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/

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

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.

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

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/

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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.

On tomorrow's Agricultural Business Episode I will be speaking with the CEO of Harvest Hosts about how farmers can make extra money hosting people on their farms overnight.  This made me think back to the interview I did with Kuna's own, Brooklyn Lowe, formerly of the Kuna FFA Chapter.  Brooklyn and her family own and operate "The Farmstead" which is an agritourism destination about three miles from my own farm.

When I owned the gopher extermination business I did work for Brooklyn's father, Jim, at a previous location they operated at.  Later, I was able to interview Jim about their business, and then I eventually came to know Brooklyn through my and Hattie's involvement in the Kuna FFA.  The story of this family business, which Brooklyn will one day take over, is one of vision, patience, persistence and growth.  And I think it ties in perfectly with tomorrow's ag business episode.

Kristin Nesbitt is in her fourth year of medical school and will be beginning her residency in about 9 months. She first appeared on the Off-Farm Income Podcast in 2015 on episode #35, when she had just become the president of her FFA Chapter at Meridian High School.  I reconnected with her on Linkedin recently and saw that she was now in medical school, and I recalled that way back when she was a senior in high school she that that human or veterinary medicine is probably what she would ultimately end up studying in the future.

Kristin made the choice to treat humans towards the end of her sophomore year, and today it is my opportunity to catch up with this amazing young woman.  We will also talk about the journey that she has been on, learn what medical school is really like and get some tips and suggestions for other students who want to pursue becoming a medical doctor.

I've got more weather on the farm update show for you today.  It has been a wild 7 days of August weather here in Southwest Idaho.  August is historically our driest month, averaging just under a 1/4 inch of rain.  However, at our farm, in the past 7 days we have received 1.7 inches.  Do I have any culpability for the negative parts of rain like this since I am enjoying the storms?

Isaac Detty is just beginning his sophomore year of high school and his second year of FFA, but you wouldn't know it from the complexity and number of SAE's that he has.  When he is not collecting eggs to sell or feeding his meat birds for his meat chicken business, he is busy working with food that has already been grown but not consumed.

In addition to Isaac's entrepreneurial ventures, he has a benevolent venture taking food that would otherwise go to waste, like bananas, and turning them into something that will result in them being consumed and not thrown out.  On the top of the pyramid is making something like banana bread or dehydrating the bananas.  On the other end, the food is fed to chickens or livestock that will consume it, or it is being composted.  Either way, the food is not being wasted by sending it to the landfill.

Isaac is able to identify the multiple positive benefits that looking at food in this manner have.  For example, when they are dehydrating bananas, it give the food science class at his high school a project to work on that is right in line with what they are studying.  It is thinking like this that led Isaac to be awarded a $1,000 SAE Grant in 2022, which he will be applying for again this fall.

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_420718" align="alignright" width="138"] Hope Stansell - Student Ambassador[/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.

For a student focused on agriculture or natural resources there is no move diverse state in the country than Oregon.  From high desert rangelands in the east to Pacific fisheries on the coast in the west, the State Of Oregon has something for everyone, and Oregon State University is the place to study it.  On today's episode we will learn all about the unique and exciting opportunities available to agriculture students at Oregon's Land Grand University.

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

Tip Of The Week

Learn from what the animal rights activists are willing to show you

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://nbc-2.com/news/crime/2023/08/15/search-continues-for-charlotte-county-cow-killer/

https://www.news8000.com/news/crime/animal-rights-activist-group-shares-anonymous-video-showing-minks-released-from-trempealeau-co-farm/article_2d692886-3c70-11ee-96c0-2f36b3ce3eef.html

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://fagenwasanni.com/ai/stoktake-facial-recognition-platform-aims-to-combat-livestock-theft/207237/

https://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/23720637.powys-police-investigating-sheep-thefts-attacks/

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/crime/taranaki-farm-equipment-dealer-christopher-carter-ripped-off-25-customers-360k/GBGQN22LNVHP5DDKKBZIZ5DAVY/

Africa

https://punchng.com/jigawa-police-nab-four-suspects-with-stolen-goat-bulls/

https://www.thegazellenews.com/investigations/four-in-police-net-for-allegedly-stealing-goats-bulls/#google_vignette

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.klkntv.com/lincoln-man-hid-among-hay-bales-after-chase-with-nebraska-troopers-patrol-says/

https://www.wgrz.com/article/news/crime/stolen-tractor-trucks-recovered-in-genesee-county-larry-keene/71-50bd22e1-2136-4df7-ab3d-6a2116a70a3c

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Dustin Toberman is the owner of Omni Ag Consulting and a veteran of the commercial ag world and a former VP for Bungee running their northern division.  After 20 years in this aspect of agriculture, Dustin has seen a lot of talented ag students come and go in internships and has done a lot of hiring.  He has also seen what is impressive on a resume and in an interview, and he has seen the unrealistic expectations of newly graduated students.

At the end of Dustin's corporate career, his company was once again merging, and he decided that he did not want to go through another merger.  So, he assessed what he was passionate about and realized that helping pair the right talent with the right opportunity was something that had always got him excited.  This led to the development of Omni Ag Consulting, and within two years he is amazed by the impact he has already been able to make.

On today's episode we are going talk about his path, and we are also going to discuss how students coming out of college and heading into the agricultural career field can best succeed!

Here is Dustin's podcast, Boot Pit To Boardroom for you to check out:

Dan Miller is a mentor and coach to me and has been since about 2009 when I first started dreaming of an entrepreneurial lifestyle.  Between 2009 and 2015 I was unknown to Dan, but I was consuming his books and his podcast in an effort to figure out how I was going to achieve my entrepreneurial lifestyle.  Then, in 2015, three years after I started my first business I was able to put away enough money to go to one of his courses in Tennessee.

I have been a huge fan of his since discovering him in 2009, and I continue to be one today.  On tomorrow's show we are featuring an agricultural career coach.  However, for many of us we will need to look at ideas outside of agriculture and then bring them back and apply them here.  So, in preparation for tomorrow's show I am replaying my very first interview with Dan Miller to give you the inspiration to do just that!

Brynn Karnes is a sophomore at Central Columbia High School in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania and a standout member of the FFA Chapter.  She has deep roots in the Keystone State with farming on one side of the family and a multi-generational hardware store that has been serving farmers for decades on the other.

Brynn has definitely had her eyes opened to all the different opportunities for careers already, due to her involvement in the FFA.  She first explored the option of being an agriculture teacher and thought she wanted to head that direction.  However, then she took plant science and worked in the greenhouse and found something that she thought she could do for the rest of her life.  And, who knows what else she will be exposed to over time that may even lead her in a different direction.

What I noticed in the interview was that as Brynn and I spoke about her future career prospects there was excitement in her voice.  To me, that is the most important thing.  No matter what she ultimately winds up doing for a career, her participation in the FFA has got her excited about her future!

Regarding the title of today's episode - you are going to have to listen to find out what that means.  If you don't already know, it is explained in our conversation!

One week ago I was talking about how odd a weather event the wildfires in Hawaii were.  And during that discussion (fact check me on this) I stated that it would be like having a hurricane strike Idaho (although wildfires in Hawaii are more common than that).  This was well before I had ever heard of Hurricane Hilary.

Well, like magic, the biggest news story became Hurricane Hilary as she set her eyes on Southern California with a projected pathway that would march her right up to, you guessed it, Idaho.  At the time I am writing this the news is reported that what is left of Hilary is 125 miles due west of Elko, Nevada and racing north.  Well that happens to be a straight arrow right to my farm!

Dalten Durrant is just about ready to start his sophomore year of high school and his second year in the Kuna FFA Chapter.  Dalten has a huge family in the community of Kuna with a deep farming legacy in my hometown.  Dalten's family farm's name is "Big D Ranch" and they run one of the largest agribusinesses in the Treasure Valley of Idaho.

