In this episode of the Farm4Profit Podcast, we sit down with Tom Corcoran, better known online as Farming Sumbitch, a first-generation farmer from rural western New York who has built something truly special — both online and in real life.

Tom shares the story behind the SUMBITCH Tractor Show (Some Unique Machines Brought In To Commemorate History), an annual August event hosted on his family’s farm that now draws visitors from across the U.S. — and even internationally. What began in 2018 as a small idea has grown into a show featuring 150+ tractors, tractor rides, hay rides, live music, food, and a mission much bigger than machinery.

The show raises money to support the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, a cause close to Tom’s heart after his father-in-law battled the disease. In 2024 alone, the event raised over $40,000, proving that agriculture still has the power to bring people together for something bigger than itself.

We also dive into:

Tom’s journey as a first-generation farmer, starting independently in 2010

What it’s really like farming corn, wheat, rye, black beans, and pumpkins in New York

Why old iron still matters — including shelling corn with a 3-row picker and running classic John Deere equipment

The growth of his “The Way We Farm” YouTube channel and why showing real farming still resonates

How social media helped connect a small farm to a global audience

Why preserving ag history matters just as much as adopting new technology

This episode is about more than tractors. It’s about honoring where agriculture came from, sharing real farm life, and using your platform — no matter how small it starts — to make a real impact.

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Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

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In an industry driven by razor-thin margins, volatile markets, and rising input costs, mid-market cattle producers often face a simple truth: expertise matters more than luck.

In this episode of the Farm4Profit Podcast, we welcome Todd Drake, CEO of Balance4Ward — a company dedicated to helping cattle feeders break out of the “daily grind” and build intentional, profitable, and sustainable operations. Balance4Ward is built on decades of real-world cattle feeding experience and a mission to empower producers with both strategy and execution.

Todd shares:

Balance4Ward’s origin story — how hands-on cattle feeding experience led to solutions for mid-market feeders rather than generic advice.

Why traditional cattle feeding models leave producers chasing short-term wins instead of building long-term strength.

How the company developed Cattle Business Systems — a transparent, coaching-based approach where producers have access to expert guidance, custom planning, and monthly check-ins.

What practical value advisory and coaching adds — from back office clarity to production decisions that preserve margins and unlock profit potential.

Why Balance4Ward combines data, people, and experience into a system that lets feeders call the shots, rather than follow generic prescription models.

The evolution of the company into feed delivery, ration formulation, onsite consulting, blended feed, and strategic coaching designed to help operations compete with the biggest players.

Whether you’re an established feeder or a producer looking to scale smarter, Todd’s insights show why a systematic, coachable approach — not guesswork — is what it takes to thrive long-term.

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Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen!

Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

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From copper wire and irrigation pumps to fencing and remote electrical systems, thieves are targeting farms more aggressively than ever — driven by rising metal prices and the reality that rural law enforcement is stretched thin.

We dig into:

Why agricultural crime is surging across the U.S.

What thieves are stealing most — and why farms are uniquely vulnerable

The true cost of theft beyond scrap value (downtime, crop loss, repairs, and missed irrigation)

Why traditional tools like trail cameras and motion lights often fail in remote areas

How new technology is shifting security from reactive to proactive

Bobby also shares how real-time theft detection systems like COP-R-LOCK can pinpoint theft instantly, trigger on-site alarms, and provide alerts fast enough to actually stop criminals before the damage is done.

With repair costs ranging from $20,000 to $90,000, this conversation is about more than stolen copper — it’s about protecting your farm’s productivity, infrastructure, and long-term resilience.

Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today!

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Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen!

Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

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In this episode of Farm4Profit, we sit down with Lance Weaver, a Texas native, former ag banker, and now business coach with Legacy Farmer, to talk about what really happens behind the scenes in agricultural lending — and what farmers need to understand to protect their operations.

After earning degrees in Ag Business and Ag Economics and spending over a decade in ag finance, Lance reached a breaking point. Despite good intentions, he realized the system wasn’t built to serve farmers the way they thought it was.

We dig into:

The moment Lance said, “I can’t do this anymore as a banker”

Why loan officers don’t always have your back in loan committee meetings

Red flags in both farm financials and bank relationships

Why balance sheets, cash flow, and production knowledge must align

The danger of confusing bank renewals with actual profitability

How farmers can start thinking — and operating — like CEOs of multimillion-dollar businesses

What Legacy Farmer does differently to help producers build clarity, structure, and long-term resilience

This episode challenges farmers to take ownership of their numbers, their leadership role, and their future — because the bank will always protect its own interests, but your farm needs someone protecting yours.

