Tip Of The Week

The legal system does work….

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.agdaily.com/crops/california-authorities-still-trying-to-solve-watermelon-caper/

https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/28/kansas-farmer-loses-appeal-in-bizarre-hog-effluent-disposal-trespassing-nuisance-case/

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.southwestfarmer.co.uk/news/23805448.police-appeal-56-sheep-stolen-woolavington/

https://www.farmersguardian.com/news/4124922/bales-hay-slashed-police-investigate

Africa

https://www.citizen.co.za/witness/news/pietermaritzburg/criminals-target-power-cables/

https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2023-09-28-five-suspected-rustlers-escape-death-as-their-vehicle-is-set-on-fire/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.klkntv.com/man-accused-of-igniting-hay-bales-burglarizing-northeast-nebraska-golf-course/

https://www.wctv.tv/2023/09/21/something-good-wcso-joins-4-h-hay-bale-contest-with-new-deputy/

https://www.fultonsun.com/news/2023/sep/27/man-sentenced-for-kingdom-city-farm-theft/

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Peggy Coffeen is a podcast host, farmer and seller of value added products. She also make a successful transition from a corporate career to self-employment after identifying two niche businesses and moving into them.

On today's ag business episode Peggy and I have an in depth conversation about the dynamics of moving to full time, self-employment.  We also talk about many of the pitfalls you will face along the way and the fear that will seek to stop you.  Peggy has a very unique perspective on identifying your target customer, and an interesting story that goes with that.  In addition, she started a very niched podcast after seeing a hole in the dairy world that she believed needed to filled.

Come along for an inspiring and very interesting interview today!

On tomorrow's Ag Business Episode we are going to be profiling an entrepreneur who transitioned from a full-time corporate career to being a full-time entrepreneur.  In the spirit of what I normally do, I wanted to pull an episode from the archives that tied in with tomorrow's theme.  I believe that this interview with Daryl Mast of Doorstep Dairy does so nicely.  From the transition to the family legacy, this episode has it all.

Daniel Jossund is a 2023 American Star Farmer Finalist.  I met him for the first time in this interview, but what an impressive resume he put forward.  He has been farming corn, wheat, soybeans, barley and sugar beets with his family his entire life.  However, at the beginning of his FFA career he joined his brother in a straw bailing business, and actually purchased his own bailer.

The purchase of that bailer was just the beginning for Daniel.  Soon he was leasing ground from his grandmother and growing wheat and soybeans.  Then he leased some ground from his chapter and began growing alfalfa.  Just after graduation from high school he purchased 150 acres of his own and diversified even more.  

Daniel is currently in college at North Dakota State University studying agricultural business and minoring in banking.  When I asked him what was next for him, after college, without hesitation but with full confidence he said "full time farming".  He is already well on his way to that dream, and her is wishing him the best of luck at the National Convention!

A while back I did a solo show defending farmers from a newspaper article calling them "hogs" for using the water that has been allotted to them for well over a century for farming  **See The Original Show Notes Below**

An article recently popped up locally for me that supported the idea of the "pyramid scheme" that small cities get involved with that leads to the need to continue to approve development projects so that they can create new tax revenue that will pay for aging infrastructure.  On today's Tuesday episode I've got a brief farm update for you, and then I want to read you this article and cite it as evidence that this "pyramid scheme" is really happening.

Weston Whiteside is an American Star Finalist in the category of Agribusiness.  Weston has been working in the lawn care and landscaping business since he was 11 years old, and when he turned 16 years old he purchased the business from his father.  Since then, Weston has made moves to transform his clientele from residential to commercial and to ramp up the earnings.  He has been succeeding in that endeavor.  

Weston is currently studying agricultural business and playing baseball at The College Of The Ozarks in Missouri.  In addition, he is working in exchange for his tuition, so he has absolutely no tuition payments to make to get his degree.  He is employed at the campus feed mill and does a variety of jobs in exchange for tuition.  

When Weston graduates he plans on running his business, Whiteside Landscaping, full time and building the business even larger.  He has a lofty goal of being financially independent by the time he is 30 years old, not so he can stop working, but so he can always do work that he loves and is passionate about. 

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

[caption id="attachment_421012" align="alignright" width="90"] Allison Meyer: Head Ag Ambassador - Dordt University[/caption]

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.

