Women in Ag

Mental Health in the Pork Industry: Redefining Grit with Maddison Caldwell

Mon, 11 May 2026 13:56:42 GMT

In the stock show world, Maddison Caldwell was the blueprint of a firstborn overachiever: disciplined, organized and a perfectionist. But while she thrived in the black-and-white rules of life, the “gray areas” nearly cost her everything.

In college, she took a mandatory psychology class and realized she related to many of the topics they talked about. Caldwell sought help from her primary care physician, not knowing at the time that specialists existed for what she was feeling.

After months of increasing dosages, she reached a medical ceiling. When her doctor told her it was the maximum dose and ‘sent her on her way,’ she felt she had run out of options. Within five months, she attempted to end her life twice.

Private Pain to Public Hope

When she shared her personal battle in January 2022 , her story stopped being just hers. It became a shared common ground for others fighting silent battles.

“As soon as the article came out, it was like the floodgates opened,” she says. “All of a sudden, complete strangers – even people who weren’t involved with agriculture – of all ages from across the country reached out.”

Although it wasn’t easy to have the most painful moments of her life become table conversation, she doesn’t regret the decision to share it with others.

“This story came out right around the time I was starting my career,” Caldwell says. “I was reporting to an executive at a large company, and one of his coworkers on the executive team asked him, ‘Have you Googled her?’”

(Provided by Maddison Caldwell)

She will never forget when he asked her about it and the conversation that followed.

“He was quite a bit older than I am, and from a generation that didn’t talk about these things,” Caldwell adds. “It was a really uncomfortable and really hard conversation.”

But she believes those conversations are more important than ever.

“Doing things like that bring us one step closer,” Caldwell says. “I hope I never lose the drive to keep being uncomfortable in order to help people.”

Redefining Grit in Agriculture

Agriculture is making progress when it comes to talking about mental health and recognizing the importance of conversation.

“I don’t think we are great at sitting in that uncomfortable state,” she says. “We want to fix it and move on, or minimize it, or work harder and stay busy doing anything that allows us to avoid facing the reality of it.”

She believes it’s time to redefine “grit” in agriculture.

“In my opinion, grit means being honest with ourselves,” Caldwell explains. “I think it means coming to the realization that we need to reach out for help sometimes. It’s about the courage to be vulnerable.”

She also challenges the industry to stop equating grit with silence.

“You cannot pour from an empty cup,” she warns.

In an industry that prizes working until the job is done, Caldwell says the ultimate display of grit is the courage to admit when you’re running on empty.

Warning Signs

With one in five U.S. adults facing mental health conditions and one in five high school students considering suicide, Caldwell isn’t shy about offering advice now.

“One of the things I did was bury myself in work, in being productive, in not taking any time to just stop and ‘smell the roses,’” Caldwell says. “If you notice people withdrawing from activities that they would have once loved, pay attention. If they’re exhausted all the time, if they’re not talking as much, if they use the words ‘I’m fine’ all too often, or if they are pouring so much into other people at their own expense, those could be signs.”

Looking back, she admits it’s hard to recognize herself during those years. Her mindset is much different now. She challenges people to stop shying away from asking hard questions.

“People often think if you say the word suicide, it’s going to put that idea in someone’s mind,” Caldwell says. “Let me be clear that this thought was already in my head when I was struggling. I don’t know what would have happened if someone just blankly asked me if I was thinking about suicide, because that’s not something people talk about.”

Healing Is Not a Straight Line

Today, Caldwell lives by a quote she read early in her recovery process: “When we recover loudly, we keep others from dying quietly.”

“I will shout my story to the rooftops if it means that one person feels less alone in how they’re feeling,” she says.

Healing looks different for everyone, and everyone needs different tools, Caldwell explains. She compares it to going to Starbucks to get a cup of coffee and then realizing you don’t like it.

“Does it mean that you’re going to stop going to Starbucks altogether, or, even worse, stop drinking coffee altogether?” she says. “Absolutely not. Sometimes you just need to go to different places or add in a little sugar here and there based on personal preference. I feel like my healing journey is like that.”

Caldwell says the “gray areas” are still terrifying at times. But she’s learned that true bravery is figuring out how to thrive even when a clear plan isn’t visible. Healing hasn’t removed the stressors in her life, but it has increased her capacity to handle them.

The one thing that has changed in the past six years is her willingness to have uncomfortable conversations and ask hard questions. She is grateful for the family, friends and professionals that support her in doing this.

“Transparency looks different now,” she says. “I can text my mom to just say, ‘It’s not a good day today.’ That’s something I never would have done because I didn’t feel comfortable saying that.”

Stay Beyond the Crisis

Her message to farm families is simple: don’t just show up for the crisis; show up for the recovery.

“Stay to see them thrive,” Caldwell says. “Stay to hear people like my mom say that ‘the light has returned’ in their eyes.”

Maddison’s family members have been a key support to her in the healing journey.

(Provided by Maddison Caldwell)

On the sixth anniversary of being alive after her last suicide attempt, Caldwell lit a candle and blew it out surrounded by her inner circle.

“As I looked around at the simplest of things, I was so grateful,” she says. “I was flooded with all the beautiful moments I have had since that time that I would have missed out on.”

Discover more about Caldwell’s journey – the challenges that would have wrecked her before, the most unexpected people who helped her recover and the joy she finds in her career today – by watching “The PORK Podcast” on YouTube or by listening to it anywhere podcasts are found.

No one has to struggle alone. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available 24/7. Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

The Steward of the Sandhills: Barb Cooksley’s Legacy of Resilience and Leadership

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:32:36 GMT

As the world continues celebrating 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF), the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) is proud to shine a light on the women whose leadership strengthens the U.S. beef industry each day. This month, we are honored to highlight Barb Cooksley, a Nebraska Sandhills rancher whose story reflects six generations of stewardship and an unwavering commitment to the grasslands she calls home.

Barb Cooksley’s story begins in southwest Nebraska, where she grew up on a cow-calf operation with her parents and two older sisters.

“We were the ranch crew,” she says, laughing. “We did everything — rode horses, worked cattle, hunted, fished — even ran machinery.”

Cooksley knew early on no matter what she ended up doing, she would stay outdoors. After high school, she attended the University of Nebraska, earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agronomy and range science. She soon began a career with the Soil Conservation Service, which is now the Natural Resources Conservation Service, working across Nebraska on rangeland conservation.

Marriage and family brought a new season, and Cooksley stepped away from full-time agency work to become a ranch wife and mom. When her daughter started school, she became a congressional agricultural staffer, spending nine years supporting two U.S. Representatives while staying active in Nebraska Cattlemen, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and more.

Today, Cooksley draws on her diverse experience and her deep roots on the land to guide every decision she makes on the Cooksley Ranch.

(Photo provided by Barb Cooksley)

Life on the Ranch

When asked what a typical day looks like, Cooksley laughs out loud.

“Typical? “No two days are the same,” she says. “You always have a plan, but the plan changes.”

At any moment, a phone call may change everything. A downed fence, cattle out, an equipment breakdown or wildfire could instantly redirect the day’s priorities.

Cooksley says she often ends up as the gopher, driving 15 to 100 miles for parts, supplies or whatever else is needed at the time. She also handles pasture checks, livestock management and weed control along with daily logistics.

“Whatever has to be done, gets done,” she says. “And whatever should be done, we’ll get to it.”

Family, Community and the Journey to Little Miss Clearcut

Cooksley and her husband, George, are now the fourth generation on the ranch. The fifth and sixth generations are already involved, which is a major point of pride for her.

She says this cycle of life on the ranch is what brings her the deepest joy.

“There’s a moment every year when that first calf drops, and it gets up. The mama licks it off, and the next day it’s bouncing around. That’s the wow moment. That’s why we’re here,” she explains.

In addition to her love for life on the ranch, Cooksley places a deep value on the people who surround it.

“Your community is your extended family,” she says.

Whether at church, the hardware store or the grocery store, neighbors visit and help each other.

“We’re each other’s news reporters,” she smiles. “If you’re not involved, you don’t know what’s going on.”

That close-knit community doesn’t just share stories. It also shares in responsibility for the land.

Nearly 40 years on the ranch has sharpened Cooksley’s eye for change. One of the most significant decisions she made was confronting Eastern red cedar encroachment – trees that can quickly overtake native grasslands, reducing forage and water supply and increasing wildfire risk.

“These are treeless, grass-covered sand dunes,” she says, referencing the Sandhills. “You start seeing cedars pop up, you cut them.”

Cooksley took it upon herself to become the ranch’s leading cedar-removal specialist, partnering with neighbors and university educators to protect the region. Her dedication earned her a nickname she’s proud of: Little Miss Clearcut.

She also serves as the certified pesticide applicator for the ranch, ensuring they respond quickly and responsibly to thistles or other invasive species.

A Lesson in Patience

When asked about her biggest challenge as a producer, Cooksley’s answer is both honest and heartfelt.

“Aging,” she says simply. “Years of ranch work take a toll. You keep doing things, but you do them differently.”

She speaks openly about being patient with herself and teaching younger crew members how to work smarter, not harder.

Still, her joy for ranch work remains. Through long days, Cooksley leans on three things: faith, family and friendships.

“Once you realize you don’t have control over it, it’s your faith,” she says. “God gives you strength. He gives you the people around you.”

Her motivation grows from a genuine desire to care for the operation and the people who share in the work.

Cooksley’s 3 Tips for Future Women Farmers

For those dreaming of a life in agriculture, her advice is simple:

Be passionate. Love what you do.
Find your strengths and build on them.
Know your weaknesses and surround yourself with people who complement them.

Lessons Without Words

For Cooksley, taking the time to pause has always been important.

“Sometimes you just stop,” she says, alluding to the sights around the Sandhills. “You don’t capture it on your phone. You just take it in.”
When she gives ranch tours, she often turns off the vehicle and waits quietly to see if visitors notice the beauty and serene environment like she does. Most do, and the moment becomes theirs too.

“You’re here to work, but you’re also here to enjoy it,” she says.

At the heart of the Cooksley operation is love — for the land, the livestock and the people who make it all possible: family.

“You want to love the people you work with,” she says. “Because you’re going to disagree, sometimes loudly. But in the end, you know they’d sacrifice themselves for you, and you’d do the same for them.”

That sense of unity defines the ranch and ensures the legacy continues.

Continuing the Story

Through her leadership and her generosity of spirit, Cooksley’s story reflects the heart of the Nebraska Sandhills and the values that sustain it: resilience, faith, family and a deep respect for the land.

As the International Year of the Woman Farmer continues, USRSB is proud to honor women like Cooksley who ensure the story of agriculture remains one purpose.

Learn more about sustainable beef and producer leadership by visiting the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef website .

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A Seat at the Table: How Robbie LeValley Bridges the Gap Between Science and Stewardship

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 16:34:16 GMT

From Wyoming Roots to Colorado Stewardship

A fourth-generation rancher, Robbie LeValley is a passionate advocate for public lands and sustainable beef production.

LeValley operates a diversified cow-calf operation in western Colorado, where her work reflects a deep commitment to stewardship and the long-term viability of both land and livestock. Her story reflects resilience and a strong belief that agriculture can, and must, balance productivity with environmental care.

LeValley’s connection to ranching began in northwest Wyoming, where she grew up on a cow-calf operation south of Cody. From an early age, she experienced firsthand the realities of working lands that blended private acreage with federal grazing allotments, a model that continues to shape her approach today.

After attending junior college, she transferred to Colorado State University, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science. Shortly after, in 1989, a career opportunity in livestock extension enabled her to remain in Colorado, the same year she became part of the LeValley Ranch through marriage.

Since then, LeValley has helped build and sustain a multigenerational operation alongside her family, blending tradition with innovation to ensure the ranch’s long-term success.

(Photo Provided By Robbie LeValley)

The “Power of And": Balancing Production and Conservation

Today, the LeValley Ranch is a diverse and dynamic operation. In addition to running a cow-calf herd, the ranch integrates multiple business components, including grazing management across public and private lands, a USDA-inspected processing facility, retail beef sales, and recreational opportunities.

Central to LeValley’s work is a commitment to conservation and land stewardship. Through years of rangeland monitoring, she has helped document improvements in both vegetation and overall ecosystem function. Her science-based approach allows her to demonstrate that well-managed grazing can support both livestock production and wildlife habitat.

“It’s not about choosing one or the other,” LeValley explains. “It’s about the ‘and.’ It’s about livestock and wildlife, production and conservation.”

This philosophy has not only guided the ranch’s management decisions but has also positioned it for collaboration. LeValley regularly welcomes producers, policymakers, environmental groups and members of the public onto the ranch to see the science in action and the outcomes firsthand.

In 2023, the LeValley Ranch was recognized with the prestigious Leopold Conservation Award, honoring its dedication to sustainable land management and environmental stewardship.

(Photo Provided By Robbie LeValley)

Data-Driven Decisions: Grazing as the Solution

Beyond the ranch, LeValley’s career reflects a lifelong commitment to education and service.

From 1989 to 2012, she served as a Tri River Area extension agent, working directly with producers and communities to strengthen agricultural practices and outreach. Today, she continues to support research and innovation through her involvement in agricultural and meat science initiatives.

Her background in science plays a critical role in how she approaches ranching. By collecting and interpreting data on rangeland conditions, LeValley is able to make informed decisions and communicate the positive impacts of well-managed grazing systems.

That ability has proven especially important in conversations around public lands, where misconceptions about agriculture can persist.

“Too often, grazing is seen as the problem,” she says. “But when you have the data, you can show it’s part of the solution.”

Advocacy in Action: Ensuring the Producer’s Voice is Heard

LeValley’s influence extends across the beef industry through her involvement in numerous organizations at the local, state and national levels. She has dedicated countless hours to ensuring that the voice of producers is represented in policy discussions and industry initiatives.

