SharkFarmer Podcast

In this conversation, John Woodbury discusses his journey of building smokers to accommodate large gatherings. He shares insights on the design and capacity of his smokers, emphasizing the importance of having enough cooking space when feeding many people. The conversation highlights the evolution of his smoking equipment from a single smoker to multiple units capable of handling significant quantities of ribs.

Summary: In this episode of the Shark Farmer Podcast, host Rob Sharkey interviews Lee Lancaster, a marketing specialist at the Georgia Department of Agriculture and author. They discuss Lee's upbringing in Eastman, Georgia, his education, and his career path, including his work with Vidalia onions, Georgia's state vegetable. Lee shares insights into the history of the Vidalia onion, the importance of protecting its trademark, and the historical context of the farmer's strike in the late 1970s. The conversation also touches on agricultural traditions, public education initiatives like the Baby Barn, and the restoration of antique cotton gins. takeaways Lee Lancaster grew up in a John Deere dealership and developed a passion for agriculture early on. The Vidalia onion is unique to Georgia and is known for its sweetness due to specific soil conditions. Counterfeit Vidalia onions have been an issue, leading to protective laws to maintain the integrity of the brand. The farmer's strike in the late 1970s was a significant event in agricultural history, highlighting the struggles of farmers during that time. Traditions in agriculture are important, and Lee emphasizes the need to pass down knowledge and practices. Public education initiatives like the Baby Barn aim to connect urban populations with agricultural processes. Lee's book on the farmer's strike was inspired by personal stories and historical events shared by farmers. The restoration of antique cotton gins is a way to preserve agricultural history and educate the public. Lee believes that many people today are disconnected from agriculture and lack basic knowledge about farming. The importance of supporting local farms and understanding where food comes from is a recurring theme in the conversation.

What does agriculture need when it comes to helping our farmers/ranchers mental health?

Are the days of small town pancake breakfasts (and other traditional events) coming to an end? Listen as I talk with Nels Leo from Iowa

Will Americans still want real farm raised Chrismas trees in ten years? Ashley Ahl of Northern Family Farms is counting on it.

Have you ever gone through any type of agricultural leadership training? Was it worth it? Listen as I talk with Katie Staton

Is this worse thn the 80's in agriculture? I'm talking with the always amazing Karen Braun @kannbwx

Have you served on a Board of Directors for an agriculture group? Why or why not? Listen as I talk with Caleb Ragland

Do you ever eat mushrooms (or anything) that you find in the woods? Listen as I talk with Cate Meede

Who has been a great innovator in agriculture? Listen as I talk with Micheal Horsch

Who is the best story teller you've heard? Listen as I talk with Mike Perry

How would you live your life if you were told you had 4 months left? Jimmy Terry heard that news... 16 years ago

Do you belong to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Would you be upset if they donated produce to a food bank while you pay?

Will an increase in solar farms lead to more sheep being raised? Listen as I talk with sheep shearer Will Kleinert

Would you risk your body protecting a rodeo cowboy from a bull? Listen as I talk with Chuck Swisher a professional bullfighter

Will sustainable aviation fuel from low carbon corn be what brings back the corn market? Listen as I talk with Mark Stutsman from Stutsmans

After beating cancer at 17, Jake Long and his wife Brittany, were given a 6% chance to have kids... they now have 2 boys. Listen to the story of these Missouri farmers

What is your opinion on a farm store that is unmanned and uses the honor system for payment? Listen as I talk with Chelsey Leavitt from Utah

How valuable are opportunities for today's youth to participate in livestock shows? Listen as I talk with Victor Guerra of La Muneca Cattle Company

Do farmers make better inventors? Have you ever invented anything? Listen as I talk with Jeremy Matuszewski of Thunderstruck AG

Do you do any form of agri-tourism? Listen as I talk with Kaylee Heap from Heap's Giant Pumpkin Farm

What's the best in beef? Tri-tip or Brisket Listen as I talk with Utah rancher and restaurant owner Ralph Perkins

