Farm & Rural Ag Network: Future of Agriculture Podcast - Farm Tour with Shay Myers of Owyhee Produce

Categories

Now displaying: Page 1

Future of Agriculture Podcast - Farm Tour with Shay Myers of Owyhee Produce 0

Nov 6, 2019

Shay Myers is an onion expert and the owner of Owyhee Produce. Owyhee Produce is a 3rd generation family farm and one of the biggest vertically-integrated onion farms in the United States. Their farm grows enough onions to provide adequate supplies that reach about 6 million Americans annually. Other than managing an onion farm, Shay is also a produce industry influence and agriculture keynote speaker. He is currently working to provide asparagus, hemp, and sweet potatoes to American families on top of their onions.

Shay joins me today to describe how their farm differs from most growers when it comes to vertical integration. He shares how his dream to fly was granted when he returned to manage the farm. He discusses some of the early mistakes he’s made as the lead farmer and what he learned from them. Shay also explains some of the challenges in the ag industry, particularly when it comes to working with companies and people, and why the US safe practices system is broken and easily exploitable.

“You can't expect the consumer to be willing to pay you a fair price for something if they don't know what it takes.” - Shay Myers

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

Pursuing his passion for flying by having a career in agriculture.
How his family responded to his desire to return to farming.
What vertical integration is in agriculture and some examples.
Some of the mistakes he's made in the industry and what he learned from them.
The difference between a yam and sweet potato and why the US doesn't grow yams.
What he believes is the most challenging hurdle in today's ag industry.
Processing differences between mint oil and CBD oil.
His thoughts on growing our own food and importing them and why the US is at a disadvantage.
Eliminating labor and overhead costs with innovative technology.
Why the system surrounding safety practices is broken.

Connect with Shay Myers

This episode is sponsored by Indigo Ag

What if surviving a drought began with just a microbe? What could accessing 10,000 buyers do for your agriculture business? Indigo Ag helps farmers improve profitability, environmental sustainability, and consumer health by working with growers to reimagine every aspect of the agriculture industry - from soil to sale.

To learn more about Indigo Ag and their mission to improve the environment and agriculture industry, visit IndigoAg.com/Questions

Indigo. From questions… we grow.

We Are a Part of a Bigger Family!

The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today.

Join the Conversation!

To get your most pressing ag questions answered and share your perspective on various topics we’ve discussed on the Future of Agriculture podcast, head over to SpeakPipe.com/FutureofAg and leave a recorded message!

Share the Ag-Love!

Thanks for joining us on the Future of Agriculture Podcast – your spot for valuable information, content, and interviews with industry leaders throughout the agricultural space! If you enjoyed this week’s episode, please subscribe on iTunes and leave your honest feedback. Don’t forget to share it with your friends on your favorite social media spots!