Podcasts about ag business

In this episode of the Winners Find A Way show, host Trent M. Clark sits down with Ali Cox—Olympian, fifth-generation farmer, and founder of agri-marketing agency Noble West—for a raw and revealing conversation on the real challenges behind our food system, the crossover lessons from elite athletics, and what it takes to lead in both boardrooms and barnyards. Ali opens up about the economic realities farmers face, the pressure to produce yield at all costs, and how today's consumers may not realize the tough choices growers make just to survive. She also shares what sports taught her about adaptability, coachability, and building something bigger than yourself. If you care about where your food comes from—or how to lead with integrity in tough markets—this episode delivers real insights from the frontlines of both agriculture and entrepreneurship. Key Topics Covered: The economic misalignment between consumers and farmers How agriculture is driven by yield-based compensation The hidden pressure behind chemical usage in food production Lessons from Olympic rowing that drive entrepreneurial grit Why being coachable is more important than being right Confidence through preparation and repetition Building trust and connection through intentional networking Special Spotlight: Noble West Ali's full-service marketing agency helping brands in agriculture, food, and wellness tell their story with clarity and conviction.

Most family farm operations are run on emotion—and that's exactly why so many are collapsing. In this episode, Jace Young sits down with Legacy Farmer Business Coach Katie Taylor to talk about the mindset shifts, strategic moves, and leadership skills farm families must embrace if they want to survive and thrive in today's ag economy.  Ready to take control of your farm's financial future? Let's make it happen. FREE Proven System Training That Has Helped 300+ Family Farms Eliminate Stress, Increase Profitability, Decrease Debt, And... Protect Their Family's Financial Future! → https://start.legacyfarmer.com/proven-system-1?comet_source=Pod&comet_custom=Katie-Podcast

Jesse Bounds — a farmer, hay exporter, trucking company owner, business coach, and content creator from Eugene, Oregon. Jesse's story is one of grit, growth, and generosity. From his early days working on a grass seed farm at 16 after his parents divorced, to buying his first baler in high school, Jesse's entrepreneurial journey is both inspiring and deeply practical.We dive into the origin and expansion of Jesse Bounds Trucking, where every truck — including his iconic refurbished 1986 Peterbilt 259 shoot hood — is painted in classic Peterbilt orange. Jesse shares the story of restoring that first truck with a close friend who recently passed, a moment that shaped his approach to business and legacy.His flagship venture, Bounds Hay Company, now includes massive storage barns, a hay bale press, hay squeezes, and a 110-foot scale — exporting hay daily to Korea and Japan. From farming and baling to international shipping logistics, Jesse breaks down the systems that keep the operation running 24/6.He's also the founder of Ten Four Coaching, a business training platform with workshops like Baler School and a Finance Workshop for entrepreneurs dealing with financial stress. Jesse provides listeners with practical, tactical strategies to identify growth opportunities, break through business plateaus, focus on revenue-driving activities, and craft a long-term vision.As a bonus, we touch on Bounds Coffee, Jesse's small-town coffee shop serving smoothies, espresso, and Lotus drinks in Junction City, Oregon — a reminder that passion projects and business can go hand in hand.Whether you're a farmer, trucker, business owner, or dreamer, Jesse's top five actionable tips and stories from the field offer a roadmap to turning hustle into success — with no excuses and no shortcuts. Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today!https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/ Don't forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen! Website: www.Farm4Profit.comShareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.comEmail address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.comCall/Text: 515.207.9640Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5XqwFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/

Darren Hefty — South Dakota farmer, co-host of Ag PhD TV and Radio, and a respected leader in both agriculture and ag business. With a legacy rooted in service, innovation, and education, Darren shares the powerful story of how he, his brother Brian, and their father built Hefty Seed Company into the 7th largest crop production firm and the 9th largest seed retailer in the U.S., now operating across 50 locations in 12 states.Darren walks us through his early days on the farm, starting at just 7 years old in the farrow-to-finish hog operation, making auction decisions with his dad at 10, and managing hired help by age 13. His passion for agriculture was matched by an early sense of responsibility — a trait that continues to define his leadership today..You'll also hear about the upcoming Ag PhD Field Day on July 31 in Baltic, South Dakota, now available for streaming on AcresTV, and why the mission of Ag PhD remains focused on serving farmers first.Whether you're a farmer, ag business owner, or just someone looking to learn from one of the industry's most experienced and grounded voices, this episode is full of real-world perspective, ag innovation, and leadership lessons you won't want to miss. Want Farm4Profit Merch? Custom order your favorite items today!https://farmfocused.com/farm-4profit/ Don't forget to like the podcast on all platforms and leave a review where ever you listen! Website: www.Farm4Profit.comShareable episode link: https://intro-to-farm4profit.simplecast.comEmail address: Farm4profitllc@gmail.comCall/Text: 515.207.9640Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSR8c1BrCjNDDI_Acku5XqwFollow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@farm4profitllc Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Farm4ProfitLLC/

Our guest joining us today is Mr. Christopher Horne. Mr. Horne serves as the Senior Director of Business Development for Florida Farm Bureau. Our conversation today will detail how Mr. Horne serves our members of the Florida Farm Bureau Federation and advances the Voice of Ag.   Visit FloridaFarmBureau.org to learn how you can get involved in Florida Agriculture.

Wednesday, April 2 -  Host and American Family Farmer, Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com shares the news affecting small farmers in America, including a focus on what's going on with our federal government and some of the programs that've been important for American farmers, Bayer and Monsanto fight to take away Americans' right to know about pesticide toxicity and take away the right to sue these companies for failure to warn consumers, a push to cut down the price of eggs amid continued avian influenza concerns, and consumers swapping hen eggs for turkey eggs. Then, Doug introduces us to Jim Lowe, the owner of Lowe Family Farmstead in Kuna, ID. Lowe Family Farmstead is Idaho's most popular fall destination with their biggest time of year being the fall. They hav u-pick pumpkin options, an acclaimed corn-maze, raising beef and other livestock, too. Other options for guests, include an authentic tractor-drawn hayride, wandering through their beautiful flower field, enjoying some farm-fresh food, and of course, and more. Jim grew up farming and ranching but didn't have a generational family farm to grow with his family. A common discussion on the American Family Farmer program is the difficulty first generation farmers face without an inheritance of land, making it nearly impossible to become a farmer. Jim has a degree in Ag Business, so the idea of agritourism appealed as a niche market that could overcome the obstacles of traditional agriculture, which he and his wife, Hillary, moved forward with the efforts. Years later, they have their Lowe Family Farmstead, offering a creative twist on agriculture that taps into the heart of Idaho. You can find more information, and plan your own visit, on LoweFamilyFarmstead.com. Lastly, Doug shares his final thoughts and opinions on the privilege it truly is to be a farmer, why family farming is such a tough business, reflecting on what farming is really all about, and why it's a calling. Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

