Iowa ag producer Kelly Garrett stays very busy growing corn and raising cattle, but his entrepreneurial spirit drives him to start side businesses to extend an impressive, vertically integrated operation. From trucking companies to digital advisory platforms, a direct-to-consumer beef business to a gas station/restaurant, he’s always hustling. On this episode of Grow Getters, he explains how — and why — he does it.

Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions to diversify their operations and add new sources of revenue. These resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer and are here to inspire and guide anyone with a dream of their own. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from host Davis Michaelsen, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media.

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Well-known ag influencer Tara Vander Dussen (aka the New Mexico Milkmaid) joins Davis on this episode of Grow Getters to tell how she went from being a reluctant dairy farmer to a vital voice for the industry. She’s a busy mom, wife, environmental consultant, podcast host and public speaker, but she’s probably best known for her social media presence, which has drawn a great many followers. A quintessential grow getter, Tara explains how she juggles so much so successfully.

Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions to diversify their operations and add new sources of revenue. These resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer and are here to inspire and guide anyone with a dream of their own. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from host Davis Michaelsen, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media. Visit Tara’s website: https://taravanderdussen.com

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When the goat dairy she was running wasn’t quite paying the bills, Penny Bowers-Schebel started a side business — Formality Bridal. Located in a tiny rural Ohio town, the shop has an ingenious business model, buying never-worn, sample bridal gowns from high-end boutiques and selling them for less than a thousand dollars. The idea worked and she now owns two profitable stores. The daily transition from milking a herd of American Alpine goats to hosting brides became a busy but wonderful life.

Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions to diversify their operations and add a new source of revenue. These resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer and are here to inspire and guide anyone with a dream of their own. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from host Davis Michaelsen, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To kick off National Pork Month (AKA “Porktober”), Unscripted hosts Tyne Morgan and Clinton Griffiths welcome PORK magazine’s editor Jennifer Shike to the podcast. She provides plenty of insider insights on the state of the pork industry, from biosecurity to challenging markets to the impact of Hurricane Helene on North Carolina producers. Jennifer also reveals that she’ll soon fill a host’s chair herself on The PORK Podcast, which debuts this month.

 Unscripted is a show where scripts take a back seat. Hosts Tyne Morgan and Clinton Griffiths put down the teleprompters and let the conversations flow naturally. Each week, they bring in fellow Farm Journal hosts and editors and friends to share behind-the-scenes insights on the stories we've covered, giving you a chance to meet the personalities behind the personalities.

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As prices on row crops sagged back in 2015, the Smith family in southern Michigan decided to try producing ancient grains on their seventh-generation farm. They grew teff, an Ethiopian grain, and began using it to make a new snack called Teffola. It’s now sold in health food stores throughout the Midwest. On this episode of Grow Getters, Claire Smith, who is literally allergic to farming, explains how she returned home to run this amazing company.

 

Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions to diversify their operations and add a new source of revenue. These resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer and are here to inspire and guide anyone with a dream of their own. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from host Davis Michaelsen, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media. 

 

Visit the Teffola website: https://eatteffola.com

 

Try a free sample pack of Teffola with this special Grow Getters offer: https://eatteffola.com/pages/growgetters2024

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Moving their farm operation more than 1,400 miles — from Maryland to Waco, Texas, — was quite a challenge for fourth-generation farmer Taylor Huffman and her family. After settling onto their new farm, they battled everything from record-setting drought to brutal heat to an invasion of fire ants that decimated their pumpkin crop. But this year their annual fall festival at Western Belle Farms is ready to go, complete with a cannon designed for “pumpkin chunkin’.”

Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions to diversify their operations and add a new source of revenue. These resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer and are here to inspire and guide anyone with a dream of their own. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from host Davis Michaelsen, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When your farm is located right in Chicago’s backyard, you need to get more from every acre. Illinois farmer Jamie Walter joins us on Grow Getters to explain how he and his dad diversified their operation by making whiskey with their corn crop. Whiskey Acres is now an award-winning brand with a wide range of spirits and a popular tour stop for bourbon fans.

Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions to add revenue to their operations. These resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from host Davis Michaelsen, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nebraska cattle rancher, social media influencer and popular public speaker Natalie Kovarik has built a large and fervent following by showcasing and celebrating western culture and the world of agriculture. She joins host Davis Michaelsen on this episode of Grow Getters to talk about her varied entrepreneurial efforts and to explain her message about bridging the gap between rural and urban people, helping all of us to understand each other better.

Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions and sometimes exploring new technologies to add revenue to their operations. In agriculture’s challenging economic climate, these resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from Davis, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iowa’s Naomi Gretter, Sky Hahn and Kari Berg were busy schoolteachers, married to busy farmers and raising busy kids. With so many responsibilities, their lives had become a grind. So they decided to grind coffee beans instead. They started a new business — Rural Revival Coffee Truck — and hit the road. On this episode of Grow Getters, they tell host Davis Michaelsen how their ingenious side hustle gives them more time for family, friends and fun.

Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions and sometimes exploring new technologies to add revenue to their operations. In agriculture’s challenging economic climate, these resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from Davis, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Ty and Tracy Woodard’s infant son needed brain surgery, they relied on their strong faith, expert doctors and a special blanket a nurse gave them. Two years later, with their son fully recovered, Tracy had a dream of starting a business making blankets from cotton grown on their South Carolina farm. That business, called Covered in Cotton, is now a thriving enterprise. On this episode of Grow Getters, Ty and Tracy share their powerful story with host Davis Michaelson.

Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions and sometimes exploring new technologies to add revenue to their operations. In agriculture’s challenging economic climate, these resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from Davis, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.