Off-Farm Income

Joleigh Nailor is the president of her FFA chapter and a very prolific livestock exhibitor.  Growing up with a father who is a full-time dairyman, Joleigh has been engrossed in the dairy industry.  When she is not milking dairy cattle, she is showing them.  Between the Holsteins she owns, as well as a string of Shorthorn cattle and even Jerseys, she has the ability to participate in the show arena in many different ways.  Also, she is very active showing pigs and market steers.  She just can't get enough.

There was something very telling about Joleigh's personality when I asked her about the return on investment from traveling up and down the East Coast to different livestock shows, fairs and jackpots.  One the most important things she named was the friendships she made being out there, showing livestock with others.  She also noted having the opportunity to be a part of younger exhibitor's journey as they develop their skills.

Direct download: Joleigh_Nailor_Episode_2029_-_22724_3.41PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

I have recently taken up the hobby of speaking on a GMRS Radio and using repeaters to connect with people outside the range of my handset.  On today's episode I want to expose you to the fun and the practical side of this activity.

Links Discussed On The Show:

My GMRS: https://mygmrs.com/

FCC Licensing: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs

Notarubicon YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNotaRubicon

Treasure Valley Linked GMS Repeater Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/889860782756239

GMRS Live: https://www.gmrslive.com/

 

Direct download: OFI_2028_Tuesday_Episode_-_3424_1.45PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Abbie Chase is a junior at McCook Central High School and is serving as the chapter's Vice-President of Building Community.  Abbie is also a very determined bee keeper, which you will figure out when you hear her story, and she is growing the number of hives she keeps as quickly as she can.  

This was a very interesting interview for me because it incorporated a story of a severe weather phenomena that I have never experienced.  Abbie did experience this, and it really changed her outlook on the service component of being in the FFA.  It also impacted her personally because of the impact that it had on her bee hives at the time when it occurred.  So, in today's episode not only is there a great story of an outstanding FFA student, but there is a great weather story that leads right into perseverance in agriculture!

 

Direct download: Abbie_Chase_Episode_2027_-_22724_2.33PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Tip Of The Week

Find reputable legal training before you protect life or property with a gun

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.kcci.com/article/gun-theft-burglary-ames-iowa-theisens-brazen-smash-and-grab/60191829

https://www.kfvs12.com/2024/03/13/authorities-searching-theft-suspect-western-kentucky/

https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/calaveras-county-man-arrested-for-shooting-shotgun-toward-atv-rider-on-property/103-a1083e9c-5f26-4e42-a201-76243ba90fac

https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/18/us/woman-shot-wrong-driveway-upstate-new-york/index.html

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/judge-rules-white-man-will-stand-trial-for-shooting-black-teen-ralph-yarl-who-went-to-wrong-house

https://www.wtva.com/news/local/kids-accused-of-stealing-horses-in-clay-county/article_b43fedc2-e08f-11ee-8d4c-973a3c9e60d0.html

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/farming/2024/03/14/farmer-speaks-out-after-scores-of-lambs-butchered-in-field/

https://www.farmersguide.co.uk/rural/rural-crime/stop-me-stickers-given-to-farmers-to-protect-machinery-and-vehicles-against-thieves/

Africa

https://www.citizen.co.za/southlands-sun/lnn/article/two-men-arrested-allegedly-stealing-213-sheep/?amp

https://dy365.in/assam/assam-two-cows-stolen-from-cattle-shed-in-khetri-13875

https://www.citizen.digital/news/family-of-two-killed-over-chicken-theft-claims-wants-perpetrators-charged-n338288

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.agdaily.com/news/s-c-man-surrenders-in-suspected-120k-feed-corn-theft/

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nd/pr/buxton-man-sentenced-crop-insurance-violation-ending-series-four-cases-involving-potato

Direct download: OFI_2025_Rural_Crime_-_31424_4.50PM.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Lukas Hitchcock is 19 years old, has a passion for farming and has little to no farming background.....and he has a vision.  When Lukas was about seven years old he had some limited exposure to farming on one of his cousin's operations in Iowa.  He can remember that moment, and he cites it as the moment that he fell in love with farming.  However, life circumstances for Lukas were not conducive to him growing up learning about farming or working on a farm.  In fact, based on some bad choices of his parents, his attention had to be diverted away from higher level things like learning about farming to just day to day success.

Ultimately, Lukas was thrust in adulthood and independence earlier than most of us, at age sixteen.  As soon as this occurred he started working as a farmhand wherever he could, just to be part of the lifestyle and to learn.  He continues these efforts today, three years later.

Lukas has a vision of having his own farm at some point in the future, and like so many of us, young and old, he has no idea how to make that happen given the large financial obstacles that stand in his way. Lukas is doing what everyone in his position does.  He is seeking, researching and looking for information wherever he can find it.  That led him to reach out to me for advice.

Instead of having a private telephone conversation about ideas, we decided to record the conversation and publish it as a podcast episode if we both agreed.  At the end, neither of us said anything that we wanted kept confidential, and we decided go ahead with publishing it in the hopes it might help somebody else.

Direct download: Lukas_Hitchcock_Episode_2024_-_31324_3.51PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

On tomorrow's ag business episode we are looking at the concept of farm transition again.  It has been several years since I have done this, but it is a topic that we should keep front of mind because it is a valid way to begin farming or ranching.  Back in 2017 I interviewed a young man who was a National Proficiency Finalist and a sophomore in college.  He was raising his own cattle and working for a neighbor on his ranch, and that neighbor was ready to retire.  The neighbor did not have a family member who wanted to farm the ground, and he was transitioning the operation to my guest, Stetson Dittmar.  On today's show we will revisit that conversation.

 

Direct download: OFI_2023_Replay_Of_389_-_31824_4.45_PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Our guest today is an inspiration to people everywhere who have said "how do I get the land that I need to farm?".  Tyler Worthey is showing everyone what can be done from your own back yard and kitchen.

Tyler is the Chapter Reporter at Neoga FFA in Illinois.  He was recruited by his FFA Advisor back in the 8th grade after being enrolled in an introduction to agriculture class, and he has not looked back.  That year he started making hot sauces in his kitchen at home just for fun, and he would share them with friends at school.  It wasn't long until people were requesting certain sauces and were even willing to pay for them.  Worthey Peppers was born.

Today, Tyler is growing his own supply of peppers in the back yard of his parents house in a neighborhood of Neoga.  He is taking those peppers and turning them into a variety of hot sauces, jams and jellies in the kitchen of his house.  And, he is fully licensed and certified through the State Of Illinois as a "cottage food producer".  He then markets those products at fairs, festivals and farmer's markets.  He is killing it, and has really got a great brand created and a great product to sell!

Direct download: Tyler_Worthey_Episode_2022_-_22724_1.34PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Today's episode was inspired by a Tuesday show I did back in 2019, #662.  I will be discussing getting yourself to a conference this year as a matter of pivotal importance to the growth and sustainability of your business and/or farm enterprise.

 

Direct download: OFI_2021_Tuesday_Episode_-_3424_1.32PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Ava Belanger is just finishing up her sophomore year of high school, but is well ahead of the pace when it comes to her knowledge of horticulture.  She and a partner are currently growing floating flowers in a kiddie pool at her school, and they have already rescued them from deterioration and death once only to see them come back flourish.

This all began when Ava decided she wanted to be a neurologist at the end of her 8th Grade year.  In Massachusetts some students can attend high schools dedicated to one main area of study.  At Norfolk County that is agriculture.  Ava saw this and thought that it might help her in the scientific pursuit that she had identified.  So, she enrolled at Norfolk.  However, she later determined that was not the direction she wanted to pursue and developed an interest in plants.

Today, Ava is serving as a Junior Officer in the Secretary position.  She hopes to advance to an upper level officer position next year and keep pursuing her interest in plants.

 

Direct download: Ava_Belanger_Episode_2020_-_22624_4.13PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

For Information Like Degrees Offered, Annual Costs, Etc., Please Click The Banner Below:

The Agricultural College Episode is designed to profile agricultural trade schools, junior colleges, colleges and universities around the U.S.  This episode is an effort to replicate the conversation that prospective students, parents and ag teachers might have with agricultural schools at trade show like the National FFA Convention.

I have more students from around the country tell me that they are going out of state, to Oklahoma State University, to study agriculture than to any other university.  On today's show I finally get to find out why this is!  OSU has something going on, and it is working.  The lineup of guests we have today do a great job of demonstrating what there is to love in Stillwater, and today will get to profile the Ferguson College Of Agriculture.

 

 

 

 

Direct download: Oklahoma_State_University_Episode_2019_-_3124_4.53PM.mp3
Category:Agricultural Colleges -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

 

Tip Of The Week

Don’t pay for anything you don’t have in your possession without safety measures in place

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.wlbt.com/2024/03/08/hay-horse-scams-sweeping-internet-ms-ag-theft-bureau-says-be-cautious/

https://www.klfy.com/local/st-landry-parish/officials-ask-for-publics-help-in-locating-missing-livestock/

https://ktemnews.com/ixp/341/p/red-paint-tree-meaning/

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.southwestfarmer.co.uk/news/24185243.gps-dome-stolen-tractor-west-dorset/

https://www.farmersguide.co.uk/rural/rural-crime/shropshire-farmers-warned-following-rise-in-diesel-thefts/

Africa

https://www.chronicle.co.zw/byo-police-recover-19-head-of-stolen-cattle/

https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2024-03-13-state-opens-more-security-camps-in-baringo-to-tame-banditry/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.wdsu.com/article/community-rallies-around-slidell-women-who-discover-therapy-goats-dead-or-stolen/60192109

https://www.thedailystar.com/news/davenport-man-sentenced-for-insurance-fraud/article_76ed8290-e16b-11ee-beb7-eb6bd39a765d.html

 

Direct download: OFI_2018_Rural_Crime_-_31424_4.40PM.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

John Price is 26 years old and has been running his own farm for 1/2 of his life.  Today, he runs Archlynn Farm with his wife, mother and step-father in Charlotte Courthouse, Virginia.  There they raise over 50 acres of produce for direct sales to customers and sales in grocery stores.

When John was in elementary school he, his sister and his two brothers were all in the 4H, and John never liked it!  He exited the 4H as soon as he was able and really was not enthusiastic about agriculture.  However, when he was around 13 years old his family planted a 1/2 acre garden, and he worked with the rest of the family on the plot.

At some point, friends and family started asking to purchase produce from them, and this led to the development of a CSA.  Something clicked for John at this point, and he has been loving farming ever since.  That was 13 years ago, and the time since then has spanned half of John's life.

Today, his siblings have moved onto to other pursuits, but he is farming with his folks and his wife.  They are now growing produce on 50 acres of land and selling to multiple outlets.  There was a pivotal moment in the development of the farm that led to a question - "do we scale back so the four of us can run this, or do he hire help so we can grow?".  The choice was to grow, and to develop a business that would sustain the four of them as full-time farmers.

