NDFB Straight Talk hosts Emmery Mehlhoff and Alisha Nord travel to Wimbledon, N.D., to visit with Matt and Bethany Peterson, owners of Aligned Ag. Aligned Ag offers precision ag services, crop protection, soil sampling services and sells Pioneer seed to the Wimbledon and surrounding areas. Matt and Bethany are active in NDFB and serve on NDFB’s Young Farmers and Ranchers committee. The Peterson’s began growing their business in 2021 and Bethany recently left her job at BASF to work full time in the business. In today’s episode, we talk about: How precision ag and profitability go hand in hand Working together as husband and wife How to start a business from the ground up Join us for this episode! To contact Matt and Bethany at Aligned Ag, call 701-425-2100 or visit them at their new location west of Wimbledon. Contact Emmery and Alisha, email emmery@ndfb.orgLearn more about NDFB's YF&R program.

NDFB Straight Talk hosts Emmery and Alisha visit with Jeff Schafer, a farmer and rancher near New Rockford, N.D. Jeff is a 5th generation farmer who currently works with his children (6th generation) and grandchildren (7th generation!) on the family farm.Three county Farm Bureaus teamed up to bring Jolene Brown, a farmer and award-winning speaker, to Fessenden, N.D. to talk about succession planning and bridging the gap between the generations.Jeff was part of the group that brought Jolene to North Dakota. Following her presentation, Jeff sat down to talk about his takeaways and the lessons he's learned as he continues to keep his business thriving through the generations.We talk with Jeff about:What it's like to be a 5th generation farmer working with the 6th and 7th generationsHow to begin the conversation with kids and parentsExpectations between the generations (ie: "What do you expect from me?", "Here's what I expect from you.")How to find the "expert" you can trust to help you take the next stepWhy your farm is worthy of the respect of being treated like a business.To hear Emmery and Alisha's conversation with Jeff's daughter, Chelsey click here.To learn more about Jolene Brown, visit here.Keep an eye out for other events hosted by NDFB at ndfb.org/eventsContact Emmery and Alisha at emmery@ndfb.org

Calving, planting, and harvesting are the lifeblood of the farm and ranch. The new beginnings of spring calves and seeds and the completion of harvest in the fall are the things we as farmers and ranchers live for. But what happens when these busy seasons start to pile up and you go from excited to a little bit more… stressed? In today’s episode, hosts Emmery Mehlhoff and Alisha Nord visit with Dr. Amy Missling about stress on the farm and how it can turn from something seasonal to more permanent: chronic stress. Dr. Amy Missling is a licensed clinical psychologist and practices in rural Minnesota.  She specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders as well as trauma and stressor-related conditions.  She provides behavioral health services to adults with a variety of life circumstances and occupations, including local farmers and ranchers.  Outside of her work as a psychologist, she and her husband, Jeff Missling, feed cattle and hogs and co-own a meat locker in Devils Lake, N.D. Dr. Missling shares her experience as a psychologist and agriculturalist. Marrying into agriculture has given her a unique experience about the kinds of stress farmers and ranchers are facing.We talk about: The kinds of stressors farmers and ranchers face Warning signs to look out for that stress is becoming chronicIs stress always bad? What you can do to manage stress on your farm and ranch  Check out your level of stress here For more information about how to find a behavioral health specialist, visit with your primary care doctor. Farm Bureau Member? Visit KonnectMD on NDFB’s member benefit page  https://www.ndfb.org/benefits/ Contact Emmery and Alisha at @emmery@ndfb.org

Hosts Emmery Mehlhoff and Alisha Nord visit with Jolene Brown, a walking, talking spokesperson and champion for the people of agriculture. Jolene is a farmer in eastern Iowa, contributor to Successful Farming magazine’s popular family business column, author of two great books, and an inductee into the prestigious CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame. In this episode, your hosts discuss ideas from her upcoming workshop entitled: “If we huff and puff, will we blow your house down?”Jolene shares lessons learned from her 30+ years of working with farm families. She addresses the issues of communication and conflict, fair and equal, entitlement and transition. During the workshop, she will provide 10 template tools to help with the transition of labor, management, leadership, and ownership.When your business is constructed correctly, not only do we have a productive and profitable result, but we have also laid the foundation for the legacy of a family business.To find out more about the March 22 workshop visit the NDFB website's event Jolene Brown succession planning event. RSVP for this free event to jpepple@nodakins.netTo hear more from Jolene Brown, visit www.JoleneBrown.com Contact our hosts at emmery@ndfb.org