Dalten has been working in the family business since he was 5 years old, and his responsibilities increase each and every year.  His first job was selling sweet corn from the retail sales area of the ranch, and since then he has progressed to some fun and some, not so fun, jobs on the farm.  Dalten states that his favorite job during the summer is running the loader since the cab has air conditioning.  His least favorite is cleaning out the grain pits because there is rotten grain in the bottom and it stinks.

Dalten is part of a long legacy of not only farming but FFA membership and community service here in Kuna, and he has goals for his FFA career over the next three years.  It will be fun to watch.

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 State of South Dakota, like many other states in the middle of the countries is dealing with the issue of shrinking rural communities and less qualified employees for agricultural companies in those areas.  While I am not happy this is the situation for these communities, it does create fantastic opportunities for students who want to work in agriculture and live rurally.

Mitchell Technical College is based in Mitchell, South Dakota and is part of the solution to this problem for the State of South Dakota.  Among the opportunities for agriculture students in South Dakota is learning the skills that lead into an agricultural career through Mitchell Tech. for free and having a guaranteed career position when your two year program is completed.  This is done through a program called Build Dakota, and there are other programs available as well.  Imagine landing your first career position while you are still in high school, having your college 100% paid for and having a job waiting for you when you finished.

Clayton Deuter, the Vice President of Enrollment Services at Mitchell Technical College, joins me on the show today.  We will discuss how this works, what the benefits to students are and how to get this done.  This is a very exciting opportunity for agricultural students from all across the U.S. to help them find their future.

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

Tip Of The Week

Secure your horses

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/two-fillies-were-stolen-pasture-184400111.html

https://www.wtxl.com/someone-s-chopping-the-tails-off-horses-in-colorado

https://jcpost.com/posts/dbd47668-cfbd-4897-b164-eadea856dfe1

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.kent.police.uk/news/kent/latest/policing-news/burglar-who-stole-from-farms-across-kent-jailed/

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/sheffield-horse-theft-mum-offering-053652232.html

https://www.farmersguardian.com/news/4121724/police

Africa

https://ridgetimes.co.za/325501/stock-theft-on-rise-in-embalenhle/

https://theconversation.com/bandits-in-nigeria-how-protection-payments-to-militias-escalate-conflict-in-the-north-west-211224

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.newsbreak.com/miami-fl/3115971595777-stolen-farm-animals-discovered-crammed-into-back-of-van

https://www.agdaily.com/news/human-trafficking-suspected-at-utah-farm-bureau-presidents-operation/

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Mike Maxwell is the owner of Double M Ranch and a professional shearer of llamas, alpacas, sheep and even goats.  He also does dental work on alpacas and gives shots as well trims hooves.  Mike specializes in serving people on small farms with a few to many animals, but not enough to warrant hiring one of the big outfits.  Mike is taking care of folks who just cannot access the larger service providers.  

Mike's path into farming and working with animals came through his marriage to his wife, Kimberly, who had the property when they were married.   He was, and continued to, work in the corporate world while they were raising sheep and chickens.  Ultimately, he taught himself how to shear and take care of these livestock, and he started offering his services to others.  His business soon grew larger than he could handle since he kept his corporate job.  

Then, a twist came. Mike and Kim had planned on one day retiring to Costa Rica, and when Covid 19 ultimately resulted in a red hot housing market in the Treasure Valley of Idaho they realized that they could retire about 5 years earlier than they had planned.  So, they sold the farm and made it happen.  However, Mike did not want to abandon his customers in Idaho, so twice each year he flies back to Idaho and takes care of everyone's livestock for them.  

On tomorrow's Ag Business Episode I am interviewing a gentleman with a livestock care business that includes shearing llamas.  That interview has a quite a twist that you are going to want to hear about.  For today's re-cap episode I decided to go back to the interview I did with Mike Huffman in 2015 in which we talked all about his llama care business.

Teah Vennes is an incoming sophomore at Shields Valley High School in Clyde Park, Montana and the newest of a Montana Ranching legacy that goes back to 1863!  Her ranch lies in a beautiful area to the east of the Bridger Mountains that I used to frequent when I was a student at Montana State University.  Teah is very involved in ranching, horses and cattle, but so much more.

In today's interview what really stood out is the relationship between the 4H and FFA.  They are not the same, and you don't need one to do the other.  However, the 4H certainly acts as a gateway into the FFA with similar activities such as livestock exhibitions.

With Teah being a 9th Grader at the time that I interviewed her, she is right in the midst of this transition.  She has been very active in the 4H, as well as the Girl Scouts, with some interesting projects that sparked ideas that she is carrying forward into the FFA.  One of those is raising rabbits and taking them to more municipal areas of Montana to give 4H, and now FFA, students ideas about how they can raise livestock even if they live in town.  The rabbits are also a great way to spark a conversation about agriculture, giving Teach the opportunity to dispel some myths about where our food comes from.

Teah has her eye on becoming a Montana State Officer in the future, and I think this is a great start.  But, as we learned in the episode, for right now she is concentrating on getting her driver's license as she was headed to driver's training as we finished this episode.

Today is a farm update episode, and we will be discussing the following:

• Cover crops are planted
• August cool down is over
• Coyote saga
• Grazing volunteer kochia

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Ashlin Havumaki is just getting ready to start her sophomore year of high school and her third year of FFA.  As a lover of animals, Ashlin and her family keep all sorts of livestock and fowl on her grandparents farm just a few minutes from her home.  And when she was going into the 8th Grade, a friend of her father's, who was also an FFA advisor, suggested the FFA for Ashlin.

Ashlin has definitely found her perfect place.  Her fascination with animals fits very well within the FFA, and it allows her to turn that passion into an academic pursuit with her supervised agricultural experience.  It also opens many other doors such as public speaking and career development events.

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.

North Dakota State University is located in Fargo, North Dakota and is part of the greater Fargo/Moorhead metro area.  NDSU is able to combine the opportunities that come with being a research based university with the feel of a small school that caters to students.  On today's episode, Professor Adam Marx joins me to discuss the diverse agriculture in North Dakota, life on campus at NDSU and why there are so many international agriculture students in Fargo.

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Tip Of The Week

Sometimes they haven’t been stolen

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.8newsnow.com/weird-news/ap-willy-the-texas-rodeo-goat-on-the-lam-for-weeks-has-been-found-safe/

https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/state-police-investigating-theft-of-large-equipment-from-sheds-in-lawrence-county/

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/man-arrested-apparent-theft-horse-074324772.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAKxOLudzTwD2h_Xn68QbBSIBw8n6C-6SOD4uosr5rYwmvsKerDGBL89-bWMZlmgontO7MC1n5ul2UJa1w38s_5qcgI2fBxoMJJY2S0UUot3NIK09UJ4ykRp5BjyEvkZ7YS_ElhAvrW647fN_QUb09yhD-vgUqnyRLbwMsgsNuOBn

https://www.agriland.co.uk/farming-news/ni-farmer-records-thefts-of-silage-bales-on-video-camera/

https://www.mountainviewtoday.ca/beyond-local/cattle-theft-victim-says-the-system-is-broken-7350304

Africa

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2023-07-31-teenage-farm-attackers-arrested-after-crashing-stolen-car/

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2023/07/police-recover-stolen-goats-in-isiolo/&ct=ga&cd=CAEYACoUMTQzMDM3OTIzODYyMjU5NzA2NjYyGmRkNWM4ZGM4NzI2MzIxY2U6Y29tOmVuOlVT&usg=AOvVaw2R3BkxHD9sBSrWCDQx6cV4&source=gmail&ust=1691195775057000&usg=AOvVaw2AD6nBIIaFfxjGBbUFcEqj

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.an17.com/crime/police_fire/31-year-old-from-springfield-arrested-in-atv-theft-case/article_f323e69e-2d91-11ee-ab86-7fc3c01adbad.html

https://www.wjhl.com/news/crime/wcso-2-indicted-in-farm-burglary-case/

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Michael "Mick" Hawkes has a storied military career followed by a storied corporate career in security from the U.K.  In the early days of his special forces work, he was part of the response to terrorism in Northern Ireland.  Part of his special forces duty included doing days worth of surveillance on farms, and then covertly entering the buildings of the farm to look for weapons and explosives.  During this surveillance he saw the weaknesses that farmers had when it came to security, and he later used that to his advantage.

