Rural Lifestyle on Highwy 6

Wildwood Hills - This Week On Highway 6 Radio

Welcome to this nations only live full hour Rural Lifestyle radio show.  We're on each Sunday morning at 8 on 98.3 WOW-FM.  If you live in Central Iowa, great...give us a listen.  If you're outside of the area you can still listen using your PC.  Just log on and listen!

Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country is not a "farm show" but it is a show about living in the country.  We talk about the news and issues that impact folks living on small farms and acreages.  Even if you live in the city...you're still welcome to grab a cup of coffee, listen in or give us a call.  It's always great to make new friends.

This week along with following the news and information we're pleased to have MaryLou Garcia with us.  MaryLou is the Executive Director of Wildwood Hills Ranch set on 400 beautiful acres in St. Charles, about 25 minutes south of Des Moines on I-35.

Wildwood Hills Ranch is a camp for kids.  Kids who may have a rough time  of things, kids who need some extra love, attention and a place to learn about unconditional love.

And camp...is free.

It's a place with ponds, fish, horses, and family.  And, it's all made possible through the donations of folks from all over the area.

We'll spend the greater part of the hour with MaryLou who will tell us about the challenges of caring for this very large acreage built for a mission of love and service.

I promise you it will be a wonderful discussion and something that will touch your heart.  Come on by for a listen.

Wildwood Hills Ranch, News, Issues and the Highway 6 - Tip of The Week on Highway 6 Your Road to the Country proudly brought to you by:

Allied Insurance - Protecting people just like you for over 75 years.  Whether you're new to the rural lifestyle or you've lived it for years you know you can count on Allied and your local independent insurance agent for all your rural lifestyle and farm needs.  Find your local Allied Independent Insurance Agent by going online.  Allied Insurance - Now with CountryChoice - For the Way You Live.

Country Vet Pet Food - Dog and Cat food for every life stage of your best friend.  Made right here in the Midwest, Country Vet has over 900 dealers nationwide.  To find yours just head to the Country Vet Website.  Country Vet Pet Foods - Loved by Pets, Trusted by Owners.

Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds - Running Horse is a different type of horse feed.  You'll find you'll use less, waste less and it's just plain better for your horse no matter the activitiy level.  To find your local dealer go on line the the Running Horse Website.  Running Horse - For the Long Run.

Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications - A full service advertising agency based here in the Middle of the Midwest.  If you've got a product or service and you're looking for ways to increase sales and exposure...make contact with us.  Insight Advertisng - You make the product or service, let us help you make it great. 

Rabbi Schwarzbaum & Rural America 2/24/08

Rural Lifestyle Radio - Highway 6 Your Road to the Country is heard each Sunday morning at 8 only on 98.3 WOW-FM.  If you would like to listen using your PC...just head here, sign up and listen in real time.

Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country is this nations only live full hour radio show dedicated to the rural lifestyle.  Folks living on small farms and acreages have some unique interests and that's what we talk about. 

We're glad to have you along for the ride.

This week we talked about a number of issues and we've listed them below.  If you would like more information or a follow up to each story.  Just click on the link and you'll get more.

This past week I attended the annual meeting of United Country Real Estate.  It was held in Kansas City and it was "smokin"!  While the rest of the country looks to a crumbling real estate market United Country is booming.  In a recent survey of their 700+ Broker Associates United Country received a 98% approval rating.  In addition 52% of their associates reported a sales increase for 2007.  Compare that with the rest of the country.

Finally United Country has, this year, has instituted new technology that makes them the best search-able real estate data site on the planet.  They have brought on new partners with US Bank and they have brought the auction method into traditional real estate marketing.  Major moves that will bode well for them in the future.  Much of this forward vision has to do with our friend Dan Duffy (L) the CEO of United Country.  We would have had Dan on with us but they are recovering from their event in KC.  However, if you are a Broker or an agent looking for an opportunity here in the Central Iowa area call Chuck Cox at 515-306-2259 or you can e-mail him as well.

The State of Minnesota has decided to try a constitutional amendment to repair and retain their natural resources.  A great story worth following especially as Iowa wrestles with the same issues.