In this episode, Straight Talk with NDFB hosts Emmery Mehlhoff and Alisha Nord visit with Randy Martinson, founder of Martinson Ag Risk Management. Martinson Ag offers a variety of crop marketing and crop insurance packages to its customers.Randy grew up on a family grain and livestock farm near Milnor, N.D., where he farmed for ten years. Randy is well-known for introducing complex marketing strategies in a simple, straightforward manner.In this episode we talk about:Grain prices: Where the market is going and what to plant this springCattle Prices: When is the cattle market going to crash?And three strategies every producer should implement for a successful marketing year: 1) Know your cost of production; 2) Write your plan out and look at different levels you want to sell at; and 3) Have the discipline to stay with the plan (don't chase the highs!).Join us for this insightful marketing episode. Contact Martinson Ag Risk Management at https://martinsonag.com/contact-us/ or give them a call at (701)205-4200.Download their app https://martinsonag.com/contact-us/ Contact Emmery and Alisha at emmery@ndfb.org

Our Straight Talk hosts, Emmery Mehlhoff and Alisha Nord, were live and in person at NDFB’s 2024 Young Farmers and Ranchers conference., February 2-3 and spoke with Dahltin Pahl.Dahltin is a farmer from Ellendale and active NDFB member, who joined our hosts to talk about his experience with NDFB. Dahltin is an ag lender for Ag Country and has been involved with NDFB for several years. He has served on the NDSU Collegiate board to as well as the NDFB’s Board of Directors as the chair of the NDFB Young Farmer and Rancher Committee. Join us as Dahltin shares his:Experience coming back to the family farm Experience as a bank lender and farmerInsights on why you should be involved in NDFB Favorite memory from Farm Bureau To get in touch with Dahltin Pahl, contact him on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/dahltin-pahl-7828b5123To learn more about YF&R, visit https://www.ndfb.org/aboutus/yfrcommittee/program/To contact our hosts, email emmery@ndfb.org or visit ndfb.org

In today's episode, we answer the question “What are you going to do today so your great-grandkids can farm someday?” Hosts Emmery Mehlhoff and Alisha Nord visit with Andy Junkin about his business “Stubborn Farm.” Andy is originally from Bobcaygeon, Ontario, but now lives in eastern Iowa with his wife and four kids. Andy helps stubborn farmers work better together. Join us as we talk about how:77% of farmers do not have a succession planMany farms that have a succession plan have parties who are not happy about it Farm succession should not happen in the funeral home The first land every farmer should buy should be the cemetery plotLearn how to turn stubbornness into:Stubbornness at listening to each otherStubbornness in improving your character And stubbornness in having good relationships with your family and your partnersTogether, we talk about how to save the family farm. Learn more about Andy and Stubborn Farm at https://stubborn.farmListen to his audiobook for FREE https://stubborn.farm/stubbornbook/Take the next step to save the farm https://stubborn.farm/nextsteps/Contact Andy at caygeon@stubborn.farm or 1-800-474-2057Or schedule your call here https://stubborn.farm/schedulecall/Contact Emmery and Alisha at emmery@ndfb.org

Merry Christmas to all from Straight Talk with NDFB! In this episode, hosts Emmery Mehlhoff and Alisha Nord visit with Courtney Lesmeister, part-owner of Wayne-N-Jean's Evergreens. Courtney Lesmeister, friend of Alisha, married into a family owned and operated Christmas tree farm when she married Lloyd Lesmeister, son of Wayne and Jean, owners of Wayne-N-Jeans Evergreens. Courtney now works on the family tree farm along with Wayne and Jean, Lloyd, and two children.Although the farm sells trees year-round, Wayne-N-Jean's is best known for their cut-your-own and pre-cut Christmas tree sales, wreaths, and gift shop. From the middle of November to Christmas Eve, Wayne-N-Jean's Evergreens is open for the public to choose and cut down a Christmas tree. The farm hosts several Christmas events including a visit from Santa Claus, the Grinch, Ladies Day, and much more! To find Wayne-N-Jean's Evergreens, visithttps://www.wjevergreens.com or find them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064651511013 . To contact Straight Talk with NDFB, email emmery@ndfb.org

In this episode, Straight Talk hosts Emmery Mehlhoff and Alisha Nord visit with Nic de Castro, founder and CEO of LandTrust. Nic grew up hunting and exploring the outdoors. After several years in the corporate world across the United States, Nic found himself in Bozeman, Mont., with a passion to begin his own company founded on his love of the outdoors. Enter LandTrust.LandTrust is an online platform connecting landowners and recreators. Similar to AirBnb, Vrbo and other hosting platforms, LandTrust allows landowners to sign up their land for free.In today’s episode we talk about how:LandTrust works and what it is You can protect your liability AND share your land with othersTo protect your property rights and give access to huntersTo find out more about LandTrust and to sign up visit https://landtrust.comFarm Bureau members receive an additional 5% on their LandTrust listings. Find out more https://ndfb.org/benefits/landtrust/. Contact our hosts at emmery@ndfb.org .

