
Welcome to the Your Ag Empire, a podcast that celebrates all the real conversations that take place at producer meetings. Or, rather, the conversations you wish took place.
LATEST EPISODES
See What's New
32. From Six Acres to a National Popcorn Brand: Gavin Spoor Isn’t Waiting on a Hand-Me-Down
Gavin Spoor didn’t grow up with a land deed in his back pocket. But he figured it out. From walking bean rows on six rented acres to running a multi-crop operation—and a popcorn brand that ships nationwide—this episode is about building something real, one acre at a time.
31. Pivoting Away From The Corporate Grind: Alex Lowery on Building Multiple Rural Brands
Alex Lowery left a stable corporate job to launch multiple rural ventures—including Lowery & Co., Rural Changemakers, Middle of the Field Media, and Sweet Bliss Candy Company. In this episode, she shares how clarity comes through action, how to build a brand with heart, and what rural leaders need to remember about rest, resilience, and legacy.
30. Haley Davenport on Starting Over, Single Motherhood, and Building a Gentle Life That Works
Haley Davenport, founder of Steel Marie Collective, shares her raw story of rebuilding from the ground up. From navigating single motherhood to building a brand rooted in faith, vintage finds, and quiet strength—this episode is a fresh take on what it means to want it all without buying into the hustle.
29. Lesley Kelly on Mental Health, Family Farming, and Building High Heels & Canola Fields
Lesley Kelly shares her journey through mental health challenges, founding Do More Ag, and building a personal brand that bridges rural life and advocacy.
28. From Pharmacy to Farm Finance: Holly Haralson's Journey to Empire Financial Services
Holly Haralson, COO of Empire Ag and founder of Empire Financial Services, shares how a career in pharmacy led to building one of the most trusted financial strategy teams in agriculture. This episode dives into the real-world transition from retail pharmacy to rural finance, and what ag families are getting wrong about their books.
27. Feeding Cattle, Managing Risk, and Raising Boys: Jordan Morris on Building a Legacy from the Ground Up
This week on Your Ag Empire, we sit down with Jordan Morris: a first-generation Iowa cattleman, LRP/LGM agent, and dad to five boys. Jordan owns and operates Midwest Feeders LLC and helps producers navigate market risk through StockGuard. He's also the newest member of the Empire Ag team.
26. Farm Financial Planning Made Simple: Using Figured to Grow, Pivot, or Exit with Confidence
Whether you’re scaling up, thinking about succession, or just tired of guessing with spreadsheets, this episode offers clear, practical insights for better financial decision-making in agriculture.
25. The Farmer’s Life: Brian Scott on Family, Farming in Indiana & Social Media Longevity
In this episode of Your Ag Empire, we sit down with Brian Scott, a fourth-generation Indiana farmer and the voice behind The Farmer’s Life. Long before TikTok trends and algorithm hacks, Brian was using social media to connect with consumers, document his days on the farm, and advocate for agriculture with honesty and humility.
24. Show Pigs to Strategy: Lexi Marek Beeler on Marketing, Motherhood & Building a Rural Network
Marketing strategist Lexi Marek Beeler joins us to talk about growing up in ag, founding L&B Consulting, and launching the Hey Sister event—designed to connect and empower rural women. This one’s for every woman juggling business, babies, and building a legacy.
23. From Ranch to Revenue: Lettie Nickell on Airbnb, Beef Sales & Building a Business in Ag
On this episode of Your Ag Empire, we’re joined by Lettie Nickel—a fourth-generation Kansas rancher who's turning tradition on its head. From managing feedyards to transforming an old grain bin into a hit Airbnb, Lettie is proof that the future of agriculture belongs to those willing to think outside the box.
22. From Vet to Visionary: How Kari Jo Kelso Built a Brand Rooted in Rural Nostalgia
After years of veterinary school and only four years in the field, Kari Jo Kelso walked away from her full-time vet career to chase something unexpected—t-shirts. Now the founder of Kelso & Co., Kari Jo has built a thriving apparel business and renovated a historic downtown space to support other rural entrepreneurs. In this episode of Your Ag Empire, we talk about grief, creativity, small-town pride, and what happens when you decide not to wait for retirement to live your life.
21. Profit, Pressure, and Precision: Brandon Vining on Taking Back Control in Agriculture (Part 2)
In Part 2, we go deeper with Brandon Vining on regenerative ag, long-term fertility, and why precision matters more than ever. Brandon shares how he helps clients—from seasoned producers to next-gen farmers—navigate complex agronomy decisions without sales pressure. From nutrient density to custom plans, it’s a practical look at what modern agronomy should be: transparent, unbiased, and rooted in what works for your land—not someone else’s margin. If you’ve ever felt burned by the system or unsure who to trust, this one’s for you.
20. From Retail to Real Talk: Brandon Vining on Flipping the Agronomy Script (Part 1)
In Part 1 of this conversation, independent agronomist Brandon Vining of ProGrow Consulting shares what’s broken in the ag retail model—and what he’s doing differently. After two decades in the industry, Brandon stepped away from commission-based agronomy to focus on field-first, farmer-focused consulting. He breaks down why the “free advice” that comes with a product often costs more in the long run, how soil fertility decisions impact mental health and profitability, and what producers can do to make more confident, cost-effective decisions on every acre.
19. Leading with Curiosity, Community & Courage with Emily Reuschel
In this empowering episode of Your Ag Empire, Holly interviews rural entrepreneur and podcast host Emily Reuschel about the transformative power of leading with curiosity, building authentic community, and embracing courageous change. Emily shares how she went from burned-out teacher to rural retreat host, helping women in agriculture break free from limiting beliefs and redefine success.
Listeners will gain insight into mental health in agriculture, personal growth in rural communities, and how to chase big dreams while staying present at home. If you're navigating motherhood, marriage, or major life transitions in small-town America, this episode is for you.