Years later, after his corporate career, Mick has decided to try and help the people of the U.K. as well as people all over the world to increase their situational awareness and increase their personal safety.  This has led to the development of Hawkes And Co. and the training that he and his daughter are offering to everyone from elementary school children to corporate leaders.  Included in their target audience is farmers, which is how I found Mick.

On today's show we will talk about Mick's agricultural business, but we will also discuss how farmers can improve situational awareness and security on their farmsteads.

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On tomorrow's Ag Business Episode I am featuring an entrepreneur with a security awareness business that has a speciality in crime prevention on farms.  To tie in today's re-cap episode I am bringing back this interview with Dave Young, a co-founder of the Vistelar Security Group, that I did in 2020 about home invasions and self-defense on our farms.

Lauren Comes is a farmer and FFA student from Southwest Iowa.  She has just completed her first, full year of FFA and is preparing to launch into even more FFA activities as sophomore.  Lauren farms with her father and brothers on their multi-generational farm, primarily raising commercial cattle, but also growing some row crops.

In this interview Lauren and I spoke about the payoffs of farming.  As she talked about in the show, not every aspect of farming is pleasant or enjoyable, but they are necessary to keep the farm going.  And, eventually there is a payoff, and I don't mean money.  That payoff is different for all of us.  For Lauren it takes place in March when she gets to spend time with newborn calf and its mother in the barn.  For me, it is in mid-July at the end of a long day watching the sun go down and listening to the cattle graze.  Either way, there are those moments on the farm that make those unpleasant moments worth it.

Lauren is pouring all of her energy in the FFA and farming.  She doesn't know what she wants to study after high school yet, but she knows it will be in agriculture.  And certainly there is wisdom built into her father's choice to have the kids hand stack, heavy bails of hay in the hot, Iowa sun.  There will be a day in Lauren's future that test her, possibly even makes her wonder if pursuing her career goals are worth it, and then she will remember stacking those bales and her motivation will return.  It works the same for all of us who have ever done an unpleasant, physically taxing job.  It pushes us forward and helps us get to where we are supposed to end up.

You all know that I have been trying to solve a coyote problem for some time now.  Well, it still is not solved, and it has opened a pandora's box of how to do this and how to do that while not losing any more goats.  There has been one issue in particular that has plagued me, and that is how to pen up the goats at night in one particular pasture I'd like to graze them in.  Well, this weekend I got away for a couple of days and took some time to completely forget about the problems on the farm.  And poof!  Just like that I came up with a solution.  I'll talk about this method in today's episode.

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Lane Carter is going into his fourth year of the FFA, but just his sophomore year of high school in a couple of weeks.  He began his FFA journey in the 7th Grade with a vision of farming, full time after high school ever since.

Lane already has a great vision of what it is going to take.  He has already started a side business, doing custom bailing for customers in his area of Northeast Missouri.  He is trading labor on his families farm for the use of the equipment he needs to operate this business.  He also has identified other side hustles that he could pursue to create off-farm income when the time comes, such as selling seed.

Lane is not waiting around though.  He and his brother leased 50 acres and farmed it as partners last year.  This year they are leasing 80.  Lane's goal is to grow every year and to keep growing until all he has to do to survive is farm.  He will take the off-farm job if he needs to, but he is making all the right moves right now to avoid that, or at least to minimize that.

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 Southern Idaho is a community college located in Twin Falls, Idaho.  They have a fantastic reputation as an agricultural college going back to when my in-laws were farming fish in Buhl, Idaho and having interns from CSI work on their fish farm.  The Idaho State FFA Convention is held at CSI every year, and it sits in the heart of the rich agricultural Magic Valley of Southern Idaho.

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Tip Of The Week

Do you keep track of metal prices?

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.countryherald.com/news/local/towns/will-county/beecher/faa-seeks-publics-help-in-identifying-reckless-crop-dusters/

https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article277796823.html

https://advertiser-tribune.com/news/472193/have-you-seen-this-tractor/

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://aboutregional.com.au/police-search-for-alpacas-allegedly-stolen-from-michelago-property/430836/

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/?post_type=fp&p=6002605

https://www.farmersguardian.com/news/4121476/dog-caught

Africa

https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/new-suspected-goat-thief-loses-voice-in-court

https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/business/article/2001478566/wamuchomba-urges-state-to-set-up-anti-coffee-theft-police-unit

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.btw21.com/post/sheriff-couple-charged-in-connection-with-stolen-tractor-and-bush-hog

https://www.wqow.com/news/crime/charges-settled-after-horses-found-dead-on-farm-2-accused-of-mistreatment-of-animals/article_f7981864-2d76-11ee-b295-af1b4157dd3c.html

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One thing the FFA is great at is giving all students, regardless of the size or scope of their operation, an equal chance of recognition.  Today's Guest, Olivia Rossi, really demonstrates that.

Olivia has grown up on her families cattle ranch in the beautiful mountains of Colorado.  She exchanges labor for the feed and housing of her her beef SAE, which consists of two steers.  Even though Olivia lives on an expansive cow/calf operation and could put together a placement SAE with a large scope, she chooses to put together an entrepreneurship SAE consisting of just these two steers.  And, she has taken this project all the way.

Olivia won grand champion with one of her steers, and she won a state proficiency award with her project of raising and showing her two steers.  Two steers, that is all, and now she is entering her project for consideration at the national level!  Olivia never stressed over the size of her project, but she pays close attention to the quality.  And, in her application she focused on explaining how raising two steers could still give her insight into the beef industry and beef business, and she didn't allow anyone to look at the size of her operation as a limiting factor.

On tomorrow's episode I am featuring another student from Soroco FFA in Northwest Colorado.  The stories that come out of this mountainous cattle country are so interesting.  And our guest happens to be cousins with and have the same last name as previous OFI guest, Kayla Rossi.  So, it seemed like a natural fit for today's re-cap episode to replay the interview I did with Kayla, talking all about how predators were a challenge for her SAE project in this wild area.

Ty Oyen has already been on the big stage at the National FFA Convention for he and his partner, Gage's, Agrisicence Research Project regarding water quality on part of Ty's farm in South Dakota.  This happened in Ty and Gage's 9th Grade year of high school!  It is amazing to see photos of those two receiving their awards in Indianapolis and to know that they have just begun their high school and FFA journeys.

However, after speaking with Ty for a few minutes you realize that being surprised that he accomplished this already is just underestimating him.  Ty is devoted to farming, and his schedule reflects that.  He is having very much a normal high school experience for an athletic person.  He plays three sports - football, basketball and track - and of course, he is in the FFA.  But all of that is book ended by farming.

Ty gets up in the morning at about 6am, and before he heads to school he bottle feeds about 30 calves.  Then he has school all day, practice for whatever sport is in season after school and he finally heads home.  But, when he gets home he changes clothes, heads out to the shop and works on whatever project his father and grandfather have given he and his brother.

When school is out for the summer, Ty is working in the family business custom bailing hay for folks or custom chopping hay and corn for other people's livestock feed needs.  Looking into the future, Ty is focused on farming.  He and his older brother are going to study to become diesel technicians, specializing in John Deere Equipment.  They use a lot of John Deere equipment on the farm already, but it becomes increasingly more complex to work on.  However, by becoming experts they will be able to solve a lot of these problems themselves, without the need to pay expensive shop rates and taken equipment back to the dealership.

