Advanced Farming Equipment Trends / Ft. Tom Riel

Advanced Farming Equipment Trends / Ft. Tom Riel

Author: Mike Roy & Drew Gaskell May 12, 2026 Duration: 1:20:10

In Episode 23, Mike and Drew sit down with Tom Riel of Burrows Tractor, a Pacific Northwest staple since 1939, to discuss his job as sales manger and the company’s relationship-driven culture. They explore the rising cost of innovation in ag equipment and how manufacturers and dealers collaborate to deliver advanced solutions, then look ahead to emerging technologies like autonomous tractors, AI-driven robotics, Orchard IQ camera systems, drones, and electric machinery. The conversation also touches on rapid advancements abroad, all underscoring a central theme of partnership across the industry to keep agriculture moving forward—“No tractors, no dirt, no flowers.”


Will Rogers once noted that a farmer must be an optimist to stick with it, and that spirit runs deep through the conversations in No Dirt No Flowers Podcast. This series offers a grounded, often humorous perspective on the realities of modern agriculture, seen through the daily life and long history of Roy Farms, a fifth-generation operation in Moxee, Washington. Rather than broad theories, you’ll hear the specific sounds and stories from the hop yards and fields, exploring how a family business navigates the blend of tradition and innovation. Each episode digs into the intersections of business, culture, and society that farmers engage with every season, from market shifts and sustainability to the community ties that root a farm in its place. The title itself is a quiet reminder of the essential cycle at the heart of the work. Tuning in, you get a sense of the resilience and cautious optimism required to face challenging times, with a belief in those greener pastures ahead. It’s a direct line to the people, decisions, and occasional dirt under the fingernails that define agricultural life, making this podcast a unique listen for anyone curious about where things truly begin.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 23

No Dirt No Flowers Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Trust Through Daily Discipline / Ft. Mathias Gargus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:49:55
In Episode 22, Mike and Drew catch up with Mathias Gargus, reflecting on a 30-year friendship and partnership with Roy Farms—and plenty of stories from the journey with D&M Chem. They revisit the early years in Moxee, th…
Leader Built to Solve Problems / Ft. Scott Haney [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:08
In Episode 21, Scott Haney, COO of Roy Farms, joins Mike and Drew to share his fast transition into the role after five years of hands-on leadership. With a mechanical mindset and relentless problem-solving approach, he’…
Varietal Origin Series / Summit / Ft. Leslie Roy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:11
In Episode 20, Mike sits down with Leslie to explore the origin story of Summit™—a conversation that quickly wanders through other hop varieties and dips into the history of low-trellis farming. Along with plenty of squi…
Road Rambles: Co-Captaining Roy Farms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:51
In Episode 19, Mike and Drew hit the road and record an almost full hour of unedited conversation while driving down to Bend, Oregon for meetings. The convo quickly flows into what it’s like to co-captain Roy Farms toget…
Season 1 Wrap-Up Interview & Predictions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:56
In this season one wrap-up episode, Mike and Drew turn the microphones on each other. They get a little personal, reflect on the past year, share what they'd like to see in the industry, and look ahead with predictions f…
Quality Builds Community Together / Ft. Zach Turner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:27
In Episode 15, Mike and Drew talk with Zach Turner, owner and operator of Single Hill Brewery in Yakima, Washington. Raised in Bellingham, Zach began his career as a biologist studying ecophysiology at field stations and…
Recap, Reflect & Discuss Amidst Noise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:23
In Episode 14, Mike and Drew have fun veering off track with a series of sound effects, but amidst the noise they provide valuable updates. They recap the recent harvest, reflect on the overall 2025 growing season, discu…
Current Labor Challenges in Agriculture / Ft. Laylin Ledezma [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:28
In Episode 13, Laylin Ledezma, HR Manager at Roy Farms, joins Mike and Drew to discuss the pressing labor challenges facing agriculture today. With years of experience in employee management, Laylin shares insights into…