Podcasts

Next Gen Podcast

Brownfield’s Next Gen podcast, hosted by Erin Anderson and Kellan Heavican, is designed to equip the next generation of farmers and ranchers with real‑world insights, practical tools, and fresh perspectives. Each episode features candid conversations with experts tackling the challenges, trends, and decisions shaping farming and ranching for the next generation.

Latest Episode

The succession planning tool more operations should be using | NextGen Podcast

Access to land remains one of the biggest challenges facing young farmers and ranchers. On this episode of the Next Gen Podcast, Brownfield's Erin Anderson and Kellan Heavican sit down with Minneapolis-based attorney Mark Balzarini to discuss how land swap agreements can help farm families navigate ownership transitions, support succession planning, and improve opportunities for the next generation. Mark explains: ✅ What a land swap agreement is ✅ How land swaps differ from traditional land purchases and cash rent agreements ✅ Tax considerations and ownership benefits ✅ Ways land swaps can support farm succession planning ✅ Common mistakes and overlooked issues families should consider ✅ Why early family conversations are critical See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

September 30 • 22m 32.4s

Episodes

The succession planning tool more operations should be using | NextGen Podcast

September 30 • 22m 32.4s

Renewable energy on farmland: A guide for young producers | Next Gen Podcast

What should young, beginning and small producers know before signing a renewable energy lease? On this episode of Brownfield’s Next Gen Podcast, Kellan Heavican and Erin Anderson talk with Laura Priest of the Center for Rural Affairs about what farmers and landowners need to know when considering wind and solar lease agreements. Laura walks through the process from the initial conversation with a developer to site evaluations, negotiations and the final lease. She also explains what producers should consider when it comes to payment structures, lease length, succession planning, land use, agrivoltaics and protecting the farm for the next generation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

September 23 • 20m 24.7s

The reality of buying farmland as a young producer

Access to land is one of the biggest challenges facing the next generation of farmers and ranchers. But is the long-awaited generational transfer of farmland actually happening the way experts once expected? On this episode of Brownfield’s Next Gen Podcast, Farmers National Company’s Paul Schadegg joins Erin Anderson and Kellan Heavican to talk about what young producers need to know before trying to acquire land. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

September 16 • 22m 20.1s

How younger producers are helping shape the future of pork | Next Gen Podcast

What does the next generation want from pork—and how are producers responding? On this week’s Next Gen Podcast, Erin Anderson and Kellan Heavican talk with Illinois Pork Producers President Katie Brown and Director of Marketing Mikayla Schaefer about the changing pork consumer. From convenience and affordability to new flavors, cultural influences and the growing importance of protein, younger consumers are changing how pork is prepared and enjoyed. Brown and Schaefer also discuss how producers can help tell pork’s story, connect with consumers through social media and get involved in industry leadership. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

September 9 • 21m 20.6s

Gen Z wants beef—Here’s what that means for the next generation of producers

Beef is having a moment—and the next generation of consumers could have a lot to do with what comes next. On this episode of Brownfield’s Next Gen Podcast, Lindsay Runft of Certified Angus Beef joins Kellan Heavican and Erin Anderson to unpack what younger consumers are looking for when they buy beef—and what those changing habits mean for the next generation of cattle producers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

September 2 • 21m 2.2s

They didn’t have the answers—so they built a network

What if the best resource for the next generation of agriculture isn't another class, conference or webinar—but a group of people willing to tell you what they're learning along the way? On this episode of Brownfield’s Next Gen Podcast with Erin Anderson and Kellan Heavican, cattle producers Trevor Johnson of South Dakota and Stratton Wotowey of Colorado share how a long phone conversation turned into a peer group for young ag leaders. The Evolving Ag Leaders Coalition brings together about 10 young professionals from seven states to talk through the challenges of building careers, businesses and lives in agriculture. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

August 19 • 22m 27.8s

How beekeeping is giving veterans a new purpose in agriculture | Next Gen Podcast

