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PODCAST

Cultivating Leaders

Agriculture Future of America

Where leadership grows.Welcome to The Cultivating Leaders Podcast, where we dig into the minds of today’s most inspiring leaders to uncover the insights, habits, and strategies that help them thrive. Brought to you by Agriculture Future of America (AFA), this podcast delivers actionable leadership lessons tailored for professionals in food and agriculture—and beyond.Each episode features candid conversations with industry changemakers, thought leaders, and innovators like New York Times bestselling

business careers

All Episodes

47:11

Building Belonging in Agriculture with Kirk Maag

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/11/12

Belonging is the foundation of great leadership. But what does it really look like to lead and work in a place where you can show up as 100% yourself?In this episode of The Cultivating Leaders Podcast, Kirk Maag, environmental & natural resources attorney at Stoel Rives LLP, explores authenticity, inclusion and the power of leading with belonging. From growing up on a farm in eastern Oregon to helping guide national conversations on belonging through the Cultivating Change Foundation, Kirk

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56:22

Navigating Criticism with Courage with Mark McCully

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/10/22

Leadership is easy when everyone agrees. But the real test comes when the voices get loud, opinions fracture and every decision is met with scrutiny.Mark McCully, CEO of the American Angus Association, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast to share how he navigates criticism, conflict, and controversy while staying true to his mission and values. From managing 22,000 members with competing priorities to weathering social media storms and high-stakes industry debates, Mark offers a candid look at

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44:50

Finding Your Place in Agriculture with Dr. Michelle...

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/10/15

Although the connection between farms and consumers feels more distant than ever, the power of social media and transparency could be the best advocacy tool.Dr. Michelle Schack, veterinarian, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast to explore how curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to learn can open unexpected doors in agriculture. From her start at UC Davis to her leadership role as co-founder of DairyKind, Michelle shares how she’s using education, empathy, and social media to build bridges

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57:21

Leading from the Inside Out with Jackie Applegate

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/10/08

Great leaders don’t just drive results. They build environments where people thrive, embrace change and foster growth.Jackie Applegate, incoming Chief Executive Officer of PBI Gordon, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast to explore what true organizational health looks like in action. With more than 30 years of experience in agriculture and leadership, Jackie has built a career rooted in resilience and people development.Jackie gets real about:- Empowering organizational health: leading with

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46:37

Leading Across Differences with Krysta Harden

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/10/01

Whether you’re a student stepping into your first leadership role or a professional navigating a divided industry, this episode will challenge you to listen with intention, lead with humility and persist with passion.In this episode of the Cultivating Leaders Podcast, we are joined by Krysta Harden, President and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council. From her roots as the daughter of peanut farmers in southwest Georgia to leadership roles in governmental agencies, Krysta has built a remarkable

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29:38

The Power of Reflection

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/08/20

And, that’s a wrap on season 1!In this special episode of The Cultivating Leaders Podcast, Nicole is joined by the podcast producer, Savannah Nichols, for a trip down memory lane. The pair look back at the lessons, surprises and stories shared by 20 incredible industry leaders this season. Consider this your SparkNotes version of the podcast so you know what episodes need a listen.The CultivatingLeaders Podcast will be back with more influential agricultural leaders on October 1st!Connect with AFA

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43:48

Leading Agriculture Forward with President Zippy Duvall

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/08/13

Your voice, multiplied across agriculture, can change the outcome of major decisions.Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation, joins the Cultivating Leaders Podcast to share his experience with grassroots leadership, chasing innovation and creating sustainable agriculture leaders. President Duvall has built a career on telling the story of American agriculture by leaning on his experience of growing up on his family’s dairy farm in Georgia. Today, he represents millions of

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44:00

Why Good People Win with Corey Ciocchetti

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/08/06

What does it really mean to live a good life and to lead with integrity?Corey Ciocchetti, nationally recognized speaker and professor, joins the Cultivating Leaders Podcast for a powerful conversation around leading with ethics. Corey explores why good character is a non-negotiable, how to define success on your own terms and what it takes to build a life of authenticity.Corey covers how to:- Lead with Character: he argues that character should be the foundation of all leadership development, yet

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44:53

Curating a Curious and Courageous Culture with...

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/07/09

Courtney White, Head of HR for BASF Agricultural Solutions North America and Global Inclusion Officer, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast to dive into the power of inclusion and the value of Human Resources. Courtney shares how today’s most effective HR strategies go beyond hiring—they curate culture. He unpacks what it means to put people first, why timing matters just as much as talent, and how psychological safety drives retention and innovation. Plus, Courtney brings a powerful perspective on

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37:18

Breaking Barriers and Building Business with Suzanne...

