On Life and Land
by John Deere
If you like the stories from John Deere's The Furrow and Homestead magazines, you'll love "On Life and Land." Every two weeks, we'll take a deeper dive into stories from agriculture, rural life, history, art...if it has a connection to the land, we'll talk about it in "On Life and Land." Subscribe today so you don't miss an episode!
Episodes
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The American West and the Power of Place: How Landscape Shapes Identity
Why do we feel such powerful connections to the places we call home? And what is it about the American West that captures our imagination and shapes our sense of who we are? In this episode, we speak with Dr. Mark Fiege, retired professor of history and western American studies, about the…
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What's in a Fence Line? Understanding Farm Fence Laws and Liability
When cattle get through a fence and damage a neighbor's crops, who's responsible — the livestock owner or the landowner? The answer can depend on where you live. Fence laws, livestock liability and property-boundary rules vary widely across the country and can even differ from one county to the...
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Grass Roots: Growing World-Class Sod and Turf with Shawn Helt
What does it take to grow the flawless turf beneath a backyard, ballfield or stadium? Missouri turf farmer Shawn Helt takes us behind the scenes of sod farming and sports turf production, explaining how professional growers establish, maintain and harvest high-quality turf for residential...
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How Agriculture Shaped the American Identity | Neil Dahlstrom on Farming, Culture & History
What does farming reveal about who Americans are? 🇺🇸 From the nation's founding to today, agriculture has done more than feed the country—it has shaped the American identity itself. At the birth of the United States, roughly 90% of Americans earned their living through farming. Today, even when...
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Farm Succession Planning Explained: The First Steps Every Farm Family Should Take, Part II
🚜 Not sure where to start with farm succession planning? You're not alone. Many farm families know they need a succession plan, but the process can feel overwhelming, emotional, and difficult to begin. In the second installment of this 2-part episode of On Life & Land, we continue our…
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Farm Succession Planning Explained: The First Steps Every Farm Family Should Take
🚜 Not sure where to start with farm succession planning? You're not alone. Many farm families know they need a succession plan, but the process can feel overwhelming, emotional, and difficult to begin. In the first installment of this 2-part episode of On Life & Land, we sit down with Lance...
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AI for Agriculture: Not Just a Search Engine
AI is transforming agriculture faster than ever — but are farmers using it to its full potential? 🌱🤖 In this episode, you'll learn practical ways foundational AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini can improve farm operations, decision-making, communication, and crop management. Nick Horob,...
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Ag and the High Plains Aquifer: Managing Water Use in Midwest Agriculture
The High Plains Aquifer plays a critical role in supporting U.S. agriculture—but how is it changing over time? In this episode, we speak with Dr. James Butler, senior hydrologist at the University of Kansas, to examine current trends in aquifer levels, the factors influencing water use, and what...
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How Ottumwa Revitalized Main Street: Rural Economic Development Success
Can a small rural town reinvent itself—and actually thrive? Ottumwa, Iowa proves the answer is yes. 🌱 In this episode, we sit down with Kris Patrick, Director of Main Street Ottumwa, to unpack how a decade-long revitalization effort transformed a struggling downtown into a vibrant hub for...
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Range Creek Secrets: A Lost Fremont Civilization & Utah's Hidden Archaeology
What if an entire ancient civilization was hiding in plain sight—until 2002? Range Creek is one of North America's best-preserved archaeological discoveries… and most people have never heard of it. In this episode, we uncover the astonishing story behind Range Creek, Utah—a remote canyon that...
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John Deere | Starting a Farm with Greenhouses: A Low-Cost Path for Beginning Farmers
Can you start farming without land or a family farm? Yes—and greenhouses might be the key. In this episode, we explore greenhouse and nursery production as one of the more accessible entry points into agriculture. For aspiring farmers who didn't grow up on a farm and don't have inherited land,...
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Inside The Gathering of the Green | Vintage John Deere Restoration & Collector Stories
The Gathering of the Green is one of the premier events for vintage John Deere collectors, restoration enthusiasts, and agricultural history fans — and this year's theme, "An American Original," celebrates the legacy of one of farming's most iconic brands. Host David Jones sits down with Ken…
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The California Water Wars: Owens Valley, Los Angeles & the Fight for Farm Water
How did a thriving farming valley lose its water — and what does it still mean for California agriculture today? In this episode, we explore the history, conflict, and lasting impact of the California Water Wars. The story of Owens Valley and the city of Los Angeles is one of the most…
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The Legendary John Deere 4020: How One Tractor Changed Farming Forever
Some machines do a job. Others change a generation. The John Deere 4020 didn't just work the land — it became part of farm families, memories, and livelihoods. Decades after production ended, these tractors are still starting at dawn and heading back to the field. So what made the 4020 different?...
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John Deere | Inside Christmas Tree Farming: Katie Knapp on "The Boughs That Bind" & Ag Storytelling
In this season-closing episode, award-winning ag journalist and photographer Katie Knapp shares the behind-the-scenes world of Christmas tree farming featured in her latest story for The Furrow magazine, "The Boughs That Bind." Katie—fresh off travels with the International Federation of...
