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.

Penn State is a very storied and very well known university, but did you know it all started with agriculture?  On today's Ag College Episode we get to delve into that history and see what it has become throughout the entire commonwealth campus system.  Hundreds of opportunities await agriculture students in State College, Pennsylvania and we have four great guests to tell you about all them!

Tip Of The Week

Coast To Coast, we need to protect copper wire

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-hay-bales-set-on-fire-kingfisher-garfield-county/61195550

https://www.wymt.com/2024/06/26/police-laurel-county-looking-stolen-atvs/

https://www.wgmd.com/dsp-looking-to-identify-suspects-in-thefts-of-copper-wire-from-farm-irrigation/

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/cherokee-county-sheriff-s-office-seeks-info-in-tractor-theft/ar-BB1kiflB?ocid=feedsansarticle

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/brazen-burglar-raided-kent-farms-for-£55k-equipment-then-fooled-victims-to-sell-it-on/ar-AA1f5pWH?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1

https://farmersforum.com/cattle-heist-75-black-angus-vanish-from-quebec-farm/

https://www.beefcentral.com/news/repeat-offender-pleads-guilty-to-aggravated-cruelty-to-livestock/

Africa

https://www.thezimbabwemail.com/law-crime/former-deputy-minister-arrested-for-alleged-theft-of-farm-equipment/#google_vignette

https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/amp/crop/article/2001497825/siaya-farmers-abandon-maize-after-dismal-yields-turn-to-fruit-farming

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/mccordsville-man-allegedly-steals-car-joyrides-tractor-before-being-found-urinating-in-roadway-in-bartholomew-county/ar-BB1nsGXD?ocid=BingNewsVerp&apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1

https://www.missourivalleytimes.com/stories/moorhead-man-arrested-in-pisgah,55572

Ryan Yoder and his family are full-time, first generation farmers in Vermont.  Sitting in a picturesque valley in the west/central part of the state they grow fruit, vegetables, meat chickens and corn.  They turn a lot of what they grow and what their neighbors grow into value added products such as popped popcorn and apple cider vinegar, and they have a number of sales outlets as well as revenue streams.

In today's episode Ryan will tell us all about his journey, his philosophy on farming and how growing up in Nepal influenced his life today!

How about sub-contracting as a corporate pilot as your form of off-farm income?  Seem impossible?  I would have thought it was unrealistic until I interviewed today's guest, Andrew Ambrose.

Andrew owns his own business, Fly Twins LLC, and he farms 750 acres in Southeast Missouri in addition to that.  If that is not enough, he also owns his own excavating company.  As Andrew put it, it would not be uncommon to see him flying a corporate customer across the country in the morning and driving a combine that evening.  This is an interesting way to producing off-farm income.

Well, there is at least one more farm update episode to come, and I'll explain that in today's show.  I will also touch on our hot weather, irrigation, our creek, wildfires and what in the world the episode title is all 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 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 Oklahoma State University sits in a small town and rural county, and it is poised to give you exactly the agricultural education and college experience that you are looking for.  There is something special about going to college in a small community that wraps itself around its university, and I believe that Alva, Oklahoma is one of these places.  If that were not enough, the many activities for students, including "Howdy Week" and "Bahama Breakaway" create bookends to a school year full of opportunity.  If you are looking for the place that you will fit and can complete your degree without debt, this is probably the perfect fit!

Tip Of The Week

Be careful what driveway you turn into

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.abc10.com/article/news/crime/butte-county-illegal-marijuana-farm/103-221e7bc8-a5ee-466b-9f88-25d6864780a9

https://www.delcotimes.com/2024/06/19/investigators-say-sleighton-farm-school-fire-was-arson-ask-for-publics-help/

https://www.magnoliareporter.com/news_and_business/regional_news/article_c851392c-2e11-11ef-ba57-b79fbac7ef20.html

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/staffordshire/south-staffordshire/2024/06/17/police-hunt-6000-horsebox-stolen-from-lay-by-off-a-road/

https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/was-ramming-escaped-cow-the-only-way-to-keep-public-safe?utm_campaign=Best of Farmers Weekly email 66&utm_content=R ead more&utm_term=https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/was-ramming-escaped-cow-the-only-way-to-keep-public-safe&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Farmers Weekly

Africa

https://neweralive.na/posts/stock-theft-accused-denies-guilt

https://www.citizen.co.za/northern-natal-news/news-headlines/dundee-courier/2024/06/21/dundee-saps-farmers-apprehend-stock-thief/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.ktiv.com/2024/06/20/pocahontas-man-arrested-multiple-charges-livestock-theft/

https://www.kezi.com/news/local/man-charged-in-alleged-theft-of-nearly-100-000-from-lane-county-livestock-association/article_d21aa7b4-2f28-11ef-b695-abef9b7b3a92.html

On today's show I am speaking with Peter Dalton.  Peter owns the company, "Hunt Country Wildlife Removal" in Loudoun County, Virginia.  This is a side business that kind of started by accident.  Peter taught himself how to trap, and along the way started trapping for friends and neighbors when they had nuisance animals.  Pretty soon he was doing a lot of trapping, and he finally started charging people for the service.

Through word of mouth the business has grown and grown.  Peter is very busy with this side business these days, and he and his wife are also developing their farmstead.  He has a lot of great advice on equipment to use, how to work in urban areas and what you can do in rural areas.  I learned about a method of trapping foxes and coyotes in the episode that I never heard about, and you will benefit from this as well!

This is our second to last farm update episode, and today is just that....a farm update.

Obviously, the reason that I started interviewing FFA students was their involvement in entrepreneurship.  The way that the FFA facilitates exposure and learning in entrepreneurship is second to none.  And, as the title of this episode suggests it really is an entrepreneurship incubator.

