On today’s episode of the Future of Agriculture Podcast, my guest, Jared Flinn, is the founder and operating partner of Bulk Loads. His site provides an online platform that connects shippers with the transportation companies.

Jared graduated with a minor in agricultural economy, but wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his credentials. He started working as a truck driver and grew to love all the aspects of the industry and eventually moved into shipping logistics in the agriculture sector. His passion for the trade inspired his vision of connecting companies and shippers, and so Bulk Loads was born.

Jared started his venture without knowing whether it would be successful, but he persevered and created a sustainable and profitable business which addressed and solved clients’ pain points. On today’s show, you’ll hear his thoughts, wisdom, and advice about taking ideas and building a business in agricultural and transportation space.

 “You have to have the commodities to trade, but behind that you have to have the efficient supply chain to get it through.” – Jared Flinn

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

• Jared shares his story about the route he took after he graduated from university.
• He tells us how he found the industry’s pain points and turned that into his success.
• Jared shares the best life and work advice he received and took to heart.
• We talk about how the industry has changed for transportation entrepreneurs.
• Jared explains how he strikes a balance with his business model.
• He gives us an idea about his marketing techniques.
• Jared shares his story about starting the company despite the resistance he met from other businesses.
• He reveals his thoughts on Donald Miller’s message and how it relates to business.
• We talk about the future of the transportation industry.
• Jared talks about how he caters to his customer base.

Mentioned in the Show:

• Donald Miller

Connect With Jared Flinn:

• Bulk Loads website
• Smart Freight Funding
• Call Jared at 800-518-9240

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This is a good time for reflection on this past year and anticipation of what is to come in 2017, and I’m energized about the potential we have in some of the strategic objectives that we’ll be rolling out here in the coming year. I’m also excited to interview our guest today who came from humble farming beginnings and is now a leader in agri-business and a force in politics.

On today’s episode of the Future of Agriculture Podcast, we have who could very well be our next United States Secretary of Agriculture, Kip Tom.  Whether Kip is nominated or not, he will play an integral role in the leadership of our industry from his home in Indiana, from Washington D.C., or across the water in South America where he has a farming operation. He is passionate about encouraging and motivating our youth to step into the agri-business sector to continue family farming operations.

Kip shares his wisdom, insights, and advice, about this business and you’ll hear how a young man who grew up on his family’s homestead became a passionate advocate of continuing the American dream of keeping family-run farming businesses alive.

 “If there’s one thing you do, work towards succession planning to prepare the next generation to grow your business and sustain it. “  Kip Tom

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

• Kip talks about what his unique business model.
• He talks about how he diversifies in the farming industry.
• He tells us about his involvement in politics.
• Kip describes his role in the family operations.
• We talk about ag-policy and innovation.
• He talks about his focus and goals in the event he becomes the next Secretary of Agriculture.
• Kip tells us his views on the challenges of our Ag producers.
• We discuss the needs in farming and how important it is for young people to get involved.
• Kip talks about how social media impacts our agriculture stories and relays valuable information.
• Kip speaks about his story about agri-business in South America.
• He shares his insights about the future of

Check Out Kip Tom Across the Net:

• Tom Farms
• CereServ, Inc.

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On today’s episode of the Future of Agriculture Podcast, I am extremely excited to chat with a guest with whom I have the utmost respect for and who I am in awe of. Dr. Temple Grandin is an author and a professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University who is passionate about agriculture and the people involved in it. Temple has revolutionized the industry with practices she devised and is a highly-regarded internationally known speaker on the subjects of autism and cattle handling.

Temple’s incredible story of overcoming personal and professional challenges to revolutionize the agriculture industry, a sector which is set in its ways, will blow your mind. She is an inspiration to everyone in general and to people who want to break into an industry where they don’t necessarily fit the mold.

Temple brings value, wisdom, and inspiration to today’s show and I’m honored and humbled to interview her. She is passionate about keeping the agriculture industry alive and shares her invaluable advice for those seeking a life in the agricultural sector.

“Students get interested in things they get exposed to.” – Dr. Temple Grandin

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

• Temple discloses her experiences in the agriculture industry in the 20^th century.

• She expounds on the ethics of eating animals.

• Temple speaks about encouraging all types of careers in the agriculture industry and keep it in the forefront.

• She talks about how to best serve people in the industry who are visual learners or thinkers.

• She gives you information and advice on autism.

• She tells us what she likes most about teaching students.

• Temple recounts about her life since the movie about her aired.

• She talks about improvements in the agriculture and food processing industry.

• Temple tells us about what’s changed in animal handling.

Mentioned in the Show:

• National FFA Organization

• 4-H

Check Out Temple Grandin Across the Net:

• Temple Grandin on HBO

• Video Tour of Beef Plant Featuring Temple Grandin

• Temple Grandin on Ted Talk

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On today’s episode of the Future of Agriculture Podcast, I am chatting with possibly one of the most active Twitter users within the agricultural space – Rob Sharkey. Rob is the host of an amazing podcast I recently discovered called The Shark Farmer Podcast.

“Sharky,” as his friends lovingly call him, runs a grain farm in Illinois in addition to an outfitters business for deer hunters. Today, I had the chance to ask him some of the most pressing questions I’ve always wanted to ask a farmer. Additionally, he shares his story of some of the most difficult challenges and obstacles he and his wife has had to face as a business owner, and he shares his unique opinion on various “ag-vocating” strategies appearing on social media over the last few years.

“Social media has been one of the best things for the agriculture industry.” – Rob Sharky

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

• Sharky explains why he decided to start his podcast and what the journey has been like for him.
• He explains why he stopped using Twitter for about a year.
• We discuss “hard times,” what hard times looked like for him and his wife, and how they overcame these challenges.
• We talk about the ag-vocating strategies across social media and he shares his opinion about these messages.
• He shares his advice to farm equipment and product sellers.
• He shares his opinion on the different “clicks” throughout the agriculture industry.
• Sharky shares his least favorite thing about owning a farming business, and what he thinks would change when his children take over the farm.
• He gives us insider information on what he plans to discuss at the Ag Chat Conference later this week!

Check Out Rob Sharky Across the Net:

• Shark Farmer on iTunes
• Shark Farmer on Twitter

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Thanks for joining us on the Future of Agriculture Podcast – your spot for valuable information, content, and interviews with industry leaders throughout the agricultural space! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, please subscribe on iTunes and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share it with your friends on your favorite social media spots!

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