Her leadership roles include past service with the Public Lands Council, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Society for Range Management and Colorado Beef Council.

For LeValley, this involvement is not optional; it is essential.

“If we’re not at the table, we don’t have a voice,” she explains. “The infrastructure, policies and opportunities we have today exist because previous generations stepped up. It’s our responsibility to do the same.”

Her commitment to collaboration is also evident in her mentorship of the next generation. Whether working with young producers or early-career ranchers, she emphasizes the importance of strong relationships and thoughtful decision-making.

(Photo Provided By Robbie LeValley)

Leading in Action

As a woman in agriculture, LeValley has witnessed both challenges and progress throughout her career. Her perspective is grounded not in titles or recognition, but in action.

“Leadership doesn’t always mean being out front,” she says. “Sometimes it means supporting others, and that’s just as important.”

She hopes young women entering agriculture will see that leadership is demonstrated through daily work and integrity, not just words.

Her advice is simple but powerful:

Work hard.
Build relationships.
Find mentors.
Lead by example.

“Work hard in silence,” she adds. “Let success make the noise.”

Continuing the Story

LeValley’s impact reaches far beyond her own operation. She is helping shape the future of ranching and the role of women in agriculture.

Her work demonstrates that stewardship and productivity are not opposing goals; they are interconnected. By embracing both, she is advancing the beef industry and ensuring its resilience for years to come.

As the International Year of the Woman Farmer continues, stories like LeValley’s highlight the leadership of women across agriculture.
They remind us that ranching is more than a livelihood; it is a legacy shaped by care for the land and a strong sense of purpose for the future.

Learn more about sustainable beef and producer leadership by visiting U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and Public Lands Council websites.

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Earned Trust in the Feedlot: How One Veterinarian Is Building a Career in Cattle Consulting

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:15:31 GMT

A uterine prolapse is one of the more physically demanding emergencies a cattle veterinarian can face. The organ is heavy and awkward to handle, and replacing it often requires both strength and patience.

Paige Schmidt, DVM, MS, had to reschedule our chat in favor of an emergency call from a client due to a prolapsed uterus. The producer and another rancher had already tried to push the prolapsed uterus back into place themselves, but it wasn’t working.

Instead of trying to wrestle the organ back into place alone, Schmidt used a strategy she had learned from other veterinarians.

“You take a giant garbage bag and tie it to one side of the fence,” she says. “Then I put it underneath the uterus and have the producer hold it on the other side. So they’re holding the heavy uterus, and I’m pushing it in.”

The setup makes the job easier in more ways than one.

“One, it saves me from holding it and pushing at the same time,” Schmidt says. “And two, it makes them realize how heavy it is because they’re the one holding it. Sometimes, that changes their perspective a little.”

When the procedure was finished, the rancher was surprised by how quickly it had gone.

“He told me, ‘You did that so fast. Me and my buddy were trying earlier and we couldn’t,’” Schmidt recalls. “I told him you’ve got to work smarter, not harder.”

Moments like that can shift how producers see a veterinarian.

(Photos Provided By Dr. Paige Schmidt)

The Quiet Tests

That kind of credibility is not always automatic for new veterinarians entering the cattle industry. Schmidt, a 2024 grad, is often challenged for perceived youth.

“Usually the first question I get is, ‘How old are you?’” Schmidt says.

It is rarely meant as an insult, but it signals producers and feedlot crews are paying close attention to her knowledge and abilities. Schmidt says she frequently experiences small tests before her clients choose to follow her guidelines. They want to know she knows how to do what she’s telling them to do.

One simple test Schmidt has experienced is identifying and pulling a sick animal from a pen while cowboys watch from horseback or along the fence line. Once she proves she can handle the work herself, the dynamic often changes quickly.

“Once they see that you can do it, they gain respect for you pretty quickly,” she says. “After that, they’ll listen to what you have to say.”

Ranch Roots & Veterinary Medicine

Long before she was earning the trust of feedlot crews, Schmidt was learning about cattle health on her family’s ranch in south-central North Dakota. Her family operates a commercial cow-calf and backgrounding operation where she developed an early curiosity about animal health.

“I wanted to know why we treated something a certain way or why a disease occurred,” she says. “The veterinarian coming to our ranch was always a big day and an important day. Looking back now, that probably had a bigger influence on me than I realized at the time.”

Even so, veterinary medicine was not always the obvious next step.

During college, Schmidt played basketball while completing her undergraduate degree. Balancing athletics and academics meant long days and late nights. As graduation approached, she was unsure whether she wanted to commit to four more years of school.

It took a nudge from the person who knew her potential best — her family’s herd veterinarian — to tip the scales.

“He really pushed me toward vet school,” Schmidt recalls. “I needed that push.”

That carried her to Kansas State University, where the academic rigors of veterinary medicine didn’t just challenge her — they fueled her. But it was a concurrent master’s degree that truly shifted her horizon. Diving into respiratory disease research, Schmidt stepped out of the familiar world of her youth and into the high-stakes environment of the feedyard.

“That experience helped immerse me into a part of the industry I hadn’t been in before,” she says. “I got to see how feedyards operate day to day and how that sector connects to cow-calf production.”

It wasn’t just about the science anymore; it was about bridging the gap between research and the field, turning complex data into tools producers could actually use.

(Photos Provided By Dr. Paige Schmidt)

Teaching the Feedlot

Today, Schmidt is building a consulting-focused veterinary career in Kansas, working with feedlots and cow-calf operations while also assisting a local veterinarian with ambulatory work. A central part of that work involves collaborating with the people responsible for daily cattle care and helping them implement effective health protocols.

“I can leave all the recommendations in the world, but it has to happen on the days I’m not there,” Schmidt says. “If I can teach them how to do it correctly when I’m gone, that’s a win for both of us.”

Often, that means explaining the reasoning behind common management practices.

“Sometimes people have worked in the industry their entire lives and no one has ever explained why something is done a certain way,” she says. “I love seeing the light bulb go off when someone realizes why something works the way it does. It can give them a new sense of purpose.”

Building a Career — and a Life

For Schmidt, the ultimate “dream job” isn’t a destination — it’s a rhythm. She is focused on scaling her consulting practice, moving toward a model built on consistency and long-term client relationships. That being said, as she expands her footprint in the beef industry, she remains protective of her time.

“I want to build a career where I take care of my clients, but also have time for family and personal things,” she explains.

It’s a practical approach to a demanding profession. Just as she managed that prolapse call with efficiency and precision, she’s applying that same logic to her career trajectory. Success, she’s realized, doesn’t come from burnout; it comes from the cattleman’s oldest rule: Work smarter, not harder.

Five Generations of Women Ranching in California

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 12:03:34 GMT

There is cracked plaster above Grace Magruder’s desk at Ingel-Haven Ranch, the marks of a house that has carried generations and is still standing. Magruder describes it almost with affection, the way someone might notice the lines around a person’s eyes and recognize a life that has been lived.

The house in Potter Valley, Calif., has been holding women for more than a century, carrying the weight of decisions made long ago and the pattern of people choosing, again and again, to return.

A Century of Returning

Magruder’s great-grandmother, Helen, first walked through that doorway in 1919 after her father bought the land so she and her new husband could settle there while he was still strong enough to help them get started. It was the kind of gesture families make when land is both livelihood and inheritance.

Helen stepped into a life shaped by livestock, weather and land that asks something of you every single day and doesn’t much care if you’re tired. Helen met this demand head-on.

“You did not get between her and a chicken she was going to slaughter. She was a serious, serious lady,” Magruder says.

Seriousness can become its own inheritance. Helen raised two daughters on the ranch, and one eventually bought out her sister and continued the operation with her husband. The ranch moved forward because a woman chose to stay, and it moved forward again because another woman returned.

Another Helen, Magruder’s aunt, belongs in the story as well. She grew up on the ranch and later returned in the 1970s and 1980s to run a children’s summer camp there. Kids from the nearby cities would arrive each summer and sleep in tents and cabins while learning to ride horses and explore the ranch. For many of them, it was their first real experience of the land.

Over time Aunt Helen became the ranch’s most enthusiastic ecological observer, paying close attention to the birds, the creeks and the quieter corners of the landscape that others might pass without noticing.

“This ranch really owes itself to the women who decided to come back,” Magruder says. “They were never obligated to return. No one assigned them the responsibility of keeping it going. They chose it.”

Over the decades the ranch kept reshaping itself in the hands of those women. It began with sheep, as much of Mendocino County did in the early 20th century, when wool was the backbone of the local grazing economy. Later the ranch shifted toward cattle when Magruder’s grandmother took over the operation with her husband and decided sheep no longer suited either the landscape or their way of working. The ranch was never treated as something fixed, and what mattered was keeping the land productive and the family on it.

Magruder’s father continued that pattern of reinvention. After earning a master’s degree in sculpture, he returned to the ranch and began experimenting with ideas that were only just beginning to circulate in American agriculture. He noticed that the ranch grew grass well and began holding cattle longer, finishing them on pasture rather than sending them into conventional grain systems. He also began talking about rotational grazing before it became a common language in the industry.

At the same time, he kept one foot in the art world, teaching at the local college while managing the cattle operation. In this family, art and agriculture were never separate paths; they ran alongside each other.

By the time Magruder was growing up, the ranch had become an early example of grass-finished beef sold directly to customers. That model worked well for many years, until the realities around it began to shift. Slaughterhouses closed, markets tightened and weather became less predictable.

Each of those pressures required another adjustment, and you learned to observe what the land is offering, notice what the moment requires, and reshape the business accordingly.

Every generation did it a little differently; the land never stayed static and neither did the women caring for it.

Magruder herself left for eight years and built another life in Boston, studying American history and arts administration. She remembers knowing for a long time that she would return.

“I had known this was my path for a while,” she says.

When we talk about her earliest memories, you can hear the smile in Magruder’s voice. Rain hammering on a tin roof, the smell of hay dropping into winter stalls, cattle coming in from the weather, calves being raised on the ranch until they were 2 years old. “You got to see every step of their life,” she says.

Watching the full arc of an animal changes how you think about stewardship. You begin to understand the rhythm of growth and recovery, and the cost of rushing either.

(Halter)

The Physical Toll of Stewardship

Magruder also saw what decades of physical ranch work can do to a body. “I watched my dad get kind of gnarled by the ranch,” she says.

There were valves buried underground that required digging and wrenching hard enough to force water through the system, miles of fence to build and repair, posts to pound into uneven ground. Wire to stretch again and again across pasture.

“That work adds up over the years. It really does.”

(Halter)

Digital Boundaries, Natural Freedom

When Magruder and her husband, Kyle, stepped fully into managing the ranch, the conditions around them were shifting again. Slaughterhouses closed, margins tightened, rainfall patterns became less predictable. Elk began returning to the valley in larger numbers, which was very exciting for a family managing the land with wildlife in mind.

“This is such a dynamic climate,” Magruder says. “We couldn’t just have a stocking rate that worked every year.”

The land was asking for flexibility, and cattle needed to move regularly so grass could recover and wildlife could move through the landscape. Traditional fencing systems demanded constant physical work.

When the couple began exploring virtual fencing through Halter, they had their children front of mind.

“Being able to rotate the cattle regularly without physically building and moving fence is a game-changer,” Magruder says. “There is no point at which you’re unfit to rotate animals now.”

The ranch still requires judgment about grass height, water placement and herd health. Those decisions now translate into digital boundaries drawn from a phone. Cattle move calmly across the landscape without posts and wire defining every edge rotations can happen daily, grazing becomes more precise and wildlife movement can be accommodated without tearing down physical infrastructure.

(Halter)

After a few weeks of using Halter, she told Kyle, “I don’t want a ranch any other way. I love the dynamic of moving cattle comfortably and slowly and intentionally, across the landscape.”

For Magruder’s aunt Helen, that shift has opened up. Being able to guide cattle away from sensitive nesting areas and riparian corridors means parts of the ranch can recover while the rest continues to function as working land.

These days she shares her knowledge with Magruder’s children — June and Walter — through nature walks and birdwatching, passing on stories about the birds, the seasons and the life that exists alongside the cattle.

“We’ll be able to graze the way we want into later years in our lives,” Magruder says. “We’re not worried about having to switch careers when it becomes too hard.”

The Magruder Family

(Halter)

Grazing Into the Future

For this family, the question has always been how to stay in it, how to care for the land without grinding down the people doing the work and how to adapt as weather shifts and wildlife returns.

Five generations of women have shaped Ingel-Haven Ranch. Each inherited land already marked by the decisions of the last, and each adjusted the model to fit her moment. Virtual fencing becomes part of that lineage now. Another tool chosen by someone determined to keep the ranch viable, responsive and alive.

The cracked plaster above Magruder’s desk remains, and the house continues to hold the story of women returning. The land keeps asking for care, and the women keep answering.

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The Grace of the Stillness: A Lesson in Healing

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:00:28 GMT

In the span of just two weeks, the rhythm of my life was violently disrupted, replaced by a forced stillness that I never saw coming. It began on the evening of February 27, when a black truck turned left directly into my vehicle’s path. The impact was high-velocity and terrifying, painting my mid-section with a map of deep purple contusions and bruising that stretched from hip to hip. But as I sat in the quiet aftermath of deployed airbags and twisted metal, my physical pain was eclipsed by a profound sense of luck. My husband and I walked away. We were alive. We were discharged to go home. The script of that night could have been written very differently, and we knew it.

However, survival was only the first chapter. Just a few days later, I moved from the trauma of the near-fatal accident into the sterile reality of a planned surgery — one that carried a daunting eight-week recovery timeline. Suddenly, the woman who is used to directing the flow of a busy household and a demanding career found herself anchored to a bed, restricted by a 10 lb. lifting limit and the heavy fog of pain medication and fatigue.