In this episode of The Toast Podcast, we sit down with Kyle Espinola, a Central Valley entrepreneur and founder of Caddyshack Rodent Services, Tree Barber, and Watts Up Solar Cleaning. Kyle shares his journey from college graduate to agricultural entrepreneur, discussing the challenges of building successful businesses and facing the seasonality of business in the services Ag industry. To the importance of building a strong team behind your brand that share the same standard for your business. Whats gonna make your business scale? Tune in!To Learn More about the businesses mentioned in this episode:Caddyshack Rodent ServiceTree Barber LLCWatts Up Solar Cleaning Sponsors:

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In this episode of On the Record, brought to you by Associated Equipment Distributors, we look at AGCO's plans for its precision business and its 2029 targets. In the Technology Corner, Noah Newman talks with Eis Implement's precision team. Also in this episode, the interest savings dealers could see with the latest rate cut by the Fed and a look at the used 100+ horsepower tractor market.

Today's episode hits on a tough truth: nobody is coming to save you. In this episode, I share a recent conversation with a farm owner feeling the pressure of tough decisions and past mistakes. We dig into why ego, fear of being exposed, and avoiding tough conversations hold people back—and how those same issues can sink a family operation. I also talk about my own experiences, the lessons I learned from my granddad's mistakes, and how I hit rock bottom before finally realizing it's on me to change. At Legacy Farmer, we're not here to save anyone. We're here to lead those ready to transform their business and their life. It's not easy, but it's worth it. Let's get into it. If you're ready to make a change and need guidance on where to start, we're here to help. Book a call with our team to discuss how we can support you at  https://www.legacyfarmer.com/?utm-source=Pod&utm-medium=Organic&utm-content=No-One-Is-Coming-to-Save-You&comet_source=Pod  

The holidays can be a challenging time, filled with pressure, expectations, and emotional weight that can feel overwhelming. In this episode, we dive deep into the ways we often try to escape—whether it's through alcohol, drugs, or other numbing distractions—and the toll it takes on our lives and relationships. I open up about my own struggles during a difficult period and share the lessons I learned about breaking free from the cycle of sedation. If you're feeling the heaviness of the season or worried about slipping into unhealthy habits, this episode is for you. If you're ready to make a change and need guidance on where to start, we're here to help. Book a call with our team to discuss how we can support you at  https://www.legacyfarmer.com/?utm-source=Pod&utm-medium=Organic&utm-content=Sedating-The-Holidays&

In this episode, I'm sharing what it's like to finally wake up and see the truth about the path I was on. For years, I followed the script society handed me, but it wasn't until I stepped back that I saw the lies holding me back. If you've ever questioned the direction of your life or business, this one's for you. Let's talk about breaking free and building something real. If you're ready to make a change and need guidance on where to start, we're here to help. Book a call with our team to discuss how we can support you at  https://www.legacyfarmer.com/?utm-source=Pod&utm-medium=Organic&utm-content=Wake-Up-Call&    

Here's something intriguing about the Chinese diaspora: while many engage in gardening, Chinese families around the globe are actively cultivating fresh vegetables, with some even transforming it into a profitable business! What's behind this passion for farming over traditional gardening? / Motivational Monday (22:39)! On the show: Heyang, Steve Hatherly & Yushan

On the Sioux Nation Podcast today, Ag Business instructor Janelle Guericke talks about the Ag program at Mitchell Tech and how it helps prepare students for a career in the industry.

#FenceFam Winner winner chicken dinner!!! Ryan Miller is setting himself up for success! Ryan is the winner of the Elite Technique 12 Month Giveaway!!! This couldn't have gone to a better person! I'm so excited to see how this propels his business!    GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/your-prayers-and-support-mean-everything?qid=91322bdd999a8f5fdfd1e0024b98a179   Register for the West Coast Fence Show Here: https://westcoastfenceshow.com   Cheers! Remember to like, share, comment and REVIEW!   The Fence Industry Podcast Links: IG @TheFenceIndustryPodcast FB @TheFenceIndustryPodcastWithDanWheeler TikTok @TheFenceIndustryPodcast YouTube @TheFenceIndustryPodcastWithDanWheeler Visit TheFenceIndustryPodcast.com Email TheFenceIndustryPodcast@gmail.com Mr. Fence Companies:    IG @MrFenceAcademy FB @MrFenceAcademy TikTok @MrFenceAcademy YouTube @MrFenceAcademy Mr. Fence Tools https://mrfencetools.com Mr. Fence Academy https://mrfenceacademy.com   Gopherwood & Expert Stain and Seal IG @stainandsealexperts  FB @ExpertProfessionalWoodCare YouTube @Stain&SealExperts  FB Group Stain and Seal Expert's Staining University  Visit RealGoodStain.com Visit Gopherwood.us   Kencove Farm Fence Supplies IG @KencoveFarmFence FB @KencoveFarmFenceSupplies TikTok @KencoveFarmFenceSupplies YouTube @KencoveFarmFence Visit kencove.com   Elite Technique Visit getelitetechnique.com   Greenwood Fence Visit greenwoodfence.com   Cat-5 Gate Systems Visit floridafenceco.com/cat-5-gates   Fence Armor Visit fencearmor.com   Lions Fencing and Steel Supplies Visit lionfence.com   FenceNews Visit fencenews.com   Ozark Fence & Supply promo code: TFIP15 for 15% off! Visit ozfence.com   Benji with CleverFox for all your FENCE website needs! Visit cleverfox.online   Tony Thornton Fence Consulting Group Visit fenceconsultinggroup.com   One Tap Connect Visit onetapconnect.com   The Fence Industry Podcast is Produced by "Rob The Producer" Check him out at @therobnoble everywhere.  

