Episodes
Tuesday Dec 05, 2023
Growing a First Generation Operation with Millennial Rancher Calli Williams
Tuesday Dec 05, 2023
Tuesday Dec 05, 2023
“Flexibility pays more than what you can ask for in a salary.”
In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Calli Williams, or you may know her as the Millennial Rancher. Calli shares about her family’s cow/calf operation, how Calli met her husband, Tate, and how they are combining their cattle operation knowledge and making their own cattle operation thrive. Calli said that her involvement in FFA and 4H really shaped her life and who she is today and hopes that her boys want to get involved in those organizations as well. Calli talks about the benefits for her and her cattle operation to be able to work from home, but it doesn’t come without its own challenges. Calli shares what methods she uses to successfully work from home to utilize her time well. Calli and Tate are expanding their operation by offering straight to consumer beef from their own cattle. Calli shares how they started that business venture and what she hopes the future holds for the business.
About our guest: Calli Williams, TW Angus - South Dakota
Calli Williams, originally from Aurora, South Dakota now lives near Mitchell with her husband Tate and two sons, Jack and Tommy. Calli grew up on a small cow-calf operation and as an only child she was hands on with every aspect of the operation. Breeding season, AI season, herd health management, etc. She was also active in 4H and FFA where she had a passion for showing cattle they raised, and competing in Ag Sales through FFA.
Calli and Tate met at the South Dakota State Fair in 2014. Calli had just returned from her second summer interning with Certified Angus Beef in Wooster, Ohio and was helping a family she had known from all the years of showing in 4H and Junior Shows, who Tate was also helping. That's when Tate asked Calli to show his Angus heifer for him, and the rest was history!
Tate and Calli are first-generation, Millennial Ranchers. They purchased their acreage the weekend they got engaged. After selling their Angus bulls via private treaty, they held their inaugural online bull sale in March 2021.
When they saw a need to find a better way to market their steers, Calli decided in addition to offering beef shares, they should offer beef bundles. They launched their retail beef business in 2022, where they offer bundles and steaks a la carte.
Calli works as a Livestock Field Representative with the Wyoming Livestock Roundup, and Tate works full time for his family's business - Williams Masonry.
If you are interested in connecting with Calli, check out her Instagram or learn more about their business at their website and Facebook page.
At a glance:
Calli and her husband combining cow/calf operation methods and starting their own farm on a previous farrowing operation.
Calli’s involvement in 4H and FFa and how it impacted her.
The future of Calli and her husband’s operation.
Working off the farm while building the farm.
You may also enjoy...
#2 Navigating First-Generation Dairy Farming
#12 Beginning Farming and Resetting Your Farm Practices with DL Lautenbach
#50 Building Your Dream on God's Time Through Daily Dedication
About the Host of Farming on Purpose, Lexi Wright:
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
Tuesday Nov 28, 2023
Looking ahead at Ag Finance with a 4th Gen Farmer and Ag Lender
Tuesday Nov 28, 2023
Tuesday Nov 28, 2023
“I have developed actual relationships with my customers because it is farming. It is such a small world at the end of the day and all of my customers are either friends or family to me at some point in time. Even customers from previous banks, we still talk and we still have that relationship because you’re in farming and I feel like everybody’s the same in the agriculture community. They’re good people and they’re honest people and they want to help everybody. And I think that’s just agriculture in general.”
In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Kaitlyn Niemeyer Burks. Kaitlyn is Head of Ag Lending at a bank in Missouri. At home, Kaitlyn is a 4th generation farmer and she shares that being a banker and having farmers as customers, while wasn’t her original plan, it is her way of helping her family farm and staying connected to agriculture and people in the ag industry. Kaitlyn gives some insight on new trends she is seeing in younger generations of farmers as well as some tips for starting farmers. Kaitlyn also shares about her passion for helping her customers throughout their farming journey.
About our guest: Kaitlyn Niemeyer Burks - Missouri
Kaitlyn is Head of Ag Lending at First State Community Bank and a 4th generation farmer. She enjoys helping beginning farmers find ways to discover lending opportunities and educating individuals on working with the farm service agencies.
If you are interested in connecting with Kaitlyn, check out her TikTok.
At a glance:
Kaitlyn’s finance and banking career.
Things Kaitlyn is seeing in the new generations of farmers that are different from past generations.
Kaitlyn’s tips for success when working with FSA or for starting farmers.