That is very apparent in our interview with today’s guest, Jenna Spangler.  Jenna is a very competitive person, and upon joining the FFA she found that this organization served her competitive spirit very well.  Through a myriad of different contests and competitions, she found exactly what she was looking for.  Then the day came that she wanted to go on a mission trip and needed to raise $150 to make this happen.  Jenna decided that she would make ice cream and sell it to people for the fundraiser and actually pre-sold what she needed to raise.

Today is all about the "Built Ford Tough Dealer Scholarship".  Special thanks to listener, Joel Nickerson, the general manager of Butler Ford in Ashland, Oregon for reaching out to me with this information.

Here is the link to the scholarship sign up form: https://analytics.clickdimensions.com/cn/aunbc/ford2023

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.

Ridgewater College has the most unique and intriguing internship program that I have profiled to date.  And, even though there is no student housing, the options for students to house in Willmar are different than any I have heard of before as well.  Aside from this, Ridgewater offers excellent opportunities to learn about agriculture, establish your agricultural career or get you started towards your four year agricultural degree.

Tip Of The Week

Advocate for yourself when working with the law enforcement

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.ktul.com/news/local/reward-offered-after-a-tractor-theft-leads-to-destruction-of-200-hay-bales-in-wilburton-oklahoma-tulsa-kokh-investigation-lcso-latimer-county-sheriffs-office-crime-stoppers-arrest

https://www.wkow.com/news/crime/dane-county-farmer-s-tip-leads-to-manhunt-arrest-in-randolph-stabbing/article_b4a181f8-2393-11ef-86d2-ff9b27bc7e84.html

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/drugs-horse-buggies-and-20-shipping-containers-uncovered-in-alleged-stolen-haul/ar-BB1nITxU

https://www.farmersguide.co.uk/rural/rural-crime/hertfordshire-farmer-targeted-again-following-theft-of-11-goats/

https://www.agriland.co.uk/farming-news/30-20kg-bags-of-calf-milk-stolen-from-wiltshire-farm/

Africa

https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-242358.html

https://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/eastern/2024-06-06-man-arrested-14-goats-recovered-in-machakos/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.oleantimesherald.com/news/dec-reports-arrests-in-timber-theft-oil-spill-in-allegany-county/article_3db02a5e-2438-11ef-8d6d-4fed347a5bd9.html

https://ktla.com/news/california/homeless-outreach-unit-discovers-stolen-john-deere-tractor-in-southern-california-riverbed/

https://www.yahoo.com/news/sparta-man-charged-stealing-cattle-131659576.html

Today's episode highlights how the FFA can put another tool, the tool of entrepreneurship, in a student's arsenal.  Elyce Burzlaff is mid-way through her sophomore year of high school.  Last May a guest speaker came to her school and spoke with the FFA students.  During that discussion, Elyce and her classmates were challenged to come up with an entrepreneurial idea.  This led Elyce down a path of thinking of ways she could create revenue and determining what resources were at her disposal.  Then she remembered that her mom had some equipment that could be used for making shirts.

What do all these great folks with different passions have in common?  Cambridge, Idaho is the answer and I will explain why in today's show.  

Tip Of The Week

Inspect your properties after hosting guests

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.newsnationnow.com/crime/police-burglary-tourists-hidden-cameras/

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/reward-increases-after-beloved-horse-statue-stolen-from-yolo-county-stable/ar-BB1nhPfr

https://www.yahoo.com/news/tree-dna-helps-solve-case-000000070.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAC6t5SojekcGODc6GxH3dK5sh867i2OMkIksCR5mIz6LuJukgor8q2oDkdehq6jdzqNeRC9JRim2OA-71R8OPC_kB4jnDTd0RsFfHJ_igwaHfEsmoCh_TgKc01aP0vplI4ovf_mWLgz9ehTmmPAljpXLjtANW0tUnwiijFhpcNxy

https://www.ksnt.com/news/crime/tires-slashed-on-deputy-first-responder-vehicles-in-clay-county/

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/pony-sanctuary-targeted-by-thieves-weeks-after-fire/ar-BB1niNqD

https://globalnews.ca/news/10535621/granum-rallies-to-support-family-business-after-robbery-gone-wrong/

https://www.farmersguide.co.uk/rural/rural-crime/farmers-urged-to-be-vigilant-following-new-wave-of-gps-thefts/

Africa

https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/jur-river-county-reports-new-wave-of-cattle-theft

https://www.herald.co.zw/man-convicted-for-stealing-cow-to-pay-lobola/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.wral.com/story/new-group-of-public-defenders-amid-attorney-shortage/21458049/

https://cw39.com/crime/two-men-in-caught-in-the-act-in-custody-for-burglary-on-fm-1960/

https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2024/may/29/two-arrested-for-trespassing-possible-theft-near-ritzville/

I have a list of businesses that I like to revisit and get different perspectives from different business owners on.  The business of manure spreading is on that list.  There is a wide range of complexity in this business.   Everywhere that anyone raises livestock there is the need to deal with manure.  If you live in the Northeast you might just be dealing with small farmyards.  A tractor with a bucket and a PTO driven manure spreader might be all the equipment you need for your business.

And then there is the Midwest and all of the cattle on feed plus the massive fields of crop ground that are there.  To run a manure spreading business in this region you need big equipment and a lot of it.

In today's interview I get to speak with Chadd Schmidt, one of the owners of 4 Bar S Inc.  4 Bar S is a manure spreading and pen cleaning business that Chadd's parents started in the 1980's.  Today they are running top of the line, triple axle, manure spreaders that can haul up to 48 ton.  And they have four of them!

