SharkFarmer Podcast

Rob Sharkey talks with Roxanne Reed, founder of Farm School on Wheels, about turning her military-spouse entrepreneurship and finance experience into practical support for new and transitioning farmers. Reed explains the mobile classroom, the business fundamentals she teaches, and why early, honest conversations about farm succession can protect both family relationships and agricultural land.

key topics

• Reed describes moving from military-spouse entrepreneurship and finance into farming and agricultural education, after developing a curriculum for new and beginning farmers.
• Farm School on Wheels began during COVID shutdowns as a mobile, outdoor classroom and evolved into a traveling resource for farm and rural-business education.
• Its lessons cover farm-purchase readiness, lender options, veteran financing considerations, risk mitigation, marketing, strategic financial planning, business plans, and realistic projections.
• Reed says many of her clients are women ages 45-55, veterans, retiring service members, or people preparing to transition into farming; about 70% of her clients are female.
• The program helps small and generational farms assess new directions, including agritourism and hospitality, while connecting them to experienced farmers and resource partners.
• Reed clarifies that she teaches business and financial planning, not production advice, and refers technical farm questions to experienced farmers, Cooperative Extension, USDA, and FSA.
• Farm succession planning should account for wills, powers of attorney, state-specific rules, and possible ownership structures, with professional legal and tax guidance.
• Reed urges families to discuss succession before a crisis, stress-test plans for difficult transitions, and set expectations without pressuring the next generation to take over.

takeaways

• I'm a financial specialist who accidentally became a farmer.
• I still need a classroom. And now I've got to get to all of these different farms and other clients.
• We really help them to get their foundation in order.
• I'm not a dream killer. What I do is I'm going to help them reorganize it so that they can get more clarity and make decisions faster.
• At the end of the day, do you think anybody should be calling me if they got a sick chicken or their corn looks like hell or their tractors are stuck in the mud? No.
• If you can get farms and farmers to go through what I consider the emergency fire drills, which stress tests the farm in a harsh transition.
• The first generation builds it. The second generation grows it. The third generation Fs it up, typically.
• It's better to fight it out a little bit now and put things in place.
• A lot of the kids who end up taking over the farms are the ones that were really raised in it, but allowed to fly.
• Make it adaptable for what you might see happening in the future.

Chapters

Rob Sharkey interviews Courtney Baird, director of operations at her family's Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch in Blair, Nebraska, about how a seasonal pumpkin patch grew into a full-time agritourism business. Baird explains the work behind its 35-plus attractions, 200-person seasonal workforce, family-friendly guest experience, and the lessons she carries from corporate HR into farm operations.

key topics

• Skinny Bones began with a few acres of pumpkins and roadside sales before expanding into a corn maze and other attractions.
• Director of operations Courtney Baird draws on eight years in corporate human resources to handle staffing, training, and day-to-day farm operations.
• The farm employs more than 200 people during the season and reports a returning-staff rate above 60 percent.
• More than 35 attractions are included in the admission price, with animal feed as an optional extra.
• The public season lasts eight weeks, but preparation involves year-round planning, hiring, repairs, and rebuilding after each fall.
• The farm can welcome 1,000 to 3,000 guests in a day, depending on the weather.
• Photo-friendly design, family safety, cleanliness, customer service, and a no-alcohol policy shape the visitor experience.
• A new Black Barn coffee shop took more than a year to plan and build and offers coffee, pastries, breakfast foods, and apple cider donuts.
• Baird credits varied past jobs and early exposure to business tasks with preparing her for farm leadership.

takeaways

• "You pay one admission price and that gets you in through the gates."
• "We're essentially starting over every single year."
• "We're over sixty percent returning staff right now."
• "Our business is so weather dependent."
• "You set the tone, you set the experience for the guests."
• "Their support means more than anyone realizes because we're a family business."
• "Take every opportunity you can because you don't know where that experience is gonna bring you back."
• "We're not above cleaning the bathrooms or picking up trash around the farm."

Chapters

In this episode, Ryan Cook from West Virginia shares his passion for growing giant pumpkins, shark tooth hunting, and his efforts to help veterans through farming. Discover the secrets behind record-breaking pumpkins, the parallels between shark tooth hunting and gardening, and Ryan's vision for a TV show about giant growing.

Key topics

• Ryan's background and West Virginia roots
• Details of the giant pumpkin growing process and record attempts
• The community and drama surrounding giant pumpkin growing
• Parallel between shark tooth hunting and gardening
• Ryan's efforts to help veterans through farming and outdoor activities

Chapters

Alex Russell on FFA, communication, and finding a place in agriculture

Rob Sharkey talks with Alex Russell, the U.S. soybean seed care product lead for Syngenta, about how rodeo, homeschooling, FFA, and leadership training shaped her career in agriculture. Alex shares how she went from planning for nursing school to building a career in crop protection, training, and public speaking—and why communication, curiosity, and grit matter as much as technical knowledge.Alex also shares her views on women in agriculture, the value of being "kind, not nice," and why the ag industry needs people to tell the story of farming honestly. Along the way, she and Rob discuss career growth, imposter syndrome, and how to keep your personality while staying professional.