This decision led to the problem of finding reliable labor on the farm.  Ultimately they chose to participate in the H2A Program and hire labor from Mexico during the growing season.  John and I spend the final 15 minutes of the interview discussing how this works and the decision process.

Direct download: John_Price_Episode_2017_-_31224_12.43PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

On tomorrow's Ag Business Episode I am profiling a farmer from South Virginia with an impressive vegetable farm.  This made me think about the interview I did with the owners of Diemand Farm back in 2019 and how many different enterprises and value added products they had to keep going.  I thought this was a great tie in for tomorrow's ag business episode, and I am eager to play it for you again.

Direct download: OFI_2016_Replay_Of_592_-_31424_9.55AM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 10:42am MDT

Quinton Berg has a passion for livestock judging, and he has carried that forward through his time in the FFA.  He has been judging livestock since he was in the 4H, and he travels to competitions all over the Mid-West to pursue this skill set.  Last year, he decided to share it with others the way it had been shared with him.  So, he set up a free livestock judging clinic to teach younger 4H members how they can participate.

Through his efforts, Quinton received donations of money, door prizes and livestock to be judged.  He also had a lot of help putting on the event, and he acknowledges those who assisted him in the interview today.  There is no doubt that his passion for this type of competition shines through wherever he goes.  At a competition at the Fort Scott Community College in Kansas last year the college's judging coach saw something in Quinton and offered him a scholarship to come be on the team.  And you guessed it, Quinton will be judging livestock for Fort Scott starting in the Fall of 2024!

Direct download: Quinton_Berg_Episode_2015_-_2124_1.34PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Today is a regular farm update for you.  On the agenda is:

  • March snows
  • Building a heated room in my shop
  • Taking up wood carving
  • HenGear Nest Boxes
Direct download: OFI_2014_Tuesday_Episode_-_3424_1.19PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Ashlynn Lamp is her FFA Chapter's Reporter, she raises chickens and goats at her home and she is passionate about horticulture.  So much so, that her FFA Advisor knew she would be a great guest on the show.

In today's episode featuring Ashlynn we will talk about her journey into food production, and therefore into the FFA.  We will also talk sports, horticulture, becoming an FFA officer and where she plans to take this great experience in the future.

 

Direct download: Ashlynn_Lamp_Episode_2013_-_22624_3.09PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

For Information Like Degrees Offered, Annual Costs, Etc., Please Click The Banner Below:

The Agricultural College Episode is designed to profile agricultural trade schools, junior colleges, colleges and universities around the U.S.  This episode is an effort to replicate the conversation that prospective students, parents and ag teachers might have with agricultural schools at trade show like the National FFA Convention.

[caption id="attachment_421797" align="alignleft" width="121"] Tyeson Gravenhof - Student Ambassador[/caption]

Northeast Oklahoma A&M is a community college very near the Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri borders with Oklahoma.  Students from throughout the U.S. come here to be on the livestock judging team, and many careers in agriculture are launched here with transfers to four year institutions in Oklahoma and surrounding states.

More Places You Can Listen to Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald:

 

 

 

Direct download: Northeastern_Oklahoma_AM_Episode_2012_-_12324_4.04PM.mp3
Category:Agricultural Colleges -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Tip Of The Week

Don’t give up on stolen horses

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://theprowersjournal.com/2024/03/livestock-theft-meeting-to-be-held-march-14-in-springfield/

https://www.ivpressonline.com/news/county-approves-funds-to-address-farm-theft-vandalism/article_61b9fa66-db35-11ee-9ce9-9f511f474061.html

https://bnnbreaking.com/breaking-news/crime/livestock-theft-in-georgetown-county-10-chickens-2-ducks-missing

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.farmersguide.co.uk/rural/rural-crime/hundreds-of-sheep-stolen-as-livestock-rustlers-target-uk-farms/

https://www.miragenews.com/nsw-police-hunt-for-leads-in-mid-north-coast-1188449/

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-07/nobby-night-watchman-keeps-close-eye-on-cattle-high-country-sale/103546204

Africa

https://www.withinnigeria.com/news/2024/03/07/deadly-attack-claims-lives-of-herder-and-livestock-in-plateau-state/

https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=51799

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.ksbw.com/article/chp-recovers-two-tractors-stolen-in-santa-cruz-california/60115164

https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2024/03/06/indian-river-timber-harvester-jailed-45-days-for-embezzlement-from-landowners

https://www.kpua.net/2024/03/07/hpd-receives-donation-of-certified-agricultural-produce-scales-to-combat-theft/

https://fox40jackson.com/local-news/mississippi-authorities-recover-stolen-racehorse-in-kentucky/

 

Direct download: OFI_2011_Rural_Crime_-_3724_1.08PM.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Avery Shoffner has her own flock of sheep, is a senior in high school, lives on her family's Century Farm and makes a great income over the summer showing the sheep that she raises.

Avery has been involved in raising and showing sheep, largely influenced by her grandfather, since she was very young.  Today, she manages her own flock, exchanges labor on her grandfather's farm for feed and pasture and is at a show every weekend of the summer.  She has become hyper-focused on this supervised agricultural experience, stepping away from school sports and the FFA officer team for dual reasons.  First, is her devotion to this project and showmanship, which takes priority over everything else.  Second is the wisdom and integrity of knowing that she wasn't giving what she believed to be necessary attention to those other things when there was somebody waiting in the wings who would.

Avery loves her family, her farm and her sheep.  She also has a heart for service.  So, after graduation she is starting her collegiate career at a nearby community college.  This will allow her continue living at home, save money and work on the farm.  She will be pursuing a career as an elementary school teacher.  She knows she wants to help people and to make a difference, and that is where she believes she can do it best!

Direct download: Avery_Shoffner_Episode_2010_-_3424_2.37PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

On tomorrow's episode I am interviewing a young lady who raises sheep.  Also, this is the time of year that students are going to be pursuing the chance of a lifetime to be State FFA Officers.  So, I thought for today's re-cap this interview with Renee Stillwell from back in 2016 was perfect.  Not only was she raising sheep, but I titled this episode "How To Become A State Officer".

 

Direct download: OFI_2009_Replay_Of_409_Renee_Stillwell_-_3724_12.08PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:14pm MDT

Greyson Applebee is his chapter and section's secretary in just his junior year of high school, and this follows a history of not wanting to join the FFA.  Greyson has twin, older brothers, and they were both in the FFA and both officers.  And, his father believes that it is important to have a background in farming and agriculture.  So, when it was time to start high school the only person that didn't want Greyson to join the FFA was Greyson.  However, his father registered him for the introduction to agriculture class, and things took off from there.  Greyson said that once his FFA Advisor had the opportunity to start exposing him to activities he got hooked.  

Greyson's ascension into fish farming was just as quick.  He was able to go to the National FFA Convention his 9th Grade year, and on that trip the chapter did a number of tours.  One of those was a facility where fish were being raised.  Greyson was fascinated, and by the spring of his 9th grade year, he and a friend, had rounded up the necessary equipment and were raising fish.

Greyson is continuing to grow his supervised agricultural experience and has identified a career area that he is interested in for the future.  Sales for John Deere is the dream job that he named when I asked him.  Based on the track record he already has, I suspect that he is going to accomplish this goal also!

Direct download: Greyson_Applebee_Episode_2008_-_2224_5.45PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

A while back I spoke with you about setting your New Year's Resolutions later in the year, rather than on January 1st.  There was a good rationale for that, and I am find that to be proven true.  On today's show I'll share with you what my two resolutions for 2024 are.

 

Direct download: OFI_2007_Tuesday_Episode_-_22624_11.46AM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Lilly Cappitte is her chapter's president, a business owner and a gregarious agriculturist, but it wasn't always this way.  Growing up in her blended household, Lilly did not have anyone expressing any agricultural influence on her.  Nobody in the family worked in agriculture or was trying to move back to a farm or anything like that.

When Lilly was in her second semester of her sophomore year of high school she took a veterinary science course because she was interested in animals.  This was taught by one of the FFA advisors, and it automatically enrolled her in the chapter.  One day, her teacher approached her and asked her if she would be willing to be on a plant science team to help out.  They were one person short, and without a full team they could not compete.  Lilly said yes, went to the competition and ended up doing very well on the individual level.

Since that competition, Lilly has caught fire in the FFA and has served as an officer twice.  She has also started her own flower business, selling flowers at the farmer's market as well as to friends and classmates for dances.  She also took a job on a farm helping to teach children about agriculture.  She is planning on getting a degree in agriculture, and she is totally in on agriculture!

Direct download: Lilly_Cappitte_Episode_2006_-_2224_2.04PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

For Information Like Degrees Offered, Annual Costs, Etc., Please Click The Banner Below:

The Agricultural College Episode is designed to profile agricultural trade schools, junior colleges, colleges and universities around the U.S.  This episode is an effort to replicate the conversation that prospective students, parents and ag teachers might have with agricultural schools at trade show like the National FFA Convention.

The Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a niched agricultural college with specialties in forestry, horticulture and diesel technology.  Offering associates, bachelors and master's degrees, upwards of 90% of the forestry students study for an associates degree and then get to work.  The hands on learning is impressive with 3 hours of lab work, in the forest, for every one hour of classroom instruction.

More Places You Can Listen to Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald:

 

 

 


Tip Of The Week

How can you help with threat assessment?

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://salinapost.com/posts/d8120ba2-e53e-4785-b9ad-5deb4f882340

https://www.greenriverstar.com/story/2024/02/29/news/recent-sentencing-from-the-us-attorneys-office-district-of-wyoming/11404.html

https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/miniature-horse-shot-killed-maple-valley/P2ZSZDBNGFFKLDCREBSO56ZYJE/

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/n-s-rcmp-charge-four-following-alleged-copper-theft-1.6788080

https://www.iheartradio.ca/virginradio/winnipeg/news-trending/it-s-frightening-rural-manitoba-residents-take-action-to-curb-crime-1.21933772

https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2024-03-01/merriwa-farmer-reward-black-angus-cattle-rustlers-police/103532808

Africa

https://www.chronicle.co.zw/6-arrests-58-stolen-cattle-recovered/

https://gna.org.gh/2024/02/man-convicted-over-water-meter-theft/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://hpj.com/2024/02/29/south-dakota-bans-home-equity-theft/

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/farm-watch-used-to-bust-agricultural-theft-crew-in-southern-california/

 

Direct download: OFI_2004_Rural_Crime_-_3124_4.37PM.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Nate Crumbley is a chapter sentinel and is just finishing up his junior year of high school.  He has wanted to farm and be part of agriculture ever since he can remember first riding around on a tractor with his grandfather.  This is what first led him to try raising rabbits.  During the year of Covid lockdowns and online school, he had very little to do and lived with his grandparents on their farm.  So, he began raising rabbits as an enterprise of his own.

