PODCAST · society
Humble Ground
by Humble Ground
At Humble Ground, we believe every meal has a story—told by the farmers and ranchers who bring it to life. Our mission is to give these stories a platform, celebrating the essential role they play in feeding the nation.
Episodes
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They Told Me to Quit, But I Wouldn't
At just 17 years old, Dalton lost his father unexpectedly. With a family farming operation to carry on and college just around the corner, he faced a decision that would shape the rest of his life. Some told him it might be time to walk away from farming. But Dalton never imagined doing anything...
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The Truth About Beef | Dr. Tim Parks
What really goes into raising healthy cattle—and ultimately the beef on your plate? Dr. Tim Parks, DVM, spent years working directly with producers as a private-practice veterinarian before joining Merck Animal Health. In this episode of Humble Ground, we talk about his path through veterinary...
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Grandpa Told Us to Start Farming
Austin and Justin Petry grew up around their grandpa’s farm, but by the time they were old enough to help, Grandpa had stepped away from farming and was renting out the ground. The twin brothers went on to Kansas State, earned engineering degrees and started their careers. Then Grandpa decided…
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Where Welch's Grape Juice Begins
Where does the grape juice in your refrigerator actually start? At Farm Progress Show, we sat down with Washington grape producer Carter Kilian to talk about what it takes to grow grapes for Welch’s. Carter takes us inside grape production in Washington—from managing the vineyard and raising a...
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Why Agriculture Needs More Real Stories
We caught up with Logan and Bobby Lee from the Talk Dirt Podcast at Farm Progress in Boone, Iowa, for a conversation about farming, storytelling and where agriculture is headed. We talk about farming back home in Tennessee, the growing role of social media in agriculture, how podcasts are helping...
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Don't Forget Where We Came From - Jory Hunerdosse
Sometimes the best podcast conversations are the ones you never planned.A few weeks after meeting Jory while filming another project in southern Iowa, we found ourselves back at his farm, sitting down to talk about a lifetime in agriculture.Jory grew up riding alongside his dad on an...
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What It Takes to Market 425,000 Pigs Every Year
What does it take to raise and market roughly 425,000 pigs every year? On this episode of Humble Ground, we sit down with the team behind the Swine Division at J-Six Enterprises to hear how the operation got its start, how it has grown, and what it takes to produce hundreds of millions of pounds…
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I Didn't Want This to Fail
Josh grew up on a family dairy in northeast Kansas, started milking cows in fifth grade, and eventually left home to manage thousands of cows in western Kansas.But when it came time to decide what was next, family pulled him home.We talk about why he came back to keep the family dairy going, what...
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It All Started in a Hog Barn
What started as a small woodshop in a hog barn on a rural Kansas farm has grown into a company producing roughly 2,000 cabinets and 300 house doors every day. In this episode of Humble Ground, we sit down with Jim Koch, founder of Koch & Company, to hear how it all started. Jim shares how growing...
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Late July in Kansas is Miserable for Cattle
Nearly two years after joining us for the very first episode of Humble Ground, Andy Evans of Rocking E Cattle is back in the studio. Just days before we sat down, Andy experienced one of the hardest weeks a cattle producer can face, losing cattle during the extreme late-July heat and humidity…
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Farmers Don't Need Vegas... We Gamble Every Day
Logan Hanks is a Tennessee row crop farmer and co-host of the Talk Dirt to Me podcast. In this conversation, we go well beyond farming. We talk about the risks farmers take every single season, the lessons that come from failure, and why Logan says farmers don't need to go to Las Vegas to...