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Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen!

Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

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Nels farms corn and soybeans in Iowa, including seed beans for major companies, while running a diverse lineup of equipment and managing challenges like field fires, weather swings, and land access as a next-generation farmer. He shares what it was like returning to the family operation, starting on his own acres, and building a farm business one decision at a time.

We also dive into:

Why he started sharing farm life on social media in 2019

How simple things like rain gauge updates connect farmers and non-farmers alike

What it’s like raising kids who actively help on the farm

Lessons learned from Iowa Corn’s I-LEAD program and international trade missions

Why community involvement — fire department, PTO, Lions Club — still matters in rural America

The reality of farming through tough seasons, including multiple field fires in one year

This conversation is a reminder that farming isn’t just about acres and yields — it’s about people, perspective, and showing the real side of agriculture.

Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today!

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Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen!

Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw

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In this What’s Working in Ag segment, we highlight a growing trend we’re seeing across agriculture heading into 2026: farmers investing in skills instead of opinions.

Agris Academy is hosting a 2026 Winter Workshop on Merchandising and Futures Risk Management on February 19th in Baltic, South Dakota, with both in-person and online options available. What makes this workshop stand out is what it doesn’t promise.

This session focuses on:

Teaching real merchandising skills farmers can use immediately

Sharing practical “tricks of the trade” from professional risk managers

Helping producers build repeatable systems, not one-off trades

Creating skills that become a permanent asset to a farm or business

What it won’t do:

Predict market direction

Push trading strategies

React to daily headlines

In a year where volatility, tight margins, and uncertainty continue to dominate agriculture, farmers are realizing that better decisions come from better understanding — not better guesses.

This short segment explains why educational workshops like this are gaining momentum, why farmers are choosing to attend in person, and how developing merchandising discipline can change how farms manage risk long-term.

Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today!

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Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen!

Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

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In this episode of Farm4Profit, we’re joined by Ken Ripley, AVP of Regional Sales for FMH’s Northwest region and a farmer himself in southern Minnesota. Ken brings decades of experience from both John Deere and crop insurance, helping producers understand how to build smarter protection strategies.

We break down:

The current financial environment farmers are facing

How crop insurance, FSA programs, and disaster relief work together

What’s changed under the new USDA and RMA leadership

Key updates to ARC/PLC, base acres, reference prices, and SCO flexibility

New and expanded area coverage options like ECO, SCO, and MCO

Enhancements to the Beginning Farmer/Rancher program

Disaster programs like SDRP Phase 2 and the new Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program

Why precision data is becoming critical for reporting, claims, and audits

Ken also shares practical advice for navigating these decisions without getting overwhelmed — including why working closely with a trusted crop insurance agent can help producers avoid missed opportunities.

With so many changes heading into 2026, this episode helps farmers step back, understand the big picture, and make intentional decisions that protect profitability.

Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today!

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Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen!

Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

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This episode is a little different—and that’s exactly why you’ll want to listen.

Sammy Smith is a Johnston, Iowa native who grew up racing on small tracks across the state before becoming one of the youngest drivers to win at NASCAR’s national level. Today, at just 21 years old, he’s competed across the ARCA Menards Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, and the Truck Series, racing for some of the sport’s most respected teams.

In this conversation, we dig into:

Growing up just miles from the Farm4Profit studio and racing across Iowa

How his dad and Iowa racing connections launched his motorsports career

Winning races before he was old enough to legally drive

The discipline required to balance school, training, and full-time racing

Handling pressure, failure, and expectations at a young age

Lessons racing teaches that apply directly to farming and business

Endurance, mindset, and why he ran a marathon in 2025

Giving back through scholarships and community involvement

What’s next in his racing career

While Sammy’s world looks different than farming, the themes are the same: discipline, consistency, risk management, preparation, and performance under pressure. This episode bridges agriculture and motorsports through mindset—and shows why success at the highest levels always comes back to fundamentals.

Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today!

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Don’t forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen!

Website: www.Farm4Profit.com

Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com

Email address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.com

Call/Text: 515.207.9640

Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw

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