Main Streets & Backroads with Carlene Hall

In this episode of Mills County Routes, host Carlene Hall visits a working cattle farm in Randolph, Iowa to talk with Will Longinaker about life in the cattle industry and the role agriculture plays in Southwest Iowa.

As part of Ag Week, this conversation gives a real look at cattle farming, from raising calves to understanding how beef is graded and brought to market.

Will shares his experience as a longtime cattle producer and his involvement with the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, offering insight into how the organization supports local producers and rural communities.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• What it takes to run a cow calf and feed yard operation
• How beef is graded and what makes higher quality meat
• The role of genetics and data in modern cattle production
• Opportunities through the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association
• Local agriculture scholarships that often go unclaimed
• Why agriculture continues to drive communities across Southwest Iowa

You’ll also get a firsthand look at daily farm life, including feeding cattle and caring for calves during calving season.

This episode highlights the people behind agriculture and the systems that bring food from the farm to your table.

Mills County Routes is part of Local Stream Media, sharing the people, businesses, and stories shaping communities across Southwest Iowa.

Subscribe for more local stories, agriculture features, and community conversations.

In this episode of Mills County Routes, host Carlene Hall sits down with Julius Schaaf, a fourth generation farmer who farms along the Mills County and Fremont County line.

As part of Ag Week on Mills County Routes, Julius shares insight into Iowa agriculture, the importance of corn production, and his long involvement with the Iowa Corn Promotion Board.

Corn is more than just a crop in Iowa. If Iowa were its own country, it would rank as the fourth largest corn producer in the world. Julius explains how Iowa farmers support research, education, and global exports through the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, funded by just one cent from every bushel of corn sold in the state.

In this conversation you’ll hear about:

• The history of Julius’s four generation farming family
• How the Iowa Corn Promotion Board supports farmers and innovation
• Why corn production in Iowa matters on a global scale
• The connection between local farms and international markets
• Why agriculture remains the backbone of communities across Southwest Iowa

Mills County Routes highlights the people, businesses, and stories that shape life across Mills County and Southwest Iowa.

Subscribe for more local stories, community interviews, and conversations about the people who keep our region growing.

In this episode of Mills County Routes, host Carlene Hall visits with the Henderson family in Mills County as part of a special Ag Week series highlighting agriculture and the families who make it possible.

Chad and Julie Henderson share their journey from early farm experiences to building their own farming operation from the ground up. What started with hard work, determination, and a willingness to take risks has grown into a thriving farm and a life centered around family, agriculture, and community.

In this episode you’ll hear about:

• Chad’s path from working at Gregory Feedlots to starting his own farming operation
• The challenges of building a farm business without inheriting land or equipment
• Life on a modern Iowa farm and the realities of crop farming today
• Julie’s journey from a computer career to nursing while supporting farm life
• Raising the next generation through 4H, livestock projects, and rural values
• The Henderson boys preparing their calves for the Mills County Fair

You’ll also get a look at the family’s farm, their 4H cattle project, and the lifestyle that keeps agriculture strong in Southwest Iowa.

Agriculture is the backbone of Mills County, and stories like the Henderson family’s show how determination, community support, and family values continue to shape rural Iowa.

Subscribe to Mills County Routes for more local stories about the people, businesses, and families that make Southwest Iowa a special place to live and work.

In this episode of Mills County Routes, host Carlene Hall tours the beautifully restored Ford Building in Malvern, Iowa with owners Nick and Laura Sorensen.

Originally built in 1917 as a Ford dealership, this historic building once housed Model T and Model A vehicles and even featured an elevator large enough to lift cars to the upper floor showroom. Today, the Sorensens have transformed the space into a vibrant mixed use business and apartment complex while preserving the building’s historic character.

