Rural Revival

This week on the podcast we’re in West Salem, Wisconsin (pop. 5,026) with Cassie Everson of Wanderlust Skulls. Cassie’s sharing about her journey from agronomist to stay-at-home-mom to entrepreneur, which came together when a skull she decorated for herself started getting a lot of attention on Facebook, and the idea to make more would just not leave hear alone. She talks about how she’s reached an audience that’s primarily outside of where she lives, the process of valuing her craft and how that relates to pricing, and so much more.

You’ll love how Cassie has built her business and her transparency about what she’s learned along the way. And her generosity in donating a gorgeous pink buffalo skull to Cowgirls with Cancer. Tickets are currently being raffled off for $25 each, with the proceeds going directly to Brooke Clay Taylor of Rural Gone Urban and Kaidra Froelich of Froelich Ranch. The winner of the raffle will receive over $1500 of amazing western products from Wanderlust Skulls, Kippylou's Leather, The Sparkling Spur, Savannah Sevens, and Macie Bean Boots. Head to our blog post for episode 75 at ruralrevival.co for all the details and go support these Cowgirls with Cancer.

Check out more on the blog.

SHOW NOTES:
Bangor, Wisconsin
West Salem, Wisconsin
Ed Mylett
Cowgirls with Cancer
Brianna Bigbee
The Bleacher Babe
Brooke Clay Taylor / Rural Gone Urban
Kaidra Froelich / Froelich Ranch
Instagram: @wanderlustskulls
Facebook: @wanderlustskulls
wanderlustskulls.com

This week on the podcast we’re in DeSoto, Iowa (pop. 1,050) with Jason and Nicole Smith of DreamDirt, a Midwestern-based farmland auction and real estate company. They’re sharing about their journey from careers in law enforcement and computers to land auctions. From being among the first to have online auctions to creating their own online auction software and expanding into online machinery auctions, they have used technology and modern marketing methods to forge a new path for farm and machinery sales in the auction industry. We talk about the importance of technology in their business and in the future of rural America, and the key roles mentors have played in their journey.

You’ll appreciate how Jason and Nicole broke out of the typical auction framework and have built such a great business, and how they went all in in an industry where they didn’t have previous experience, but believed in their dream and have worked hard to bring their vision to life. Be sure to check out the show notes and if you’re looking to buy or sell farmland, the DreamDirt team is ready to help.

Check out more on the blog.

SHOW NOTES:
Odebolt, Iowa
Missouri Valley, Iowa
Loess Hills
Fremont County, Iowa
DreamDirt
Farm Bid
eBay
Tom Bradley
Iowa State University
Winterset, Iowa
Paul Behr
World Wide College of Auctioneering
National Auctioneers Association
Mondamin, Iowa
dreamdirt.com
bid.dreamdirt.com
Facebook: @dreamdirt
Nicole: @onlinelandauctions
Twitter: @dreamdirt
YouTube: @dreamdirt

We’re in Red Oak, Iowa (pop. 5,415) this week on the podcast with Daric and Jill O’Neal of JMercantile and Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture. We’re talking all things community revitalization and development - including expanding Daric’s architecture company from the city to a small town, and Jill getting to bring her dream of a design and home decor shop to life, from a pop up to a storefront and now even more. Now they’re making a space for future entrepreneurs to be able to explore their dreams and are focused on making the most of their town’s potential.

If you see the potential in your small town but aren’t sure where to go next or even where to start, you are going to get so much out of this interview! You’ll love how Daric and Jill’s heart for small towns and properties eventually led them back to Daric’s hometown, and how they are all in on their community’s revitalization and their dreams for a thriving future there — and having a lot of fun along the way. You will absolutely want to check out the show notes and be sure to follow along with Daric and Jill as they continue to help bring rural revival to Red Oak.

SHOW NOTES:
Henderson, Iowa
Red Oak, Iowa
Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture
JMercantile
Red Oak Grand Theatre
Junction Days
Wilson Performing Arts Center
ROOT - Red Oak’s Ongoing Transformation
Downtown Facade Improvement Project
Rural Revival Mastermind
Montgomery County Family YMCA
Historic Preservation Commission
Red Oak Community School
Red Oak Community School Foundation
Iowa State University Extension Community and Economic Development - Steve Adams
Iowa State University Extension Community and Economic Development - Lynn Adams
Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa
Hotel/Motel Tax
Community Development Block Grant
Downtown Urban Renewal District
TIF
Downtown Red Oak - National Register of Historic Places
Bank Iowa
City of Red Oak
Iowa Economic Development Authority
Montgomery County Development Corporation
Southwest Iowa Planning Council
Southwest Iowa Art Tour
Facebook: @jmercantile
Instagram: @jmercantile
Instagram: @dariconeal