Then, as if to test the very limits of my resolve, the sky turned white. A spring blizzard swept across the farm, bringing with it the biting wind and heavy snow that demands every hand on deck. From my window, I watched the world turn cold while my home hummed with a different kind of energy. Because it was spring break, all of my children were home. And because of the elements that Mother Nature graced us with, they were outside, plowing snow, bedding calf huts and taking over the extra chores that define farm life in a storm.

The Weight of the “Mind Over Matter” Mantra

As I watched them, a heavy, suffocating sense of guilt filled the room. I wanted to be out there. I wanted to be of service, to be the one hauling the buckets or — at the very least — the one standing over a hot stove preparing a meal for the exhausted crew coming in from the cold. Growing up on a farm, often we are raised on a steady mantra “mind over matter.” Farm women are legendary for their toughness. We are the ones who push through the flu, the ones who work until the job is done, the ones who equate our value with our productivity.

But as I lay there, sore and exhausted, I realized my toughness was being called upon in a way I hadn’t practiced before. I had to learn the foreign concept of extending grace to myself.

Strength Through Grace

I had to understand rest isn’t a lapse in character. It is a required ingredient for a future of service. To truly lead my family and my community, I had to lead by example in the art of self-care. I had to embrace the season of stillness I was in, allowing my body and mind to knit themselves back together. I had to accept that for this brief moment in time, the most productive thing I could do was to kick my feet up and sleep.

It is so much easier said than done. It feels like a betrayal of our nature to let others wait on us. Yet there is a sacredness in allowing those you have spent your life serving to serve you in return. It allows them to grow, and it allows you to heal.

If you find yourself in a season where you are doing “less,” please listen to your body and your doctor. Do not mistake rest for weakness. Whether you are recovering from a literal collision or the metaphorical storms of life, remember the farm will stand, the chores will get done, the farm family will manage to find something to eat and the world will keep turning. Allow yourself the grace to be still. For once, let the help come to you. Because in the end, that is the only way we truly heal.

From Ecological Design to the G Bar C Ranch: Ellis Carries the Legacy Forward

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 17:46:13 GMT

As the world recognizes 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF), U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) is turning the spotlight on the women shaping agriculture every day here in the U.S. From innovative land management strategies to raising livestock with care and precision, women are vital contributors to our food systems and communities.

For Meredith Ellis, ranching is more than a job; it is a “spectacular” picture painted with broad strokes of stewardship and legacy.

Based in Rosston, Texas, Ellis is a second-generation rancher who has transformed her family’s 3,000-acre operation by integrating her background in landscape architecture and ecological resilience into daily cattle management. Her collaborative work with global partners like McDonald’s and the Noble Research Institute highlights a new era of leadership where women in agriculture are bridging the gap between production and conservation.

With a guiding motto centered on raising high-quality cattle while putting the environment first, Ellis represents a growing generation of ranchers working at the intersection of production and conservation.

Legacy Across the Land

G Bar C Ranch began in 1982 after Meredith’s father, G.C. Ellis, set out to start a ranch grounded in stewardship and long-term vision. After extensively searching for the right land, a journey that wore out two pickup trucks, the family began what started as a 450-acre operation.

Today, that original vision has grown into more than 3,000 acres. Ellis embodies the continuation of that dream while bringing her own perspective and leadership to the operation. For her, ranching has always been less about ownership and more about responsibility to the land, livestock and generations that follow her.

ESAP 2023 Region IV Winner - G Bar C Ranch, Rosston, TX

(Photo: Baxter Communications Inc./Environmental Stewardship Award Program)

Perspective and Purpose

Ellis’ journey included time away from the ranch as she studied landscape architecture and sustainability at the University of New Mexico. Immersed in systems thinking and ecological design, she began to view landscapes through a broader lens of function and resilience.

During her time there, Ellis quickly realized the principles she was studying in classrooms closely mirrored the practices unfolding at home on the ranch. That moment of alignment reshaped her trajectory, prompting a return to G Bar C Ranch with renewed purpose and a desire to expand upon her family’s legacy through science-informed stewardship.

“The most important thing I could possibly do to help this planet was to return home, learn from my dad, continue his legacy and care for the land. So, I became a rancher,” Ellis shares.

Learning and Collaboration

Ellis’ leadership extends beyond daily ranch responsibilities into broader industry engagement and partnership.

Her work includes active involvement with organizations such as the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef , the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Noble Research Institute, Texas A&M University, the Botanical Research Institute of Texas and Integrity Beef Alliance . Through research trials, ranch tours, internships and collaborative projects, including sustainability pilot efforts with McDonald’s, these partnerships continue to advance both ranch-level outcomes and industry-wide learning.

Ellis credits collaboration as a defining strength of agriculture.

“I have yet to meet someone who has not offered some kernel of profound insight into something in my operation,” she reflects, underscoring the value of shared knowledge across the industry.

Women in Agriculture: Then and Now

Throughout her career, Ellis has witnessed a continued shift in how women participate and lead within agriculture. She believes modern ranching creates space for diverse leadership styles, experiences and approaches.

Rather than conforming to expectations, Ellis encourages young women to trust themselves and embrace authenticity in their agricultural journeys.

“I truly don’t fit into any rancher stereotypical role,” she says. “Ranching is not about adopting a specific role but being empowered to be yourself and trust yourself.”

Her advice reflects a mindset shaped by experimentation and growth.

“Don’t be afraid of making mistakes,” Ellis shares. “Think of ranching as painting a picture with broad brush strokes, up close it may look imperfect, but when you zoom out the view is spectacular.”

What the Ranch Teaches

Life on G Bar C Ranch reflects the dynamic nature of agriculture.

“There are no typical days for a rancher,” she says. “Some days I’m waist-deep in the creek fixing water gaps. Other days I’m behind the computer doing paperwork.”

At its core, she believes ranching is about adaptability.

“We’re not experts at anything except problem solving and teamwork,” Ellis says.

Meredith’s story reflects the evolving identity of agriculture, where production, stewardship, research and community engagement are increasingly interconnected.

Her stewardship at G Bar C Ranch demonstrates how curiosity and respect for natural systems can shape resilient operations and meaningful impact beyond the ranch gate. Above all, the opportunity to build a foundation for her son, much like her father did for her, provides enduring purpose and inspiration.

Continuing the Story

As USRSB continues its International Year of the Woman Farmer spotlight series, stories like Ellis’ remind us that women in agriculture are not only sustaining operations but also advancing innovation, strengthening communities and redefining leadership across the industry.

Farming and ranching remain more than occupations. They are legacies carried forward through people, purpose and the land itself.

Your Next Read:
A Role Model and Leader: Lyons-Blythe Advocates For Stewardship and the Next Generation

Never Say Never: A Veterinarian’s Career Beyond the Clinic

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 14:45:52 GMT

When Dr. Julia Herman speaks with veterinary students, she often begins with a phrase that has become something of a personal mantra.

“I always tell the vet students ‘never say never’,” she says.

It is advice that reflects the path her own career has taken. Herman has worked in wildlife research, cattle practice, veterinary teaching and now industry leadership. Today she serves as beef cattle specialist veterinarian with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) , where her work centers on preventive medicine, biosecurity and producer and veterinary education across the beef industry.

Rather than focusing on individual animals, Herman now works at the level of the entire production system.

“The cattle industry is my client, so that adjusts how I work with folks,” she says.

(Photo: Jared Kennedy)

Her days might involve lecturing veterinary students, collaborating with researchers on biosecurity plans or coordinating with state and federal agencies involved in animal health. Much of the work revolves around Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) programs and broader preventive medicine efforts designed to strengthen animal welfare, food safety and industry sustainability.

“The BQA is essentially preventive medicine,” Herman says. “We’re trying to teach all these preventive medicine topics.”

It is a role that operates far beyond the exam chute or treatment pen. But it is also not the career Herman originally envisioned when she first decided to become a veterinarian.

The Zoo Vet Dream

Herman grew up in a small town in eastern Colorado, where agriculture was present but not necessarily the center of her early career ambitions. As a kid, she raised rabbits and pigs for 4-H and FFA projects, but her imagination was often focused somewhere else entirely.

“Initially, I wanted to be a zoo vet,” she says.

Her fascination with animals started early, fueled in part by the books she devoured growing up.

“My parents had this entire collection of National Geographic books that I just read all the time,” she says. “I went to the Denver Zoo for my birthday parties and learned as much as I could about a variety of animal species.”

Those interests led her to pursue a zoology degree at Colorado State University, where she focused heavily on wildlife management and genetics with her undergraduate research. One of the most memorable experiences during that time was a research internship at the Smithsonian National Zoo studying cheetah reproductive biology.

“Which sounds cool,” Herman says, “but mostly I just pounded poop and extracted hormones out of said poop to evaluate cyclicity.”

The experience was still meaningful, but it also helped clarify something about the direction she wanted her career to take.

“I realized that I didn’t want to just do research and knew that veterinary school needed to be the next step.”

Like many of the turning points in her career, it was a moment where plans shifted slightly rather than dramatically.

(Photo Provided By Julia Herman)

When Wildlife Met Livestock

Herman’s graduate research would bring her closer to livestock agriculture in an unexpected way. Her master’s project focused on genetic resistance to brucellosis in Yellowstone National Park bison, a topic that bridged wildlife conservation and cattle health.

“It incorporated my wildlife genetics interest, that I had already been working in the lab with, and conservation biology,” she says. “But it also put me back into the livestock realm because brucellosis is a regulated disease.”

The project highlighted how closely connected different areas of animal health can be. Wildlife disease, livestock production and public health were not separate fields, but overlapping systems that influence one another.

That systems-level, One Health perspective would eventually become central to Herman’s career.

Her Way Into Agriculture

Herman’s path into food animal medicine did not follow the traditional script. She describes herself as a first-generation student navigating much of the veterinary pipeline independently.

“I’m a first generation student,” she says. “There’s a lot that I feel like I had to learn on my own.”

Without established connections in the profession, she relied heavily on persistence. She emailed dozens of professors looking for research opportunities and contacted veterinary clinics across northern Colorado in search of experience. Those efforts eventually led her to work for several years at a small-town veterinary clinic while applying to veterinary school.

Once enrolled in the DVM program at Colorado State University, Herman intentionally sought out as many different experiences as possible.

“I really tried to have this huge breadth of experience,” she says.

During veterinary school, she pursued opportunities ranging from a public health internship in Chile to dairy medicine training at Cornell University and feedlot health work at Feedlot Health Management Services by TELUS Agriculture Canada. The goal was not to specialize early, but to learn broadly.

She holds the position that making students choose a track in veterinary school might be short-sighted.

“I think everybody should have to learn about all species because you don’t know where your path is going to go,” Herman says.

The Realities of Practice

After graduating, Herman accepted a mixed animal practice job in Stockton, Kan. But even then, she was deliberate about making sure the position would provide meaningful experience with cattle.

“A lot of times when mixed animal practice jobs are posted, they say mixed animal practice, but it’s mostly small animal plus or minus a little bit of horses,” she says.

The Kansas clinic delivered exactly what she had hoped for. Located in one of the state’s leading cow-calf counties, the practice provided extensive hands-on cattle work and strong mentorship from veterinarians with different backgrounds and levels of experience.

“Practicing in Kansas was a memorable start to my career,” she says. “The people were fantastic. I had a really great team to work with and learn from.”

Still, life outside the clinic soon influenced the next step in her career. When her husband’s job brought the couple back to Colorado, Herman once again found herself looking for new opportunities.

The Pivot She Never Expected

Her next move came through a familiar strategy: sending emails to professional contacts asking if anyone knew of openings in the area. One of her former professors came back with a suggestion she had not anticipated. He was leaving his position and asked if Herman wanted to take his place.

“I never thought I would be in academia,” Herman says. “It was an opportunity that fell into my lap.”

She accepted the role and became a clinical instructor in livestock ambulatory medicine at Colorado State University. The position allowed her to continue working with cattle while also mentoring veterinary students.

Teaching quickly became one of the most rewarding aspects of the job.

“The veterinary and graduate students are so excited to just learn and try new things,” she says. “And being a part of setting that foundation of what they’re going to do in the rest of their career — I love that piece.”

Looking back, Herman now sees teaching as one of the threads that has run through every stage of her career:

“If anything has been consistent, other than preventive medicine and public health themes, it’s the teaching piece.”

A Career Turning Point to a Job that Didn’t Exist

Eventually, several factors pushed Herman toward another career transition. Team dynamics within the department changed, and she was managing tendinitis in both hands — a repetitive strain injury common in physically demanding veterinary work.

“I realized that I couldn’t be doing physical work for the rest of my veterinary career,” she says.

At the same time, she noticed her interests shifting toward larger-scale challenges within animal health systems.

“Figuring out how I could impact veterinary medicine and the cattle industry beyond clinical practice was an interesting step,” she says.

That desire prompted her to begin searching for roles that would allow her to work at that broader level.

(Photo: Jared Kennedy)

Eventually Herman came across a job posting for a newly created position with NCBA that would reshape her career entirely.

“I’m the first veterinarian in this position, which was exciting and has been a learning curve,” she says.

As NCBA’s beef cattle specialist veterinarian, Herman was given broad flexibility to shape the position. She quickly focused on preventive medicine, animal welfare, biosecurity, and producer and veterinary education across the cattle industry.

Her work often involves helping producers recognize how everyday management decisions influence disease risk and how veterinarians can better collaborate with those producers.

During a training program in Uganda focused on foot-and-mouth disease response, Herman visited farms managing outbreaks in endemic areas. One example from that trip now appears frequently in her presentations.

They overviewed a situation involving three farms.

“Farm A has sick cattle. So farm C and B are like, well, we’re going to come help you because that’s what we do as cattle producers,” Herman explains. “Then they end up taking foot-and-mouth disease back to their herd.”

Without biosecurity measures, their good intentions spread the disease.