You may also enjoy…
#14 Time vs. Money and Opportunity Cost on the Farm
#29 Bridging the Gap in Ag Culture with Megan Larson
#38 How to Make Growing Your Local Ag Business Easier with Sammy Gleason
About the Host of Farming on Purpose, Lexi Wright:
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
Tuesday Nov 21, 2023
Building Your Dream on God’s Time Through Daily Dedication
Tuesday Nov 21, 2023
Tuesday Nov 21, 2023
“I learned a lot about who I was and who I was capable of being and that was just an awesome experience.”
In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Camarie Roorda. Camarie and her family have been involved in agriculture and the rodeo industry for years and Camarie shares about her journey in rodeo. Camarie’s experience in rodeo helped spark her two businesses, the Performance Pony Company and RodeoKids. Camarie explains why she finds it important to invest in kids and help cultivate their passion for ag and rodeo.
About our guest: Camarie Roorda, RodeoKids - Iowa
Camarie Roorda is a small town Iowa cowgirl who grew up with family highly involved in the ag industry as competitors and producers, but didn't find her passion for it right away. As God would have it, she did eventually find the love for rodeo competition that led her to her purpose, providing for the youth in the industry. Through the Performance Pony Company and RodeoKids, Camarie provides products, services, and mentoring for youth and families. She also takes her many observations from conversations with youth to share a unique perspective that she hopes provides a voice for the youth and longevity for the sport of rodeo and the western way of life.
If you are interested in connecting with Camarie, check out her Instagram, or learn more about RodeoKids, visit their Facebook page, Instagram page, and website, or learn more about Performance Pony Company, visit their Facebook page, Instagram page, and website.
At a glance:
Camarie’s rodeo journey.
Creating RodeoKids and how the idea came to Camarie.
Camarie’s support system as she grew her business.
Investing in kids and having them watch adults achieve their dreams.
You may also enjoy…
#4 The Power of Courage in Farm Management Discussions with Elaine Froese
#10 When You Have to Wait to Expand the Farm
#16 Building a Homestead with Terra Larsen of Everest Acres
#26 Point Where You Aim with Ashley Jackson
About the Host of Farming on Purpose, Lexi Wright:
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Growing a 100 year old Meat Market in Rural Kansas
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
“I think that it’s important for consumers to know that when you are in a rural area you cannot receive the same products, sometimes at all.”
In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ashley Comeau. Ashley and her husband, Adam, are the current owners of Brant’s Meat Market in rural Kansas. Brant’s Meat Market has been in operation for over 100 years and Ashley talks about the history of the store and the Brant family and the processes they had in place to run the meat market. While still wanting to hold and honor traditions of the family and the store, Ashley and Adam also want to expand their customer reach and opportunities the meat market is able to fulfill. Ashley also shares about opening a second location and the highs and lows that came with a second store. Ashley and Adam love working with their community to provide high quality meat as well as local meat.
About our guest: Ashley Comeau, Brant’s Meat Market - Kansas
Adam and Ashley Comeau, natives of Rooks County, Kansas, are the owners of Brant’s Market. Ashley attended Fort Hays State University for her Bachelor's Degree and earned her Juris Doctorate at Washburn University School of Law. Ashley works full-time with Jeter Law Firm in Hays and Adam works full-time for Ellis County EMS. In 2018, together they purchased the historic Brant's Meat Market, located in Lucas, Kansas, from the Brant family, and soon after expanded to a second storefront location in Plainville, Kansas, where they reside. The business has been the recipient of several statewide awards, including being selected by the Kansas Sampler Foundation as one of the "Eight Wonders of Kansas Commerce" and being named the "2021 North Central Kansas Regional Retail Business" by the Kansas Department of Commerce.
If you are interested in learning more about Ashley and Brant’s Meat Market, visit their Facebook page and website.
At a glance:
History of Brant’s Meat Market in rural Kansas.
The transition of ownership of Brant’s Meat Market to Ashley and her husband Adam.
Aspiration of future growth of Brant’s Meat Market.
Working with local beef producers.
