Rural Lifestyle Radio - April 27, 2008

Rural Lifestyle, we talk about it.  Welcome to Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country this nation's only full hour live radio talk show dedicated to living on small farms and acreages.  This isn't a "farm show" but we do talk about farming, sustainable agriculture, horses, cattle, meat goats, fresh produce and the things that impact your rural lifestyle.

If you live in Central Iowa you can hear us on 98.3 WOW-FM or you can listen live using your computer.  All you need to do is follow this link and sign up.  Welcome to the show.

This morning we talked with our friend Joe Leisz from the Iowa 4-H Foundation.  (If you are reading this after the show aired you can listen to Joe by clicking this link!)  While in many ways this is still a program your grandfather would recognize, 4-H has been busy re-defining themselves to match the changing times.  As Joe mentioned, there are fewer and fewer full time farmers here in Iowa so the program has moved along with the times and focused on smaller farm and acreage programs.  While the core issues have remained, new things are always being added.

And, Joe talked about funding and keeping Iowa 4-H sustainable well into the future.  We also discussed how Iowa ranks with other 4-H states.  Our thanks for another great conversation with our friend Joe Leisz.

We also discussed how lives are being changed with skyrocketing fuel prices and how folks are spending less.    If you live in the country, it is becoming more and more vital to be hooked up to high speed Internet and about how that one move might save thousands of dollars in commuting.  A common issue among many folks living the rural lifestyle.  Brian Sommer sums it up with one word - Trust.

What about Rural America and business growth?  The Federal Reserve Bank out of Kansas City offered up an interesting presentation last week.  The bottom line for folks living in Rural America and the HOT BUTTONS we should be focusing on:  Value Added Agriculture, Product Specific Agriculture (farm to home or farm to market all controlled by the farmer...think Farmer's Markets), Recreation and Natural Resources, Advanced Manufacturing and finally High Skilled Services.   We've said it for YEARS...opportunities abound in Rural America...if we pay attention. Here is a copy of Jason Henderson's outline from his speech at the Ag and Natural Resources Conference.

We had an interesting story about the "coolness" of being a farmer!  That's right.  While bankers and athletes fell in "prestige points" farmers gained five points.  The Harris Poll, taken in July of 2007, takes a look at public perceptions of 23 professions and occupations.  It's interesting reading and for those of you involved in marketing...this is good stuff.

It's been all over the news...if you have been paying attention.  There is now food rationing here in the United States of America.  Last week Wal-Mart announced it would sell a maximum of four bags of rice per customer at it's Sam's Club locations.  The price of rice has jumped 68% since January of this year.  We talked about it and here's the story.

Our Highway 6 - Tip of the Week was about creating or restoring a Native Prairie. 

All of this AND Joe Leisz...quite a morning for the Rural Lifestyle Folks on Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country.

Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country is 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 acreage and small farm needs. Locate your local Allied independent insurance agent by going online.  Allied Insurance now with "CountryChoice  - For the Way you Live."

Acreage - The Magazine for Rural Living.  Acreage is a magazine packed with information about living the rural lifestyle.  Tips and information on equipment, best practices, rural issues come to your door each month along with beautiful photos of the rural lifestyle.  You can subscribe if you head to the Acreage Website.  "Acreage - Country Living at it's Finest"!

Country Vet Pet Foods - Dog and cat food for every stage of your pets life.  Now with over 900 dealers nationwide you're sure to find one near you.  For the Country Vet dealer locater just jump to the website.  "Country Vet Pet Food - Loved by Pets, Trusted by Owners".

Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds - We talk allot about horses because we think there is a special bond between humans and their equine pals.  Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds gets that message too.  You'll find a feed for every level of your horses activity.  For your local dealer head to the website.  "Running Horse - For the Long Run".

Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications - A full service advertising agency that also "gets" the rural lifestyle and agriculture.  You make the product or service and let us help you make it great!

Michael P. Libbie - Acreage Owner and Host...thanks for reading.