In this episode of The AgCulture Podcast, we continue our insightful conversation with John Kempf, a prominent figure in regenerative agriculture. John shares his business philosophy and discusses the evolution and future of his company, Advancing Eco Agriculture. He also brings insights into starting and scaling an agricultural business and the importance of caring deeply about clients and their challenges. Tune in for practical advice and inspiration for anyone in the agriculture industry. (00:00) Introduction (04:00) Early challenges and lessons (06:00) Business philosophy and influences (10:00) Transition to investment funding (14:00) Community fundraising and relationships (20:00) Technology in consulting (28:00) Future of Agriculture (35:00) Final thoughts Meet the guest: John Kempf is an entrepreneur, speaker, podcast host, and teacher passionate about reversing ecological degradation through well-managed agricultural ecosystems. He believes regenerative agriculture can enhance profitability, produce resilient crops, elevate food quality, sequester carbon, and restore natural cycles. Founder of Advancing Eco Agriculture and other initiatives, John hosts the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast, interviewing top growers and scientists. Learn more about John's work and subscribe to his blog on⁠ the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast⁠. Discover more about John's work and ⁠subscribe to his blog⁠ Discover the world of agriculture with the "Ag Culture Podcast", hosted by Paul Windemuller. This podcast will be a gateway for those passionate about agriculture to explore its global perspectives and innovative practices. Join Paul as he shares his experiences in the agricultural industry, his travels and encounters with important figures around the world. Expect engaging stories of Paul's journey as a first-generation farmer and consultant, covering topics ranging from coffee to greenhouses to agricultural technology. "Ag Culture'' will aim to inspire agricultural entrepreneurs and innovators weekly. Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AgCulture Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and keep an eye out for future episodes, bringing insights and stories from the vibrant world of agriculture.

NDFB Straight Talk hosts Emmery Mehlhoff and Alisha Nord travel to Wimbledon, N.D., to visit with Matt and Bethany Peterson, owners of Aligned Ag. Aligned Ag offers precision ag services, crop protection, soil sampling services and sells Pioneer seed to the Wimbledon and surrounding areas. Matt and Bethany are active in NDFB and serve on NDFB's Young Farmers and Ranchers committee. The Peterson's began growing their business in 2021 and Bethany recently left her job at BASF to work full time in the business. In today's episode, we talk about: How precision ag and profitability go hand in hand Working together as husband and wife How to start a business from the ground up Join us for this episode! To contact Matt and Bethany at Aligned Ag, call 701-425-2100 or visit them at their new location west of Wimbledon. Contact Emmery and Alisha, email emmery@ndfb.orgLearn more about NDFB's YF&R program.

Hear from the 2024 Tennessee FFA state stars in Ag Placement & Ag business on what it means to them to win this award.

Made for Agriculture co-hosts Adam Jones and Cameron Horine interview MFA's Jason Worthington and Matt Hill as they introduce MFA Connect. The new system MFA is launching helps customers do everything from manage their accounts, to search products and interact with key MFA personnel. March 18, 2024 is the official customer release of MFA Connect. Program key: 2 min – Intro of guests, Matt Hill & Jason Worthington 3 min – Ag needs more than a payment portal 6 min – The uniqueness of Agriculture allows and requires a personal touch 7 min – Network of trusted advisors 8 min – The flexibility of acting when you want
 9 min – MFA Connect in a nutshell 11 min – Communication tools included 13:50 min – Practical examples of MFA Connect usage includes communication & record keeping 15 min - request a quote for products or more info on services 17 min – searching for products 18 min – bids, advice & service available   20 min – one business day quotes 22 min – MFA Connect offers business efficiencies for MFA locations 23 min – Speed up service with timely communications 24 min – Record-keeping access, follow-up, time savings 26:30 min – Smooth reporting creates efficiencies 27 min – Other efficiencies for custom applicators like AgSync 29:45 min – The launch map: What's next? 30 min – Updated launch date is March 18 31 min – Employees have been training on the MFA Connect since December. 33 min – Record keeping simplified. 34 min – App & Desktop logins make invoice review easy and improved tool. 35 min – Closing & thanks

 March 18, 2024 is the official customer launch of MFA Connect. Learn more at: https://mfa-inc.com/connect Contact the team with questions or ideas via email here: podcast@mfa-inc.com

Davis Howell is a 2023 National Proficiency Winner in the category of Swine Production - Entrepreneurship.  He has been raising and showing pigs for the bulk of his life, starting in the 4H and continuing into the FFA while staying dually enrolled in the 4H.  He is also in his senior year of high school and is serving as his chapter's president. The farm that Davis lives on has been producing show pigs for three generations, starting with his grandfather and passing down all the way to he and his brother.  Today, Davis and his brother are taking over the business with plans to start selling pigs to other exhibitors in the future.  For the moment Davis' goals in the FFA include finishing out his senior year of high school, getting his American Degree after he starts college and pursuing a career in the animal science/ag business field.  Davis has been exposed to a lot of career fields in agriculture already through a 4H competition that he talks about in the interview, and it definitely has given him a head start.

Molly Clark is a National Proficiency Finalist in the category of Ag Communications.  At the age of 16, encouraged by her mom and her aunt, she took a job at a local radio station reading commodity bids, overnight weather, a farm story and obituaries.  At the outset she was very nervous, and she says that you could tell by her voice that she did not want to be there. That was over two years ago however, and over time she got used to being on the radio.  This has led her to multiple accolades including being a national proficiency finalist this year.  She is no longer at the radio station since she has moved to Kentucky to begin her college career at Morehead State University.  She is studying Ag Business with a minor in Agronomy, and has her sights set on working in the crop insurance industry at the moment.

