Best Field Agricultural Engineering Podcasts (2025)

1
Advocating for Agriculture: A Conversation With Ray Starling 38:12

Play Pause

10d ago38:12

38:12

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Ray Starling, general counsel for the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce and an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Starling serves North Ca…

1
Science in Sequence: How RNAi is Transforming Crop Health 13:45

13d ago13:45

13:45

GreenLight Biosciences’ CCO Mark Singleton explains how RNA interference (RNAi) technology is opening a new pathway for sustainable crop protection. Learn how RNAi works, why it offers a highly targeted and biodegradable alternative to traditional chemistry, and how the company’s innovations are shaping the future of plant health. Tune in to hear h…

1
Live from Blueberry Lane: Meet the Blueberry Boost Accelerator Finalists 38:26

22d ago38:26

38:26

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Council (USHBC) and North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by the finalists from the Blueberry Boost Accelerator. These interviews were recorded on Blueberry Lane at The Blueberry Convention 2025 in Seattle, Washington. Cronquist interviews…

1
Molecular Precision: Micropeptides and the Next Wave of Biologicals 18:54

27d ago18:54

18:54

CTO Mikael Courbot shares how Micropep is harnessing plant-derived micropeptides —tiny, naturally occurring molecules designed with AI and advanced modeling — to precisely target weeds and diseases. Learn how this breakthrough approach is giving farmers powerful, sustainable biological alternatives to traditional crop protection chemicals.…

1
Fenceless Goat Grazing at Does Leap Farm: EP35 1:33:23

29d ago1:33:23

1:33:23

Text me a message! Today’s episode comes to you from Bakersfield Vermont where we visit with George van Vlaanderen of Does’ Leap Farm (https://doesleap.com/). He shares how they developed the farm from raw wooded land while raising children, goats and living in a yurt all at the same time over twenty years ago. He shares now how his grazing system …

1
Twin River’s Bold Blueprint for Blueberry Growth 34:30

1M ago34:30

34:30

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council, is joined by Ben Escoe, president and CEO of Twin River Berries. Twin River is a vertically integrated berry company built on a foundation of family farming and global reach. Escoe leads a netwo…

1
Field Tested, Fully Charged: Monarch’s Electric Tractor Breakthrough 17:11

1M ago17:11

17:11

Chris Whitney, Chief Digital Officer at Monarch Tractor, shares how the company’s fully electric, driver-optional tractor is redefining power and productivity on the farm. By combining clean energy, advanced autonomy, and intelligent data systems, Monarch is helping drive a more efficient and sustainable future for agriculture.…

1
Berry Business Leadership — A Conversation With Garland Reiter Jr. 34:54

1M ago34:54

34:54

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Garland Reiter Jr., chief commercial officer (CCO) for Driscoll’s of the Americas and a fourth-generation berry industry leader. Reiter is known for driving innovation, susta…

1
Smarter, Smaller, Stronger: Kioti’s Robots Boost Orchard Productivity 17:49

2M ago17:49

17:49

Kioti is redefining smart farming with a new generation of compact, autonomous technologies built to meet the needs of smaller farms. Chief Product and Technology Officer YJ Son discusses how the company’s innovations—from transport robots for orchard operations to AI-driven equipment—are boosting productivity and addressing critical labor challeng…

1
Long Island Landscaper to 20 Acres of Vegetables with Jon & Karin of Bear Roots Farm: EP34 1:29:59

2M ago1:29:59

1:29:59

Text me a message! Today’s episode comes to you from Williamstown Vermont where we visit with Jon Waner and Karin Bellemare of Bear Roots Farm and The Roots Farm Market. Together they’ve built up a 20 acre vegetable farm and local goods store in Central Vermont. Jon starts off by sharing how they got started in Long Island, and how they ramped up t…

1
Meet the Blueberry Boost Accelerator Finalists 12:15

2M ago12:15

12:15

1
The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy Explained 49:02

2M ago49:02

49:02

In this episode, Tony Mensing sits down with Dr. Matt Helmers to explore the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (INRS)—an initiative launched in 2013 to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus runoff into the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico by 45%. Dr. Helmers breaks down the science and policy behind the strategy, highlighting the roles of both agricult…

1
Drones, Sensors, AI: Farming the Future with Dr. Bai 15:09

2M ago15:09

15:09

Dr. Frank Bai shares his global journey into precision and digital agriculture and highlights how sensors, drones, and AI-driven tools are shaping the future of farming. As an Assistant Professor at NC State, he bridges engineering and agriculture to tackle challenges in the field. In this episode, he discusses his autonomous scouting project at th…

