In this episode of The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast, host Mark Jewell is joined by Ali Cox, founder of Noble West, former Olympic rower, and an influential leader in agricultural marketing and sustainability. From the discipline of elite sports to the dynamic world of agribusiness, Ali shares her journey of intentional leadership, strategic decision-making, and business growth in a complex and ever-evolving industry.

Ali dives into the importance of clarity, precision, and accountability—whether in rowing at the Olympic level or managing a high-performing business. She offers a compelling look at how leadership in agriculture can balance profitability, sustainability, and consumer education, all while cultivating a thriving team culture.

This episode covers hard-won leadership lessons, including how to make tough business decisions, the significance of aligning a team’s strengths, and the necessity of clear communication to drive success. Ali also explores how marketing and storytelling can bridge the gap between farmers and consumers, ensuring that both ends of the agricultural supply chain thrive.

• Intentional Leadership & Goal-Setting – Success comes from clarity, discipline, and accountability in both sports and business. Leaders must set goals and manage teams toward achieving them with precision.
• Building a High-Performing Team – The strongest individuals don’t always make the best team; collaboration, complementary skills, and shared vision drive success.
• The Reality of Business Growth – Scaling a business involves pruning, restructuring, and tough decisions, including layoffs and shifts in strategy, to create long-term stability and growth.
• Culture Beyond Perks – True company culture isn’t about happy hours and perks—it’s about providing clear expectations, professional growth opportunities, and aligning employees with company objectives.
• The Power of Storytelling in Agriculture – Farmers and agribusinesses must strategically position their brand, communicate their value, and educate consumers to create a stronger, more sustainable industry.

• “If you say something is your goal, then it becomes my goal. And I will hold you accountable to it.” – Ali Cox
• “The strongest eight people don’t always make the fastest rowing team. It’s about precision, balance, and working in sync—just like a high-performing business.” – Ali Cox
• “Happy hours are fun, but they’re not culture. Culture is how you grow people, build systems, and create opportunities for success.” – Ali Cox
• “Farmers are making multimillion-dollar investments in sustainability and innovation. The challenge is ensuring they see a return on that investment.” – Ali Cox
• “Most people love autonomy—until they feel lost. Clear expectations and leadership presence matter more than ever.” – Mark Jewell

Join us for this high-energy, no-nonsense conversation about leadership, business growth, and the future of agriculture. Whether you're an agribusiness executive, entrepreneur, or team leader, you’ll walk away with practical insights on building a resilient, thriving business in today’s agricultural landscape.

🚀 Listen now and share with your network!

In this Teaching Thursday episode of the Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast, Mark Jewell and Jon Anderson tackle one of the most pressing discussions in the industry today—intentional leadership in the face of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement. With new leadership in Washington and growing concerns about the future of agriculture, Mark and Jon provide a bold, thought-provoking conversation about how agribusiness leaders can take control of their future rather than reacting to it.

With Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed as the Secretary of Health and Human Services and Brooke Rollins leading the USDA, major changes in food policy, health regulations, and sustainability could impact everything from farm operations to the agribusiness supply chain. Many in the industry are feeling uncertain, if not outright resentful—but Mark challenges listeners to rethink where that resentment comes from and how the industry can step up with true intentional leadership instead of resistance.

🚜 Resentment Comes From a Lack of Intention – The times we are most resentful in life are often the times we were the least intentional. If ag is feeling backed into a corner, could it be because the industry hasn't proactively led the conversation about health, sustainability, and food production?

🛠 Intentional Leadership = Deliberate, Distinct, and Divine – Mark introduces the 3 D’s of Intentional Leadership:

1️⃣ Deliberate – Acting with purpose and foresight, not just reacting to crises.

2️⃣ Distinct – Leaders must carve their own strategic path rather than copying past approaches.

3️⃣ Divine – Rooting leadership in values, purpose, and long-term vision rather than short-term profit or convenience.

💡 Health & Food Policy Changes Are Coming—How Will Ag Respond? – The MAHA movement is focused on eliminating harmful food additives, improving nutrition, and addressing chronic disease. While farmers and agribusinesses have always played a critical role in feeding America, this shift presents a potential challenge or opportunity—depending on how ag chooses to respond.

📉 Ag’s Historic Rally Cry: Feed the World → Now What? – Over the last 30 years, the feed the world message drove massive growth in agricultural productivity. But with today’s food distribution problems and consumer distrust in industrial food, is it time for a new mission?

🤔 Is Agriculture Leading or Reacting? – The industry is at a crossroads—either step up and help shape the narrative on health, food, and sustainability, or get caught in a political battle that may not serve its long-term interests.

💬 Intentional Action Steps for Agribusiness Leaders:

✔ Engage in the Conversation – Don’t let policy be dictated without the voices of real farmers and agribusiness leaders.

✔ Innovate in Nutrition & Sustainability – Find ways to adapt to consumer demand for healthier, more transparent food production.

✔ Take Ownership Instead of Blaming Policy Makers – The best way to stay ahead of disruption is to lead the change instead of resisting it.

• "The times I’ve been...

In this special mash-up episode of The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast, host Mark Jewell sits down with three exceptional leaders—Brent from Fibertech Plastics, Jed Miller from Ag Partners Cooperative, and Jeremy Groeteke from Syngenta. Together, they explore the power of intentional leadership, the role of company culture in shaping success, and the importance of talent retention in the agribusiness industry.

Through insightful conversations, these industry leaders break down how deliberate decision-making, cultural alignment, and strategic leadership can transform businesses and empower teams. Listeners will gain valuable takeaways on navigating change, fostering engagement, and building a work environment where employees thrive.

Key Takeaways:

• Intentional leadership is about clarity, focus, and purpose-driven action, ensuring teams stay aligned with organizational goals.
• Company culture is either created by default or by design—leaders must actively shape and reinforce values within their teams.
• Talent retention thrives when employees see meaningful progress and impact in their work—misalignment leads to disengagement and turnover.
• Leaders must master change management, guiding teams through transitions with clear communication and strategic direction.
• Saying 'no' is as important as saying 'yes'—staying out of the weeds allows leaders to empower their teams and focus on high-value tasks.
• Vulnerability and transparency foster trust and innovation, enabling employees to take risks and push boundaries for growth.
• Investing in team engagement, mentorship, and recognition pays off, leading to stronger employee satisfaction and higher performance.

Notable Quotes:

💡 "Culture is going to get created one way or the other. It's just either going to be by default, or it's going to be by design." - Mark Jewell

💡 "Biggest thing is making sure that the talent is working on the right problems. When talent tends to work on problems that don't get to market...the talent gets frustrated and they leave." - Jeremy Groeteke

💡 "To be intentional, you have to be deliberate. You can’t build a thriving team without first creating clarity and focus." - Brent

💡 "If you don't tell your story, somebody will make it up for you." - Jeremy Groeteke

💡 "We are responsible for taking advantage of the gifts we’ve been given—if we don’t use them, it’s like telling God ‘thanks, but no thanks.’" - Jed Miller

Why You Should Listen:

This episode is packed with practical insights from real agribusiness leaders who have built thriving teams and sustainable companies. Whether you're a CEO, sales leader, agronomist, or entrepreneur, you'll walk away with actionable strategies to enhance leadership effectiveness, build a strong company culture, and retain top talent.

🔹 Ready to lead with intention? Listen now and take your agribusiness leadership to the next level! 🎧