Episode 26: Andy Vance – Finding Your Voice in Agriculture

03/03/25 • 83 min

In this episode of Patio Pondering, we turn the microphone on someone who’s usually behind it—Andy Vance, Executive Director of the Poultry Science Association and longtime agricultural broadcaster. As any good broadcaster knows, once the mic is live, there’s no shortage of thoughts to share, and Andy does just that in this candid and wide-ranging conversation.

We explore Andy’s unlikely path to agricultural broadcasting, his journey from farm kid to industry thought leader, and his take on the seismic shifts in farm size and structure. No conversation about ag media and leadership would be complete without tackling the political landscape, and we dive into a frank discussion about whether agriculture has become too aligned with a single political party.

Whether you're passionate about ag journalism, curious about the evolution of farming, or interested in the intersection of agriculture and policy, this episode is packed with insights from one of the industry’s most experienced voices.

🔊 Tune in to hear:
✔️ How Andy’s farm roots shaped his unexpected career in agricultural media
✔️ The evolution of farm size and what it means for producers today
✔️ A no-holds-barred discussion on ag’s political allegiances—are we too one-sided?
✔️ Why broadcasters love to talk when the mic gets turned on them

🔗 Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow ag enthusiasts!

Send us a text

🔗 Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow ag enthusiasts!

Previous Episode

Episode 25: Milestone Musings, Timely Ag Updates & Answering My Own 5 Questions

Send us a text

It’s a milestone episode—Patio Ponderings hits 25 episodes! Today, I’m shaking things up by turning the mic on myself. 🔹 First, we’ll cover timely ag topics, including:
The new USDA Secretary, Brooke Rollins—can she push a new Farm Bill through Congress?
Commodity market shifts & USDA’s latest acreage projections—how are corn and soybeans stacking up?
The bird flu crisis—166 million birds gone, and is forced vaccination on the horizon?
Trump’s ag policy outlook—what’s coming for tariffs, trade, and grain exports?
🔹 Then, I’ll reflect on 25 episodes of podcasting:
What I’ve learned about scheduling, preparation, and the hidden work behind a podcast.
Why editing takes 1-4 minutes per minute recorded—and how it’s changed how I speak.
The unexpected enthusiasm from guests and listeners that keeps this show growing.
🔹 Finally, I turn the tables and answer my own Five Signature Questions for the first time.
The lesson from agriculture that sticks with me every day.
The historical figure in ag/media I’d love to have coffee with.
My favorite ag tool or innovation—and the small change that could have a big impact.
This episode is a look back, a look ahead, and a deep dive into what I’ve learned along the way. Whether you’ve been here since Episode 1 or just tuned in, thank you for listening. 👉 Listen, subscribe, and let me know—who should be my next guest?

Next Episode

Episode 27: Paul Butler - From Farm Fields to Coding

Send us a text

In this episode of Patio Pondering, we sit down with Paul Butler, a central Illinois farmer and Senior Development Manager in CRM at Express Scripts, to explore how his agricultural roots shaped his career in technology. Paul shares how growing up on a farm instilled problem-solving skills that now fuel his success in software development and customer relationship management.

🚜 We Discuss:
✅ How farming teaches adaptability, troubleshooting, and efficiency, skills that translate seamlessly into programming.
✅ The intersection of agriculture and technology—how digital tools are shaping the future of farming.
✅ Paul’s thoughts on New Ag Talk and the role of online ag communities in connecting farmers and industry experts.
✅ A special announcement: Paul reveals his plans to host a party during the 2025 Farm Progress Show, an event you won’t want to miss!

🌾 Whether you're a farmer, ag professional, or tech enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving relationship between agriculture and technology.

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe! If you enjoy the conversation, please leave a review and share it with your network to help us grow.

#Agriculture #FarmProgressShow #AgTech #PrecisionAg #NewAgTalk #FarmersInTech #AgCommunity #Podcast #PatioPondering #FarmLife #SoftwareDevelopment #FarmingInnovation