The Farm4Fun crew welcomes back Chuck Weldon of Gallatin, Missouri, for a long-overdue reunion at Husker Harvest Days. Chuck farms corn and soybeans, raises contract hogs, works in country radio under the on-air name Chuck Wagon, and remains a part owner of Whitetail Fix Hunting TV. Naturally, the episode gets off to a hilarious start when David admits the crew recorded nearly ten minutes of conversation without actually hitting the record button. With beers already open, the guys start over and quickly dive into Chuck's busy life, his passion for CrossFit, and his early progress through the 2026 harvest.

The conversation explores the realities of running a diversified farming operation when nearly every expense seems to be increasing. Chuck explains why he continues using PTO-driven GT batch grain dryers, despite their limited capacity, to get a head start on corn harvest. He estimates his drying costs at roughly 15 cents per bushel for diesel and propane and says the ability to begin harvesting earlier can make a significant difference when trying to finish before deer season. The guys also get into the economics of contract pork production, including rising building insurance, equipment replacement costs, deteriorating concrete slats, and the difficulty of making a new hog confinement barn cash flow. Chuck shares stories about animal health challenges, moving large hogs, and the everyday hazards that come with working inside a finishing barn.

Midway through the episode, the conversation takes a meaningful turn as Chuck opens up about his divorce and the mental health struggles that followed. He candidly describes experiencing severe depression and suicidal thoughts during one of the most difficult periods of his life. Rather than keeping that experience private, Chuck decided to share his story on social media and discovered that many other people, particularly men, were dealing with similar challenges. He explains how messages from strangers and fellow agricultural creators helped him realize the importance of speaking openly. One particularly powerful story involves fellow creator Mike Burkhart, who drove several hours simply to check on Chuck during a difficult time. Chuck credits his faith, family, and friendships with helping him move forward and says being able to support others through similar experiences has become one of the most rewarding parts of sharing his life online.

The crew also discusses Chuck's continued relationship with Maya Corn Heads. After previously demonstrating a 12-row head and operating an eight-row chopping head, Chuck is running an eight-row non-chopping Maya head for the current season. He explains why he continues paying to use the equipment, how it performs in challenging crop conditions, and why he believes the company's corn heads offer advantages when harvesting down corn. The conversation moves into residue management, tillage decisions, and the financial pressure created by expensive diesel fuel. Chuck shares that a recent 2,000-gallon fuel purchase cost him more than 4,000 gallons had the previous year. That leads to a broader discussion about fuel markets, agricultural policy, political division, and the importance of finding practical solutions that support farmers regardless of party affiliation.

Between stories about CrossFit-related emergency room visits, hog manure lagoons, deer hunting, radio fame, and social media friendships, the episode delivers exactly what Farm4Fun is known for: plenty of laughs, honest conversations, and an occasional unexpected life lesson.

The biggest takeaway: Farming is difficult enough when everything is going right. When personal struggles enter the picture, having people who genuinely care, being willing to ask for help, and knowing you're not alone can make all the difference.

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