Episode 37: Karen Corrigan - Honest Insights on Life that Lead to Good Agronomy and Life Skills

04/17/25 • 55 min

Karen Corrigan joins Patio Ponderings to talk agronomy, opportunity, and saying "yes" to success—plus a few laughs with friends along the way.

In this episode of Patio Ponderings, Jim Smith sits down with Karen Corrigan, Certified Crop Adviser, educator, and co-owner of McGillicuddy Corrigan Agronomics. Karen shares her journey from Illinois farm country to becoming one of the clearest and most practical voices in independent agronomy today.

We dig into why getting the basics right—like managing soil pH and real weed control—is more important than chasing shiny new solutions. Karen offers straight talk about balancing science and intuition, the communication gaps she sees in modern agriculture, and how working independently has shaped her perspective.

Karen also shares how her willingness to say "yes" to opportunities—both big and small—has played a key role in her success, much like Corey Hillebo described during Episode 24. It's a powerful reminder of how openness can shape a career in unexpected and rewarding ways.

Along the way, we also bring up several mutual friends and colleagues who have impacted our journeys, including Corey Hillebo, Paul Butler, Angie Setzer, Jen Campbell, and the Hippie Farmer. Their names come up naturally as we reflect on the importance of community, authenticity, and shared experience in agriculture.

Stick around to hear Karen tackle our signature five questions, where she shares personal lessons, favorite tools, and what gives her hope for the future of farming.

Connect with Karen:
Follow her on Twitter @weedgirl24 and learn more about her consulting work at McGillicuddy Corrigan Agronomics.

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Karen Corrigan joins Patio Ponderings to talk agronomy, opportunity, and saying "yes" to success—plus a few laughs with friends along the way.

Stick around to hear Karen tackle our signature five questions, where she shares personal lessons, favorite tools, and what gives her hope for the future of farming.

Connect with Karen:
Follow her on Twitter @weedgirl24 and learn more about her consulting work at McGillicuddy Corrigan Agronomics.

Previous Episode

Episode 36: Just Because You Can, Doesn’t Mean You Should

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In this solo episode of Patio Pondering, I explore the increasingly urgent topic of farmland preservation and rural land use through the lens of personal experience and regional change.

Sparked by a conversation on The Little Red Barn Podcast, I reflect on the silent erosion of farm ground in northeast Indiana—not by massive developments, but by smaller projects: executive housing estates, solar farms, and hobby farmettes that chip away at our agricultural heritage acre by acre.

As a multi-generational farmer and landowner in DeKalb County, I wrestle with the delicate balance between private property rights and community impact. Can we really claim we’re protecting agriculture if we stay silent while 10-acre developments replace row crops? What are we risking when we pave over prime soil?

From zoning board decisions to nostalgic memories of the family farm, this episode dives into the heart of the farmland debate. It’s a conversation about stewardship, sustainability, and asking the hard questions:

When should farmland be preserved?
Who decides what’s worth saving?
And what legacy do we leave behind?

Next Episode

Episode 38 – From Setback to Starting Over: First Patio Pondering from the Patio

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In this special episode of Patio Pondering Podcast, Jim shares his personal story of overcoming career loss, finding new purpose, and building a new life after a job setback — all recorded from the patio where it began.

Reflecting on the end of Holy Week and the passing of Pope Francis, Jim explores how quiet moments of solitude helped him navigate the aftermath of losing his 12-year career in swine nutrition. He shares how starting Patio Ponderings became a path toward personal growth, writing, podcasting, and even publishing an essay in a local newspaper.

Jim also discusses the surprising role artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT played in enhancing his writing process, helping him "riff" like a jazz musician to find his authentic voice.

Whether you're navigating your own career transition, starting over, or searching for inspiration after life's unexpected turns, this episode offers hope, reflection, and a reminder that sometimes all you need is a quiet place to begin again.

Thanks for joining us on the patio. Until next time, keep pondering.