What happens when a military veteran leaves service without knowing what comes next? For Brandon Davis, the answer was beekeeping. In this week’s Next Gen Podcast, Erin Anderson and Kellan Heavican talk with Steve Easom and Brandon Davis of Warriors to Bees in Oklahoma about using agriculture to help veterans build a new future. Brandon explains how he went from beekeeping as a hobby to turning it into a full-time business, while Steve shares how mentorship helped him see opportunities he didn't know existed. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

August 12 • 23m 50s

He waited 20 years to farm—Here's why it was worth it | Next Gen Podcast

Starting a farm has never been easy—but what if you launched your operation during one of the toughest economic periods agriculture has seen in decades? This week on Brownfield's Next Gen Podcast with Erin Anderson and Kellan Heavican, Eric Beals shares why he walked away from a steady career in agriculture to pursue his lifelong dream of farming. If you're a young farmer, beginning producer, or anyone thinking about getting started in agriculture, this episode offers practical advice and an honest look at what it takes to build a farming operation today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

August 5 • 22m 54.9s

She became producer at 56... in the Middle of Tulsa | Next Gen Podcast

For Dana Grundy, it started with a backyard garden. In this week’s NextGen Podcast, Brownfield’s Erin Anderson and Kellan Heavican learn about Grundy’s story. After family circumstances changed, Dana transformed two residential lots in Tulsa, Oklahoma, into an urban farm and orchard. Today she's growing specialty crops, helping improve access to fresh food in her community, and proving you don't need hundreds of acres—or even a family farm—to become a producer. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

July 29 • 20m 49.9s

He didn’t inherit an operation. He built one from scratch | Next Gen Podcast

Can you build a successful farm if you don't inherit one? First-generation Virginia cattle producer Kevin Birt says yes—but it takes patience, sacrifice and a full-time career away from the farm. Brownfield's Erin Anderson and Kellan Heavican hear how Kevin's medical device career has funded nearly every step of building his cattle operation from the ground up - and the challenges the idustry faces. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

July 22 • 23m 38.8s

Florida's citrus industry Collapsed. So he reinvented the family operation | Next Gen Podcast

What do you do when your family's industry disappears? Florida citrus grower Zack Farr watched the state's citrus industry shrink by 95%, forcing producers to rethink everything they knew about farming. Instead of walking away, Zack returned home to explore new opportunities—from industrial hemp and biochar to regenerative agriculture and alternative crops. In this episode, Brownfield’s Kellan Heavican and Erin Anderson explore why diversification isn't just a buzzword—it's becoming a survival strategy for the next generation of agriculture. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

July 15 • 24m 16.6s

Why this fifth-generation cattle rancher came Back to the family operation | Next Gen Podcast

Katie Lacey never planned to return to her family's fifth-generation California cattle ranch. After earning degrees at Oklahoma State University and building a career away from home, life took an unexpected turn that brought her back to the ranch. In this episode of Next Gen Podcast with Erin Anderson and Kellan Heavican, Katie shares how she's finding her place in the family operation while balancing an off-farm career in the cattle feed industry. She discusses why diversification has become essential for young producers, the realities of ranching in California, healthcare and off-farm income, the value of horses in their operation, and why succession planning needs to happen long before the next generation takes over. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

July 8 • 22m 30.4s

Why the next generation of producers can't ignore healthcare

Everyone talks about land, equipment and financing as barriers for beginning farmers. But what if one of the biggest challenges is healthcare? In this episode of Brownfield's Next Gen Podcast, Ohio State University rural sociologist Dr. Shoshanah Inwood explains why healthcare, health insurance and childcare are becoming critical issues for the future of American agriculture. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

July 1 • 23m 0.1s

The agriculture crisis nobody talks about: childcare | Next Gen Podcast

What happens when you want to build a farm operation and a family at the same time? In this episode of Brownfield's Next Gen Podcast, Minnesota farmer Anne Schwagerl shares her experience navigating childcare, healthcare access, and raising two children while farming full-time. Anne discusses: ✅ The struggle to find childcare in rural communities ✅ Long daycare waitlists and limited options ✅ The true cost of childcare for farm families ✅ Balancing harvest season with parenting responsibilities ✅ Why rural healthcare access matters for young families ✅ Advice for beginning farmers thinking about starting a family See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