Well, since we last spoke I have been in a sniper's next every morning by o500 waiting for my chance to exterminate this coyote that has cost us 7 goats.  So far, no luck.  However, I did catch it on the game camera and confirm that it is a coyote.  This discussion will dominate today's farm update episode, but we will also talk about August weather, monsoonal moisture, the Canyon County Fair and corn, corn, corn.....

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Addison Gronley is just getting ready to start her sophomore year of high school and second year of FFA, and there are possibly some big changes coming her way.  I interviewed Addison right after she had attended the Idaho State FFA Convention.  Even before the convention she was very fired up about showing and judging livestock with some big goals on the horizon, namely proficiency awards.

The long drive back to Northern Idaho from the State Convention in the complete opposite end of the state did not reduce Addison's passion for the FFA.  She told me that she was strongly considering becoming a home school student in the 10th Grade so that she could show sheep even more and develop her skills even further.  A classic line from a very focused FFA student, "school gets in the way of shows".

I am fortunate to be able to interview a lot of National Proficiency and American Star winners on this show, and a frequent theme is setting the goal of achieving at that level early.  Addison has definitely done this, and she is doing whatever she can to remove any obstacles that might stand in her way.

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.

Tuskegee is one of the most historical colleges in the United States, and it just keeps making history.  Located in Central Alabama, this historic campus and agriculture program is central to many activities in Alabama and the surrounding states.  It boasts a rich history of innovation in agriculture and it was teaching students about regenerative agriculture before it was cool.  Tuskegee has a special emphasis on small farms in addition to production agriculture, and might be the exact right fit for you.

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Tip Of The Week

Insurance and Natural Surveillance

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.wftv.com/news/local/no-horsing-around-orlando-police-search-suspect-bike-who-stole-horse/WO6ZFHGVGBE7FBHRGJYDOSIDLA/

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/sheepherder-severely-injured-black-bear-174608985.html

https://kimatv.com/news/local/surge-in-car-thefts-yakima-county-sheriffs-office-sees-20-increase-farms-and-rural-areas-targeted

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/crime/suspected-diesel-thieves-snared-in-rural-crime-crackdown-4220745

https://globalnews.ca/news/9840232/maple-ridge-charity-tractor-stolen/

https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/reward-for-return-of-stolen-cattle-in-co-monaghan/

Africa

https://www.iol.co.za/mercury/news/northern-kzn-community-living-in-fear-after-two-lions-spotted-roaming-rural-emphendle-6f6b7b1d-0e45-43d0-ae6d-e6a4246c3da3

https://dailypost.ng/2023/07/16/woman-raped-to-death-on-her-farm/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.murrayledger.com/news/kirksey-man-charged-for-farm-fires/article_de39086a-242a-11ee-bb87-4b85ae1b1f8b.html

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/man-arrested-after-leading-officers-slow-speed-chase-stolen-tractor-police-say/HLG4QNOW7VEVTJIDW2IX3HDTIU/

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Kyle Stockdale is a dairyman and entrepreneur from Ontario, Canada.  He first appeared as a guest on the Off-Farm Income Podcast in 2021 when he was about three years into the development of his company, KY Vision Sharpening & Clipper Repair.  Today, I am thrilled to have him back on the show for an update on his business as well as to learn about how he has advanced as an entrepreneur.

It is always very exciting for me to welcome a previous guest back to the show, and in Kyle's case I learned a lot and couldn't be more proud of what he is doing.

On tomorrow's Ag Business Episode Kyle Stockdale is coming back on the show with an update on his business as well as his development as an entrepreneur.  I am very proud of what he is doing and excited to share tomorrow's interview with you.

Kyle first appeared on Off-Farm Income in 2021, and so for today's re-cap episode I am replaying that original interview to give you the before and after picture.  You are going to be impressed!

Ava Genter is a swine producer, a Star Greenhand winner and a Star Record Keeper in her FFA Chapter.  Even at age 15 it feels like Ava has been waiting her whole life to be a member of the FFA.  Creating even more anticipation is the fact that in Pettisville, Ohio every grade is in the same building for the entire 13 years of public education, but FFA does not begin until the 9th Grade.

Ava showed her first pig, on her own, when she was 2 years old.  So, ever since Kindergarten she has been in the same building with those blue jackets and wanting to wear one.  Finally, this year, it happened for her.  And she is not waisting anytime getting used to the organization either.  She applied to go the National Convention her freshman year, and she was able to go.  She won a number of awards at her chapter's banquet in March and she has her sights set on being an officer.  

As you can tell from the title of this episode, there was a resonating point that stood out in the interview.  I hear it all the time from FFA students, and I always want to highlight this.  99% of the FFA students that I interview who are farming or raising livestock for their SAE are paying money for feed, facilities, inputs and equipment to a relative who wants, more than anything, to see them succeed.  If that is the case, why do they have them pay?  The reason is that agricultural people are wise and pragmatic, and they know that awards and record books are short term awards, but true success is learning how the real world works and getting the experiences that will lead to long term success. 

This is true in Ava's case, and I wanted to highlight it in the title of this episode.  

I thought I had dealt with the coyote issue near our farm and the threat was ended, but this morning I received a rude awakening.  I found four dead goat kids, clearly killed by coyotes with only one being consumed.  The rest, killed for sport or to train pups how to hunt.  One is missing and was probably hauled off.  That is basically all I am talking about in today's farm update.

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JD Thompson is in his first year of the FFA, and he is one of the most long term and forward thinking students that I have interviewed.  Through research and exploration, JD discovered the business of raising deer for sale to high fenced hunting ranches.  Once he discovered this he ramped up his research and found a ranch in South Dakota that was raising deer for this purpose.  He reached out to the owner, asked him several questions and is soon going there for a tour.  JD is hoping to work for him for a couple of weeks this summer to get a closer look at how the operation works.

JD has a very long timeline on this project.  He will be developing his facilities over the next couple of years and saving his money in order to purchase his first deer.  He is hoping to purchase his first deer by his senior year, and if things go better than expected by the end of his junior year.  By that time, JD hopes to have visited some ranches in Texas and started networking with owners there that host hunters.

JD is showing a lot of wisdom in planning out a long timeline.  This will give him the opportunity to learn and study and get experience.  It will also prevent him from rushing in financially to a potentially volatile business and harming himself financially.

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 Ohio State University is the largest university that I have profiled to date on this episode.  Today, Dr. Tracy Kitchel joins me to discuss the College Of Food, Ag and Environmental Sciences.  Being an agriculture student at The Ohio State University in Columbus definitely sounds like it has its advantages over the other colleges, almost like a refuge from the mass of over 67,000 students at that campus.  We will also discuss the opportunities at the Wooster Campus and the way that both locations integrate together for an agricultural education.

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Tip Of The Week

Big events = opportunities for thieves

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.atholdailynews.com/Murdock-Farm-seeks-public-s-help-following-theft-51676335

https://www.djournal.com/new-albany/tractor-hauler-trailer-stolen/article_d2b1a942-20f2-11ee-bde5-07efb5060046.html

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://sunburymacedonranges.starweekly.com.au/news/voicing-for-farm-crime/

https://www.farmersguardian.com/news/4120405/farmers-warned-check-farm-security-royal-welsh-show

https://lacombeonline.com/articles/stolen-cattle-investigation-continues-for-alberta-rcmp

Africa

https://www.namibian.com.na/sampofu-calls-for-more-ear-tags-to-curb-stock-theft/

https://newcastillian.com/2023/07/17/saps-task-team-recovers-livestock-worth-over-r270k-in-nine-days/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://fox40.com/news/local-news/san-joaquin-county/sheriffs-office-puts-an-end-to-san-joaquin-hay-heist/

https://www.news10.com/news/crime/man-charged-with-robbery-at-halfmoon-farm/

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It is said all the time that you should start farming, right where you are at, in whatever way that you can.  If you are in an apartment, grow some tomatoes in pots on your deck.  If you live in a neighborhood, raise some chickens and enjoy the eggs.  Don't wait to have 1,000 acres, start right now!