1
Inside Chile’s Blueberry Engine 37:41

2M ago37:41

37:41

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Matias Allesandrini, commercial manager at LaFrut and a member of the Chilean Blueberry Committee (CBC) Board of Directors. With his dual roles, which are both commercial and…

1
Blueberries as a First Food: A Conversation With Minghua Tang, Ph.D. 38:43

3M ago38:43

38:43

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Minghua Tang, Ph.D., and Leslie Wada, Ph.D. Tang is an associate professor and the Lillian Fountain Smith Endowed Chair in the Department of Food Science and Human …

1
Engineering Autonomy: John Deere’s AI-Powered Tractors at Work 14:50

3M ago14:50

14:50

Aaron Wells, Director of Engineering & Autonomy at Blue River Technology, a John Deere company, discusses the evolution of agricultural machinery—from traditional horsepower to advanced hardware and artificial intelligence. He explains how John Deere’s next-generation perception system, known as the “eyes and brain” of autonomous tractors, is trans…

1
Mushrooms, Veggies, Meat and More! From Farmers Market to on Farm Cider House at 1000 Stone Farm: EP33 1:34:24

3M ago1:34:24

1:34:24

Text me a message! Today’s Episode comes to you from Brookfield Vermont where we visit with Kyle Dodda and Betsy Simpson of 1000 Stone Farm. They’ve got many balls in the air with a wide range of crops from veggies to perennial fruit, eggs and meat, hard cider and a restaurant. They sell retail out of a farmstore, wholesale, CSA & go to a farmers m…

1
Accelerating Innovation: How Blueberries Are Driving Ingredient Marketing 25:33

3M ago25:33

25:33

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Inez Be, director of marketing at the U.S. Highbush Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by VentureFuel Founder and CEO Fred Schonenberg. VentureFuel is an innovation advisory firm that helps major brands, such as Netflix and General Mills, unlock growth through…

1
BerrySmart Field Insights With Tim Hyde of SWAN Systems 22:35

3M ago22:35

22:35

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” we welcome guest host Steve Mantle, founder and CEO of Innov8.ag and USHBC’s partner in the BerrySmart Field program, who is joined by Tim Hyde, CEO and co-founder of SWAN Systems. They’re coming to you live from the fields at this year's Washington State Berrysmart Field Demo Day in Mount Vernon, …

1
Microbial Innovation Meets Gene Editing: New Biological Solutions for Agriculture 13:56

3M ago13:56

13:56

Tom Williams, Director of Microbiology at BioConsortia, discusses how beneficial microbes are driving more sustainable agriculture by boosting nutrient availability, soil health, and crop performance. He shares how BioConsortia’s advanced microbial discovery platform and gene editing technologies are unlocking new opportunities for plant health and…

1
Data-Driven Accountability and Guidance for the Blueberry Industry 45:23

3M ago45:23

45:23

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council, is joined by Harry Kaiser, Ph.D., a professor at Cornell University. Kaiser directs the Cornell Commodity Promotion Research Program and conducts economic evaluations for national agricultural m…

1
New Center, New Frontier: Tim Kelliher Leads NC State’s Genome Editing Mission 19:56

4M ago19:56

19:56

Newly appointed Director of NC State’s Genome Editing Center (GEC), Tim Kelliher, shares his unique path from organic farming to the forefront of plant science. He explains how advances in genome editing offer a faster, more precise alternative to traditional breeding—delivering vital solutions for farmers in as little as 5–8 years. Get an inside l…

1
The Future of Blueberry Gatherings: Innovation, Insights and Industry Growth 33:24

4M ago33:24

33:24

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Amanda Griffin, vice president of engagement and education for USHBC/NABC. Cronquist and Griffin discuss how blueberry industry events have evolved throughout the years, and …

1
Enjoying Retirement While Still Living on the Farm with Dave Pierson of Pierson Farm: EP32 1:08:10

4M ago1:08:10

1:08:10

Text me a message! Today’s Episode comes to you from Bradford Vermont where we visit with David Pierson of Pierson Farm. After 42 years of running a mixed vegetable farm to supply a roadside farm stand, with 3 acres of strawberries being one of the big draws, he was able to retire, leasing the farm to a long time employee Dan. We start off the epis…