June 24 • 18m 52.6s

Why more young producers are speaking up about mental health | Next Gen Podcast

Farming and ranching come with pressure that most people never see. In this episode of Brownfield's Next Gen Podcast, Kellan Heavican and Erin Anderson sit down with Carol Anderson of Rural Minds to discuss mental health, stress, and resilience among young and beginning farmers and ranchers. They explore: • Why younger producers face unique mental health challenges • The pressure of building a legacy while managing uncertainty • How social media can both help and hurt mental wellness • The importance of mentors, peer networks, and trusted advisors • Why asking for help is a sign of strength—not weakness • Resources available through Rural Minds and other organizations See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

June 17 • 25m 2.5s

Keeping the family operation alive: the mental health conversation we need | Next Gen Podcast

Young farmers face unique challenges—from financial stress and market uncertainty to the pressure of carrying on a family legacy. In this episode of the Next Gen Podcast, southeast Nebraska farmer Lukas Fricke joins Kellan Heavican and Erin Anderson for an honest conversation about mental health in agriculture, navigating grief and farm transition, social media pressures, and why it's more important than ever for producers to talk openly about their struggles. Lukas shares his family's experience with succession planning, the loss of his father, and how today's generation is approaching mental health differently than those before them. #Agriculture #MentalHealth #Farming #NextGenAg #FarmTransition #RuralMentalHealth #YoungFarmers #NebraskaAgriculture #FarmSuccession #AgPodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

June 10 • 22m 14s

What young producers really need from Washington | NextGen Podcast

Policy shapes who enters the industry, who can afford land and what the future of agriculture looks like. This week on the Next Gen Podcast, Erin Anderson and Kellan Heavican sit down with Vanessa Garcia-Palanco of the National Young Farmers Coalition to talk about the biggest challenges facing young producers — from land access and farm bill priorities to local food systems, policy reform and the growing pressure on the next generation of agriculture. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

June 3 • 18m 53.4s

From commodities to community food systems: The next ag revolution | NextGen Podcast

From commodities to community food systems: The next ag revolution Tim Brennan of Farm Foundation joins the Next Gen Podcast to unpack how agriculture policy is evolving for the next generation of producers. From the farm bill and beginning farmer loans to diversification, regional food systems, urban agriculture and the future of USDA polcy — this conversation dives into the biggest changes reshaping American agriculture right now. Tim also shares why more young farmers are turning toward specialty crops, local food systems, regenerative agriculture and cooperative business models to survive in today’s ag economy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 27 • 21m 46s

Young Farmers Face Big Challenges. Here’s How USDA Can Help | Next Gen Podcast

This week on the NextGen Podcast, Brownfield’s Erin Anderson and Kellan Heavican sit down with USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing young and beginning farmers. Fordyce shares insights on: Access to land and capital USDA loan and conservation programs Risk management tools for beginning farmers Technical assistance and financial literacy resources The importance of patience, passion and persistence in agriculture See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 20 • 25m 10.9s

This succession planning exercise could change your operation’s future

Succession planning can feel overwhelming. So where do you actually begin? On this episode of the Next Gen Podcast with Brownfield’s Erin Anderson and Kellan Heavican, Joy Kirkpatrick with the University of Wisconsin Extension walks through the “Cultivating Your Farm’s Future” workbook and explains how it helps farm families start meaningful conversations around transition planning. From SWOT analysis to identifying risks and defining core values, this episode focuses on practical tools operations can use today to prepare for the next generation. University of Wiscosin Extension Workbook: https://farms.extension.wisc.edu/files/2022/08/Cultivating-Your-Farms-Future-%E2%80%93-A-workbook-for-Farm-Succession-Planning-in-Wisconsin_online_FINAL-1.pdf See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 13 • 21m 8.1s

Why farm transitions fail without a business plan | Next Gen Podcast

Planning for the future of your farm goes beyond succession—it starts with a solid business plan. In this episode of the Next Gen Podcast, Brownfield’s Erin Anderson and Kellan Heavican sit down with Purdue University’s Renee Wiatt to break down how business planning and financial transparency play a critical role in successful farm transitions. Wiatt also explains why many farmers delay retirement—and how that can impact the future of the operation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 6 • 20m 0.3s

