Bulkloads Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn joins Jared for a deep dive into the realities of modern farming, livestock operations, rural policy, and how government programs actually impact producers on the ground. Whether you're a farmer, livestock producer, trucker, ag student, grain hauler, or rural leader, this episode gives you a front-row seat to the conversations shaping agriculture today.

Chris shares her personal story of growing up in Missouri ag, running a diversified family farm, and balancing life between Jefferson City and the home operation. She breaks down federal aid programs, drought relief, weights & measures, livestock transportation rules, and how technology has transformed production agriculture in the last 20 years.

If you want to understand where Missouri agriculture is right now — and where it's headed — this episode is a must-watch.

• The role of the Missouri Department of Agriculture
• How federal disaster & bridge payments actually work
• Challenges facing today's farmers: land access, financing, regulations, labor
• Missouri's diverse ag landscape: cattle, row crops, cotton, peanuts, poultry & more
• The future of family farms and generational transition
• Technology's impact on modern farming
• How MoDOT & Ag collaborate on trucking weight limits and hauling regulations
• Livestock transportation, inspections, and state-federal partnerships
• How small farms can use "Missouri Grown" for marketing & business growth
• The rising age of farmers — and what the next generation needs

✔️ Farmers & ranchers
✔️ Agriculture students (FFA & 4H shout-out!)
✔️ Truckers and bulk haulers serving the ag industry
✔️ Missouri rural advocates & policymakers
✔️ Anyone who wants to understand real-world agriculture

• Missouri Director of Agriculture since 2017
• Lifelong farmer & livestock producer
• Operates a diversified hog, cattle, corn, soybean & hay operation
• Advocate for rural communities, youth programs, and practical regulatory reform

Missouri Department of Agriculture
👉 https://agriculture.mo.gov

Missouri Grown Program
👉 https://agriculture.mo.gov/mogrown

Timestamp:

00:00 "Balancing Farm Life and Opportunity"

05:29 "Diverse Agriculture Across Regions"

09:11 Supporting Next-Gen Farmers' Access

10:19 "USDA Bridge Payments Explained"

14:29 "Missouri Transportation Collaboration Explained"

18:27 Balancing Controversy in Agriculture

23:00 Evolving Family Farm Legacy

24:36 "Missouri Grown: Supporting Local Farms"

Tickets for 2026 Bulk Freight Conference:

https://www.bulkfreightconference.com/?utm_source=Libsyn&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=MDA

BulkLoads: https://www.bulkloads.com/?utm_source=Libsyn&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=MDA

Smart Freight Funding: https://www.bulkloads.com/tools/quick-pay/?utm_source=Libsyn&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=MDA

Bulk TMS: https://www.bulktms.com/?utm_source=Libsyn&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=MDA

Insurance: https://www.bulkloads.com/tools/insurance/?utm_source=Libsyn&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=MDA

Permitting: https://www.bulkloads.com/tools/permitting/?utm_source=Libsyn&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=MDA

In this episode, Jared Flinn sits down with Ben Huston from the Iowa 80 Group — home of the World's Largest Truck Stop — to talk about the incredible history behind Iowa 80, how the company supports America's truck drivers, and what makes their locations in Walcott, IA, Joplin, MO, and Kenly, NC a home away from home for drivers across the country. Ben shares stories from his journey in the trucking world, the legacy of the Moon family who started it all, and what it takes to run a truck stop with 900 parking spaces, 24 showers, and nine restaurants — all designed with drivers in mind.

