PODCAST · business
This is Ag!
by Kirti Mutatkar
This is Ag challenges us to think differently about how we lead our lives and our organizations by learning from the inspiring and captivating stories of leaders in Ag.
Episodes
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47. Hilary Craig - Director of Produce Category Management at Misfits Market, perfect imperfection and sustainability
In this episode of This Is Ag!, Hilary Craig, Director of Produce Category Management at Misfits Market, joins me to explore the connection between agriculture, sustainability, and the people who eat the food farmers grow. Hilary shares how her work helps connect growers with consumers by finding…
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46. Joseph Mallobox - Vice President of Human Resources at Ippolito International, leadership, agriculture, and putting people first
I’m excited to share the 46th episode of This is Ag! featuring Joseph Mallobox, Vice President of Human Resources at Ippolito International. Born and raised in Gonzales, California, Joseph grew up surrounded by agriculture, even though he originally thought his future would take him far away from...
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45. Chris Devers - CEO of Rancho Cielo, empowerment, community, and mentorship
I’m excited to share the 45th episode of This is Ag! featuring Chris Devers, CEO of Rancho Cielo, who is no stranger to transforming lives and communities. Rancho Cielo, a nonprofit in Salinas, California, provides at-risk youth with education, mentorship, and hands-on training in agriculture,...
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44. Ruthann Anderson - CEO of CA Association of Pest Control Advisors, collaboration, education, and advocacy
In this episode, I interview Ruthann Anderson, CEO of CAPCA (California Association of Pest Control Advisors). Ruthann explains that CAPCA represents licensed PCAs (Pest Control Advisors) who she describes as “plant doctors,” often recommending non-chemical solutions such as irrigation changes,...
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Sonia Roldan - Member Services Director at UnitedAg, empathy, inspiration, and human connections
I’m thrilled to share this remarkable and insightful discussion with Sonia Roldan, UnitedAg's Member Services Manager. Together, we unravel the significant role of empathy in healthcare and its impact on forging a sustainable business model. Throughout the conversation, Sonia's unwavering...
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43. Veronica Blanco - Director of Human Resources at Innovative Produce, leadership, growth, and the power of community
In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Veronica Blanco, Director of Human Resources, from Innovative Produce to talk about growth, leadership, and the power of community in the ag industry. From being the first in her family to graduate college to stepping into leadership roles, Veronica...
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42. Marylu Ramirez - Human Resources Manager at Good Farms, women leaders, compassion, and why self-care isn't selfish
In this episode, I had the opportunity to sit down with Marylu, a remarkable HR leader in the ag industry whose story is deeply rooted in resilience, compassion, and advocacy. Her journey began with a powerful influence—her mother, one of the first women to rise into a leadership role in ag in…
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Chago Martin, Owner/President of Paragon Personnel & Trilogy Personnel & Land Management, making decisions by putting people at the center, feeling emotional attachment to people, making connections , and much more.
UnitedAg operates unlike any other healthplans or health insurance carriers. Our members are at the core of UnitedAg, and their needs shape the organization. As a result, leadership at UnitedAg looks different – in fact, it derives from one of our core values: giving from the heart. Chago Martin,...
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41. Tony Ramirez - Safety Manager at Plantel Nurseries, employee wellness and genuine connections
In this heartwarming episode, I sit down with Tony, a longtime member of the United Ag community, to talk about his inspiring journey through agriculture—from working alongside his father in the fields as a child to becoming a safety manager and United Ag ambassador. Tony shares how early…
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40. Veronica Luna - Director of Administrative Operations at Rancho Guadalupe, advocacy, empathy, and how to show up for others
In this episode of This Is Ag, I'm joined by Veronica Luna—Director of Administrative Operations at Rancho Guadalupe and a passionate advocate for the people who power our fields. With years of experience in agriculture, Veronica has become a quiet but powerful force behind the scenes, using her...