We’re in Red Oak, Iowa (pop. 5,415) this week on the podcast with Daric and Jill O’Neal of JMercantile and Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture. We’re talking all things community revitalization and development - including expanding Daric’s architecture company from the city to a small town, and Jill getting to bring her dream of a design and home decor shop to life, from a pop up to a storefront and now even more. Now they’re making a space for future entrepreneurs to be able to explore their dreams and are focused on making the most of their town’s potential.

If you see the potential in your small town but aren’t sure where to go next or even where to start, you are going to get so much out of this interview! You’ll love how Daric and Jill’s heart for small towns and properties eventually led them back to Daric’s hometown, and how they are all in on their community’s revitalization and their dreams for a thriving future there — and having a lot of fun along the way. You will absolutely want to check out the show notes and be sure to follow along with Daric and Jill as they continue to help bring rural revival to Red Oak.

Check out more on the blog.

SHOW NOTES:
Henderson, Iowa
Red Oak, Iowa
Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture
JMercantile
Red Oak Grand Theatre
Junction Days
Wilson Performing Arts Center
ROOT - Red Oak’s Ongoing Transformation
Downtown Facade Improvement Project
Rural Revival Mastermind
Montgomery County Family YMCA
Historic Preservation Commission
Red Oak Community School
Red Oak Community School Foundation
Iowa State University Extension Community and Economic Development - Steve Adams
Iowa State University Extension Community and Economic Development - Lynn Adams
Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa
Hotel/Motel Tax
Community Development Block Grant
Downtown Urban Renewal District
TIF
Downtown Red Oak - National Register of Historic Places
Bank Iowa
City of Red Oak
Iowa Economic Development Authority
Montgomery County Development Corporation
Southwest Iowa Planning Council
Southwest Iowa Art Tour
Facebook: @jmercantile
Instagram: @jmercantile
Instagram: @dariconeal

This week on the podcast we’re in Natoma, Kansas (pop. 334) with Adam and Dayna Kocinski of French Press Coffee. They’re sharing how their journey as entrepreneurs came to life when they decided to turn a literal dream that Adam had into reality. Now they’re serving the community more than just coffee — they’re creating a space where they can invest in people, make a space for local artists, and pay it forward.

You’ll love how invested Adam and Dayna are in their community and their heart to give back, and their plans to bring the letterpress back to their building that used to house a print shop. We can’t wait to see that come to life! Be sure to check out the show notes, where you’ll find links to French Press Coffee on social media and can keep up with Adam and Dayna there.

Check out more on the blog.

SHOW NOTES:
Natoma, Kansas
Rooks County Economic Development
Rooks County E-Community Loan Program
Plainville, Kansas
Natoma Food Bank
Natoma Labor Day 5K
Natoma’s Annual Labor Day Celebration
Brant’s Meat Market
Lucas, Kansas
Russell, Kansas
Perfect Print
Instagram: @frenchpressltd
Facebook: @frenchpressltd

This week on the podcast we’re in Lenox, Iowa (pop. 1,407) with Bonnie Ramsey of Ramsey’s Market and Ramsey’s Ace Hardware. Bonnie’s telling us all about how she and her husband Theo have turned a grocery store into an entertainment business that’s focused on providing a unique, one-of-a-kind experience for their customers. We also talk about why grocery stores are so important for our rural communities, how they compete against the big box stores in a small, rural town, and how they opened the first Ace Hardware in the US with a bar - where you can literally have a beer and buy a lawnmower at the same time.

You’ll love Bonnie’s heart for this community and her passion to give back. It really shines through in everything she and Theo are doing. She also has a great perspective on how to set your retail business apart and stay relevant in our rural communities. Bonnie and Theo truly are making Lenox a fun destination and it’s one you’ll want to put on the list for your next road trip.

Check out more on the blog.

SHOW NOTES:
Lenox, Iowa
Ramsey’s Market
Ramsey’s Ace Hardware
Tiger Taco
Facebook: @ramseysmarket

We’re in Cody, Wyoming (pop. 9,885) this week on the podcast with Maggie Haron of Iron & Pine Design. Maggie makes beautiful, custom-made handlettered and handpainted signs using old barn wood. Today she’s sharing how what started out as a fun way to make some extra cash eventually turned into a dream that wouldn't quit — and a legit, full-time business! She also talks about the unique way she gained her Instagram community, and her passion to use her gifts and talents for others.

