Farm4Profit Podcast

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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Website: www.Farm4Profit.com
Shareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.com
Email address: [email protected]
Call/Text: 515.207.9640
Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw
Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc
Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/

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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!
https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/

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: [email protected]
Call/Text: 515.207.9640
Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw
Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc
Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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!
https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/

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: [email protected]
Call/Text: 515.207.9640
Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw
Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc
Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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!
https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/

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: [email protected]
Call/Text: 515.207.9640
Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw
Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc
Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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!
https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/

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: [email protected]
Call/Text: 515.207.9640
Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5Xqw
Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc
Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.