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/07/02

A fifth-generation meat purveyor has grown her business built on tradition by leading with innovation and grit.Suzanne Strassburger, fifth-generation meat purveyor and president of Strassburger Meats, joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast. She opens up about the reality of being a woman leader in the meat industry and evolving her family’s business. Suzanne’s leadership mindset led her back to business school at age 50, built a culture of women employees, and enabled her to thrive through decades of

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48:27

Negotiating for U.S. Agriculture with Gregg Doud

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/06/25

What would be your strategy if you only had one shot to negotiate a billion-dollar trade deal?Gregg Doud, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation, joins this episode of The Cultivating Leaders Podcast. From his roots on a Kansas farm to the global stage of international trade, Gregg shares his career journey marked by dedication, conviction and service to U.S. agriculture. He shares a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to negotiate billion-dollar trade deals, and why

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52:09

A Vision of Connecting Talent with Jessie Jarvis

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/06/18

What if one rancher’s vision could shape the future of the agriculture job market and create a movement of connecting leaders?In this episode of The Cultivating Leaders Podcast, Nicole is joined by Jessie Jarvis, a third-generation rancher, entrepreneur, and the visionary behind Of The West. Raised on her family’s cattle ranch in Southern Idaho, Jessie shares how her entrepreneurship journey shaped her unique perspective on serving the industry, helping others build a career in agriculture, and the

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56:42

You Might Be A Bad Manager

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/06/11

What if the reason you're struggling as a leader isn’t your fault?Dr. Katie Ervin—author, founder, and creator of the Catalyst Workplace Model—joins The Cultivating Leaders Podcast for an honest conversation about what it really takes to lead without preparation, “being kind,” and bad managers. Through her career, Katie has learned the importance of vulnerability, feedback, and honesty.Katie gets real about:- Leaders are Often Set Up to Fail: People are often promoted into leadership roles without

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57:28

Curiosity, Culture and Crisis with Julie Anna Potts

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/06/04

What if real leadership isn’t about having the answers but rather about having the courage to ask better questions?In this episode of the Cultivating Leaders Podcast, Nicole sits down with Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute, to explore what it takes to lead through transformation, uncertainty, and industry evolution. She shares her experience navigating a major organizational merger, uniting stakeholders around a bold sustainability strategy, and steering the meat industry

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62:12

Leading Digital Transformation in Agriculture with...

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/05/21

Technology in agriculture isn't about the most expensive tractors — it's about solving real problems.In this episode of the Cultivating Leaders Podcast, Teddy Bekele, Chief Technology Officer at Land O’Lakes, explores the powerful intersection of agriculture, technology, and leadership. Teddy offers insight on what it takes to lead meaningful change in a tradition-rich industry.He opens up about: Changing Team Organizations Structure: restructuring teams for better business integration Adopting

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43:08

Building a Resilient Mindset with John Sachse

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/05/14

In a culture that says, “tough it out”, perhaps the most strength comes from vulnerability and courage. In this episode of the Cultivating Leaders Podcast, John Sachse – cattleman, Army National Guard officer, and AFA alum – explores what it really takes to build a resilient mindset. John shares how military training and returning to the family ranch shaped his approach to leadership, service, and mental toughness.John breaks down:- What it Means to be Resilient: it is about developing a mindset

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39:37

The Art of Networking with David Nothmann

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/05/07

Level-up your career by investing in the relationships that really matter. David Nothmann — a seasoned strategic growth leader with 25+ years of experience in agriculture, technology, and food innovation—joins the Cultivating Leaders Podcast for a discussion around building relationships. He shares practical insights on how leaders can build trust intentionally, approach networking as a learned skill, and play the long game when it comes to cultivating influence.David dives into: Relationships as

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52:12

Finding Your Voice to Inspire Change with Courtenay...

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/04/23

Have you ever felt like an outsider in the industry you were raised in? In this episode of the Cultivating Leaders Podcast, we welcome Courtenay DeHoff—television host, fifth-generation rancher, and founder of the Fancy Lady Cowgirl movement—for a bold conversation about pursuing a fulfilling career, challenging exclusion in agriculture, and empowering bold ideas.Courtenay shares great advice around:- Encouraging bold change: How exclusion in ag holds the industry back—and what to do about it-

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36:48

Sustaining a Purpose-Driven Career in Ag with Matt Plitt

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/04/16

What does it take to build a lasting, meaningful career in agriculture? In this episode, Matt Plitt, President and CEO of Valent USA, shares his insights on leading with intention, creating a strong workplace culture and navigating a rapidly changing industry. From personal growth to sustainable leadership strategies, this conversation is a masterclass in what it means to lead with purpose.Matt dives into:- Creating an Effective Workplace Culture: How he empowers his team- Embracing a Changing

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32:59

Leading and Learning from the Future of Agriculture...

Cultivating Leaders ·

2025/04/09

Great leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about trust, humility, and impact. In this episode, Scott Stump, CEO of the National FFA Organization, shares his experience on what it means to lead with integrity, empower teams, and stay open to growth. He shares a wealth of knowledge around the future leaders of the agriculture industry and how seasoned professionals can accelerate their potential.Scott shares more on:- The Current State of Ag Education: Where he sees gems and gaps- Trends for the Future

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26 results

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