In this week's episode, Tracy speaks to Elaine Froese about “Conflict On The Farm.” Farming is challenging enough to begin with. Then add in family, and perhaps multiple generations of family, and it becomes conflict waiting to happen. In this episode, Tracy and Elaine chat about: How conflict is always perceived as negative and meant to be avoided at all costs. Elaine speaks to the fact that conflict is not bad. In her role, Elaine deals with farm families that are experiencing conflict. She shares the areas that most farm families struggle with. She shares positive conflict behaviours that we want to embrace, destructive ones we want to let go of, and hot-button triggers. This is good stuff! At the AgEx event in November, Elaine will be helping farmers in the audience understand the questions needed to get clarity for better conflict resolution. She shares these questions with our audience. Each person handles conflict differently based on so many different variables. Elaine has a Conflict Dynamic Profile, and she tells our audience more about this tool. Tracy always ends by asking Elaine a similar question…. “How do farmers know when it is time to bring in outside help like a farm coach?" If you are experiencing conflict on your farm or want to proactively learn how to improve your communication style… this episode is for you. ............................... Show Resources AgEx Event Info & Registration: www.fmc-gac.com/programs-services/agricultural-excellence-conference/ Elaine's Website: https://elainefroese.com Farm Family Transition Membership: https://elainefroese.com/membership/ Conflict Dynamic Profile: https://elainefroese.com/coaching/conflict-dynamics-profile/  

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

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Saturday, Sept. 23  The WV Grown directory showcases products made in the Mountain State -- get yours today…the Coalfields Community Health Fair is coming to Beckley on Oct. 4…and take a peek at some of the best camping spots in Almost Heaven…on today's daily304. #1 – From WV AGRICULTURE – Support small businesses by downloading your free 2023 West Virginia Grown directory and shopping small.    Developed in 1986, West Virginia Grown was designed to market products made right here in the Mountain State to consumers. By purchasing a West Virginia Grown product, buyers are assured that the item was grown or processed in West Virginia.  The directory is produced by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture and provides listings for farms, vineyards, apiaries and more arranged by travel region. To learn more, visit www.agriculture.wv.gov and click on Ag Business. Read more: https://agriculture.wv.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/WV-Grown-Directory.pdf   #2 – From WVNS-TV Beckley – Mark your calendars for the Coalfields Community Health Fair, set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. October 4 at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center. The fair is a huge opportunity for people to gain easy access to vital health resources all in one place. More than 70 vendors will be on hand, offering free stroke and cancer screenings, blood pressure and glucose tests, vaccines, mental health services and more.   Kelly Elkins, Regional Community Development Manager for Appalachian Regional Healthcare, said the fair is a team effort across the community. “Healthcare is our focus,” said Elkins. “We love coming together with Raleigh General Hospital and being able to give this to our people and to our communities.” Read more: https://www.wvnstv.com/news/coalfields-community-health-fair-is-back-with-more-free-resources/ #3 – From ONLY IN YOUR STATE – Get ready for an insider's guide to the best camping in West Virginia – a mix of top-rated spots and hidden gems that'll take your camping game to the next level.  Whether you're a camping pro or just starting out, the Mountain State has a little something for everyone. From epic state parks to those secret forest getaways, these campgrounds are where the real adventure begins.  Stay in a treehouse at Cabins at Pine Haven in Beaver.  Glamp in style with your own hot tub and Keurig coffee maker at Loves Way Village in Moorefield.  Plan a camping adventure at West Virginia state parks and forests like Babcock, North Bend and Watoga and enjoy activities like hiking, biking, boating and more.  Or get away from it all with a stay in the Dolly Sods Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest.   Check out the list for more ideas and start planning your Almost Heaven campout today! Read more: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/west-virginia/best-camping-in-west-virginia/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.  

Emma Mason was nominated as a Beck's Player with Heart for her commitment and passion on and off the court. Her favorite part about high school sports is how her sports teams are like family. They have team dinners as well as bonding time. To Emma, agriculture is her life. Agriculture has surrounded her as she grew up. The farm is the legacy of her dad and grandfather, both of which dedicated their lives to the farm, community, and family. Emma is involved in basketball, volleyball, softball, trap, musical, band, choir, FBLA, 4-H, and FFA. She also helps out with Special Olympics, Polar Plunge, fairground clean up and youth basketball and softball. Emma plans on going to the University of Wisconsin in Madison and double major in AG Business and Accounting while taking care of her family farm.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kaycee Wiebke was nominated as a Beck's Player with Heart for her commitment and passion on and off the court. Her favorite part about high school sports is all the memories and friendships she's made as well as the life lessons sports have taught her. She also loves being able to represent her school and community in the sports she competes in. To Kaycee agriculture is more than just farming, it's a lifestyle. She says, some may see it as just a job but it is so much more than that. It is a life that comes with hard work, dedication, adversity, and a will to learn and grow. She is involved in volleyball, basketball, NHS, student council, FFA, 4-H, county council, and Luther league. Kaycee's future plans are to attend Ellsworth and study Ag Business and Equine Management.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How much do you know about growing almonds?  On today's episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, we are joined by Benina Montes of Burroughs Family Farms in the California Central Valley. Benina has worked tirelessly to help their multi-generational family orchard become the first Certified Regenerative Organic Almond Farm in the world.  Their farm's focus continues to be bringing regeneratively-grown products like organic almonds, olive oil, cheeses and more directly to their customers while protecting the soil and water for generations to come. Tune in to hear all about this Certified Regenerative Organic Almond Farm!   You'll hear: How Benina got into agriculture 2:00 About how almonds became a part of the farm 4:23 What it took for the Burroughs Family to become a Certified Regenerative Organic farm 10:59 About how their olive tree hedge rows work 14:20 More on how they produce and sell all of their products 15:10 About the different roles of the family on the farm 21:35 How all of the work gets done 25:45   About the Guest: Benina Burroughs Montes was born and raised on the farm and knew in 6th grade that she wanted to come back to the family farming operation. She helped with the beef cattle and the dairy and was very active in both 4-H and Future Farmers of America.   Benina attended California Polytechnic State University and graduated with a Bachelors in Ag Business in 2001. Upon returning to the family farm, she started managing the 647 acres of almonds. In 2006, Burroughs Family Farms started the transition to organic production and by 2015 the entire farm was certified Organic. Benina met her husband Heriberto on the farm and the two were married in May of 2009. The commitment and dedication of Benina and Heriberto to soil health and regenerative farming practices has been further solidified and deepened with the addition of their four children, as they strive to leave a better world for future generations.   Resources: Website - www.burroughsfamilyfarms.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/burroughs.family.farms/ Facebook - www.facebook.com/burroughsfamilyfarms       GrownBy is the farmer-owned online marketplace. In the last three years, their 200 farmers have sold over $2M of products to shoppers on the GrownBy app. GrownBy works for all scales and types of farm sales. Spring Plant Sale? Yup. Annual Freezer Meat Emptying? Check. Multi-season, multi-farm 300 member CSA operation? Absolutely. GrownBy supports it all. As a cooperative, farmer success is their #1 priority. They are the first farmer-owned cooperative ecommerce platform in the world. With auto-payments, built-in customer notifications, CSA subscriptions, and customers helping to pay site fees, GrownBy is a tailored fit for your farm's online sales. Upcoming, GrownBy will be the first online platform accepting SNAP/EBT with authorized farms. Startup is free, and pricing is transparent and affordable. The cooperative collects 2% of each transaction, but customers often contribute to this fee and bring down farmer costs significantly. Listeners to the Thriving Farmers Podcast get 50% off their first three months on GrownBy. Just email Grow@farmgenerations.coop to get this offer. You can learn more at GrownBy.com, or download the app on the Google Play or Apple App stores.