Inside the Ford Building you’ll find:

• Nine modern loft style apartments with tall ceilings and exposed brick
• Two and three bedroom units along with one bedroom apartments
• Office space and local businesses working side by side
• Sorensen Electric, Side Street Styles, The Malvern Leader newspaper, and the new Wabash Bakery
• A restored elevator shaft that once lifted cars to the showroom floor

Nick and Laura designed the space with community in mind, creating a place where businesses, tenants, and local visitors naturally support one another.

The result is a stunning redevelopment project that blends historic preservation with modern living, bringing new life to one of Malvern’s most iconic buildings.

Mills County Routes highlights the people, businesses, and stories shaping communities across Mills County and Southwest Iowa.

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In this episode of Mills County Routes, Carlene Hall visits Horses Help Southwest Iowa, a unique equine-assisted services center that is helping individuals across the region through adaptive riding, equine-assisted learning, and community programming. Located on a peaceful 20 acre property, Horses Help provides programs designed for individuals with physical, cognitive, emotional, or social challenges. Participants include people with special needs, veterans coping with PTSD, youth groups, and even seniors experiencing dementia. During this visit, we meet Executive Director Corey Nelson and Lead Instructor Andrea Dunn, who share how the program works and why horses are such powerful partners in healing and personal development.Programs at Horses Help include:• Adaptive riding for individuals with special needs• Equine assisted learning and life skills development• Ground based horsemanship programs• Cart driving for participants who cannot mount a horse• Programs for veterans and trauma survivors• Visits with miniature horses for schools, community groups, and care facilitiesThe center was founded by Linda Hightoff Borman, inspired by her experience growing up with siblings who had Down syndrome and seeing firsthand how powerful equine interaction can be for individuals with disabilities. Today, Horses Help continues to expand its programs to meet the needs of the community while providing a peaceful outdoor environment where people can reconnect with nature, build confidence, and develop life skills.If you are interested in volunteering, participating in a program, or supporting their mission, be sure to learn more about Horses Help Southwest Iowa.Mills County Routes is part of Local Stream Media, highlighting the people, organizations, and stories that make Southwest Iowa such a special place to live.Subscribe for more local stories, community spotlights, and conversations from across Mills County and Southwest Iowa.

A rare opportunity for entrepreneurs and restaurant owners in Southwest Iowa. In this episode of Mills County Routes, host Carlene Hall visits Emerson, Iowa to tour a fully equipped, turnkey restaurant space available for lease.

Carlene sits down with Audie Gitzy and Melinda Snipes of Ruby Realty to talk about property management, the importance of community focused businesses, and the exciting opportunity this Emerson café presents for someone ready to start or expand a restaurant.

This 2,700 square foot space seats around 75 people and comes fully equipped with kitchen appliances, coolers, walk in freezer, bar equipment, dining furniture, and even service windows for community events. It is designed to allow someone to step in and open a restaurant with minimal startup investment.

The building is located on Main Street in Emerson near Highway 34, with traffic from surrounding communities and nearby agricultural businesses that could support a strong breakfast and lunch crowd. Community events like Emerson Days and street dances also create opportunities for restaurant traffic and local engagement.

If you have ever wanted to own a restaurant, café, or small town gathering place, this could be the opportunity to bring new life to a space designed to serve the community.

Contact Ruby Realty for more information or to schedule a tour.

Ruby Realty 712-623-2724
Visit: rvreality.com

Mills County Routes is part of Local Stream Media, highlighting the people, businesses, and opportunities shaping communities across Southwest Iowa.

If you enjoy stories about small town entrepreneurship, local business, and community development, be sure to subscribe and follow Mills County Routes.