Hosts Emmery Mehlhoff and Alisha Nord visit with Chelsey Erdmann, a 6th generation farmer and social media influencer. She also serves on NDFB's Promotion and Education Committee. Chelsey lives with her husband Kyle in Fessenden, N.D., and farms with her brother, parents and three children on the family farm. Chelsey is a North Dakota native and has an Ag Economics degree from NDSU. She originally began her career after graduation at an equipment dealership, b​ut Chelsey wanted to come back to the farm. Growing up, Chelsey's parents made it clear there would always be room on the farm and family business for her and her siblings. So, she took the opportunity and went back in 2018.In this episode we talk about:Returning to the family farm What it’s like to farm with familyWhy it's important to tell your storyAnd the big question… how Chelsey farms with three active childrenRead Chelsey’s blog:  https://ohthatschelsey.comFollow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohthats_chelsey/Contact our hosts at emmery@ndfb.org To learn more about NDFB, visit us at ndfb.org.

In this episode of Straight Talk with NDFB, our hosts visit Billy Kelly from Killarney, Ireland. Billy comes to the United States every year to work for Demeray Harvesting and Trucking (DHT)  as a crew chief. Billy begins harvest in Arizona and works his way north, finishing in North Dakota before driving back to Arizona to fly home to Ireland. Emmery and her family have worked with DHT and Billy over the last few years to custom harvest their crop. Learn about:What it’s like to manage a custom harvest crewBilly’s experience with the H-2A programWhat it’s like to harvest from Arizona to North DakotaDifferences in agriculture between the U.S. and IrelandJoin us for this fun episode!Learn more about Demeray Harvesting https://www.demarayharvesting.com/pages/employmentContact our hosts at emmery@ndfb.org

In this episode of Straight Talk with NDFB, hosts Emmery Mehlhoff and Alisha Nord visit with Dr. Ruchi Bhardwaj, Grower and Education Program Manager for Grand Farm. Ruchi was born and raised in New Delhi, India and moved to Fargo in 2009 to attend NDSU, where she met our co-host, Alisha Nord. Ruchi has a Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate – all from NDSU. She joined the staff of Emerging Prairie where she eventually became the Grower and Education Program Manager for Emerging Prairie’s agricultural branch, Grand Farm. Join us for our conversation with this fascinating woman and learn about what Grand Farm is doing to bridge the gap between agriculture and technology. Learn more about Grand Farm https://grandfarm.comContact Ruchi ruchib@grandfarm.comLinkedIn profile: ruchib@grandfarm.comContact our Host Emmery Mehlhoff emmery@ndfb.org

In this episode of Straight Talk with NDFB, hosts Emmery Mehlhoff and Alisha Nord visit with Doug Ferguson who owns a stocker/backgrounding operation in SE Nebraska and is the author of Doug's Market Intel. Doug teaches a cattle marketing school focused on helping people become Master Marketers in the cattle industry. In this episode we talk about: An overview of Sell/Buy Marketing How to make money with cows every year How your mindset affects profitability Advice for the highschool graduate How to build a cattle operationInterested in learning more about being a master marketer in the cattle industry? Check out:Mr Cattlemaster blog https://mrcattlemaster.comInformation on Sell/Buy Marketing Schools: https://mrcattlemaster.com/marketing-school/ Doug Ferguson, BEEF Magazine https://www.beefmagazine.com/author/doug-ferguson Doug’s Market Intel, Farm Progress https://www.farmprogress.com/series/doug-s-market-intel Find him on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/mrcattlemaster?lang=enOn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Mr-CattleMaster-100068903720827/Learn about NDFB at https://ndfb.orgContact host Emmery Mehlhoff at emmery@ndfb.org

Straight Talk with NDFB hosts Emmery Mehlhoff and Alisha Nord talk to Matt Retka about ND Ag Wetland Trade, a program to give farmers an opportunity to buy and sell wetlands. Matt  works for Stantec, the engineering firm contracted to facilitate the development and establishment of bank sites and work with landowners through every step of the process.In this episode, learn: How ND Ag Wetland Trade gives a tool to farmers who are interested in field drainage.More about how the program works. What it looks like to sell credits. What it looks like to buy credits.How the program provides a work-around for the Swampbuster program in the 1985 Food Security Act that prevented farmers from draining their land. More about NDAM, and the six agricultural groups in North Dakota overseeing ND Ag Wetland Trade. Interested in NDAM’s ND Ag Wetland Trade? Contact Matt Retka 701-893-2322 or email him at matthew.retka@stantec.com to learn more. Learn more about NDFB at ndfb.org.Contact host Emmery Mehlhoff at emmery@ndfb.org