• Growing up in Fayette County, Illinois, and how rodeo and homeschooling influenced her path
• How FFA helped Alex find her direction in agriculture and leadership
• Studying ag business economics and weed science at SIU
• How internships and graduate school shaped her career
• Why effective communication means meeting people where they are
• Alex's "kind, not nice" approach to honest, constructive feedback
• Women's experiences in agriculture and staying confident in the room
• Building a career without coming from a large farming operation or an ag-industry family
• Fear of failure, fear of judgment, and advocating for yourself
• How the definition of agriculture is expanding for the next generation
• Creating genuine connections as a speaker

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction and meeting Alex Russell
03:41 – Sponsor mention and conversation about farm trials
06:26 – Rodeo roots and learning responsibility through horses
09:46 – Moving from homeschooling to public school
11:11 – FFA involvement and leadership
14:01 – SIU, the Saluki identity, and discovering weed science
15:25 – Internships, graduate school, and building an ag career
17:15 – Public speaking and Alex's experience at SIU Women's Weekend
19:01 – Training, development, and "stealing with pride"
20:51 – Communication as a selfless act
22:12 – What "kind, not nice" means
24:01 – Being a woman in agriculture
25:29 – Staying professional without losing your personality
27:45 – Building a career without being born into agriculture
30:34 – Fear of failure, fear of judgment, and The Twin Thieves
31:32 – Why people may not be thinking about you as much as you think
33:56 – Speaking and working with agriculture groups
34:53 – Does agriculture care about feeding people?
36:43 – Changing paths into agriculture
38:30 – How younger generations are broadening the definition of ag
39:55 – Curiosity, generational differences, and changing minds
41:21 – Imposter syndrome and advocating for yourself
43:09 – Leadership training and learning from discomfort
44:33 – Alex's passion for speaking and connecting with audiences
46:20 – Vulnerability and creating a genuine audience connection
48:35 – Where to find Alex online and closing remarks

In this episode, we explore the journey of Kelly Leffler from rural Illinois to becoming the US Small Business Administration administrator, discussing her insights on agriculture, deregulation, and supporting small businesses and farmers.

key topics

• Kelly Leffler's background and rural upbringing
• Impact of deregulation on small businesses and farmers
• The role of the SBA in supporting manufacturing and defense supply chains
• Policy perspectives on environmental regulation and green initiatives
• The importance of small businesses in American economic strength
• Leadership and decision-making in government and politics

Chapters

In this episode, Rob Sharkey interviews Barry and Michelle Acoke from Parma, Missouri, exploring their diverse ventures in agriculture, business, and community service. They share insights on farming, entrepreneurship, faith, and the importance of relationships in success.

key topics

• The Acoke family's farming background and diversification into cotton, rice, and other crops
• Barry's journey from cotton consultant to international distributor and business owner
• The role of faith and community service in their business philosophy
• Challenges and rewards of managing nursing homes and restaurants
• The importance of relationships and good leadership in rural businesses

Chapters

Rob Sharkey talks with Neil Koch of Harlan, Indiana, the creator behind Dig Drive DIY, about how a hobby channel grew into a full-time job. Neil explains the mix of heavy equipment work, family life, and practical projects that shaped his videos, plus the backstory behind his backyard pond, his agronomy career, and the community that supports him.We discuss how Neil builds videos around real projects, why storytelling matters more than just filming work, and what it took to leave a stable job to pursue YouTube full time. The conversation also covers equipment, sponsorships, and the patience required to grow an audience the right way.

Key topics

• Neil shares how Dig Drive DIY started with casual uploads, then grew after a bulldozer-loading video unexpectedly took off.
• He explains the channel name and its three pillars: digging projects, driving equipment, and DIY work.
• Neil walks through the backyard pond project that helped his channel break out, including the concrete walkway, pier, and well that keeps it filled.
• He explains why the pond was designed to be low-maintenance, mowable, and visually interesting on camera.
• We discuss how Neil's background as a heavy-equipment operator shaped both his skills and his comfort with large projects.
• Neil shares the leap from agronomist to full-time YouTuber, including the gradual step down from five days a week to three before leaving altogether.
• He talks about the importance of a supportive spouse, family, and local community when making a risky career change.
• Neil describes how his video style blends education and entertainment, and why he tries to make each project feel like a story with a beginning, middle, and end.
• We discuss sponsorships, Patreon, and how income from YouTube typically grows only after an audience is already established.
• Neil offers advice to younger creators: be patient, accept criticism, build thick skin, and do not expect quick money.