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39. Barbara Meza - Director of Human Resources at Taylor Farms, confidence, community, and connections for success
In this episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with Barbara Meza, Director of Human Resources at Taylor Farms and Taylor Harvesting, to talk about her inspiring journey in agriculture and leadership. Barbara opens up about starting her career at Ocean Mist Farms to help support her family…
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Eric Bream - President of Bream Family Farms, ethics & business, intentionally creating inefficiencies , true responsibility , and seeing obstacles as opportunities and More
True responsibility is not just defining and acting on the minimal legal requirement, but outlining the maximum possible actions you could have taken. It's not happening to you, it's happening for you. Eric Bream's conversation reminded me of Michael Schur's interview with Tim Ferris. Michael…
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38. Tim Danley - Owner of North Wind Aerial Imaging, tech innovation, farming, and education
In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Tim Danley, a dedicated farmer and tech innovator, about his unique journey into integrating drone technology with agriculture. Tim's path began on his family farm, where he worked during school breaks, and later enrolled in the Air Force as a...
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37. Chana Hauben - Vice President of Human Resources at UnitedAg, empathy, collaboration, and creativity
In this anniversary episode of This Is Ag!, I sat down with Chana Hauben, our Vice President of Human Resources, to reflect on the remarkable culture we’ve built at UnitedAg and celebrate four years of the podcast. Our conversation explored the heart of what makes UnitedAg not just a great place…
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36. Stan Welsh - Physician Assistant at UnitedAg Health and Wellness Center, prioritizing patient health
In this episode, I speak with Stan Welsh, a healthcare provider at the UnitedAg Health and Wellness Center in Salinas, about the transformative power of putting people at the heart of healthcare. We explore the importance of compassion, trust, and meaningful human connections in improving patient...
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35. Veronica Urzua-Alvero -- Vice President of Human Resources at Church Brothers Farms, resiliency, empowerment, and leadership
In this special episode, I reflect on my journey alongside an extraordinary leader and mentor, Veronica Urzua-Alvero, Vice President of Human Resources at Church Brothers Farms, who has been instrumental in shaping not only UnitedAg’s organization but also my own approach to leadership.…
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34. Jayson Welter - General Counsel at United Ag, advocacy, mental health parity, and relationships
In this episode, I spoke with Jayson Welter, our General Counsel at United Ag, about our advocacy efforts for agricultural communities, particularly in healthcare. We discussed key challenges like hospital closures and improving access to mental health services through platforms like Teladoc....
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33. Charles Ernst - Co-Founder of CoreVantage, entrepreneurship, balance, and teamwork
In this episode, I sit down with Charles Ernst, co-founder of CoreVantage, as he shares his journey of building a business with his wife, Joanna, over the past 15 years. He discusses the critical lessons learned about delegation, teamwork, and the complexities of the insurance industry, including...
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32. Chris Valadez - President of Grower-Shipper Association, human connection, resilience, and sustainability
In this episode, I sit down with Chris Valadez, President of the Grower Shippers Association, to explore the challenges and strategies shaping the agriculture industry. We dive into how aligning our strengths with our core values can make a big difference, the importance of telling stories that...
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31. Shannon Douglass - President of the California Farm Bureau, advocacy, policy, and optimism for the future
In this episode, I sit down with Shannon Douglass, the first female President of the California Farm Bureau. Shannon shares insights into her non-traditional farming background and the inclusive, grassroots nature of the Farm Bureau, where policies are driven by local county boards. She outlines...
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30. Eric Rygg - President of Huntsinger Farms and Silver Springs Foods, sustainable business practices, creating a healthy workforce, and remaining resilient
In the 30th episode of This is Ag!, I sit down with Eric Rygg, president of Huntsinger Farms and Silver Spring Foods. As a fourth-generation horseradish farmer, Eric brings a wealth of knowledge about sustainable and profitable farming practices. We delve into how businesses can endure and adapt...
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29. A.J. Cisney - General Manager, Rancho Guadalupe & Past Chair of UnitedAg’s Board of Directors, leading with an approach that people are inherently good, proactive vs reactive approach to leading life, importance of mental health, and more.
