Latitude 46 Private Breeding Program / Ft. Megan Twomey

Latitude 46 Private Breeding Program / Ft. Megan Twomey

Author: Mike Roy & Drew Gaskell July 3, 2025 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 things hops.


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: 26

No Dirt No Flowers Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Friendship Forged Through Hops / Ft. Leslie Roy & Mike Smith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:15:29
In Episode 26, Mike and Drew welcomed good friends Leslie Roy and Mike Smith of Loftus Ranches for a long, fun conversation. Filled with stories, history, and insights from their decades in the hop industry as we look ba…
Mid Year Market & Crop Update [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:49
In Episode 25, Mike and Drew catch up on both the hop market and how this year's crop is looking. The industry continues to work through an inventory correction as acreage declines, market share shifts, and availability…
Supply Chain Advocate & Connector / Ft. Pete Mahony [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:18
In Episode 24, Mike and Drew sit down with the legendary Pete Mahony, a true friend to hop growers, to discuss nearly 40 years in the hop industry—from the days of handshake contracts, to the craft beer boom that changed…
Advanced Farming Equipment Trends / Ft. Tom Riel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 cos…
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…