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Meat & Taters with Blake Matthews
What does it take to keep a diversified Idaho farming operation moving? In this episode of Humble Ground, powered by Fendt, we sit down with Blake from Matthews Land & Cattle to talk about the crops that help feed America, from potatoes and sugar beets to the day-to-day decisions that keep the…
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Family First with Andy Bloom
In this episode of Humble Ground, Andy Bloom shares what it's like to be part of a farming family where multiple generations work side by side. While each family member operates their own business, they're always ready to lend a hand when it's needed—whether that's Grandpa, Dad, uncles, cousins…
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What Matters Most: Faith, Family & Farming with David Steinlage
David Steinlage wears two hats—Kansas farmer and engineer at John Deere. But this conversation isn't about machinery or technology. It's about faith, family, and the moments in life that redefine what truly matters. David shares the heartbreaking loss of his daughter, the lessons that followed…
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The Humble Ground Story
For this episode, the microphone gets turned around.Joining host Joel Naaf of Naaf Farms, Humble Ground founder Tim Strathman shares the story behind the platform, why it was created, and what he's learned after traveling the country telling the stories of farmers, ranchers, and rural...
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Moving the Farm Forward - France Family Farms
At France Family Farms near Scott City, Kansas, farming is about more than raising crops—it's about building something that can thrive for the next generation. In this episode, we sit down with the France family to talk about the values that have shaped their operation, the challenges and...
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Firegrass Wagyu: Flavor Forged by the Flint Hills
Born in the heart of the Kansas Flint Hills, Firegrass Wagyu is a family-founded ranch built on generations of Heartland heritage, regenerative agriculture, and a commitment to raising exceptional American Wagyu beef. With a focus on humane, sustainable ranching practices and unmatched quality,...
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Yes, Robots Milk the Cows Now - Buessing Holsteins
Brent Buessing of Buessing Holsteins represents the fourth generation of a Kansas dairy operation—but the way he farms today looks a lot different than it did for the generations before him. In this episode, we sit down with Brent to talk about how technology—specifically robotic milking…
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The Hail Melon: Ross Chastain on Farming, Racing, and Going All-In
Ross Chastain didn’t just grow up around racing—he grew up in watermelon fields. Long before the spotlight, he was loading trucks, working the land, and learning what hard work really looks like on his family’s farm in Alva, Florida. In this episode of Humble Ground, Ross talks about those roots,...
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From One Generation to the Next - Burdiek Farms
Tim Burdiek bought his first farm in 1979—right before agriculture hit some of its toughest years. What followed in the 80s tested everything: finances, faith, and whether the farm would survive at all.In this episode, Tim and his son Kent sit down to talk through those hard years, what it really...
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Built in the Flint Hills - Jones Family Angus & Flint Hills Stockyards
Spencer Jones and his wife didn’t inherit a cattle operation—they built one from the ground up. What started at Kansas State University as a shared vision turned into Jones Family Angus, a first-generation operation rooted in the heart of the Flint Hills. While she continues her work at K-State,...
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Building Your Way Back Home - The Next Generation
A lot of folks think taking over the family farm just happens—but for most, it’s anything but easy. In this episode, Corbin, Austin, Will, and Blake sit down with Tim to talk about what it really looks like to be the next generation. Working off the farm, coming back, earning your place, and...
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Millions of Gallons: Inside the Life of Modern Dairy Farmers
I sat down with four dairy producers to talk about what it really takes to keep modern dairy operations running every single day. From early mornings in the parlor to managing herds that produce millions of gallons of milk every year, these farmers share the realities behind the industry.Thomas...
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600 + Pedal Tractors & Cars - Bill Sunneberg
Bill Sunneberg has spent his entire life farming — and at 96 years old, he’s still sharing the stories that come with a lifetime on the land. But Bill’s legacy goes beyond farming. Over the years, he built an incredible collection of nearly 600 pedal tractors and pedal cars, now showcased at a...
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Purple Rose Bison: Starting a Ranch With Purpose
Logan Metzger and his wife are building something special in Kansas with their farm-to-table operation, Purple Rose Bison. What started with cattle has evolved into a growing bison herd and a vision to one day run several hundred head across the prairie. In this episode, Logan shares how they got...
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The Land, The Loss, The Legacy - Kevin Bergman
After the passing of his father, sixth-generation farmer Kevin Bergman is stepping into a new season — one marked by responsibility, reflection, and resolve. With a growing family, a role in ag retail, and the farm to steward, Kevin is asking what it will truly take to see a seventh generation of...
