Barnyard Language

In this episode of Barnyard Language, Caite and Arlene sit down with Rob Sand to talk about family, leadership, and what it really means to “grow” something meaningful.
Rob shares about raising his two sons, building a strong marriage, and his work in public service. He also gives insight into his run for governor, including his goal of hosting town halls in every county to bring people together across political lines.
The conversation touches on political reform, why he believes independent voters deserve a stronger voice, and what motivated him to run after changes limited the auditor’s ability to investigate taxpayer spending.
We're glad you're joining us for another episode of Barnyard Language. If you enjoy the show, please tell a friend (or two) and be sure to rate and review us wherever you're listening! If you want to help us keep buying coffee and paying our editor, you can make a monthly pledge on Patreon to help us stay on the air.
You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as BarnyardLanguage, and if you'd like to connect with other farming families, you can join our private Barnyard Language Facebook group. We're always in search of future guests for the podcast. If you or someone you know would like to chat with us, get in touch.
If you have a something you'd like to Cuss & Discuss, you can submit it here: speakpipe.com/barnyardlanguage or email us at [email protected].

Arlene and Caite recap post-Easter farm life—wrapping an easy lambing season, prepping for fieldwork, and navigating spring weather, a sump pump issue, and water system quirks. They share family updates, including a new driver and college acceptance, then welcome Annaliese and Court from the “Ag's Most Okayest Farm Girls” podcast. Together, they chat about rural life across Wisconsin and Iowa/Canada, building friendships (online and off), parenting through social dynamics, small-town culture, and a few lighthearted rants—ending with county fair goals and where to connect online.
We're glad you're joining us for another episode of Barnyard Language. If you enjoy the show, please tell a friend (or two) and be sure to rate and review us wherever you're listening! If you want to help us keep buying coffee and paying our editor, you can make a monthly pledge on Patreon to help us stay on the air.
You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as BarnyardLanguage, and if you'd like to connect with other farming families, you can join our private Barnyard Language Facebook group. We're always in search of future guests for the podcast. If you or someone you know would like to chat with us, get in touch.
If you have a something you'd like to Cuss & Discuss, you can submit it here: speakpipe.com/barnyardlanguage or email us at [email protected].

This week, Caite and Arlene interview Neil Dahlstrom from the Quad Cities, an archivist at John Deere who manages historical records, collections, antique equipment, and corporate art; he says he cannot collect John Deere items personally due to ethics rules. Dahlstrom, who lacks a farming background, describes his path into archives and his interest in research and historical mysteries, while also “growing” his nearly 16-year-old son and new writing projects. He discusses his books: a Civil War press-freedom story (“Lincoln’s Wrath”), a biography of John and Charles Deere (“The John Deere Story”), and “Tractor Wars” (1908–1928) on tractor origins and the roles of Ford, International Harvester, and Deere, including forgotten brands, fraud prompting standards like the Nebraska Test Lab, long adoption curves, and implement changes. He explains how “Tractor Wars” became an Iowa PBS documentary, and reflects on why history matters. Don’t miss it!
We're glad you're joining us for another episode of Barnyard Language. If you enjoy the show, please tell a friend (or two) and be sure to rate and review us wherever you're listening! If you want to help us keep buying coffee and paying our editor, you can make a monthly pledge on Patreon to help us stay on the air.
You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as BarnyardLanguage, and if you'd like to connect with other farming families, you can join our private Barnyard Language Facebook group. We're always in search of future guests for the podcast. If you or someone you know would like to chat with us, get in touch.
If you have a something you'd like to Cuss & Discuss, you can submit it here: speakpipe.com/barnyardlanguage or email us at [email protected].

In this engaging conversation, Suzy Brandt shares her experiences as a dairy farmer and mother, discussing the challenges and joys of balancing family life with agricultural responsibilities. The discussion delves into the importance of crop insurance, the impact of climate change on farming, and the vital role of community support in rural living. Suzy also reflects on her personal growth, parenting challenges, and the significance of communication and accountability in raising children. The conversation highlights the realities of modern farming and the interconnectedness of family, work, and community.
We're glad you're joining us for another episode of Barnyard Language. If you enjoy the show, please tell a friend (or two) and be sure to rate and review us wherever you're listening! If you want to help us keep buying coffee and paying our editor, you can make a monthly pledge on Patreon to help us stay on the air.
You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as BarnyardLanguage, and if you'd like to connect with other farming families, you can join our private Barnyard Language Facebook group. We're always in search of future guests for the podcast. If you or someone you know would like to chat with us, get in touch.
If you have a something you'd like to Cuss & Discuss, you can submit it here: speakpipe.com/barnyardlanguage or email us at [email protected].

Jared shares how he’s leading regenerative change on his multi-generation farm by earning buy-in from family and a 40-person team through coaching, small trials, and measurable results rather than mandates. He highlights successes with diverse cover crops, lessons from composting paper biosolids to fix nitrogen tie-up, and the challenges of financing and scaling his egg operation without quota on the balance sheet. Managing multiple enterprises, he relies on systems, KPIs, SOPs, internal training videos, and automation to keep the business running efficiently. He also discusses hiring through a four-step coaching method, building confidence despite criticism, learning through books and podcasts, and integrating his teenagers into farm life while prioritizing presence and stewardship.
We're glad you're joining us for another episode of Barnyard Language. If you enjoy the show, please tell a friend (or two) and be sure to rate and review us wherever you're listening! If you want to help us keep buying coffee and paying our editor, you can make a monthly pledge on Patreon to help us stay on the air.
You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as BarnyardLanguage, and if you'd like to connect with other farming families, you can join our private Barnyard Language Facebook group. We're always in search of future guests for the podcast. If you or someone you know would like to chat with us, get in touch.
If you have a something you'd like to Cuss & Discuss, you can submit it here: speakpipe.com/barnyardlanguage or email us at [email protected].