The Specialty Crop Cast
Podcast Description
Welcome to The Specialty Crop Cast on Pomes and Stones! Join us for real conversations with farmers, agribusiness owners, and industry experts as we dive into farming, products, and the business of agriculture—all from the people who know it best.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
Focuses on the agricultural sector with specific episodes covering topics like harvest techniques, personal anecdotes from farming life, and the future of specialty crops with examples like inspiring stories from the cherry industry and insights into the production of apples.
Welcome to The Specialty Crop Cast on Pomes and Stones! Join us for real conversations with farmers, agribusiness owners, and industry experts as we dive into farming, products, and the business of agriculture—all from the people who know it best.
In 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-2A reform, EGLE permitting challenges, and the proposed USHBC checkoff increase. Chad also reflects on balancing farming 200 acres in West Michigan with family life, foster parenting, and podcasting — offering a real-world look at what it takes to keep family farms moving forward.
Thank you to our sponsor, Nichino America, for supporting this episode and their continued commitment to specialty crop growers through innovative chemistry, strong R&D, and on-the-ground support that helps protect crops and farms across the country.
Links & Resources:
🔗 Michigan Blueberry Advisory Committee Youtube:
https://youtube.com/@miblueberry-123?si=636TQBnj_4lPHWvY
🔗 Short Form Socials:
Tiktok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@joshspurr786?_r=1&_t=ZP-92ev1x1f7K2
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/share/14RN2ngCZah/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/frontporchdads?igsh=Y294aWFvbHh0Z3R5
🔗 Front Porch Dads Podcast:
Youtube:
https://youtube.com/@frontporchdads?si=UjaENgov2Yg_UdkG
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2XfbpXKLFZlB9y1QP4HLdZ?si=ykkDpbusQOKanJWWXYOZrQ
President website:
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