Bushel provides an app that simplifies grain marketing decisions as well as farm management planning.   To discover the latest crop nutrition research visit nutrien-eKonomics.com 

Olivia Black is a senior in high school, a second year FFA student and the Michigan Star Award Winner in Agribusiness.  In Olivia's school district the FFA Chapter is run by the Ionia County Career Center, and high school students are only eligible to attend there starting in the 11th Grade.  Olivia has grown up showing cattle and pigs and with a significant family history in the Dairy Industry, so she knew that she wanted to be in the FFA.  When she started her junior year, she enrolled in an agricultural course at the career center, making her eligible for the FFA, and she joined. Two years prior to this is when Olivia's journey as an entrepreneur began however.  Olivia has a rare gift that only a small percentage of entrepreneurs have.  She was dissatisfied with a product that she was using on her show pigs, and rather than keep looking for something that worked better or settling for what she had, she decided to make her own.  Absolute Products was born at that moment, and she has been developing this business ever since then. Now, at age 17, Olivia has stood out among all the other FFA students in Michigan, even though she has less than two years of records.  She is selling her product all over the Upper Midwest, and she plans on expanding even further.  In addition, she is finding that while her product was developed for use on pigs, it works well on both dairy and beef cattle. Olivia loves the livestock exhibition world, but she realized that in the not too distant future she was going to age out eligibility to show livestock.  So, she has created a business that will keep her connected to this world and will help exhibitors everywhere solve some of their most frustrating issues.  Olivia is off to college soon to get a degree in Ag Business, and it is all directed at growing this business.

If you didn't know, it is currently calving season. Typically running April through May, all market indicators point to a great financial year for cow-calf operators. However, the industry comes with its challenges. Today, we have seasoned ranch manager and Mirr Ranch Group broker, Jared Souza on the show to talk about the market and realities for cow-calf operators, including the annual cycle of this type of enterprise.Panel: Haley Mirr & Jared SouzaNeed professional help finding, buying, or selling a legacy ranch, contact us:Mirr Ranch Group901 Acoma StreetDenver, CO 80204Phone: (303) 623-4545https://www.MirrRanchGroup.com/

Richie coaching Colt Halloran LIVE using the Next Play™ system to improve their business, sales, and increase take home commissions. We discuss the sales process and adding a pre-call video to frame the sales call. Tune in to see if there are any nuggets that you can use for your business or sales process as well. BIO: Grew up in a small farming community in east central IL and was very active in sports growing up and loved the competitiveness of everything. Graduated from college with a degree in Ag Business and worked in the Agricultural seed and chemicals sales industry for 4 years before moving to insurance. Has 6.5 years of corporate sales training experience and opened up my his independent insurance franchise in May of 2022. Now currently lives in the western suburbs of Chicago in Westmont, IL with his wife, Lesleigh of 3.5 years and their 22-month old son, Rocco.

Noah McMeeken is a sophomore at Slinger High School in Slinger, Wisconsin and he is a recent recipient of a $1,000 SAE grant.  Noah has interests in things that fly.  He and his brother have been raising and showing ducks and chickens for the past several years, Noah loves to fly in aircraft, he is a competitive alpine skier and flies down the mountain and he has developed a deep interest in drone technology.  So much so, that he was teaching me a thing or two about drones during the interview.   Noah is just picking up speed in his FFA career, and he has a vision of a business involving him flying FPV Drones and taking aerial photographs for farmers for crop scouting as well a multitude of other reasons.  Noah is pursuing this with a lot of wisdom too.  In addition to being proactive and seeking (and winning) the grant money to fund the project, he has chosen to purchase a kit and assemble the drone himself.  Obviously, he could save himself time and headache by purchasing a fully assembled and ready to fly drone.  However, he knows he will eventually break something on the drone.  So, he looks at the assembly as preparation for that day.  This way he will know how to fix the drone, rather than having to purchase a whole new unit.  And this knowledge will come from the assembly.  

If Hannah Craun and Levi Schiller are any indication, the future of farming certainly shines bright. Craun, a masters student at Virginia Tech focusing on cattle reproduction, and Schiller, an Ag Business major at The University of Nebraska, boast numerous awards and experiences in 4-H and FFA. They also share a concern about the misconceptions surrounding agriculture - and how fear and confusion are impacting the consumer. “The basic knowledge gap that separates agriculturists from the rest of society is huge and hugely concerning,” says Craun, who was raised on her family's dairy, beef, and crop operation.   "While misconceptions about agriculture may not seem directly related to dietetics, it's important to anyone purchasing food. A lot of our decisions in life are based more on how they make us feel rather than the facts behind the matter. If we don't feel sure that our food was produced in a safe manner for all involved, that may take a mental and emotional toll, not to mention economic.  This can motivate us to spend more money on purchasing food that isn't any different nutritionally. In addition, understanding basic production practices has extreme importance when applied to food labeling. What isn't understood can be intimidating or even scary, when, in this case, it's truly not. From a producer's point of view, it can be disheartening when consumers don't trust what you do simply because they don't understand. More and more, governing policy is also being dictated by those who aren't familiar with standard practices. This makes it a very real possibility that agriculturalists are prevented from doing what is best for their animals or crops." While both Craun and Schiller emphasize the importance of modern agriculture in feeding a growing population, they recognize that certain technologies are misunderstood. “I wish people knew that producers try their hardest to make the safest product while being the most efficient,” says Schiller. He hopes dietitians will meet more FFA members and learn more about modern day farming products.  Listen in as these two agvocates share their insights on answering tough questions about agriculture, what they look for on a label before tossing an item into their grocery carts, and bridging the gap from farm to plate for the next generation.