We celebrated Hattie's high school graduation starting last Wednesday with the ceremony on Thursday and party on Saturday.  That has been all encompassing and is the topic of today's Farm Update.

I don't know if you have noticed, but his show is about non-conformists and people who look at the world a different way.  All of us fit that definition a little bit by the mere fact that we want to farm and only 2% of our population is in that career field.  But what about that person that says "why do I have to do it that way"?

Today's guest, Ben Rykerd, is that person.  Ben is now 29 years old.  He describes himself as having a "travel bug" and he has known this since he was a kid.  So, as high school was coming to a close Ben didn't just take the next prescribed step in the journey, he stopped and asked himself what type of life he wanted to have.

Today's Farm Update Episode includes a large announcement about the future of the Off-Farm Income Podcast.  I hope you will all tune in and share this moment with me.

Tip Of The Week

Install a driveway alarm

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://abc45.com/news/local/thomasville-police-name-suspect-from-april-tractor-theft-truecrime-northcarolina

https://www.dailygazette.com/police-thoroughbred-stolen-from-coxsackie-horse-farm/article_681ab881-bafe-5eaf-b793-94726626f9e6.html

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.clare.fm/news/witnesses-sought-bales-hay-stolen-south-east-clare-farm/

https://www.inverelltimes.com.au/story/8621253/bundarra-farmers-battle-40-year-theft-crisis/

https://www.9news.com.au/national/three-charged-after-300-cows-allegedly-stolen/3f915918-78a0-4628-829e-c56602d6cb3e

https://www.farmersjournal.ie/news/news/five-lambs-stolen-in-co-kerry-817974

Africa

https://www.mmegi.bw/news/five-in-court-for-stock-theft/news

https://htxt.co.za/2024/05/how-tech-is-helping-fight-cattle-theft-in-eastern-cape/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/two-men-caught-stealing-75-pounds-of-oranges-from-a-hawaii-farm-cops/ar-AA1gyxTZ?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1

https://www.agdaily.com/livestock/texas-men-guilty-horse-theft/

Lynn & Jesse Frey are the owners of Life Root Farm in Stanley, Wisconsin.  These are two people who are definitely listening to and following their inner voices.  Lynn grew up with a mother who was passionate about gardening, and Lynn thought that she would never want to do that.  However, somewhere along the line it clicked and she found herself wanting grow fresh and healthy food for her family.  Jesse grew up on a dairy and was encouraged by his father to go get an education and do something different than farming.  He followed that path but eventually felt himself called back to agriculture.

Today they are in the midst of transitioning from a CSA based business model to one that is centered around growing and marketing heirloom seeds.  With four children to raise and mentor, they are showing them how rewarding a life on the land that connects with nature can be.

I am starting to think that plant breeders are born, not made.  At least every time I interview a young man or woman with this passion it appears that is correct.  In today's interview I am speaking with a junior in high school that has already obtained $10,000 in funding to begin an apple orchard on his high school's property.  Gabe Olson-Jensen is our featured guest, and look at this list of accomplishments:

• Started working at a local orchard at age 12
• Grafted his first trees at age 12
• Obtained land at his school start a 1/4 acre apple orchard in 2020
• Applied for and received a $1,000 SAE grant in 2020
• Applied for and recieved $9,000 in funding from USDA SARE in 2020
• Purchased 200 apple trees and trellising and began the orchard in 2020
• Using integrated pest management to sustain and grow the fruit trees

Gabe really has an amazing story as so many of these seed breeders do.  Today, we will profile it all for you!

Olivia Vanderwalt is the reporter for the Lee County FFA Chapter, and is just finishing her junior year of high school.  She has a very interesting and unique story.  Part of the story I have heard before.  She grew up in a neighborhood and not on a farm.  So, when she wanted to join the FFA, with no agricultural background, in the 6th Grade her mom wasn't so sure.  So far, there is nothing unusual about this story as parents who aren't familiar with the FFA often wonder why their kids want to get involved in agriculture.

However, there is a twist.  Olivia's mom grew up in England, and her dad grew up in South Africa.  Both of them were exploring the world by taking positions in physical therapy when they met in Florida, and this led them to get married, start a family and settle down in Leesburg.  This has to be the most unique origin story in this town!

Luckily for the FFA, Olivia's mom consented, and Olivia has been significantly engaged in the FFA since 6th Grade.  She is hoping to become her chapter's president during her senior year, and she has been showing dairy heifers and working on a dairy for her SAE for several years.  She also works at her local zoo and gets to educate people about animals and reptiles, allowing them to touch and handle the animals from time to time.

Today I have a farm update for you, and a discussion about the many benefits of direct marketing our beef that I never thought about.  This is not the farm business model that I dreamed of in my youth, but it has turned out to be a lucrative and rewarding model that I really enjoy....

Tip Of The Week

You have to lead vehicles when you throw oranges at them

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2024/05/07/car-hit-by-flying-orange-in-los-gatos/

https://www.klkntv.com/wanted-man-caught-after-asking-for-gas-at-southeast-nebraska-home-authorities-say/

https://www.magnoliastatelive.com/2024/05/06/more-than-200000-worth-of-stolen-agricultural-equipment-recovered-by-mississippi-authorities/

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.questmedianetwork.co.uk/news/glossop-chronicle/50000-raised-to-help-farmer-accused-of-killing-burglar/

https://www.radiokerry.ie/news/gardai-appeal-for-information-after-over-e1000-worth-of-livestock-stolen-in-mid-kerry-382760

https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/roughly-70k-worth-of-pistachios-stolen-in-wilmot-second-nut-related-vehicle-theft-in-region-police-1.6735863?cache=khgvxzimi?clipId=373266

https://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/24301173.rural-crime-team-recover-stolen-quads-two-arrested/