In this episode of Mills County Routes, host Carlene Hall sits down with Jeff Veit of Iowa Workforce Development to talk about the resources available to job seekers and employers across Southwest Iowa.Jeff explains how Iowa Workforce Development serves as a connection point between businesses looking for employees and individuals searching for work or career advancement. His role as a Business Engagement Consultant covers 13 counties, helping employers solve workforce challenges and helping people find meaningful employment opportunities. In this conversation, you’ll learn about:• How Iowa Workforce Development helps businesses recruit employees• Free services for job seekers including resume help and interview preparation• Paid training opportunities such as CDL and CNA programs• On-the-job training programs that help employers hire and train new workers• Weekly hiring events that connect employers with candidates• Workforce solutions for small businesses and rural communities• The importance of hiring and developing talent within local communitiesJeff also discusses the challenges employers and workers face in rural Iowa and how workforce programs can help strengthen local economies while keeping young people working and building careers in their hometowns. If you are a business owner looking for employees, or a job seeker exploring new opportunities, Iowa Workforce Development offers services that can help and many of them are completely free.Mills County Routes is dedicated to sharing the people, programs, and opportunities that strengthen communities across Mills County and Southwest Iowa.Subscribe for more conversations highlighting local businesses, community leaders, and resources that make a difference in our region.

In this special episode of Mills County Roots, host Carlene Hall pauses to celebrate an exciting milestone as the show reaches 36 episodes in just six weeks.

Carlene takes a moment to thank the businesses, families, and community members across Mills County and Southwest Iowa who have opened their homes, businesses, and hearts to share their stories. The response from viewers has been overwhelming, with nearly 100,000 viewers engaging with the show during its first few weeks.

This episode also highlights:

• The transformation of historic buildings in Malvern and across Mills County
• Local revitalization projects bringing new life to downtown communities
• Appreciation for the businesses and sponsors helping make Mills County Roots possible
• The growing network of shows on Local Stream Media
• The mission behind Still Serving Iowa Veterans, hosted by Carlene Hall and Darlene McMartin
• Upcoming interviews and the special Ag Week series featuring farmers, cattle producers, and agricultural leaders

Mills County Roots is dedicated to telling the stories of the people who make this region special, from multi-generation families whose roots run deep to newcomers bringing fresh energy and ideas into the community.

If you enjoy learning about the people, businesses, and history of Mills County, be sure to subscribe and follow along as we continue sharing stories from across Southwest Iowa.

But the storytelling doesn’t stop.

Instead, we’re sharing an episode of Still Serving Iowa Veterans, the show hosted by Carlene Hall and Darlene McMartin. Yes… we know it rhymes, and we’re not mad about it. Check out the newest episode!

This program focuses on resources, stories, and important information for veterans across the state of Iowa. Many of the issues discussed affect veterans right here in Mills County, and the goal of the show is simple: make sure veterans and their families know what help and opportunities are available.

If you enjoy Mills County Roots, we encourage you to take a few minutes today and check out this episode. You might learn something new, discover a resource for someone you know, or gain a deeper appreciation for the people who continue serving those who served.

Veterans are part of the backbone of our communities, and this show is one more way to keep supporting them.

Take a watch and help spread the word.

In this episode of Mills County Routes, we share a Mills County town hall featuring Adam Steen speaking with local residents about policy issues affecting Iowa.

During this open forum, Steen discusses several topics currently being debated at the state level, including property taxes, government spending, education policy, and support for rural communities. The discussion also includes questions from local attendees about agriculture, school mandates, and veterans services.

Topics discussed include:

• Property tax reform and the idea of zero-based budgeting
• Government transparency and reducing spending
• School choice and Iowa’s ESA program
• Common Core vs classical education approaches
• Unfunded mandates affecting local schools
• Agriculture and farmland ownership in Iowa
• Rural representation in state government
• Veteran care and the conversation around veterans homes in Iowa

The event includes questions and comments from community members, creating a candid exchange about issues facing Mills County and rural Iowa.

Local Stream Media and Mills County Routes do not endorse political candidates. Our goal is to provide a platform for open discussion and give voters access to hear directly from individuals seeking public office.

Mills County Routes shares conversations that matter to our communities and highlights the people and ideas shaping the future of Southwest Iowa.

Subscribe for more local conversations, interviews, and community discussions from across Mills County.