You may also enjoy…
#7 How Veterans are Learning to Start Small at the SAVE Farm with Tod Bunting
#18 Kansas Hop Farming and Entrepreneurship with The Tipsy Farmer
#44 Our Farm Transition Story Part 1
#46 Supplementing Farm Income with That Fit Agvocate
About the Host of Farming on Purpose, Lexi Wright:
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the stories of agriculture from generations past, preserving the skills and lessons learned along the way, and ensuring the best of that is passed onto those who will continue to lead the way into the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
Farming on 320 square feet with Leafy Green Farms
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
“That is where when you are starting a new business, you have those challenges. You have to think around the corner. You have to think, ‘I know what I want, now how can I explain it to someone who’s never met me?’”
In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Brad Fourby of Leafy Green Farms. Brad’s farm is unique and innovative. Situated in Southeast Kansas, Brad is able to grow his leafy green vegetables year round using climate-controlled shipping containers. Brad shares how his farm got started and the challenges he faced, like getting the bank to believe in his vision like he did. Brad also shares about ventures getting small farms like his into schools to not only help the students but their families and the community as well.
About our guest: Brad Fourby, Leafy Green Farms - Kansas
Brad is a Navy veteran, entrepreneur, business owner, farmer and member of the Board of Directors of Kansas Farmers Veteran Coalition and Founder of Leafy Green Farms Pittsburg Kansas.
If you are interested in learning more about Brad and Leafy Green Farms, visit the Facebook page and website.
At a glance:
How Brad got started farming and using climate-controlled shipping containers for growing year round.
Educating youth about where their food comes from and putting similar, smaller farms in schools in Southeast Kansas.
Growing leafy green vegetables in containers: what that looks like and how Brad operates the farm.
The challenges of getting the farm started with just a concept.
You may also enjoy…
#18 Kansas Hop Farming and Entrepreneurship with The Tipsy Farmer
#44 Our Farm Transition Story Part 1
#49 Growing a 100 year old Meat Market in Rural Kansas
About the Host of Farming on Purpose, Lexi Wright:
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the stories of agriculture from generations past, preserving the skills and lessons learned along the way, and ensuring the best of that is passed onto those who will continue to lead the way into the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Building Connections with Strong Ag Women with Jana Earp
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
“So there’s a fine line and balance that needs to happen and I know that Texas is good about having those conversations and cattle raisers are active in those conversations and trying to make sure that both sides win and come out with what they need, but that we’re preserving this heritage of these families that have put countless hours and generations into feeding not just America but the world a lot of times.”
In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jana Earp. Jana and I covered quite a few topics in our conversation. Jana talked about her efforts to educate students about where their food comes from. Jana also shared about posting her outfit of the day online. She had lots of corporate wear and wanted to dress in more western clothing and how she incorporates some corporate attire into her everyday western, comfortable outfits. Jana also opened up about her health tragedy that happened and how she needed to go back to the farm to slow down because of what happened.
Don’t forget to join our Facebook group, Farming On Purpose, to enter for our one year anniversary giveaways, check out our merch for the podcast, to share your stories, and support other farmers and ranchers.
About our guest:
Jana was born and raised in Texas and is deeply connected to agriculture, cowboy heritage and the western way of life. She lives on her ranch with her husband, Jimmy where they care for their cattle and the land they cherish.
Professionally, Jana holds the role of Partnership and Advertising Manager for Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. Additionally, she serves as President of the Fort Worth Chapter for AG Women Connect, a platform dedicated to promoting education among women in agriculture. Jana is also a founding member of Cowgirls & Cocktails, a movement empowering women in the western and agricultural industries.
Jana is passionate about sharing the beauty of agriculture and western fashion on her social media platforms. In my free time, Jana enjoys being outdoors, hunting, antiquing and traveling.
If you are interested in connecting with Jana, visit her Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
At a glance: Jana Earp - Texas
Jana’s shift back to the farm and why she shares what she does on the farm.
Population and city growth in Texas and how it affects farms and ranches.
Cowgirls & Cocktails- a networking group for people interested in the western way of life and those involved or working in agriculture.
The changes in marketing in agriculture.
The western fashion site- started showing her outfit of the day mixing her corporate pieces with western wear.
Jana’s health tragedy.
You may also enjoy…
#26 Point Where You Aim with Ashley Jackson
#37 Looking Beyond Your Starting Point with Karoline Rose Bohannan
#41 Habits & Routines for Your Season With Thea Larsen of Cowgirls Over Coffee
About the Host of Farming on Purpose, Lexi Wright:
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the stories of agriculture from generations past, preserving the skills and lessons learned along the way, and ensuring the best of that is passed onto those who will continue to lead the way into the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Supplementing Farm Income with That Fit Agvocate
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
“It’s a balancing act of just being your authentic self and figuring that out. As humans we are always evolving, interests change, stages of life change, all of those things. If you look at what I shared 6 or 7 years ago, it’s still the same basis of agriculture but I have changed a lot myself.”