1
Inside the Council: Bryan Sakuma on Guiding the Blueberry Industry 40:32

4M ago40:32

40:32

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council, is joined by USHBC Chair Bryan Sakuma. As a fourth-generation grower, Sakuma brings deep industry experience to his role as a leader of strategic initiatives for the blueberry industry. His pass…

1
Bananas, Biotech, and Beyond: Gene Editing with Tropic 22:17

4M ago22:17

22:17

Dr. Eyal Maori, co-founder of Tropic, is using advanced gene editing technologies to revolutionize tropical crops such as bananas, rice, and coffee. The conversation explores how Tropic developed proprietary tools like Agrotrop and GEiGS to overcome the unique challenges of editing tropical crops. Dr. Maori also highlights Tropic’s work on non-brow…

1
From Farm to Economy - Measuring the Blueberry Effect 38:46

4M ago38:46

38:46

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council, is joined by Dennis Tootelian, Ph.D., an emeritus professor of marketing in the College of Business at California State University, Sacramento. Tootelian is also a nationally recognized expert i…

1
CRISPR, Then and Now: A 2025 Update with Rodolphe Barrangou 31:11

5M ago31:11

31:11

Genome editing pioneer Dr. Rodolphe Barrangou returns to AgTech 360 to share how CRISPR has advanced and expanded since his last appearance in 2021, transforming from a breakthrough technology into a global force across medicine, agriculture, and beyond. From scientific breakthroughs to real-world applications, he highlights how genome editing is r…

1
How the BerrySmart Fields Program Is Shaping the Future of Blueberry Forecasting 37:47

5M ago37:47

37:47

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Steve Mantle, founder and CEO of Innov8.ag. Mantle and his team have been working closely with USHBC to transform high-tech field data into actionable insights. With test fie…

1
Increasing Acreage & Narrowing the Crop Mix with John Hirsch at Clearfield Farm: EP31 1:47:50

5M ago1:47:50

1:47:50

Text me a message! Today’s episode comes from Granville Vermont where we visit with John Hirsch of Clearfield Farm. With over 10 years under his belt he’s refined his farm business to be lean on labor and focused in scope as his primary crops are wholesale carrots and potatoes. He’s also excited to be getting into grain and doing more intensive rot…

1
From Insight to Action - What the Blueberry Industry Survey Will Reveal 47:23

5M ago47:23

47:23

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Ken Gilliam, vice president of predictive analysis at The Directions Group, and Cassidy Marn, account executive at The Directions Group. Together, Gilliam and Marn turn insig…

1
From Data to Decisions: AI’s Role in Blueberry Success 47:05

6M ago47:05

47:05

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Lucas Thelosen, founder and CEO of Gravity, and Joe Vargas, director of business intelligence for USHBC and NABC. Thelosen has been at the forefront of leveraging technology …

1
Innovation, Impact and International Growth: The IBO’s Mission With Mario Steta 43:47

6M ago43:47

43:47

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Mario Steta, chair of the International Blueberry Organization (IBO) and vice president of sustainability, compliance and public affairs for Driscoll’s Europe, Middle East an…

1
Developments in Blueberry Breeding With Paul Sandefur, Ph.D. 39:58

6M ago39:58

39:58

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Paul Sandefur, Ph.D., vice president of research and development at Fall Creek Farm and Nursery. Sandefur received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in horticulture from th…

1
Old Tractors with New Tools, New Barn & Commercial Kitchen at Four Corners Farm with Trip Shaw: EP30 58:04

6M ago58:04

58:04

Text me a message! Today’s episode comes to you from Worthington Massachusetts where we visit with Trip Shaw of Four Corners Farm. He’s been growing over 16 years and produces over 8 acres of mixed vegetables for his newly built farmstand. We start off the episodes in this new farm building which has a front porch, farmstand, wash/pack space, walk-…

1
The Power of Blues: Nutrition, Policy and Public Health 41:53

7M ago41:53

41:53

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is once again joined by Leslie Wada, Ph.D., and Alyssa Houtby. Dr. Wada is our very own senior director of nutrition and health research at the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council. She’s resp…

1
High Tunnels & Field Crops, the Farming Journey of Kagan & Elise of Blackbird Organics: EP29 1:18:50

7M ago1:18:50

1:18:50

Text me a message! Today’s episode comes to you from Plainfield Vermont where we visit with Kagen Dewey and Elise Magnant of Blackbird Organics. They’ve been farming since 2018 and have set their roots on their own farm with high tunnels and field production. We start off the visit with a tour of the greenhouses, walk around the fields, then circle…