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Rooted in the Land, Committed to the Neighbor
For more than 50 years, Dan Broxterman has farmed the Kansas soil full time — but his story started long before that. As a young boy, he learned early what responsibility looked like. Long days. Hard seasons. Showing up when it wasn’t convenient. Farming wasn’t just a job — it was a way of life....
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Farmers by Day, Referees by Night
Eric and Leif Weyer are identical twins, fifth-generation Kansas farmers, and proof that when farming is in your blood — it never leaves. At just 17 years old, they got their first piece of ground to farm and never looked back. Starting out in the tough agricultural climate of the 1980s, they...
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80+ Years of Doing What I Love - Bob Mars
Bob Mars is a fourth-generation Kansas farmer who has spent more than 80 years on the land he still calls home. Today, he farms alongside his sons, with the sixth and seventh generations of the Mars family living and working just a few miles down the road — a rare thing in modern agriculture....
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Doing It Wrong Dairy: One Man’s Dream, One Honest Story
Tristan didn’t follow the easy path — and he’s never pretended to.Born in Missouri, Tristan spent years custom harvesting while carrying a simple but big dream: one day owning his own dairy. That dream eventually pulled him north to Wisconsin, where he found a place, took a leap, and began…
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From Cows to Glass: The Hildebrand Dairy Story
Take a seat with us on the farm as we dive into the remarkable story of Hildebrand Farms Dairy — a family-run dairy in Kansas bottling fresh milk in reusable glass bottles since 1930. Discover how three generations have turned simple milk into a community staple, producing about 10,000 glass...
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Talking Beef: Antibiotics, Hormones & How Beef Is Raised
Talking Beef brings real voices from the beef industry to the table for an honest, easy-to-understand conversation about how beef is actually raised in the United States. Hosted by Tim Strathman, this panel features Dr. Tim Parks of Merck Animal Health, Andy Evans of Rocking E Feeders, Jay Rezac…
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Quentin Connealy - The Wakeboarding Farmer
Quentin Connealy is a fifth-generation farmer from Tekamah, Nebraska, where he grows corn and soybeans along the Missouri River bottoms. Born and raised in a farming family, Quentin returned to farming after college, integrating precision agriculture technologies like GPS, variable rate…
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Corey Hillebo - Farm 4 Profit
Corey Hillebo was born and raised on his family’s farm in Polk City, Iowa, where he represents the fourth generation of farmers stewarding the land. His operation spans corn, soybeans, aronia berries, and a swine herd, blending tradition with innovation. Corey serves as Farm Manager for Hillebo...
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What’s Really Driving Cattle & Food Prices? - Jared Wareham
In this episode, we sit down with Jared Wareham, owner and CEO of Horizon Venture Management, for an honest conversation about cattle prices, food costs, and the realities shaping agriculture today.With 20+ years in the beef industry, Jared brings a deep, firsthand perspective on genetic...
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From Dryland to the Heartland
Matt Turecek of DY Farms grew up farming the tough ground of eastern Colorado, where rain was scarce and grit was required. When he set his sights on a place with more opportunity—and a little more moisture—he followed his family roots to eastern Kansas. After purchasing just over 100 acres, he...
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From Pasture to Plate - Pfrang Land & Cattle
Join Derek Pfrang as he talks about family, cattle, crops, and carrying a Kansas operation into the next generation. With the addition of Holton Meat Processing, the Pfrangs have created a fully connected farm-to-family model. This podcast explores the grit, growth, and vision it takes to build a...
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Matt Koch - NRCHA Million Dollar Rider
Born and raised in Seneca, Kansas, Matt Koch has built a name that now stands among the greats in the reined cow horse world. An NRCHA Million Dollar Rider and accomplished horse trainer, Matt’s journey has been defined by good horses, great mentors, and the kind of grit that only comes from life...
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Valley Vet Supply
In the quiet heart of Marysville, Kansas, two veterinarians set out to make life better for those who care for animals. What began in 1973 as a small-town clinic would grow into one of the nation’s most trusted names in animal health — Valley Vet Supply.As customer needs changed, Drs. Nagely and...
