Rural Revival

We’re kicking off our fourth season of the podcast with Lettie McKinney of MC- Ranch, The Roundtop, and McKinney Farms in Johnson, Kansas (pop. 1,464). Lettie is sharing what it’s been like to come back and take over her family farm and ranch and the incredible journey that she’s been living out. She talks about getting creative to make extra money as an addition to the family operation, her family’s legacy of grit and their story dealing with chronic illness, plus how she started selling her beef and sort of fell into an event venue.

This is such an incredible story and we are so inspired by Lettie’s perseverance and determination to forge a path forward for her family’s farming and ranching operation, and how she’s carved out her role in that. Lettie also has her own podcast, The Lettie Show, and you can find that on all podcast platforms.

The new project that Lettie mentions at the end of the podcast is now LIVE on her website and we’re excited to share her new customizable cropland budget templates! These templates allow you to easily enter your specific information and stay on top of your budget on the go. And just to let you know, they’re currently 50% off, so definitely go take advantage of that! 

Check out more on the blog.

SHOW NOTES:
MC- Ranch
The Roundtop
The Grain Bin
Johnson, Kansas
Oklahoma State University
TCU Ranch Management Program
Instagram: @lettie.mckinney @theroundtop
Facebook: /mcbarmeatco /theroundtopks
Website: mc-ranch.com
Brand Camp
Southwest Kansas To Do’s
The Lettie Show
Custom Cropland Budgets

On today’s podcast episode we’re with Madison Lindsey of The Country Cookie in Newell, South Dakota (pop. 603). Madison is sharing how she stumbled into an unexpected business by making cookies out of her home, and as the word got out, the orders came pouring in and her business soon exploded. She talks about learning to scale her business, having boundaries, balancing work and family life, and more.

This is such a fun story, and you’ll love how Madison stumbled into this business that is now giving her so much joy - and so many other people get to enjoy it, too! And you’ll be amazed to learn the time it takes to decorate each cookie. She definitely has a lot of patience! Be sure to go check out her socials and see her incredible designs and creativity.

SHOW NOTES:
Newell, South Dakota
The Barn at Aspen Acres
The Black Hills
Website: thecountrycookie.net
Instagram: @the.country.cookie
Facebook: /thecountrycookie

On today’s podcast episode we’re with Madison Lindsey of The Country Cookie in Newell, South Dakota (pop. 603). Madison is sharing how she stumbled into an unexpected business by making cookies out of her home, and as the word got out, the orders came pouring in and her business soon exploded. She talks about learning to scale her business, having boundaries, balancing work and family life, and more.

This is such a fun story, and you’ll love how Madison stumbled into this business that is now giving her so much joy - and so many other people get to enjoy it, too! And you’ll be amazed to learn the time it takes to decorate each cookie. She definitely has a lot of patience! Be sure to go check out her socials and see her incredible designs and creativity.

Check out more on the blog.

SHOW NOTES:
Newell, South Dakota
The Barn at Aspen Acres
The Black Hills
Website: thecountrycookie.net
Instagram: @the.country.cookie
Facebook: /thecountrycookie

On today’s podcast we’re with James Yates of Steerfish Steak & Smoke in Spearfish, South Dakota (pop. 10,494). James has been in the restaurant business since he was a kid and he actually had no plans of opening a new restaurant in Spearfish...until he saw this incredible historic building, and the rest is history. James is sharing with us a lot about entrepreneurship, finding your passion, and of course the incredible menu at Steerfish.

And here’s the fun back story on this interview. My friend Joni and I were in the Black Hills for a conference and found ourselves in Deadwood looking for a place to eat. It was around 6:30 on a weeknight and we checked about five different places to find out no one was seating anyone else for the night, and it wasn’t even that busy. So we changed plans to see if we could find a place to eat in Spearfish, since we were staying in that area. That’s when we found Steerfish Steak & Smoke, and we knew from the minute we walked in this was exactly the kind of place we were looking for. Steak, trout, jalapeño poppers, cornbread muffins, you name it — I mean, we really hit the jackpot! We were so impressed that we knew we had to try to find the owner and get an interview. We were heading out of town the next morning, but the manager told us to come by early, knock on the door, ask for James, and see if he would be up for it. He said yes on a whim and you can hear how the rest unfolds in the interview.

If you or your friends are planning a trip to the Black Hills, make sure to plan for a meal (or two!) at Steerfish Steak & Smoke! Yes, it’s that good! We put together a Black Hills Road Trip where you’ll find Steerfish Steak & Smoke on the list, as well as some other great locations we loved around the Black Hills!

Check out more on the blog.

SHOW NOTES:
Gillette, Wyoming
Spearfish, South Dakota
Deadwood, South Dakota
Sanford’s Grub and Pub
Sheridan, Wyoming
Sturgis Bike Rally
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Dodge City, Kansas
Certified Angus Beef
Steerfish Steak & Smoke

On today’s podcast episode we’re with Tia Berens of the Barn at Aspen Acres in Spearfish, South Dakota (pop. 10,494). The Barn at Aspen Acres is a stunning wedding venue that offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Northern Black Hills, minimalist landscaping, clean lines, and modern aesthetic design features. Originally built as a space for Tia and her husband Dan to host their wedding, the venue has now become the canvas for the vision for other couples’ weddings. Tia is sharing why people are and always will be the main focus, the importance of staying in your lane, what she looks for when hiring, and how her parents influenced her as an entrepreneur.