“I give that example,” Herman says. “And then I ask the audience: how many of your neighbors did you invite over for the branding?”

Then comes the follow-up question that reframes the situation: “And did you ask them to wear clean clothes, clean boots and to clean out the hooves of their horses so that they’re not bringing anything to your operation?”

More Paths than Students Realize

Herman spends a significant amount of time speaking with veterinary students about the many directions their careers can take. Too often, she says, students believe the profession offers only a narrow set of options.

“I don’t think the veterinary industry does a good job at showing all those different avenues of what veterinarians can do,” she says.

Veterinary medicine today includes roles in research, industry, public health, education and policy, many of which operate far beyond the clinic setting.

“You can do whatever the heck you want in veterinary medicine,” Herman says. “There are all these career paths where you don’t have to stay in a particular lane. There are so many ways you can impact the veterinary industry and animal health.”

Her own career serves as a reminder that those paths are rarely predictable. What began with childhood dreams of zoo medicine eventually evolved into work shaping preventive health strategies for an entire industry.

And that, Herman says, is exactly why she tells students the same thing every time.

Never say never.

A Role Model and Leader: Lyons-Blythe Advocates For Stewardship and the Next Generation

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 12:05:14 GMT

A Life Rooted in Ranching

Lyons-Blythe’s story begins on Lyons Angus Ranch south of Manhattan, Kan. Growing up, she and her sister learned cattle care knows no gender. They worked alongside their mother, Jan Lyons, and showed Angus heifers across the U.S. in the National Junior Angus Association — building lifelong connections and sharpening their skills in livestock management.

After marrying Duane Blythe in 1989, she brought her cows to her husband’s family farm, starting a new chapter that blended two legacies. Today, her five grown children remain involved in the operation. Three sons work full time on the ranch, two daughters remain co-owners and the third generation is sure to continue the family tradition.

Leadership, Learning and Legacy

Lyons-Blythe’s leadership extends far beyond feeding and caring for cattle. A proud example of her leadership is her long-standing commitment to advocacy. She has been active at the local, state and national levels, working alongside organizations and fellow producers to help shape policies and conversations that impact the industry.

Her noteworthy achievements are in abundance, which is a reflection of her strong character and dedication.

While the list extends well beyond this, these are just a few accolades and leadership highlights:

Past chair of the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) from 2022 to 2023
Founding member of USRSB and helping shape the organization from its earliest days
USRSB panelist at NYC Climate Week
2022 Certified Angus Beef Progressive Partner Award (Blythe Family Farms)
2012 America’s Farmers Mom of the Year, awarded by Monsanto
Board leader on the Kansas Livestock Association and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Women in Agriculture: Then and Now

Reflecting on her career, Lyons-Blythe has seen significant change in the role of women in farming and ranching.

“When I was a kid, women couldn’t even get their own bank loan without a husband’s signature,” she recalls.

Today, she notes, women are recognized as vital partners and leaders, making decisions alongside men and taking on leadership roles across operations and organizations.

Her advice to young women considering agriculture?

“Do the work. Don’t worry about being a woman. The cows need fed, the hay needs cut, the job needs done. It does not matter whether you are a guy or a gal,” she shares.

(Provided by USRSB)

Lessons from the Land

Farming and ranching come with constant challenges, from unpredictable weather to market shifts, but Debbie finds motivation in family, teamwork and the land itself. She stresses the importance of passing down values as well as skills.

“Every day on a ranch is busy, but there are ways to include the entire family – grandkids, too – in the daily work,” she says.

Her hope for the future? A new generation of ranchers who blend respect for tradition with openness to technology, efficiency and sustainability.

“The future of the Blythe Family Farms is in excellent hands,” she notes. “I believe the entire farming and ranching industries are as well.”

A Legacy in Action

Lyons-Blythe’s story is a reminder that women in agriculture are not only caretakers of the land and animals, but they are leaders, innovators and role models. Her legacy at Blythe Family Farms is demonstrated through collaboration, resilience and mentorship, showing young women and families across the U.S. that all have a place at every table in agriculture.

You can learn more about Lyons-Blythe’s advocacy efforts on her personal blog Kids, Cows and Grass.

2026 is the year to celebrate all the women shaping our food systems. Stories like Lyons-Blythe’s remind us farming is more than a job. It’s a legacy, a community and a calling.

Farm Journal Announces 2026 Top Producer Award Finalists

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 19:12:54 GMT

Farm Journal has announced three finalists for the prestigious 2026 Top Producer of the Year Award, honoring some of the most progressive and successful farm operations in the country. The winner and finalists will be formally recognized at the 2026 Top Producer Summit , agriculture’s premier executive-level conference for elite farmers and ranchers, which is set for Feb. 9-11 in Nashville, Tenn. Also presented at the event will be the Next Generation Award and Women in Agriculture Award.

“The Top Producer Awards celebrate operations that are building resilient, innovative and future-focused businesses,” said Margy Eckelkamp, brand leader of Top Producer. “These finalists and award winners represent the very best of modern agriculture: strong family leadership, diversification, technology adoption and an unwavering commitment to excellence.”

2026 Top Producer of the Year Award Finalists:

Alsum Farms, Friesland, Wis. – A multigenerational family operation producing potatoes, pumpkins, hay, alfalfa and other rotational crops across more than 3,600 acres. The business is fully vertically integrated, overseeing production, packing and marketing. Leadership spans generations with the founder serving as CEO since 1981 now working alongside his two daughters who hold leadership roles in the business.

Dalton Farms, Wakeman, Ohio – A seventh-generation family farm led by Rebecca and Edward Dalton. The operation includes 2,000 acres of corn and soybeans, a 400-head cattle herd with direct-to-consumer beef sales and a growing on-farm market offering locally-sourced chicken, pork and maple syrup. Their story reflects both diversification and successful generational transition following a family split in the 1990s.

Splitter Farms, Sterling, Kan. – Led by Matt and Janna Splitter, this Kansas row-crop operation spans 1,400 owned acres with nearly 18,500 acres farmed annually through cash rent and custom work. After the sudden passing of Matt’s father in 2010, the couple returned to the farm and scaled the business using data-driven decision-making, strong landowner relationships and disciplined business management. Notably, this marks the first time a previous Next Generation Award winner has advanced to a Top Producer of the Year finalist.

The 2026 Top Producer of the Year award is sponsored by BASF and Fendt.

2026 Next Generation Award Winner

Tim Nuss, El Dorado Hills/Lodi, Calif., is the 2026 Next Gen Award winner. Nuss farms garlic, tomatoes, peppers, melons, herbs, pumpkins, cucumbers and grains with his father and brother while also building a powerful off-farm ag influencing business. He serves as CFO of Nuss Farms. He’s also head of business development at Polaris Energy Services, an ag tech irrigation company, hosts the “Modern Acre” podcast, and recently co-launched AgList, an online biologicals review and ratings platform designed to bring transparency to the ag inputs marketplace.

The 2026 Next Generation Award is sponsored by Pioneer and Fendt.

2026 Women in Agriculture Award Winner

Helle Ruddenklau, Amity, Ore., is the 2026 Women in Ag Award winner. Ruddenklau Farms in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, growing grass seed, wheat, vegetables, peas and hazelnuts. Originally from Denmark, she immigrated to the U.S. at age 15, later meeting her husband, Bruce, while on an exchange program in New Zealand. In addition to serving as CFO of their farming operation, she is deeply involved in ag advocacy and economic development, working through organizations such as Oregon AgriWomen, AgLaunch and SEDCOR to strengthen regional agriculture through supplier and industry partnerships.

The 2026 Women in Agriculture Award is sponsored by Pro Farmer.

All finalists and award winners will be recognized on stage for their excellence in the business of farming at the 2026 Top Producer Summit, where the nation’s best producers gather to advance leadership, management, technology adoption and succession planning in agriculture. Learn more about Top Producer Summit and Top Producer of the Year awards at tpsummit.com.

Farm Moms: Balance Harvests and Heart with Practical Meal Tips

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 14:19:48 GMT

Harvest time is a season of relentless energy and unwavering dedication. As the roar of a diesel tractor marks the beginning of the summer harvest, some farm families opt for a plan that merges practicality with care. A couple of dairy farm moms share how they have perfected the balancing act of feeding and nurturing their families amidst the busiest times of the year.

The Practical Pioneer: Emily Zweber, Minnesota Farm Mom
In Elko, Minn., dairy mom Emily Zweber has been navigating hay season alongside her husband for over two decades. Her secret? Simple, yet effective meal prep. Over the years, Zweber has discovered special field meals aren’t a necessity.

“If that is your thing, awesome,” she says with encouragement. “But also, if special field meals aren’t your thing, awesome.”

Working side-by-side on their dairy farm with her husband Tim, and their trio of children, Zweber milks 100 grass-fed, organic cows and manages 400 acres. Amidst this, she sends her crew out with lunchboxes filled with “preschool snacks,” designed to be eaten with dirty hands, that can endure a day in a warm lunch box. The selection includes apples, frozen string cheese, veggie pouches, and, of course, the humble PB&J.

Zweber’s message is empowering: farm moms shouldn’t stress over juggling multiple roles. The pressure to achieve perfection is replaced by her mantra to work smarter, not harder.

The Efficient Enthusiast: Kristina Haverkamp, Kansas Farm Mom
Echoing Zweber’s sentiments is Kristina Haverkamp from Seneca, Kan. Juggling a full kitchen in the shop and an acreage of responsibility, Haverkamp keeps her refrigerator stocked with sandwich staples and healthy snacks. The convenience is vital as every load of silage is weighed at their shop.

“I ensure the fridge is stocked with cold water and even cold beer for the end of the day,” Haverkamp shares.

When the workload intensifies, she prepares goody bags with a hot sandwich and additional snacks. For Haverkamp, it’s all about maintaining momentum and boosting morale.

Despite her busy schedule of chores, she orchestrates this routine seamlessly. Her efforts ensure everyone is content, allowing the farming operations to continue without a hitch.

“Hats off to all of us who work in acres not hours,” Haverkamp declares, celebrating the tireless spirit of farm moms everywhere.

Zweber and Haverkamp showcase a common truth among farm moms across the U.S. – efficiency without sacrificing heart. As farm wives and mothers become increasingly busy this time of year, there’s a gentle reminder from these seasoned experts: it’s perfectly okay to work smarter.

Best Tips
Cooking for a crowd doesn’t have to be a burden. In fact, some of the best meals are born from simplicity and a touch of innovation. Whether it’s a one-pot wonder, a quick bite between tasks, or a hearty dish that fuels the entire team, your tips can transform the way we see meal preparation — not just as a chore, but as a way to nourish our community.

So, fellow farm warriors, what’s your favorite field meal snack or tip? Truth be told, most moms hate the question, “What’s for dinner?” So, when the meal load becomes heavy — as we are not only feeding our families, but also the crew helping us farm — let’s rally together, supporting each other through the rhythmic dance of farming and family life.

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The Strategy Behind an Eight-Generation Dairy Legacy

The Farm Babe: 3 Ways To Become A More Effective Advocate

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 14:49:04 GMT

Florida-based Michelle Miller is a farmer, social media influencer and speaker well known for her brand “ The Farm Babe. ” Through these platforms, she connects with consumers and debunks misconceptions about modern agriculture.

Miller recently joined an episode of the Ag Inspo podcast with hosts Rena Striegel and Ron Rabo to share more about her platform and what others in the ag industry can do to better reach consumers.

Have a Point of View
One of the keys to reaching a large audience and gaining traction, Miller says, is to make sure your content stands out.

“Part of my driving force is I had more of a big city background. Sometimes farmers take their perspective for granted because it’s all they know and all they’ve ever done. But for somebody on the outside looking in, it’s pretty incredible,” she says. “People have no idea what a harvest looks like. They have no idea what a combine does. They don’t know how livestock are raised. They’ve never seen the birth of a calf. How cool is that? Share it.”

Find What You’re Comfortable With
Maybe you have an interesting message to share, but–like many farmers–aren’t the type who is comfortable in front of the camera. Miller says there’s a way to make that work, too.

“Some of the greatest people to follow, in my opinion, are great to follow because you feel like you know them,” she says. “What were to happen if you were to bring your dog, your kids, your spouse or that goofy grandma or somebody who makes people laugh?”

Other great storytelling tools are captions and voiceovers.

“Maybe the video is just your equipment, but through the caption you can say, ‘Here is my John Deere combine. When we started farming in the ‘80s, it was $50,000 and now this is $900,000.’ You can create a message that improves policy and raises awareness and education for the general public through the caption,” Miller says.

Shoot Your Shot
Sometimes reaching the consumer is as simple as taking a chance and contacting them directly.

Miller recalls doing this when Burger King released a commercial that painted agriculture in a negative light, promoting its new initiative of feeding cattle lemongrass to reduce methane emissions.

“I thought ‘what if we could just have a conversation?’ So I Google searched who the global chief marketing officer for Burger King was, and I just sent him a tweet politely explaining why we found the ad so offensive, and inviting him to come on out to the farm,” she explains.

Burger King took her up on that offer.

“Their C-suite executives came out to the farm, and then I put together a two day tour. We went to a methane digester, feed lots and my farm. I had Iowa State involved, Iowa Farm Bureau and some ruminant nutritionists,” Miller says. They ended up retracting that original ad, and they did a new ad. A new commercial was filmed on my farm, as well as in northeast Iowa with a bunch of other farmers.”

As far as how to get started as an agriculture advocate, Miller offers this advice:

“Just take a step back and try to think about what you do and why. What are the greatest parts of your job? Tell that story, because you might see it every day, but the average person doesn’t. That’s the content that you put out there.”

Texas Rancher Kimberly Ratcliff Trades the Big Apple for Community Beef Business

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 18:31:24 GMT

This is right where Kimberly Ratcliff was born to be, surveying the Bermuda grass and cattle of Caney Creek Ranch in Oakwood, Texas.

