Most people hear “FSA” and think one thing: a backup plan. That assumption can cost farmers real options. We sit down with Anna Armstrong, a Farm Loan Specialist, and David Wayne, Kentucky’s State Executive Director, to unpack what the USDA Farm Service Agency actually does and how producers can use it to build a stronger operation.

We talk through the day-to-day reality of FSA, then zoom out into the big buckets farmers rely on: agricultural lending, disaster assistance, price support, and conservation programs like CRP. You’ll hear why FSA is built to protect a farm’s financial viability when risk shows up through weather events, yield loss, livestock loss, or market swings, and why staying informed is often the difference between getting help and missing it.

On the lending side, we break down direct farm loans versus guaranteed loans, how participation deals work with a local lender, and why longer terms and flexible structures can change cash flow in a tight ag economy. We also dig into underused tools like NAP coverage for specialty crops, plus Marketing Assistance Loans and Farm Storage Facility Loans that can help producers manage grain marketing and storage decisions. Along the way, we share practical advice to speed up an application, prepare clean financial and production records, and keep a close eye on your balance sheet and cost per acre.

If you’re a beginning farmer, a growing family operation, or an established producer trying to refinance or expand, this conversation gives you a clear map of what to ask for and who to call. Subscribe, share this with a farmer or lender who needs it, and leave a review with what you want us to cover next.

We sit down with Coye Elliott to explore hunting as a year‑round passion and the ways thoughtful food‑plot strategy can improve deer health, expand turkey opportunities, and increase the long‑term value of recreational land. The conversation also digs into realistic costs, simple equipment setups, and the biggest mistakes beginners should avoid.

We talk about how hunting and the outdoors serve as a powerful stress reliever and a way to build lasting family memories. Coye explains why food plots matter far beyond hunting success, supporting overall herd management and habitat quality. We get into the importance of keeping forage available nearly 365 days a year so animals stay on the property longer, and how high‑protein nutrition influences body weight and antler development.

Coye breaks down how to choose between clover, alfalfa, brassicas, wheat, oats, and standing corn, and he shares a practical rule of thumb: planting five to ten percent of your acreage can make a meaningful impact. We also cover how newcomers can do effective habitat work with nothing more than an ATV, a small sprayer, or a basic chainsaw.

From timber‑stand improvement and hinge cutting to letting sunlight stimulate natural browse, Coye highlights simple habitat upgrades that pay off. He also touches on conservation programs and USDA resources that can offset expenses. We discuss how trail cameras create a kind of property “resume” that boosts future resale value, and how land appreciation, leveraging equity, and 1031 exchanges can help buyers move toward their next farm. Finally, Coye sets expectations for cost per acre and explains why starting small is almost always better than overspending.

He’s a farmer first and a crop duster second, and that changes everything about how he flies. We’re joined by Robert Houston, a fifth-generation producer who farms for a living and does aerial application because he loves the work and the relationships. If you’ve ever wondered what crop dusting actually does for corn, soybeans and canola, why some growers choose a plane over a ground sprayer, or how an ag pilot thinks about risk, this conversation gets specific fast.

We talk timeliness, crop damage, and soil compaction, plus the real-world economics behind paying for aerial spraying. Robert explains how he charges, why he limits his radius, and what makes loading from his own strip so much more efficient than working around traffic at a regular airport. We also get into the equipment side of agricultural aviation: fuel burn, aircraft design, and why pattern testing, nozzle angle, and spray system setup can matter as much as the product in the tank.

The most surprising part is what he calls the biggest challenge today: people. Robert breaks down drift concerns, chemical misconceptions, social media pressure, and why he’ll sometimes leave a field or even turn down acres if the situation isn’t safe or worth the risk. Along the way, we also cover his on-farm practices like injecting liquid hog manure and flying on cover crops to protect soil and recycle nutrients.

If you care about farming, crop protection, cover crops, or the future of ag trust, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a producer or neighbor, and leave us a review with what you want to learn next.

Ever wonder how a family farm survives wild price swings, weather curveballs, and shifting markets? We sit down with Kentucky producer Keith Harris to unpack the real mechanics of resilience: diversifying for stability, securing buyers before planting, and building a legacy that gives each child a lane to thrive. Keith’s story starts with dark fire tobacco, which funded decades of growth, then pivots into a multi-enterprise operation spanning 3,500 acres of row crops, retail strawberries, 270 acres of watermelons, beef-on-dairy calves, and brand-new Vital egg barns.

The conversation gets specific about business strategy. Keith breaks down how he aligned crops with available labor, why retail made sense for berries, and how wholesale contracts with Costco and Walmart turned watermelons into a scalable, time-sensitive machine—often eight to ten semi-loads per day in July. He explains the quiet skills that make or break diversified farms: prioritizing small tasks, managing teams across overlapping seasons, and partnering with brokers to keep logistics tight. We also tackle the hard truths—vegetable margins are tighter than a decade ago, tobacco’s heyday is past, and row crop income runs in cycles—plus the mindset that keeps a farm moving forward.

If you’re a grower, ag professional, or curious listener, you’ll hear practical, field-tested advice on risk management, market-building, and when to pivot versus push through. Keith’s family-first approach shows how to expand with intention, train the next generation to lead, and build structured income streams that steady the ship when markets rock. Subscribe, share with a farmer friend, and leave a review with the one insight you’ll apply this season.

A wet spring, a parched August, and a combine that won’t quit—this conversation with fourth-generation farmer Allen Pace gets right to the heart of what it takes to bring a crop from the field to your plate. We talk through the harvest grind, the thin line between profit and loss, and why a few cents per bushel can swing a year when you’re moving hundreds of thousands of bushels. Allen shares how a lean crew uses crystal-clear communication and a whole lot of hustle to make good decisions when time, weather, and markets refuse to cooperate.