Africa

https://dailytrust.com/19-year-old-charged-with-burglary/

https://www.algoafm.co.za/local/suspects-arrested-with-stolen-sheep-inside-getaway-vehicle

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.reporterherald.com/2024/04/09/masonville-man-arrested-for-allegedly-killing-livestock/

https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/crime/hammond-man-arrested-for-stealing-168-animals-louisiana-agriculture-forestry/289-f6906725-be47-4ad0-8446-fd7ad766c17f

Bryan Buerkle grew up on his families farm in Eastern Montana learning many valuable lessons about the struggle that farmers face trying create a sustainable business model in this world.  Working full-time on his families farm was not a viable option when he finished high school, and he had to look for other alternatives.  College and engineering was the path he chose, and it led him all around the world designing and building tractors for John Deere.

Today, Bryan is back in Montana and he is devoting himself to helping farmers to create a business model that will see them through.  He and his partners have started Farm Pro, which is an online business designed to help small to medium sized farmers find available revenue that would otherwise be hidden from them.  Farm Pro is currently focused on farmers who have one to a few trucks capable of hauling commodities, and connecting them with farmers and businesses who need those commodities hauled.

This is the beginning of this start up business, and it is moving towards a day that it connects farmers who can offer a wide array of services to people who need those services in their surrounding communities and regions.  If you are considering starting your own business as the method of creating your off-farm income, this is an interview that could prove very beneficial to you.

In agriculture when we hear the word pivot we usually think of 120-400 acres of irrigated ground.  An automated sprinkler system that is self-driven, applying a precise amount of water to a crop or pasture.

If you are a small business owner that services agriculture you need to know about another pivot.  This is the catch phrase used by so many in the business “start up” community.  To “pivot” means to change direction in your business to adapt to changing market conditions, new technology or new information and ideas that you can only obtain after you have started your business and got in the game.

Those of us in agriculture are pretty practical people.  Most business information is written for those who work in the city, work online and don’t get their hands dirty.  The truth is farmers and those who serve farmers have been “pivoting” for years.  We just called it “common sense”.  When things changed it was pretty apparent that we needed to change with them.

Peyton Gay is the sentinel for the Deane Bozeman FFA Chapter, and he is a remarkable young man.  A natural athlete, gifted student and very hard worker Peyton has managed to put together an FFA and high school experience that will be rivaled by few.

Peyton has grown up on his grandparent's farm in Northern Florida that they purchased because of their love for animals of all types.  Never having a profit motive, Peyton's grandmother has cared for and rescued multiple different species of wildlife and livestock on the farm since it first began.  This is how Peyton grew up as well, and it led to his supervised agricultural experience raising, incubating and giving away Sebastopol Geese, which are listed as a threatened species.

This influence has resulted in Peyton pursuing a career as a veterinarian.  He is also pursuing his dream of playing football for Texas A&M in College Station.  He has been awarded a "walk on scholarship" which means that all of his football activities will be paid for but not his academics.  However, Peyton believes that through his academics and pursuits in the FFA that he will be able to have a full-ride academic scholarship!  It is an amazing story and one that I am really looking forward to seeing develop from an academic as well as an athletic perspective.

On today's show I "accidentally" talked for thirty minutes about how we used real estate to create our current situation.  Basically, as I was starting the farm update show, something caused me to veer onto this tangent, and a half hour later I had given a blue print on how to purchase a farm in your late thirties by investing in real estate starting in your twenties.

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

Abigail Harrison loves to inspire others, and that is what has driven her to start her own business - Abigail Grace Woodworking.  In a business like this you might think it is the craft, the profit or the marketing that would be the driver.  However, in Abby's case she loves going to different SAE sales, setting up a booth and speaking with other FFA students who see what she has done and want to know how to do it themselves.

Abby has the rare ability to really listen to what is right for her.  During her 9th Grade year she had a journalism SAE, and she was creating a website.  However, something didn't feel right about that.  She really thought about what she wanted to do, and it occurred to her that she wanted to work with her hands and have a tangible creation to hold when she was done.  That is how she got started creating products, and that is what has opened the doors for her in her SAE.

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.

Chico State University is the agricultural college that I almost went to.  I have told the story on the show before, but in today's interview I finally get to verify!  As it turns out, CSU Chico would have been a fantastic place to study agriculture.  It is in a great part of California, has a great climate and has an outstanding school farm with the opportunity to learn multiple different aspects of livestock, permanent crop and row crop agriculture.  And, it is a very affordable university, especially by California standards.

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

Tip Of The Week

Understanding what motivates thieves can help us stop rural crime

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/hay-donated-to-beaverhead-co-abused-animals-stolen-from-fairgrounds

https://wbontv.com/madison-county-sheriffs-office-investigating-tractor-theft/

https://dentonrc.com/news/crime/blotter/denton-man-reports-trainer-refuses-to-return-his-65k-horses/article_2899398a-6ba3-56be-b31c-4b46b75af5fe.html

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/thieves-steal-hive-containing-thousands-of-bees-from-home-in-the-oakland-hills/ar-AA1nWLWy

https://www.wlox.com/2024/04/30/pearl-river-county-family-left-with-questions-why-cattle-bulls-were-stolen-their-ranch/

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/news/crime/police-appeal-after-12-cows-and-bulls-stolen-from-farm-near-derbyshire-town-4612562

https://www.agriland.co.uk/farming-news/derbyshire-dog-attack-leaves-farmer-with-2k-in-damages/

Africa

https://www.foodformzansi.co.za/rural-crisis-as-livestock-theft-bleeds-farmers-dry/

https://gazettengr.com/23-killed-44-injured-in-violent-clashes-over-cattle-theft/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

http://www.fillmoregazette.com/front-page/farm-watch-collaboration-results-one-arrest-repeat-offender#google_vignette

https://ca.style.yahoo.com/news/man-arrested-21-tons-pistachios-164247894.html

Kasey Neely and her husband, Kyle, live in Eastern Illinois on their 32 acre farm.  There they raise and sell grass fed beef, pastured poultry, eggs and they are considering raising and selling pastured pork.  Kasey is a strong advocate for buying local and supporting your local farmer.  On today's episode we will discuss their journey to becoming farm owners, how not growing up on a farm influences the manner in which you design your farming model and pacing yourself no matter how excited you get about what you could possibly do on your land.