My guest is A.J. Cisney, General Manager at Rancho Guadalupe, a family-owned grower of fresh produce based in Santa Maria Valley, California. In this episode we discuss the importance of paying attention to mental health, having difficult conversations in a constructive way, true leadership,...
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28. Tony St. James - Host of All Ag, All Day and owner at Paramount Broadcasting, optimism, perseverance, connections, and much more
Welcome to episode 28 of This is Ag! I'm here with Tony St. James, owner of Paramount Broadcasting and host of All Ag, All Day, the only all-farm radio station in the Southwest USA. Together, we explore the core values of the agricultural community: faith, optimism, perseverance, growth,...
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27. Kim McConnell - Licensed Psychologist & Director of Clinical Programs at Spring Health, grit, resilience, empathy, and much more
In episode 27, I sit down with Kim McConnell, Director of Clinical Programs at Spring Health. Together, we explore the intersection of agriculture and mental health, and UnitedAg's partnership with Spring Health, which is set to launch on March 1st. Kim, a licensed psychologist, delves into the...
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26. Bart Walker - Owner & President at Pacific Ag Rentals, trust, risks, passion, power of handshake, and much more
In this engaging podcast episode, join me as I explore the world of business, trust, and growth with Bart Walker, the president at Pacific Ag Rentals. We delve into the symbolic importance of a handshake, representing the foundation of trust between a business and its customers. The company's...
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25. Sonia Roldan - Member Services Director at UnitedAg, empathy, inspiration, and human connections
I’m thrilled to share this remarkable and insightful discussion with Sonia Roldan, UnitedAg's Member Services Manager. Together, we unravel the significant role of empathy in healthcare and its impact on forging a sustainable business model. Throughout the conversation, Sonia's unwavering...
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Dean Callender - Senior Vice President at Pan American, labor laws, APMA
In this podcast episode, join me as I chat with Dean Callender, Senior Vice President at Pan American and a fourth-generation farmer with a diverse career spanning leadership in transplanting crews and custom designing benefits programs. Dean shares his wealth of experience and passion for...
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23. Ashli Sturgill - Health and Safety Manager at TheZenith Insurance, preventative care, safety, mental health, and much more.
In episode 23, I sit down with Ashli Sturgill, Health and Safety Manager at TheZenith, to dive into the vital safety and health concerns in the agriculture industry. Ashli's role is all about making the workplace safer, and she emphasizes that prioritizing safety isn't just about the well-being…
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22. Gary Thiara - General Manager & Partner of Empire Nut Company, Indian roots, building communities, walnuts, sustainable agriculture, and much more.
In this month's episode, I sat down with Gary Thiara, general manager and partner of Empire Nut Company. Throughout our conversation, we spoke about the humble beginnings of the family-owned business, the public perception of the agriculture industry, and how partnering with UnitedAg has...
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Raymond Rumiano, Marketing Specialist & co-owner of Rumiano Cheese Company, cheese making & family enterprise, interconnectedness of animals, farmers, and consumers, sustainability, regenerative farming and much more.
On this month’s episode, I join Ray Rumiano in Willows, California, home to Rumiano Cheese Company. Ray has a profound appreciation for the challenges faced by agriculture workers; his commitment to the family business is grounded in the connections between animals, farmers, and customers. This...
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Samantha C. Taylor, Winemaker at Hope Family Wines, the Art of Winemaking, Power of Creativity, Hard Work, Millennials, & Austin Hope wines
In Episode 20 of This is Ag Podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Samantha C. Taylor, the talented assistant winemaker for Hope Family Wines in Paso Robles. Samantha's remarkable journey into the world of winemaking began with a strong desire to pursue her passion for wine. Little did she...
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19. Jeff Lundberg, Owner of Babe Farms, Cultivating Quality and Commitment in Gourmet Produce, Loyalty and Innovation, Farming Success, Family Legacy, and much more.