In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Andrea Flemming. You might know Andrea better as That Fit Agvocate. During our chat, Andrea opened up about her mental health and how fitness started out as an outlet for her anxiety and stress, but evolved into a new lifestyle and career. Andrea also shared about adding more to her plate like adding apparel to her website and doing brand collaborations, and transitioning to a full time fitness coach, then shifting to agriculture advocate. One of Andrea’s passions is farming and ranching with her family, and she talked about what that looks like for her as well as how hard it is to expand the farm with factors like land prices hindering growth.
Don’t forget to join our Facebook group, Farming On Purpose, to enter for our one year anniversary giveaways, check out our merch for the podcast, to share your stories, and support other farmers and ranchers.
About our guest: Andrea Flemming, That Fit Agvocate - Minnesota
Andrea is a 5th generation farmer from Southwest Minnesota. She farms alongside her family and husband with corn and soybeans, a commercial cow/calf herd, feedlot and even a fainting goat herd to keep things interesting. Farming with her family wasn't always the plan, but life has a way of throwing challenges at you and the hard moments led her to where she is today - a multi-passionate entrepreneur, or serial entrepreneur as she likes to call it. She started sharing her agriculture journey and story online in 2018 and branded herself as 'That Fit Agvocate,' Since 2018, she has not looked back and her businesses have continued to grow and evolve. Her focus online is to inspire other women to just be their authentic selves and share the day to day life in agriculture to bridge the gap between farmers & ranchers and consumers. In addition to advocating, she also mentors other women with entrepreneurial goals, pours into women in agriculture at events, workshops and retreats and runs masterminds to connect women in agriculture from all over the rural United States. Now you know why she calls herself multi-passionate!
If you are interested in connecting with Andrea, visit her Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and website.
At a glance:
How Andrea grew and evolved as an online entrepreneur.
The importance of mindset work and working on yourself.
Andrea’s path that led her from being a fitness coach to agriculture advocate and eventually a YouTuber.
Andrea’s experience farming and ranching with her family and how hard it is to expand with land prices being so high.
You may also enjoy…
#7 How Veterans are Learning to Start Small at the SAVE Farm with Tod Bunting
#18 Kansas Hop Farming and Entrepreneurship with The Tipsy Farmer
#44 Our Farm Transition Story Part 1
About the Host of Farming on Purpose, Lexi Wright:
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the stories of agriculture from generations past, preserving the skills and lessons learned along the way, and ensuring the best of that is passed onto those who will continue to lead the way into the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
Diversifying the Ranch with Jess at Perigo Hay and Cattle
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
“I think it’s all just a balancing act and just trying to put a pencil to it. We do a lot of penciling because we’re new at this, we’re figuring it out. So what works for our neighbor may not work for us because they’re in a different situation than we are and that’s ok.”
In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Jess Trask of Perigo Hay and Cattle. Jess shared about her experience on her family’s hay farm and why they decided to get involved in the cattle industry. Not having a background in cattle, Jess had quite the learning curve to figuring out how to manage their cattle operation. Jess also talked about the importance in learning and always being open to learn new things and adapt. Getting stuck in traditions or how things are always done can be dangerous for a farm or ranch’s success. Jess dropped an exclusive look into a new project they have in the works!
Don’t forget to join our Facebook group, Farming On Purpose, to enter for our one year anniversary giveaways, check out our merch for the podcast, to share your stories, and support other farmers and ranchers.
About our guest: Jess Trask, Perigo Hay and Cattle - Nevada
Jess’s parents moved from California to Nevada in the early 2000s to start a hay farm when she was in high school. In 2015, Jess decided to move home to start managing the family cattle ranch. Jess didn't grow up around cows, so it has all been a huge learning curve, but Jess dove in head first: even going back to school to get her Masters in Cattle Nutrition in 2020 (graduating in 2022), along with starting up their direct-to-consumer beef program in 2020. Jess takes great pride in the work she does and she truly loves it.
If you are interested in connecting with Jess, visit her Instagram or website.
At a glance:
How hay farmers came to have a hay and cattle operation.
Getting their angus cattle operation verified.
Not letting your family farm become a statistic.
Diversifying the ranch for success.