Will success, in future agriculture, require you to cut out the "middle man" Listen as I talk with Benton England, of South Texas, about his polled Brahman cattle

How do you define a farmer? Here is a story of a first generation garlic farmer that started from scratch... It's going to be their full time gig

How dose a company like John Deere preserve it's history? Listen as I talk with Neil Dahlstrom, author of Tractor Wars

Will spaying with drones replace ground rigs? Listen as I talk with Chad Gripp from Sweetwater Technologies

What does MAHA mean for agriculture? We hear from @CropLifeAmerica CEO Alex Dunn And Iowa farmer Ben Riensche

What farm groups (commodity groups, Farm Bureau, ect...) have you been part of? Do you feel you made a difference? Do you think it helped you as a farmer/rancher?

Does your farm have sufficient cybersecurity? Did you know that Russia hacked Ukrainian planters? Listen as I talk with Chris Sherman from TechSupport.farm

After losing her Dad in a farm accident, Dana Brooks went to D.C. to try to help farmers.... But she eventually used a story of her Mom's Chihuahua to get a job as the president and CEO for the Pet Food Institute... this one has it all

How hard is it for farmers and ranchers to get financing in 2025? Is there an option if your bank denies you? Listen as I talk with Ashley Arrington @AshleyLArring

Has a military deployment ever interfered with your farm or ranch? Listen as I talk with Seth & Amanda Van Steenwyk of Iowa

Do dairy farms have to go big to survive? The Marcoot Family started a creamery and no longer have liquid milk to sell. ....Also the best Smoked Gouda I have ever tasted

Have you ever gone to another country to learn about agriculture? If so... what country? Listen as I talk with Susan Graham & Adam Loker about SIU trip to Costa Rica

Farmers are pretty reserved, not many feel comfortable talking about going through Chapter 12. But, Jacob and Brooke Belicek from Texas feel it's important

When he was at his lowest, George Ferguson's mom told him to go volunteer... It led to amazing success

Imagine being a wife who continues the farm after her husband takes his own life... Listen to the incredible story of Theresia Gillie

Can a smaller family owned ag retailer compete with the big boys? Listen as I talk with Bonnie & Galen Scheresky of North Dakota

Has farming damaged your hearing? Do you hear ringing in your ears? Listen as I talk with Audiologist Sharyce Baartman

What would make you walk away from your farm/ranch? Listen as I talk with former South African farmer Gavin Jones

Where did you learn Parliamentary Procedure? Listen as I talk with Minnesota 4-H Extension Instructor Nicole Kudrle

Has an FFA Advisor/Ag Teacher made a difference in your life? Listen as I talk with Josh Bondy from Paris, Missouri

Do you farm with your family? What has or hasn't worked? Listen as I talk with Leah Schuldheisz from Fruitland Washington

If you would pass away, would anyone know how to run your farm/ranch? Listen as I talk with Gerald Roeves about how his family asked FarmRescue for help after his fathers passing

Imagine getting a brain tumor (size of a tennis ball) removed only days after having a baby. Listen as I talk with Nebraska farmer Micheala Gasseling

Do you need a "never give up" attitude to be successful in agriculture? Listen as I talk with Utah sod farmers, Kirk and Easton Harris, about their farm surviving a near fatal accident.

A review highlighting the hometowns of our guests on SharkFarmer Radio 3:40 Kaala Clarke 6:45 Brandi Buzzard 11:40 Avery Davidson 18:28 Melissa Nelson 22:20 Brooke Doyle 26:40 Bridgette Readel 32:00 Mark Read 36:30 Bar 7 Ranch 42:10 Lesley Kelly

Is stray voltage a real thing? Listen as I talk with dairy farmer Jill Nelson

Do you farm with your spouse? Is there a division of labor? Listen as I talk with Utah farmers Kenny and Jamila McFarland

Possibly the best storyteller in agriculture Chris Bennett has broke some of ag's biggest stories