“Just like life evolves, agriculture is evolving and I’m excited for this new evolution in agriculture,” Ratcliff said with a smile.

The 2025 Top Producer Women in Ag Award winner says her journey back to the Texas Plains began with big dreams in the Big Apple.

“I ended up going to college in New York City and I really thought New York City was what I wanted,” she says. “I really thought that was the lifestyle I wanted.”

Working at Bloomberg in marketing and public relations she found herself being pulled back to commodities and her days growing up on the ranch.

“That hit me hard because I realized I needed to go back home,” remembers Ratcliff. “I had enough knowledge of how these financial institutions work, but I don’t think the community understands how that affects them.”

Her father and the ranch’s owner, Wesley, remembers the phone call following a recent visit.

“When she got back [to New York], she said, I want to join you. I said, ‘No, no, no, no, no, no’,” he says. “I can’t pay you even close to what they’re paying up there. She said, ‘That’s not your problem.’”

He also asked her about ranching and whether she understood that aspect of the business. Kimberly had a solution. She entered the Texas Christian University ranch management program and became the first African American to graduate. Then, she moved home and went to work.

“I would get people driving up to the house and they wanted to put their eyes on me to see that I had really come home,” Ratcliff says. “People always say they want to come home, but they never do it.”

“My daughter coming back here honestly, was not something that I was thrilled about,” Wesley said with a half-smile and twinkle in his eye. “She is kind of bossy and I had one boss already: her mama. Now I have two bosses.”

Ratcliff started Ratcliff Premium Meats, a direct-to-consumer beef business, with a story to tell.

“Being a woman in this industry and being a black woman, I think the No. 1 thing I have honestly is the best support system here in my community,” Ratcliff says. “They’re the ones pushing me.”

“I’m happy to see her venture out and try to do something different,” Wesley says. “I would never get into the meat business, but she wanted to. I didn’t have a problem with her getting into it.”

Today, it’s a family affair as she’s also getting help from her brothers.

“In five years, my goal is to have my family - all of my family - working for us,” Ratcliff says.

As demand grows, this family operation is expanding and helping more in their community.

“In the ag community, I need cattle,” Ratcliff explains. “I need them to keep their land. I need them to have healthy cattle. I need them to have great grass and great soil. I need them to have all those things that will make me successful. So, how can I help them with their success?”

She’s sharing that success with local and state food banks.

“The first thing I support is my local food bank,” Ratcliff says. “Every week, every month, I make sure they are stocked with every protein I can provide. I don’t want them ever to have to worry about buying protein externally.”

It’s that kind of heart for others that’s helping her honor this opportunity and her mother, who passed away from breast cancer in 2019.

“She was just fighting because she saw the success that I was having and she wanted to be here to say, ‘I’m proud of you’,” says an emotional Ratcliff. “I know she’s still proud of me.”

A mother who is proud of the work she’s done and difference she’s making in the lives around her.

“This job is really taking us back to the root of what our culture is about,” Ratcliff says. “It started with the small and the large all working together to feed the world.”

UNL Offers Upcoming Educational Opportunities for Beef Producers

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 21:58:38 GMT

The University of Nebraska — Lincoln and Nebraska Extension is offering educational opportunities to support Nebraska’s beef industry through production challenges.

Webinar: Drylot Feeding Cow-calf Pairs
Monday, Jan. 13, Online

Should drought conditions continue and intensify this spring, drylot feeding of cow calf pairs may be an option to consider for retaining a portion of the cow herd. Considering the logistics and costs of drylotting pairs now will help producers to know their options and prepare and purchase feed.

Forage Production and Quality Clinic
Wednesday, Jan. 15, Arthur

Join researchers from the West Central Research, Extension and Education Center and local ranchers to discuss recent forage production experiments in North Central Nebraska.

2025 Three-State Beef Conference
Thursday, Jan. 16, Lincoln

The Three-State Beef Conference is designed to give beef cattle producers and others in the beef industry a regular update on current cow-calf and stocker topics. The conference provides a forum of specialists from three of the United States’ leading beef cattle land grant universities as well as other industry experts. Additional dates for this conference, with the same speakers and agenda, are Tuesday, Jan. 14 in Maryville, Mo., and Wednesday, Jan. 15 in Greenfield, Iowa.

Livestock Risk Management Workshop
Monday, Jan. 21, Clay Center

Nebraska Extension educators and specialists will highlight strategies designed to reduce risk exposure so livestock producers can achieve a profitability outcome in uncertain times.

Webinar Series: Fundamentals of Feeding the Cow
Starting Monday, Jan. 27, Online

This four-session webinar series is focused on understanding how the cow’s nutrient requirements change throughout the year and how to cost-effectively meet a cow’s needs with grazed or harvested feed.

Webinar Series: Calculating Annual Cow Costs
Starting Monday, Jan. 27, Online

Knowing annual cow costs is the foundation for evaluating and making management decisions that can improve profitability for a cow-calf enterprise. Input costs are challenging producers to examine the cost of production and identify where there may be opportunities to adjust the production system.

UNL Winter Stocker Tour to feature Darr Feedlot
Wednesday, Jan. 29, Lexington

Nebraska Extension’s annual summer Stocker/Yearling Tour has been a successful educational program for stocker/yearling operators and beginning producers across Nebraska. Previous attendees and advisory board members have expressed interest in a winter stocker tour to gain insight on cost-effective options to background calves through the winter.

Manure/Land Application Training
February & March, Several Locations

Anyone with an interest in manure management is welcome to attend.

Beef Feedlot Roundtables
Feb. 18, 19, 20, Bridgeport, Gothenburg, West Point

Highlights from the program include managing hairy heel wart in the feedyard, leveraging cattle implant strategies for greater gains, UNL research update, and a market outlook with speakers from Nebraska Extension and Nebraska Cattlemen.

Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference
Starting Thursday, Feb. 20, Kearney

Participants will select from over 20 workshop options that cover the five areas of agricultural risk management: production, market, financial, human and legal.

Midwest FEEDS Practicum
Starting Thursday, Feb. 27, Ithaca

Learn practical, research-based strategies to improve your operation’s efficiency and profitability while leveraging the Midwest’s unique advantages in forage and grazing resources.

Find out more about any of these events at beef.unl.edu/events , or by following UNL Beef on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Your next read: When to Assist with the Calving Process – the Three Stages of Parturition

I'm A Drover: All-Around Cattlewoman Allie Bear

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 14:26:56 GMT

As a Jill of all trades, Allie Bear has a long list of talents, including livestock marketing rep, realtor, silversmith, long rope maker and cowgirl, that she shares with the ranching community and Western lifestyle.

Bear has called the Nevada desert home since she was a child growing up on a buckaroo ranch outside of Winnemucca. Now she resides in Elko, where her family owned the J.M. Capriola Company, a Western store, from 1972 to 1985.

Too busy to be bored, Bear owns a real estate business, marketing ranch properties in Nevada. She also designs trophy bits and spurs and makes long ranch ropes, which are highly valued by working cowboys.

Network of Ranchers

Many years of Western store experience and running her own cattle operation helped her build a large network of ranchers. In 1997, Jim Davis, a Superior Livestock Auction rep from Boise, Idaho, asked Bear to help him market cattle from ranches in the Elko area. Since then, she has continued to grow her own customer base and helps ranchers primarily in Nevada and Idaho market cattle through video auctions.

“I like the people, and I like the cattle,” Bear says of her time in the industry.

Bear has been honored with marketing more than 500,000 head of cattle through Superior’s video auctions. For many years, she was one of two female reps of the nearly 400 who worked for the company.

“It was kind of a man’s world when I first started, then the buyers got to know me,” she says. “That’s history now. They trust and believe I know the cattle and represent them well.”

Once a customer consigns cattle, Bear views and records the cattle, is present at the video sales and then helps ship cattle for delivery. Being able to honestly assess the cattle keeps buyers and sellers happy.

“You have to represent the cattle the way they are and let the buyers know exactly what they are buying,” she says.

Bear works with feedlot and stocker operations all over the country and helps market and buy all weights of cattle, depending on the availability and needs of her customers. For example, she says a light calf can sell well in the summer because the California grass will be ready for fall grazing, but a light calf coming early fall is not going to bring the same.

Past, Present and Future
During her nearly 30 years as a Superior rep, Bear has seen many changes.

“The cattle have improved greatly over the years, and carcass weights are a lot heavier too,” she says. “There’s access to better bulls than years ago, and there’s so much more ranchers can learn now with the internet.”

Animal health and vaccinations protocols are another big improvement.

“Weaning and preconditioning are really important,” Bear says. “It’s getting harder and harder to sell a bawling calf. Especially with these high prices, the buyer is putting out $1,800 to 2,000 per calf, and they don’t want to take much risk.”

Bear doesn’t see the market slowing anytime soon either.

“I think this market will stay good for several years, just because there isn’t many cattle out there,” she says. “Our demand is good. People will be slow to rebuild herds, especially in this area since hay was so high last year and they had to sell.”

Bear’s customers range in size from producers who sell one load to those who sell 10 loads.

“Everybody has different needs, but it’s just as important to represent the small producer as it is to represent the huge producers,” she says.

Video marketing is beneficial for all sizes of cattle producers.

“For the small producers, it’s probably the very best option because you expose your cattle to a couple thousand buyers,” Bear explains. “It’s hard for a one-load producer to negotiate, but with a video, you have it in front of everybody, and the producer is going to bring the market or better than the market for that day. For bigger producers, the big buyers are willing to pay top dollar on a large string of cattle on the video.”

Your next read: The Power of A Decision

Mastering Ranch Communication: Terryn Drieling’s Insights on Leadership and Connection

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 12:23:00 GMT

Passing down the ranch to the next generation is a goal for many cattlemen and women. Achieving this goal requires specific skill sets and teams to help the process run smoothly. Among the most discussed skill sets in transition planning are traditional business skills. Run the ranch like a business and know your numbers, right? But there is one universal business and leadership skill that isn’t emphasized enough: communication.

Terryn Drieling, a Nebraska rancher and Enneagram coach, uses her passion for the Enneagram to help individual ranchers and families improve their communication and leadership skills. In her unique approach, Drieling connects the fundamentals of stockmanship to communicating with humans.

“In 2016, I was moving several hundred pairs by myself. As I got a few pairs started through the gate, I rode to the top of a hill and watched the other cows start to pick up their calves and follow. In that moment, I realized that the stockmanship phrase, good movement draws good movement, can also be applied to people,” Drieling says.

Good communication skills on ranches not only improve workplace safety, but also create a positive environment and culture for families and employees.

“If we don’t have open lines of communication and connection in family operations, it can create unfavorable environments between generations,” Drieling says. “Depending on how long this is neglected, poor communication could lead to the end of a family operation.”

Every person on the ranch needs to communicate effectively during both low- and high-stress times, and each individual may have a slightly different communication style. So, what does good communication look like?

“Good communication looks like maintaining calmness and regulating our own emotions, even during high-stress times, so everyone understands the next steps and what you are asking them to do,” Drieling says.

Additionally, good communication can be as simple as staying curious about every situation. This might involve taking a moment to breathe and analyze a situation using knowledge instead of assumptions. It also includes asking honest questions in a neutral tone.

Honest questions are open-ended questions for which you don’t already know the answer. Examples include:

- How have things changed compared to when you started ranching?

- What outcome were you expecting?

- I see we aren’t on the same page. Is there something I can do to help?

- Was there something you didn’t understand in my directions? How would you like me to present directions so we are on the same page?

- Do you want advice, or do you want me to just listen?

Drieling encourages people to start asking these honest questions when the stakes are low, so others become accustomed to hearing them when the stakes are high.

Improving how you communicate—and how others communicate—starts with yourself.

“The first step to drawing good movement is having self-awareness, and the second step is having social awareness,” Drieling says.

Self-reflection in action can look like asking others to repeat back the directions you just gave them and being approachable if they need clarification. Even something as simple as asking how someone prefers to be communicated with can help you improve as a communicator, she adds.

After gaining self-awareness, improving communication is as simple as trial and error. Try different approaches or imagine yourself in the other person’s boots by asking how you’d want to be communicated with in that situation.

If you or someone you’re working with becomes highly reactive to their emotions, the steps to improve the situation are the same. Bring yourself back to the present by touching the fence, noticing how the reins feel in your hand, or rubbing notebook paper between your fingers. Additionally, taking one or two deep breaths can help you regulate your emotions and adjust your tone before asking an honest question.

“Taking deep breaths allows you to regulate your emotions and adjust your tone when you ask an honest question,” Drieling says. Pausing before speaking is an important part of communicating with others, especially when tension is high.

You don’t have control over how others act, but you can control your own actions.

“If you can regulate your emotions and remain calm, they might still have their own reaction. But you will be less affected by it, and the overall intensity of the situation will decrease,” Drieling explains.

Humans learn best through imitation. Set the example for others.

Remember, communication is a skill, and like any skill, it takes time and practice to master. Be patient with yourself and others during the process.

You can learn more communication tips for the ranch by following Terryn’s podcast, Good Movement Draws Good Movement.

Watch the full conversation here https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/casual-cattle-conversations-podcast-shownotes/rhxy3im74qhuyqaqs8dy7rhvl9youm

This Thanksgiving Be Grateful for The Strength of Our Mothers

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 00:55:14 GMT

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the figures who have profoundly shaped our lives. This year, I find myself thinking about a striking statement from the legendary Coach Mike Krzyzewski, former Duke University and USA Basketball coach. He once advised, “Be as tough as your mothers.” This powerful message resonates deeply, especially with those of us who grew up as farm kids, where our mothers proved to be the unsung heroes of our upbringing.