Dordt University is a private, Christian university located in Northwest Iowa.  It is also one of the few Christian universities to have an agriculture program.  The university has its own row crop operation, feed lot and dairy herd.  In addition to that, Dordt is located in a very rural part of the state that is agriculturally intensive.  So, students there have multitudes of opportunities to work in agriculture and make great money doing it!

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Tip Of The Week

Think safety first everyone, rural crime prevention is included in this

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.wdayradionow.com/news/local-news/67960-kreps-family-farm-in-fargo-reports-two-burglaries-in-two-days

https://www.nemonews.net/2023/09/06/police-ask-for-assistance-from-the-public-following-rash-of-edina-burglaries/

https://gonzalesinquirer.com/stories/arrest-warrant-issued-for-woman-after-failure-to-appear-on-livestock-theft-charge,77684

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.northernfarmer.co.uk/news/23757438.three-arrests-north-yorkshire-farm-machinery-thefts/

https://www.brecon-radnor.co.uk/news/powys-police-appeal-for-information-on-20-stolen-brecknock-hill-cheviot-yearling-ewes-637930

Africa

https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/piketberg-murder-shocks-farming-community-adc355b0-9fc3-43e0-bc4a-60a3f610a4d5

https://citizen.digital/wananchi-reporting/bomet-farmers-decry-rise-in-cattle-theft-meat-sold-in-neighbouring-sub-counties-n326894

https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/parliament-urged-to-form-ad-hoc-committee-on-farm-murders-0dc177cd-bb47-4b33-a62b-759036d41879

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://themessenger.com/news/kellen-tolentino-joshua-kellogg-stealing-75-pounds-oranges-hawaii-farm

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/eric-edson-vermont-robbery-suspect-arrested-eluded-capture-using-car-bike-tractor-dump-truck-sailboat/

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Eric Rickenbach is the owner of RescueTechs and devotes himself to teaching others how to respond to emergencies on the farm.  He has also been a first responder for decades and has been to many of these scenes himself.

When I found Eric's web page and what he did, I knew I wanted to have him on the show during National Farm Safety and Health Week, so we made it happen.  Today we will discuss some of the most common instances of injuries and death on farms.  We will also talk about taking the extra step to insure that you are working safely.  And, we will talk about why the buddy system is so important.

Stay safe out there everyone...

Today we are continuing our focus on National Farm Health & Safety Week.  Joining us are two FFA members from Bowling Green High School in Bowling Green, Missouri, Abby Haas and Courtney Kraft.  They are spearheading a county wide effort to teach 4th graders about food storage safety as well as medication safety in their homes.

I love it when people do activities that accomplish two goals at once, and that is exactly what they are doing.  At the same time they are teaching safety to farm student as well as non-farm students, they are exposing everyone to agriculture and the FFA.  We know that the number of non-traditional FFA students is on the increase, and that is good thing.  This effort will help to keep that trend moving forward.

The biggest contributors to farm accidents are probably impatience and complacency.  Getting in a hurry, or thinking that danger doesn't exist just because nothing has ever happened before can lead one into a dangerous situation.

On today's show we are profiling the farm safety education philosophy of the Tunstall FFA Chapter in Dry Fork, Virginia.  Dr. Jessica Jones, the FFA Advisor and her colleagues have figured out that impatience and complacency can be overcome by keeping safety in the front of one's mind.  If you think safety first, then your chances of not overlooking a dangerous aspect of your job go way up.

Two of Jessica's students, Chapter President - Cole Abercrombie as well as sophomore member - Zac Chaney join me on the show today.  They will talk about farming in their area, what they see as some of the biggest risks and how farm safety is taught in every agriculture class at Tunstall, regardless of whether or not it is Farm Safety Week.

Rylee Shelton is a senior in high school and the president of her FFA Chapter.  She is also a beef producer and staunch advocate for agriculture, specifically the beef industry.

Rylee is currently running for both Missouri Beef Queen as well as the position of Missouri Farm Bureau Ambassador.  As such, she is doing a lot of public speaking, both to agricultural and non-agricultural audiences.  At the same time she is advocating for agriculture, she is also teaching about farm safety and handling techniques of working with cattle that minimize stress on the livestock and create the safest working environment possible for humans.