You’ll love Tia’s drive as an entrepreneur and how intentional she is in running this business. Be sure to go check out The Black Hills Barn on social media to see more of this amazing venue and follow along!

Check out more on the blog.

SHOW NOTES:
Spearfish, South Dakota
The Black Hills
Instagram: @blackhillsbarn
Facebook: /blackhillsbarn
Website: blackhillsbarn.com
Instagram: @thebarnfounder

On today’s podcast episode we’re with Katie Cloud-Paulsen of Katie + Company in Anthon, Iowa (pop. 545), where you’ll find painted vintage furniture, candles, a custom fragrance line, and more! It all started out with Katie painting furniture for her dorm room in college, and now she and her husband are restoring a historic downtown building where she’ll operate her shop out of and where they’re renovating three apartments on the upper level. And Katie is bringing something new to the area in just a few weeks — the Made + Found Midwest Market happening on September 25, 2021.

If you live in the area, or you’re looking for a good road trip, mark your calendars, call up a few friends, and make plans to come. And make sure you drive by Katie’s building when you come through town and check out Katie + Company online, and we’ve got all that linked for you in the show notes.

Check out more on the blog.

SHOW NOTES:
Maple Valley Anthon Oto
Moville, Iowa
Anthon, Iowa
Made + Found Midwest Market
Junkstock
Facebook: /katieandcompanyhome
Instagram: @katiecloud
Website: katiecofurniture.com
Facebook: /mfmidwestmarket

This week we’re with Molly Knuth of Molly Knuth Media in Cascade, Iowa. From full time teacher to a stay-at-home-mom to now being a social media boss, Molly is sharing how she built her business and how her personable approach resonated with a small town audience on social media. We talk about current trends she is seeing and the role small business social media can play in building momentum for small town revival. Plus some of her best tips for small businesses on social media, and how to avoid burnout. Because burnout is real! Molly is dropping some gold and we’re excited for you to listen in.

It has been so fun to watch Molly’s business grow and you’ll love her heart for her hometown of Cascade. Everybody go follow Molly for some great social media tips that are very applicable to your small town business. She is a great resource!

SHOW NOTES:
Cascade, Iowa
Community Heart and Soul
Facebook Creator Studio App
Small Minded Podcast
www.mollyknuthmedia.com
Instagram: @mollyknuthmedia
Facebook: /mollyknuthmedia
Cascade, Iowa Rural Revival Feature

This week we’re with Molly Knuth of Molly Knuth Media in Cascade, Iowa. From full time teacher to a stay-at-home-mom to now being a social media boss, Molly is sharing how she built her business and how her personable approach resonated with a small town audience on social media. We talk about current trends she is seeing and the role small business social media can play in building momentum for small town revival. Plus some of her best tips for small businesses on social media, and how to avoid burnout. Because burnout is real! Molly is dropping some gold and we’re excited for you to listen in.

It has been so fun to watch Molly’s business grow and you’ll love her heart for her hometown of Cascade. Everybody go follow Molly for some great social media tips that are very applicable to your small town business. She is a great resource!

Check out more on the blog.

SHOW NOTES:
Cascade, Iowa
Community Heart and Soul
Facebook Creator Studio App
Small Minded Podcast
www.mollyknuthmedia.com
Instagram: @mollyknuthmedia
Facebook: /mollyknuthmedia
Cascade, Iowa Rural Revival Feature

On this episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re sitting down on the farm for a conversation with Kenzie Ashcroft of Farm Girl — a rural boutique and general store located in the heart of the Oklahoma prairie. After years of operating a main street brick and mortar, Kenzie’s sharing how she has recently transitioned both her brand and her boutique and expanded into the online space. Kenzie is an entrepreneur at heart and you’ll learn a lot from our conversation.

You’ll love how Kenzie made the bold move to shut down her business for a month to rebrand and reset — and her new brand is so amazing! She is offering a special discount for our listeners — be sure to stay tuned until the end for a special offer on Farm Girl goods!

Check out more on the blog.

SHOW NOTES:
Ada, Oklahoma
Callison Ranch Beef
Wapiti Sage Design
Farm Girl Home Design
Hayfield Meals
Blake Shelton
Ken Lance Memorial Rodeo
George Strait
Reba McEntire
@farmgirlada
farmgirlboutique.com
farmgirlblogs.com
@the.farmgirl

On this episode of the Rural Revival podcast we’re with Kimberly Joosten of Fourth Street Bakery in Lexington, Texas (pop. 1,177). Fourth Street Bakery, which is only open on Fridays, receives rave reviews from everyone who’s been there, from the locals to the tourists. Kimberly is sharing her story of how she became an accidental baker and also part of a carrot cake explosion, selling over half a million pieces of carrot cake, and her gradual transition into rural life. She also talks about what it means to make everything with love and how to keep going when the unexpected happens.

You’ll love Kimberly’s story and how she’s built this business and created something so special at Fourth Street Bakery. Please go give Fourth Street Bakery and stop by and see Kimberly next time you’re in the Lexington, Texas area — trust us, it’s worth the trip!

Check out more on the blog.

SHOW NOTES:
Lexington, Texas
Whole Foods
Thundercloud Subs
Sam’s Fresh Roasted Coffee
Leeco Honey
Taylor’s Farm
6G Heritage Farm