Shows
The Specialty Crop CastApple Advocacy, Marketing, and Grower Support | Nick Nadai (MACMA)This episode of the Specialty Crop Podcast dives into the role advocacy, policy, and grower representation play in the future of specialty crop agriculture. Joined by Nick Nadai of the Michigan Agri-Business Association (MACMA), the conversation breaks down how specialty crop growers are supported at the state and national level—and why that work matters now more than ever.Nick shares insight into Michigan specialty crops, including tree fruit, berries, and vegetables, and explains how organizations like MACMA help navigate regulations, labor, crop protection, and industry challenges unique to specialty agriculture. The discussion also covers grower engagement, real-world policy im...
2026-02-1046 minThe Specialty Crop CastCrop Protection Built Exclusively for Specialty Crops | Tim SchrankIn this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast, we’re joined by Tim Schrank of Nichino America to talk about crop protection from a true specialty-crop-first perspective. Nichino is unique in the crop protection industry as the only company dedicated exclusively to specialty crop farmers, and Tim shares how that focus shapes everything from research and development to real-world, on-farm solutions.We discuss why specialty crops require different approaches than broad-acre agriculture, how targeted chemistry helps manage pest pressure and resistance, and why having products designed specifically for fruit and vegetable growers matters now more than ever. Ti...
2026-01-3047 minThe Specialty Crop CastThe Specialty Crop Cast #18 - Greg KugelIn this episode of the Specialty Crop Cast, we sit down with Greg Kugel to discuss what’s really happening in the specialty crop industry today. Greg shares insight on current market conditions, key challenges growers are facing, and how decisions made now can shape the long-term success of an operation. We cover real-world perspectives from the field, where opportunities still exist, and what growers should be paying attention to as they plan for the upcoming season. This episode delivers practical takeaways and honest conversation for anyone involved in specialty crop production.Special thanks to Nichino America fo...
2026-01-2048 minThe Specialty Crop CastThe Specialty Crop Cast #17 - Chad ReendersIn this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast, we’re joined by Chad Reenders — a fourth-generation Michigan blueberry farmer and President of the Michigan Blueberry Advisory Committee. Chad shares the history of Michigan’s blueberry industry and breaks down the major changes shaping it today, including farm consolidation, new plant genetics, pest and nutrition management, labor challenges, and what the future holds for specialty crop growers in Michigan.We also dive into Chad’s advocacy work in Lansing and Washington, D.C., where he’s helped push important policy updates around blueberry crop insurance with USDA–RMA, labor and H...
2026-01-1049 minThe Specialty Crop CastThe Specialty Crop Cast #16 - Nikki Rothwell Pt 2In this episode, we sit down with Nikki Rothwell, Coordinator of the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Center and longtime MSU Extension Specialist, to talk about the future of fruit farming in Michigan. Nikki shares insights from more than 20 years of research—including IPM breakthroughs, SWD modeling, climate resilience, high-density orchard systems, and the economic realities growers face today. We are talking about issues in apple trees, MSU extension and the yearly IFTA trip this year in Fresno California!
2025-12-181h 00The Specialty Crop CastThe Specialty Crop Cast #15 - Nikki RothwellIn this episode, we sit down with Nikki Rothwell, Coordinator of the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Center and longtime MSU Extension Specialist, to talk about the future of fruit farming in Michigan. Nikki shares insights from more than 20 years of research—including IPM breakthroughs, SWD modeling, climate resilience, high-density orchard systems, and the economic realities growers face today. Whether you’re an orchardist, cider maker, or ag enthusiast, this episode brings real-world perspective from one of the industry’s most trusted voices.A huge thanks to our sponsor of this video Wilbur-Ellis for su...
2025-12-0846 minThe Specialty Crop CastThe Specialty Crop Cast #14 - Isaiah WunschOn this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast on Pomes and Stones we are joined by Isaiah Wunsch! A Northern Michigan specialty crop grower on Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City Michigan. He focuses on growing Apples and cherries farming 1000 acres. In this epsiode we talk about the challenges of farming cherries, equipment struggles and his own cherry packing house! All that and much more in this episode!Thanks again to the sponsor of this episode Wilbue-Ellis!Don't forget to give the show 5 Stars and follow so you dont...