When school started again the following year, he moved back to his parent's home where he would attend school in person.  Taking care of the rabbits became more of a challenge considering the travel required and the level of attention required.  As a result, the enterprise failed.

Nate was not done, but he knew that he needed to try something different than rabbits.  Through a series of examples, contemplations and research Nate and his grandfather decided to have Nate try raising Dorper Sheep.  This is where Nate found his niche and his passion.  Today he is the owner of Cartwright Dorpers and is operating both a purebred and commercial sheep enterprise.

 

Direct download: Nate_Crumbley_Episode_2003_-_22624_3.17PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Today's episode is significant to me for a couple of reasons.  First, what Dan Frank is doing epitomizes what this show is all about.  He is a small, owner/operator of a business that allowed him to "make it in farm country".  Dan values the lifestyle that living rural and farming brings, and this drives him to find a way to make a living "out there".

Dan chose entrepreneurship to be the main way of creating his income in an area where jobs normally are scarce.  He sees our current economy for what it is - a moment in time that will allow you to get ahead.  Right now, Dan can get all of the side jobs he wants working for other people because unemployment is so low that farmers cannot find labor, let alone quality labor.  However, Dan realizes that this is not going to last forever.  So, instead of sitting back and enjoying the fact that he can work as much as he wants for other people and make good money right now, he is building his own business on the side for when the economy slows and jobs are less plentiful and competition for those jobs is higher.

Dan has been bootstrapping his silage hauling business, Frankie's Feed Movers.  He started out by purchasing an old truck and using an old box on the truck to get started.  He is now creating enough revenue that he is going to be able to upgrade equipment and expand the services he can offer.

Direct download: OFI_2002_Re-Cap_Of_780_-_22924_3.44PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 3:54pm MDT

Jace Taylor is the Chapter Reporter for his FFA Chapter and a sophomore in high school.  He is also the owner of "Goat Tuff Solutions", a company that he purchased from his father in which he manufactures panels, gates, feeders and more for goat production.  

Jace has some big goals in the FFA.  Currently he competing at the state level in Oklahoma in the chapter reporter position.  He is striving to win a state award for his work in that position.  He is also growing his business and manufacturing more equipment for people who see his work and recognize the quality.  

Jace was preceded by his sister in the FFA, and she demonstrated to him what could be accomplished all while really enjoying yourself.  Jace is exhibiting wisdom right now.  He has goals of possibly growing his business after high school, but he doesn't want to grow it too fas

Direct download: Jace_Taylor_Episode_2001_-_22224_10.02AM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Hello everyone.  Today is our 2,000th episode!  I never thought this possible, yet here we are!  I have you to thank for this, and that is what I do in this episode.  Please join in to learn just how much you have impacted, not just my life, but the lives of my entire family.

 

Direct download: OFI_2000_Tuesday_Episode_-_22624_11.38AM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Clayton Jennings is currently serving as a 2nd Vice-President in his FFA Chapter as well as playing two sports.  He and his sister work together on their families farm and raise pigs, with a total of three enterprises devoted to selling show pigs, showing their own pigs and selling pork.  The pork enterprise, called C&C Premium Pork, belongs to Clayton alone while his sister sells show supplies as a distributor for Sullivan Supply as her own enterprise.

Clayton and his family moved about three hours from their previous home approximately a decade ago so that they could live this lifestyle.  Clayton's parents had grown up around livestock, and they found themselves living in the city of Columbia, Missouri as the kids were growing up.  However, the ability to work remotely changed the opportunities that they had, and they ended up moving about three hours away to a piece of property that was conducive to starting a pig breeding operation.  From there, Clayton and his sister got to work and have been developing these enterprises ever since.

Clayton has a strong interest outside of agriculture, and that is sports.  In addition to playing basketball and baseball in high school he is very interested in statistics, and is hoping to have a career in sports media.  You might wonder how the two things will relate.  When I asked Clayton about his vision of how his career in sports media would look, it involved three distinct ways of reporting on sports.  I found this to be very similar to the three enterprises of the pig business that he finds himself involved in now.

Direct download: Clayton_Jennings_Episode_1999_-_2124_10.35AM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

For Information Like Degrees Offered, Annual Costs, Etc., Please Click The Banner Below:

The Agricultural College Episode is designed to profile agricultural trade schools, junior colleges, colleges and universities around the U.S.  This episode is an effort to replicate the conversation that prospective students, parents and ag teachers might have with agricultural schools at trade show like the National FFA Convention.

Midway University is a niched agricultural college, specializing in every aspect of the Equine Industry.  Located in the heart of horse country and surrounded by the most elite horse farms in Kentucky and the U.S., Midway offers students with a passion for horses opportunities for real world learning in unprecedented environments.  With an aim to be among the most inexpensive universities in Kentucky, Midway is launching incredible careers working with horses.

More Places You Can Listen to Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald:

 

Direct download: Midway_University_Episode_1998_-_11624_5.37PM.mp3
Category:Agricultural Colleges -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Tip Of The Week

Would you consider a GPS collar for your horses?

 

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.kcbd.com/2024/02/14/thieves-steal-86000-worth-property-including-horses-cement-mixer-lynn-co/

https://www.mymix1041.com/mcminn-county-sheriffs-office-looking-for-stolen-trailer-tools/

https://www.onegreenplanet.org/animals/police-investigate-horse-rustlers-who-slaughtered-three-horses-for-meat/

 

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.farmersguide.co.uk/rural/rural-crime/45-sheep-killed-by-dogs-in-devon/

https://www.producer.com/news/man-producers-want-dedicated-livestock-police/

https://www.brecon-radnor.co.uk/news/999/police-probe-theft-of-more-than-70-ewes-from-breconshire-farm-667464

 

Africa

https://sparkchronicles.com/millions-of-donkeys-are-stolen-every-year-and-slaughtered-for-use-in-traditional-medicine-2/

https://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-and-courts/two-murder-suspects-arrested-over-brutal-killing-of-cattle-thieves-burnt-beyond-recognition-5896cb01-2005-42af-a9b4-1462c9a412ca

 

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://localnews8.com/news/crime-tracker/2024/02/22/man-arrested-for-using-tractor-to-damage-property-farm-equipment/

https://www.keranews.org/news/2024-02-20/texas-gives-125-million-to-rural-sheriffs-and-prosecutors-for-pay-increases

Direct download: OFI_1997_Rural_Crime_-_22324_11.58AM.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Rachelle Meyer is 30 years old, the mother of 7 and a successful regenerative farmer from Southeastern Minnesota.  She and her husband, Jordan, have been together since high school, and they have been farming together since they got married.  Jordan grew up on his families farm/dairy, and Rachelle grew up outside of agriculture.  However, her mother had farm ground that she had put in to CRP.  

Jordan and Rachelle struggled to find a viable business model for years until 2018 when they started practicing regenerative farming.  Since that time they have had opportunities develop and productivity increase.  And, they have had input costs go down.  Today, they have multiple streams of revenue from their farms and the farms they lease.  They are direct marketing what they produce, and they are inspired about the lifestyle they have chosen.

Rachelle also works as a "business and mindset coach" helping people to frame their mindsets about farming in such a manner that leads to success.  They are growing their family and growing their farm into the future, together, and today we get to share a bit of this with you.

 
Direct download: Rachelle_Meyer_Episode_1996_-_22224_2.52PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

On tomorrow's ag business episode I am featuring an inspiring entrepreneur who has built a farming enterprise with her husband through regenerative farming practices.  This made me think back to this interview I did with Wil Crombie in 2011, and I realized that it was the perfect tie in to tomorrow's show.  

Direct download: OFI_1995_Replay_Of_1011_Will_Crombie_-_22224_3.02PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 3:13pm MDT

Cash Lehrman is the Chapter President of the Bridgewater-Emery FFA in Emery, South Dakota.  He is also a cattle rancher on his family's first generation operation, and he has his own business clipping cattle for other ranchers in preparation for their performance sales.

Cash ranches with his family in Eastern South Dakota, and has been doing so all of his life.  By now, he is well aware of the challenges that come with raising livestock in South Dakota, especially in the Springtime, when they seem to get some late winter storms and lots of precipitation.  His long term, future plans, are to ranch cattle on his families property and continue to grow this business.

Cash's short term plans really caught my ear as we spoke.  After he graduates this year, he will be heading to Oklahoma State University to get his degree in animal science.  The natural follow up question is "why Oklahoma State" when you are from South Dakota?  I thought his answer really demonstrated just how much he loves working with cattle.

Cash's answer was all about nutrition.  He knows from the reading and research he has done due to his own curiosity that the methods of grazing and feeding cattle in the lower plains is different than that of South Dakota.  He wants to learn how and why ranchers in the Southern Plains graze on winter wheat and then can follow up with a wheat harvest of what was just a forage crop.  It is Cash's natural curiosity about raising cattle and his desire to know more that will take him to Oklahoma, and then who knows where else before he finds himself back on his families ranch.

Direct download: Cash_Lehrman_Episode_1994_-_2124_9.34AM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

For the third year in a row I ran to the Southwest Desert to find the sun and feel some warmth during the middle of winter.  This is becoming a tradition that I don't think I will ever give up.  I'll talk all about it on today's Farm Update Episode!

 
Direct download: OFI_1993_Tuesday_Episode_-_22224_10.27AM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Kailee Adkins is her chapter's FFA President, a national finalist in agriscience and show goat producer from Chillicothe, Ohio.  She has had an interesting journey to where she is at today.

When she was about 9 years old, she and her family moved to the farm on which they currently reside.  Kailee described her father has wanting she and her young sister to grow up with the responsibility of raising and showing livestock in the manner which he did.  The animal of choice for this was goats.

For several years Kailee showed goats unenthusiastically, but it was part of her responsibility on the farm so she devoted herself to it.  Meanwhile, she had growing interests in plants and soils that were coming from the environment that she was living in.  So, when high school arrived she signed up for a class about plants and soils that interested her, and this led her into the FFA.

Kailee is the first ever FFA member in her family, and she said that it really brought her out of her shell.  She started off high school shy and quiet, and the FFA gave her the time outside of her comfort zone to overcome this.  Then, one day when was about 15, something clicked and she became passionate about showing goats.  After all of those years, something finally clicked in.  Today she is growing a herd for both quality and quantity and developing a business.  This spring, she and her family, will hold their first ever "bid board sale" at the county fairground to sell their goats to other exhibitors in the area.

Direct download: Kailee_Adkins_Episode_1992_-_2124_8.36AM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

For Information Like Degrees Offered, Annual Costs, Etc., Please Click The Banner Below:

The Agricultural College Episode is designed to profile agricultural trade schools, junior colleges, colleges and universities around the U.S.  This episode is an effort to replicate the conversation that prospective students, parents and ag teachers might have with agricultural schools at trade show like the National FFA Convention.

