Episodes

  • The Little Red Barn Podcast Ep. 133: Technology Invasion

    The Little Red Barn Podcast Ep. 133: Technology Invasion
    Apr 6 2026
    Back in the dark ages of advertising, Fed Ex had a slogan "When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight". Well, now days it seems like our answers to crop issues "absolutely, positively has to be here in the next 30 seconds". Enter Jeff Frank of CropSmart. This week we examine Jeff's use of no-collection soil sampling probes, digital imaging and readouts, fed through AI, to get real-time answers and last-minute scripts to tackle field by field problems in the world of agronomy. And the use of drones to further that agronomic diagnosis in the weeks following planting. Is it worth it? We'll, you be the judge. Ryan is always skeptical of this technological stuff, and cant stand AI...but Charlie seems to be the believer lemming. Is he right?
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    59 mins
  • The Little Red Barn Ep. 132: Why This "Ain't your Daddy's or Grandaddy's" Ag Industry, Ft. Damian Mason

    The Little Red Barn Ep. 132: Why This "Ain't your Daddy's or Grandaddy's" Ag Industry, Ft. Damian Mason
    Mar 30 2026
    We follow up the "Carbon Controversy" from last week with another conversation that might get your dander up, or at least prompt you to look at traditional agriculture differently. This week we were thrilled to be able to feature Damian Mason on the podcast. Damian hosts The Business of Agriculture program and speaks nationwide/worldwide on that topic. We tackle overproduction, policy, globalization, de-globalization, specialization (get the theme? Damian says its all about the "ations")... Here's what it comes down to: Ag is changing at a remarkable pace. Why do we think we can keep doing things - at their most basic levels - the same as we always have been, especially when we hear more and more the complaint of how we "cant keep up in the current markets"?
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • The Little Red Barn Episode 131: Carbon Controversy

    The Little Red Barn Episode 131: Carbon Controversy
    Mar 23 2026
    This week we step into the thick of a controversial plan to sequester carbon via high pressure deep injection well underneath acres and acres of northern Indiana farmland. The community seemingly doesn't want it, the county government is trying to handle the proposals in a correct manner and the project proposers seem hellbent on forcing it through. Courts may still yet have to decide some parts of this fiasco, time will tell. Does this affect all of you? Likely not. But this sounds eerily similar to stories about data centers, solar fields, other carbon capture programs and other economic development that comes on the backs of agriculture, so we all should probably pay attention. This kind of playbook is becoming more and more commonplace.
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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • The Little Red Barn Ep. 130- All Sorts of Good News!

    The Little Red Barn Ep. 130- All Sorts of Good News!
    Mar 16 2026
    The new Red Barn Podcast theme song brings a different sound to Episode 130, but feel good vibes are a little more rare in this podcast. Ryan is not in love with articulated boom lifts, and the winds of this past week do not help. Weather in general is bi-polar. Some farmers in other parts of the country are throwing in the towel, and it feels like we are getting price gouged on everything these days. But, we continue to try and find some nuggets to pass along your way.
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    46 mins
  • The Little Red Barn Ep. 129: Local Government Perspective

    The Little Red Barn Ep. 129: Local Government Perspective
    Mar 9 2026
    The "Red Barn Road Show" is on the move again, and this week we hit Plymouth, Indiana to talk with former Indiana State Representative and current Marshall County Councilman Tim Harman. We cover a lot of bases, from data centers and solar, to property taxes and roads and his local eatery! Iran and fertilizer make an appearance when we chat markets and then we finish off strong with a brand new Little Red Barn Podcast musical single that will likely make future appearances in the rotation as intro music, bump music and who knows what else. It's "Metal Red Barn" by Ian Martin, with the help of our good friend AI (begrudgingly cited by Ryan, of course). Enjoy!
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    39 mins
  • The Little Red Barn Podcast Ep. 128: Pioneer Woman!

    The Little Red Barn Podcast Ep. 128: Pioneer Woman!
    Mar 2 2026
    These days, "Women in Ag" is a hashtag, a movement and just plain something the industry is used to. But 40 years ago...it was not. This week we meet a trailblazer. A woman carving a path in agriculture before it was a "thing". Jane Hardesty held every position possible in SCS and NRCS during her illustrious career, and knows a think or two about soil and water conservation. Currently appointed by the Governor to the State Soil Conservation Board, she still is working to be a guiding hand to the industry even in retirement. Plus, the guys talk Iran and weather. Curious about all the rain on the way, well we "No-ah" guy.
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    52 mins
  • The Little Red Barn Podcast Ep 127: Boys and Their Toys!

    The Little Red Barn Podcast Ep 127: Boys and Their Toys!
    Feb 23 2026
    The Little Red Barn Podcast goes on the road this week as Charlie visits the Marshall County FFA Farm Toy Show at LaVille High School. The guys chat farm toy collections, and why we have them with four Marshall County FFA members and talk FFA week which is happening this week. A light-hearted look at the "playful" side of Agriculture. How may of your old farm toys do you still have?
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    42 mins
  • The Little Red Barn Ep. 126: More on Drones for 2026

    The Little Red Barn Ep. 126: More on Drones for 2026
    Feb 16 2026
    Ryan and Charlie take to the sky with an update on new technology in the world of Drones, and what we can look for in that space through the 2026 growing season. Brought to you by Mac America Ag Finance, Northern Indiana. 574-253-3433
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    46 mins