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Dave Underwood: How John Deere Supports Veterans' Success
What happens after service ends? In this inspiring conversation, John Deere Global Executive Recruiter and Governance Lead Dave Underwood, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, shares how Deere is opening doors for veterans through its dedicated military hiring programs. Dave also...
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John Deere | Sowing the Seeds of Service: Lessons from FFA
Over the course of nearly 100 years, Future Farmers of America has given millions of members the tools they've used to build careers in agriculture and agribusiness, education, research, even sports and entertainment. In this episode of John Deere's On Life and Land podcast, FFA alum and…
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John Deere | The Path Forward for U.S. Corn
High yields, low prices, shifting demand – it's been a strange and unsettling few years for U.S. corn growers. In this episode of John Deere's On Life and Land, we speak with Neil Caskey, CEO of the National Corn Growers Association, on a wide range of rapid-fire topics, including the...
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John Deere | Agriculture Around The Word with Steve Werblow
Steve Werblow, field editor for John Deere's The Furrow magazine and president of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists, has seen agriculture on six continents. In this episode, we chat with Steve about telling ag's story on a global scale, about foreign perceptions of U.S....
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John Deere and U.S. Manufacturing
From Missouri to Tennessee to North Carolina to Iowa, John Deere plans to invest nearly $20 billion in U.S. manufacturing over the next ten years. In this episode, we chat with Jon Chase, Vice President, Turf & Utility Business Unit, to learn more about the investment and expansion plans, and…
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The Ground Underfoot: Bill Spiegel on Soil Health
What have we learned about soil health in the last 10 years? And wow do we even define soil health? Is it simply organic matter content? And what can farmers start doing right now to help boost the health of their own soils? Join us as we talk with Bill Spiegel, farmer and field editor for The...
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Lesley Kelly on Mental Health for Farmers
During a 2017 live-stream from their own kitchen table, Canadian farmers Lesley and Matt Kelly admitted they had both recently suffered mental health crises...Lesley from post-partum depression, Matt in the form of panic attacks. Today, they prioritize mental health on their own farm, with daily...
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Jim Patrico: DIspatches from Farm Country
If there were to be a Mount Rushmore of ag journalism, the face of Jim Patrico would occupy a position of honor. Jim spent a decades-long career telling ag's story, most notably for The Progressive Farmer magazine. Now he's a written a book, Dispatches from Farm Country, that more closely…
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Jim Whitaker on Stewardship
Jim Whitaker and his family are model stewards, and operate by the belief that "What's good for the land is good for the farmer." Their approach to stewardship has paid off in reduced water, fertilizer, and chemical use, increased productivity from their ground and their equipment, and improved...
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Staying on the Farm: The Smeltzly Brothers of Illinois
The decision of whether or not to stay on the family farm after graduation is a personal one, and can be difficult for those who have never known a life off the farm. But Travis, Trent, and Tyler Smeltzly of Port Byron, Illinois, are perfect examples of how well it can work when the 'farm…
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The John Deere Classic: A Tradition of Giving
The story of the John Deere Classic isn't one of one-percent players. It's a story of local enthusiasm, and of giving back. Join us as we speak with Mara Downing, Vice President, Global Brand Management and Corporate Communications, Deere & Company, about this unique tournament and its impact on...
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The Grapes of Sonoma County
California's Sonoma County prides itself on being a center of excellence for sustainable grape production; ninety-nine percent of of Sonoma County's vineyard acreage is third-party certified sustainable. In addition, Sonoma County has established itself as a proving ground for advanced equipment...
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Rob Wolfe and the Wreck of the Effie Afton
You probably know Rob Wolfe as co-host of the popular series American Pickers, but he's much more than a TV personality. Rob has spent a lifetime finding and collecting antique cars and motorcycles, along with other bits of Americana; Rob is also deeply familiar with the history of Davenport…
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John Deere and the War Effort
From the production of complete goods like the M2 Tractor to the machining of submarine components to the actions of the John Deere Battallion, the war-time story of Deere & Company and its employees is one of service, innovation, and adaptation. To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of...
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The Erie Canal at 200
It would be hard to overstate the impact that the opening of the Erie Canal had on American life and American agriculture. The canal was the first link between New York Harbor and the Great Lakes, and between overseas markets and the growing population in the Midwest. This year, as the Erie Canal...
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Rose Tryon: On Resilience and Getting Involved
Rose Tryon is the current president of American Agri-Women, an advocacy group devoted to amplifying the voices and the efforts of the many women involved in agribusiness. She and her husband also survived the 2018 fire that destroyed much of Paradise, CA, including their own home. But instead of...
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Ag Technology with Walt Duflock
As vice-president of innovation for Western Growers Association, Walt Duflock sees many of the concepts and prototypes that promise to relieve some of agriculture's biggest pain points, including labor availability, water optimization, regulatory compliance, and consumer demands for more...