We dive into yields across Ballard County and beyond—corn averaging around 215 on his acres, early soybeans pushing into the 60s and 70s, and double-crop beans waiting on late rain. Allen explains how this year’s weather flipped yield maps, why storage and timing matter when harvest lows hit, and how working with a marketing team helps capture those crucial pennies. We follow the grain as it leaves the farm: down lock-free rivers toward export, to regional poultry integrators, and even into Kentucky’s booming bourbon industry.

There’s a bigger shift underway too. Soy oil is stepping into the spotlight thanks to renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel, changing the crush equation and creating new demand. Allen’s work on the Soybean Board highlights the research that got us here, and he makes a simple case for ag literacy: you may not eat soybeans, but your chicken sure did. We also look ahead at the next decade—drones, planter innovation, autonomy, hybrid powertrains—and what actually pays back versus what’s just a shiny toy. The perfect farm size? The profitable one. If you care about food security, rural economies, or just want an honest look at modern farming, this conversation delivers both grit and insight.

Dive deep into Western Kentucky's real estate landscape with Chance Futrell of Housman Partners Realty Land & Farm as he shatters common misconceptions about today's market. Fresh from his transition to full-time real estate after years of balancing dual careers, Chance brings authentic insights forged through countless successful transactions and deep community connections.

Contrary to popular belief, the local housing market isn't just surviving—it's thriving. Housman Partners celebrated their best month on record in May 2025, even with higher interest rates. After an initial adjustment period, buyers have acclimated to the new rate environment, recognizing that waiting indefinitely isn't practical when lifestyle needs demand action. Construction loans continue at surprising levels, with Chance and host Chris Griffin noting more than 20 new projects initiated during recent months.

The conversation shifts to the booming rural property market, where parcels of 10-40 acres are particularly sought-after. COVID accelerated the desire for self-sufficiency, with more people seeking their "own little piece of heaven" for gardening, recreation, and privacy. Chance reveals the unique valuation factors for hunting properties, where amenities like electricity and documented hunting success can significantly impact pricing. He advises property owners to maintain detailed logs of hunting activities to maximize value when selling.

Beyond market analysis, Chance offers practical wisdom for both buyers and sellers. He cautions sellers against allowing properties to become stigmatized through overpricing, while warning buyers to realistically assess maintenance requirements before purchasing rural land. "Chris Griffin goes out and buys 50 acres tomorrow and he doesn't own a tractor," he explains, illustrating how unprepared buyers often overlook ongoing costs.

Whether you're considering your first home purchase, looking to invest in recreational land, or seeking to maximize your property's value, Chance's expertise provides invaluable guidance.

On this episode of Back to Your Roots, host Chris Griffin sits down with Daniel Elrod, a mortgage loan originator recently voted "Best of the Best" in Cleveland, Tennessee, to unpack the ins and outs of construction financing.

Ever wonder why construction loans seem so complicated? Daniel breaks down the crucial differences between traditional home purchases and building from scratch. Before you meet with contractors or fall in love with house plans, listen to his advice about establishing what you can actually afford—potentially saving you from heartbreak and wasted time. The conversation dives deep into two distinct construction loan options that serve different needs: the unique 30-year fully dispersed construction loan with one-time closing and fixed rates, and the traditional 12-month interest-only construction loan.

What truly sets this discussion apart is the revelation about River Valley's note modification program—a feature that could save borrowers thousands in refinancing costs when interest rates drop. "You can always date the rate but marry the property," Daniel advises, highlighting how this program lets you secure your dream home now without missing future rate opportunities.

The episode also tackles specialized construction types like barndominiums and pole barn homes, explaining how these increasingly popular rural building options can be financed at up to 85% loan-to-value. Daniel dispels common myths about who qualifies for agricultural lending (hint: you don't need to be a farmer), reveals how land equity can eliminate down payment requirements, and explains the flexibility around dwelling limits for properties over 15 acres.

Whether you're just starting to dream about building or ready to break ground, this conversation delivers practical insights you won't hear elsewhere. Subscribe to Back to Your Roots for more insider knowledge on agricultural and rural financing that guides you back to what matters most.

What does the future of farming look in today's world? Who's leading agricultural innovation in the river counties? And how can young people break into an industry where the traditional advice has been "inherit it or marry it"?

Dr. Tony Brannon, former dean of agriculture at Murray State University for 25 years and current leader with the West Kentucky Alliance for a Vibrant Economy (WAVE Ag), joins host Chris Griffin to answer these questions and more. From his childhood on a farm to his decades shaping agricultural education, Dr. Brannon brings wisdom earned from both academic leadership and hands-on farming experience.

The conversation delves into the revolutionary technologies transforming agriculture—autonomous planters operating without drivers and heavy-lift drones capable of spraying 1,000 acres daily. "It's not my granddaddy's agriculture anymore," Brannon explains, describing how modern farmers need technological savvy alongside traditional agricultural knowledge. We also explore the economic importance of the river counties' agricultural production, the progress toward establishing a veterinary school at Murray State to address the shortage of large animal veterinarians, and practical advice for succeeding in today's agricultural landscape.

For aspiring farmers, Brannon emphasizes perseverance, networking, and diversification as key strategies. He explains how the Young and Adult Farmer Program through WAVE Ag provides valuable connections and resources for those entering agriculture, whether they come from farming families or not. As he puts it, farmers must be "eternal optimists" in a profession where success depends on factors beyond their control—from unpredictable weather to volatile markets.

Ready to learn more about the future of farming or connect with agricultural resources in Western Kentucky? Follow Back to Your Roots for more insights into all things farming, financing, and farm life, and visit rivervalleyagcredit.com for additional agricultural resources.