AgWarriors

Dallas Leduc brings authenticity to every conversation about agriculture. Alongside his family, he operates Venture Ridge Farms near Glentworth, Saskatchewan, growing yellow peas, green lentils, Kabuli chickpeas, durum wheat and yellow mustard. In this episode, Leduc shares insights from more than 50 years involved in agriculture, discussing the realities of grain farming, family farm dynamics, challenging economic conditions and the importance of staying positive through difficult times. He also talks about the role of crop insurance in helping farmers navigate tough cycles and what it takes to stay resilient in today’s agricultural industry. Connect with the AgWarriors Podcast across social media: Instagram: @ag.warriors YouTube: @AgWarriorsPodcast Facebook: @AG Warriors TikTok: @ag_warriors

Recorded at a trade show in Brazil, Marcelo Venturoso joins the AgWarriors Podcast to share his journey from studying law to joining his family’s agribusiness company, Venturoso Valentini. Founded in 1969, the company is a leading manufacturer of agricultural machinery components, serving some of the world's top agricultural brands. He discusses his passion for rural life, the influence of his father, the responsibility of carrying on a family legacy and how his team is helping drive the company’s continued growth and success. Connect with the AgWarriors Podcast across social media: Instagram: @ag.warriors YouTube: @AgWarriorsPodcast Facebook: @AG Warriors Tiktok: @ag_warriors

From holding a microphone at a young age to building careers in both farm broadcasting and country music, Jesse Allen has followed a unique path in life rooted in agriculture, storytelling and family. After years of interviewing farmers, agricultural leaders and industry professionals, one constant is the eternal optimism within the agriculture community. His journey has taken him from a local radio station to a national farm network and eventually to Nashville, Tennessee, where he is also a country music singer-songwriter while balancing the responsibilities of family life. In this episode, Allen joins host Jeremy Matuszewski to discuss the lessons he has learned through each season of life, from broadcasting and music to marriage and fatherhood. He also shares his perspective on the challenges facing farmers today, the policy and geopolitical issues impacting agriculture and the importance of serving the agricultural community. Whether you are interested in farm media, rural advocacy, family life or pursuing an unconventional career path, this conversation offers valuable insight and perspective. Connect with the AgWarriors Podcast across social media: Instagram: @ag.warriors YouTube: @AgWarriorsPodcast Facebook: @AG Warriors Tiktok: @ag_warriors

Taking over the farm from her father, Zoe Kent now owns and rents the land while balancing life as a farmer, social media influencer and other gigs. She compares creating content online to renting farmland, highlighting the importance of community, connection and long-term relationship-building in both. As the eighth generation to farm the same family land, Kent is also the first woman to lead the operation and the first in her family to hold a college degree. In this episode, she shares the challenges of stepping into ownership earlier than expected after sudden changes accelerated the farm’s succession plan. Kent opens up about the difficult lessons that came with taking on leadership, making key decisions, and navigating the realities of running a farm. She also discusses her growing presence on social media and what inspired her to start creating content in the first place. Connect with the AgWarriors Podcast across social media: Instagram: @ag.warriors YouTube: @AgWarriorsPodcast Facebook: @AG Warriors Tiktok: @ag_warriors

Regenerative agriculture is a topic that is gaining momentum today, but for Brandon Meiners and his family, it started long before it became mainstream. Meiners shares how his father helped pioneer cover crops across the Midwest and the challenges that came with advocating for regenerative practices early on. In this episode, Meiners discusses his journey into agriculture and how he became director of agronomy at Midwestern BioAg. Although he originally attended college for criminal justice, he realized he missed the relationships, stories, and connection to farmers that he grew up around. After his father faced cancer and he reevaluated his own path, Meiners returned to agriculture and found a passion for business development and helping farmers better understand nutrient density and regenerative agriculture practices. Connect with the AgWarriors Podcast across social media: Instagram: @ag.warriors YouTube: @AgWarriorsPodcast Facebook: @AG Warriors Tiktok: @ag_warriors

Farming and building solutions for farmers has always been a family affair for Doug Applegate. After learning the trade from his father, he has passed that same passion on to the next generation, while identifying a need to help growers become more efficient in spraying. That need led to the creation of Praxidyn, a family-built business with a product focused on automating chemical mixing. In this episode, Applegate shares the journey from product development to launching — which took seven years — and growing a self-funded company. He also discusses the challenges he has overcome, insights for entrepreneurs, the process of building a dealer network and what’s ahead for the business. Plus, Doug opens up about his personal story and how his faith impacts his work and leadership. Connect with the AgWarriors Podcast across social media: Instagram: @ag.warriors YouTube: @AgWarriorsPodcast Facebook: @AG Warriors Tiktok: @ag_warriors

