Purdue Agricultural Economics Podcast
Episodes
What’s Next After Purdue? Advice from 2026 Apex Awardees Casey and Jill Zeller (PAEP 127)
21 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Purdue Agricultural Economics Podcast, student co-hosts Brady Wiley and Reagan Koester sit down with Casey and Jill Zeller, Pur...
Egg Industry Insights with Sam and Dan Krouse of MPS Egg Farms (PAEP 126)
07 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Purdue Agricultural Economics Podcast, Valerie Kilders and student co-host Brady Wiley sit down with Sam and Dan Krouse, co-CEO...
Talking Ethanol, Solar and the Future of Farm Energy with Dr. Otto Doering (PAEP 125)
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Tune in for a thoughtful conversation with Professor Emeritus Dr. Otto Doering as he explores the evolving intersection of agriculture and the energy ...
How the Wine Industry Is Evolving with Dr. Christian Butzke (PAEP 124)
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Purdue Agricultural Economics Podcast, Ken Foster and student co-host Brady Wiley sit down with Christian Butzke, a professor i...
Extension in Action with Angie Abbott (PAEP 123)
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Purdue Agricultural Economics Podcast, Reagan and Brady sit down with Angie Abbott, Associate Dean and Director of Purdue Exten...
Sonny Beck on Leadership and Agriculture (PAEP 122)
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Purdue Agricultural Economics Podcast, Reagan and Brady are joined by Sonny Beck, Purdue alumnus, CEO of Beck’s Hybrids, and ...
Alumni Reflections on Careers, Risk and Growth with Neil Mylet (PAEP 121)
27 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Purdue Agricultural Economics Podcast, Valerie Kilders and Brady Wiley sit down with Neil Mylet, agricultural economist, invent...
Where Are They Now? Catching Up with Past Ag Econ Podcast Co-Hosts Abby Meier and Colby Smock (PAEP 120)
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Purdue Agricultural Economics Podcast, student hosts Reagan Koester and Brady Wiley welcome back former co-hosts and Purdue Ag ...
Setting Sail on Rural Innovation with Joe Rust (PAEP 119)
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Purdue Agricultural Economics Podcast, hosts Valerie Kilders and Reagan Koester sit down with Indiana entrepreneur and proud Pu...
Building Financial Resilience in Today’s Farm Economy with Kenzie House (PAEP 118)
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, hosts Ken Foster and Reagan Koester sit down with Kenzie House, a financial officer at Farm Credit Mid-America, for an insightful con...
The Challenges and Innovations in Produce Food Safety with Amanda Deering (PAEP 117)
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Amanda Deering is an associate professor in Purdue University’s Department of Food Science, specializing in the microbial safety of fresh produc...
Decision-Making, Data and AI in Agriculture (PAEP 116)
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Chad Fiechter is a professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University, whose research focuses on integrating artificial in...
Shining a Light on Solar Energy on Farmland with Binayak Kunwar (PAEP 115)
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Purdue Agricultural Economics Podcast, we talk with Binayak Kunwar, a Ph.D. student whose award-winning master’s thesis, “I...
Celebrating AAEA Fellow and Global Scholar, Dr. Jerry Shively (PAEP 114)
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to build a career that bridges teaching, research and global engagement? Join Dr. Ken Foster and Brady Wiley as they welcome Jerry S...
Distinguished Agriculture Alumni Award Winner & President/CEO of Sumitomo Chemical America: Scott Mitchell (PAEP 113)
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Dr. Valerie Kilders and Reagan Koester as they welcome Scott Mitchell, a 2025 Distinguished Agriculture Alumni Award recipient from Purdue’s De...
Shay & Marie’s Final Podcast: Passing the mic over to Reagan & Brady (PAEP 112)
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For the last time, Shay Doerstler and Marie Mechley share their final thoughts as co-hosts of the Purdue Agricultural Economics Podcast. Listen as the...
APEX Award Winner & John Deere Leader: Chrissie Cartmell Loucks (PAEP 111)
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Dr. Ken Foster and Shay Doerstler as they sit down with Chrissie Cartmell Loucks (B.S. Agribusiness Management, ‘07), one of four recipients of...