In a stunning story from this morning's Sunday Des Moines Register we talked about the issue of high interest home loans and the huge issue this could be for Rural Iowa.  It's a must read story and we'll have more on this as the week goes by...

What do you do with unwanted horses?  It's a tough issue that is full of ethical decisions.  We profiled an article written by the Denver Post.

Among the developed nations on earth the United States is considered one of the most religious.  According to the Pew Global Attitudes Project the United States was the only developed nation where a majority of citizens reported that religion played a "very important" role in their lives.  78.5 percent of Americans adhere to Christianity, 15% say that they have no religion while Judaism comes in at 1.4% of the population.

Rural folks tend to be more religious and committed to a house of worship than urban dwellers.  But what about that 1.4% of the population that is Jewish?

But, what is Judaism?  Are there different beliefs among Jews or are they all alike?

Our guest for the rest of the hour is Rabbi Aaron Schwarzbaum of Beth El Jacob the Orthodox Congregation of Des Moines.  Rabbi Schwarzbaum will help us identify what some of the differences are between the groups and better explain exactly what Jews believe.

All of this and our Tip Of The Week....

Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country is proudly brought to you by:

Allied Insurance - Learn more about the products from Allied Insurance and find your local independent insurance agent by going the the Allied Insurance website.  Allied Insurance now with CountryChoice for the way you live!

Country Vet Pet Food - A new kind of pet food made right here in the Midwest and now with over 900 dealers nationwide there is sure to be one near you.  Find yours by going online.  Country Vet Pet Food - Loved by Pets, Trusted by Owners.

Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds - A great feed for your horse...or horses.  Feed less, have less waste and find your local dealer by going to the Running Horse website.  Running Horse - For The Long Run!

Insight Advertising Marketing & Communications a full service advertising agency dedicated to agriculture and the rural lifestyle.  Come on by for a visit and if we can help we're there for you.

Thanks for reading and for listening...

Michael P. Libbie - Acreage Owner and Host

Craig Dick & February 17, 2007 Show Update

Rural Lifestyle...we talk about it each week here on Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country.  It's the nations only full hour, live radio show devoted to living in the country.  We talk about the issues that impact rural living and bring on guests that can help make living the lifestyle more enjoyable and profitable.

Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country can be heard each Sunday morning at 8 on 98.3 WOW-FM.  Or you can always log on and listen using your PC.

On this week's show we tackled a number of topics.  If you follow the link on each you'll be able to find the source and read more yourself.

What does Montana know that we here in the Midwest don't?  Over the past year the number of "farms" in Montana has increased by 200 to 28,000.  What's interesting about this stat is the definition of "Farm".  According to the USDA if you have income of $1,000 or more and file a Schedule F on your taxes...you own a farm. 

By any standard, $1,000 isn't a lot of income from a farming operation.  That's a couple head of cattle, 300 bales of hay, a couple of acres of row crops or three head of horses. 

Here is what we think is happening:

• As larger farms get larger, middle size farms are squeezed out people who want to live the rural lifestyle are moving to small farms and acreages.  Once there they have begun figuring out ways to earn money from their land.  Meat goats, grape production, small cattle herds, hay production...the list can get pretty long.  To take advantage of the deductibility of equipment...they now file a Schedule F. 
• Agri-Tourism is getting bigger all the time.  This is where a small farm or acreage owner makes a decision to market their lifestyle to city dwellers.  The person from "town" pays money for the right to come to the country and work.

We think we'll continue to see this happen here in Central Iowa.  Already small farms and acreage owners outnumber "traditional farmers" by 10 to 1 and we don't see it letting up.  If you want further "proof" we'd invite you to contact our friends at United Country Real Estate...they have some dramatic numbers.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, in an article we saw on Agriculture Online, we'll soon not have enough veterinarians available to help protect the nations food supply let alone service folks living in rural areas.   Central Iowa's congressman Leonard Boswell is mentioned in the article.