To the agricultural audiences Rylee focuses mainly on ways we can evolve into different handling techniques for betterment of our industry from both a public perception and safety standpoint.  To the general public she talks about staying safe and safe cattle handling techniques as one of the ways in which she debunks misconceptions about animal abuse in agriculture.

The wisdom of how Rylee is going about doing this is fantastic, and I share her enthusiasm!

It is National Farm Health & Safety Week, and I am devoting this week to just that!  Joining me today are two students from the Audrain County FFA

Chapter in Laddonia, Missouri.  Brant Cope and Aaron Carter are the organizers of this years Farm Safety Day at their high school and put on by their FFA Chapter.  Brant and Aaron have both participated in this event multiple times over the years, first as elementary school students and for the past four years as FFA students teaching at the stations.

On Farm Safety Day, elementary students from around their county will come to their school and be shown multiple different stations and taught how to be safe.  This will include everything from electrical lines, to horses, to grain bins to atv's.

Tip Of The Week

https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/family-and-parenting/most-stolen-dogs-2023-these-are-the-10-breeds-of-adorable-dog-most-often-taken-from-their-owners-including-the-loving-jack-russell-3277394

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/danelo-cavalcante-manhunt-search-expands-b2409225.html

https://news.yahoo.com/tractor-used-help-grow-food-205412334.html

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/image-released-man-believed-connected-112500430.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAKxOLudzTwD2h_Xn68QbBSIBw8n6C-6SOD4uosr5rYwmvsKerDGBL89-bWMZlmgontO7MC1n5ul2UJa1w38s_5qcgI2fBxoMJJY2S0UUot3NIK09UJ4ykRp5BjyEvkZ7YS_ElhAvrW647fN_QUb09yhD-vgUqnyRLbwMsgsNuOBn

https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/rural-policing-team-recover-1m-of-stolen-machinery

Africa

https://punchng.com/nifor-firm-collaborate-on-agricultural-development/

https://fij.ng/article/cattleman-wrongfully-imprisoned-for-six-months-on-false-accusations-finally-regains-freedom/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.facebook.com/100064418454752/posts/pfbid02tuv7vZ4QBBRLdneTNijdxb4NPE69KKu8eR6Pvbb3YXGeXve4rKRLE69gd1f97eYtl/?mibextid=cr9u03

https://kpq.com/farmer-holds-two-alleged-burglars-at-gunpoint-following-break-in/

https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/crime/man-arrested-stealing-over-5k-in-haybales-deputies-say/

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Jessie Jarvis is the owner of "Of The West" a job platform for agricultural jobs and Western lifestyle careers.  She is also a lifelong rancher from Southern Idaho with a deep legacy of ranching work in the Gem State.

On today's episode Jessie will discuss why she created "Of The West", and how the inspiration came to her. She will also discuss some of the challenges of looking for a job in agriculture, and why being part of the 2% of the nation involved in ag can lead to a defeated feeling before you have ever submitted a resume.

Jessie has a passion for connecting people with the right opportunity, and that definitely comes through in today's episode.

On tomorrow's Ag Business Episode we are going to be talking about ag careers, starting an ag jobs website and delving into the entrepreneurial and professional employee aspects of a life in agriculture.  So, for today's re-cap show I went back to one of the best profiles of an agricultural career that I ever did.  Ironically, this took place on episode #002 of the show.  That's right, this was the second episode I ever produced and the first interview I ever conducted!

This show features my late uncle, Allan Romander.  Allan spent his entire working life in agriculture, and the bulk of his professional career as a crop advisor, then a pest control advisor and finally a certified crop advisor.  He had the same position all the way through but over time the titles changed and the certifications became more challenging.  Allan was the epitome of a professional and he loved agriculture.  I don't think there ever was anyone better suited to advocate for this career path than Allan.

Luke Jennings is a 2023 American Star Farmer Finalist.  He is also the state president for Ohio FFA, serving his second term as a state officer in the Buckeye State.

I first interviewed Luke in 2021 at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.  The media center for the convention is in the media offices at Lucas Oil Field where the Indianapolis Colts play, so we sat down in a room over looking the entire domed stadium, the huge FFA stage and the football field below.

