Ag Women Connect "Ag Talk, Your Story Matters!"

Ag Teacher, Cancer Survivor and Change Maker: The Story of Kate Barfield

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2090206/fan_mail/new] A routine doctor's appointment changed the course of Kate Barfield's life forever. At just 25 years old, Kate was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. What followed was a challenging journey through surgery, chemotherapy, fertility preservation decisions, and recovery. But through that experience, Kate discovered a greater purpose. Today, Kate is an agricultural educator, horsewoman, nonprofit founder, wife, and cancer survivor who is helping other young women facing cancer treatment through her organization, Kate's Cause. By partnering with MD Anderson Cancer Center, she raises funds to help young cancer patients preserve their fertility before beginning treatment—an often-overlooked expense that is rarely covered by insurance. In this heartfelt conversation, Kate shares her upbringing in Southeast Texas, her love of horses, her unexpected path into agricultural education, and the lessons she learned about resilience, community, and living with purpose. Whether you're navigating a difficult season, pursuing a career in agriculture, or looking for inspiration to turn your own challenges into opportunities to serve others, Kate's story is one you won't want to miss. Support the show [https://agwomenconnect.com/give-back/] Thank you for joining us at Ag Talk hosted by Ag Women Connect! America's Platform for Women in Agriculture. " Your Story Matters." We love recognizing our women in this industry! Go to www.agwomenconnect.com [http://www.agwomenconnect.com/] to find out a little more about us, and how you can connect with other women in agriculture! Want to be a speaker? You can reach us at AgWomenConnect@gmail.com Join our Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/357172529148776/] | Connect With us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/agwomenconnect/] | Join Ag Women Connect [https://agwomenconnect.com/memberships/]

Embracing Your Gifts and Finding Your Place in Agriculture with Coach Kiah

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2090206/fan_mail/new] This week, Venessa Wood interviews Kentucky-based speaker and entrepreneur Kiah Burchett, a seventh-generation California rancher who calls herself a “Kentuckifornian.” Kiah shares her rural cattle ranch upbringing, their commercial herd and Corriente roping cattle, and how attending the Agriculture Future of America conference broadened her view of careers in agriculture. She recounts filming “Backroad Cowgirls,” a pivotal conversation with her grandfather (“Roots aren’t meant to keep you stuck; roots are meant to help you rise”), and encouragement for the next generation to find their place in ag. She explains how she moved to Kentucky after a Germany exchange program funded by selling cattle, landed a Kentucky Beef Council job, and met her husband at the state fair. She discusses entrepreneurship, motherhood as a clarifier (“thin things out”), comparison, shame, confidence through action, breaking generational patterns, handling “mean girls,” and pivoting careers. Support the show [https://agwomenconnect.com/give-back/] Thank you for joining us at Ag Talk hosted by Ag Women Connect! America's Platform for Women in Agriculture. " Your Story Matters." We love recognizing our women in this industry! Go to www.agwomenconnect.com [http://www.agwomenconnect.com/] to find out a little more about us, and how you can connect with other women in agriculture! Want to be a speaker? You can reach us at AgWomenConnect@gmail.com Join our Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/357172529148776/] | Connect With us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/agwomenconnect/] | Join Ag Women Connect [https://agwomenconnect.com/memberships/]

Kristen York: Bridging the Insurance Industry and Equine Passions

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2090206/fan_mail/new] On this week’s episode, Venessa Wood interviews Kristen York of Remuda Insurance Group from Weatherford, Texas, about her path in agriculture and the equine industry. Kristin shares growing up in California with a farming background, pursuing horses and softball, playing at Colorado State, and choosing the equine science path. After college she moved to Wyoming, spent 25 years ranching, showing cutters and reined cow horses, and raising her son, a successful young trainer. Following a divorce and increased time in Texas through NCHA/NRCHA involvement, she entered equine insurance, emphasizing relationships and education. Kristen explains mortality, major medical eligibility, colic surgery coverage, claim requirements like veterinarian reports/necropsy, and common loss scenarios. She describes founding Remuda Insurance Group with three partners, their nationwide licensing, focus on grassroots horse communities, and discusses her stallion and lessons from multiple performance disciplines. Support the show [https://agwomenconnect.com/give-back/] Thank you for joining us at Ag Talk hosted by Ag Women Connect! America's Platform for Women in Agriculture. " Your Story Matters." We love recognizing our women in this industry! Go to www.agwomenconnect.com [http://www.agwomenconnect.com/] to find out a little more about us, and how you can connect with other women in agriculture! Want to be a speaker? You can reach us at AgWomenConnect@gmail.com Join our Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/357172529148776/] | Connect With us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/agwomenconnect/] | Join Ag Women Connect [https://agwomenconnect.com/memberships/]