Horse Slaughter is a thing of the past here in the United States.  Good you say?  There are some disturbing stories coming out of this issue and we're not sure it was such a good move to ban the practice.  Here's more from the Billings Gazette and the Rapid City Journal.  You can decide for yourself.  We're big time horse fans...and what is happening out there isn't good for anybody...especially the horses.

Our guest this week was Craig Dick from Calcium Products, Inc.  We brought him on to discuss the increasing issue of water pollution created by pouring more and more chemical fertilizer on our lawns, fields and golf courses.  The run off into the water table and our lakes, rivers and streams is becoming a national issue.  But, what if there were an inexpensive, practical and natural way to reverse this trend simply by using limestone or calcium?  A great interview and if you'd like to learn more head to the Calcium Products website.

And, our Highway 6 - Tip of the Week was about sharpening your chain saw.  Hey, this snow keeps up we'll have more winter than we are likely to want...and a chain saw is a "must have" on any small farm or acreage.

Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country is proudly brought to you by:

Allied Insurance - Learn more about their line of insurance products and find a local independent agent by going on line to the Allied Insurance website.  Allied Insurance now with CountryChoice - For the way you live.

Country Vet Pet Foods - Dog and cat food that has every stage of your pet's life covered.  With over 800 dealers nationwide you can find your local dealer by going to the Country Vet Pet Food website.  "Country Vet Pet Foods - Loved by Pets, Trusted by Owners."

Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds - A new type of horse feed that not only brings you fast results but also saves you money because your horse will waste less and do more.  Find your local dealer by going to the Running Horse website.  "Running Horse - For the Long Run".

Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications - We're a full service advertising agency that specializes in agriculture and the rural lifestyle.  If you've got a product or service that you need to market to Rural America give us a call.  We'd be proud to help.

Thanks for reading and for listening...

Michael P. Libbie - Acreage Owner and Host

Fertilizer - Land - Water

Welcome to Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country...the nations only live hour long talk show dedicated to the rural lifestyle and heard each week on 98.3 WOW-FM here in Des Moines.

We're not a farm show...but we do talk about the various issues that come with living on a small farm or acreage. 

We also like to talk about sustainable agriculture and how that can have a major impact on our economy.  We talk about ways to improve your land, small home based business, telecommuting and what it's like to have to drive ten miles for groceries.  It's all right here at Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country.

Back in April of 2007 I had a conversation with Mindy Williamson who is the Director of Communications and Public Relations with the Iowa Corn Growers Association.  My question was about the wisdom of removing the majority of corn stover from fields (for ethanol production) and if that might cause farmers to use even more fertilizer.  Fertilizer that many point to that causes water pollution and "Dead Zones" in the Gulf of Mexico.

Her answer to my question was interesting:  "Our president, Tim Recker, just talked about that.  He said that with new seed genetics and increased use of precision fertilizer application he did not see an increase in fertilizer use.  He also said that the rising cost of fertilizer will limit it's use."

I was reminded of that conversation and e-mail exchange when I read, this past Friday, the headline:  "Fertilizer Sales lift Terra Industries Profits". Go ahead, you can read it too if you like.

Notice the very first sentence of the story:  "Farmers, encouraged by high grain prices, spent more on fertilizer to optimize their yields, helping to drive fourth-quarter profits significantly higher for fertilizer manufacturers."

Guess it didn't work out like Tim and Mindy thought?

It is like falling on your sword to even suggest that grain producers could increase their yields while decreasing their costs IF they chose to use a better method.  You see...right now corn is king and, if this story is right, farmers will do anything they can, including increasing the pollution of our water, to drive their yields.  At least that is what some environmental groups are saying. 

There are other ways.

Join us Sunday morning for a discussion about how your small farm, your acreage and even your yard in town can be better stewards of the soil.  We'll be joined by Craig Dick from Calcium Products who will share with you a completely natural and safe way to reduce your dependence on chemical fertilizers...by taking care of the soil...first.

All that and more...next Sunday Morning on Highway 6- Your Road to the Country.  Proudly brought to you by:

Allied Insurance - Protecting people like you for more than 75 years.  Whether you're new to the rural lifestyle or have been living it for years, count on Allied and your local independent insurance agent for all your farm needs.  Find your local independent insurance agent near you - Allied Insurance website. 

