Compiled by Madelyn Ostendorf
"What in the Weather?" is a podcast for Iowa growers who want to understand how to use the weather to their advantage. The podcast is cohosted by Dan Fillius, an extension horticulture field specialist; Justin Glisan, Iowa's state climatologist; and Madelynn Wuestenberg (’22 meteorology, ’23 MS agricultural meteorology), a weather and climate extension specialist.
Fillius provides some insight into the podcast:
What inspired you to start this podcast?
I was a vegetable grower before I joined Extension, and I listened to many podcasts. It was an easy way to consume information with my busy schedule. I always had questions about the weather and how I could use forecast information more effectively. During one of my conversations with Justin Glisan, I asked whether he would ever consider recording himself answering my questions, because I suspected growers might have similar questions. He said “yes,” and that became our first podcast.
How is the podcast produced?
From March through October, we post weekly, with forecasts, predictions and tips and tricks for dealing with the weather. From November through February, we host monthly episodes where we'll talk about the last three to four weeks of weather. Each podcast is recorded, edited and uploaded the same day, usually within a few hours, to get growers the most up-to-date information.
How has this podcast furthered your extension work?
At field days, I talk to at least one person who starts a conversation based on something I said on the podcast. It's a great way to connect with growers. I get information shared in the podcast out in as many formats as possible to meet as many needs as I can. After publishing an episode, I distill the topics we discussed into an e-newsletter. I then take one or two topics that seem particularly visual and post them on Instagram. Once a quarter, I print and mail hard copies of the newsletter to the Amish community I work with, and anyone else who prefers a physical copy. Having the podcast as a jumping-off point helps facilitate that communication.
What expertise do your cohosts bring to the podcast?
This podcast is really a team effort. Justin brings a real analytical look at the weather, its impacts and a wide-angle view of the growing season. Madelynn was hired as a weather and climate extension specialist and immediately became a cohost. She’s excellent at translating the data into actionable steps listeners can take.