Farmstrong
Few things connect people faster than food. For host Ryan Armstrong, it’s the stories of the people behind the food that hit deepest — their family legacies, how they made it through the tough times and how they celebrate the good times. This podcast will give you a face behind the food. It uncovers the honest and proud stories of the fascinating yet little-known sectors of the agriculture industry.
Farmstrong
4 | Will Gregg: Boiler Rooms to Barnyards – Stories from Welding in Ag
Ryan welcomes longtime friend and Brooksville local Will Gregg for a conversation that blends welding, agriculture, and small-town shenanigans — all over sandwiches at Main Street Eatery. Will shares how his unexpected journey into welding was shaped by the agricultural community around him, and how the skills he honed on local ranches keep farm operations (and his neighbors) up and running.
Ryan and Will reflect on the deep connection between power plants, the electrical grid, and everyday farm life — which depends on reliable energy for everything from irrigation systems to modern machinery. The duo dives into Florida’s cattle and citrus legacies, the evolution of local butchers and food preferences, and the pride of knowing where your steak comes from.
Classic Brooksville tales pop up throughout: toothpick dart games above the Eatery bar, high school lunch-pass hacks, and the quirks of growing up where everyone knows your business. Will also opens up about the realities of welding life — boiling-hot shifts, the satisfaction of providing power for thousands and learning to fix just about anything on a farm.
Episode Highlights:
- How local agriculture launched Will’s welding career — and keeps his skills sharp
- Inside power plant outages: hot work that keeps the grid alive
- Florida’s forgotten history: cracker cattle, sprawling ranches and legendary sweet corn
- Nostalgic stories from Main Street Eatery and high-school hijinks
Quotes to Remember:
“If it wasn’t for agriculture, I would not be where I am with welding.” – Will Gregg
“If you let your yard go or a fence line go — two weeks, you hate yourself.” – Will Gregg
"It definitely gives them confidence. You can do it in class, but when somebody from the field comes in and says, 'It looks good, you're doing a good job,' it solidifies yourself for sure. The ultimate confidence was just achieved." — Will Gregg
Resources:
- Florida Farm List
- Georgia Grown
- Fresh from Florida
- Community Cannery Locations
- Florida Young Farmer and Rancher Resources
- Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers
Questions or guest ideas?
Email farmstrongpodcast@gmail.com
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Work hard. Be honest. Speak proudly.