In episode 19 of This is Ag Podcast, I had the honor of speaking with Jeff Lundberg, the face of Babe Farms, a family-owned and operated company that has been working with UnitedAg for over 25 years. It is truly remarkable to see how Jeff has taken over the business from his mother, Judy, and...
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18. David Nikssarian, President of Nikssarian Insurance Services, Inc., Stories of Impact, Transformation, and Compassion
In this captivating podcast episode, I had the privilege of interviewing David, a seasoned broker with over 38 years of experience in the Insurance Industry. Together with his wife and business partner, Mary, they established Nikssarian Insurance Services, Inc. in 2003, showcasing an unwavering...
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17. Frank Chavez, CEO of Agrofruits International, coconut products, impact on the local communities, on the city Guerrero, sustainable agriculture, hydroponic, and much more.
My guest Frank Chavez, CEO of Agrofruits and AgroCoCo is no stranger to the agriculture industry. As a child, Frank spent summers on his family farm in Mexico, and his time there instilled him with a strong work ethic. By 2023, Frank has not only founded two of his own businesses, AgroCoco and...
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16. Rodney Braga, President and CEO of Braga Fresh Family Farms, women empowerment, building communities, focus on people, focus on soil, true environmentalist, and much more.
My guest Rodney Braga is the President and CEO of Braga Fresh Family Farms. For three generations, the Braga Farms has been at the forefront of the fresh produce industry, growing, packing, and shipping the highest quality fresh vegetables all over the world. Rodney's visionary leadership, which…
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14. Richard Plato, Director of Human Resources of Christopher Ranch , Garlic Capital of the World, Gilroy Garlic Festival, your healthplan your community, power of human connectedness, the "human' in human resources, and much more.
My guest Richard Plato is the Director of Human Resources at Christopher Ranch. In this episode Richard talks about the impact of a mass shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in July 2019 and how the company, Christopher Ranch and UnitedAg were both proactive in providing mental health support…
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13. Dr. Rosemary Ku - Chief Medical Officer of UnitedAg, UnitedAg’s ethos, health innovation, patient member experience, increasing access to quality healthcare, social determinants of health and much more.
My guest Dr. Rosemary Ku is the Chief Medical Officer of UnitedAg. Rosemary is a practicing physician with dual-board certification in Internal Medicine and Preventive Medicine. She majored in Molecular Biology with a Certificate in Neuroscience at Princeton University and went on to obtain her...
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12. Alex Van Wingerden - Owner and CEO of Westland Floral, Gallup Stribling Orchids and Alexander Ranch, beautiful products grown with integrity and much more.
My guest is Alex Van Wingerden is the owner and CEO of Westland Floral, Gallup & Stribling Orchids and Alexander Ranch. Westland Floral traces its roots to the 17th century and the Cornelis Van Wingerden family of the Westland region of the Netherlands. For fifteen generations, the knowledge and...
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11. Brent Eastman - Owner & President of BEI, Brent Eastman Insurance Services, why is "labor omnia vincit" Latin phrase meaning "work conquers all' relevant, empathetic healthcare, sales & power of human connections and More
My guest Brent Eastman is the owner and CEO of BEI, Brent Eastman Insurance Services, the largest employee benefit brokerage firms in the Central Coast area. BEI currently manages over $26 million in annual employee benefit program expenditures. My conversation with Brent highlights the power of...
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10. Ellen Brokaw - President & Owner of Brokaw Nursery, the power of bringing diverse communities together, building communities, farm worker housing, avocados and more.
My guest Ellen Brokaw is the President and Owner of Brokaw Nursery, one of the largest subtropical tree suppler located in Ventura County, California. Sixty years ago, Hank and Ellen Brokaw began the nursery as an avocation. With hard work and innovation, they built Brokaw Nursery into one of...
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9. Shannon Valladarez - General Manager, Monterey Wine Company, importance of emotional connections, relationships, social responsibility of a women CEO, Girls Inc, and much more.