When it comes to ROI or return on investment, Tennessee Tech probably has the best of any university that I have interviewed for this episode.  They are certainly in the top 5, and that includes for non-resident students.  On today's episode we are profiling this university that sits about halfway between Nashville and Knoxville in upper Tennessee and offers a wide array of agricultural options for the future Ag professional.

More Places You Can Listen to Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald:

 

 

Direct download: Tennesse_Tech_Stats_-_1924_3.29PM.mp3
Category:Agricultural Colleges -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Andrew Szalach is a really amazing FFA student.  He has been very involved in the FFA since 6th grade, even before he could officially join in the 7th.  So much so that he served as his chapter's vice president during his freshman year and has served as his chapter's president the past two, subsequent years.

There is no doubt that when Andrew finds something he is passionate about that he goes "all in".  He has demonstrated this in the FFA for the past 5 years, and his supervised agricultural experience is another glaring example.

Andrew has a passion for Massey Ferguson tractors, specifically those from the 1970's.  So, in 2021 he found one in Northern Pennsylvania that was for sale, a 1974 Model 14.  He and his father drove down from New York and purchased it, and he got to work on it once they got home.  He says that today he is 80% of the way done with the restoration and hopes to have it complete for shows this summer.

In pursuit of this project Andrew applied for and received a $1,000 SAE grant.  He also sent out letters asking for donations for his project and received multiple, totally about another $1,000.  Just when I thought I knew everything about his SAE he told me that he was obtaining and selling both parts and manuals for 1970's Massey Ferguson tractors.  At restoration lots if he finds one that cannot be restored, he will pull parts off of them and sell them online.  In addition, he will locate hard to find repair manuals online and then offer them for sale online, printing and binding them only when they are requested.  He does this all for little to no profit, just to keep people interested in 1970's Massey Ferguson tractors!

Direct download: Andrew_Szalach_Episode_1989_-_13124_4.11PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Spring is coming everyone, and it always makes me think about the spring of 2012.  Back then I had never started a business, but I had identified one that I wanted to start.  The first business I started was gopher extermination, and it was a seasonal business.  All winter and spring I had been getting cold feet and chickening out until one night at about 3am I sat straight up in bed and realized that if I did not get started I would have to wait a whole year more to begin because I would miss the season.

If you have been doing the same thing, the time is now!  Don't wait until May like I did.  Take a step forward and begin.  On today's show I want to go back to an interview about one such business.  If you are thinking about staring a farm photography or video business, growing season is coming!  Get started, and let this interview I did with Doug Armknecht back in 2015 be your inspiration!

 

Direct download: OFI_1988_Replay_Of_150_-_13124_6.01PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Stephen Lemon is the host of the Chef Lemonhead Youtube Channel, an FFA student and the chair of his chapter's recruitment committee.  With almost 4,000 subscribers on Youtube, including me, Stephen is inspiring people to cook all sorts of creative dishes.

Stephen has had a fascination with cooking since he was about five years old, and when he first started asking if he could cook for the family.  In the beginning, nobody was too sure what the food he was making was going to taste like.  So, when he cooked he cooked just for himself and not for the rest of the family.  However, it didn't take long for things to start smelling pretty good in the kitchen and enticing the rest of the family.  Pretty soon, he was the main chef in the house.

In combination with wanting to cook, Stephen had always wanted to have his own Youtube channel.  So, during the long, boring days of Covid he decided that he would make one.  The, just a couple of years later, he joined the FFA and needed a supervised agricultural experience.  Viola!, the cooking channel fit perfectly, and it became his SAE!

Direct download: Stephen_Lemon_Episode_1987_-_13124_2.41PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Nancy Rivas is a senior at Sanger High School and is very active in her FFA program.  She did not grow up on a farm or ranch and really had no exposure to agriculture as a child.  However, when it came time to start high school in 2020 she was aware of an "easy" class called "floral design" and she signed up for it.

Nancy's start to high school was not as auspicious as other students may have experienced.  She began in 2020, so she actually started high school at home, behind a computer screen.  So, when she "attended" her floral class she was kind of tuned in, but not all the time.  Of course, floral design is a very kinesthetic type of class, but taking it online offered none of that.  Then Nancy noticed that she was being asked to recite things such as the FFA Creed, and she did not know how that related to floral.

Finally, in her sophomore year she got to attend class in person and work with floral arrangements with her own two hands.  Something clicked for her when she did that, and she found herself working right through her lunch and not even noticing.  This led her to explore other opportunities such as showing dairy cattle.  And, she also joined the goat team and purchased a goat that she was able to keep at the school farm.  This has now led her to develop her own goat herd, which she keeps at a friend's farm these days.

Nancy will be heading to college next year, and she has her sights set on becoming an agriculture teacher.  She says that she wants to have the impact on students that her ag teachers had on her.  That is a great goal!

Direct download: Nancy_Rivas_Episode_1985_-_13024_3.45PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

For Information Like Degrees Offered, Annual Costs, Etc., Please Click The Banner Below:

The Agricultural College Episode is designed to profile agricultural trade schools, junior colleges, colleges and universities around the U.S.  This episode is an effort to replicate the conversation that prospective students, parents and ag teachers might have with agricultural schools at trade show like the National FFA Convention.

Northwest Missouri State University is located in the middle of an agribusiness triangle made up of Omaha, Kansas City and Des Moines.  60% of the agriculture students here grew up on farms, 30% are from rural communities but not farms and 10% come from more urban areas with an interest in agriculture.  To facilitate this pragmatic education they offer a 448 acre learning farm with an agricultural learning center located there and more value added and direct to market facilities developing as we speak.

More Places You Can Listen to Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald:

 

 

 

 


On today's episode I am catching up with Zac Fralix from Southern Tennessee.  Zac was originally on the show in 2015 when he and his, now wife, were going gangbusters raising around 500 goats, teaching people to fit goats, showing goats and fitting on contract all around the country.  Sometime after that, with an urge to stay closer to home, Zach started a landscaping and lawn care business.  He ran that business for 5 years and sold it to take a job with his county.

Today, Zac is married with three kids, and he has been promoted to the assistant director role of their solid waste department.  He is in a stage of life in which his kids and family are taking priority.  The farming has ramped down, and the fitting and showing is only for friends and family.  However, when the day comes, Zac has already proved that he knows how to run a business and he has overcome the fear of doing so.  So, if he decides that is the life he wants at some time in the future, he will be ready to go!

 

Direct download: Zac_Fralix_Episode_1982_-_2224_5.21PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Spring is coming everyone, and it always makes me think about the spring of 2012.  Back then I had never started a business, but I had identified one that I wanted to start.  The first business I started was gopher extermination, and it was a seasonal business.  All winter and spring I had been getting cold feet and chickening out until one night at about 3am I sat straight up in bed and realized that if I did not get started I would have to wait a whole year more to begin because I would miss the season.

If you have been doing the same thing, the time is now!  Don't wait until May like I did.  Take a step forward and begin.  On today's show I want to go back to an interview about one such business.  If you are thinking about staring a custom fitting service, show season is coming!  Get started, and let this interview I did with Zach Fralix back in 2015 be your inspiration!

Direct download: OFI_1981_Replay_Of_093_-_13124_5.53PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Zach Gingras is his FFA Chapter's treasurer, a first year FFA student and the owner of a growing herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats with some outstanding genetics.  

Back in 2020, when Zach was bored to tears staying home during Covid, he was scrolling through the internet and found a video about goats.  This sparked an interest in him, and he decided to pursue it.  First things first though, he had to convince his mom to allow him to raise goats on the 1 acre that they called home.  With some stipulations she said yes, and Zach purchased his first three Nigerian Dwarf goats.

This has led to many things.  Today, Zach is searching the entire country for Nigerian Dwarves with the best genetics and confirmation.  He has a goal of raising a herd that produces a goat that will place in the top ten in the entire United States.  He just purchased a buckling all the way from Michigan in pursuit of this goal.  

During this time he was also recruited into the FFA officer team.  He had signed up for an agriculture class because of his interests, and his advisor convinced him to participate as an officer so he could go and experience the National Convention (only officers from Missisquoi attend).  He followed the advice and went.  Obviously more people than me are seeing Zach's potential in agriculture!

Direct download: Zach_Gingras_Episode_1980_-_13024_2.38PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Several years ago I did a series of episodes about the health benefits of entrepreneurship.  I was looking at those today and decided that I would record another episode about this very topic.  I think being an entrepreneur or small business owner is healthier for you than fighting the rat race to get to a career that is the wrong fit for you.  The main reason I believe this is how much stress is piling up on you that you cannot even detect when you are in that rat race situation.  Stick with me in this episode as I contrast the two very different parts of my life.

Direct download: OFI_1979_Tuesday_Episode_-_13124_9.52PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Adam Keir is his FFA chapter's Chaplain,  a musician,  a junior in high school and he is the winner of Pennsylvania's most improved award for the 1941 Farmall tractor that he restored.

There is something really special about Adam's story.  The farm that he lives on was started by his great grandfather, whom he was never able to meet.  However, the original tractor that was purchased for the farm was still there, waiting to be restored.  At the same time, Adam had enrolled in an agricultural mechanics course at his high school, and his instructor was looking for a student with a tractor that needed to be restored.  

Adam had this interest already, and his tractor was selected for this project.  This is what led Adam to join the FFA and enter in the competition that found his tractor to be the most improved.  Adam already has another tractor that he wants to restore that is on the families farm.  This one is a Ford 5,000.  However, this time he is on his own as the high school is restoring a different piece of equipment this year.  I believe that Adam is up to the challenge!

Direct download: Adam_Keir_Episode_1978_-_12924_3.28PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

For Information Like Degrees Offered, Annual Costs, Etc., Please Click The Banner Below:

The Agricultural College Episode is designed to profile agricultural trade schools, junior colleges, colleges and universities around the U.S.  This episode is an effort to replicate the conversation that prospective students, parents and ag teachers might have with agricultural schools at trade show like the National FFA Convention.

Hawkeye Community College is located right in the heart of production agriculture as well as being in the same city as John Deere's Manufacturing Plant.  Agribusiness is obviously relevant every direction you look at this 2 Year college.  However, in addition to large scale, agribusiness Hawkeye teaches entrepreneurship with real world examples of smaller, direct to consumer ag businesses so that an ag student can tailor their education to fit their vision.

More Places You Can Listen to Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald:

 

 

Direct download: Hawkeye_CC_Episode_1977_-_12923_12.10PM.mp3
Category:Agricultural Colleges -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Tip Of The Week

Livestock hoarding is a mental illness, that livestock producers need to be on the lookout for.