1
Expanding Global Blueberry Trade: Success Stories and Strategies With Haiying Zhang 42:07

7M ago42:07

42:07

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Haiying Zhang, USHBC director of global business development. Zhang has a strong background in the agriculture industry and was previously the senior director of global marke…

1
Shifting Perspectives: How Nanotech is Gaining Ground in Farming 19:15

7M ago19:15

19:15

Dr. Jason White from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station explains how nano-scale materials, once seen as potential hazards, are gaining popularity and are now used to boost plant health, increase crop yields, and build climate resilience. He discusses global collaborations, regulatory landscapes, and promising work using nano-nutrients …

1
Talking Trade With Brian Kuehl of the Agriculture Trade Education Council 43:52

8M ago43:52

43:52

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council, is joined by Brian Kuehl, executive director of the Agriculture Trade Education Council. The Agriculture Trade Education Council is the premier resource for education on the value of a…

1
Tiny Particles, Huge Potential: Assessing Benefits and Risks of Nanotech in Ag 18:00

8M ago18:00

18:00

Dr. Khara Grieger explores the fascinating world of nanotechnology in agriculture. From nanoscale fertilizers and pesticides to vaccines and biosensors, she explains how these tiny particles could have a big impact on sustainability, food safety, and animal health. The conversation also dives into public perception of nanotech, the challenges of as…

1
Bob Gray Reflects on His Life Being a Farmer at 4 Corners Farm: EP28 1:22:19

8M ago1:22:19

1:22:19

Text me a message! Today’s episode comes to you from Newbury Vermont, where we visit with Bob Gray of 4 Corners Farm. He and his wife Kim purchased the farm in the late 1970’s after finding success selling their abundance of vegetables at a farmers market and overtime built a highly diversified farm that supports them and their children. Bob shares…

1
Farming, Finance and The Future With JC Clinard of Frutura 31:07

9M ago31:07

31:07

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by JC Clinard, a third-generation farmer and CEO of berries at Frutura. Clinard is also very active in the councils, serving as the USHBC Finance Committee chair, USHB…

1
Women in AgTech: Breakthroughs in Biological Solutions with Dr. Pam Marrone 25:45

9M ago25:45

25:45

Dr. Pam Marrone is a pioneering force in biologicals and sustainable agriculture. Explore how the integration of biocontrols and biostimulants is reshaping farming by boosting crop yields while minimizing the environmental footprint of traditional agricultural practices. Through her groundbreaking commercial biological solutions, Dr. Marrone has eq…

1
Wade Jackson on Berry Genetics at Family Tree Farms 38:48

9M ago38:48

38:48

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Wade Jackson of Family Tree Farms. Jackson is a third-generation family farm owner and a board member at Family Tree Farms. He has also developed expertise in genet…

1
Starting up a Diverse & Collaborative Farm with Spencer & Jake from The Farm Upstream: EP27 1:08:09

9M ago1:08:09

1:08:09

Text me a message! Today’s episode comes to you from Jericho Vermont where we visit with Spencer Hardy and Jake Kornfeld of The Farm Upstream (https://www.thefarmupstream.com). They are friends who are just setting roots on this new farm and share how they've structured their business to grow collaboratively to support multiple households. Support …

1
Harvesting Change: Women Leading the Way in Blueberries 35:44

9M ago35:44

35:44

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Amanda Griffin, vice president of engagement and education for the USHBC, celebrates International Women’s Day by featuring three women leaders from the blueberry industry. Ellie Norris is the owner/manager of Norris Blueberry Farms; Anna Jesse is the vice president of Forest Hills Farm; and Shelly …

1
Women Making History in Ag: Dr. Jean Ristaino on Plant Health and Genomics 15:24

9M ago15:24

15:24

Dr. Jean Ristaino discusses how her groundbreaking research has revolutionized plant disease detection and management. Using cutting-edge genomic sequencing and real-time surveillance tools, she has traced the origins of devastating pathogens, helped growers combat crop diseases more effectively, and shaped global strategies for plant health. Disco…

1
The Impact of Genetics on Blueberry Quality With Greg Willems 32:08

9M ago32:08

32:08

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Greg Willems, the President of G & M Farms Inc. and President of the California Blueberry Nursery. Willems established his production as a self-starting, vertically…

1
Preserving the Shelf Life of Blueberries With George Lobisser 39:13

9M ago39:13

39:13

In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by George Lobisser, CEO & Co-Founder of RipeLocker. RipeLocker is a science-based, data-driven company that has been testing the efficacy of its containers to extend t…