Purposeful Actions in Life and Podcasting with Mike Howell

The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast

Growing up on a university research farm, Mike Howell developed an interest in agriculture at a young age. While active in 4-H as a child, Howell learned to appreciate agriculture and the programs that would shape his career. Howell holds a Bachelor of Science degree in soil science and a Master of Science degree in entomology from Mississippi State University. He has more than 20 years of experience conducting applied research and delivering educational programs to help make producers more profitable. He takes pride in promoting agriculture in all levels of industry, especially with the younger generation. Mike is the host of The Dirt: an eKonomics podKast.

In this episode of the Intentional Agribusiness Leader podcast, host Mark is joined by Mike Howell, a luminary in the field of agronomy and the voice behind the Dirt podcast. The conversation serves as a confluence of agriculture, leadership, and intentional living, providing listeners with an engaging blend of professional acumen and personal anecdotes.

Mike Howell accentuates the concept of 'intentional' with references to his family life, drawing parallels between solving everyday challenges and approaching tasks with purposeful action. The dialogue delves into the essence of podcasting, agronomy, and Mike's broad crop expertise, highlighting his unique perspective on cotton as a perennial crop. Furthermore, the discussion touches upon leadership hurdles and victories, with a special nod to Mike's impactful work with 4-H youth, fostering future generations of agricultural enthusiasts. The show is peppered with resourceful book recommendations and Mike's personal strategies for staying productive amid a bustling family environment. Engaging and thought-provoking, this episode is laden with pertinent SEO keywords such as "agronomy," "leadership," "intentional living," and "podcasting."

Key Takeaways:

• Being intentional means doing things on purpose and with a distinct purpose, a theme that permeates through personal life and podcasting.
• Mike shares insights into cotton production, framing it as a perennial crop uniquely managed as an annual, showcasing his deep understanding of agriculture.
• The journey of developing leadership skills often involves the essential realization that other people have valuable ideas and contributions.
• Working with 4-H youth and seeing them succeed in agricultural careers is highlighted as a significant win in Mike's career path.
• Intentional planning and time management, including specific tactics like managing email efficiently, are core to balancing a fulfilling professional and personal life.

Notable Quotes:

• "Not only doing it on purpose, you have to do it with a purpose." - Mike Howell, on the meaning of being intentional.
• "That's right. There's always a problem to solve. The problems change, but there's always a problem to solve." - Mike Howell, on the constant need for problem-solving in everyday life.
• "I may learn as much from them [the podcasts] as the listeners do, but something I really enjoyed." - Mike Howell, on his experience hosting the Dirt podcast.
• "John was a great guy [...] and would do anything for anybody." - Mike Howell, speaking about Dr. John Beasley who inspired him.
• "You got to support our young people. They're our future." - Mike Howell, on the importance of investing in youth, especially in agriculture.

Resources:

• The Dirt podcast: An agronomic podcast hosted by Mike Howell
• Book recommendation: "Extreme Ownership" by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

Explore the fascinating intersection of agronomy and leadership with Mike Howell in this episode of the Intentional Agribusiness Leader podcast. Don't miss out on further enriching content; tune in to the full episode and stay updated with our series for more enlightening discussions.