No Dirt No Flowers Podcast

About No Dirt No Flowers Podcast

Will Rogers famously said that a farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn’t still be a farmer. The agricultural industry has seen its share of ups and downs over the years, and even in the face of current challenging times, we keep our optimism on greener pastures in the future. No Dirt No Flowers takes a fun look behind the scenes of the hop and agriculture world through the lens of Roy Farms, a 5th generation farm in Moxee, Washington. We cover topics like market conditions, the joys and pains of farming, social issues, brewing relationships, and so much more. The show is co-hosted by Mike Roy and Drew Gaskell from Roy Farms.

Publisher

Mike Roy & Drew Gaskell

Category

business · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Mar 2025

Latest episode

15 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

27 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   15 Oct 2026

   Market Stability. What Works?

   In Episode 27, Leslie joins Mike and Drew for a history lesson on agricultural marketing arrangements, including cooperatives, marketing orders, and other efforts to stabilize the hop market. We’ll explore the challenges facing independent growers, particularly in markets heavily influenced by public varieties, and ask whether voluntary cooperation, shared volume commitments, and transparent cost structures can improve price stability, and security. What has worked in the past, what hasn’t, and what lessons can help independent hop growers build a stronger, more stable future?

2. 

   22 Jul 2026

   Friendship Forged Through Hops / Ft. Leslie Roy & Mike Smith

   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 back on memorable moments like the 1970s "Think Tank" meetings, hauling refrigerators and generators to Idaho for hop cuttings, and the legendary "midnight roll" during the Marketing Order era. We also discuss the industry's evolution—from drip irrigation, direct brewer contracts, and the creation of Yakima Chief through the Hopunion merger to the rise of craft brewing, the fall of the Yakima Co-op, and navigating major market corrections—before exploring today's challenges around breeding programs, quality, branding, contracting, and grower-brewer relationships. Above all, Mike and Leslie reflect on the friendships and partnerships that have defined an industry they are grateful to have been part of for generations.

3. 

   2 Jul 2026

   Mid Year Market & Crop Update

   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 tightens for certain varieties. The conversation explores why now is the time for stronger partnerships and better communication across the supply chain. Mike and Drew also discuss early crop observations, current production challenges, and why growers, brewers, and brokers need to share market shifts, inventory levels, and future needs earlier and more often as the market continues to evolve.

Who has been a guest on No Dirt No Flowers Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Zach Turner
• Laylin Ledezma
• Isaiah Smith
• Scott Dorsch
• Joe Mohrfeld

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.6 / 5

14 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

11 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 16 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

11

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

51

Contact No Dirt No Flowers Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about No Dirt No Flowers Podcast