The Unwavering Spirit of Farm Mothers
Mothers, if they are anything like mine, have faced the demanding realities of farm life with unyielding strength. These are women who fed calves in the sweltering heat of summer, irrigated pastures with children on their hips, and resolved marital differences amidst sorting cows. They managed household finances creatively, making ends meet even when the milk check was sparse, and they ensured that a family of eight was nourished from garden and freezer bounty.

My mother, in particular, embodies this strength. The oldest daughter of a U.S. Admiral, she once lived a life of luxury, familiar with Italian leather gloves, silk blouses, and fur coats. Yet, she embraced a new calling when she married my father, a devoted Oregon dairy farmer, and exchanged her glamorous wardrobe for rubber boots and ragged jeans. Despite this dramatic transformation, she never complained.

My late mother, Michelle getting ready to attend a formal event.

(Karen Bohnert)

Homemaker and More
After coming home from school to head to the barn to do farm chores, my sisters and I would race inside to a home-cooked meal prepared from scratch. Growing up with servants in a high-class setting, my mother learned to cook only after marrying my father, who humorously recalled losing 30 pounds in their first year of marriage. Yet she would remind him that he was doing ‘just fine now.’

Even when burdened by physical exhaustion or illness, my mom remained unwavering. She still managed to assist us with homework, ensuring that we not only comprehended the assignment but excelled at it, even if it meant staying up past midnight to solve complex algebra problems. She did this while nursing a sick newborn calf in the mudroom and baking pies for a 4-H banquet, lending yet another testament to a mother’s multitasking ability. Her ingenuity was a product of from being self-taught, reading the Merck Manual, learning from our veterinarian and her years of working in a hospital. Mom seemed to be able to do anything and everything.

My late mother feeding a flock of sheep in her Italian leather gloves and fur coat.

(Karen Bohnert)

Resilience in Adversity
My mother’s resilience manifested most profoundly when our family faced life’s harshest trials. When a house fire rendered us homeless overnight, she chose gratitude for the neighbors who welcomed us in. When one of her daughters nearly lost her leg in a farming accident, mom didn’t let her praying legs grow lazy, as she was grateful for medical advancements and her daughter’s recovery.

Values of Perseverance and Positivity
Among her most enduring gifts were the values she imparted—values characterized by a strong work ethic, kindness, gratitude and perspective. My mom never permitted self-pity to take root, a trait she exemplified in her own life. She instilled in us a perspective that transformed adversity into opportunity.

My three kids.

(Bohnert Farms)

Reflecting on the qualities I hope to impart to my own children, I wholeheartedly echo Coach K’s sentiment. I hope for my children to grow into individuals possessing the resilience and strength of their late grandmother. Her enduring legacy is one of tenacity, compassion and unwavering positivity—traits that are as essential on the farm as they are in life. This Thanksgiving, as you gather around the table, think of those that fill your heart with love, including your mother.

Registration Open Now for USDA’s 101st Agricultural Outlook Forum

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 20:12:01 GMT

Registration opened for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s 101^st Agricultural Outlook Forum Oct. 31 announced the agency. The hybrid event titled, “Meeting Tomorrow’s Challenges, Today,” will be held in person at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott on Feb. 27-28, 2025, in Arlington, Va. In addition, all Forum sessions being livestreamed on a virtual platform.

USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer will offer a presentation on the 2025 outlook for the U.S. agricultural economy and trade. The Forum program will also include a panel of distinguished guest speakers, alongside 30 breakout sessions organized by USDA agencies that will explore a wide range of current issues.

More than 100 experts from government, industry, and academia will provide insights on key topics such as commodity and food price forecasts, farm income, U.S. and global agricultural trade, the future of biofuels, climate change strategies, and advancements in biotechnology. The in-person event will also feature exhibit booths by different USDA agencies, providing attendees with information about recent USDA-funded innovations and the Department’s key programs and activities.

The Agricultural Outlook Forum (AOF) is USDA’s largest annual gathering attracting more than 1,800 people in person and upwards of 5,000 virtual participants from the U.S. and around the globe. Producers, processors, policymakers, government officials, and non-governmental organizations attend this annual event.

Future Leaders Program

Applications are available for the Future Leaders in Agriculture Program, which selects 20 undergraduate and graduate students in agriculture-related studies (15 undergraduate students and five graduate students) for a weeklong trip to Washington, D.C. During their visit, students take part in a USDA briefing, discuss career opportunities with agriculture leaders in academia, government, and industry, attend the forum, and tour the nation’s capital. Winners receive free registration, transportation, and lodging. Apply today for the program.

Your Next Read: USDA Awards $140 Million to Support American Farms and Businesses

Elevate Your Expertise: Join Ag Leaders at Top Producer Summit

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 22:16:47 GMT

As technology transforms what’s possible, consumer demands change and the global ag markets are ever more dynamic. The Top Producer Summit leads the way in provides business, technology, leadership content important to the next generation of farm leaders.

For those farmers and ranchers who want to use creative and ingenious ways to elevate their operations, TPS brings together industry and producers in order to help them make informed decisions to execute their vision.

Top 5 Reasons You Should Be in Kansas City February 2025

1. Our agenda is jam-packed with the industry’s best speakers. Hear from all-time favorites and learn from speakers new to the event.

2. Top Producer Summit is a one-of-a-kind networking event, with plenty of chances to talk with peers and make new friends!

3. The 2025 event will be held at the brand new Loew’s hotel in downtown Kansas City.

4. Meet the 2025 Top Producer award honorees.

5. A few days away from the farm or ranch will let you discover business opportunities, gain valuable insights and increase your competitive advantage.

Hear from other farmers and ranchers about why they enjoy attending Top Producer Summit each year.

Register here today.

How Feeding Calves Helped This 33 Year Old Farm Mom Recover From a Devastating Brain Tumor

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 16:53:48 GMT

If you’re trying to imagine a California dairy farm family, the Ron and Sherri Prins family could easily paint that picture for you. Holsteins and Jerseys, a handful of employees, four children, one spouse that grew up on the farm and one that married into it.

Fifteen years into growing a farm and a family together in the Central Valley of California, everything changed for Ron, Sherri and their family. Sherri was 33, and the kids were six, eight, 10 and 12. Sherri had been dealing with migraines, and she recalls the evening in May of 2000, when Ron took her to the emergency room.

“Soon after our emergency room visit, we had a diagnosis of a brain tumor,” she says. “Life changed for all of us. We knew God had a plan for our lives and would take care of us, but we still had so many things that lay ahead of us.”

Doctor visits, MRIs, phone calls and trips to a major city were only part of what was to come. The kids were all involved in school, church and sports activities, and there were 600 cows to be milked.

“We have an amazing family and church family that helped us with our children, meals and driving, and so many others that offered their help on the dairy farm,” Sherri says. “Ron’s dad took some of the workload, as well as other members of our work force.”

Sherri had brain surgery on her 34th birthday, October 3, 2000. The surgery was successful, and coming home after a week, Ron was juggling a lot. “I don’t know if I could have done it all on my own. We were so fortunate to have most of our family close by, and a lot of friends who helped out,” Ron says.

The surgery was just the beginning of a long road to recovery for Sherri and continued adjusting for the rest of the family. Sherri remembers how the kids each handled the whole thing in different ways, and was grateful that their pastor was there to help them process things.

“There was a lot of juggling schedules with everything the kids were involved in,” Ron says. “And their roles increased on the farm as they got older. There was always something for them to do after school and on weekends if they weren’t busy with something else.”

But it ended up being a specific role on the farm that made a world of difference in Sherri’s recovery. The tumor had been in the frontal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for short term memory. Ron pieced together the need for Sherri to exercise that part of her brain with an important, daily, repetitive task on the farm: feeding calves.

One year after her surgery, Sherri stepped into that role, with the kids helping after school and on the weekends. “It became a type of occupational therapy,” she says. “Working on remembering cow and calf numbers and working through calf issues translated into redeveloping the ability to manage a schedule for a family. Working back into being able to multitask was a long process, but I was pushed along by the calf feeding routine. Along the way, I learned how much I loved calf care and how important it was to helping me recover.”

Another 20 years later, Sherri is now retired from calf feeding and has redeveloped her short-term memory to the point that her farm job is to manage the bookwork. Throughout the whole process, Ron and Sherri made a point to put their trust in God’s guidance and will never take for granted the type of perspective their kids gained at such young ages.

“Life in general is full of things that are out of our control,” Sherri says. “We learned at another level that our lives as farmers, parents are all in the hands of God. We had to trust God for what was ahead, and that wasn’t always easy, but we felt his protection and direction all through the process. Our children also saw and experienced the hard things and gained a great life perspective of what is really important.”

While the hard times have the potential to cast a cloud on the family’s story, Ron and Sherri are quick to point out the good times and the blessings they’ve experienced since Sherri’s diagnosis.

“We have been able to grow our dairy (now 1,100 cows), and add acres to the farm. Which is great, but it’s also added more work for everyone. We doubled our employees, cows, bookwork and everything,” Sherri says.

Ron adds, “I think it taught us that when life throws tough times at you, you learn to push through and work it out, and in the end it always seems to work out. Like any business, it takes a team effort to be successful, and we had that.”

Sherri describes it as chaotic and wonderful at the same time. “When 20 years ago we didn’t know what the future held for us, we can look at where we are now and know that God allowed us to have so much more than we could have ever imagined.”

For more human interest stories, read:

Long Road: Kansas Family Rebuilds and Revives Dairy After 2019 Tornado Wiped Out Family Farm

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 21:37:02 GMT

It’s a day Rob and Lisa Leach will never forget.

“May 28th, 6:43pm,” says Rob, remembering the day their lives took a dramatic turn. “That’s when it hit us.”

May 28, 2019 is the day the Leach’s entire farm was wiped out by an EF4 tornado .

“It was noisy, but it was just like nonstop wind,” Rob told Farm Journal just days after the tornado hit in 2019. “It was just the most incredible wind you ever can imagine.”

The Aftermath

The twister that hit their Linwood, Kan. farm was a monster at a mile wide, carrying 170 mile per hour winds.

“We’ve got a lot outbuildings, we have our shop, freestall barn, calf barn holding pins, grain bins, garages, silos: it’s all gone,” Rob said in May 2019.

Two days after the tornado ripped through their farm, Farm Journal’s video crew was on the scene and captured the aftermath. Metal in trees, the milking parlor and barns flattened. The structures were gone, but what was even more painful was the fact the Leach family lost part of their herd.

“When we came up the hill, out of our basement, we expected the worst , and we immediately found what we had cattle meeting us, we had cattle in our yard, cattle walking all over the place and also dead cows,” said Rob.

The winds were so powerful, some cows were carried more than half a mile away.

“The one that was the farthest away, we didn’t find for 24 hours, and she was the most valuable cow on the farm,” said Rob. “She was down in a ditch and couldn’t get up.”

Will We Ever Dairy Again?

Taylor Leach, Rob and Lisa’s daughter who is also part of the Farm Journal family, reflected on the tornado recently. But when we talked to her just days after the tornado hit, she was still in disbelief.

“Trash everywhere, nails everywhere, wires everywhere,” she told us. “If we ever have cattle here again, I don’t even know how we’re going to be able to clean up all of the wire and nails out in the pasture,” said Taylor.

The raw reaction was fresh, as the Leach family had scrambled to immediately get the surviving cows to help.

“We could only get 20 out of here the first night,” says Rob, who says roads were blocked by down trees. “Those are the ones that were hurt the worst.”

The next morning, Rob says what was left of their 125 head herd, were also hauled out. Volunteers, some who had never touched a cow, helped lead the cows, halter free, to the road.

“We have so many friends,” says Lisa. “I mean, they’re very good friends, that took them to roughly 14,15 farms at one time.”

As ones with minor injuries went to farms, the animals were scattered throughout the area and sent to anyone who had space. The furthest location was a farm in Colorado. The cows wounded the most, were rescued and taken in by a local farm.

“Vets that worked all night long on cows that were cut up,” says Rob.

“And they never charged us,” remembers Lisa.

“No, we never got any bills for any medical work. And they said, ‘well, we’ll just have to charge you for drugs.’ And then some drug company donated drugs, so we didn’t have to pay for that. So, we were very fortunate,” adds Rob.

We Will Rebuild

From a tattered farm two years ago, with pieces scattered for miles, the scene looks much different today.

“We’ve brought home about 60 cows or so,” says Lisa.

“So, we’ve got at least that many still farmed out,” adds Rob.

As rebuilding is still taking place in Linwood, major headway has also happened thanks to countless volunteers.

“There were literally hundreds of people, volunteers, that came,” says Lisa. “I would say we averaged 100 people a day for over three weeks.”

An army of volunteers who came, many without even being asked, all who helped pick up the pieces left by the 2019 tornado.

“We had several massive cleanups that summer that we cleared as much debris out of the fields as we could,” says Lisa.

“I think we walked about 200 to 300 acres, just shoulder to shoulder, walking in the fields and picking up debris,” Rob says.

It’s those efforts that slowly cleaned up shredded structures and debris once scattered across their farm. But it wasn’t something that happened quickly. Every nail. Every piece of metal. All of it had to be picked up.

“We sold 350,000 pounds of scrap metal in this in the summer of 2020,” says Rob.

They say the effort to mend the damage and pick up all the pieces not lasted for more than a year.

“We drained seven ponds, because they were just completely filled with steel, barn, tin, lumber,” says Rob.

But from the rubble, rose new life and a new look for the Leach family.

“We started with a commodity barn. It was kind of the catch all,” says Rob.

One structure replaced at a time, with foundation poured for the next, in an effort to replace 11 barns battered by the storm.

“COVID-19 didn’t help our cause at all,” explains Rob. “After COVID-19, it was kind of a strange phenomenon. People were building stuff all over the place, the price of materials went through the roof and you couldn’t get a crew to do anything.”

Much of this work was done with their own hands, with three new blue barns planted on the same dirt their old barns were on.

