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
Building A Better Supply Chain / Ft. Isaiah Smith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:00
In Episode 12, Isaiah Smith, Director of Supply Chain at Creature Comforts Brewing Co. and Co-Founder / CEO of Our Culture Brewing. With over a decade in supply chain, Isaiah blends strategic insight with a deep passion…
When Passion Becomes Craft / Ft. Scott Dorsch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:32
In Episode 11, Scott Dorsch of Odell Brewing reflects on his 25-year journey from a background in small grains and barley to a career in hop breeding and brewing. He brought his love of agronomy to Odell, starting in pac…
Brewers Perspective With Pinthouse Brewing / Ft. Joe Mohrfeld [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:46
In Episode 10, Joe Mohrfeld, Director of Brewing at Pinthouse Brewing in Austin, shares insights from his almost 17 years in craft beer — from his start at Odell Brewing to his role as a Washington ambassador for the Hop…
Harvest Happy Hour Hang / Ft. Joe Mastrorocco [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:23
In Episode 9, Mike and Drew sit down with Joe Mastrorocco, our Sales Director at Roy Farms. The conversation drifts into some fun, off-topic moments, but mainly centers on a mid-harvest check-in, market insights, and the…
Pre-Harvest Check-In Reflection & Chatter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:54
In Episode 8, as hop harvest kicks off, Mike and Drew sit down for a pre-harvest check-in to reflect on the growing season so far. They dig into how the crop is shaping up, what they’re seeing in the fields, and share a…
Varietal Origin Series / CTZ / Ft. Leslie Roy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:57
In Episode 7, Mike, Drew, and returning guest Leslie Roy begin a series on varietal hop origins. Have you ever wondered what the C, T, and Z stand for in CTZ? This episode is for you! Squirrel moments with Leslie, lawsui…
Latitude 46 Private Breeding Program / Ft. Megan Twomey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:29
In Episode 6, Mike and Drew are joined by Megan Twomey from Latitude 46, a Pacific Northwest hop breeding company. They'll be talking about Megan's background, the history of the breeding company, new varieties, and all…
Sustainable Water Management / Ft. Mason Lanphear [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:13
In Episode 5, Mike flies solo, interviewing Mason Lanphear from Vital Agronomics, and discussing all things water and irrigation. This one's for all you hydro-heads out there, so get ready to dive in and enjoy the episod…
How We Got Here / Part 2 / Ft. Leslie Roy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43:17
In Episode 4, Mr. Leslie Roy comes on the podcast to help Mike and Drew finish the conversation on how the hop industry got to where it's at today. If you know him it’ll be no surprise this episode is going to be a long…
Why Partnerships Are Important / Ft: Blake Crosby [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:37
In Episode 3, Mike and Drew welcome their first guest, Blake Crosby from Crosby Hops. They get into the history of Crosby Farms, Blake's insights on the hop industry's current state, and the exciting new partnership they…