Ag Interrupted
About
Sarah Mock, Brent Gloy, and David Widmar return to the intersection of agriculture, history, and economics to share the stories and business adventures you’ve never heard. Each episode will take you back to a specific date in history where the team will unpack how chaotic, unsettled, and flat-out bizarre history was. Learn how these random but relevant events have shaped the world we know today and the key lessons for managers and business leaders.
Listen to & follow Ag Interrupted wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify)
Trailer
Episode 3: <September 9, 1804> Guano Gold Rush and the Future of Fertilizer
The Date: September 9, 1804
The Event: German Explorer Alexander von Humbolt learns of guano and its uses in agriculture on the coast of Peru.
The Story: Guano as one of the first crop nutrient boom and busts, and how that can help us understand where the modern fertilizer industry stands now and what may be ahead.
Guests: Greg Cushman, Professor, Author, and Historian; Sam Taylor, Analyst and Researcher
*Show notes: FoA Podcast #325: Electrified and Distributed Fertilizer Production.
Episode 2: <August 13, 1869> Powell Maps the Colorado River and Sees the Future
The Date: August 13th, 1869
The Event: John Wesley Powell and his nine-man crew reach the foot of the Grand Canyon during their journey down the Colorado river.
The Story: How Powell’s journey shaped the way we understand the potential of the American Southwest and water resources in the region
Guests: William deBuys, conservationist & author; Gregory McNamee, writer & journalist
*Show notes: Powell’s proposed map (here)
Episode 1: <June 29, 1956> Cheese Changes Everything
The Date: June 29, 1956.
The Event: President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act.
The Story: The unanticipated, yet decades-long impact of the interstate system on the U.S. dairy industry, specifically cheese consumption and production.
The Guest: Dr. Andy Novakovic
*Show notes: U.S. Cheese Production (here)