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://myvalleynews.com/blog/2024/02/01/sheriffs-rural-crime-team-assists-in-anza/

https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-courts/record-low-crime-black-hawk-county-2023/article_2a920050-c05b-11ee-bfb7-5300a0cf9ae5.html

https://www.exploreclarion.com/2024/02/01/local-man-accused-of-ordering-timber-company-to-cut-down-over-70-trees-on-neighbors-property/

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/crime/2024/01/31/thieves-target-farm-in-rural-south-shropshire-stealing-quad-bike-say-police-as-they-launch-appeal/

https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/gardai-investigating-theft-of-cattle-in-co-monaghan/

Africa

https://www.rnews.co.za/photos-owner-of-these-cattle-wanted/

https://thewhistler.ng/police-recover-cows-donkey-from-cattle-rustlers-in-sokoto/

https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2024-01-31-night-milking-suspect-arrested/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/local_news/farmers-found-guilty-in-bird-poisoning-incident/article_c9af9ecc-becb-11ee-9e17-97ec2cacaf7d.html

https://www.niagara-gazette.com/news/crime/woman-charged-with-more-than-150-counts-of-animal-cruelty/article_9153326a-c09b-11ee-8c5a-af15fa48ed1b.html

Direct download: OFI_1976_Rural_Crime_-_2224_11.31AM.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Reagan Long is the Chapter President of the Shield's Valley FFA Chapter and owns his own lawn care company, and yes, his first employee was his own father.  Way back in the 7th Grade one of Reagan's neighbors asked him if he would be willing to mow their lawn for money.  Neither of them knew it at the time, but this was the launch of a great lawn care business.

Reagan took that job and things started to grow.  By the 9th grade, Reagan had a client list of 6 lawns to mow, and he was ready to start branching out and taking jobs that were beyond walking distance from his house.  So, he did what anyone would naturally do, he asked his dad for a ride.  However, in either Reagan or his father's wisdom, his dad was brought on as an employee so Reagan could learn the realities of a business decision like this.  It worked out, and things have only advanced from there.

Today Reagan has three full-time employees during the summers, his own truck and a myriad of equipment he uses in the business.  All of this has come from reinvesting profits.  He will graduate from high school this summer and his going away to college in the fall.  However, he plans to continue running the business during college and mowing lawns during the summers.

Direct download: Reagan_Long_Episode_1975_-_12924_12.16PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

If you listened to my Tuesday episode this week, then you know that one of the most important mentors I have in this entrepreneurial journey, Dan Miller, died in January after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December of 2023.  Dan is a great man who has inspired countless people to change their lives and life styles, including me.  In continuing tribute I wanted to replay this interview I did with Dan back in 2016 to give you another chance to be inspired by his words and outlook on life.

Direct download: OFI_1974_Replay_Of_330_-_13124_5.45PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Mercedes Jones is her chapter's historian and her district's sentinel, and she is only in her sophomore year of high school!  She is also the recipient of a $1,000 SAE grant for a flower business that she has been launch with her family on their farm in South Dakota.

Mercedes is in a unique position with both of her parents being full-time farmers.  This is the life that she has known since she was four years old and her family moved to the multi-generational farm and both of her parents left their city jobs to devote all of their time here.  Mercedes is learning that maintaining this lifestyle with revenue that is produced exclusively from the farm is a challenge, and it takes innovation and hard work to meet that challenge.  As a result, she and her family are in the development process of adding flowers as a crop on their farm, and developing their "direct to consumer" business model.  She has already become an expert in varieties of flowers as well as planting and preservation methods, and there is no doubt why she was awarded the grant.

Direct download: Mercedes_Jones_Episode_1973_-_12524_3.50PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

If you have listened to the Off-Farm Income Podcast for some time, then you have likely heard me speak of Dan Miller on more than one occasion.  Since 2009, Dan has been a mentor, inspiration and "permission giver" to me.  It was around 2009 that I decided that I wanted to change my life, and I started dreaming of entrepreneurship.  It was also then that I discovered Dan and started consuming his content.

Since that time I met Dan in person and became friends with him in 2015.  I talked all about this in episode #67.  In 2017 I had Dan on my show for the very first time on epsiode #330.  And, in 2022 I was a guest of Dan's as a featured entrepreneur for his private Eagles Community, which I recaptured on episode #1362.

Dan was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer on December 7th, 2023.  And he passed on January 23rd.  In today's episode I want to pay tribute to this man who has meant so much to me, and who helped to unlocked the door to the life I was dreaming about.

 
Direct download: OFI_1972_Tuesday_Episode_-_12924_11.33AM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Katie Dauch is her FFA Chapter's President, a junior in high school, a gardener, a food preserver and a very benevolent high school student.  Starting way back in elementary school, Katie and her mom started growing a raised bed garden at their home in Upstate New York for their own food production and food security.  They used canning methods to preserve food for themselves, and between what they grew and what they purchased they put away food for the winter.

This is what led Katie to take her first agriculture class and ultimately to become involved in the FFA.  She and her mom are still growing vegetables in their raised beds and canning them.  It was the involvement in the FFA that led to Katie's SAE.  Seeing that the school was producing more vegetables in it's community garden than was being consumed, Katie decided to preserve those vegetables in the same manner that she did at home.  However, once they were preserved she donated them to food banks around her community.  There are three food banks that are happy to accept the preserved vegetables and soups that Katie and her mom make, and her community is the better for having her!

Direct download: Katie_Dauch_Episode_1971_-_12224_2.09PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

For Information Like Degrees Offered, Annual Costs, Etc., Please Click The Banner Below:

  

The Agricultural College Episode is designed to profile agricultural trade schools, junior colleges, colleges and universities around the U.S.  This episode is an effort to replicate the conversation that prospective students, parents and ag teachers might have with agricultural schools at trade show like the National FFA Convention.

Have you ever heard of "Laradise"?  Well, I had not either.  That is how the folks living and going to college in Laramie, Wyoming describe where they live.  This is the location of the only university in the state of Wyoming, The University Of Wyoming.  Being the only university in a geographically large state with a very low population opens up an immensely diverse set of opportunities for students.  Agriculture, wildlife and topography is very diverse throughout the state from Yellowstone National Park on the western edge to Mid-West style farming on the east, and much in between.

More Places You Can Listen to Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald:

 

 

 

Direct download: University_Of_Wyoming_Episode_1970_-_121323_10.26AM.mp3
Category:Agricultural Colleges -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Tip Of The Week

Fact check whenever you can, especially before taking a stand

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/can-mississippi-strip-felons-including-tree-thieves-of-voting-rights-federal-judges-hear-the-case/27XRCH5UNRG7HJR6SGYTIYJG4Q/

https://www.lancasterfarming.com/farming-news/news/minnesota-dairy-accused-of-3m-wage-theft-after-failing-to-pay-workers/article_0f216731-b7fa-5f4c-9813-3f9f3b9dbe6e.html

https://www.abc15.com/news/region-southeast-valley/gilbert/its-heartbreaking-az-horse-rescue-says-its-work-is-set-back-a-year-after-theft

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-68091251

https://www.northants.police.uk/news/northants/news/news/2024/january/two-dogs-seized-after-livestock-killed-in-braybrooke/

https://www.theleader.com.au/story/8494442/mudgee-robbery-crackdown-as-strike-force-uji-arrest-two-suspects/

Africa

https://capitalradio.co.ug/news/2024-01-25-stolen-cows-given-a-ride-in-land-cruiser/

https://factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com.34GQ62J

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/jan/25/amish-horse-buggy-stolen-walmart

https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/crime/second-teen-arrested-after-14-lambs-mown-down-in-field?utm_source=homelatestnews

 

More Places You Can Listen to Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald:

 

 

Direct download: OFI_1969_Rural_Crime_-_12624_12.02PM.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Dr. Alan Harrelson is a history professor at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.  In his dissertation he focused on Agrarian Society in the Antebellum South.  He also has a successful Youtube channel, website and podcast in which he discusses these ideas as a corollary to one of his passions, tobacco pipes and the accompanying lifestyle.

I discovered Dr. Harrelson some months back through his Youtube channel and have enjoyed his ideas on what it means to be an agrarian as well as the history of agriculture looked at from this perspective.  I also find myself aligned with him when it comes to personal choices of how to live life, why we bought agricultural land and the rewards that come from such choices.  I am thrilled that he is joining me on today's episode.

 
Direct download: Alan_Harrelson_Episode_1968_-_12424_2.26PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

On tomorrow's Ag Business Episode, I am profiling a gentleman that I connected with through the hobby of pipe smoking.  That got me thinking about if I had ever profiled anyone on the show who grew tobacco, and I was so pleased to be reminded of this great interview with Lorrie Barron that I did two years ago.  In addition to so much more, they grow speciality tobacco on their farm in Southern Virginia, and I am thrilled to play their episode again.

Direct download: OFI_1967_Re-Cap_1323_-_12524_3.28PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 3:39pm MDT

Mya Ibarra is a junior in high school and the historian of her FFA Chapter.  She is also an amazing human.  Coming from a non-agricultural background, she was enticed into an FFA meeting by pizza when she was in the 7th Grade.  Since then, she has become very involved and things have taken off for her.  She also plays three sports, including basketball, and she had never shot a basketball prior to going out for the team during her sophomore year!  If that is not enough, she has aspirations of becoming a physician, and science and math are her strongest subjects!

When it came time to develop an SAE, Mya gave it some serious thought.  She looked around and thought about the teachers she had throughout her school life so far and realized how much work they put in, even at home.  Mya believes that teachers are under appreciated, so she decided to start a subscription flower service to bring smiles to their faces.

Mya began purchasing flowers from a farm about 45 minutes away and selling monthly subscription services to teachers and staff at her school at a very low cost.  She doesn't have any profit motive.  She simply wants to brighten the day of these great women and men.  So, she charges only $5/month, just enough to cover her costs and allow her to continue providing flowers to these folks!

Direct download: Mya_Ibarra_Episode_1966_-_11924_11.03AM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Welcome to the Farm Update show for this week.  Today, I am going to be speaking about a new testimonial for a product that was sent to me - Hen Gear's 54" laying box.  Hint: So far, I am very pleased.  I will also be discussing:

  • The ever changing weather conditions on our farm.
  • A car sliding into our fence
  • A snow load related insurance claim at a rental house
Direct download: OFI_1965_Tuesday_Episode_-_12224_2.01PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Maverick Scheckel is just a sophomore in high school, but he is already the proprietor of two businesses and has developed a skill set that is going to serve him well for the rest of his life.  Mentored by his father and working his father's large equipment "buy/sell" business, Maverick learned a lot about repairing equipment.  This includes both working on engines and welding.

