Tag: leadership

#31 Janet Bailey – No Chaff Group

Vets In Ag Podcast
Vets In Ag Podcast
#31 Janet Bailey - No Chaff Group
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Throughout my career, I’ve always tried to be somebody who will lay out the facts so there aren’t any surprises

Our guest this week is Janet Bailey, Principle at No Chaff Group. No Chaff Group is focused on providing consulting services to growers and agribusinesses in the areas of rural brand management and mental health, social governance, advocacy strategy, and other ag financial services.

In this episode, Janet shares insights and lessons learned from her three decades in the industry, spanning a childhood growing up on a diversified cropping operation and dairy farm during the 1980s farm crisis, Marketing Development Lead for the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, and nearly 20 years at Frontier Farm Credit as their VP for Marketing and Communications. We get into her thoughts on the value of mentorship, early technology adoption on their farm, the often dangerous way we dispense advice over social media today, and her story as a breast cancer survivor.  

Her developmental initiatives around the veteran community and ag labor needs is absolutely something you should reach out to Janet about if you’re interested in learning more or partnering to support.

#30 Luke Crumley (USMC) – Ohio Corn and Wheat

Vets In Ag Podcast
Vets In Ag Podcast
#30 Luke Crumley (USMC) - Ohio Corn and Wheat
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I think before you ever consider elective service, you should serve first.

These words from the father of this week’s guest – Luke Crumley – Director of Public Policy and Nutrient Management at Ohio Corn and Wheat – an organization working to create opportunities for long-term Ohio corn and small grain grower profitability. They do this through several checkoff groups and associations that expand markets, fund research, provide education, and advocate for supportive public policy on behalf of farmer members.

Despite being surrounded by ag growing up in Ohio, it wasn’t an intimate part of Luke’s upbringing, particularly because he grew up in the mid-80s towards the end of the farming crisis where his parents were forced to sell. Much of the culture and it’s surrounding were, however, very much imparted to Luke, particularly this sense of service. For Luke, it was first military service in the Marine Corps then public service with several Congressional offices before joining Ohio Corn and Wheat. His time as a Battalion Adjutant in the Marine Corps taught him things like the gravity of a situation, how to operate in what he calls a “pressure cooker” environment, and the need to prioritize. This ability to prioritize is something he’s brought forward to Ohio Corn and Wheat. Essentially, helping growers put resources where they need to be to affect mission critical issues.

Have a listen as Luke connects the dots between these different times in his life. We also get into his experiences with carbon markets and how these programs are, or are not, addressing the primary concerns of their growers.

#17 Art De Groat (US Army) – Kansas State Military Affairs Innovation Center

Vets In Ag Podcast
Vets In Ag Podcast
#17 Art De Groat (US Army) - Kansas State Military Affairs Innovation Center
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My team’s confidence in my competency as a leader gave me a margin, in the human dimension, from which I could take risks that would ultimately be in their best interest

Our guest this week is Art De Groat, Founder and Director for Kansas State’s Military Affairs and Innovation Center as well as a retired US Army Armor Officer of over 20 years. In his current role at the Innovation Center, Art and his team are conducting applied research and outreach focused on adult developmental aspects of military transition and social reintegration.

Art describes how is military service was a defining pillar in his life – from experiences in the Gulf War where he had to make calculated decisions about how to deal with an out-matched enemy in order to preserve the mental health of his soldiers to dealing with a traumatic life event and having to strike a balance between service to country and family. The strength of character and resilience Art displayed and many veterans, I think, is exactly what should make military veterans attractive hirees to agribusinesses.

His post-military career has allowed him to continue to support the service member, this time during their transition into the private sector, where he’s gathered decades of experiential data and academic research that makes him uniquely qualified to discuss the issues facing veteran transition today and how ag can be a natural fit.

Episode 5: Bill Ashton (USN)

Vets In Ag Podcast
Vets In Ag Podcast
Episode 5: Bill Ashton (USN)
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My guest today is Bill Ashton, the USDA’s Military and Veterans Agricultural Liaison Program Manager. Bill was born and raised in New York City where he joined the Navy right after high school and spent the next 10 years as an enlisted sailor. Most of his career was spent either onboard or supporting the submarine community.  Following active duty service, Bill continued to service the Navy, this time as a civil servant where he was the Program Manager for the Navy’s Pay and Personnel Program.  After 14 years in this capacity, he then became the Director of Security for Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington DC before joining the USDA in January 2018.  This position was established by Congress in the 2014 Farm Bill with Mr. Ashton serving as the first full-time government employee to hold this job.

We covered a lot of ground in this interview, from how skills Bill learned in the submarine community were brought forward into the ag sector to an overview of the impressive amount of veteran and career-focused initiatives at USDA. This episode is filled with stories of how Bill was plucked from different professions to turnaround and lead groups in completely different fields; a skill set he attributes to his time in the service.

Be sure to listen through to the end of the interview where Bill describes his thoughts on hydroponics aboard submarines; it’s really fascinating.