Succession Planning: Where to Start & what producers need to know | Next Gen Podcast

Farm succession planning can be one of the most challenging—and most important—conversations for any operation. In this episode of the NextGen Podcast on Brownfield, Mariah Beverly with the University of Minnesota breaks down how farmers and ranchers can get started with a transition plan, why communication is critical, and what happens if you wait too long. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

April 29 • 24m 7.2s

Inside a succession plan built on trust, HR, and hard conversations | Next Gen Podcast

In this episode of the Next Gen Podcast with Erin Anderson and Kellan Heavican, Dwight Mogler and Janaye Metzger, Iowa pork producers, share how their family operation has evolved from a traditional family farm into a professionally managed business. They break down how they approach management transitions, hiring and interviewing family members, and why HR systems and clear accountability matter just as much as production decisions. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

April 22 • 24m 9.4s

How beginning producers access capital: Loans, land, and getting started | Next Gen Podcast

Access to capital is one of the biggest hurdles for young and beginning farmers—Brownfield’s Erin Anderson and Kellan Heavican dig into how the Farm Service Agency is helping bridge that gap. Nebraska FSA State Executive Director Hilary Maricle and Farm Loan Specialist Paul Guenther break down the tools available for beginning producers, from operating loans to real estate financing and microloans. The conversation also explores how FSA works alongside commercial lenders, why partnerships matter in ag lending, and how programs are designed to support producers in their first 10 years of farming. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

April 15 • 21m 49s

Rethinking cattle ownership: A partnership approach | Next Gen Podcast

In this episode of the NexGen Podcast on Brownfield, Kellan Heavican and Erin Anderson sit down with Oklahoma cattle producers Kelli Payne and Cody Beach to talk about a creative approach to helping young and beginning ranchers get started in the beef industry. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

April 8 • 24m 32.2s

A different way to farm: Land, mentorship and the next generation | Next Gen Podcast

Breaking into agriculture isn’t easy—especially when access to land is one of the biggest barriers facing young farmers today. In this episode of the NextGen Podcast, Brownfield's Erin Anderson and Kellan Heavican sit down with Minnesota farmer Tim Dufault and young producer Connor Lambert to share a real-world example of how one landowner is helping the next generation get their start. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

April 1 • 22m 6.6s

Building an operation's future through finances and succession | Next Gen Podcast

In this week’s episode of the Next Gen Podcast, Brownfield’s Erin Anderson and Kellan Heavican sit down with Jason Edleman with Farm Credit Services of America to discuss risk management strategies for 2026 and the role of mentorship for young producers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

March 25 • 20m 54.8s

Knowing farm financials and crop budgets | Next Gen Podcast

Welcome to the Next Gen Podcast on Brownfield, where the future of agriculture gets a voice. This week, Brownfield’s Erin Anderson and Kellan Heavican talk ag economist David Widmar with Ag Economic Insights about understanding farm finances and crop budgeting. #NextGenPodcast #youngfarmers #youngranchers #NextGenerationAgriculture See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

March 18 • 22m 45.8s

Financial realities facing young and beginning farmers | Next Gen Podcast

Welcome to the Next Gen Podcast on Brownfield, where the future of agriculture gets a voice. This week, Brownfield’s Erin Anderson and Kellan Heavican talk with Indiana farmer Denise Scarborough and Nebraska farmer Logan Bredemeier about what young producers should consider ahead of the 2026 crop year. #NextGenPodcast #youngfarmers #youngranchers #NextGenerationAgriculture See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

March 11 • 20m 35.5s

Unpacking challenges facing the next generation | Next Gen Podcast

Welcome to the Next Gen Podcast on Brownfield, where the future of agriculture gets a voice. This week, Brownfield’s Erin Anderson and Kellan Heavican talk with Ohio farmer Owen Niese and Nebraska rancher Lydia O'Brien about the current challenges facing young farmers and ranchers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

March 4 • 27m 33.1s