The Effort to Milk Again

The final barn was built on December 21, 2020, and one that Rob, along with 17 friends and family, constructed themselves. It marked the final piece in a two-year orchestrated effort to finally start milking again.

“We’ve been approved by the co-op to start milking again,” says Lisa. “We’ve got a trucker lined up that’s going to haul the milk for us. And we we’ve got six cows that we’re milking right now.”

All the work, the hours, the constant efforts to rebuild; it was all to accomplish one thing: be able to milk again. And that day finally came for Lisa in June, a moment she captured on camera as the first milk truck drove away.

A New Era

As the milk truck left, it signaled a new era for the Leach family. Rob and Lisa now travel the same path from the house to the barn they took before the tornado hit, to milk the cows today.

“This is our passion,” says Rob. “This is what we do for fun. This is all we’ve ever done for fun. We like to show cows, that’s kind of our thing.”

“I wasn’t ready to quit,” says Lisa.

As Lisa says calling it quits never crossed their minds, she also didn’t want to give up on our cows.

“Honestly, we had some of the best cows we had ever had,” says Rob.

“We had some really good cows, and that’s probably the only reason we came back,” adds Lisa.

And a comeback it was. The same year the tornado hit, the Leach’s youngest daughter, Sophie, took home Grand Champion at the Kansas State Fair with their Holstein named Lin-Crest Bradnick Tess, a cow that still bared the scar after surviving the tornado that left a gash in her neck just months before.

The family also won the “Jersey Jug” at Louisville with their Jersey Juju, another survivor, and one shown by the woman who rescued Juju and 20 other cows the night the tornado hit.

“We’ve had some good days in the show ring since the tornado,” says Rob.

“Some phenomenal days,” says Lisa.

“So, we were very lucky,” adds Rob.

Stronger than the Storm

As the Leach family cherishes what they’ve accomplished in two short years, they say their family farm was restored for their three girls.

“I mean, they love it, too,” says Rob. “We’re doing it for them. This is their passion.”

And as a family, they continue to defeat any doubts, while beating the odds.

“I think the only doubt was, whether or not we could milk again,” says Lisa.

“We just weren’t sure, you know, if we were going to be able to rebuild,” says Rob.

“Every now and then, you really need to go back and look at the pictures just to remind yourself how far you’ve come,” adds Lisa. “And how many people have helped you get there.”

A lifetime of passion, with the people who knew it wasn’t Rob and Lisa’s time to call it quits.

“Getting all these buildings built back, when it took us a lifetime to build what we had,” says Rob. “So to get back here within two years, is amazing.”

As even two years later, the leaches continue to prove they’re truly stronger than the storm.

Farmers and ranchers continue to show grit with grace while battling various challenges farm and ranch families face. Read more “Grit with Grace” stories here .

Sowing Seeds of Understanding: Language Lessons for the Land

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 19:13:32 GMT

Did you know that the United States of America does not have an official language? At first glance, this might be easy to brush off but it ties into a much greater challenge that agriculture business owners encounter daily – the language barrier. According to a study done by the National Center for Farmwork Health, Inc., 70% of agricultural workers were foreign-born and 62% of respondents were most comfortable speaking Spanish (2022). Language barriers can lead to challenges in the workplace in many areas whether it’s communicating about what tasks need to be done or building credibility as a leader. Katie Dotterer, is on a mission to bridge this labor gap and help more people in agriculture learn Spanish or English as a second language.

Katie grew up on a dairy farm and was exposed to this language barrier in high school. Like many high schoolers, she completed basic Spanish courses, however, she felt disappointed because she still didn’t know how to communicate. Her family had Hispanic employees who helped teach her more of the language in high school but after college and co-owning a dairy of her own, she saw the need to go back to school and become fluent. “We always talk about the gap between agriculture and consumers. But I was noticing the gap within agriculture, and that was the gap between Spanish and English. It’s a cultural gap that leads to a lot of misunderstandings,” said Dotterer. This recognition of the problem and her desire to make a difference now has her teaching ag specific Spanish and English courses online and in person.

The courses Dotterer teaches aren’t just any courses. They are designed to be industry-specific within agriculture and include a wide variety of students. “We actually practice numbers in ear tag form and are putting together basic sentences by week three that allow you to communicate about animals being sick or where to find things around your facility,” said Katie. As a farmer herself, she understands what traditional language courses leave out and how to make this experience applicable to agriculture. Her students on average are in their forties but her oldest student is 74 years old.

One of the main reasons Katie encourages people to learn a second language is due to the respect you create and the positive outcomes that come as secondary benefits. She likes to share the story of one student who had been collecting milk samples at a Wisconsin dairy for years but never interacted with the other employees. One morning she simply said, “Buenos dias.” and the entire working dynamic changed. The shift went by faster. They were learning from each other and when she went out to her car, the other employees had cleared off all the snow that had accumulated during the snowstorm that day without her asking.

Dotterer encourages those who are scared to learn a new language to take a lesson from children and try something new. “You’ve got to have a good attitude about it and be willing to laugh at yourself. I’ve been speaking Spanish for a decade now and still mess up!” said Katie. Think about it as meeting people halfway and showing respect to them as they learn how to be better communicators too. To learn more about Katie and how to learn a second language as an adult, head to her website https://www.agvokate.com/

Link to podcast: https://www.casualcattleconversations.com/casual-cattle-conversations-podcast-shownotes/katie-dotterer

10 Things Women in Agriculture Need to Remember

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 11:37:33 GMT

A hush went over the room of women representing varying stages of life – some just starting out in the workforce, others smack-dab in the middle of motherhood and career balancing, and even empty-nesters facing the final years of their career.

“How do you silence the negative voice of doubt?”

The question wasn’t an overly difficult one at face value. But it’s a question many women in agriculture face wrestle with as they try to succeed at their career while creating a life they want to live.

Doubt can be an overpowering voice in your head, but it’s one you need to silence fast, explained Annie Grinstead, owner of Positive Energy, Inc., during a panel discussion at the Elevate Women in Agriculture event.

She joined Crystal Blin, rural entrepreneur; Kylee Deniz, Oklahoma Pork Council executive director; and Cara Haden, DVM, director of animal welfare for Pipestone Veterinary Services in a thought-provoking and challenging address to women in agriculture. The panel, led by Kacee Bohle of Kacee Bohle Coaching was a highlight at this first-time event hosted by Zinpro in West Des Moines, Iowa, on June 3-4.

The seasoned career advice and personal encouragement inspired women of all ages. Here are some of my favorites.

1. “Don’t overjudge yourself.” – Annie Grinstead

2. “Know when to step away. When you close a chapter, it allows you to start a new one.” – Crystal Blin

3. “Comparison is the thief of joy. Seasons of life may look different. Stop comparing your season to theirs.” – Cara Haden, DVM

4. “Are you showing up to earn a living or are you living and earning an income along the way?” – Kacee Bohle

5. “Don’t pull so many all-nighters and drink fewer Red Bulls. (Take care of your health.” – Annie Grinstead

6. “Your tribe attracts your vibe. Value people. I can’t emphasize how important people are in your journey. The people along the path will make your life great.” – Kylee Deniz

7. “Your mentors don’t need to look like you. A diversity of perspectives is good.” – Cara Haden, DVM

8. “Deadlines drive results.” – Kylee Deniz

9. “Step outside your industry. It will open your eyes and refresh your creativity.” – Crystal Blin

10. “You have value, worth and dignity as a human. Rest in that. That’s enough.” – Cara Haden, DVM

Read more:
Tired of Doing It All? Why You Need to Set Boundaries Now

Stop Judging Women By Their Highlight Reel On Social Media

Georgia Dairy Farmer Teaches NBA Superstars, Including Charles Barkley, How to Milk a Cow by Hand

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 19:46:37 GMT

NBA superstar Charles Barkley told one of his producers that he couldn’t remember the last time he had a glass of milk. The producers smiled and came up with the idea to not only have Barkley, but also his TNT show co-stars, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith, who are also NBA superstar legends, to learn how to hand milk a cow.

The basketball trio were introduced to a Madison, Ga., dairy cow, as Katelin Benkoski from Big Sandy Creek Dairy Farm was tagged by several friends on Facebook for the need for animal actors. More specifically, what they were looking for was a dairy cow in milk that could walk up a ramp and that could handle bright lights and cameras for the TNT show.

The Benkoski family knew just the cow they could use from the farm’s 80-cow herd that would perform well in that kind of spotlight. Rosie, a five-year-old Red and White Holstein cow, who weighs approximately 1,300 pounds, strutted down the ramp into the TNT studio.

“Oh, so she weighs a little less than Shaq,” teased Charles Barkley upon meeting Rosie, who has been shown at several fairs and is often used with milking demonstrations on the farm’s agritourism business.

“I got the call on Monday, and they asked if we could be in Atlanta on Thursday,” Katelin says.

The Benkoski family – John and Julie, along with their three daughters, Katelin, Alissa and Leah – lean into any opportunity that they can to educate people and have good positive feedback for dairy farmers. Although this opportunity was a big hit with the family, Julie was starstruck and John joked that no way the NBA stars grow to be as tall as they were without the help of milk’s nine essential vitamins.

(Farm Journal)

The NBA trio was definitely surprised and visibly nervous to milk Rosie. Only Charles Barkley was willing to pull up a stool and hand milk a cow, but all three stars were interested in the process.

Katelin says Rosie was the true star and has felt like a diva back on the family’s farm since her TV appearance.

“She definitely thinks she is queen of the herd now,” she says.

Big Sandy Creek Dairy Farm

Big Sandy Creek Dairy Farm was established in 1947 when the girl’s grandparents came down from Connecticut to Georgia. The farm is located about an hour south of Atlanta. The family currently milks 80 Holstein cows and runs a well-established agritourism entity that provides school tours, summer camps and more.

(Farm Journal)

Katelin shares that her mother is a schoolteacher and her father used to be a school bus driver for the local school and the family incorporated their love for education to engage more with their community to tell their dairy’s good story.

(Farm Journal)

“My parents began noticing a disconnect in consumers and agricultural education with a lot of people not knowing where their food comes from,” she said.

The farm’s agritourism business has been going on for nearly two decades, although it paused after Hurricane Katrina, as people did not have the funds to do field trips. They opened their doors again seven years ago and have been part of the Adopt a Cow program for three years.

To watch the TNT segment featuring Big Sandy Creek Farm, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gt_l0b17JQ .

Meet 87-Year-Old Joan Kerns, A True Trailblazer Who Helped Carve Out A Niche For Her Family Nearly 60 Years Ago

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 22:06:28 GMT

Cut by cut. Slice by slice. Every detail counts for Edgewood Locker , a northeast Iowa-based business that’s been spliced together for nearly 60 years in 1966.

With no master plan, it started when Tom, a farmer, and Joan, a nurse at the time, were forced to find a new place to live.

(Farm Journal)

“We were on his dad’s farm for five years when his dad announced he was going to sell the farm. He wanted us to buy it, but we could not afford to buy a huge farm back then,” Joan explains.

So, they found a farm to rent three miles outside of Edgewood, until an accidental fire on that farm sparked another change.

“Talk about an act of fate. We knew the lady who owned that farm was going to make us move, because she believed those stories that we started the fire,” Joan remembers. “Tom came home one day and said, ‘The locker in town is for sale.’ So, we bought it.”

It was that decision that changed the course for the Kerns family. Neither Joan nor Tom knew anything about running a meat locker, but they had the tenacity to make it work.

“Tom wanted to do the actual meat cutting and that sort of thing, and I was going to do all the books and the book work,” says Joan.

The business started out with minimal equipment: only a saw and a grinder at the locker. That didn’t stop the Kerns from seeing phenomenal growth.

“And every year we were in business, we grew. Every year we got bigger. And so, finally, we outgrew our plant,” she says.

The growth wasn’t always easy, and it didn’t come without financial hardships. Joan says the couple borrowed money to expand and grow six different times.

“But I remember, maybe the second or third time Tom said, ‘I’m going to go up to the bank tomorrow and borrow some money for the next addition,’ and I went up to do our daily banking that day. And the girl said, ‘Oh, we can give you the money.’ So, I borrowed the money, got back home and I told him. I said, ‘Well, I got the money borrowed for our new addition.’ Tom said, ‘They let a woman do that?’ That’s the way it was back then,” says Joan.

A Force of Nature

Joan’s son Terry will be the first to tell you how much his mom was a driving force behind the scenes, if she didn’t always get the credit she deserved.

“She’s kind of a force of nature, there’s no doubt about it, and probably even more so than anybody realizes,” says Terry, who’s one of two second-generation owners of Edgewood Locker.

What makes Joan’s role so essential to their growth is the fact Joan’s husband, Tom, was dyslexic. So behind the scenes, Joan handled the paperwork and books, all while raising four kids at home.

Bringing in the Second Generation Straight Out of High School

Joan is still a true trailblazer today, as the Kerns’ unconventional ways and business decisions also helped fuel the family operation.

“The boys had come into the locker business as they graduated from high school, which really let us dream bigger,” says Joan.

That was in the early 1980s. Tom and Joan didn’t just see their sons Terry and Jim as employees, they allowed the boys to buy into the business fresh out of high school.

(Farm Journal)

“It wasn’t popular with their peers that they allowed Jim and me to buy in at such a young age, you know. They gave us a huge opportunity,” remembers Terry.

“And I think that’s why we grew as we did, because they were partners. They were going to be in this, and it made a big difference,” Joan says.

The growth has been impressive over the past 60 years, including building a new facility in the late 1990s that has seen even more expansion since.

“We built this business because she paid attention to detail. And she wanted to make sure it was done right. She still keeps us on our toes,” says Terry.

At 87-years-old, Joan is sharp, and attention to detail may still be one of her greatest strengths.

“She is not afraid to tell us when she thinks we’ve done something wrong,” says Terry.