Luke went up on the big stage three times that convention, including one time as a National Proficiency Finalist.  I thought I was surely catching this young man at the heights of his FFA career.  I didn't think this because I didn't think him capable, but he had accomplished so much already it was just a natural thought.  However, in the following school year he became an Ohio State Officer, in May of 2023 he was elected for a second term - this time as state president and then in July he was selected as a finalist for American Star Farmer!

I couldn't be more proud of what this young man has done and is now doing, and it is my thrill to have him back on the show.

Well, the largest looming topic on our farm this week is remember 9/11 and trying to wrap my mind around the fact that it has been 22 years already.  Autumm and I will never forget that day, and we hope you found some peace and silence on Monday to take some time to reflect in your own way.

Also on today's show:

• Oso the new livestock guardian dog
• Treating chickens for mites with permethrin
• The biography of Tom Horn

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Callie Welty is a 2023 American Star Farmer Finalist, and after speaking with her it is not hard to understand why.

Callie has had three things ingrained into her since a young age; love of the FFA, love of Brahman cattle and love for the Texas A&M Aggies.  Today, at age 19 she has become the president of the American Junior Brahmans Association, she is studying agricultural communications in College Station and the foundation of the SAE that has led her to be an American Star Finalist is her herd of Brahman cattle.

In the interview Callie talks a lot about how mentors have played an important role in her development as a student, student leader and breeder of cattle.  It is a point that should be emphasized as too many people try to go it alone when there are experienced people that are more than willing to give advice and share life experiences.  Callie is doing great things with the help of these mentors, and it shines through in her interview.

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 College Of The Ozarks is unlike any other college I have profiled to date.  Not only do you work 15 hours per week for your tuition, but you are not allowed to pay for your tuition.  Even better, the university does not allow its students to take out student loans.  If you attend the College Of The Ozarks, your are literally guaranteed to graduate with $0 in student loan debt.

I discovered the College Of The Ozarks through an interview I did with Weston Whiteside (episode #1845 - 9/25/23), who is a 2023 American Star Finalist in the category of agribusiness.  He is a third year student there and told me that he works in exchange for tuition when I interviewed him.  On today's episode I speak with him and his agriculture professor, Tamara Holder, to get all of your questions answered.

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Tip Of The Week

Purchase a game camera with a cell plan

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.tnonline.com/20230829/fuel-stolen-from-utility-tractor-in-monroe/

https://www.local10.com/news/local/2023/08/28/miami-dade-man-accused-of-armed-robbery/

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.townandcountrytoday.com/barrhead-news/farmer-reports-hay-bale-theft-from-field-south-of-barrhead-7465435

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-66644193

https://www.agriland.co.uk/farming-news/pregnant-cows-die-following-dog-chase-in-wales/

Africa

https://dailynigerian.com/gombe-farmers-night-vigil/

https://ke.opera.news/ke/en/society/99ff6a035ec141f604b18a8f1161e54f

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.wyff4.com/article/men-wanted-stealing-peaches-farm-south-carolina/44955458

https://myfox8.com/news/tractor-on-the-loose-2-men-charged-with-stealing-tractor-that-has-not-been-found-in-north-carolina/

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Shawn Kapanke is the Business Development Manager of Silver Spring Foods from Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  This company has its roots figuratively in 1929 and literally in the ground of Wisconsin where hot and delicious horseradish is being grown on 5-7 year rotation.

Today's show is a bit unconventional for an Ag Business Episode, as I am profiling a larger company.  Rest assured that Silver Spring is not a prospective sponsor, and they did not pay me for this episode.  However, I love horseradish and don't know anything about it, so when they reached out this was a great opportunity to learn more.

And, and this is a big AND...as I researched this company it dawned on me that almost 100 years ago this began with a need for extra revenue and the creation of a value added product.  Since we advocate for value adding on the show, looking at this awesome "after picture" seems like a perfect way to demonstrate proof of this concept.

On tomorrow's Ag Business Episode we are telling the story of a company that was born during the Great Depression from a need to make extra money during slow times during the winter.  The answer that the founder came up with was a value added product.  Today, that original product has inspired many other products and created jobs for hundreds of people and deliciousness for millions of people's meals.

