm Credit Agriculture Business Consultant. John helps farm families tackle the transition process, with expertise in both financial and business planning. This is our first episode in our Farm Transition Planning Podcast Series, where we’ll explore farm family succession planning tips!Subscribe for email alerts to stay in the know at mafc.com/podcast.Episode Notes: https://www.mafc.com/blog/agvocates-podcast-john-blackAll Podcast Notes: https://www.mafc.com/podcast

On this episode, Meaghan Webster interviews MidAtlantic Farm Credit Loan Officer, Ryan Clouse. Ryan has been supporting our customers for over 22 years, but his background in ag runs deeper and started at their family’s Christmas tree farm, Clouse’s Pine Hill Farm. Ryan gives us the scoop on why real Christmas trees are a great choice for holiday décor and tried and true methods to keeping your Christmas tree looking good and lasting long into the winter season after you bring it home. This episode is the final episode for 2021 and we look forward to agvocating with our listeners again when we re-launch in early 2022.Episode Notes: https://www.mafc.com/blog/agvocates-podcast-ryan-clouseAll Podcast Notes: https://www.mafc.com/podcast

On this episode, Katie Ward interviews Emma Larson, Assistant Director of Industry Relations at American Farm Bureau. Emma grew up on her family's farm in California and made her way to Washington, D.C. to begin her career advocating for America’s farmers and ranchers.Emma leads the Ag Innovation Challenge, a national business competition that showcases American startups developing innovative solutions that address challenges facing farmers and rural communities. Listen to this episode as we get to know the top 10 Ag Innovation Challenge semi-finalists and talk about how these entrepreneurs are changing the agricultural industry for the better. Episode Notes: https://www.mafc.com/blog/agvocates-podcast-emma-larsonAll Podcast Notes: https://www.mafc.com/podcast

On this episode, Jenny Kreisher is joined by Gail Yeiser, former Assistant to the Dean with University of Maryland’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR). During her decades long career at UMD, Gail not only developed long-lasting partnerships with many local and statewide organizations, but she grew the College’s alumni group, many of whom she keeps in touch with today. Gail remains a staple in Maryland agriculture, serving on several Boards, including our own Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement.Episode Notes: https://www.mafc.com/blog/agvocates-podcast-gail-yeiserAll Podcast Notes: https://www.mafc.com/podcast

On this episode of the AgVocates Podcast, Meaghan Webster interviews the VP of Sales, Marketing and Operations at C.P. Yeatman & Sons, Inc. and Mother Earth Organic Mushrooms, LLC. Meghan gives us a brief history on how the mushroom industry came to Pennsylvania and how her family has had a hand in several important milestones along the way, like establishing organic guidelines for growers. As a dedicated advocate for the industry, Meghan is also an active member of the American Mushroom Institute and the Mushroom Council and shares her perspective on the importance of getting active in commodity organizations as a farmer. Episode Notes: https://www.mafc.com/blog/agvocates-podcast-meghan-klotzbachAll Podcast Notes: https://www.mafc.com/podcast

On this episode of the Farm Credit AgVocates podcast, Kurt Fuchs catches up with Georgie Cartanza, Poultry Extension Agent for the University of Delaware, about her role in serving Delmarva’s poultry industry. Georgie has over 27 years of experience helping farmers, integrators and the public understand best management practices and the impact local farms have on the community through research. Although Georgie doesn’t come from an ag background, she has worked for two of the largest integrators on Delmarva and has been a poultry farmer for 16 years. As if her resume wasn’t impressive enough, in 2017, Georgie was chosen as the first Nuffield International Farming Scholar from the United States.   Episode Notes: https://www.mafc.com/blog/agvocates-podcast-georgie-cartanza All Podcast Notes: https://www.mafc.com/podcast

On this episode of the Farm Credit AgVocates podcast, Katie Ward chats with Stephon Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Commission for Agriculture Education Excellence and the National MANRRS Graduate Student President, to talk about minorities in agriculture and educational opportunities for those wanting to pursue a career in the industry. We also dive into how to make use of connections through networking and joining organizations in school to enhance leadership and job opportunities in agriculture.   Episode Notes: https://www.mafc.com/blog/advancing-diversity-agriculture-stephon-fitzpatrickAll Podcast Notes: https://www.mafc.com/podcast