A sneak peek into what new endeavor Jess and her husband are cooking up!
You may also enjoy…
#1 Collaborating for Progress in Ranching with Cassidy Johnston
#5 Tips for Managing your Mindset as a Young Producer
#31 Expanding Local Food Businesses and Food Education with Bruce's Bullseye Farms
About the Host of Farming on Purpose, Lexi Wright:
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the stories of agriculture from generations past, preserving the skills and lessons learned along the way, and ensuring the best of that is passed onto those who will continue to lead the way into the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
Connect with me on Instagram @wrightatthemoment, Facebook, and TikTok.
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
Our Farm Transition Story Part 1
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
Tuesday Oct 10, 2023
“I think there are still a lot of questions about what the future of the farm is going to look like and what we’re going to do with it. People want to be involved and I’m honestly really grateful for that, that they feel so proud of the family farm, that they want to see things do well and see it succeed and be the beautiful place that they remember it being.”
For this week’s episode, I wanted to share our farm transition story. In past episodes I mentioned our move and a little about our farm transition, but today I wanted to dive deeper into what that move looked like for our family. I talked about our previous acreage that we bought not long after getting married and the downside of that property. After deciding we needed to move to expand our operation, I shared about our farm shopping experience. Then when we wanted to move forward purchasing my husband’s family farm, there was a lot that went into making that possible as well as renovations that have happened and are still in progress on the family farm. Now we are getting settled and into new routines and continuing to make progress on our forever homestead and farm.
Don’t forget to join our Facebook group, Farming On Purpose, to enter for our one year anniversary giveaways, check out our merch for the podcast, to share your stories, and support other farmers and ranchers!
At a glance:
Our beginning farm and looking into expanding our operation.
Buying the family farm and the big move.
Renovations and the progress we are making on our homestead and farm.
The future of the farm.
You may also enjoy…
#18 Kansas Hop Farming and Entrepreneurship with The Tipsy Farmer
#46 Supplementing Farm Income with That Fit Agvocate
#49 Growing a 100 year old Meat Market in Rural Kansas
About the Host of Farming on Purpose, Lexi Wright:
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the stories of agriculture from generations past, preserving the skills and lessons learned along the way, and ensuring the best of that is passed onto those who will continue to lead the way into the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
Rate, Review & Follow on Apple Podcasts
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
Returning to & Growing on the Ranch with Kristin Harms
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
“I would say the biggest thing is, you definitely have to put your ego aside and your pride and just know that you’re going to do things wrong and you will learn so much more from doing them wrong than doing them right.”
In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Kristin Harms. Kristin shared about the transition she and her husband made from having careers outside of agriculture to having active roles in her family’s Red Angus seedstock operation. Sometimes in agriculture, you have to be creative; Kristin shared some tools they use in their operation that are not ag or business specific. Some of you may know Kristin as The Basic Ranch Mom on Instagram. Kristin talked about the importance of having that page and why she started it.
Don’t forget to join our Facebook group, Farming On Purpose, to enter for our one year anniversary giveaways, check out our merch for the podcast, to share your stories, and support other farmers and ranchers.
About our guest: Kristin Harms, Bieber Red Angus - South Dakota
Kristin Harms is a ranch wife and marketing specialist on her family’s third generation Red Angus seedstock operation. By day she manages marketing and social media for Bieber Red Angus, and by night she tells her story as the Basic Ranch Mom – sharing real, relatable ranch life from a wife and mom of three. She uses both her business and personal platforms to advocate for the industry, share the day to day of ranch life, and find some laughter in between all the chaos.
If you are interested in connecting with Kristin, visit her Instagram, their business’s Instagram page, or website.
At a glance:
Kristin and her family’s roles on their ranch and how they got established.
Some of the tools they use in their seedstock operation to communicate efficiently and make sure everyone is on the same page.
Why Kristin created The Basic Ranch Mom Instagram page.
You may also enjoy…
#19 Homesteading Skills with a Farm Family with 14 Hands Ranch
#21 Systems for Managing Life & Work on the Farm with Natalie Egger
#33 Part Time Farming Goals and Family Farm Succession with Shifting Family Dynamics with Jordan Farquhar
About the Host of Farming on Purpose, Lexi Wright:
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the stories of agriculture from generations past, preserving the skills and lessons learned along the way, and ensuring the best of that is passed onto those who will continue to lead the way into the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media.
Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.