In the first episode of Season 7 of Straight Talk with NDFB, hosts Emmery Mehlhoff and Alisha Nord-Donelly get down to the nitty-gritty of marketing with Progressive Ag’s owner and founder, Ray Grabanski. Ray has several degrees in economics and law and is a recognized industry leader in risk management methods. Progressive Ag pursues excellence in farm risk management specializing in wheat, corn, soybeans, sunflowers, dry beans, canola, potatoes, and livestock. Each year, Progressive Ag exceeds its goal of 10-20 cents per bushel more than the customer’s previous marketing plan.In today’s episode we talk about: The success or failure of a farm/ranch often comes down to how good the producer is at risk management . Strategies to become a better risk manager in ten minutes or less. The best time to sell grain. The key to success is always found by asking the question, “How can I get better?”Futures price + basis price = cash price. A new member benefit with NDFB, Progressive Ag offers invaluable ten-minute-a-week videos created to improve your risk management in ten minutes or less. Check out this and many more of Progressive Ag’s services offered to NDFB members, visit https://www.ndfb.org/benefits/progressive-ag/Contact your host, Emmery: emmery@ndfb.org

In this promo episode for Season 7, Emmery introduces her new cohost, Alisha Nord-Donnelly.Learn more about Alisha, in her own words, and find out how the communications landscape has changed for NDFB from a long-time employee, Dawn Smith-Pfeifer, who has been with the organization since before the internet.Your also cohosts provide food for thought on the good, the bad and the ugly side of technology and how it relates to their jobs and their farms.To learn more about NDFB staff, visit https://ndfb.org/aboutus/staff/To contact host Emmery Mehlhoff, email her at emmery@ndfb.orgLook for their Season 7, Episode 1 on Wednesday, Sept. 20.

In the final episode of NDFB's Straight Talk legislative season, your host, Emmery Mehlhoff visits with N.D. Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring.The 68th Legislative Assembly was a success for agriculture in North Dakota.Landmark changes to the "corporate" farming structure in North Dakota will help expand animal agriculture and create partnerships that were unavailable before.Zoning and infrastructure changes to help counties and townships come into compliance ag zoning ordinances and upgrade services were all passed by legislators and signed by the governor.To learn more about how NDFB lobbyists viewed legislative outcomes this year, read the highlights from the last episode of Straight Talk here.Contact Ag Commissioner Doug Goehring at ndda@nd.govContact Straight Talk host Emmery Mehlhoff at emmery@ndfb.orgTo learn more about NDFB policy positions, visit ndfb.org/policy

North Dakota's 68th Legislative Assembly finished its work in late April. Overall, the session was very positive for agriculture in North Dakota.Your host, Emmery Mehlhoff visits with NDFB's lobbyists, Pete Hanebutt and Meghan Estenson, about the significant wins and some disappointing losses during the session.NDFB went into the session with a mission to move animal agriculture forward by supporting a bill that would allow for more capital investment in animal agriculture, as well as zoning bills requiring counties and townships to adhere to the state code. Those efforts were successful and should allow those wishing to grow animal agriculture to be more successful.NDFB also weighed in on water bills, foreign ownership issues, extension budgeting, property rights and deer baiting, to name just few.Contact Pete Hanebutt: pete@ndfb.orgContact Emmery Mehlhoff: emmery@ndfb.orgLearn more about NDFB's policy positions at: ndfb.org/policy

We might think the state of North Dakota spends way too much money, but there are leaders in the appropriations committee who are fiscally responsible and are looking for ways to give money back to the taxpayers of the state.In this episode of Straight Talk, your host, Emmery Mehlhoff visits with the chairman of House Appropriations, Rep. Don Vigesaa, who has also been a strong friend of NDFB for many years.Representative Vigesaa shares more about the appropriations process and some of the unique situations that legislators addressed this year due to the unrelenting winter weather and much more, and still balance the state's budget.Reach Rep. Vigesaa: dwvigesaa@ndlegis.govRead Emmery Mehlhoff: emmery@ndfb.orgLearn more about NDFB's policy positions at ndfb.org/policy

Our polarized society makes assumptions that the people serving in our Legislature only want to win instead of doing the right thing. Learn why that's not true from two North Dakota legislators.As the 68th Legislative Assembly draws to a close, your host, Emmery Mehlhoff, takes an opportunity to interview two freshman legislators and their thoughts going into the session and what they learned throughout it.Rep. Karen Anderson of District 19 is a long-time Farm Bureau member and Walsh County commissioner. She also has experience in human service issues on the local level, which she used in her committee assisngment on the House Human Services Committee. View her N.D. Legislative branch bio page .Senator Judy Estenson of District 15 is also a long-time Farm Bureau member. She is a retired registered nurse and farms with her family near Warwick. View her N.D. Legislative branch bio page . To learn more about Farm Bureau's position on issues visit our policy page on the NDFB website.Contact Senator Estenson: @jestenson@ndlegis.gov Contact Rep. Anderson: @kanderson@ndlegis.gov Contact Emmery Mehlhoff: @emmery@ndfb.org