There is a lot of content in today's interview.  I was first drawn to this guest because of a referral by one of our listeners, Dave Lehman, because our guest was selling products to assist people with raising and processing chickens.  However, during the interview I found out a lot more about this guest.

Mike Badger has worked in corporate America, and he grew up believing that was the way that life worked.  However, he later decided that it did not have to be that way.  He and his wife decided to farm right then and there.

Natalie Rider is the third generation of her family in the horse business on the Circle T Ranch in Celina, Ohio.  Her grandfather, who always had a passion for horses, purchased this property in 1995 in the midst of his truck driving career.  Then he started building a horse business.

Natalie was first put on horseback when she was 6 months old, and somewhere along the line she developed the same passion.  Today, if she is not at school or sleeping she at her grandparents ranch working in the horse business.  Today she trains client horses, gives riding lessons, feeds and cleans stalls for the boarding business and is coaching an equestrian Special Olympics team of eight competitors.  

Natalie knows that she wants to be around horses and her families ranch for her future.  So, she has already identified three universities that she can attend for a bachelor's degree in agriculture that will keep her close to home and working on the ranch!

Our dog brought us a piece of literature about canal breaches last night (literally), and I thought I would discuss this issue on today's Farm Update show.  We will also be discussing:

• Kidding is over!
• Selling our bottle kids!
• First round of irrigation completed already..
• Protecting trees from goats

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

Hayden Mueller is just finishing his sophomore year of high school and second year of the FFA, and he already has a lot going on.  In addition to farming corn & soybeans with his dad, uncle and brother, he is now leasing his own land to do the same.  In the 8th grade he started his own business in order to make some money, and that has grown into Hayden's Landscaping in which he is providing an array of lawn services to his customers.  

It may sound like Hayden is working all the time, but there is another side to his high school experience - music.  Hayden first got introduced to music playing the recorder in elementary school.  Since then, that has grown to him playing guitar, bass guitar and saxophone.  Currently he plays the baritone saxophone in the marching band and pep band at his high school.  

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.

On today's episode we are profiling Oklahoma Panhandle State University.  This institution is getting a lot of agriculture started in the right way and onto their future agricultural careers.  OPSU prides itself on being affordable and offering very practical, personalized instruction.  With a student body of just 250, and the team that was assembled for this interview, it is easy to see that they are serious about this commitment.

Tip Of The Week

Support your local Sheriff

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.ktsm.com/news/100000-in-cattle-stolen-from-clay-county-ranch-clay-county-sheriffs-office-crime-stoppers/

https://www.binghamtonhomepage.com/broome-county/sheriffs-office-needs-your-help-in-a-sanford-burglary-investigation/

https://www.whas11.com/article/news/investigations/focus/copper-wire-lights-out-louisville-kentucky-focus-kentucky-transportation-cabinet-lmpd/417-a05cb9bc-241b-431a-939f-e14584ab762a

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/24261633.powys-livestock-worrying-incident-saw-dog-shot/

https://www.farmersguide.co.uk/rural/rural-crime/two-darlington-men-linked-to-1m-farm-machinery-theft-arrested/

Africa

https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/man-found-hanging-dead-after-village-court-convicted-him-of-goat-theft-4595700

https://nairobiwire.com/2024/04/dci-detectives-recover-kes-1-8m-worth-of-stolen-govt-fertiliser-in-kitale.html

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.yahoo.com/news/shelby-county-man-charged-livestock-195952643.html

https://www.chronline.com/stories/eastern-washington-man-charged-with-stealing-cattle-in-borrowed-honda-to-be-arraigned,336804

Rick Savoia is the Product Manager for BuyTwoWayRadios.com and the host of The Two Way Radio Show, and he is back for part II of our exploration into GMRS Radio.

A few weeks back I did a Tuesday episode about GMRS Radio, why I was using it and my limited knowledge.  Well today, we get to hear from an actual expert, and hopefully correct any mistakes I made in the Tuesday Episode.

There is so much information here that I broke this interview into two episodes.  So, today Rick joins me for part 1 of this 2 part series, and we will talk about GMRS and how you can use it for your farming operation as well as for dealing with rural and agricultural crime.

The technology that is emerging in agriculture is really amazing, and it all points to a future with less rural crime and easier management.  It also brings people into agriculture that may have never believed they would wind up there.  Enter today's guest, David Philpot.

You may remember in episode #988 that I interviewed David Smith of Ceres Tag about the rural crime prevention and detection capabilities of this smart ear tag.  As David has been growing his company, he has been speaking to groups about investing with him.  Both David and, well, David, are from Australia, and this is what brought them together.  David Philpot belongs to an investor's group, and during one of their meetings David Smith came to speak with them about investing in Ceres Tag.

Not only did David Philpot become an investor, but he realized that a website called Mapipedia, which had been a hobby of his for some time, would be highly useful when paired with Ceres Tag.  So, the two David's began working together and have just completed a mock sheep theft in Australia in which Ceres Tag, coupled with Mapipedia, was able to detect the theft and help law enforcement track down and recover the stolen sheep.

