33–Tractor Mike: The Future of Small Farming and Rural Living

Eric Pratum sits down with Mike Wiles—YouTube’s ‪@TractorMike‬—to explore the future of rural America, small-scale farming, and compact tractor markets. Mike shares his extensive experience, beginning with his early days working an apple orchard, through his career managing farm equipment dealerships, to educating hundreds of thousands of people through his popular YouTube channel.

Mike discusses the growing interest in small-time farming and rural living, particularly among people leaving urban areas. He provides insights into the economic factors, market shifts, and demographic changes affecting this movement. The conversation also covers critical issues such as education gaps among new rural residents, safety in agriculture, and the need for innovation in equipment design and service delivery.

Topics Explored:
1. Mike’s journey: From radio farm director to YouTube tractor expert
2. The boom in small tractors during COVID and its aftermath
3. Why are more people moving from cities to rural properties?
4. Economic and demographic impacts on rural markets and farming
5. Future trends in compact tractor sales and equipment innovation
6. The importance of education and safety for new rural landowners
7. Challenges in agricultural service delivery and opportunities for innovation

Links:
Visit Mike’s website: https://asktractormike.com
Mike’s Tractor Caddy: https://asktractormike.com/product/tr...
Tractor Mike’s YouTube channel:    / @tractormike  
University of Missouri’s Food & Agricultural Policy Research Institute: https://fapri.missouri.edu

For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com
Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: [email protected]

00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview
00:32 Topics of Discussion
01:08 Mike's Career Journey
03:03 Tractor Market Segments
04:03 What are the different types of tractor owners and their needs?
05:54 COVID Impact on Tractor Sales
07:09 Spiritual and Therapeutic Aspects of Rural Living
08:23 What's going to happen with the future of people moving to the country versus staying in urban areas, and will the connection to the land continue or will urban gardening suffice?
09:56 Technological Advancements in Farming
12:19 Demographic Shifts in Rural Areas
14:24 Tractor Market Post-COVID
18:11 Interest Rates and Market Stability
20:38 Global Market Influences
27:04 Education and Innovation for Tractor Owners
31:26 Redesigning Tractors for Modern Needs
32:44 Challenges in Tractor Service
38:14 Tractor Safety and Education
43:00 Educational Content on YouTube
46:15 Business Model and Online Store
48:55 Conclusion and Call to Action