I believe in this adage, but I also understand the comparison that people might make to production agriculturists when they are doing something on such a small scale.  That is a reason that I am so eager to introduce you to this episode's guests.

Joanna and Brian Guza both grew up on production agriculture farms and have that as their background.  However, as a young couple growing their family they did not have the land to farm on a production agriculture scale.  They did not let that stop them.  They purchased their home on 2 acres, found a niche crop to grow and began farming and selling direct to consumer.  And, when this episode is released they will be in the middle of harvesting over 300 lbs of garlic that they will sell out of, almost immediately.

It's all about the farming folks, no matter what your situation is.  If you love it, do it.  Just take it from Brian and Joanna and their delicious garlic.

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Emily Thimmes was a guest on the Off-Farm Income Podcast back in 2016.  Being a student at Miami East High School, under the tutilage of Marie Carity, she was encouraged to pursue an interesting entrepeneurship SAE, and she did!  Emily was making quite a name for herself growing and selling herbs when I interviewed her.

On tomorrow's Ag Business Episode, I am profiling a married couple that comes from production agriculture and has now created a niche growing and selling garlic on a small episode.  From one herb to another, I thought this was a great tie in to tomorrow's show.

Lacie Weber is in her first year as an official high school student but her third year in the Rutland FFA Chapter.  Rutland is a very, very small town and all students attend school in the same building together.  So, as a 9th grader Lacie has already served in two chapter officer position.  And, she is coaching younger FFA members as well as 4H members in everything that she has been exposed to between both groups.

Lacie is very interested in shooting sports and excels in shooting a bow and arrow.  During the interview I jokingly asked her if she had ever shot a bullseye and then split the arrow in two by shooting another bullseye right after it.  Her answer was "yes"!

It is early for Lacie to know what the future looks like once high school is done.  However, she and I both seem to think she will wind up serving others and teaching or coaching in some capacity.

Hi everyone.  As I promised myself last winter, I am not taking one day of summer for granted this year.  That does not mean that it is not full of challenges on the farm such as slow pasture growth, parasites in the goats and pink eye in the cattle.  On today's farm update we will talk about it all.

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Sophia Sisil is a natural born entrepreneur and the owner of Sophia's Succulents, selling plants and arrangements in farmers markets around the Madera, California area.  Sophia is also just getting ready to begin her 10th grad year of high school, but her 4th year of FFA.  Starting in middle school, Sophia joined the FFA kind of because that was the thing to do in her family.  However, by the end of her 8th grade year she was hooked and knew that she would wear the blue jacket for as long as she was able.

In today's interview Sophia talks about her succulent business and how she got started.  Something stood out to me as she told the story.  She said that she was at a Home Depot with a friend, and she saw pieces of a succulent plant on the floor, waiting to be swept up and thrown in the trash.  However, her curiosity was piqued, and she took the pieces home and tried to propagate her own plants with the pieces.  When she told me that part, I knew that something was different.

As I inquired further, Sophia told me that she had been trying to start businesses since about 6th Grade.  She said that she has even tried selling her own clothes.  She also said at one point she was drawing pictures and selling them on Instagram.  She did this, even when her parents told her they didn't think it would work.  That is a natural born entrepreneur!

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 I am joined by Dr. Aslihan Spaulding, a professor of Agribusiness and Food Industry Management as well as Cori Malone, and instructor and academic advisor - both from Illinois State University.  This is my first exposure to this agricultural college, and I have to say that I am impressed.  Illinois State University offers a performance based, non-resident tuition waiver, to students has a large college farm and a small agricultural college housed within a good sized university.  This position agriculture students for unique opportunities and exposure while having class sizes in the single digits!

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Tip Of The Week

Don’t rely on others to follow through when it comes to rural crime

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/fulton-county-flying-change-equine-therapy-horse-trailer-stolen

https://www.12newsnow.com/article/news/local/deputies-are-asking-for-help-to-find-owner-of-stolen-tractor/502-eb22abb9-95aa-4751-97cf-f7629c83e3ef

https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/644122520/shaftsbury-barracks-theft-of-tractor

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.farminguk.com/news/uk-wide-crackdown-on-tractor-gps-thefts-to-commence-as-crime-rises_62955.html

https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/alberta-rcmp-seek-suspect-in-rural-home-arson-in-strathcona-county

https://www.farmersjournal.ie/gardai-warn-farmers-following-monaghan-theft-spree-774131

Africa

https://www.dfa.co.za/news/de-aar-stock-theft-cops-nab-wanted-suspect-in-eastern-cape-1405c21b-426c-4bfc-b1b2-b8a20e7e5a58/

https://leadership.ng/police-arrest-4-for-cattle-rustling-kidnapping-in-adamawa/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://vicksburgnews.com/mississippi-department-of-agriculture-and-commerce-recovers-stolen-farm-equipment-valued-at-over-198000/

https://www.12newsnow.com/article/news/local/deputies-are-asking-for-help-to-find-owner-of-stolen-tractor/502-eb22abb9-95aa-4751-97cf-f7629c83e3ef

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Forrest Durham was first a guest on the Off-Farm Income Podcast back in 2015 when he was an FFA student and running a roasted corn business.  As a high school student Forrest was attending an average of 14 fairs or festivals per year for a total of 28 days.  He was selling around 500 ears of corn per day at an average profit of $2 per ear.  That's around $30,000 in profit.  Not bad for a high school student working 28 days per year, right?

The roasted corn business was inspired by his father, who sold fudge and ice cream out of a mobile car and later a brick and mortar location.  When Forrest finished high school he went to the University Of Kentucky and got a degree in agriculture, but then he was right back at it, taking over his father's business "The Sweet Shoppe".

Forrest is currently expanding "The Sweet Shoppe".  They do mail orders and are starting to distribute fudge to local grocery stores.  He is also building his cattle herd and has plans for a direct to consumer beef business.  And, he already has a brick and mortar store front and large scale social media following for The Sweet Shoppe.  So, selling cuts of meat produced on his very own farm is just a step away.

Forrest Durham is one of the most memorable FFA entrepreneurs that I ever profiled on this show.  In just 12-16 weekends per year, during high school, he was making an very impressive income selling roasted corn at fairs and festivals.  Forrest has continued his entrepreneurial ways and now taken over his father's fudge business and his running both a mobile stand, brick and mortar location and mail order business.  I am having Forrest back on the show tomorrow to catch up with him and profile his continued entrepreneurial pursuits.  I thought playing his interview from back in 2016 would be a great tie in for tomorrow's show.

Baylor Bloom is the owner of "Full Bloom Harvesting", a tree shaking business located in the Central Valley of California serving almond farmers in and around Gustine.  At the time of this interview Baylor was almost 1/2 through his final semester of his 9th grade year of high school.  However, his expertise on the permanent crop farming industry of California was like somebody who had been farming for decades.

Baylor has a passion for farming, and for his families 8 generation farm.  As a matter of fact, he has immense knowledge of the history of the farm and how it changed due to the Great Depression almost 80 years ago.  Baylor took over his fathers tree shaking business, and as a freshman in high school he leases the equipment on an annual basis and is responsible for every aspect of the business.  This includes hiring people to transport his equipment since he does not have a driver's license yet and hiring labor to shake the trees during the time that he is in class at high school!

In this interview Baylor does a fantastic job of explaining to the audience how almonds are harvested, and it will of interest to anyone that has natural curiosity about farming.

My mom was a painter, and she used to watch Bob Ross on PBS religiously.  Bob had a saying that has become very popular.  When a brush stroke that he didn't intend happened, he called it a "happy little accident".  I have stolen that phrase, but I use it when I talk about why I raise goats.  Me becoming a goat farmer is definitely a "happy little accident".