The “Plumbing” of Banking and the Federal Reserve: Esther L. George (PAEP 110)
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Please join Dr. Kilders and Marie Mechley as they have the honor to speak with this year’s James C. Snyder Lecturer, Esther L. George. Esther, the f...
The Keystone Cooperative Merger: Amy Kinsler (PAEP 109)
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Dr. Valerie Kilders and Marie Mechley as they welcome Amy Kinsler, a Purdue Agricultural Economics Alum and the Chief Experience Officer at Keyst...
Making Academia a Family Business: Dr. Dave Downey and Dr. Scott Downey (PAEP 108)
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Please join Shay and Marie as they speak with Dr. Dave Downey, founder and executive director emeritus of Purdue’s Center for Food and Agricultural ...
38 years of Impact at Purdue University: Dr. Jay Akridge (PAEP 107)
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Ken Foster and Shay Doerstler sit down with Dr. Jay Akridge, a Purdue alumnus whose impact on the university spans nearly four de...
Shaping Global Trade: The Past, Present, and Future of GTAP (PAEP 106)
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Dr. Valerie Kilders and Shay Doerstler for an insightful discussion about the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP). This episode features Dr. Cha...
Kick off the New Year with excitement for Ag Week! (PAEP 105)
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Marie and Shay to kick off 2025 with the first podcast of the semester! This episode features special guests from the Purdue Ag Week Task Force—...
Behind the Scenes of Academic Advising with LeeAnn Williams and Andy Oppy (PAEP 104)
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for a heartfelt and informative episode as Marie and Shay learn more about two of the department's academic advisors (and conveniently, Marie ...
Exploring Research Paths with Agricultural Economic Undergrads (PAEP 103)
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Valerie Kilders and Shay Doerstler sit down with three seniors involved in undergraduate agricultural economics research. Sara Hasselbring, Olivia...
Rethinking Food Waste and Understanding Consumer Choice with Dr. Brenna Ellison (PAEP 102)
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Happy (early) Thanksgiving! Please join Dr. Foster and Marie Mechley as they discuss food conservation with Dr. Brenna Ellison, a professor in Purdue’...
Combining Higher Education and Serving Your Country: First Lieutenant Austin Berenda’s Story and Success (PAEP 101)
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Valerie Kilders and Marie Mechley sit down with Purdue graduate student and First Lieutenant Austin Berenda, Platoon Leader in the Indiana Nationa...
Learning about the Impact the Farm Bill has on Local Communities Part 3 (PAEP 100)
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For the third and final episode in the Farm Bill series, our two student co-hosts, Marie Mechley and Shay Doerstler, interviewed two people who are af...
Digging Deeper Into the Farm Bill with Dr. Anetra Harbor and Halee Fisher Part 2 (PAEP 99)
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Dr. Foster and Shay Doerstler for the second episode of the 3-part Farm Bill series. We have two very special guests this episode who are joining...
Breaking Down the Farm Bill with Dr. Roman Keeney (Part 1) (PAEP 98)
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, Dr. Valerie Kilders and Marie Mechley sit down for the first episode of a 3 part series on the Farm Bill. They are joined by Dr. Roma...
Agriculture Entrepreneurship 101 with Dr. Trey Malone (PAEP 97)
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Dr. Foster and Shay Doerstler for a special episode as they introduce the Ag Econ department's newest professor, Dr. Trey Malone, the Boehlje End...
Colby & Shelby’s Final Podcast of the Year; Passing the mic to Marie & Shay (PAEP 96)
07 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As this school year comes to a close, this year’s student cohosts, Shelby Whitaker and Colby Smock, are interviewed by next year’s student cohosts...
A Look into the Food Procurement Industry with James Joshua (PAEP 95)
23 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Ken Foster and Shelby Whitaker welcome Purdue Ag Econ alum and 2024 APEX award winner James Joshua to the podcast! James Joshua c...