In this episode, Elizabeth Omet shares the mindset that has guided her life, “the harder you work, the luckier you get.” Raised in the city in Texas, she once considered fashion school but ultimately pursued business, knowing early on she wanted to build something of her own. She launched a home health care company before pivoting into agriculture alongside her husband, helping bring Big-Tex baler twine to the North American market through Protexia. From adapting successful European products to gaining traction in the U.S., Elizabeth reflects on the many “no’s” she faced and the persistence it took to keep going, including one memorable trip with baler twine in an airplane. With a strong belief in a family-business mentality, she emphasizes service, trusted partnerships, and investing in both products and people. Connect with the AgWarriors Podcast across social media: Instagram: @ag.warriors YouTube: @AgWarriorsPodcast Facebook: @AG Warriors Tiktok: @ag_warriors

From performing at 195 rodeos across four countries in one year to battling cancer while staying committed to the career he loves, Matt Merritt’s story is one of resilience, authenticity and family. In this episode, Merritt joins host Jeremy Matuszewski to share what it took to build a career as a rodeo clown, the behind-the-scenes logistics of working rodeos at events like Canadian Western Agribition and how he stayed strong through some of the biggest challenges of his life. He also discusses the importance of staying healthy, having time for family while spending much of the year on the road and advice on topics like investing. Through it all, Meritt shares relatable ways people can continue to be warriors throughout life. Connect with the AgWarriors Podcast across social media: Instagram: @ag.warriors YouTube: @AgWarriorsPodcast Facebook: @AG Warriors Tiktok: @ag_warriors

Fifth-generation farmer Zack Youngquist did not originally plan to return to his family’s farm. While studying business in college, he made the difficult decision to leave during his senior year when his grandfather became ill. Since then, Zack has navigated the ups and downs of farming while building a business rooted in opportunity. As the founder of Interpose Ag, he identified a need for independent fertilizer solutions, offering Unicorn fertilizer products to better serve farmers. Along the way, Zack has developed his own perspective on risk — one that differs from previous generations. Following the sudden loss of his parents, he reflects on how faith, resilience and intentional legacy planning now shape both his life and his work. Connect with the AgWarriors Podcast across social media: Instagram: @ag.warriors YouTube: @AgWarriorsPodcast Facebook: @AG Warriors Tiktok: @ag_warriors

Kyle Folk did not follow a traditional route into agriculture. From aspiring filmmaker to electrician to agtech entrepreneur, his career has evolved through bold decisions and unexpected opportunities. In this episode, Folk joins host Jeremy Matuszewski at the recent Agritechnica show to share how his Canadian farming roots eventually drew him back to agriculture, even after years spent building and operating an electrical business. While starting a family, taking on a mortgage and attending school, he felt a strong pull to pursue something more. That drive led him back to the farm, where a business idea began to develop. After keeping the concept on hold for two years, a pitch program inspired him to move forward. That step ultimately grew into a successful software company, which he later sold. Today, Folk is dedicating his time and experience to supporting another agricultural business. Listen through the final minutes to hear his advice on entrepreneurship, risk-taking and the principles that helped shape his success. Connect with the AgWarriors Podcast across social media: Instagram: @ag.warriors YouTube: @AgWarriorsPodcast Facebook: @AG Warriors Tiktok: @ag_warriors

Lorenzo Roos is a generational farmer in Brazil who is also sharing his farming story on social media to connect with farmers around the world. In this episode, Roos discusses his family’s farming history, the dynamics of family farming and his mindset of helping other farmers. Roos and AgWarriors Podcast host Jeremy Matuszewski talk about the differences in growing seasons between Brazil and North America, while highlighting shared priorities such as soil preservation, soil health and the use of cover crops. Roos also opens up about the personal challenge of losing his father as a young adult and how that experience shaped his perspective on farming and leadership. The conversation also touches on government challenges facing Brazilian agriculture, Roos’ passion for farming, how he got started as a content creator and why sharing agriculture online matters. He also offers advice for young farmers and those looking to tell their own ag story. Connect with the AgWarriors Podcast across social media: Instagram: @ag.warriors YouTube: @AgWarriorsPodcast Facebook: @AG Warriors Tiktok: @ag_warriors

Autonomy and artificial intelligence are transforming agriculture, and FarmWave CEO Craig Ganssle joins the conversation to share more about those innovations. In this episode, Ganssle shares the story behind launching FarmWave, a company focused on AI-driven solutions for agricultural machinery. He joins hosts Jeremy Matuszewski at the recent Agritechnica show to discuss the innovation behind FarmWave and the entrepreneurial journey that led him there, including lessons from a previous business venture. Ganssle reflects on his connection to farming and agriculture, as well as his service in the U.S. Marines, and how those experiences shaped his leadership as CEO. He also talks about the challenges of launching a company in 2020, the value of accuracy and what’s next for FarmWave, including new features for 2026. Connect with the AgWarriors Podcast across social media: Instagram: @ ag.warriors YouTube: @ AgWarriorsPodcast Facebook: @ AG Warriors Tiktok: @ ag_warriors