On today's farm update episode, goats is what it seems like I have to talk about.  I'll be discussing using them in our driveway to control weeds and growth as well as in a new area of pasture that I have planted.  What amazing little creatures.

Levi Knopp is just finishing up his first year of high school, but he is fortunate to be finishing his 3rd year of FFA already.  Coming from one of the school districts that allows middle school FFA, Levi got an early start.  Levi was preceded in the FFA by his sister, and she has been a significant role model for him.  

Levi has a lot of high school and FFA ahead of him, but he already has very clear goals and objectives. Among them are winning the state fair with a lamb that was born on his farm, becoming a state officer and ultimately becoming an agriculture teacher.  It is rare, even for FFA students, have such clear, long term goals identified this early.  However, it was apparent in the interview with Levi that he is a forward thinker.

Part of our discuss steered towards alternative farming methods and the world's growing population.  Levi is an optimist, and he sees the glass as half full when it comes to future population.  He is already looking into innovation and believes that new methods or farming, including urban farms and vertical farming, will be the answers that are needed to get the world through the exponential growth.  

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

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

The University Of Tennessee Martin is one of the universities that inspired this episode.  Hattie and I were made aware of UTM at the National FFA Convention, and after that conversation and hearing how affordable an agricultural education could be there, it got me started thinking about making this episode.  Today, I am speaking with the Agriculture Department Chair, Dr. West Totten.  There is a wealth of information in this interview about another agricultural college that will make it possible for you to create your future in Ag.

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Tip Of The Week

Rural crime is more prevalent in the U.S. than reported

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/crime/california-green-energy-investment-scheme/103-c2bf5a3b-e1c1-4931-8aa9-df785effb274

https://www.agweb.com/news/machinery/used-machinery/crime-sprees-target-precision-ag-technology-farms-and-dealerships

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.bridportnews.co.uk/news/23634530.warning-rural-thefts-west-dorset-villages/

https://www.farmersguide.co.uk/nearly-a-fifth-of-waste-in-england-falls-into-criminal-hands-survey-finds/

Africa

https://nation.africa/kenya/blogs-opinion/opinion/it-s-in-the-country-s-interest-to-protect-avocado-growers-from-ruthless-cartels-4296510

https://www.foodformzansi.co.za/icymi-shock-as-fruit-thieves-attack-female-farmer/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://tscra.org/former-ranch-hand-indicted-in-smith-county-cattle-theft-case/?fbclid=IwAR2HA5ULV31qD1QacH8RmBoPkAtxPIeVR4ben0wwkN_Xou0k1ULBPMJg_xw_aem_AX04O7PxoezRe_5wetIMFJQy_mkKuNEAXa4dtPl5RmjnUl-PnSET0loniZFyaLm4eCE&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

https://www.kget.com/news/crime-watch/wasco-man-arrested-for-burglary-grand-theft-of-copper-wire-kcso/

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I have been fascinated with the idea of growing fodder as a livestock feed since I first learned about it in 2015.  Recently I began searching for a guest to come on the show who was using this model, and I found Al Noorda just one state away in Utah.

Al is the owner of Spring Creek Livestock & Feed in Cedar Foot, Utah.  He has been growing and feeding fodder for about ten years to his cattle and finishing them on nothing other than grass, hay and fodder.  Al also sells fodder production systems and sources barley seed for customers.  According to Al, fodder can replace 70% of your feed ration and allow you to feed lower quality hay to your ruminants.  Also, the fodder keeps your cattle or other ruminants gaining weight through the winter when ranchers traditionally only feed for weight maintenance.

I have a natural interest in this system, so in today's interview you get to hear me ask questions that comes straight from the perspective of somebody who is interested in producing their own feed in this manner.  I hope you learn as much as I did!

On tomorrow's Ag Business Episode we are profiling a farmer who is feeing everything with fodder.  This individual has really revolutionized fodder production as a feed source for his livestock.  This made me think of the very first time I heard of fodder, and that was during an interview with Nancy Schiffer of the Kuna FFA Chapter in 2015.  So, we are brining it back for you today as a lead in to tomorrow's episode.

Peyton Zinner is a former Middle School FFA President, and now she is a freshman FFA member at Western Hills High School in Frankfort, Kentucky.  Peyton has grown up in an agricultural and FFA family.  Actually, her uncle is one of her FFA advisors, and she keeps her sheep at his home.

Peyton is already making very mature decisions for her age.  She has two major focus areas.  First, is the FFA.  She is improving the genetics in her growing flock of sheep and has objectives for breeding her own sheep that will go on to win at her county and state fair.  Her other focus area is swimming, and she has already identified the two colleges that she wants to swim at in the NCAA.

Peyton is working towards both of these goals and knows that if she takes anything else on, it will diminish her ability to succeed at these two goals.  This is a lesson that a lot of adults, especially entrepreneurs, cannot learn.  My hat is off for Peyton thinking so far ahead, and I have all the confidence in the world that she will achieve both of these goals.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Today is a great day for Americans, farmers, and non-farmers alike.  As we celebrate the anniversary of American Independence we should think about the men and women who lived through this time.  With this in mind, let's look at how it impacted farmers in the colonies during the 18th Century.

Here are a few of the things that farmers went through during the Revolutionary War:

• Trade routes to the market were cut off by war, either waterways or roads.
• Farmers could not plant surpluses because they might not be able to sell the excess and it would just rot on their fields.
• Herds of cattle and horses were depleted either by the plundering of the British or as provisions for the Continental Army.
• Farmers were away from their farms for long periods of time and had to start over when they finally returned.
• At this time, 90% of the population were engaged in farming so this really was a war fought by farmers.

I wanted to mention something that I read in Stephen Ambrose's book "Citizen Soldiers" about farm kids in World War II.  He said that the commanders loved the soldiers that grew up on farms because they had been hunting for their whole lives, knew how to handle a rifle, and could shoot straight.

I wanted to pay tribute to four of my ancestors that fought in the Revolutionary War in this episode as well:

• Samuel Hubbard
• James Wilcox
• Jesse Richardson
• Jesse Rowley

Landon Berg is our first "Featured Freshman" guest of 2023.  At the time of the recording he was right in the middle of the second half of his first year of high school.  Landon lives on his fourth generation family farm, and with his father and brother they raise cattle, sheep and grow corn and soybeans.  

Landon has a passion for livestock evaluation, and that led him to be on the high school livestock evaluation team as an 8th Grader.  That team went to the National FFA Convention in 2022 and won a silver award.  Landon told me that going to the National Convention to evaluate livestock was one of his biggest goals, and here he is already having accomplished that!

So, the natural question for Landon is what is his new goal going to be.  He is very interested in the flock of sheep that he and his brother have started.  Landon is hoping to begin improving flock genetics through artificial insemination within the next couple of years.  And, he is hoping to return to the National Convention in the future as a National Proficiency Finalist.  

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 I speak with Dr. Antoine Alston, an Associate Dean in the Department Of Agriculture.  In this discussion we talk about the historical significance of NCAT being a Historically Black University And College as well as a Land Grant University.  We will discuss scholarships and real world learning opportunities.

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Tip Of The Week

Do you sell your roosters?