On today's episode David Philpot will explain all of the possible uses of Mapipedia in the livestock industry, including better management, bio-security and theft prevention.

Noah Richards is 11 days away from graduating high school and pursing the life he loves, farming.  Noah's parents purchased their own land and had their own dairy infrastructure built after they were married.  They have been dairy farming ever since, and this is how Noah and his sister grew up.  Noah has his sights set on this life as well.

After high school graduation he will head to Hawkeye Community College for two years to study agricultural business with the hopes of returning to the farm.  During that two year period, he and his parents will have to assess how this is financially possible.  Is there a way that having Noah on the farm as a full-time employee will increase revenue enough to pay his salary?  This is a problem that many farms and ranches must solve when a child wants to come back.

There are no employees on Noah's family dairy.  His sister is now an FFA Advisor, so it is just Noah and his parents taking care of things.  Therefore, there is not an employee position that could be eliminated to make room for Noah.  Expansion?  A new enterprise?  A service business?  What are the options to make this happen?

Today is another farm update episode, and I will be covering:

• Starting Irrigation
• Bottle Feeding
• Lack Of Sleep
• Grazing
• Hattie Getting Ready To Graduate

Wyatt DeAth is his chapter's president as was a district reporter, district star winner and state proficiency winner.  All this before he reached his senior year of high school.  This young man can talk farming, and I had a great time talking about it with him in his episode.

Wyatt has grown up on his families farm in Eastern Illinois.  He started out driving the grain cart on the farm at a very young age, and when he was home full-time during Covid his dad graduated him to the tractor and the planter.  That was just the beginning.  Soon, he was farming for other operations in the area and using their equipment.  Today, he is leasing 30 acres of his own and growing and selling alfalfa hay.

As of right now, farming is what Wyatt is looking forward to in the future.  However, he knows that he is going to get off of the farm for some time first to experience something different, and he realizes that there is a chance that something else might pique his interest.

As things stand right now, he will either head to college for a two year degree or hit the road with a harvesting crew when he finishes up in high school.  Either way, and no matter what, he is going to be an asset to agriculture for decades to come.

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

[caption id="attachment_422192" align="alignleft" width="112"] Jolene Hammock: Outreach & Engagement Coordinator[/caption]

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

[caption id="attachment_422194" align="alignright" width="140"] Grant Dutton: Student Ambassador[/caption]

might have with agricultural schools at trade show like the National FFA Convention.

Today we profile an agricultural college located in a very interesting area of agriculture and American History.  The University of Arkansas at Monticello is right on the crossroads of two different types of agricultural practices as well as two different types of forestry production.  This enables the College Of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources to offer a very wide suite of agricultural experiences and career opportunities to its students.

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

Tip Of The Week

Practice self-sufficiency

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.wbrc.com/2024/04/18/conference-rural-violence-university-alabama-wrapping-up-thursday/

https://www.baltimoresun.com/2024/04/18/rural-texas-towns-report-cyberattacks-that-caused-one-water-system-to-overflow/

https://abc7.com/stolen-goats-livestock-ontario-inland-empire-farm/14683692/

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.bordermail.com.au/story/8586543/wodonga-man-charged-over-false-hay-baler-theft-report-to-police/

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/farming/2024/04/19/shropshire-farming-talk-rural-crime-wreaking-havoc-in-community/

Africa

https://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-and-courts/farm-residents-severely-assaulted-in-limpopo-during-robbery-incident-where-money-and-their-property-was-stolen-18621e3b-6ced-4041-81bf-d78be0d35a7b

https://www.2oceansvibe.com/2024/04/17/large-scale-maize-theft-is-on-the-rise-in-the-free-state/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/piedmont-triad/lexington-man-accused-of-stealing-cow-warrants-say/

https://www.wbrz.com/news/west-feliciana-parish-man-arrested-for-theft-of-over-1500-worth-of-livestock/

Rick Savoia is the Product Manager for BuyTwoWayRadios.com and the host of The Two Way Radio Show.

A few weeks back I did a Tuesday episode about GMRS Radio, why I was using it and my limited knowledge.  Well today, we get to hear from an actual expert, and hopefully correct any mistakes I made in the Tuesday Episode.

There is so much information here that I broke this interview into two episodes.  So, today Rick joins me for part 1 of this 2 part series, and we will talk about GMRS and how you can use it for your farming operation as well as for dealing with rural and agricultural crime.

A few weeks ago my tip of the week was to use a forensic marking technology, such as Smart Water, to identify your property and to prevent the thefts in the first place.  However, this wasn't actually my tip.  This was a recommendation that a constable in the U.K. had made when he was interviewed about preventing sheep thefts in that country.

As I looked into what this technology was, I became very intrigued.  Going down this rabbit hole ultimately led me to Randy Butschillinger, who is our expert guest on today's show.  As you will find out in today's interview, this technology is actually very old and trusted, and it is being used in more places than you might think already.  The applications for this seem endless, and the crime prevention possibilities make me very optimistic!

Abby Neft is the President of a brand new FFA chapter located in Kelliher, Minnesota.  Just 57 miles from the Canadian border, her family has been farming in this very cold area of Minnesota since the 1980's.

Abby loves the cattle industry, and she has been building her own herd since she was six years old when her father gave her, her first show heifer.  Since then, she has been retaining her show heifers, having calves and trying to develop genetics that will allow her to produce top notch cattle.  She uses artificial insemination and embryo transfer to do this.

With just one year of high school left, Abby's goal is to raise cattle for a living.  If she can do it on the family farm, that is her preference.  However, her sights are set on this happening, either way.

