County Roads

County Roads hosts Kristiana Coutu and Tim Christensen are joined by CEO of the World Food Prize Foundation, Thomas Vilsack. In addition to discussing the mission of the World Food Prize, Governor Vilsack invites all to help set a new world record by packing 600,000+ hunger-relief meals alongside fellow volunteers on October 20th.  
 
 
Show Notes:
World Food Prize
World Record Meal Packaging Attempt, Tue, Oct 20th, 2026 @ 5:30 PM Accelevents

We interview Rich Gassman Director of  I-Cash and talk about National Farm Safety Week and how to keep safe while working on the farm.
Iowa Center for Agricultural Safety and Health
https://icash.public-health.uiowa.edu/
 
 

Tim Christensen and Ann Johanns Discuss the new Risk Assessment Checklist available on Ag Decision Maker
 
Resources:
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/wholefarm/pdf/c6-73.pdf
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/AgDM////wholefarm/pdf/c6-71.pdf
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/wholefarm/pdf/c6-72.pdf
 

Most farms will hire an employee at some point, and even a little planning can help avoid problems later. In this episode, Tim and Kristiana discuss some of the employment rules that can come into play on the farm.
 
Resources:
U.S. Dept. of Labor guidance on Agricultural Employment
Fact Sheet #12: Agricultural Employment Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) | U.S. Department of Labor
Fact Sheet #40: Overview of Youth Employment (Child Labor) Provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for Agricultural Occupations | U.S. Department of Labor
 
Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing Wage and Child Labor Unit Guidance
Wage | Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing
Child Labor | Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing

In this episode, Kristiana and Tim reflect on recent workshops and discuss recurring themes in farm estate and succession planning, including the importance of involving multiple generations in the planning process.
 
Resources:
Business, Estate and Succession Planning | Beginning Farmer Center
 

In this bonus episode, Tim and Kristiana continue the discussion about leasing farmland in Iowa. They discuss the Iowa State University Cash Rental Rates Survey and other tools  landowners and tenants can use to determine and negotiate lease rates. 
Resources:
2026 Farmland Leasing Arrangements Meetings Offered Across Iowa | Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Home
Cash Rental Rates for Iowa 2026 Survey - Ag Decision Maker File c2-10.pdf
Computing the Iowa Corn Suitability Rating for Your Farm | Ag Decision Maker
Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program | Economic Development & Finance Authority
AgLink | Beginning Farmer Center

Tim and Kristiana discuss farmland leasing in Iowa, including lease terms successful arrangements, and important dates to keep in mind as farmers are thinking about the next crop season.
Resources: 
Strong farmland leasing arrangements | Ag Decision Maker
Ag Decision Maker - Iowa State University
https://www.calt.iastate.edu/iowa-farm-lease-law 
 

In this episode, Kristiana and Tim discuss how revocable trusts can be used infarm estate and succession planning, and how they differ from wills. They cover whyprobate matters, how trusts can help simplify asset transfers, and why families shouldconsider their goals, assets, and circumstances when choosing planning tool. 
Resources:Farm Estate and Succession Planning for the Farm Portal (ISU Center for Agricultural Lawand Taxation): https://www.calt.iastate.edu/estate-and-succession-planningEvaluating Your Estate Plan: Estate Planning Questionnaire (Ag Decision Maker) c4-57.pdfFarm Estate and Succession Planning for the Farm Book: https://shop.iastate.edu/extension/farm-environment/farm-and-business-management/estate-planning/calt5.html