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.wjhg.com/2023/06/19/man-arrested-attempted-burglary/

http://newslj.com/content/lincoln-county-sheriff’s-office-says-don’t-take-sheep-dogs

https://www.1600kush.com/news/cushing-horse-trainer-accused-of-embezzlement

https://katv.com/news/nation-world/100-worth-of-farm-fresh-eggs-stolen-from-honor-box-in-rhode-island-outdoor-cooler-keeeps-backyard-community-theft-thieves-stealing-surveillance-footage-small-business

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.farmersjournal.ie/minister-must-act-now-on-dog-control-following-kerry-sheep-kill-ifa-771070

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/rural-crime-canterbury-lifestyle-block-owner-shoots-down-drone-over-burglary-fear/JBLBW6DC5NHXTL2TGBMVYCFIOY/

https://www.yourharlow.com/2023/06/21/farm-crime-and-surging-cost-of-living-pose-threat-to-livelihoods/

Africa

https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2023/06/21/u-s---u-n--pause-food-aid-delivery-to-ethiopia-after-theft

https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/have-you-seen-these-bulls-free-state-police-on-lookout-for-missing-brahmans-20230621

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://jcpost.com/posts/036b9760-c2da-46d6-8037-372a12049880

https://sanangelolive.com/news/crime/2023-06-21/wanted-serial-cattle-thief-corralled-tom-green-county-sheriffs-deputies

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https://allongeorgia.com/georgia-public-safety/twelve-arrested-in-jeff-davis-co-in-relation-to-cockfighting-operation-more-expected/&ct=ga&cd=CAEYByoTNDAxMzI1MDgzMTk3MzAzMzUxMzIaYTZmNDE3MjRkMjY1ODg5ODpjb206ZW46VVM&usg=AOvVaw23AwyMkg6AL1YuqGB7VgDk&source=gmail&ust=1687559438612000&usg=AOvVaw38AvUyEsOAyAJjIhqpNVUo

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Karsten Frecker is the owner of Frecker's Saddlery, a lifelong horseman and a lifelong craftsman.  Along with several members of his family, including his wife, brother and sister, Karsten runs their saddle business from Dillon, Montana.  The business was first started by Karsten's father, Kent, several decades ago, and Karsten just recently purchased it from him.

Like any business that looks straight forward on the surface, there are nuances and complexities to it that the owners make look non-existent.  In today's interview with Karsten I spend a lot of time asking about how a person becomes a saddle maker, what Karsten is looking for in an apprentice and how the business works, i.e. producing saddles for sale vs. doing custom orders.

A very interesting part of this discussion is the manner in which people go about learning this trade.  When Karsten brings on an apprentice, he hopes they will be with the company for the long haul so that they can recoup their investment in the apprentice and grow the business.  However, this does not always happen, and some lessons that were learned the hard way have taught Karsten that only he and his brother will commit to doing custom work for customers with special orders.  Therefore, they have over a 3 year waiting list for custom saddles, and they are constantly striking a balance between producing products and fulfilling orders.

Karsten states that the best way to learn to be a saddle maker is work alongside somebody with experience.  However, if somebody wants to learn the trade in order to start their own shop this has to be done in an ethical manner.  Karsten and I talk about this in the interview.

On tomorrow's ag business episode we are profiling a family business with a long legacy of building saddles for the regular market and for custom customers.  This is a business that is so interesting for the folks who want to live in the world of horses.

Of course with saddle ownership comes saddle maintenance, and sometimes it is easier to outsource that work.  So, I thought for today's re-cap episode it would make sense to go back to this interview that I did with Sarah Banowetz talking about her small business bringing old saddles back to life.

Andrea Buhrow is the owner of The Flower Patch, a multi-faceted flower business located in Ashton, Illinois.  Andrea first appeared on the Off-Farm Income Podcast in 2020, right in the middle of lockdowns and quarantines from Covid.  She was just beginning her FFA career and wanted to start her own enterprise, even though she had grown up on her family farm.  She loved flowers, and people were looking for something to do locally because of limitations on travel.  So, she started the Flower Patch as a "u-pick" flower farm where people could come have an experience, be outdoors and safe from transmission and leave with some beautiful flowers.

Ironically, as covid let up, this caused Andrea to pivot in her business.  Most business owners got back to normal when the pandemic waned, but for Andrea that was normal.  So, Andrea started selling bouquet subscriptions, selling at the farmer's market and continued with the u-pick business.  Today, Andrea has just graduated high school and her business is running at full capacity.  So much so, that she has had to cut back on orders for this summer!

On today's farm update show I am going to tell you about getting pushed and pushed and pushed and finally responding......to an annoying goat.  Also, a little message about not giving up and is it really worth it!

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Kacie Wooten is the outgoing Kuna FFA Vice President, a 2023 Salutatorian, the squadron commander of her JROTC Chapter and her JROTC region's Outstanding Cadet of 2022.  That is quite a resume and some very wonderful accomplishments.

Our family has known Kacie since Hattie first joined the Kaveman Kritters 4H Club of which Kacie was also a member.  So, Autumm and I have been able to observe her as she has grown up and have become well acquainted with her family.  From this, there are two character traits that Kacie has that help to explain all of the accolades and accomplishments she already has as a recent high school graduate - service and planning.

Throughout this interview you will hear Kacie talking about the common thread between all of her activities, and that is the ability to serve others.  Surrounding that will be planning and goal setting.  Kacie is a great example of what can be accomplished when these two characteristics are combined.  And, she is not done.  She is heading to Liberty University in just a couple of months with her eyes fixed on becoming a military chaplain, once again giving her the ability to serve others.

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.

Lake Area Technical College is a 2 year, public college, located in Watertown, South Dakota.  There is a strong emphasis on real world, practical application of education at Lake Area Tech.  In this interview I encountered a term that was new to me - Supervised Occupational Experience - this is a program, similar to an internship, designed to get students into the field and working which often leads to their first job out of college.  In today's episode Greg Miller, the Agriculture Department Supervisor, joins me to talk about this highly recommended program.

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Tip Of The Week

Be careful with antique farm equipment on display

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.agdaily.com/lifestyle/hay-bale-scams-we-played-along-with-frauds/

https://southsidemessenger.com/lunenburg-sheriffs-department-looking-for-stolen-equipment/

https://kymkemp.com/2023/06/10/antique-hayrake-stolen-from-rio-dell-home/

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.kent.police.uk/news/kent/latest/policing-news/rural-task-force-officers-recover-stolen-goods/

https://www.sheppnews.com.au/news/stolen-tractor-involved-in-slow-speed-police-chase-before-crashing-into-army-base/

Africa

https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/farm-business-torched-mob-justice-elandskraal-impopo-2-june-2023/

https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/move-to-stop-livestock-theft-cartels-gets-boost-4278280

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://tscra.org/uvalde-county-man-arrested-for-felony-theft-of-more-than-650-goats/?fbclid=IwAR0ePebBbto6zAHxhaq4LgLQ2lHM0aMekTo2_O2-gjwL5oUnTdfBS1dD_xk_aem_th_AeHSx0tIF0PqLgh0kFdzb1ROg6Df-Gpa-NnlGZVNtKXrCvVd9iJbL9sHP72c03b_bcE&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

https://www.fox43.com/article/news/crime/mechanicsburg-woman-sentenced-up-12-years-prison-crime-spree/521-af0d18cf-c2f7-45d2-a499-9d926fac7f2a

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Alicia Tomlinson is the owner and creator of One Less Thing, a company that provides teaching materials and curriculum to agriculture teachers all around the U.S.  Alicia and her husband, Brian, run this business full time and have been doing so since 2007.  Both of them were agriculture teachers until they started their family and made this switch.  Alicia was the first one to leave the workplace so that she could be home with their first born.  Eventually, One Less Thing grew so much that Brian left the workplace to partner with Alicia in the business and take some of the workload from her.

I first interviewed Alicia in 2005 after learning about her business online.  Since then I have got to know both she and Brian personally, meeting up with them at the National FFA Convention each year.  Their business continues to grow, and now the son that they started the business in order to be home with has entrepreneurial aspirations of his own and works in their business from time to time.

There are many lessons about starting and succeeding in your own business wrapped into this episode.  Alicia does a great job of illustrating those, and that is why I was excited to have her back on the show!

Alicia Tomlinson has become a friend and mentor over the years since I first interviewed her for the Off-Farm Income Podcast.  On tomorrow's ag business episode she is coming back on the show to update us on her business and what has gone on, over the past 8 years.  So, for today's re-cap episode I wanted to replay her first interview so you can have the complete before and after picture when you hear her tomorrow.  