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The Flint Hills with Matt Perrier
Join On Life & Land as we speak with Matt Perrier, general manager of Dalebanks Angus and host of the podcast "Practically Ranching." In this episode, Matt talks about the ranching culture of the Flint Hills, about his motivation for starting a podcast, and about the power of place. On Life &…
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Lasting Legacy with Bill Spiegel
In this episode of On Life & Land, we speak with Bill Spiegel, field editor for John Deere's The Furrow magazine, about one of the most important — yet under-discussed — aspects of farming: succession planning. Along the way, Bill introduces us to two couples, Mark and Brenna Wulfkuhle and Bryan...
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John Deere History with Neil Dahlstrom
Join us for our first episode of the new season as we bring back one of our favorite guests, Neil Dahlstrom, Deere & Company Branded Properties and Heritage Manager. Neil tells us a bit about his current projects, and in honor of John Deere's birthday, lets us in on some of the lesser-known facts...
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Season 2 Teaser
On Life & Land is back for another season! Join host David Jones and guests as On Life & Land tracks down stories from the backroads and the turnrows. Our new season begins February 4, but you can get a quick preview now!
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Season 1 Review
Happy holidays from On Life & Land! Join us for a quick look back at some of our favorite stories from Season One.
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A Higher Purpose
When the monks of St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts decided they needed a new revenue stream, they turned to one of the oldest agricultural products known to man. "It has moments of really intense physical activity," says Father Isaac of St. Joseph's of the production process, "but…
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Food Fight!
Organic. Natural. Certified. GMO-free. What do they mean, and what should you choose? In this episode, we moderate a 'food fight' between co-host Chrissy Taylor and our friend Jen Anderson as they discuss how they (and we) make the choices we do at the store or restaurant, which labels make them...
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Ridiculously Good: The Story of Redhead Creamery
Lucky Linda Cheddar. Little Lucy Brie. Tipsy Tilsiter. These are just a few of the "ridiculously good" cheeses on offer from Brooten, Minnesota's Redhead Creamery. In this episode of "On Life & Land," Alise Sjostrom (President, CEO, and resident redhead) and her mom, Linda Jennissen, talk about…
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The Wright Buildings of Mason City
Tucked away along the northern edge of Iowa is the town of Mason City...agricultural hub and home to the Historic Park Inn Hotel, the only remaining hotel designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Like so many buildings of its era, the Hotel fell into a state of disrepair before a massive...
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Land Is Legacy.
In our latest episode, we chat with Ben Harshyne, agent and land specialist with Whitetail Properties. Ben makes his living helping recreational and agricultural clients find the right piece of ground to fit their needs, whether it's deer hunting or crop production. In this episode, Ben talks…
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KC Cattle Company
Join us for our conversation with Patrick Montgomery, former U.S. Army Ranger and founder of KC Cattle Company in Weston, Missouri. KCCC is one of Missouri's largest producers of Wagyu and Wagyu-cross beef, and was recently honored by Food & Wine magazine for...wait for it...Best Hot Dog! In this...
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The Bison of Nachusa
In central Illinois, you'll find corn, soybeans...and bison, if you're anywhere near Grand Detour and the Nachusa Grasslands Preserve. Established in 1986, Nachusa began as an effort to preserve remnant tracts of native prairie. In 2014, Nachusa released their first bison onto the preserve.…
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The New Farmers Project
"New Farmers," a recently-released book and photography exhibit from the University of Kansas, "combines stories and photography to illustrate the future of farming with an honest eye and a raw spirit." In this episode, we sit down with Tim Hossler and Paul Stock of KU, along with Phil...
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The Switch to Hemp
With the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill last December, hemp once again became a legal crop for US producers. For the last episode of our "Nashville Road Trip" series, the team from On Life & Land speaks with Brent Cornett of London, Kentucky, about his transition from tobacco production to hemp…
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The History of Bells Bend
Barely 20 minutes from downtown Nashville, you'll find the historic Bells Bend Conservation Corridor, an area whose residents are determined to preserve not only its natural beauty, but also its agricultural heritage. Join the On Life & Land team as we speak with Brenda Butka, one of Bells Bend's...
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The Local Spirit: Nashville Craft Distillery
In part 2 of our "Nashville Road Trip" series, the team from On Life & Land visits Nashville Craft Distillery to learn how founder Bruce Boeko uses locally sourced grains and specialty ingredients to create spirits like "Crane City Gin" and "Naked Biscuit Sorghum Spirit.
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Dale Watson: Call Him Lucky
Join the On Life & Land team as we take a road trip through and around Nashville, Tennessee. For the first of our four Nashville episodes, we sit down with musician Dale Watson for a conversation about music and land, about his adopted second home in Tennessee, and about how a farmer named David...
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Preview: Nashville Road Trip
What do a craft distiller, a hemp producer, a land conservator, and a honky-tonk musician have in common? They're all guests on upcoming episodes of On Life & Land. Join us for a preview of our Nashville Road Trip series, beginning July 2.
About this show
If you like the stories from John Deere's The Furrow and Homestead magazines, you'll love "On Life and Land." Every two weeks, we'll take a deeper dive into stories from agriculture, rural life, history, art...if it has a connection to the land, we'll talk about it in "On Life and Land." Subscribe today so you don't miss an episode!
Hosted by
John Deere