In this insightful episode of All Things Greater Burlington, host Steven Brody is joined by Dr. Michael Ash, the esteemed president of Southeastern Community College (SCC), who shares his remarkable journey from his unique interview process to his transformative leadership role at the institution. Dr. Ash candidly reveals the challenges and victories he faced, including fostering significant growth in student enrollment and retention, developing crucial partnerships with universities like Mount Mercy to support local education, and spearheading major projects focused on workforce development to meet regional business needs. Listeners will also get a behind-the-scenes look at SCC's strategic response to the national enrollment cliff and the college's upcoming initiatives, such as the rad tech program and wrestling teams, that aim to invigorate community involvement and encourage post-secondary pursuits in the greater Burlington area.

In this enriching episode of "All Things Greater Burlington," we sit down with Doug and Heather Beckman, the passionate owners of Beckman Heritage Farms, LLC, to delve into their farm's multifaceted world, as this historic land celebrates 175 years of agricultural legacy. Our guests unravel the serene charm of their farm, recognized as a heritage farm in 2016, discussing their commitment to conservation through initiatives like establishing pollinator fields and prairie grassland, and the possibilities of integrating livestock in the future. They also share the challenges of juggling full-time jobs with the dedication required to run a successful part-time farming operation focused on corn, soybeans, and recently, pumpkins. Listeners will get a glimpse into the Beckmans' vision for transforming their property into a family-friendly educational experience with historical insights, an authentic pre-Civil War barn, and a summer kitchen, also functioning as a sought-after venue for various events. As we explore how the Beckmans balance the preservation of historical charm with modern-day events and farming trials, their story is sure to inspire and captivate anyone interested in the rich tapestry of rural life and conservation near Greater Burlington.

Host Steven Brody sits down with entrepreneur extraordinaire Brandon Bentz, the visionary behind *The Busted Cup Brewhouse* and *Poppies Specialty Market.*

🍻 In our latest episode, "Brandon Bentz, The Busted Cup Brewhouse," we dive into the story of how Brandon is brewing up a storm in Burlington with his unique blend of German-American cuisine and Midwest hospitality.

🔑 *Key Takeaways from Brandon's Story:*

- **Innovation Meets Tradition**: Learn about the meticulous design and cutting-edge Fusion tech equipment that give The Busted Cup its edge, all while honoring Burlington's history in the restaurant's decor.

- **Brews and Bites**: Get a taste for the process behind creating a dynamic menu that pairs perfectly with their signature German-style craft beers, and the plan to slowly shift locals’ palates towards more diverse, crafty sips.

Don’t miss out as Brandon Bentz shares his journey from concept to cuisine, his passion for creativity in cooking, and his continuous efforts in strengthening the community fabric in our beloved Burlington.

▶️ Listen to this enriching brewing tale and gather insights that could inspire your next entrepreneurial adventure!

🌐 Stay tuned as *The Busted Cup Brewhouse* prepares to launch its online presence, bringing Burlington's communal flavors straight to your home.

👉 Let us know your thoughts about the episode and any topics you'd like us to explore in future episodes!

And if you loved our chat with Brandon, make sure to support his delicious endeavors by visiting The Busted Cup Brewhouse and Poppy's Specialty Market!

Listen as Mitch Taylor, Senior Partner, at Cray Law Firm and Scott Cray discuss how they got started in the business, the history of Cray Law Firm, how the Cray family got into law, what sets their practice apart from other attorneys in the area, the history of their involvement in the community, what its like to prepare for the bar today, the Cray tie to the IAAAP plant, and more.

Listen as Allyson Sanders, Chief Lending Officer and Interim Executive Vice President, and Allyson Wooldridge, Chief Financial Officer and Interim President & CEO, discuss what an average day looks like, what sets them apart from other banks in the community, the FSB loan process, the state of the financial industry, being present in the community, and more.

Barbara McRoberts, program director at Burlington Civic Music Association, discusses the history of Burlington Civic Music, acts throughout the years, finding talent for shows, the logistics behind booking, feeding, and getting talent to Burlington, attracting out of country talent, how far in advance acts are booked, selling Burlington to agents and talent, the diverse acts that come to Burlington Civic Music, and more.

Ray Delmege, Committee Chairman at Preservation Station, discusses what the Preservation Station is, how they get merchandise for the store, what people search for in the store, salvaging homes, the story behind items, finding amazing pieces during salvage, how Ray got involved with Preservation Station, grants for historic houses, where the funds from preservation station go, and more.

Tony Hazell, president, and Austin Schwartz, president elect & sergeant at arms, of Kiwanis discuss celebrating 100 years of being an organization, what attracted them to being a part of Kiwanis, what happens at a Kiwanis meeting, the Target Children Shopping Spree Program, where funds go raised during fundraising events, the success that was this year’s Pancake Breakfast, the history of the local chapter, other programs of Kiwanis, and more.

Han Oh, plant manager of Shearer’s Snacks, discusses his career in manufacturing, the science behind making food, the journey of food from the factory to the store, why people are the most important asset of Shearer’s, celebrating their employees, the brands Shearer’s makes products for in Greater Burlington, foods you can find they make at shelves at the local Walmart and Target, being the only cookie & cracker plant in the company, the future of food manufacturing, and more.

Steve Ritter, co-owner of Ritter’s Landscaping, Home & Garder Center, discusses celebrating 50 years of Ritter’s, what has made them successful for the past 50 years, the history of Ritter’s, the challenges of running their business, staying on the cutting edge and building their network in their industry, finding new items other stores don’t have, how COVID affected their business, surprise items that flew off the shelves, the future of Ritter’s, and more.