On this episode of the Farm Credit AgVocates podcast, Meaghan Webster explores a current trend sweeping rural America that is surprisingly “small”. Nick and Tessa MacDonald in Camden-Wyoming, Delaware decided to ditch debt and downsize their living quarters back in 2019 and began working up a plan to build a tiny home on a couple acres.Episode Notes: https://www.mafc.com/blog/agvocates-podcast-nick-tessa-macdonald All Podcast Notes: https://www.mafc.com/podcast

On this episode of the Farm Credit AgVocates podcast, Johanna Rohrer and Morgan Figgins go back in time to discuss the life lessons they learned while showing livestock through 4-H and FFA. From how they got started to where they are today, you won’t want to miss the tips and tricks they picked up along the way.Jo and Morgan also dish all of the details about the 2021 Virtual Showcase Contest and how to enter!Episode Notes: https://www.mafc.com/blog/agvocates-podcast-johanna-rohrer-morgan-figginsAll Podcast Notes: https://www.mafc.com/podcast

On this episode of the Farm Credit AgVocates podcast, Katie Ward sits down with Chuck Fry and Emily Snyder of Rocky Point Creamery to celebrate National Ice Cream Month and learn about the new robotic milking system on their farm. We also dive into the children’s book written about his farm and what makes their ice cream so special. Visit Rocky Point Creamery at 4323A Tuscarora Rd. Tuscarora, MD 21790 on Tuesday-Sunday from 11:30 AM to 8:30 PM.\ Episode Notes: https://www.mafc.com/blog/agvocates-podcast-chuck-fry-emily-snyderAll Podcast Notes: https://www.mafc.com/podcast

On this episode of the Farm Credit AgVocates podcast, Jenny Kreisher interviews Jeremy Willet, musician-turned-agriculturalist and owner/operator of Willet Family Farm in Westminster, Maryland. While Jeremy was touring the world with his band, he found inspiration on a trip to Africa, leading him to partner with ChildFund International to help them tell their story and garner involvement at the local level. Today, Willet Family Farm offers guests truly unique outdoor experiences, and fosters an environment of inclusivity. We hope his story inspires you as much as it did us!Episode Notes: https://www.mafc.com/blog/agvocates-podcast-jeremy-willetAll Podcast Notes: https://www.mafc.com/podcast

Let us Toast to the Dairy Industry! On this episode, Johanna Rohrer interviews Jayne Sebright, Executive Director of the Center for Dairy Excellence. A dairy farmer herself and an active industry advocate looking forward to the bright spots in the dairy industry. Jayne shares with us an update on dairy producer outreach and connecting consumers with dairy through various educational efforts within the Dairy Excellence Foundation. Episode Notes: https://www.mafc.com/blog/agvocates-podcast-jayne-sebrightAll Podcast Notes: https://www.mafc.com/podcast

On this episode of the Farm Credit AgVocates podcast, Katie Ward chats with Katie Joseph and Kelly Boyer of Broad View Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT) about how their programs help challenged students learn and overcome. Hear all about how the organization got started, how it’s impacting lives, and why this is the perfect combination of career and passion for both Katie and Kelly. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the owners of Broad View EAAT also share their experiences with supporting the cause through their programs. Episode Notes: https://www.mafc.com/blog/agvocates-podcast-katie-joseph-kelly-boyer All Podcast Notes: https://www.mafc.com/podcast

On this episode of the Farm Credit AgVocates podcast, we’re celebrating National Teacher Appreciation Day! Jenny Kreisher interviews Ashley Yanego, agriculture educator and FFA advisor at Signal Knob Middle School in Shenandoah County, VA. Ashley may not have grown up in an agriculture family, but after finding her passion for the industry through her own experiences in FFA and with the guidance of two inspiring teachers, Ashley knew she was meant to find her way back to the classroom to make her own impact on the next generation.  Episode Notes: https://www.mafc.com/blog/agvocates-podcast-ashley-yanego All Podcast Notes: https://www.mafc.com/podcast