Maverick has taken what he has learned both from the business side and the skill sets to form two impressive businesses.  First is "Scheckel Buy/Sell" which is similar to his father's buy/sell business.  Rather than focusing on large equipment, Maverick focuses on small equipment like pickups, atv's and motorcycles.  He purchases them in poor condition at bargain prices, fixes them up and then flips them.

Maverick has been welding since he was in the 6th grade, and he now can use all methods.  This has led him to start "Scheckel Welding".  He does repairs for his father's business, friends and farmers in his area.  And, he is just launching a project to start fabricating gates and selling them around Bellevue as there are none available anywhere close.

Direct download: Maverick_Scheckel_Episode_1964_-_11824_8.39AM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

For Information Like Degrees Offered, Annual Costs, Etc., Please Click The Banner Below:

The Agricultural College Episode is designed to profile agricultural trade schools, junior colleges, colleges and universities around the U.S.  This

episode is an effort to replicate the conversation that prospective students, parents and ag teachers might have with agricultural schools at trade show like the National FFA Convention.

[caption id="attachment_421490" align="alignright" width="125"] Ashlyn Cook-Huggins: Student Ambassador[/caption]

Seward County Community College is an agricultural program that is on the rise.  Will Milashoski and his wife, Rachael, were both just hired last year to teach and start rebuilding the agriculture program there.  Already the enrollment has increased from 6 agriculture students to 25.  In addition, they are rebuilding the livestock judging team and bringing in students to participate, such as Ashlyn Cook-Huggins, who joins Will on today's episode.  With very reasonable tuition and an easy path to having non-resident tuition waived, this could be the exact spot for you to being your pursuit of an agricultural career.

More Places You Can Listen to Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald:

 

 

 

Direct download: Seward_County_CC_Episode_1963_-_12423_2.47PM.mp3
Category:Agricultural Colleges -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Tip Of The Week

What is “broken windows policing”?

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://vtdigger.org/2024/01/18/final-reading-vermont-lawmakers-try-again-to-rein-in-timber-theft/

https://www.kxii.com/2024/01/18/copper-stolen-choctaw-county-radio-tower-found-paris/

https://www.northcentralpa.com/news/crime/police-looking-for-stolen-tractor/article_de077596-b53b-11ee-a4e7-d3a713ccf172.html

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.farmersguide.co.uk/rural/rural-crime/nfu-calls-for-action-after-defra-fly-tipping-figures-published/

https://au.news.yahoo.com/bramley-fourteen-lambs-mown-down-121418765.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAEAx_WzHJ5HMgDIMuAqzdE3en5oSyJJLp-EY2fMH--dRfOwGmdKZfL_NAhWcgxQeEmZHUoN3NTdw6mqlECcpUAyAbL5LX61Bd6mbOKxlAxkKiecJSPRRV-bumvseVXdn28gGHtiyLt6npUnGKmCt77Bat1Q1Ak1sAONaomdHBCy2

Africa

https://www.citizen.digital/wananchi-reporting/laikipia-alarm-over-rising-cases-of-livestock-theft-as-100-cows-150-goats-stolen-n335016

https://bnnbreaking.com/breaking-news/crime/unrelenting-crime-wave-hits-ugunja-sub-county-residents-cry-out-for-help/

https://www.guwahatiplus.com/assam/mob-lynching-kills-alleged-cattle-thief-in-morigaon

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.bakersfield.com/news/district-attorney-investigators-find-stolen-tractor/article_a9612d66-b679-11ee-9b1f-4718f22b5b7b.html

https://www.wafb.com/2024/01/18/3-arrested-after-multiple-atvs-stolen-baker/

More Places You Can Listen to Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald:

 

 

Direct download: OFI_1962_Rural_Crime_-_11924_12.22PM.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Lauren Schroeder is an amazing humanitarian, farmer and FFA student.  During Covid, when she was in the 8th Grade, she started volunteering in her community and made an observation.  She noticed that in the meals available to people there was no fresh produce.  The timing of this observation coincided with her beginning her FFA career and needing to develop a supervised agricultural experience.

Lauren decided to plant a garden and donate 100% of the production to those in need.  A very benevolent SAE was born.  Starting her 9th grade year, she planted 1/2 acre with a variety of vegetables, ultimately donating them to multiple different organizations around her community.  During the summer between her sophomore and junior year she increased her production to 1 acre and donated over 7,000 lbs of vegetables.  She has two summers left while she is in high school FFA and wants to increase production this year to 1.5 acres and finally 2 acres with a total of 20,000 lbs of vegetables.  It is an unbelievable story and goal, but she has proven that she can do it, and there is no doubt that she will!

Direct download: Lauren_Schroeder_Episode_1961_-_11724_7.19PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Chase Krug was already doing amazing things when I first interviewed him in 2016.  Since then he has gone on to even more amazing accomplishments.  I was able to meet him in person in Indianapolis when he won the American Star Award for Agriscience Research.  And, I am happy to profile him again today on our re-cap episode.

Direct download: Chase_Krug_Episode_1960_-_11824_10.09AM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 10:13am MDT

Aidan Yaddof is a sophomore in high school, sentinel of his FFA chapter, a two time SAE grant recipient, and hunter and a pheasant producer.  Growing up in eastern Iowa on his families four acres, Aidan has always been around livestock and agriculture.  This engagement with livestock and farming led him to join the FFA in the 8th grade, and he found that he really enjoyed the organization.  This has led Aidan to become very active in his chapter with aspirations of serving at the district and state level as well.

Aidan has also been hunting all of his life, and over time he has noticed smaller numbers of pheasants in his area.  He researched this and confirmed that counts of pheasants had been steadily declining.  This knowledge, in combination with his introduction to the FFA and the need for an SAE, led him to pheasant production.  Aidan started a pheasant production business with two goals.  First, is to make revenue by selling pheasants, mostly roosters.  Second, to help grow the pheasant population in the area by releasing birds into the wild, mostly hens.  

Aidan has been doing this for two years now, and twice he has been awarded an SAE grant to help him grow and improve his business.  He has long term aspirations for both the business and what he can achieve with it in the FFA.  Aidan is currently in the process of applying for a state proficiency award, and he hopes that this will one day lead to a national proficiency award in Indianapolis.  

Direct download: Aidan_Yaddof_Episode_1959_-_11624_5.03PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

We have been experiencing actual winter on the farm ever since we got back from our tropical vacation.  It is funny how things get more complicated with even a little snow and frigid temperatures.  Today, I will talk all about it.

More Places You Can Listen to Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald:

 

 

 

Direct download: OFI_1958_Tuesday_Episode_-_11524_12.41PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Abby Kolousek is a 6th Generation Farmer on her families property in Eastern South Dakota.  When she was first getting started in the FFA a neighbor was getting out of goats and gave her family a Nigerian Dwarf Buck.  There was something about the personality of a goat that was intriguing to Abby, and she started building a herd of the same breed.

At its peak, Abby had about 20 nannies.  However, she is scaling down a little bit with the knowledge that she will be graduating high school this year and leaving for college.  So, she is cutting the herd back in preparation to transition the project to her younger sister.

Abby sells the Nigerian Dwarf kids as pets to other families in the area.  In doing so, she had to develop marketing skills in order to be able to get them all sold.  This sparked an interest in Abby that has led to her choice of major.  Abby is planning on getting a degree in marketing and looking for a career position that will allow her to work remotely.  This will enable her to return home after college and start developing a goat herd again.

If you would be interested in seeing more of what Abby has done or purchasing a goat from her, you can find more information on the Kolousek Farms Website.

Direct download: Abby_Kolousek_Episode_1957_-_121523_2.02PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

For Information Like Degrees Offered, Annual Costs, Etc., Please Click The Banner Below:

The Agricultural College Episode is designed to profile agricultural trade schools, junior colleges, colleges and universities around the U.S.  This episode is an effort to replicate the conversation that prospective students, parents and ag teachers might have with agricultural schools at trade show like the National FFA Convention.

Laramie County Community College, "L - Triple C", is the only college in the capital city of Cheyanne, Wyoming.  Being in close proximity to the University of Wyoming, the Colorado Rocky Mountain Front, Denver and being the home of Cheyenne Frontier Days, LCCC offers some very unique opportunities at the community college level.  From working with horses to collegiate livestock showing to internships in rodeo this is a fantastic place to get your start in agriculture, especially if Western Sports, Western Heritage or Western Lifestyle is what you are after.

More Places You Can Listen to Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald:

 

 

Direct download: LCCC_Episode_1956_-_12723_12.33PM.mp3
Category:Agricultural Colleges -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Tip Of The Week

Whose that knocking at my door?

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://wtop.com/crime/2024/01/fairfax-co-police-on-hunt-for-rose-ruse-burglars/

https://www.ketk.com/news/crime-public-safety/tractor-front-loader-backhoe-attachment-reported-stolen-in-camp-county/

https://www.cbs19.tv/article/news/local/2-horses-go-missing-in-smith-county/501-8fc4dfae-ea7f-4db7-92e8-2f9a1ec3ddcd

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.southwestfarmer.co.uk/news/24016466.men-found-farm-machinery-stolen-somerset-sentenced/

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-67951638

https://crimestoppers-uk.org/news-campaigns/news/2024/jan/rural-domestic-abuse-–-speaking-up-can-save-lives

Africa

https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/crime/perjury-false-kidnapping-cases-11-january-2024/

https://www.farmersweekly.co.za/agri-news/south-africa/alert-farmers-and-workers-reduce-incidence-of-stock-theft/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/jersey-county-compact-track-loader-theft-leads-18600487.php

https://goldrushcam.com/sierrasuntimes/index.php/news/local-news/52970-kern-county-sheriff-s-office-rural-crime-unit-arrest-three-suspects-in-attempted-copper-wire-theft

 

More Places You Can Listen to Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald:

 

Direct download: OFI_1955_Rural_Crime_-_11224_2.53PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

An interesting dynamic of our world today is the news cycle.  We know about more of the most horrific events and suffering in the world than any of our predecessors.  However, it turns out that there are a lot of very bad stories out there, each of them compelling.  As such, we have the strange phenomena of hearing about something in another part of the world that causes us great consternation in the short term, but is then replaced by another horrific event that causes us to slowly withdraw concern or even forget about the first event.  And the cycle repeats itself.

Just because we experience this phenomena, does not mean that any of the problems we initially heard about have been fixed or even improved.  It just means that they are not being talked about on a large scale any longer.  But somewhere, there are people still dealing with the issue that still need help.

In 2021, the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan after being omnipresent in that country for two decades.  This created a vacuum that the Taliban quickly filled, and it put the people who worked with the U.S. in our efforts in peril.  This was a great crisis and huge news story at the time, and it compelled me to interview Caroline Clarin, a woman who I had read about that was helping families from Afghanistan that she had come to know when she was doing agricultural work there between 2009 and 2011.