What is the State of you Farm or Ag Business? Shay would like to encourage you to put together an end of the year presentation that maps out a few items in your business: Agenda Where You've Been Where You're At Where You're Going Last Year Projections Year End Financials Next Year Projections Balance Sheet Cash Flow Trends Analysis Cost of Production Information Pictures of the Year Family Updates Question and Answer Time If you like this episode or want to learn more, shoot Shay an email at shay@agviewsolutions.com and thanks for listening to the Ag View Pitch!

Loren Poncia was born and raised in Tomales, CA. Loren follows in the footsteps of his parents, Al and Cathie Poncia, as the 4th generation of his family to steward their land. A graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a major in Dairy Science and Ag Business, Loren always dreamed of coming back to the ranch to pursue his passion in agriculture. Loren oversees the entire ranching operation, and spends countless hours carefully studying genetics with the goal of raising grass-fed and finished beef that is tender, well-marbled, and tastes just as good as, if not better than, grain finished meat. Podcast was recorded on location in their “Schoolhouse” AirBnb that is available to rent. Appreciate Loren sharing his story and explaining to us about regenerative farming and the arduous process it takes to make quality beef, pork and lamb.Stemple Creek Ranchhttps://stemplecreek.com Show Noteshttps://www.foodoriginspodcast.com/podcast-episode-22Support the show

Derek Christians talks with Mason and Bennett from North Carolina State University. Topics discussed: waterfowl hunting in North Carolina, NC State Ducks Unlimited Chapter, Fall and Spring DU Banquets, Obtaining Sponsorships, Swan Hunting, work as an Ag Business major, and plans after college.

This week Hannah and Travis talk with senior Ag Business and Animal Science major (and new Career Ambassador), Ivy Bailey, about how she found Northwest, getting an internship without even applying, and what she wants to do after graduation. Remember to subscribe for more videos and learn more about the podcast at https://www.podpage.com/behind-the-bearcat/.

While a teenager, Kenny Sanderfer began rough riding in rodeos around his South Texan home. That led him to Sam Houston State University – where he initially planned on joining their rodeo team. Even though the rodeo team didn't work out, he stayed to study Ag Business. From there, God led Kenny on a route throughout the United Sates and West Africa to use his agriculture training to help people and share about his faith in Christ.Be sure to tune in next week when Kenny talks about becoming a Marriage and Family Counselor. He has practical tips on improving communication and helping any marriage grow. You can find out more about Kenny and his book, Created for Connection, at the websites below.https://www.marriagefamilyinstitute.orghttps://createdforconnection.com  That Farm Life Podcast is a resource of Agri Health Network. For more information and to find more resources, check out AgriHealth.net. Questions or comments? Email us at info@agrihealth.net.

Michelle Patten of The AgBiz Consultants joined me to discuss three ways to ensure your family ag business is passed on to the next generation. We talk about the three key elements of a generational transition, including and operating agreement, a transition plan, and a will. Share WCP: RanchingPodcast.com Links Mentioned: AgBizConsult.com Michelle's Previous Episode:...

Michelle Patten of The AgBiz Consultants joined me to discuss three ways to ensure your family ag business is passed on to the next generation. We talk about the three key elements of a generational transition, including and operating agreement, a transition plan, and a will.

Why did it take so long for the small, destination winery business to take off.  With the benefit of hindsight, it seems like it should have been obvious for decades.  No matter how long it took for the American public to realize they loved going to places like this is fine.  What matters is that families like that of Maggie Hall, today's guest, have the ability to create sustainable agricultural businesses by giving people what they want. Maggie is the only child of two free spirited and creative lovers of agriculture.  Maggie says that to look at them, you wouldn't know how free spirited they are, but her parents have been seeking a way to live and maintain an agricultural lifestyle since before she can remember.  For a couple of decades this took the form of a horse farm that included breeding, training, selling and even cart pulling for special events.  However, about seven years ago the bottom fell out of the particular horse market they were in, and they made a change to growing grapes and running a destination winery. Today, Maggie is the social media marketing expert for her parents' business, Broken Spoke Winery.  On the same farm that used to be primarily devoted to horses they now grow grapes, make wine, host events, provide entertainment and sell locally produced, value added products.  Maggie describes their location as the "middle of nowhere" but as it turns out, a lot of people vacation in the area.  So, with the assistance of social media, Maggie can target folks in the areas that tend to travel to her part of Maryland and inform them about the events and entertainers that will be appearing at Broken Spoke Winery. In today's interview Maggie will tell us all about the journey, her role and her parent's philosophy on business and agriculture! More Places You Can Listen to Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald:  