Country Vet Pet Foods - Dog and cat food for every stage of your pet's life.  People that choose Country Vet want the very best for their best friend and now with more choice than ever and more dealers nationwide it's easier than ever to put your pet on Country Vet.  To find your local dealer, visit the Country Vet Pet Food site.  Country Vet - Loved by Pets, Trusted by Owners.

Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds - No matter what activity level your horse is at Running Horse has the right feed.  This new extruded feed provides exceptional value and health benefits.  Find out more as well as your local dealer by heading to their website.  Running Horse - For the Long Run.

Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising agency that specializes in the rural lifestyle and agriculture.  If your company needs to connect this these highly specialized markets...we're here to help.  Come by our site and see what we've done for others...perhaps we can do the same for you.

Thanks for reading and for listening..

Michael P. Libbie - Acreage Owner & Host

Rural Lifestyle Radio

Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country is heard each week on 98.3 WOW-FM.  We're not a farm show...but a rural lifestyle radio show.  For a full hour each week we talk about the issues that impact folks living on small farms and acreages.

Here's a couple of the stories we're following this week:

Those of us who have ever spent time at slaughter houses know it's not a pleasant experience.  But according to a Washington Post article that appeared last week things at several plants have gotten out of hand.

The article goes into great depth discussing the inhumane treatment of cattle headed to slaughter.  It is based on a Humane Society video secretly taken last fall.  It's graphic and disgusting.  Is it enough to turn most of us into Vegans?  Nope...but companies who tolerate this type of activity are, at the least, troublesome and at the most guilty of cruelty in some of the worst ways.

According to the High Plains Journal animal activists will be taking their agenda to the state legislature.  Dismayed that they have not gotten much of a hearing at the federal level the Humane Society is moving their discussion to the statehouse.

Can breathing manure be good for you?  According to a story in New Scientist that might be the case.  We've talked about this before...how living with a few germs might, indeed, be good for you.  These studies seem to indicate that living "too clean" might not be "too good".

What are you doing reading this?  Get outside and DO SOMETHING!  That is the advice of an article in Science Daily.  They say that because more people are spending more time in front of the tube or the monitor we're becoming "Videophiliac".  Hey...watch that!  The bottom line is that our bottoms are getting bigger because we're not engaged in outdoor activities.  Good thing you decided to move to the country!

Gas prices to go down fifty-cents a gallon by spring?  That seems to be the call from the energy experts.  They tell us that lower demand has created new reserves of gasoline.  Which is kind of odd...considering it was just four weeks ago we were being warned that a shortage of fuel was going to take place this spring as refineries shifted from winter to summer blends.  Remember last year?  We're convinced that nobody really knows...and that's the problem.

You get the feeling that the candidates for president don't want to talk about Rural America?  If so, you're not too far from being right.  According to a story by Reuters as they visit with the president of the National Cattleman's Beef Association (NCBA), there is a significant lack of rural discussion going on.  Depending on your point of view...this could be good news...or as the president of NCBA, John Queen said, "...it's kinda scary."

According to the USDA there are 1.5 million fewer acres in production today then there was at this time in 2006 even though crop prices have never been higher.  Meanwhile people continue to flock to the rural lifestyle.  Which is a pretty good thing for us...because that's what we talk about.

Thanks for reading and for listening...

Proud sponsors of Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country are:

Country Vet Pet Foods - Now with nearly 900 dealers in 25 states you're sure to find one near you.  Country Vet Pet Foods - Loved by Pets, Trusted by Owners.  To find your nearest dealer head to the Country Vet Pet Food website and put in your zip code.

Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds - A quality new type of feed for all activity levels of your horse.  No matter if you have one or a dozen you and your horse will love the economy of Running Horse Feeds.  To find your local dealer just head to their website.  Running Horse - For the Long Run!

Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications where we specialize in agriculture and rural lifestyle clients.  If you've got a product or service that you would like to take to Rural America...give us a shout.  We'll be glad to have a look.

Thanks