Bringing in the Third Generation

While Joan doesn’t overlook the small things, she’s also the first to celebrate how much the family business has grown. It now includes four grandkids who have become part-owners.

“Oh my gosh, I did not see that coming. And they each bring their own experience, knowledge, their forte to the business,” says Joan.

“All of us in the third generation, all I feel have a very unique skill set, which allows all of us to bring something different to the table,” says Baili Maurer, one of Joan’s grandchildren who bought in as a third-generation owner.

“None of us really overlap much. We all have our own thing that we do, and it just works,” adds Katie, who’s also one of four grandchildren who are partners.

(Farm Journal)

Katie and Bailli, along with Luke Kerns and Payson Kerns, are the third-generation owners of Edgewood Locker.

“They’ve got experience, they’ve got education in meat science in business. So, as fun as it was to grow with Mom and Dad adding Jim and me, this next generation really has the potential to do amazing things,” says Terry.

Third-Generation Growth

“We’re just doing what we can to take the business to a new level,” says Baili.

“We really expanded into wholesale stores and retail stores carrying our products. And we just keep going with what the second generation and first generation have been doing, as well,” adds Katie.

The growth is evident everywhere you turn. Construction in their retail and lobby area is a clear sign of even more progress.

“We had a major expansion of 19,000-square-feet that we’ve been in now a little over a year and a half, and I think it’s running well,” says Terry. “We remodeled our old processing facility and updated that, and it looks like brand new.”

The decision to expand and remodel their retail and lobby area was propelled by the busiest season for Edgewood Locker: deer season.

“I think last year, we did 3,700 whole-carcass deer, and then over 3,500 batches of boned-out deer that came in, so well over 7,000 different batches to jerky,” Terry says.

With that type of volume, Edgewood Locker has also been able to invest in bigger and better equipment.

“I’d like to say we had this great master plan, but we never had a real plan to say, ‘Well, next year, we’re going to get into wholesaling, or next year, we’re going to do this.’ We just kind of took it as it came. Something presented itself, we ran with it, and ran hard with a lot of it,” says Terry.

A Legacy Worth Sharing

With 130 full-time, part-time and seasonal employees, Edgewood Locker also offers other custom processing, and has products for sale, in more than 100 retail stores across Iowa. And it’s that side of the business the third generation has already helped expand.

“I hope we can just continue the legacy,” says Baili.

“I’m hopeful that we can just keep doing like we’re doing, keep growing where we can and keep expanding things and have it all set up for the fourth generation if they would like to join in someday,” Katie says.

Walls of awards are a product of what Joan and Tom started in 1966, but that isn’t what Joan is most proud of today. The greatest gift just may be the fourth generation and the chance to carry on a business that started on hopes and dreams.

How Social Media Sensation NY Farm Girls Defied Odds to Expose the Truth About Farming

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 20:28:05 GMT

The NY Farm Girls have become a social media sensation. With nearly 645,000 followers on TikTok , along with more than 171,000 followers on Instagram and Facebook , the NY Farm Girls are taking all of social media by storm.

“Social media can reach millions of people by the touch of a button,” says Claudia Leubner. “It’s been really cool we’re able to reach this many eyes in the world to try to share dairy farmers are not evil people.”

NY Farm Girls consists of three sisters: Evelyn and Claudia Leubner, who are both in their early 20s, and their sister Jojo Leubner, who’s still in high school. In addition to the social media piece of the business, the girls are seeing significant growth on YouTube with 87,000 subscribers. Their goal is to simply share life on the farm.

“We are a fourth-generation dairy farm. It’s a partnership between my dad, his sister, his brother and our two cousins, and we’re over 100 years old now, says Evelyn.

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With a mix of dairy cattle, row crops, hay and an agritourism pumpkin farm, life on this New York farm is in constant motion. The busy schedule creates long hours of work, but it’s also allowed each of the girls to uncover their niche.

“I’ve always loved working with animals,” says Evelyn. “I actually went to SUNY Cobleskill for animal science, because of my love for animals, and I honestly thought I would never come back to the farm.”

While Evelyn didn’t plan on returning home, she lived in Georgia after college. That’s until she realized home is exactly where she wanted to be.

“I’m pretty much doing her checks, vaccinations help with the preg checks on Mondays,” says Evelyn. “Pretty much everything cows and some calves stuff, I’m your girl.”

Being born into the Leubner family means you’re also born into life on the farm. Each of the girls started on calf feeding duty since elementary school. From an early age, those farm chores also gave them a taste for what they did and did not want to do.

“After I fed calves for that long, I realized it’s not really something that I was too passionate about,” says Claudia.

Instead, Claudia found a better fit on the row crop side of the family business. After attending the University of Nebraska, Claudia came back with an even deeper love for grains.

‘I’m helping with planting season harvest season, everything in between. It’s been really fun to start to learn about our crop operation” she adds.

And Jojo? Well, as a high schooler, she still works on the farm part-time.

“She goes to school during the day, comes home and does chores every night,” says Evelyn. “She doesn’t really know what she wants to do yet, with her future, but she doesn’t have to yet.”

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While the sisters work together on the farm, it’s their collaboration on social media that’s helping plant new seeds of opportunity for their business.

“When you come up to upstate New York, you’re going to see a lot of lakes and hills,” says Evelyn. “All of our fields are full of rocks, but it’s just really beautiful up here. We’re definitely a lot more than New York City.”

Do you want to read more stories of inspiration? Find the entire list of “Grit with Grace” stories that showcase the heart of rural America.

The three sisters are working daily to showcase New York agriculture, with a focus on dairy. Each of the girls will be the first to tell you that they couldn’t do it alone, and social media has actually drawn them even closer.

“Having this relationship together and doing things like this, and we’ve always just become much bigger, stronger bonds together,” says Claudia.

“And we’re really good at holding each other accountable. Like if Claudia is slacking on something or I’m slacking on something, we let each other know and we don’t get offended anymore,” says Evelyn, with a smile.

“Not anymore,” Claudia jokes back.

The bond the NY Farm Girls trio has built came despite the harsh reality of social media.

“Sometimes it’s not even the extremists. It’s also other farmers or people you know in real life that are the ones that are sending negative comments to you,” Claudia says. “You kind of just have to brush it off, because we have an end goal in mind,”

“You kind of have to learn to ignore it,” adds Evelyn. “In the beginning when we started, we really took the comments to heart and impacted our mental health and kind of almost made us not want to do social media anymore.”

Even as they battled the comments and negativity that comes with social media, the sisters refused to quit, as their motivation was seeing constant social media posts plagued with misinformation.

“It’s a huge passion of ours to teach consumers about agriculture, because they’re the ones buying our products; we want them to trust us,” says Claudia.

“All those touchy subjects people don’t really want to talk about, we dive into all of that,” Evelyn adds.

Reaching the “Moveable Middle”

With a variety of skills and personalities, the girls no longer focus reaching those who are anti-dairy. Instead, they target what they call the “moveable middle.”

“We know these people don’t know where their food is coming from. They think it’s coming from the grocery store,” says Claudia. “So we want to be able to target them and share exactly where their milk is coming from that they’re buying.”

What they’re doing is working.

“I just did a post the other day on Facebook about how there’s no antibiotics in milk, ever. And it reached almost 500,000 people because of how many people shared that post,” says Evelyn.

Her post was part of an ongoing effort during the entire month of June, which is also known as June Dairy Month. To play off the dairy theme, the girls decided to do a series of videos busting dairy myths.

“When you hop online and you see the negative connotations with artificial insemination or antibiotics, you’re obviously going to believe that because at the surface level, it might seem bad to you. But once you go to the source and see how it’s actually done, you can feel a lot better about where your food is coming,” says Claudia.

While the NY Farm Girls brand has grown since they started on social media, the motivation hasn’t wavered.

“We just want to reach as many people as we can and teach them about agriculture,” says Evelyn. “It just really comes down to that.”

Meet NY Farm Girls’ Dad

Each one of the NY Farm Girls is very visible on social media, but a less familiar face on the farm is one that has been a constant stream of support behind the scenes.

“My dad is a great teacher and very patient. You need a lot of patience with me,” jokes Claudia. “He’s always been very supportive of what we want to do on the farm, in our business and everything.”

Maybe the reason their dad has been such a great teacher over the years is because farming is what Tim Leubner knew he was meant to do.

“I never left. I just loved it ever since I was a little kid,” says Tim. “I couldn’t wait to get out of school and go farm.”

While Tim was hesitant when the girls first launched into social media, his tone has evolved over the years. He has seen the power of social media, and the benefits of showing real life on the farm. But in the beginning, that hesitation was rooted in concern. As for a father, his biggest worry is always the safety of his three girls.

In years past, they were getting threats constantly [on social media],” says Tim. “It was like that for about a year or so, and there people were really going after them. That was kind of scary.”

From animal activists to other social media users, the threats have calmed down and the situation has improved.

Tim’s concerns have also subsided and now his addiction to the farm could be turning into a new addiction for social media.

“I constantly am making little videos here and there, and then I’ll send it to Claudia or Evelyn, and they’ll make a video. We’ll come up with different ideas that might work, and I have mostly good ideas,” Tim shares, with a smile.

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How NY Farm Girls Brand Continues to Grow

NY Farm Girls is a business that continues to grow. The girls even launched their own clothing line recently, adding another chapter to the story of the brand.

As Tim watched the NY Farm Girls business grow, he’s proud of the fact his daughters are strong and independent. The girls’ drive and determination didn’t happen by chance, they’re traits that are a product of how Evelyn, Claudia and Jojo were raised.

“Don’t ever tell like a kid they can’t do something,” says Tim. “Always tell them it’s possible and just give them confidence and let them go.”

In their 20s and late teens, the determination and confidence is paying off as the NY Farm Girls continue to gain followers and fans. The side business is also helping these fourth-generation farmers secure a future for their dairy farm.

“We had no idea it would take off like this,” says Evelyn. “We started it just to share pictures of cows and calves and maybe teach a little bit about farming. And it took us a while to grow.”

“We obviously didn’t think that it was going to get this big,” adds Claudia. “We are so thankful we’re able to reach the amount of people we do, because at the end of the day, it’s not really about your follower count or how many likes you get. It’s that you are getting that information out there.”

Closing in on 1 million followers and fans across all sites is no easy feat, it’s the product of hard work that’s required constant grit and grace.

On Fire for Stewardship: Finding Synergy in Cattle Ranching and Land Conservation

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 16:20:31 GMT

Fire. “Baptism by fire,” that is when Katie Blunk, DVM, took the reins on her family’s ranch near Freedom, Okla., as operator of the Lazy KT Ranch and Jackass Ridge Beef.

Blunk’s journey back to her roots unfolds with a blend of heritage, conservation and progressive ranching practices driven by a passion for both animal health and environmental stewardship.

Serving as a field veterinarian for USDA-APHIS-VS in Reno, Nev., Blunk felt the pull of her childhood roots.

In 2012, she and her husband Michael Horntvedt, packed up their asses, three wild burros to be exact, and headed to start the next chapter of their lives and the Lazy KT Ranch legacy.

Returning to the Blunk Ranch was not without its challenges as it lacked the basic infrastructure needed for cattle ranching - no habitable structures, water wells or functional cattle facilities.

But amid these inital hurdles lay an asset tha proved invaluable - a commitment to land stewardship.

Following the passing of Blunk’s father, her mother, Rose Blunk, stepped up to manage the ranch’s lands. Overwhelmed by the encroachment of Eastern Red Cedar trees and years of neglect, Rose sought aid from the National Resource Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the local precribed burn association. Implementing conservation strategies such as cedar cutting and prescribed burns, she set the transformation in motion.

The Perfect Pair

Prescribed burning is central to the conservation effort at Lazy KT Ranch - a practice that Blunk refers to as their primary and most economical tool.

Through meticulous application, good fires have been harnessed to rejuvenate the Oklahoma ranch, especially when coupled with a well-managed cattle operation. The strategic use of cattle and their cloven hoofed action, proper stocking densities and rotational grazing patterns creat a synergy that catalyzes both ecological health and economic prosperity, Blunk explains.

The ranch’s Angus cow-calf operation overseen by Katie and Michael ripples into diverse ventures including marketing of seedstock bulls and bred females, retained ownership opportunties, and the branding of the Jackass Ridge Beef label for their direct-to-consumer beef.

Blunk explains, “Rejecting the limitation of labels such as maternal versus terminal, we are inspired by the ‘You can have it all’ philosophy from Mark Gardiner of Gardiner Angus Ranch.”

Their breeding program thrives on data-driven decisions, relying on expected progeny differences (EPDs) and Method Genetics genomic indexes. A focus on calving ease, docility, growth, moderate stature and elite carcass EPDs (marbling and ribeye) underpins their approach.

“All these things have allowed us to weather the storm and stay the course by creating multiple, flexible marketing outlets for all classes of our cattle,” Blunk explains.

Elevating Value

Blunk contributes much of their herd’s success to science-based decisions and intentional management practices. Artificial insemination, early ultrasound pregnancy diagnostics and real-time genomics from DNA testing are key to their genetic acceleration. Upholding the integrity of their operation is a comprehensive herd health protocol plus a foundation of sound nutrition and stockmanship.

“We create value-added cattle that have really paid off through market fluctuations and enabled us to have a very resilient operation, managing through drought with our cattle marketing successes, pasture health and preservation of natural resources,” Blunk adds.

For Blunk, the ranch is not just a livelihood - it’s a canvas upon which memories are woven, ecosystems restored, water flow is revitalized and wildfires mitigated.

The holistic vision encompasses high-quality Angus genetics, home-raised premium beef and a commitment to preserving the land for generations to come.

With a blend of tradition, conservation and innovation, Blunk remains a torchbearer for land stewardship and sustainable ranching - proving genetics run deep.