Timestamps

00:00 — Rob introduces Neil Koch and Dig Drive DIY
00:35 — Harlan, Indiana, and life near the Ohio border
01:05 — Brandt sponsorship and a funny equipment-sizing conversation
04:53 — How Neil describes the Dig Drive DIY channel
05:21 — The bulldozer-loading video that helped the channel take off
06:21 — Why the channel is called Dig Drive DIY
07:40 — Firewood, driveway work, and the pond video that changed everything
08:39 — Why Neil built a backyard pond
09:09 — Concrete edging, a pier, and designing for easy maintenance
10:08 — How the pond is filled with a well instead of runoff
11:36 — Keeping the pond full and fresh with a switch system
13:24 — The emotional side of finishing a big project
14:51 — Using projects as an excuse to keep building
15:47 — An old pocket knife passed down from childhood
17:39 — Leaving his agronomy job to do YouTube full time
18:37 — The fear of quitting a stable job for creator work
20:29 — Neil's wife and family support
22:16 — Risk, uncertainty, and why YouTube can change fast
23:44 — Keeping the channel family-friendly and community-centered
25:08 — Studying elementary education and never becoming a teacher
26:38 — The teaching style that shows up in Neil's videos
28:03 — Explaining drainage tile and field work on camera
28:33 — Neil's work as an agronomist
29:33 — Learning agriculture through family and on-the-job experience
31:21 — Approaching new challenges without fear of failure
33:17 — The story behind the Dig Drive DIY name
34:14 — Reaching 350,000 subscribers and dealing with imposter syndrome
36:14 — Strong local support from family, friends, and neighbors
37:40 — Community cooperation and volunteerism in small-town life
39:04 — Natural equipment skill and the value of patience
40:46 — Favorite projects, including the Bruno garden tractor and a restored 1979 Ford Bronco
42:40 — Advice for people who want to start a YouTube channel
43:41 — Why AI content may not replace real stories
44:39 — Why creators should not expect to get rich quickly on YouTube
45:40 — How YouTube income works, including AdSense and sponsorships
47:37 — How brand deals come to Neil and why he uses an agent
49:02 — Why newer creators should be realistic about the timeline
49:58 — Closing thoughts and appreciation for positive online content

In this episode, we explore the impactful work of Karen Schiller at Compeer, her journey from journalism to agriculture, and the importance of community leadership and giving back in rural America.

key topics

• Karen Schiller's background and transition from journalism to agriculture
• The role of Compeer in supporting rural communities and agriculture
• The importance of leadership and volunteerism in rural areas
• Strategies for effective philanthropy and community investment
• The impact of small donations and community involvement

Chapters

Jimmy O'Connor, founder of the Second Story Foundation, shares his inspiring journey of recovery from severe substance use disorder and how his farm-based program helps others rebuild their lives through work, community, and purpose.

Shark Farmer Podcast — Chandler Janes

In this episode of Shark Farmer, Rob talks with Chandler Janes of Urbana, Illinois about life, farming, faith, and the path that shaped her career in agriculture. Chandler shares how growing up in central Illinois, losing her dad unexpectedly at a young age, and finding her place on the family farm influenced both her personal life and professional journey.They kick things off with a lively conversation about Beck's Hybrids' big event and the energy of ag shows, including how farmers and ag professionals tend to bring a more positive attitude than the average trade show crowd. Chandler, who works on the digital marketing team at Beck's, talks about the trust farmers place in seed decisions and how the rewards program has helped build long-term confidence on her farm.From there, the conversation turns more personal. Chandler opens up about studying agriculture leadership education at the University of Illinois, then earning a master's degree in agriculture production after her father passed away unexpectedly when she was 20. She talks honestly about grief, faith, and how the loss pushed her to stay close to home, support the family farm, and build a life in Champaign-Urbana.The episode also explores:

• Chandler's role in agriculture marketing and social media
• Her experience working for an ag agency and Precision Planting
• A memorable trip to Germany through an agriculture policy program
• How she and her husband Connor learned to farm together
• The realities of raising a young child while balancing work and farm life
• Why authenticity matters more than polish in interviews and leadership

Chandler's perspective is grounded, thoughtful, and refreshingly honest. She talks about resilience not as a buzzword, but as something shaped by real life — tragedy, responsibility, family, and choosing to keep moving forward.

Key Takeaways

• Farm shows and ag events can create a uniquely positive, community-driven atmosphere.
• Loss and adversity can reshape career direction and personal purpose.
• Authenticity builds stronger connection than a polished persona.
• Expanding your network and job shadowing are powerful ways to enter agriculture careers.
• Family, faith, and adaptability are central to Chandler's life and work.

Memorable Themes

• Resilience after loss
• Faith in difficult seasons
• Family farming and shared responsibility
• Agriculture careers for young women
• Marketing, communication, and leadership in ag

Guest Bio

Chandler Janes is an agriculture marketing professional from Urbana, Illinois, with experience in social media, paid media, dealership marketing, and ag communications. She works for Beck's Hybrids and remains closely involved in her family farm while balancing work, motherhood, and community life.