On today's show we are following up with Caroline.  She is still very involved in this work, and her efforts have now evolved into a 501(c)(3) called the Friends And Allies Project where she and her team are working to support five families who made it out of Afghanistan but are stuck in Pakistan trying to get Visas that will allow them to come to the U.S.

 
Direct download: Caroline_Clarin_Episode_1954_-_1924_2.47PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

On tomorrow's Friday episode I am featuring an episode with previous guest, Caroline Clarin.  Caroline first came on the show in 2021 during Christmas, and we discussed the situation with people in Afghanistan who had helped out the United States since the war began there in 2001.  The United States had just pulled out of Afghanistan, and many of them were now in danger because of the return of the Taliban.  On tomorrow's show, Caroline is coming back on to give us an update on that situation, so today I'll play her first episode again to give you an idea of the before and after picture.

Direct download: OFI_1953_Replay_Of_1264_-_11124_3.31PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 3:42pm MDT

Morelia Vieyra Santana is a 2023 National Proficiency Winner in the category of Equine Science.  She is also a previous guest on the Off-Farm Income Podcast, appearing when she was a sophomore in high school in 2021.

When I first interviewed Morelia, I was taken with how bold she was in her role at her families horse boarding, training and events business in Madera, California.  Not only was she working steadily in the business, but she was taking ownership of more than her assigned role and suggesting changes that she believed would improve their operation.

Knowing what I knew from our first meeting, it should have been no surprise to learn that she was a proficiency winner.  It should have also been no surprise to learn that she no longer considered her role just as a member of her family and her families business.  Today, she sees her role as representing her Mexican Heritage and that style of horsemanship as an ambassador to the greater agriculture community in the Central Valley of California.

Morelia is attending Fresno State University and studying agriculture business.  She plans on using what she learns in college to improve the business side of her families business.  At the same time, she wants to spread Mexican Horse Dancing to an even wider group of people and audience.  She sees it as her role to make this part of her heritage more pervasive and known to a much larger audience than it currently enjoys.

 

Direct download: Morelia_Santana_Episode_1952_-_121423_3.00PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Autumm, Hattie and I have just returned from 10 days on the Island of Roatan in Honduras.  That is why you have been hearing "best of" episodes for the past two weeks.  Hattie and I are now certified SCUBA divers, and I've got a lot to tell you in today's farm update!

Direct download: OFI_1951_Tuesday_Episode_-_1824_3.53PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

James Titus is a 4th generation farmer on his families property in Valley Home, California.  James is also the oldest son of one of my oldest and dearest friends, who I grew up with in Valley Home.

Beginning as a small village made up of German immigrants at the turn of the 20th's Century, Valley Home had two different names.  First, as a small railroad water stop it was referred to as "Clyde".  After the Germans came it was referred to as "Thalheim", German for home in the valley.  During World War I, out of respect for their American countryman, the residents changed the name to its English translation - Valley Home.

Among these first residents were the Benedix family, from whom James is descended.  I knew James' Great Grandfather, Rich, when I was just a boy.  Back then, the primary crop grown in Valley Home was rice.  Rich farmed rice and he was assisted by James' grandfather Fred, who I knew very well.

Today, James is "farming" on a much smaller scale than his grandfather and great grandfather.  However, the Benedix legacy of agriculture in Valley Home is being kept alive by James and his family with the goat herd they keep at the home site that his Great Grandfather Rich once owned, was sold out of the family and then purchased back by James' parents.  There are thousands of stories and legacies like this, all over the U.S.  James' story is just one, but it is one that is still taking place in a small town that is specially tied to the Off-Farm Income Podcast.

Direct download: James_Titus_Episode_1950_-_121423_2.05PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

For Information Like Degrees Offered, Annual Costs, Etc., Please Click The Banner Below:

The Agricultural College Episode is designed to profile agricultural trade schools, junior colleges, colleges and universities around the U.S.  This episode i

s an effort to replicate the conversation that prospective students, parents and ag teachers might have with agricultural schools at trade show like the National FFA Convention.

 

Auburn University seems to have endless opportunities for both agriculture and natural resources students.  In today's episode I speak with the largest cast of guests I have ever had appear on one interview.  Between the five of them there is fantastic information about this historic university, and I hope it is of great use to you.

  • Madisen Cope - Student Recruitment Administrator
  • Brooke Martin - Student Recruitment Administrator
  • Lexi Garret - Student Ambassador
  • Abbie Star - Student Ambassador
  • Jose Wolan - Student Ambassador
Direct download: Auburn_University_Episode_1935_-_113023_7.24PM.mp3
Category:Agricultural Colleges -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Tip Of The Week

Consider using an alarm system with video incorporated to get a faster response from law enforcement.

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.ky3.com/2021/08/13/thief-steals-tractor-john-deere-gator-skyline-school-district/

https://www.wtvq.com/2021/08/10/in-two-cases-boyle-authorities-need-info-on-theft-suspect-stolen-atv/

https://www.wdbj7.com/2021/08/09/search-pittsylvania-county-tractor-thief/

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/people/earls-barton-family-business-welcomes-robocop-style-crime-fighting-automated-guard-3342497

https://uknip.co.uk/breaking/news-269821/rural-crime-investigators-are-appealing-for-information-after-two-sheep-were-killed-in-a-field-near-sittingbourne/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.wrdw.com/2021/08/09/ga-deputies-shoot-man-chase-after-rural-mail-carrier-killed/

https://www.farminguk.com/news/man-who-stole-87k-worth-of-sheep-handed-prison-sentence_58730.html

More Places You Can Listen to Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald:

 

 

 

 

Direct download: OFI_1948_Replay_1156_-_121423_7.54PM.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Today I get to profile another national star finalist.  Murdock Wynn will be up on the stage in Indianapolis just days after this interview is released.  How did he get there?  Working on his families farm on a sow to weaner operation.

The numbers of pigs they are raising there is staggering.  With their sow numbers they are raising around 65,000 pigs per year and selling them.  Those are unbelievable numbers.  Something a very casual pig farmer like myself cannot even imagine.

Making this number even more unbelievable is the amount of artificial insemenation that takes place to keep the sows bred and producing pigs.  It is really phenomenal.

If this were not enough, Murdock and his family also raise commercial cattle on their land.  Murdock has dove right in, and is also studying agricultural business at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Southern Georgia.

Direct download: OFI_1947_Replay_701_-_121423_7.33PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

How would you like to start your farming endeavor, come up with a business model and then find out that the demand for what you were producing was way bigger than you ever expected?  Well, that is exactly what happened to Steve Horton and his wife, Lyn.

Steve's wife Lyn has always wanted to have a farm where they sold raw milk.  After about 20 years of waiting, she and Steve decided to put in a modern, milking barn on their small farm north of Dallas, Texas. They went through the entire process of getting certified and inspected, and they reached a point in which they were legally able to sell raw milk.

Soon, they had a big customer base wanting to purchase raw milk from both their goats and cattle.  Then they started getting requests for other products, so they began selling grass fed meat that they purchased from other farms in their area.  They also started making and selling cheese, yogurt and other products.

Steve and Lyn live in a rapidly expanding rural interface to the north of Dallas, and in this area people are passionate about purchasing food raised the way they want it raised.  Steve states that in this segment of agriculture there is room for a lot of farmers.  Instead of competing with each other, farmers can work in collaboration with each other for the betterment of everyone.

 

Direct download: OFI_1946_Replay_716_-_121423_7.40PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

The "can do" spirit of the students that I get to interview for the Off-Farm Income Podcast is truly remarkable.  In today's episode I am fortunate to interview another one of those students who just blows away my pre-conceived notions of what high school students are capable of.

Katie Nealen was just finishing up her junior year of high school when we recorded this episode.  She has a love for animals and she obviously has a talent for working with them.  Katie had already been awarded a state proficiency award from the State of Pennsylvania for animal care as a result of her work with animals.

Katie trains and sells border collies as herding dogs for working goats, sheep and cattle.  Her business is called Kat Slash Farm.  She also captures and trains raptors for hunting and raises goats and dairy cattle. She has her sights set on veterinary school once she is done with high school, and her love of working with animals makes this an obvious choice.

Direct download: OFI_1945_Replay_849_-_121423_7.50PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Entrepreneurship is a very fun and rewarding journey.  But just like anything else there are highs and lows to this journey.  The problem with entrepreneurship is that some of the highs can be so high, that a low that would seem normal for an everyday employee might seem like the Marianas Trench to an entrepreneur.

Direct download: OFI_1944_Replay_531_-_121423_7.18PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Happy New Year's Everyone.  This is always a fun episode because we announce the results of our silly,
agricultural survey, Autumm and Hattie come on the show and we give away prizes.

This year's episode was recorded remotely in Texas!  We are in the midst of an epic trip exploring Texas history, the Southern Border and a watering point on the Goodnight/Loving Trail.  Enjoy the photos!

Thank you all for another great year!  We could not do this without you, and we will be forever grateful.

Direct download: OFI_1943_Replay_547_-_121423_7.29PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

This week we have a special Rural Crime Episode for you.  I am speaking with Philip Clarke, the executive Editor of Farmer's Weekly.  Farmer's Weekly is a publication based in the United Kingdom.

I have been reading so many stories about rural crime in the U.K. that I wanted to speak with somebody who understood the scope and specifics of the issues there better than me.  It seems that three out of every four articles I read about rural crime in the U.K. are published by Farmer's Weekly, so that seemed like a good place to begin my search.

I was very fortunate that Philip was willing to take the time to come on the show.  In the interview we talk about whether or not there really is a large problem with rural crime in the U.K.  We also discuss the specific problems they are facing, we clarify some terms and we discuss the differences between the U.S. and U.K.

You are going to really enjoy this very interesting interview.

Direct download: OFI_1941_Replay_Phillip_Clarke_-_121423_8.04PM.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Merry Christmas everyone!  I always love creating and recording our Christmas episode for your each year.  However, this year is a little bit different.  This year I have a guest on the show for Christmas who is a person who has done something very compassionate for people who are unbelievably less fortunate than anyone born here in the United States Of America.

You may remember from our rural crime episode #1240 that the final story I covered was about a woman named Caroline Clarin in Fergus Falls, Minnesota who had been helping families to escape Afghanistan and come to the United States.  She has initially been introduced to these families through her work as an agricultural advisor, through the USDA, in Afghanistan.  And of course after being there, meeting these families and seeing the poverty, corruption and violence for herself she was compelled to help them leave.

After covering that first story, I decided to reach out to Caroline and see if she would do an interview to discuss the amazing humanitarian work she had done and was still doing as part of our Christmas episode.  It turned out that the original story I had read mis-represented what had actually happened a little bit.  Today, she is on our show to discuss some of what she learned in Afghanistan, how she helped to get families out, what it was like when she learned the U.S. was pulling out of Afghanistan in August of 2021 and what she is still striving to do.