Marcus Holtkötter, a 12th-generation farmer from Germany, joins AgWarriors to share what it’s like to raise pigs and grow crops in Europe amid increasing government regulations. He discusses the education required to farm in Europe, lessons learned through experience, and the power of building strong networks with fellow farmers. Holtkötter also offers his perspective on the growing role of data in agriculture, the impacts of the war in Russia and Ukraine and the future of small farms in a conversation with host Jeremy Matuszewski.

As a fourth-generation farmer, Levi Scherman always felt a pull toward farming — even while selling seed across Western Canada. In this episode, host Jeremy Matuszewski talks with Levi at Agritechnica to hear his deep roots in farming, how studying crop technology in college cemented his desire to stay in agriculture, how he managed to purchase his own farmland before the age of 21 and only a few tangents about sports!

Recorded at Agritechnica, host Jeremy Matuszewski sits down with Dmytro Kobazarenko, owner of Kobzarenko Plant, a leading agricultural machinery manufacturer in Ukraine. Dmytro shares his upbringing in Ukraine, his education and how he describes navigating life and business amid the ongoing war. He also reflects on living and working in countries such as Germany and Poland, the challenges his company faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the moments that shaped its growth. Dmytro also explains how the company remains a family business in the memory of his father and how it continues to fight for a strong future despite unprecedented adversity.

Jens Kremer, a lifelong enthusiast of major industry events, serves as Managing Director of DLG International, a subsidiary of the German Agricultural Society (DLG). The organization develops and coordinates international trade fairs and conferences including Agritechnica, the world’s leading agricultural trade fair. Host Jeremy Matuszewski talks with Jens about his upbringing in Germany, his path into the events industry and how he ultimately stepped into his current leadership role. They discuss future initiatives, the growth of DLG International’s global reach and how the organization continues to share information and networking opportunities. The episode also includes a preview of what’s coming next on Ag Warriors.

From Germany, Jeremy Matuszewski and guest co-host Andy Castillo share their insights on the cutting-edge technology and innovation showcased at Agritechnica, the world’s leading agricultural trade fair drawing nearly 500,000 visitors from 52 countries. They also preview what’s ahead for the podcast, including future guests and conversations that highlight the human side of agriculture, even in a tech-driven world. And of course, it wouldn’t be an episode without a little sports talk! This episode also features perspectives from Jeff Cooper, vice president of trade development at Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership, and Rob O’Connor, Ag in Motion show director, on what stood out to them at the show.

Andy Castillo grew up in Massachusetts without a farming background, and he believes that gives him a unique perspective when reporting on farm equipment and machinery as an editor at Farm Progress. In this episode, he shares some of the new technologies and standout stories he has covered over the years, emphasizing the opportunities in agriculture even for those who didn’t grow up in the industry. The conversation spans from his love of sports and travel, how he got his start in journalism alongside his military involvement, and the value of farm shows in creating educational opportunities for farmers. Andy also discusses the growing need in ag media to better understand the ROI of new technologies and equipment so information can clearly communicate the value behind these innovations.

From broadcasting on Iowa public airwaves to now running five businesses, Delaney Howell’s grit and determination are unmatched. Growing up on a livestock and crop farm with her brothers, Delaney found joy in showing animals at fairs, a foundation that shaped her love for agriculture. That passion led her to study agricultural education in college, where she discovered her true calling behind the microphone. She went on to host a television show covering commodity markets, co-founded the Ag News Daily Podcast, and launched AgCulture Marketing, yet her journey hasn’t been without challenges. Tune in to this episode for never-before-heard insights into how Delaney navigated those opportunities and became a recognized leader and communicator in agriculture.

Connecting growers and showcasing the latest agriculture technologies are a focus for one of Brazil's largest cooperatives, Coopercitrus Rural Producers'. At the latest Coopercitrus Expo — spanning many hectares of innovation — Chairman of the Board of Directors Matheus Marino shares with Jeremy Matuszewski how the cooperative supports farmers in Brazil and the similarities to agriculture in the United States. The event’s family-friendly atmosphere and excitement contribute to its continued success. Year after year, Coopercitrus welcomes members from across its operating area, connecting them with leading business opportunities, technologies and sustainability initiatives, establishing the expo as one of the most important agricultural fairs in the area.