Amy Reis is a part of Envision Greater Fond du Lac's Ag Business Council, an agricultural chamber of commerce that focuses on ag education and promotion. She wants more chambers of commerce statewide to consider growing their ag business membership. After all, Fond du Lac County is not the only ag powerhouse in the state. She says the council is hard at work year-round with their ag ambassador program, dairy breakfast, the county fair and other events that focus on engaging students in the industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What year in school is too soon to start an agricultural business that serves large farmers?  I'm not sure, but, based on today's interview, I know that the answer is not 9th Grade.  Ashton Brusveen has just completed his 9th Grade year of high school, and he has been part of the FFA since 7th Grade.  He has grown up farming on his families land, helping to produce corn, soybeans, rye and wheat.  But when it came time for him to develop a supervised agricultural experience, with his grandfather's help, he decided to start a business providing a service to other farmers. This business, "Seed Clean", all began with some conversations with older farmers in the area talking about the need for a seed cleaning business.  As the idea was discussed it became apparent to Ashton and his grandfather that there would be a lot of business for a person who started up a business like this.  It just so happened that Ashton's grandfather had an old, Clipper fanning mill, in a shed on the farm. Ashton and his grandfather cleaned up the old mill, and his grandfather even purchased an old co-op facility that was no longer in use for the logistics of farmers bring seed in.  Then they made an arrangement that Ashton would run the seed cleaning business as his own, splitting the profits with his grandfather until the time that he was completely paid back. The demand for this business turned out to be even higher than they expected.  Therefore, Ashton is now investing in a larger mill, a Clipper 99 fanning mill, that will give him the ability to serve more customers and clean their seed faster.  In addition to all of this he has got his eye on expanding his services in the future to bagging corn, and he is considering hiring his first employee. I am very excited to watch and see how this business develops.  This has got national proficiency and possibly even American Star Award written all over it! SUPERVISED AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCE: Seed Cleaning HIGH SCHOOL: Cambria-Friesland High School; Randolph, Wisconsin MASCOT: Hilltoppers FFA ADVISOR: Lauren Frances CONTACT INFORMATION FOR ASHTON BRUSVEEN: Click on the picture below to be taken to the Cambria-Friesland High School website: Ashton's FFA Advisor's Email Address: francesl@rsdwi.org Cambria-Friesland High School Telephone Number: (920) 348-5548 FFA LINKS: National FFA Organization Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE's) Support FFA  Donate to FFA - One way that FFA students are able to start small businesses is through an FFA grant of $1,000.  In 2014, 141 FFA students received these grants.  With your donations, more students can get this head start - pay it forward. REASONS TO DONATE TO FFA: Only 2% of Americans grow and raise most of the food and livestock consumed by the other 98% as well as the rest of the world.  FFA is providing the needed education, training and resources to Americans that will carry that torch forward and insure that America continues to have inexpensive, quality food. Rural Communities will rely on entrepreneurship in the future for population growth and job creation.  The FFA is a major catalyst to that entrepreneurial growth. Farmers, ranchers and those working in agriculture give the rest of America incredible amounts of freedom because the search for food is as simple as going to the grocery store: “The future of American agriculture depends on the involvement and investment in America's youth, In order to prepare for the population of tomorrow, we need to encourage America's youth today, and show that careers in agriculture are profitable, rewarding, and vital.”. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue More Places You Can Listen to Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald:  

On tomorrow's Ag Business episode we are going to be discussing create and outside the box ways of creating off-farm income to support your dreams of farming or your farming lifestyle.  This interview that I conducted with Stacy Funderburke about agricultural easements outside of Atlanta, Georgia back in 2021 is a perfect lead in to tomorrow's episode.   Below are the original show notes. SHOW NOTES There are two fundamental issues that have always plagued me when it comes to farming.  First, what do we do about urban sprawl and disappearing farm ground?  Second, how can a person expect to start a successful farm and be a full-time farmer with land, input, and equipment costs being so high?  So, when I was contacted by The Conservation Fund asking to be on the show and talk about their answers to these questions, I jumped at the chance. The folks at The Conservation Fund are pro-agriculture, and they are particularly fond of locally produced farm goods that follow their model of sustainability.  They also abhor disappearing farm ground.  So, they are working to increase locally produced goods while slowing urban sprawl.  Right now they are doing this in the 30 counties, metro area of Atlanta, Georgia as a pilot project.  But the prospects are very good for expansion. In this episode, I speak with Stacy Funderburke, who is heading up the "Working Farms Fund" on behalf of The Conservation Fund in the Atlanta metro area.  This program aims to pay farmers the actual market cost for their farms.  Once purchased, they place the farms into an agricultural easement so that they will be farmed in perpetuity.  And this is when the fun really starts. Once these two things have taken place they match up the particular farm with an experienced farmer, who has been leasing ground or working as an employee and is looking to start their own enterprise.  Because the land has been placed in an agricultural easement the price is not driven up by demand from developers.  This gives the new farmer a reasonable shot at purchasing the land.  To begin the new farmer enters into a lease on the farm ground with an option to buy. The Conservation Fund helps the new farmer with obtaining resources, sharing equipment, and developing markets.  In exchange, the City Of Atlanta and its surrounding metro area have another local producer who can bring locally grown food to market in that area.  It is a win/win/win situation.  You don't need to be from Georgia to participate in this and be selected as one of the new farmers.  We will tell you all about this in today's episode. Connect with Stacy Funderburke and The Conservation Fund: Website: conservationfund.org Facebook: facebook.com/theconservationfund Instagram: instagram.com/theconservationfund Email: sfunderburke@conservationfund.org More Places You Can Listen to Off-Farm Income And Matt Brechwald:  

Amanda Stanton knows that marketing an ag business starts with human connection. This week she talks to Chrissy Wozniak about their shared passion - marketing ag based companies.Amanda owns Stanton Small Business Marketing, providing simple, sustainable & social marketing solutions for small businesses in the agricultural space.She's the daughter of the only agricultural John Deere dealer in Connecticut. Stanton was COO for 4 years before selling the business to United Ag & Turf. She stayed on as Marketing Manager for another year and a half, then realized her heart was truly in small business and agriculture, decided to start her own marketing consulting business supporting farms, equipment dealers, and other small businesses.Amanda also advocates for Agriculture in Connecticut through social media and a bi-weekly segment on NBC CT highlighting farms, causes, and events in her state. She's passionate about agriculture in Connecticut and shopping small. Working on an exciting project with Connecticut Foodshare (the largest food bank in CT) through which they are purchasing food from local farms to distribute to those in need through a grant from the state.Learn more about Stanton Small Business Marketing at - https://www.stantonsbm.com/The Women in Agribusiness (WIA) Summit annually convenes over 800 of the country's female agribusiness decision-makers. The 2022 WIA Summit, September 26-28 in Dallas, TX includes presentations from Cargill's Corporate Senior Vice President, Animal Health & Nutrition, Ruth Kimmelshue; Marco Orioli, VP of Global Grain & Processing for EMEA, CHS; and Brooke Appleton of the NCGA. Learn more at https://agr.fyi/wia_register. FIRA USA 18-20 OCT. 2022 (FRESNO-CA): The only 3-day event dedicated to the California and North America market for autonomous agriculture and agricultural robotics solutions.Learn More at https://agr.fyi/fira