As a great "tie in" to tomorrow's show I went looking for interviews that I had done regarding value added product.  I cannot think of a better "tie in" than this interview that I did with Logan Schlaugh back in 2020.  The creation of a value added product is literally what saved this young man's family farming enterprise.  You have all heard me talk about the pressure to not be the link in the family chain that loses the farm.  Well, this is real story about coming close but then being innovative and saving it with a value added product.

Tanner Mickey is a 2023 finalist for the award of American Star Farmer!  He has done this through a variety of enterprises including corn, soybean and wheat farming; raising cattle and sheep; and working in his families seed sales business.

Tanner was first a guest on the show in 2019 as he was getting ready to start his senior year of high school.  We did the interview one day prior to him leaving for Scotland with his livestock judging team to compete internationally.  He was also just a few months away from becoming the Illinois State Star Farmer at that point.

I am very proud of what he has already accomplished and that he has been recognized as an American Star Farmer Finalist this year.  We will catch up on everything he has been doing over the past four years on this episode.

Hi everyone.  Big things happening recently on the farm, and I'll update you on all of those today, including:

• Lost another goat to the coyote - hopefully the last
• We now have a livestock guardian dog
• We have expanded our goat herd again
• I just started irrigation today for the first time in 2.5 weeks
• Heading to our final minor league baseball game of the season this evening

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Lance Moritz is a 2023 American Star Finalist in the category of Agricultural Placement.  Lance was also previously a guest on the Off-Farm Income Podcast in 2019.  Since that time, Lance has been through a lot.  He has continued to work in and develop both aspects of his supervised agricultural experiences, and he had a kidney transplant!  The transplant took him out of the field for several months, but it gave him the opportunity to look at the behind the scenes portion of running his families farm and landscaping business.

Lance just received his degree in Agronomy from Illinois Valley Community College in May, and he is now taking on more responsibility on his families farm.  In today's episode Lance I spend some time catching up, and I spend some time congratulating him for this outstanding accomplishment.

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

[caption id="attachment_420892" align="alignright" width="182"] Curtis Lauderdale - Assistant Dean for Student Advising and Development[/caption]

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 Wisconsin at Madison is a very storied land grant university that has been innovating int he area of agricultural research and education for decade after decade.  The original mission of this university was agriculture, but the non-agricultural culture and tradition has grown to gigantic proportions over the years.

On today's episode we will take a look at all UW Madison has to offer to those seeking higher education as means to their future in agriculture.  And, we will learn about these traditions and innovations.

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

Tip Of The Week

Don’t get in a hurry when you are hiring or giving out money

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.agdaily.com/news/half-missing-wyoming-ewes-mysteriously-reappear/

https://www.gradickcommunications.com/da-gbi-determine-insufficient-evidence-to-seek-charges-in-case-re-stolen-items-found-on-property-owned-by-county-chairman/

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/uk-news/2023/08/21/animal-rising-protesters-charged-after-sandringham-lambs-stolen/

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/crime/2023/08/23/land-rover-stolen-from-farm/

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/23756271.liam-brown-admits-sex-cow-burton-farm/

Africa

https://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-and-courts/elderly-bloemfontein-farmer-killed-and-his-wife-critically-injured-594a3f0c-1bbe-486f-971d-7e5ae45e5b63

https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/cattle-purchase-turns-fatal-vanderbijlpark-man-faces-murder-charge-breaking-30-august-2023-latest/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.onlineathens.com/story/news/crime/2023/08/31/farm-worker-charged-with-felony-cruelty-at-madison-county-poultry-farm/70710576007/

https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2023/08/30/north-shore-pizzeria-owner-ppp-loan-vermont-alpaca-farm-fraud-dana-mcintyre-rasta-pasta-beverly/

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

Joel Holland is the CEO of Harvest Hosts, a company that pairs up farmers with extra space with members who would like to spend a night in their RV in a picturesque setting on somebody's farm.  I have seen both sides of this idea.  As a person who likes to travel in my camper, I have spoke with individuals who are Harvest Host members, and I have found them all to be people that I would be comfortable having stay on my property.  As a farmer, I have a spot on my farm that would work well for this, and I have considered becoming a host.

In today's interview Joel will talk about how farmers generate revenue as hosts.  We will also discuss how you are kept safe and shielded from liability if you become a host.  And, we will touch on the very positive experiences that both hosts and guests have when coming together.