I cannot imagine anything more Christmasy, regardless of your belief system, than what Caroline did between 2013 and 2021 in helping five families relocate to the U.S. from Afghanistan or what she is still striving to do.  So, Merry Christmas everyone, and her is a heart warming story to help you appreciate just how good we have it in the U.S.

Direct download: OFI_1964_Replay_1264_-_121423_7.08PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Our guest today is very good at keeping a secret!  At almost the moment that we finished our interview, he ended the call and proposed to his girlfriend!  And, I would not be including this in the show notes if she had not said yes.  Congratulations to the happy couple!

Well, Landon Wenger is certainly laying the foundations for the rest of his life.  At age 19 he has been named as a state winner in Ohio for agricultural sales entrepreneurship proficiency.  This stemmed from him purchasing his own Christmas Tree farm when was just sixteen years of age!  It is called "Wenger's Winter Greens" and he has been steadily planting trees every year so that he has trees to sell every year.

I have always been curious about how this business works with the slow return on investment.  In today's episode Landon will help to break all of that down for us.  He will also talk about his vegetable production business and his time in the FFA.

Direct download: OFI_1939_Replay_843_-_121423_7.45PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Today's episode is a "best of" episode.  I interviewed FFA students from all over the U.S. last Christmas about the community service projects they were doing, and I wanted to bring it back to you this year.

Direct download: OFI_1938_Replay_1576_-_121423_7.58PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Starting tomorrow and going through the 6th of January, I am running "best of" episodes.  I can do 7 episodes per week, but I need a break! And I am taking one.  I hope you enjoy the memories everyone!

 

Direct download: OFI_1937__-_121423_7.06PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Merry Christmas everyone...just a quick check in to say I appreciate you on this most special of holidays!

 

Direct download: OFI_1936_Christmas_Day_-_121423_7.04PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Christmas is a very special time of year, and it is really where the community service portion of the FFA can shine.  On today's episode we are going to profile a chapter, Northwestern FFA from West Salem, Ohio, that shines very bright at this time of year by helping to provide much needed supplies for people all around the world.

Joining us today to represent Northwestern FFA is Kade Tegtmeier, the chapter president, and Kate Johnson, a assistant officer.  Both of these students have a passion for agriculture that cannot be contained just by the FFA, so they both continue to be involved in the 4H as well.  Led by their great FFA Advisors Kade and Kate, along with the rest of their chapter, get to provide service every Christmas while at the same time being reminded of how fortunate we all are here in the U.S.

Direct download: Northwestern_FFA_Episode_1935_-_12623_11.44AM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Tip Of The Week

Don’t lose money by saving electricity at Christmas

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://ruralradio.com/kneb-am/news/cheyenne-co-sheriffs-office-investigating-stolen-truck-and-firearm/

https://www.powelltribune.com/stories/former-officer-convicted-of-stealing-horse-lying-to-forest-service,110407

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.farmersjournal.ie/news/news/quads-worth-40-000-stolen-in-donegal-797290

https://www.bucksherald.co.uk/news/crime/equipment-and-tools-stolen-in-late-night-burglary-of-aylesbury-farm-4445889

Africa

https://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-and-courts/five-years-in-jail-for-limpopo-farm-manager-convicted-of-stealing-and-selling-cattle-evading-court-5039d8c1-8853-4880-958b-2cd68390deda

https://www.channelstv.com/2023/12/14/police-rescue-263-kidnap-victims-in-katsina-kill-12-suspected-terrorists-in-six-months/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://news.yahoo.com/isp-pursuit-suspect-found-under-045900054.html

https://marketrealist.com/how-did-this-farm-couple-steer-a-9-million-insurance-fraud/

More Places You Can Listen to Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald:

 

 

Direct download: OFI_1934_Rural_Crime_-_121523_4.44PM.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Julia McCarthy is a farmer, rancher and freelance writer from Grangeville, Idaho.  Several months back I read an article of hers in a publication about agriculture in my state called Ag Proud Idaho.  The topic caught my eye and I liked the writing, so I invited Julia to be a guest on the show.  Finally, we got the interview done.  

Freelance writing is one of my favorite forms of off-farm income.  It can be done anywhere, and it significantly predates podcasting.  In today's episode Julia talks about her path to becoming a freelance writer, some of the hard lessons she has learned and some tips and tricks of the trade.  If this is something you are considering for your off-farm income, in any topic area, this episode is a must for you!

Direct download: Julia_McCarthy_Episode_1933_-_121223_6.56PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

On tomorrow's Ag Business Episode I am profiling a freelance, agricultural writer.  This is one of my favorite forms of off-farm income.  For today's re-cap episode I went back to episode #1233 and an interview I did with Rachel Gabel of the "The Fence Post Magazine".  In this interview we talked a lot about how freelance writers can get started and be successful, but we did it from the editor's perspective.  I thought this was the perfect tie in for tomorrow's show where we will hear this from a writer's perspective.

 

Direct download: OFI_1932_Re-Cap_Episode_-_121323_1.38PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Lillie Cagle is a 2023 National Proficiency Winner in the category of Agricultural Education.  She is also a Tennessee State Officer and a previous guest on this show.  Lillie just appeared on Off-Farm Income in April of 2023 after becoming a state officer.  She had a phenomenal SAE and was doing a ton of good for agriculture.  In just the span of 6 months from being on the show she found herself on the big stage in Indianapolis receiving an National Proficiency Award for her efforts.  I wanted to have her back on the show to tell her congratulations and to hear all about it!

Direct download: Lilly_Cagle_Episode_1931_-_121323_2.25PM.mp3
Category:FFA -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

A quick farm update for all of you today, and a sure fire method for keeping any livestock or dogs from going under your fences.

 

Direct download: OFI_1930_Tuesday_Episode_-_121423_7.02PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Teak Barhaug is the past president of the Alaska FFA, a current student at the University Of Alaska - Fairbanks and a former resident of Wyoming.  When Teak's father transferred to Alaska to finish his career in the National Forest Service it came at a bit of a price.  Teak's mother, Kimberly, was a former FFA member, Teak's brother had been involved in the 4h and was progressing into the FFA and Teak had been involved in the 4H and was planning on progressing to the FFA.  However, there was no FFA Chapter in Seward, where they would be attending high school.

So, Teak and his family took it upon themselves to form an FFA Chapter.  This happened with the minimum number of 10 members, and it took off from there.  This escalated all the way to Teak serving as the state president of Alaska.  During Teak's time in high school he worked in the agri-tourism industry, taking groups of tourists into the wilderness to pan for gold and teaching the how.  Today, Teak is studying biology and botany in college and is loving the life he has found in Alaska.

Direct download: Teak_Barhaug_Episode_1929_-_121223_3.30PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

For Information Like Degrees Offered, Annual Costs, Etc., Please Click The Banner Below:

The Agricultural College Episode is designed to profile agricultural trade schools, junior colleges, colleges and universities around the U.S.  This episode is an effort to replicate the conversation that prospective students, parents and ag teachers might have with agricultural schools at trade show like the National FFA Convention.

The University Of Missouri is a large university offering a robust agricultural program, and it also offers a non-resident tuition waiver to students coming from out of state.  I am always excited when I profile a college that makes this offer for out of state students, and Mizzou is on that list!  On today's interview I am speaking with the Director Of Student Recruitment, Kathleen Matz, as well as student ambassador, Grant Norfleet, who just happens to the newly elected, National FFA Secretary.

More Places You Can Listen to Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald:

 

 

 

Direct download: University_Of_Missouri_Episode_1928_-_112923_4.47PM.mp3
Category:Agricultural Colleges -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Tip Of The Week

What if you are attacked with pepper spray?

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/philly-man-charged-with-using-bear-spray-on-victim-in-nj-robbery/3715884/

https://salinapost.com/posts/8d9358f2-1c94-465a-9ae2-f48418f92e8f

https://www.nwestiowa.com/news/info-sought-on-gate-theft-by-sioux-center/article_7cf974e2-93a9-11ee-bd36-2b76307bc7b3.html

https://www.wrtv.com/news/wrtv-investigates/attracting-law-students-to-rural-counties-is-key-to-addressing-statewide-attorney-shortage

https://kchanews.com/2023/12/06/floyd-county-rural-law-enforcement-rates-going-up/

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://chatnewstoday.ca/2023/12/07/property-crime-unit-rounds-up-suspects-who-stole-ram-truck-cowboy-chaps-and-western-gear/

https://www.agriland.co.uk/farming-news/nottinghamshire-farm-suffers-thousands-of-pounds-of-damage-to-crops-from-quads/

Africa

https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/realtime/2023-12-07-two-shot-killed-in-banditry-attack-in-igembe/

https://ewn.co.za/2023/12/06/stop-farm-murders-phala-phala-burglary-has-made-farmers-targets-for-money

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.drovers.com/news/industry/iowa-cattleman-faces-30-years-fraud-theft

https://mageenews.com/maltb-investigators-recover-stolen-tractor-in-yazoo-county/

More Places You Can Listen to Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald:

 

 

Direct download: OFI_1927_Rural_Crime_-_12923_11.32AM.mp3
Category:rural crime -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

Forrest Pritchard is a regenerative and multi-generational farmer from the Shenandoah Valley of Northern Virginia.  His families roots on the farm go to the mid-1800's, and today he has transformed the look and production of the farm back to something that might resemble how farmsteads operated in that time.

Forrest was not always interested in regenerative, direct to consumer farming.  However, after trying to make it as a commodity based farmer, he went looking for larger profit margins, and this is where he landed.  It helped that this was a manner of farming that offered him the ability to provide service and food to his surrounding community.  He has been at it since the mid 1990's.

Forrest is co-author of the outstanding book, "Start Your Farm", that he wrote with Ellen Polishuk.  I first found out about this book after seeing a quote from it on a social media post discussing the fact that small farmers still choose the commodity based farming model even though their small acreages could never possibly produce a profit on those low margins due to lack of production capability.  This led me to want to know more.  The book is full of great advice, and it is the book I would write if I were ever to sit down to actually do it.  Thankfully, Ellen and Forrest have done it for me, and I can concentrate on podcasting!

Direct download: Forrest_Pritchard_Episode_1926_-_121223_7.17PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT

On tomorrow's Ag Business Episode I am speaking with a farmer and author who has written a book about how to start your farm.  I thought this interview that I did with Mara Fielder could bring some real life to the interview I am playing tomorrow.  On tomorrow's show we will talk about timing and things to take into consideration when beginning.  But, in this interview with Mara, we hear it from somebody who was going through it at the time, and it adds a sense of a first hand witness to the situation.

 

Direct download: OFI_1925_Replay_Of_1155_-_121323_3.44PM.mp3
Category:farming -- posted at: 12:30am MDT