Plus, hear about the exciting new partnership between BulkLoads and Iowa 80 offering major fuel savings (up to 70–80¢/gallon) through the BulkLoads Fuel Card, along with discounts at Truckomat washouts and CAT Scale locations nationwide.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/onji5492wbg

🚛 Topics Covered:

The history and growth of Iowa 80 and the Truckers Jamboree

Why safe, legal truck parking matters now more than ever

Iowa 80's approach to trucker comfort, amenities, and safety

The BulkLoads Fuel Card partnership and exclusive savings

The importance of driver relationships and community in trucking

Hopper bottom washouts and the challenges of keeping them certified

🎙️ Guest: Ben Huston, Iowa 80 Group

📍 Locations: Walcott, IA | Joplin, MO | Kenly, NC

💬 Host: Jared Flinn, BulkLoads

#Trucking #BulkLoads #Iowa80 #TruckersJamboree #FuelCard #TruckStop #TruckerLife #Transportation #Logistics #BulkHauling

2026 Bulk Freight Conference: https://2026bulkfreightconference.eventify.io/t2/tickets/FB5585,A56D8E?affiliation=web&utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=I-80_Podcast

Timestamp:

00:00 "Affordable Model Production Challenges"

03:15 "Teen's Journey into Trucking"

08:05 "Driver-Friendly Truck Stop Focus"

09:33 "Ultimate Truck Stop Experience"

14:51 Truck Stop Planning Essentials

18:54 Fuel Savings Program Partnership

20:07 TA Petro Partnership Progress

25:01 Driver Preferences Over Fuel Savings

27:26 "Kinley Truck Stop Acquisition"

31:52 "Truck Show and Education"

33:41 Massive Joplin Truck Show

36:36 Certified Washouts for Hopper Bottoms

41:50 Hopper Washout Compliance Challenges . . .

Check out our companies!

BulkLoads - https://www.bulkloads.com/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=I-80_Podcast

Insurance - https://www.bulkinsurancegroup.com/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=I-80_Podcast

Factoring - https://www.smartfreightfunding.com/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=I-80_Podcast

Transportation Management (TMS) - https://www.bulktms.com/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=I-80_Podcast

Permitting- https://www.bulkloads.com/tools/permitting/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=I-80_Podcast

Fuel Card- https://bulkloadsfuel.com/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=I-80_Podcast

In this episode of the BulkLoads Podcast, Evan Shelley from Truck Parking Club talks about his innovative solutions for truck parking, addressing challenges faced by truckers like the average 56-minute parking search and costs. Evan emphasizes the importance of efficient parking systems for owner-operators, highlighting how technology and real estate can enhance productivity and operational efficiency in trucking.

Watch this episode on YouTube & Subscribe!

https://youtu.be/C4byWaQ3sy8

2025 Bulk Freight Conference 

Free Video Shoot From BulkLoads?

Evan Shelley & Truck Parking Club:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/truckparkingclub-com/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565492051383

https://truckparkingclub.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-k-shelley-%F0%9F%9A%9B%F0%9F%85%BF%EF%B8%8F%E2%99%A3%EF%B8%8F-a247ba126/

prayer@bulkloads.com

Check out our companies! 

BulkLoads - https://www.bulkloads.com/sign_up/create_account/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=podcast

Insurance - https://www.bulkinsurancegroup.com/

Factoring - https://www.smartfreightfunding.com/ 

Transportation Management (TMS) - https://www.bulktms.com/

Permitting- https://www.bulkloads.com/tools/permitting/

Timestamp:

00:00 Truck Parking Shortage and Driver Impact

06:40 Truck Parking Solutions in Springfield

09:32 Truck Parking Real Estate Demand

12:24 Paid Parking Evolves at Truck Stops

16:59 Parking Costs Driven by Location

18:46 Drivers' Decisions Shaped by Economics

21:33 Trucking Expertise for Road Planning

26:55 Planning Ahead for Travel Efficiency

29:15 Flexible Pay-Per-Use Parking

32:12 "Bi-Weekly Podcasts with Videos"

In this episode, Jared Flinn brings on Ken Clinchy, Vice President of Digital of FleetPride. Ken talks about who FleetPride is, what they offer, and many other topics such as the Right to Repair Act and why they stand for it. FleetPride has been gracious enough to give our listeners 15% off when you order on their website, use ONLINE15 when you checkout.