Today is another farm update episode, and I will be covering:

• The Farmer's Tax Guide
• Kidding Update
• Very Good Farm Help
• Night Checks
• The Creek Filling Up

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

Tip Of The Week

Do You Check The Sex Offender Registry For Your area?

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://weartv.com/news/local/taken-for-a-ride-santa-rosa-county-deputies-investigating-high-dollar-tractor-thefts

https://wellsvillesun.com/blog/2024/04/11/nys-department-of-environmental-conservation-investigating-timber-theft-in-andover-ny/

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.ckom.com/2024/04/11/veterinary-drugs-stolen-from-trailer-parked-near-saskatoon-airport/

https://www.walesfarmer.co.uk/news/24245763.police-use-stinger-take-powys-farm-theft-getaway-car/

Africa

https://www.chronicle.co.zw/comment-communities-should-unite-against-crime/

https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/ethi-residents-appeal-for-npr-deployment-to-tame-banditry/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://dailyridge.com/2024/04/10/check-up-on-non-reporting-registered-sex-offender-in-lakeland-leads-to-burglary-arrest/

https://www.wishtv.com/lifestyle/offbeat/mountain-goat-stuck-under-kansas-city-bridge-survives-rocky-rescue/

Zack Parisa is a co-founder of NCX (Natural Capital Exchange), as well as the CEO.  NCX is also a sponsor of the show and has been for several months.

On today's episode I get to sit down with Zack and talk with him about the reasons I partnered with NCX to share their message on the show.  We will discuss the different revenue streams that might be present on your land, and how you might take advantage of the to sustain your farming lifestyle.  We will also discuss some of the things to look out for, and how the different markets for things like solar, carbon and environmental improvement are emerging and developing all the time.

My partnership with NCX has been something that I am proud to promote, and on today's episode you will learn why!

Our guest today has a passion for farming, a path to farming full-time and a job that he likes that might keep him from doing just that!

Chris Benton and his wife Leann are the owners and founders of C&L Farms Grows.  They have an 8 acre farm about 45 minutes outside of Atlanta, Georgia and they are focused on growing microgreens.  Chris told me that he chose microgreens for a number of reasons.  The fact that there is an almost immediate harvest and return, nobody in his area was doing it and they are so nutritious were among his top reasons for this decision.

The way that Chris and Leann developed their business is interesting as well.  Chris grew up around agriculture and wanted to be involved with that.  Leann did not necessarily have the same desire to farm, but she wanted to find a niche business that would allow her to work from home for a number of reasons.  Thus the business was developed.  It allows Chris to be involved in agriculture, and it allows Leann to stay at home.

It is kidding season for us, and I am up late checking goats.  So, why not record a podcast?  Lots to talk about tonight:

• Dog Behavior
• Circadian Rhythms
• End Of Watch
• Coast To Coast
• Rain

Mikayla (Kayla) Kraft is the current Chapter President for the Broadwater High School FFA Chapter in Townsend, Montana.  She is also a journalist for MT43, a newspaper located in Townsend.

Kayla first started writing for MT43 when she was the chapter reporter, but she had to let that go when another student became reporter.  However, Kayla enjoyed what she was doing and wanted to stay on, so she approached the paper and struck a deal to continue writing for them, freelance.  There was a conundrum however.  In order to not steal any thunder from the current chapter reporter, Kayla had find other topics to cover.  And, man did she!  Her interests in agriculture have now taken her as far away as Washington D.C. to cover stories!

Kayla is heading to North Dakota State University next fall to study animal science.  She discovered NDSU while she was there covering a story and found it to be the perfect fit for her to pursue her degree.  She is planning on veterinary school as the step following NDSU, and currently she is considering Wisconsin and Kansas.  She loves her Montana Mountains, but her career pursuits seem to be taking her east!

Tip Of The Week

If it has an engine, it is a target…

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.wkrg.com/baldwin-county/2-utvs-atv-stolen-in-baldwin-county-sheriffs-office/

https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/theft-of-large-farming-equipment-in-haywood-county-leaves-officials-digging-for-answers/article_963869b6-f29c-11ee-a400-039c3c4f4cbb.html

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/crime/2024/04/05/police-warn-rural-residents-to-be-on-the-lookout-for-egg-thieves/

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/trailer-stolen-five-years-ago-071614561.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-68726072

Africa

https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-241503.html

https://www.pd.co.ke/news/governors-want-cattle-branded-to-end-rustling-228727/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.pleasantonexpress.com/articles/one-arrested-and-charged-with-burglary/

https://cbs12.com/news/local/ysairis-gonzalez-50-arrested-for-alleged-animal-slaughter-miguel-cabrera-butcher-animal-recovery-mission-st-lucie-county-sheriffs-office-florida-march-5-2024

https://www.press-citizen.com/story/news/local/2024/03/08/riverside-man-facing-41-animal-abuse-charges-after-131-dogs-seized-from-property-breeding-facility/72880471007/

Taylor and Dylan Roberts are the owners of Roberts Five Farm in Sparta, Tennessee. They are a young couple, just starting their family, and they have a phenomenal story.  They are just at the tail end of their first season of growing and selling tulips, and the response from their community has been unbelievable.  

On today's episode I speak with Taylor, and she tells me the whole story.  Beginning with she and Dylan dating as sophomores in high school to today, farming one acre of tulips on their 12 acre farm and coming up with an excellent business plan.  Their trajectory is currently straight up!  They have had a first year that any farmer could only dream of, and I do not doubt that they will continue on this path!

Audrey Levatino is the author of Woman-Powered Farm: Manual for a Self-Sufficient Lifestyle from Homestead to Field.  This is a book that I was intrigued by when I first heard of it, and I knew that I would want to have Audrey on the show.  I initially got the book so that I could read it prior to interviewing Audrey.  However, it turned out to be much more than work.  I could not put the book down.

