Simone Kain is the co-creator of George the Farmer, a social enterprise that focuses on educating kids about proper farming practices as well as how food and fiber are produced using apps, music, videos, picture books, and free curriculum-aligned educator’s guides. She drew inspiration from a 2012 survey in Australia that shows 10-12-year-old students don’t know where their food comes from. Simone describes George the Farmer as “everyone’s mate” and tackles the daily activities of Australian farming with passion.

In this episode, Simone explains how George the Farmer educates children. She shares the story behind George the Farmer, how they structured their app, and why knowing where your food comes from is essential. She also discusses the need for people to learn that a career in agriculture is not always about farming and how George the Farmer aims to do just that.

 
“We try to get kids to start thinking about the amazing opportunities available in agriculture.” – Simone Kain

 
This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast: 

• The origins of George the Farmer.
• What their app aims to do.
• Who their market is and their target age group.
• Their response from those who don't have a farm background.
• How kids have benefited from their app.
• Their future projects for George the Farmer
• Their process in trying to get George the Farmer in television.
• The challenges they've faced
• What surprised her the most in this project?

Connect with Simone Kain:

• George The Farmer
• Facebook
• Twitter

We Are a Part of a Bigger Family! 

The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today. 

Share the Ag-Love! 

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! 

Learn more about AgGrad by visiting: 

Future of Agriculture Website

AgGrad Website

AgGrad on Twitter 
AgGrad on Facebook 
AgGrad on LinkedIn 
AgGrad on Instagram 

Chris Rawley conceived the idea of crowdfunding platforms for agriculture while visiting a farm investment in Central America. He would soon start Harvest Returns, a crowdfunding company that serves investors looking to diversify their portfolio and invest their money on actual farms. Before founding Harvest Returns, Chris obtained corporate management roles in various companies and once served as a defense consultant at Special Operations Command Headquarters thanks to his military experience. He has been investing in real estate and agriculture for almost twenty years.

In this episode, Chris discusses how his company helps both farmers and investors. He shares how he got the idea of starting Harvest Returns, the company’s main goals, and what makes them different from other agricultural crowdsourcing platforms. He also shares some of their recent projects as well as some of their strategies in handling difficult markets.

 
“Agriculture is for people with long-term investment horizons.” – Chris Rawley

 
This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast: 

• What is equity crowdfunding?
• Who are their primary clients?
• What does Harvest Returns invest in?
• What assurance do investors have that their farm will be well managed?
• What would compel farmers to give up some of their ownership to get money?
• How do they handle a two-sided marketplace?
• How does their company make money?
• What made them start the company?
• How many deals have they closed so far?

Resources Mentioned:

• AgFunder

Connect with Chris Rawley:

• Harvest Returns
• Facebook
• Twitter

We Are a Part of a Bigger Family! 

The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today. 

Share the Ag-Love! 

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! 

Learn more about AgGrad by visiting: 

Future of Agriculture Website

AgGrad Website

AgGrad on Twitter 
AgGrad on Facebook 
AgGrad on LinkedIn 
AgGrad on Instagram 

RJ Karney is the Congressional Relations Director of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), an organization founded in 1919 that aims to be the country’s Voice of Agriculture. He is a government relation specialist with over nine years of regulatory advocacy and federal policy experience. His position at AFBF makes him a federal lobbyist whose goal is to get the government to listen to the different problems farmers experience as well as solutions that require government backing. He specializes in rural development, unmanned aircraft systems, broadband, and economic development.

In this episode, RJ shares AFBF’s advocacies as well as their various goals for agriculture. He shares what AFBF is all about, their projects, and their insight for the future of agriculture. He explains the importance of internet connection for crop and ranchlands, why the opportunities in rural America go beyond farming and ranching, and why 80% of farmer income is not through farming.

 
“We have to change the narrative that there aren't opportunities in rural America.” – RJ Karney

 
This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast: 

• What is the American Farm Bureau Federation?
• What do they mean when they say they are a grassroots organization?
• Some of the projects he's worked on.
• What is their advocacy from a legislative standpoint?
• How they balance the needs of certain farmer groups versus other farmer groups if they are at odds.
• Areas that can positively impact rural economies.
• What is the Farm Bill and why is it important?
• American Farm Bureau Federation's diverse farm members.

Connect with RJ Karney:

• American Farm Bureau Federation

We Are a Part of a Bigger Family! 

The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today. 

Share the Ag-Love! 

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! 

Learn more about AgGrad by visiting: 

Future of Agriculture Website

AgGrad Website

AgGrad on Twitter 
AgGrad on Facebook 
AgGrad on LinkedIn 
AgGrad on Instagram 

Dr. Jason de Koff is an Associate Professor and Extension Specialist at Tennessee State University. He holds a Ph.D in agronomy from Purdue University and has received numerous awards including the NACAA Achievement Award and the TAAA&S Communications Award (Learning Module Southeast Region) in 2016.

Dr. de Koff joins me on today’s episode to discuss how cooperative extension programs are helping to spread unbiased information throughout the agriculture industry to help improve the future of agriculture. He also explains how cooperative extensions are encouraging the future of careers in agriculture, how they are helping new farmers get started in the agriculture industry, and how drones can be used in agricultural production.

“Cooperative extension agents are really the unsung heroes of the extension program.” - Dr. Jason de Koff

This Week on the Future of Agriculture Podcast:

• The history of cooperative extension programs and how the organization was funded.
• The importance of the cooperative extension providing an unbiased voice in the agriculture community.
• Who the cooperative extension programs help on a day-to-day basis.
• Project examples of how the cooperative extension programs work.
• What are “needs assessments” and how they help cooperative extensions decide which projects to focus on next.
• How cooperative extensions work with private industries.
• How they are helping new farmers learn valuable skills in the agriculture industry.
• How they are educating farmers and children to use drones in agriculture.
• Evaluating project effectiveness for the USDA and stakeholders.
• How to learn more about cooperative extension programs in your local area.

Resources Mentioned:

• 40 Chances: Finding Hope in a Hungry World book by Howard G. Buffett
• New Farmer Academy

Connect with Dr. Jason de Koff:

• Tennessee State University Cooperative Extension
• Twitter