Nicole Atchison is the CEO of PURIS Foods, a family-owned company founded in 1985 in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Built with intention over 30 years, PURIS' plant-based food system benefits every link in the chain of production: flavorful and nutritious choices for people, profitable opportunities for growers, flexible ingredients for food makers, and practices that nourish soil, the environment, and life on earth. Nicole is the daughter of the founders of the company. Nicole Atchison is responsible for leading innovation and business development across PURIS' portfolio of companies including ingredient technologies, processing technologies, seed genetic strategies, product development and go-to-market strategies, insights, and support for plant-based brands. PURIS develops and supports continued innovation in a spectrum of pure, plant-based foods and ingredients from U.S.-based organic and non-GMO sources. She is the CEO of PURIS Holdings and the CEO of AcreMade, a consumer facing plant-based egg company and latest innovation from the broader PURIS team. Connect with PURIS Foods Website | LinkedIn Co-op Links Co-op Details | Buy an NFT | Resources | Follow us on Twitter for memes

Sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC and S Corp – they are some of the ways ag businesses are categorized. Which is best for your situation? What is the tax treatment for each? How does each impact ownership transitions? We cover those topics and more with Paul Neiffer.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In honor of all of us surviving an overload of people, places and holidays in the news this month, we're giving you another conjunction – the FFA and the Collegian FFA and Farm Bureau Chapter Ag Club at SUNY Morrisville.  And a Mustang.  And a tractor.  And 60,000 kids (okay, we didn't have the 60,000 kids on the mic, but they were all there in the background somewhere in the building).The practice of agriculture is not just only a “raise either cows or pigs or wheat or corn” thing anymore for today's youth.  The field is wide open (so to speak), and the future is theirs to shape.Links:https://www.morrisville.edu/?msclkid=20dfb492c11711ec8394a404619d3355https://astronomy.com/observing/sky-this-week/2022/04/the-sky-this-week-from-april-15-to-22https://www.afar.com/magazine/northern-lights-making-rare-appearance-in-the-us-right-nowhttps://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.htmlhttps://convention.ffa.org/2021-convention-streaming/?msclkid=59b77265c11411ecacb1180480baeddfSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/agriCulturePodcast)

Jaimie was born and raised in Mesa, Arizona and the love of horses ran deep from a young age. She had the privilege of studying under some amazing horsemen and women growing up which only deepened her desire for learning the art of horsemanship. Jaimie attended Colorado State University and obtained a degree in Ag Business and Equine Science. Jaimie and her husband Austin now manage Griffin Land and Cattle outside of Billings, MT with their two young children.Jaimie enjoys raising high-quality meat and founded Cowgirl Meat Company to sell pork and beef direct from the ranch to consumers across the US. Jaimie also has a heart for helping people and offers workshops and retreats through her equine coaching business, Spurring Change. You will usually find Jaimie with her two young kids alongside her “learning the ropes”, enjoying the lifestyle they love.As the Fellowship and Sponsorship Director of The Art of the Cowgirl, Jaimie is able to provide inspiration and hope to other makers.  The fellowship program encourages and furthers arts and trades amongst western women, both celebrating and continuing tradition and inspiring innovation. By establishing mentorship and investing in up-and-coming artists, they foster creativity and preserve traditional art and functional gear. In providing this opportunity, it is their hope is that age, location, and lack of funds will no longer be a limiting factor for those interested in pursuing art and artistic trades.Who is Cheyenne Wilson?Cheyenne was fortunate to grow up on her family's working cattle ranch in southeastern Montana. This is where her intense love of horses and cattle began. She also learned to love and respect the land from a very young age. She runs black Angus cattle and raises half-draft horses with her husband and son. Their place is known as the Lazy Six Nine Ranch. Cheyenne is also an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux tribe. She and her family reside and ranch on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. They also spend time in Montana in the Beartooth Mountains.Cheyenne strives daily to spread positivity and awareness of modern-day ranching. One of her passions is empowering women involved in agriculture to live life at a higher level. She strives to perpetuate the ever-evolving role of women in agriculture through her blog (The Native Cowgirl), public speaking, photography, and social media outlets.She loves helping rural entrepreneurs level up in what they are passionate about. This includes updating company branding, amplifying social media platforms, increasing website traffic, one-on-one coaching for business/personal growth, etc.She has been able to build her business from the ground up earning 7-figures in only three years -- in the middle of nowhere.She always says, "If I can do this, you can too!"Learn more about Cheyenne & sign up for her newsletter: https://www.thenativecowgirl.com/

Kirsten Wood grew up on her families cattle ranch in Weldona, Colorado.  As she described the ranch to me, she talked about a lot of different niches that her family has explored to diversify their operation and keep it sustainable for a future in ranching.  These new ways of doing business include selling boxed beef to folks living in the urban areas along the Rocky Mountain front from Denver up through Boulder and beyond in Central Colorado.  It also includes partnering with some other companies to sell spices, sea salt and other products that compliment the beef that they sell. The operation involves raising cattle on pasture, finishing cattle in a feed lot and growing the crops needed to feed those cattle.  And, in the scope of the operation some calves become orphans for one reason or another.  Either their dam dies or possibly rejects the calf, and the calf then needs special care to survive. This is where Kirsten found her niche, within her families niche ranch.  Kirsten started purchasing these orphan calves from her families ranch and bottle feeding them.  She would raise them on a bottle and introduce them to feed as they grew.  Then, when they were ready to be weaned she would transition them to the feedlot, and pay her family for the space and feed that was required to keep them.  Ultimately they were finished and sold, and this was Kirsten's business. In addition to this Kirsten has a love of horses that was developed by growing up around them on the working ranch.  Throughout her FFA career she has been raising and showing horses, and this led her to a proficiency award in equine science. All of this has inspired her to pursue a future in agricultural business.  When we conducted this interview she had just graduated with an associates degree in Ag Business, and she was just preparing to start her final two years of college at West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas.  Kirsten hopes to come home to the ranch one day, but she has been told to go out and make it on her own first.  Right now she is looking into an agriculture finance career with the hopes of coming back to the lifestyle that she loves in the future.