We got to be there to celebrate with Maggie a major milestone in her business, which you’ll hear more about on the podcast. One look at her Instagram feed and you’ll see things are going great for Maggie — she recently got married and she’s gearing up for Christmas orders, which you’ll want to be sure to get in soon so they’re back in time for Christmas!

Check out more on the blog.

SHOW NOTES:
Cody, Wyoming
Nelson Log Restoration
The World Race
Red Lodge, Montana
Sheridan, Wyoming
Olive & Pearl
Instagram: @ironandpinedesignco
Facebook: @ironandpinedesignco
ironandpinedesignco.com

Welcome to the Rural Revival podcast. I’m your host Danna Larson. We’re in Brimfield, Illinois (pop. 933) this week on the podcast with Mikaela Endress and Kami Stahl of Kamaela’s Kreamery. Mikaela is a student and Kami is a farmer, and together these two best friends have a pop up ice cream shop in a vintage trailer called Little Dipper, and can be found hitting up fun locations across Illinois all summer long. Kami and Mikaela are sharing about how this all started as a dream when they were four years old and riding their bikes to the local ice cream store.

You will love everything about this story, and how much fun these girls - and their customers - are having with this business. And while Kamaela’s Kreamery may be closed for the winter and Little Dipper tucked away on the farm, they’ve got some great things coming when they open again in the spring. They will definitely be on our road trip route next summer, and we hope you put them on yours as well!

Check out more on the blog.

SHOW NOTES:
Cinnamon Tree Farm
Illinois Central College
Illinois State University
No Roots Boots
Rock Island Trail
Instagram: @kamaelaskreamery
Facebook: @kamaelaskreamery

This week on the podcast we’re in Underwood, Iowa (pop. 917) with sixth generation farmers Kevin and Sara Ross. We’re talking about Kevin and Sara’s important role in connecting with farmers and advocating for agriculture, including Kevin’s new role as President of the National Corn Growers Association. We also touch on life on the farm with their four boys, the importance of technology and connectivity in farming and rural America, Sara’s involvement with CommonGround, and some great stories around her transition to farm life.

You may also learn a few things, like how corn is the only crop grown in all 50 states, and there are over 4000 uses of corn! We’re excited to follow along with Kevin as the President of the National Corn Growers Association, and encourage you to do the same, so head to the show notes for those links. We want to wish all of our Iowa Corn farmers - and farmers everywhere - a safe and successful harvest.

Check out more on the blog.

SHOW NOTES:
Underwood, Iowa
Commodity Classic
Iowa Corn
CommonGround
Iowa Corn Growers Association
National Corn Growers Association
UMBA - Underwood Memorial Building Association
Twitter: @krossfarms
Twitter: @nationalcorn
Twitter: @iowa_corn
Instagram: @the_mrssaraross
www.saras-house.com

This week on the podcast we’re in College Grove, Tennessee (unincorporated) with Mary Morgan Gentry of Gentry’s Farm and Hatcher Family Dairy. From growing up on the farm in Franklin, Tennessee to working in several shops on Franklin’s historic Main Street, Mary Morgan has had a front row seat to the revival that’s happened here. Now she’s stepping fully into the ag world as the new wife of a dairy farmer, and she’s telling us all about it, including the important role agritourism has played in bringing both her and her husband’s family farms into the next generation.

You’ll love Mary Morgan’s perspective on the growth that’s happened in Franklin, and how Gentry’s Farm has embraced the changes that have come along with that growth. Her new house on the Hatcher Family Dairy farm really is amazing, and you’ll want to hit up her Instagram and new blog to see more of that. And, if you’re anywhere near the Franklin area, you won’t want to miss Gentry’s Farm, open weekends in October. It’s the perfect place to pick pumpkins and have a great fall experience!

Check out more on the blog.

SHOW NOTES:
Franklin, Tennessee
Mary Morgan Gentry Design Co.
Anthropologie Franklin
Holly Williams
White’s Mercantile
Mike Wolfe
Gentry’s Farm
Franklin Heritage Foundation
Downtown Franklin
Hatcher Family Dairy
Williamson County, Tennessee
Charlie Hatcher, Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture
Nashville
Frothy Monkey
Puckett’s
Chattanooga
Hatch Farm & Home
Instagram: @marymorgangentry