Three Farm Daughters: Cultivating Community and Innovation in the Pasta Aisle

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2090206/fan_mail/new] This week on the podcast, Venessa interviews Mollie Ficocello, Co-Founder of 3 Farm Daughters, a North Dakota, Red River Valley farm family pasta brand founded by three sisters who returned to the farm after careers in marketing/finance, law, and beauty. They created a clean-label, high-fiber pasta after noticing their high-fiber wheat was going only into commodity markets, and they built the brand with a standout farm pink/peach box, minimal ingredients (wheat flour and durum semolina), and a farm-to-table story.  After self-distributing to local retailers, learning packaging and shelf-fit lessons, and moving production back to North Dakota, Whole Foods became their first major retail partner; they now sell online and through retailers including Whole Foods, Meijer, Central Market, United, and select Target placements. Mollie discusses juggling motherhood and business, advice to “launch before you’re ready,” and plans to expand beyond pasta into other pantry staples from their farm. Venessa closes by emphasizing AgTalk’s focus on guests’ stories, women’s growing role in agriculture, faith and “being the light.  Learn more about 3 Farm Daughters pasta here: https://3farmdaughters.com/ [https://3farmdaughters.com/] Support the show [https://agwomenconnect.com/give-back/] Thank you for joining us at Ag Talk hosted by Ag Women Connect! America's Platform for Women in Agriculture. " Your Story Matters." We love recognizing our women in this industry! Go to www.agwomenconnect.com [http://www.agwomenconnect.com/] to find out a little more about us, and how you can connect with other women in agriculture! Want to be a speaker? You can reach us at AgWomenConnect@gmail.com Join our Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/357172529148776/] | Connect With us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/agwomenconnect/] | Join Ag Women Connect [https://agwomenconnect.com/memberships/]

Transforming K-12 Education with Ashley Cash

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2090206/fan_mail/new] Venessa Wood is joined by guest Ashley Cash, who discusses her work to reshape K–12 education based on her children’s learning differences (dyslexia, ADHD, processing delays, dysgraphia) and her experience with private schooling and outside testing that revealed an eye-tracking disorder; she plans Texas legislation for universal eye-tracking screening and therapy. Cash argues the system’s watered-down curriculum and social promotion undermine reading, math, communication, critical thinking, and work ethic, and supports more practical instruction such as required personal financial literacy (Texas HB 27, class of 2030) and “adulting” topics like contracts and insurance.  The conversation turns to policy and elections, explaining support for congressional candidate Abraham Enriquez over lobbyist Tom, and addresses AI data center impacts on land, water, energy, and trades. Cash also details helping pass Texas funding for ibogaine FDA trials for veterans’ PTSD, addiction, depression, and TBI, tied to Texas universities, and notes President Trump’s related executive order. Support the show [https://agwomenconnect.com/give-back/] Thank you for joining us at Ag Talk hosted by Ag Women Connect! America's Platform for Women in Agriculture. " Your Story Matters." We love recognizing our women in this industry! Go to www.agwomenconnect.com [http://www.agwomenconnect.com/] to find out a little more about us, and how you can connect with other women in agriculture! Want to be a speaker? You can reach us at AgWomenConnect@gmail.com Join our Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/357172529148776/] | Connect With us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/agwomenconnect/] | Join Ag Women Connect [https://agwomenconnect.com/memberships/]