My guest is Shannon Valladarez, General Manager at Monterey Wine Company. Shannon and I talk about the importance of emotional connections, the power of relationships, our responsibility to the next generation of women leaders, setting an example for the next generation of girls coming behind us,...
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8. Thomas Amaro - 4th generation agriculturist, Co-Founder of Amaro Beauty and Wellness, history of California agriculture and much more.
My guest Thomas Amaro is a 4th generation family based agribusiness professional. Tom and his son Marcos Amaro cultivate and grow top quality hemp CBD in Visalia California. The family’s goal is to provide consumers with the finest quality CBD products. Tom and I talk about the history of...
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7. Steve Church - Co-Chair of Church Brothers/True Leaf Farms, what does taking care of people really mean, people make our business, people-centric culture and profits and much more.
My guest Steve Church is the Co-Chairman of Church Brothers/True Leaf Farms. Steve Church has been a part of the produce industry for more than 50 years. In 1999,Steve and his brother Tom formed what is now known as Church Brothers Farms, a fully integrated farming, agribusiness from seed to…
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6. Brenda Allison - CEO of Coast General Insurance Brokers, where we come from, connections and roots, role of education, Womenag and much more.
My guest Brenda Allison is the CEO of Coast General Insurance Brokers, an insurance brokerage entirely dedicated to business owners. Her story of how her family came to America, the impact her grandmother had on Brenda's leadership style, the importance of giving back and importance of human...
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5. Glenn Miller - CEO of Saticoy Lemon Association & Chair of UnitedAg’s Board of Trustees, how serendipity & the unexpected play a role in our lives, MBWA, and more.
My guest is Glenn Miller, CEO, Saticoy Lemon Association, an agricultural cooperative that provides the finest quality lemons to the world and maximum return to the growers since 1933. Glenn Miller is the past Chair of UnitedAg’s Board of Directors and currently serves as the Chair of the Board…
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4. A.J. Cisney - General Manager, Rancho Guadalupe & Past Chair of UnitedAg’s Board of Directors, leading with an approach that people are inherently good, proactive vs reactive approach to leading life, importance of mental health, and more.
My guest is A.J. Cisney, General Manager at Rancho Guadalupe, a family-owned grower of fresh produce based in Santa Maria Valley, California. In this episode we discuss the importance of paying attention to mental health, having difficult conversations in a constructive way, true leadership,...
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3. Eric Bream - President of Bream Family Farms, ethics & business, intentionally creating inefficiencies , true responsibility , and seeing obstacles as opportunities and More
True responsibility is not just defining and acting on the minimal legal requirement, but outlining the maximum possible actions you could have taken. It's not happening to you, it's happening for you. Eric Bream's conversation reminded me of Michael Schur's interview with Tim Ferris. Michael…
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2. Lee Cohen - General Manager of Setton Farms, Ag leaders true stewards of people & of earth, health & wellness of trees & their connection to human beings, regenerative vs organic farming and More.
My guest Lee Cohen is the General Manager of Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc. based in Terra Bella, California. Setton Pistachio is one of America's largest pistachio grower and processors with ownership of pistachios orchards and facilities on over 130 acres. Setton's pistachios are widely...
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1. Steve Nelson - President & CEO of Plant Sciences, how CA strawberries got to Jordan, power of human connections, staying true to values and More
My guest Steve Nelson is the President and CEO of Plant Sciences, a premier agricultural research company with emphasis on plant breeding and propagation of berry crops for the global marketplace. His story of how California strawberries got to Jordan, it's connection to his dad's doctor at the...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does This is Ag! have?
This is Ag! currently has 49 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is This is Ag! about?
This is Ag challenges us to think differently about how we lead our lives and our organizations by learning from the inspiring and captivating stories of leaders in Ag.
How often does This is Ag! release new episodes?
This is Ag! has 49 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to This is Ag!?
You can listen to This is Ag! on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts This is Ag!?
This is Ag! is created and hosted by Kirti Mutatkar.
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