2025-12-0347 minThe Specialty Crop CastThe Specialty Crop Cast #13 - Nate KulpaOn this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast on Pomes and Stones we are joined by Nate Kulpa! A Northern Michigan specialty crop grower who grows a large variety of crops like tart cherries, sweet cherries, grapes, and much more! He manages 350 acres to bring the highest quality fruits to market! Nate shares his experience launching his own wine brand and reflects on his time with Wilbur-Ellis as an agronomy specialist. We dig into the future of specialty crops and grapes in Michigan, the cost of labor and inputs, and the challenges growers face in today’s ag...
2025-11-131h 04The Specialty Crop CastThe Specialty Crop Cast #13 - Nate KulpaOn this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast on Pomes and Stones we are joined by Nate Kulpa! A Northern Michigan specialty crop grower who grows a large variety of crops like tart cherries, sweet cherries, grapes, and much more! He manages 350 acres to bring the highest quality fruits to market! Nate shares his experience launching his own wine brand and reflects on his time with Wilbur-Ellis as an agronomy specialist. We dig into the future of specialty crops and grapes in Michigan, the cost of labor and inputs, and the challenges growers face in today’s ag...
2025-11-131h 04The Specialty Crop CastThe Specialty Crop Cast #12 - Nels VeliquetteOn this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast on Pomes and Stones we welcome Nels Veliquette into the studio! A cherry and apple grower in Kewadin Michigan, Nels is passionate and an advocate for the industries he's involved in. He's been featured in the Chicago Tribune and The Wall Street Journal for his testimony in Washington D.C. in an lawsuit in front of the International Trade Commission. In this episode we will be talking what is next for the cherry industry after a short crop. Also, we touch on government support for farmers, how to connect...
2025-11-041h 10
The Specialty Crop CastThe Specialty Crop Cast #11 - Jake CampeauOn this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast on Pomes and Stones we welcome Jake Campeau manager at Cherry Bay Orchards into the studio. A second generation farmer who started on the farm and was always pulled back to the farm through is early 20's. Jake does a variety of jobs across the farm from the field to the shop! Cherry Bay is located in Suttons Bay Michigan, and is large producer of tart cherries and a large number of different varities of apples including Sweet Tangos and Honeycrisp! Jake and the guys talk about the future of farming...
2025-10-261h 14The Specialty Crop CastThe Specialty Crop Cast # 10 - Where Have We Been?In this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast on Pomes and Stones we are back in the studio discussing where we have been this summer! We catch up on cherry harvest went and what the apple crops look like on our farms! Were talking drone crashes, harvest stories and much more in this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast!Thank you for listening! Dont forget to follow on all the socials for more content on specialty crop farming!Follow On All The Socials! https://www.tiktok.com/@pomesandstoneshttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569675538713https...
2025-09-2638 minThe Specialty Crop CastThe Specialty Crop Cast #9 - Travis BratschiOn this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast on Pomes and Stones we welcome Travis Bratschi owner of Bratschi Orchards. A first generation farmer started small and has grown himself a beautiful apple farm located in Traverse City Michigan! Travis breaks down what it takes to grow beautiful fruit in a sometimes non-cooperative often volatile growing season. In this episode we will be learning what it takes to run a high production apple farm. What varieties does travis grow? How does he deal with damaging hail storms? How does he color up fruit and keep quality apples...
2025-07-1157 min
Ag Creators PodcastEpisode 4 - Talon FelkerIn this episode of the Ag Creators Podcast, we sit down with Talon Felker, the voice behind @pomesandstones, to explore what it’s like to farm apples and cherries in Northern Michigan while raising a family and building an engaged audience online.Talon shares how he got started in agriculture, what it takes to grow high-quality fruit, and how he uses content to give consumers a closer look at the realities of farm life. From long harvest days to the beauty of orchard work, Talon offers a transparent, authentic perspective that brings people closer to where their fo...