Content, Consulting, and Industry Change with Travis Martin (PAEP 94)
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ken and Shelby discuss entrepreneurship and the evolving industry of Agricultural Marketing with Purdue Alum Travis Martin. Travis discusses the imp...
From Purdue Undergrad to Distinguished Ag Alumni Award Recipient - Drs. Matt & Mark Holt (PAEP 93)
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Valerie Kilders and Colby Smock had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with the Holt brothers. Dr. Mattew Holt is a Purdue Ag Econ grad for bot...
An Insight into the Purdue National AgriMarketing Association (PAEP 92)
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Valerie Kilders and Colby Smock were accompanied by Kayla Zalesny and Casey Voll to discuss the wonderful opportunity that Purdue's NAMA is. From ...
Indiana Water Policy and the LEAP Project (PAEP 91)
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Here in Tippecanoe County, we have been hearing a lot about the LEAP Project and water issues that have arisen as a result of its planning. Ken and Co...
Navigating Agriculture, Economics, and Policy with Brent Bible (PAEP 90)
13 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Description: Dr. Valerie Kilders and Shelby Whitaker are joined by Brent Bible, a Purdue Ag Economics Alum and seasoned agricultural policy advocate, ...
Cultivating Leaders: All about Purdue's AFA Experiences and Opportunities (PAEP 89)
30 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Valerie Kilders and Shelby Whitaker sit down with AFA Ambassador, Eion Stephens, and Campus Liaison, Elizabeth Byers, to discuss ...
Studying Agricultural Economics at Purdue (PAEP 88)
18 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ken and Colby talk with Dr. Brenna Ellison, Associate Professor and Director of the Purdue Agricultural Economics Undergraduate Program, about the stu...
Feeding Passion: Purdue’s influence on Amy Mrozinski’s career in the food industry (PAEP 87)
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Ken Foster and Shelby Whitaker sit down with Amy Mrozinski, a Purdue alumna and the Senior Director of Sales-West at Grande Cheese. Amy actively r...
Dr. Aaron Staples on the cage free egg transition (PAEP 86)
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Valerie Kilders and Colby Smock host Purdue alum Dr. Aaron Staples to discuss the results from recent research he was involved in which looked at ...
The Cost of a Thanksgiving Meal with Dr. Joseph Balagtas (PAEP 85)
21 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, hosts Dr. Valerie Kilders and Shelby Whitaker discuss the economics of Thanksgiving with Purdue Professor Dr. Joseph Balagtas. Dr. Ba...
Dr. Tom Hertel, Purdue’s Spirit of the Land Grant Mission (PAEP 84)
14 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ken Foster and Colby Smock talk with Distinguished Professor of Agricultural Economics, Dr. Tom Hertel, to discuss his Purdue experience and recent re...
When Blue is Green: A discussion on aquaponics and midwest seafood production (PAEP 83)
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Valerie Kilders and Colby Smock are joined by Dr. Kwamena Quagrainie and Dr. Jen-Yi Huang to discuss aquaponics and midwestern seafood production....
The Creation of Boiler Chips Ice Cream with Allison Kingery and Teresa King (PAEP 82)
10 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The official Purdue ice cream, Boiler Chips, has quickly become a fan favorite since its release in early September. In this episode, Dr. Ken Foster a...
Dr. Todd Kuethe - Purdue Ag Econ Professor, Researcher, and Mentor (PAEP 81)
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Valerie Kilders and Shelby Whitaker interview Todd Kuethe, Purdue Ag Econ Professor and Schrader Chair in Farmland Economics. Kuethe discusses his...
Purdue Student Soybean Innovation Competition (PAEP 80)
12 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Ken Foster and Colby Smock are joined by a panel of experts, including Nate Mosier, Denise Scarborough, and Ben Forsythe to discuss all things "Pu...
Courtney & Abby pass the mic to Colby & Shelby: A look back at their year of student podcasting (PAEP 79)
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As we welcome our new podcast co-hosts, Colby Smock and Shelby Whitaker, we turn the tables on our outgoing co-hosts, asking Courtney Rodkey and Abby ...