AgriCulture
AgriCulture is a national award-winning podcast that goes beyond the daily work of raising crops and cows, focusing instead on how farmers navigate challenges and build meaningful lives. It shares personal stories from Arkansas farmers about their struggles, satisfactions, and the realities of farming in the region. The show emphasizes the human side of agriculture rather than technical production advice.
Episodes
Faith Stories: Tommy Owens
Priorities painted on the wall remind Tommy to ‘keep the main thing, the main thing.’ Hear how it’s anchored him and impacted others in East Arkansas.
Faith Stories: Cheryl and Larry Blasdel, Part 2
Hear the Blasdels’ inspiring story of staying married and farming while providing non-stop care for a child with special needs on this encore episode of AgriCulture.
Faith Stories: Cheryl and Larry Blasdel, Part 1
Hear the Blasdels’ inspiring story of staying married and farming while providing non-stop care for a child with special needs on this encore episode of AgriCulture.
Faith Stories: Larry McClendon
An elite Arkansas agriculturist, Larry says he didn’t prosper for a decade while learning how “incapable” he was. He reveals the “catalyst for change” on this episode of AgriCulture.
Faith Stories: Prayers from a Pig Pen
Losing his farm in Missouri left Jerry Masters “feeling like the world was caving in” but put him right where God wanted. Everything changed after moving to Arkansas, transforming Masters into more than an agricultural giant.
Faith Stories from the Farm: Kelley and Jeff Lammers
A young couple with three toddlers hadn’t even flown when they uprooted from diminutive Dell, Arkansas (pop. 194) to Uganda, Africa. Hear why they left hometown friends, family and farm for a village near the Nile River. It's the first in a series of AgriCulture podcast titled “Faith Stories from the Farm.”
Unbelieving Farmer Hears Hope at Christmas
He told his wife I’m sorry, but I’m not going with you to church this Christmas Eve. Listen to The Man and the Birds, a powerful yet simple parable about the true meaning of Christmas.
Selling the Family Farm at Christmas, Part 2
Arkansas leads the nation in Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies. Jackson County generational farmers Dennis Haigwood and Jeff Rutledge explain why more farms will fold later this month despite the Trump administration’s new aid package.
Selling the Family Farm at Christmas, Part 1
Loans denied, bankruptcies rising, auctions booked and fears of suicide linger. Generational farmers Dennis Haigwood and Jeff Rutledge explain why up to 40% of Arkansas row crop operations may not return in the spring.
Sound Wisdom as Farm Bankruptcies Rise
Arkansas farmer bankruptcy filings during the first quarter of this year almost outnumbered all of 2024. Who has answers? Veteran farmer and ultra-successful business owner Larry McClendon just finished his 51st harvest and shares some wisdom on this episode of AgriCulture.
Farm Strong All the Way to the NFL
Before scoring touchdowns for the Razorbacks and after catching passes from Peyton Manning in the NFL, Joe Dean Davenport loved farming. Hear the former All-Southeastern Conference tight end’s story from Arkansas to the pros and back.
Mother’s Day 2025, Pt. 2: Jana Carroll
Monroe County mom Jana Carroll fights tears talking about her thoughtful children, shares maternal memories and wisdom from her farm in Moro, Ark. It’s a special Mother’s Day episode of the national award-winning AgriCulture.
Mother’s Day 2025, Pt. 1: Mary Jo Simon
Faulkner County mom Mary Jo Simon spent the 1970s pregnant and giving birth to seven boys in nine years. She raised them in a two-bedroom home, and they all became doctors or dairy farmers except one; and he is a cattleman married to a physician. Hear her stories on this Mother’s Day weekend episode of AgriCulture.
Celebrating A Big W for Women
Pioneering ladies in agriculture carved their path, shattering stereotypes and driving innovation. It wasn’t easy. Farm women weren’t even recognized as “persons” by the government not too long ago. Hear how Stuttgart’s Mrs. Ardis Dabbs and an organization called WIFE downed discrimination on this Women’s History Month episode of AgriCulture.
Testimonies from an Iconic Ozark Mountain Cattleman, Part 2
An event-filled life gives 92-year-old James Ragland endearing stories. The retired extension agent still ranches near Leslie on family property purchased in the 1800s. He reclines on the porch and relays some adventures on this episode of AgriCulture.
Testimonies from an Iconic Ozark Mountain Cattleman, Part 1
An event-filled life gives 92-year-old James Ragland endearing stories. The retired extension agent still ranches near Leslie on family property purchased in the 1800s. He reclines on the porch and relays some adventures on this episode of AgriCulture.
Sacrificial Love Part 2
Few face challenges like North Arkansas cattleman Larry Blasdel’s family. Hear how non-stop sacrificial love for a child with special needs helps them thrive on the farm.
Sacrificial Love Part 1
Few face challenges like North Arkansas cattleman Larry Blasdel’s family. Hear how non-stop sacrificial love for a child with special needs helps them overcome overwhelming odds in marriage and on the farm.
