In this episode, I visit with Randall Cass, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Entemologist and we're talking about beginning beekeeping!

In this episode, I visit with Dr. Danelle Bickett-Weddle of the Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State University and talk about winter preparedness.

In this podcast we wrap up the 2018 harvest discussing chores to complete before winter, including winterizing a high tunnel, equipment to clean and store and upcoming produce food safety meetings.

In this episode, we cover earwigs, squash bugs and Japanese beetles, including identification and control measures.

In this podcast we discuss considerations when buying an acreage. 

In this episode, we visit with Seth Applegate, agricultural specialist in entomology at Iowa State University on the establishment of habitat for monarchs and other pollinator species.

In this episode Kristine Tidgren, Director of the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation, walks us through the new tax law and what it means for farmers. 

In this episode Joe Hannan, of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, tells us everything we need to know to start a fruit and vegetable operation.

In this episode Christa Hartsook talks with Diana Cochran, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Fruit Specialist, about hop production in Iowa, as well as resources for hop producers. 

What chores and planning should be done yet this fall to prepare for the 2018 vegetable crops? In this episode, we visit with Ajay Nair of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to talk about fall cleanup and spring planning.

In this episode Christa Hartsook discusses the Food Safety Modernization Act with Linda Naeve. Linda is an Extension Specialist in Value-Added Agriculture at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. She is also a member of the ISU food safety team and the North-Central Region center for FSMA training, extension and technical assistance.

Joe Hannan, ISU Extension and Outreach Horticulture Field Specialist, talks with Christa Hartsook about the effects of cold spells on horticultural crops this winter as well as how to maintain heat in crop production structures.

CWD has been detected in two counties in Iowa. Learn about concerns regarding livestock transfer, human consumption, and the spread of this disease throughout the deer population in Iowa.

What is spotted winged drosophila? How can I tell if it is affecting fruit crops? Learn more in this episode.

In this episode, we discuss the opportunities to grow your own food in an aquaponics system. However, aquaponics is not without its challenges and we talk about some of the common problems those with new systems may face.

Hot temps and dry conditions combine for a rough period for Midwestern horticultural crops. We visit with Joe Hannan, ISU Extension and Outreach commercial horticulture field specialist on ways to survive the hot weather.

In this episode, we visit with Allen Pattillo, fisheries and aquaculture program specialist at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, on some basic spring maintenance of our ponds - managing aquatic plant growth, proper stocking of fish species and construction tips.

In this episode Christa Hartsook talks with Joe Hannan, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Commercial Horticulture Specialist, about the effects of April's cold and wet weather on horticulture crops in Iowa, including damage, current condition and what to watch for next.

In this episode Christa Hartsook talks with Linda Naeve, State SARE Coordinator, about funding opportunities through SARE Farmer Rancher grants. She also visits with Ray Hansen, who has received a Farmer Rancher grant in the past, about the implications his grant has had on his farm.

Diana is Iowa State University Extension and Outreach's Horticulture and Fruit Crop Specialist. In this episode she tells us about her research related to high tunnel peach tree production in Iowa.

Jesse Randall is Iowa State University Extension and Outreach's Forestry Specialist. In this episode he tells us about the process and market opportunities for producing maple syrup in Iowa.

Dan Perkins of Perkins Good Earth Farm in Indiana will be the keynote speaker at the second annual Iowa Small Farms Conference. This podcast will give you a sneak peek into his lifestyle, farming practices, as well as what he will be speaking about at the conference on February 11th.

In this episode Christa Hartsook interviews Jamie Benning, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Water Quality Program Manager, to discuss water quality in Iowa and its implications for small farmers and acreage owners around the state.

In this episode Christa Hartsook, Small Farm Sustainability Program Coordinator, visits with Chris Clark, the southwest Iowa Beef Specialist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Clark and Hartsook  discuss the Veterinary Feed Directive and its implications for small farmers.

In this episode Christa Hartsook, Small Farm Sustainability Program Coordinator, visits with Adam Janke, assistant professor in the department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management at Iowa State University. Janke and Hartsook  discuss how small acreage owners can improve wildlife habitats on their land.