If you have an interest or passion for farming, this book is for you - man or woman.  Audrey's stories, writing style and coverage of a wide breadth of issues that come with running your own farm will inspire you to either get moving or keep moving.  Audrey covers a multitude of issues.  Everything from what tools to buy to how to protect your small livestock are covered.  She even breaks down income potential by the size of the ground you own or have access to, and the most profitable business possible on that size of ground.

Audrey was a great pleasure to speak with, and I continued to be inspired in our actual conversation, just as I was reading her writing.

Cole Abercrombie is the chapter president at Tunstall FFA in Dry Fork, Virginia.  He also operates his own "side hustle" mowing lawns and taking care of people's yards.  And, he has one of the purest views on community service that I have ever profiled on this show.

As if that were not enough, he has a passion for agriculture and farming that spans multiple states and multiple lines of his family.  Cole actually lives in a city and not a farm.  However, he has family that farms about 2.5 hours south of him in North Carolina and 25 hours west of him in Nebraska.  While he doesn't get as much time on those farms as he would like, he knows every detail about what they are doing, at both places.  This only happens if you are truly passionate about something.  Otherwise, you just don't retain all the knowledge that Cole has.

The area of Virginia that Cole comes from is largely agricultural and rural.  So, the needs and values of that region are not recognized as frequently in the state legislature because there aren't as many representatives from there.  Cole's future goals include being a voice for the folks of this region.  He is hoping to go to law school after obtaining and agricultural business degree.  Among his goals as a attorney are to advocate for agriculture and this region of Virginia, and to have an impact on policy that represents agriculture positively!

Where do tales of haunted forests in the days of Mid Evil Knights come from?  I may have solved that riddle on my own farm.  I'll talk about that and some actual farming on today's Farm Update Episode!

Izzy Mikkelsen is the owner of Turbo's Treats Bakery in Gettysburg, South Dakota.  She is also a 9th Grader and in just her first year of the FFA.  

During the lockdowns during Covid, Izzy's mom encouraged her to start baking to pass the time.  Something about that was a natural fit for Izzy, and she really took to it.  About a year and a half later she had progressed to the point that she started selling the baked goods that she makes, and she hasn't looked back.  Today, primarily through word of mouth, she bakes for events and does specialized cakes for people like the one you see on the post here today.  

The pinnacle so far has to be the 100 year anniversary of the founding of Gettysburg when she had a booth selling cupcakes.  She baked 1,000 cupcakes for the event, and she sold them all.  In 2 hours!  That is 500 cupcakes per hour.  Or, put another way, she sold more than 8 cupcakes per minute!  

Tip Of The Week

“We’re Going To Need A Bigger Tractor”

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.nwestiowa.com/news/information-sought-on-cattle-gate-thefts/article_0d425d46-ec85-11ee-843e-c77398c33577.html

https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2024/03/07/thieves-make-off-with-large-water-tanker-truck-another-ranch-burglary/

https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/local-news/2024-03-01/farmers-advocate-for-legislative-action-on-agricultural-crimes#

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.staffordshire.police.uk/news/staffordshire/news/2024/march/we-are-appealing-for-information-after-a-dead-sheep-was-found-by-a-dog-walker-in-horton/

https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/crime/operation-recall-uk-police-and-charities-join-forces-to-launch-operation-to-tackle-livestock-attacks-4573330

https://www.bridportnews.co.uk/news/24214969.two-tiny-lambs-stolen-small-family-farm-bridport/

Africa

https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=52207

https://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-and-courts/farm-guard-arrested-for-allegedly-shooting-woman-and-killing-her-male-friend-in-hail-of-bullets-ac89e6ee-a42b-4802-93ec-2db46a75847f

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.theadanews.com/news/local_news/ada-man-charged-with-cattle-theft/article_16cd4c22-ead7-11ee-914a-1f4afbbc263e.html

https://abc13.com/police-chase-with-stolen-tractor-man-pulling-trailer-leads-high-speed-gulf-freeway-activity-webster-pursuit/14577097/

https://www.ksn.com/news/dont-miss-this/watch-police-and-front-end-loader-chase-stolen-tractor/

Richard Fultz is the Land Survey Supervisor with the Modesto Irrigation District in Modesto, California.  I bumped into Richard while I was in Modesto in February and learned of his position.  He suggested doing an interview about his profession for a number of reasons.  One of the main reasons was how much he gets to work in agriculture through this career.  Also, because there are a shortage of land surveyors, he believes this can be a very lucrative career for an agriculture student.

In today's episode we talk about what it takes to become a land surveyor, who seems to fit the best in the career and what you get to do. Richard also talks about his pathway to doing this, and some internship opportunities to help students determine whether or not this is the correct fit for them.  It is my sincere hope that this helps a student find the pathway in agriculture that they are looking for.

Today's episode is a bit different than any normal, Off-Farm Income episode.  Today I am speaking with Kathleen Dowling.  Kathleen and I have a lot in common.  We both grew up in California, we both started our collegiate education at a community college, we both had a dream of moving to Montana, we both became Montana state residents and we both got ag degrees from Montana State University.

Recently I saw a post on the Facebook Group, My Job Depends On Ag, that Kathleen had put up.  She expressed a bit of frustration with finding a career in agriculture and was asking for recommendations from other people.  I reached out to her and offered to provide some career coaching if we could release the conversation as a podcast.  She agreed to that, and today's episode is that conversation.

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.

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/

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!

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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:

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/

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!

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".

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!

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.

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!

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/

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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:

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

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.

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.  

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.