2025-06-2046 minThe Specialty Crop CastThe Specialty Crop Cast #8 - Sadie MerchantOn this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast on Pomes and Stones we welcome Sadie Merchant owner of Myrtle and Maudes into the studio! Sadie is a 4th generation farmer in Northern Michigan! Not only has her family been farming fruit for generations they also have in the last 5 years opened Myrtle and Maudes. What started out as a small roadside stand has evolved into a local and out of town favorite stop for all travelers! In this episode we will be learning what it takes to run a farm market, events, farm animals and 1000+ cherry pies sold.
2025-06-181h 27The Specialty Crop CastThe Specialty Crop Cast #7 - Travis SchockOn this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast on Pomes and Stones we welcome Travis Schock from Cherry Bee Inc into the studio! Travis is a bee keeper tending to honey bees here in northern Michigan! Years of bee keeping across the country has landed him here in northern Michigan pollinating specialty crops across the state! We are talking pollinating, honey, saving the bees and , much more! As always, Thanks to Wilbur-Ellis for sponsoring this weeks episode of the Specialty Crop Cast on Pomes and Stones! Next week we will be talking with Sadie Merchant, owner of Myrtle and...
2025-06-061h 48The Specialty Crop CastThe Specialty Crop Cast #6 - Alec AltonenOn this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast on Pomes and Stones we welcome Alec Altonen from Altonen Orchards into the studio! Alec is a 4th generation farmer in Northern Michigan. Altonen Orchards grows a variety of crop from apples and cherries all the way down to pumpkins and their famous sweet corn! We are talking farming, cider, helicopter rides and , much more! As always, Thanks to Wilbur-Ellis for sponsoring this weeks episode of the Specialty Crop Cast on Pomes and Stones! Next week we will be talking with Cherry Bee Inc bee keeper Travis Shock! put...
2025-05-241h 27The Specialty Crop CastThe Specialty Crop Cast #5 - Megan BarlowIn this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast we visit with Wilbur- Ellis Technical Nutrition Specialist Megan Barlow! She is very knowledgable in all things plant nutrition, geology and soil sampling. We talk about all those things and more in this episode. This will be the most educational thing you hear today! Lock in and hit play! Thanks to Wilbur-Ellis for sponsoring this video! They have been partnering with specialty crop growers for more than 100 years!
2025-05-162h 00The Specialty Crop CastThe Specialty Crop Cast #4 - Brennen HitchcockWelcome to back to The Specialty Crop Cast on Pomes and Stones! Welcome to The Specialty Crop Cast on Pomes and Stones. Where we talk about farming, agribusiness and products from the people who know it best! This week our guest in studio is Brennen Hitchcock! He is a Senior Operations Manager for Wilbur Ellis. He explains the ins and out of managing multiple different locations across the midwest. Thank you Wilbur Ellis for sponsoring this episode of The Specialty Crop Cast
2025-05-121h 06The Specialty Crop CastThe Specialty Crop Cast #3 - Spring Has Arrived One The FarmThis week on The Specialty Crop Cast we are talking about insects, spray programs and protecting your crops! Come along with Talon, Zach and Steve as we tackle those topics and more in this weeks video!
2025-05-121h 12The Specialty Crop CastThe Specialty Crop Cast #2 - Bruce VeliquetteThis week Bruce Veliquette from Cherry Ke, Shoreline Fruit and the CIAB. Join us as we talk harvest stories, growing up on the farm and the future of the cherry industry in this weeks episode!
2025-04-191h 37The Specialty Crop CastWe're Live! Welcome To The Speciality Crop Cast!Episode 1: Welcome to the Specialty Crop Cast on Pomes and Stones! In our very first episode, get to know your hosts—three passionate farmers from Northern Michigan—as we kick off the Pomes and Stones Podcast - The Specialty Crop Cast!! We’re diving into what this podcast is all about: real stories from the orchard, behind-the-scenes farm projects, and honest conversations about growing specialty crops like apples and cherries.
2025-04-091h 13
Just an Epic Life012. Keslie’s Life By Design (Part 2)In this episode we continue our discussion from episode 011 where Keslie introduced her personal story of a life by design. This episode takes a closer look at what it looks like to start creating a life design. We also discuss how our mindset with money has evolved from shame and fear to empowerment and generosity.By sharing choices we have made throughout our journey as we continue to design our lives, we hope to inspire our listeners to look at their life as something they choose rather than falling into the societal trends of doing life only...
2022-07-0931 min