Delta Delight
She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees, but more important to Beverly Scott Chapple are her son and living near him on a family farm. Hear her heritage and joy while shelling purple hull peas in the shade just outside the dwindling delta town of Cotton Plant.
Hope Watermelon Festival
Before Bill Clinton or Mike Huckabee, Hope was known for world-record watermelons and its annual festival returns this weekend offering a “slice of the good life.” Lifelong resident Paul Henley and his wife Dolly share interesting farmer and entertaining festival stories on this episode of AgriCulture.
Pride and Soy
A tick bite causing temporary blindness and a permanent allergy to meats and dairy, opened Dr. Karen Ballard’s eyes to what was right in front of her. Hear the Jackson County farmer passionately share her discovery while cooking surprisingly delicious, soy-based dishes on this episode of AgriCulture.
Young Hands Needed
Fewer youths are pursuing farming careers. The average age of American farmers is 58 (20 years older than the citizen average). Anna Sweat, a 17-year-old raised on Sweat Farms in Southwest Arkansas, admits she has considered other lifestyles but plans to earn a degree in ag business. Hear her story and her dad’s tips on keeping the next generation farming on this episode of AgriCulture.
Don’t Cuss a Farmer at Grocery Checkout
Arkansas families are feeling it. Grocery costs are approaching a 30-percent increase since January 2020. Conway County’s Ashley Flickinger says it’s devouring her family-of-five’s budget and Arkansas Pork Producers Association director Jerry Masters offers insight to the increases in this episode of AgriCulture.
Hungry Kids Need Hunters’ Help
One in five Arkansas children is hungry, yet the state’s hunters annually harvest 200,000 deer. Hot Spring County farmer Ronnie Ritter says he has a "calling" to get more venison to famished kids. Heart-wrenching stories drive Ritter as Director of Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry. Hear his stories and how you can help in this episode of AgriCulture.
Tears and Triumphs of a Minority Farmer, Part 2
Industrious Ellis Bell flew alone at night for 45 years in a 1956 Cessna to successfully run a Forrest City farm and St. Louis insurance business. Hear his turbulent ascent to vocational victories and heart to help other minorities on this episode of the national award-winning AgriCulture podcast.
Tears and Triumphs of a Minority Farmer, Part 1
Growing up on a Forrest City farm in the 1940s shaped Ellis Bell. The challenges Bell faced couldn’t stop a strong and studious mind, laser-like focus and two parents from propelling him to a 2023 Arkansas Ag Hall of Fame induction. Hear the hurt, tears and triumphs on this episode of the national-award winning AgriCulture podcast.
Granny had to Go, Who’ll be Next?
Eva Henderson, affectionately known by thousands as “Granny,” lived 87 years on the Buffalo River but was removed from her farm in 1972 by the government. She was one of about 2,000 displaced when the Buffalo became a National River. Her great-grandson Randy Gibbins remembers and is concerned it could soon happen to others, too. A visit with Gibbins completes AgriCulture’s 5-part series o
Progress, Population Plow Buffalo River Farms
Armed U.S. Marshals ushered Susan Halsted’s grandparents from their Buffalo River farm in 1972 when it became a National River. Hear Halsted’s heartbreak, and her concerns about recent talks of another possible river re-designation. Cattleman Bob Shofner, a life-long resident of booming Northwest Arkansas, understands more people present challenges for farmers but says not all development
America’s First National River Might Require a Permit
Does the Buffalo River need more protection? Will it remain free to fish and hunt? Billy Bell would arguably be the best person to ask. Hear what he says sustains it and what could destroy it in episode three of our 5-part series on the past and future of the Buffalo River.
Hard Start, Farm Struggles Raise a Wise MOM
Seven months pregnant while unloading an 18-wheeler load of chickens is part of Belinda Wright’s motherhood story. Hear her mom-wise stories and heart on this special Mother’s Day edition of AgriCulture.
Celebrating a Resilient Rancher & MOTHER
Mothers raising children on the farm own interesting stories and perspective. North Little Rock rancher Libbie Dougan overcame much to raise three daughters and shares her laughs and wisdom on the special Mother's Day weekend edition of AgriCulture.
Grieving river residents heard, finally
Jack Tinsley and his siblings’ Buffalo River re-designation resentment goes back half a century. Hear the trauma of being evicted as children from their family farm in 1972 when the Buffalo became America’s first national river, and their concerns about another possible re-designation. Listen to episode 2 of a 5-part series on the past and future of the Buffalo River.
It's the crowds, NOT the cows
Farmers and residents in the Buffalo River area of North Arkansas are troubled. Discussion of a possible re-designation of the National River in late October drew more than 1,200 for a community meeting in Jasper (population 547). Longtime Searcy County residents Randy Clark and Bonnie Cash Glidewell attended, and in this debut episode of AgriCulture tell why locals are agitated. It’s the
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