Check them out here:

https://www.fleetpride.com/parts

Get Involved in the Repair Act here:

https://www.repairact.com/

Watch on YouTube here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOo9IuXfWzQvsrGcsmYPeyw

Check out our companies:

BulkLoads - https://www.bulkloads.com/

Bulk Insurance Group - https://www.bulkinsurancegroup.com/

Smart Freight Funding - https://www.smartfreightfunding.com/

Watch on YouTube here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOo9IuXfWzQvsrGcsmYPeyw

Check out Justin's YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@flintcreektransport

Check out our companies:

BulkLoads - https://www.bulkloads.com/

Bulk Insurance Group - https://www.bulkinsurancegroup.com/

Smart Freight Funding - https://www.smartfreightfunding.com/

Jared brings on Benjamin Kowalski with Freight360 to discuss who Freight360 is, what they do, and the future of their company. They also discuss market conditions and how beneficial it is for all sides of the industry to understand how each other operates. 

Check out Freight360's website here:

https://www.freight360.net/

Watch on YouTube here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOo9IuXfWzQvsrGcsmYPeyw

Check out our companies:

BulkLoads - https://www.bulkloads.com/

Bulk Insurance Group - https://www.bulkinsurancegroup.com/

Smart Freight Funding - https://www.smartfreightfunding.com/

This episode was recorded at the Mid-America Truck Show. Jared brings on Colt Sharp with Sharp Farms LLC to discuss Colt's success in the bulk industry and the secret to being so successful at 22 years old! Colt talks about the challenges he's faced, the lessons he's learned, and how he has 2 show quality rigs. Colt takes the opportunity to call out older bulk haulers and gives them a challenge.

Watch on YouTube here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOo9IuXfWzQvsrGcsmYPeyw

Check out our companies:

BulkLoads - https://www.bulkloads.com/

Bulk Insurance Group - https://www.bulkinsurancegroup.com/

Smart Freight Funding - https://www.smartfreightfunding.com/

In this episode, host Jared Flinn invites Woody Waters, Co-Founder of Imagine360, to discuss health insurance options for small trucking companies. The episode sheds light on the fact that most truckers lack health insurance and presents a solution that can save truckers up to 30% on their health insurance. Jared and Woody discuss the challenges faced by small trucking companies when it comes to providing health insurance to their employees and how Imagine360 has tailored its services to meet the unique needs of this industry. Whether you're a small business owner looking for affordable health insurance options or a trucker in need of coverage, this episode is a must-listen.

Check out Imagine360 here:

https://www.imagine360.com/

Get in Contact with Upland Advocacy here:

833-9-UPLAND (833-987-5263)

Check out our companies:

BulkLoads - https://www.bulkloads.com/

Bulk Insurance Group - https://www.bulkinsurancegroup.com/

Smart Freight Funding - https://www.smartfreightfunding.com/

Watch this episode on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOo9IuXfWzQvsrGcsmYPeyw

In this episode, Jared brings on Mark Hilligoss with Royal Charge Trucking to talk about a matter that he holds dear to his heart. BulkLoads member, and Mark's good friend, Andy Orem, received a life-changing diagnosis at Christmas time. He was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, this disease affects his ability to speak and later put him in the ICU struggling to breathe. Mark also talks about their band of brothers in trucking and how they operate on the road. 

Donate to their Go Fund Me here:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-andy-orem-truck-past-myasthenia-gravis

Watch this podcast on YouTube here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOo9IuXfWzQvsrGcsmYPeyw/videos

Jared got to sit down with Jeremy Kellett at the Mid-America Truck Show. Jeremy is the Director of Recruiting for Bruce Oakley Trucking. In the show, they talk about how Oakley has grown from 400 owner-operators to over 800 so quickly. Jeremy talks about riding the ups and downs in the market and how they treat their carriers.

Watch this episode here:

https://youtu.be/xPLTnxg-8YE

Check out Oakley's podcast here:

https://podcast.bruceoakley.com/