Sadie Rola has just graduated from Turlock Christian High School, just completed her term as her FFA Chapter's Reporter and just completed her term as a National FFA Style Squad Member.  What is the National FFA Style Squad?  Well, if you don't know, I didn't know either.  However, I certainly do after conducting this interview with Sadie.

Sadie and I have very similar pathways that led us into agriculture, and she is going down a very similar path in the exact same place, that I did at her age.  It is always amazing to me how when a person who has no agricultural background gets introduced to agriculture and its positive aspects, how that can bring them right into the profession.  That is one of the great things about how the FFA is reaching students from neighborhoods more and more.  We are getting more and more young people interested in agriculture.  In today's interview, Sadie will explain exactly how that worked for her.

Autumm, Hattie and I just got back from an epic 9 day camping/road trip to Northern Idaho and across Montana to Red Lodge.  We concluded yesterday by going over the Beartooth Pass and driving all the way across Yellowstone Park.  I've got a lot to talk about in today's farm update episode, including:

• Hattie's State FFA Competition
• The Hiawatha Bicycle Trail
• Priest Lake, Idaho
• Noxon, Montana
• A German Restaurant in Missoula
• Camping at the fairgrounds in Bozeman
• A great wedding in Red Lodge
• The status of the farm when we returned

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Bailey Little is the owner of Queen B Farm, a Keystone State FFA Degree recipient and a brand new high school graduate.  In her business Bailey is raising livestock, moving towards selling freezer beef and making products such as jewelry and tumblers for sale online as well as at rodeos and other craft shows.

Something really stood out in this interview with Bailey - she is not going to college.  She has a good business up and running right now, no debt and a clear idea of what she wants to do with her life.  At this point, except for a tweak here and there, she knows what she needs to know to continue to grow her business and have it be her sole form of income.

Bailey realizes that a time may come where she needs business acumen or some sort of craft methodology that she does not currently possess.  However, since she learned all the skills she needed to do what she is doing now through YouTube, she has all the confidence in the world that she can repeat that process if needed.  If that wont work, she is not opposed to taking a class or two.  But, she is opposed to devoting four years and a bunch of tuition to a degree that won't make one bit of difference in her business and will only hold her back for almost 1/2 a decade.

Purdue University is currently ranked as the #3 agricultural college in the U.S. and the #5 in the entire world!  And, did you know that Purdue University has had a freeze on tuition rates for twelve years?  Factoring in inflation, it is cheaper to go to college at Purdue right now than it was 12 years ago.

On today's show I am joined by Andrea Lutz, the Assistant Director for Undergraduate Recruitment as well as Courtney Rodkey, a recent graduate in Ag Economics who is just starting her agricultural career with Corteva.  There is a lot to get to in this interview as there are a lot of opportunities in agriculture at Purdue University.

Tip Of The Week

Would you consider penning up grazing livestock every night?

Rural Crime In The U.S.

https://www.oneidadispatch.com/2023/06/02/oneida-police-begin-more-foot-patrols-as-part-of-rural-violent-crime-reduction-initiative/

https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jun/03/former-pot-worker-jailed-in-seed-theft/

https://www.wcax.com/2023/06/01/police-search-person-responsible-atm-theft-truck-fire/

Across The Pond, Down Under And Up Above

https://www.politico.eu/article/farm-machinery-gps-theft-uk-rural-crime-ukraine-russia-war-sanctions/

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/drivers-caught-stolen-vehicles-drug-062852292.html

https://www.farmersjournal.ie/call-out-service-open-to-farmers-to-combat-farm-theft-768002

Africa

https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/27-farmers-groups-benefit-from-136-dairy-goats-in-marakwet/

https://dailynews.co.tz/tz-eyes-to-become-leading-meat-exporter/

Chalk One Up For The Good Guys

https://www.wjfw.com/news/purchaser-pleads-guilty-of-taking-trees-from-chequamegon-nicolet-forest/article_ac88c5f8-018e-11ee-abea-830fb5026fb7.html

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2023/05/31/man-convicted-sentenced-connection-with-theft-death-horse/

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Agriculture is unique in that it creates a passion and devotion in people unrivaled by any other careers that come to mind.  I often quip that only actors, artists and musicians will work a second job just so they can work the first, but farmers will do it too.  So many of them will work a full time job in the city just so they have the opportunity to farm.  That is what this show is all about.  

John Schomburg has this same devotion to farming, but he demonstrates it a little bit differently.  John builds scale models of farm equipment and farming scenes, and he photographs farm equipment to capture its legacy before it is no longer seen on farms.  And, this is just the tip of the iceberg.  

In today's interview John talks about how he got started building models of farming equipment, why he has file cabinets full of old farm equipment catalogs, why he takes photographs if farms and farm equipment all over Wisconsin and how this all came together for him to win the National Farm Toy Show in 2005, 2012 and 2015.  He even takes us on a tour of his studio and expresses his deepest feelings over the realization that his families farming legacy ends with him.  

On tomorrow's ag business episode I am profiling a gentleman who has an unbelievable passion for agriculture, but he is not a farmer.  However, he displays this passion through creating replica farm equipment and even replica farms.  So, for today's re-cap episode I thought this interview with Carol Herden, talking about how she got started sculpting farm animals, was a perfect tie in.

Sage Whetnall has just graduated high school and completed her FFA career in Cardington, Ohio.  Now it is time for her get her education, and she knows where she is going to do that.......under the blue skies of Texas on the back of a horse!

Sage and her family are very involved in the horse business from showing to rescuing to selling to rehabilitating.  As a matter of fact, Sage already is a certified equine massage therapist and wants to start her own business massaging horses in the future.  However, that future has to wait.  It has to wait for Sage to go on an adventure and to learn the real ins and outs of working on horseback.  Where better to learn that, than a cattle ranch in Texas.

Texas Lore means a lot of things to a lot of people, but it is never without cattle.  It is either cattleman who became oilman, or oilman who bought cattle ranches.  Either way, cattle are always involved.  From Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving to Woodrow Call and Augustus McRae, cattle are part of the story.  Where else is there a ranch called "King" that started its very own breed of cattle?

Sage really believes in hands on knowledge and has a passion for horses, Western riding and Western work.  So, to get the experience and knowledge she needs to really understand how a performance or working horse is hurting and how to help it, she needs to see the work itself, up close and personal.  Her plan to get this education is to go to work, and to work in exactly that field.

It is more than an adventure, it is a great way to learn!

Last week we worked all of our goats, and we had some volunteers helping us out who were there for no other reason than they love the idea of farming and want experience.  It got me to thinking about the very first farm that I ever worked on, the one that belonged to my step-grandfather.  That would have never happened on that farm, but I was happy to allow it on my own.  He had a "closed" farm, and mine is "open".  So, let's talk about the pros and cons of an "open" farm on today's show.

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

Reagan Winner is a top four finisher for Ohio State Star Farmer in 2023.  She is also a 5th year FFA student, chapter secretary and recent high school graduate.  And underneath all of the titles, awards and the blue jacket is a person with a fiercely independent spirit and a "can-do" attitude.  

Regan has been working on her own, on her families farm in Ohio, since she was 8 years old and started pulling the grain cart.  In the 8th Grade she joined the FFA and realized that she would need a project for her supervised agricultural experience.  So, she rented 12 acres from her father, exchanged her labor in the shop on the farm and at his trucking business, and began farming on her own.  It didn't take long for her to realize that a nearby neighbor had a field that wasn't being used, and that could be productive.  So, she approached him and rented his 34 acres.  

For several years now Reagan has been farming over 40 acres on her own, working in the farm shop and working in her father's trucking business.  She services the fleet including oil changes, greasing the trailer and chassis and inspecting the entire rig to make sure it is road worthy.  Now, Reagan will be taking all those skills and pursuing a degree in ag business and ultimately becoming a certified crop advisor with the goal of starting her own business as a seed consultant.