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The Nebraska Shrimp Farmer
Nolan Wellensiek is a seventh-generation farmer carrying on his family’s legacy at Wellensiek Acres — a Nebraska farm dating back to 1843. But Nolan’s story doesn’t stop with corn and soybeans. What started as his dad’s wild idea has turned into Big Red Shrimp Co., where Nolan grows fresh shrimp…
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Passing the Bucket: A Dairy Legacy Continues
Since 1971, Buessing Dairy has been a cornerstone of its small-town community. Now, as Roy and Roger Buessing prepare to hand the reins to the next generation, Roy reflects on a lifetime spent on the farm — from his early days growing up among the cows to milking 300 head alongside family. In…
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From Milking to Making: Rokeyroad Creamery’s Next Chapter
Rokeyroad Creamery is a family-owned dairy nestled in the scenic hills of Nemaha County, Kansas, where tradition, quality, and community come together. Established in the late 1990s as a continuation of the Rokey family’s passion for farming and registered Holsteins, the Creamery is built on...
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Alverson Cattle Co - 45 Years in Business
From the struggles of the 1980s farm crisis to 45 years of raising quality cattle, the Alverson family has built a legacy rooted in hard work, perseverance, and a love for the land. Join Ron, Brent, and Brock as they share the story of Alverson Cattle Co.—a cow-calf operation with eyes on the…
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Matthews Land & Cattle: Spuds, Steers and Soil
Blake Matthews joins us from Idaho to share the story behind his family’s fourth-generation farm, where they grow everything from potatoes and beets to wheat and corn—and also run a cow-calf operation and feedlot. We talk about the evolution of the farm, managing such a diverse operation, and…
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Built to Last: The CrustBuster Story
We sat down with Donald Hornung, President and CEO of CrustBuster/Speed King, Inc., to talk about life growing up in rural Kansas, the challenges of building a business through some of agriculture’s toughest decades, and what it means to carry on a legacy. From its humble beginnings in…
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Bestifor: Quality Is Our Legacy
Chase Larson joins us to share the story behind Bestifor, a sixth-generation farm that’s grown far beyond the fields. From high-quality hay and grain to land management, trucking, fabrication, and even hay for exotic pets—Bestifor represents a modern ag business rooted in tradition. Now stepping…
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Fields of Hope: Turning Silence Into Conversation
Nick Hasenkamp joins us to share the powerful and personal story of his father, Bob Hasenkamp—a lifelong Kansas farmer who was born on the family farm in 1951 and never left. Bob farmed alongside his father, Alfred, until Alfred’s passing in 1977. Fifteen years ago, Bob died by suicide, leaving...
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Strathman Farms
Rick Strathman of Strathman Farms joins us to share a powerful story of family, farming, and resilience. Raised around a dairy operation, Rick began farming in the 1980s—a time when agriculture was anything but easy. Alongside his brother Roger and now three of their sons, the Strathmans have…
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The Tractor Lifeline: 50 Years of Elmer’s Repair
What started on a Kansas half section turned into a lifeline for farmers across the country. In this episode, we sit down with Elmer Haug, the man behind Elmer’s Repair—a shop that’s been keeping older tractors running strong since 1974. With over 1,700 Case and IH tractors dismantled and tens of...
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The Seed That Started It All: Beck's Hybrids
Beck's began as a small family farm in 1937, rooted in the heart of Indiana with a simple yet powerful purpose: to help farmers succeed. What started with Lawrence Beck planting hybrid seed corn on just a few acres has grown into the largest family-owned retail seed company and third-largest seed...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Humble Ground have?
Humble Ground currently has 66 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Humble Ground about?
At Humble Ground, we believe every meal has a story—told by the farmers and ranchers who bring it to life. Our mission is to give these stories a platform, celebrating the essential role they play in feeding the nation.
How often does Humble Ground release new episodes?
Humble Ground has 66 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Humble Ground?
You can listen to Humble Ground on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Humble Ground?
Humble Ground is created and hosted by Humble Ground.
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