Welcome back to another episode of Barn Talk! In today’s episode, Sawyer and Tork dive deep into the world of agricultural finance with special guest Jake Espenmiller, the new President and CEO of Conterra Ag Capital. If you’ve ever wondered how tariffs, interest rates, and the shifting economic landscape are impacting America’s farms—or you just want to know what it really takes to thrive in ag finance—this episode is for you. Jake shares his winding journey from small-town Iowa to becoming a leader in ag lending, including what it was like to step into a business during a time of growth, uncertainty, and industry change. The discussion covers everything from the current state of commodity markets and the reality behind headlines about tariffs, to how top farmers are managing costs, embracing technology, and running their operations like true businesses. Plus, the crew explores the future of rural America, with candid takes on housing, AI, the evolving job market, and lessons learned from nearly a century of farming wisdom. Whether you’re a farmer, a lender, or just ag-curious, you’ll find honest advice, some laughs, and plenty of practical takeaways in this jam-packed conversation. Let’s get into it!
