Rural Lifestyle on Highway 6

Rural Lifestyle News & Bikes - (It will be warm...someday!)

Welcome to Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country this nations only full hour, live talk show that centers on small farm and acreage living.  We're on each Sunday morning at 8 on 98.3 WOW-FM here in Central Iowa.  If you missed the show from today...no worry!  Just click here to download when you want!

Highway 6 and Impromptu Studio made national news with our idea of taking co-working rural.  Carolyn Orr of AgClips, a service of the regional council of state governments, featured our story "above the fold" this week.  If you missed it, we were talking about how, in a public/private partnership could take broadband Internet to rural Iowa towns by linking into the miles of fiber optic lines running to most libraries and educational areas.  Here is that story from last week and thanks Carolyn!

Our guest this week is Dan Kruzic (r) of the Des Moines Cycle Club.  (BURRRR)  So, what does this have to do with Rural Lifestyles?  Plenty, it's many of these "city types" who are taking their love of bicycle riding and their money into rural parts of Iowa (and other states) as they take advantage of the hundreds of miles of trails.  Think of it as Agri-Tourism on two wheels.  We talked with Dan about that impact and about an up coming ride that takes folks "into the country".  Dan Kruzick our guest today on Highway 6.

In addition we've got a number of news stories we're following:

While you and I are paying record prices for cheese and milk products the price dairy farmers are getting for their milk may not be enough to keep them in business much less pay feed costs for their herd.  So says Dairy Today in this story out of Indiana.  Bottom line:  Not since the Great Depression have milk prices been so...depressed.

For those of you who love to hate SPAM (we're talkin' the canned meat, not the e-mails) this is news!  Hormel has announced they are taking this delicacy to China.  Yum...  "Say honey, what's for supper tonight boiled dog or SPAM?"  Here is the story.

Congress is proposing billions of dollars for Rural America and in that bill is 6 billion dollars for taking Broadband Internet to "under-served areas".  Lots of holes in the plan but our friends at the Daily Yonder have the details.

Got a dog and give him or her treats?  Petsmartrecently recalled pet treats "Grrreat Choice Dog Biscuits" because of the contaminated peanut butter scare.  In addition "Puppy Chow Snack Mix" and "Happy Trails Multi Flavored Dog Biscuits" are also gone.  Here is a listing of products recently recalled.  Meanwhile, "Country Vet Dog Biscuits" have been deemed safe by the manufacturer.  Here is the story we did last week about Country Vet.

All of this and Dan Kruzic from the Des Moines Cycle Club on Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country.

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

Allied Insurance- Learn more about protecting your home, small farm, acreage, business or vehicle from a local independent Allied Insurance agent.  Find them online and learn about Country Choice - "For the way you live".

Kubota & Capital City Equipment- Your small farm or acreage could use a partner.  Why not one of the best compact tractors on the market?  See them all at Capital City Equipment just north of I35/80 here in Des Moines.  Go Orange - With Capital City Equipment of Des Moines and Ames.

Country Vet Pet Foods - A complete line of pet foods for your best friend.  Now with over 900 dealers you're sure to find one near you.  Here in Central Iowa you'll find Country Vet at Shoppers Supply.  Country Vet - "Loved by Pets, Trusted by Owners".

Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds - No matter if you have one or a dozen horses you'll love the value of Running Horse and your horse will love this feed packed with nutrition.  Learn more and go with Running Horse - "For the Long Run!"

Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications - That is our company.  We're a full service advertising agency that understands the rural lifestyle and how to connect with folks living on small farms or acreages.  We make business happen with insight.

Thanks for Reading and for Listening!

Michael P. Libbie - Acreage Owner/Host

 

Impromptu Studio For Rural America? - Dan Shipton

This morning on Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country we had an interesting discussion about how to create Broadband access to much of Rural America by creating a co-working space much the same as our guest Dan Shipton has done in urban Des Moines with Impromptu Studio.

We set the stage by talking about how remote workers  are being embraced by many "brick and mortar" organizations.  There was a time when employers said you MUST come into the office to work.  Today "virtual workers" no longer make the trip into the city center but are able to work from home.  The company, according to the Harvard Business Review, who welcomes virtual workers gets some great people and often the output is better than that from "captive" employees.  In addition the urban company doesn't have the expense of larger office buildings and more of those dreaded cubicles.

For some people that don't mind working on their own, that's a great deal.  For others that miss working with a group of people or have trouble with home distractions it can be an issue.

Enter co-working.  Dan Shipton brought Impromptu Studio to Des Moines last summer.  Following a meeting with him last week we got to wondering if this model might work for Rural America NOW rather than waiting for the government to build a system.  (If you are on the city council of a small town or a supervisor of a rural county...check this out.)

Here is how it would work:

A coffee shop, cafe or a current empty store front in Small Town America runs high speed wireless Internet into their location.  Here in Iowa we have miles and miles of unused or underused FIBER OPTIC cable strung to schools and libraries.  In a public/private partnership the new Co-Working Studio uses that high speed connection (or an established connection in town) and sets up a facility where rural employees travel three miles to work, rather than thirty.  Not only people working FOR a company but also what a boost to rural based business people who can create economic development using the Internet now rather than waiting for the hook -up.

Hmmmm...

Your thoughts?

Michael P. Libbie - Acreage Owner and Host

Making A Living In Rural America - With Daniel Shipton

Welcome to Highway 6 Your Road to the Country, this nations only live, full hour radio show dedicated to the rural lifestyle.  If you live on a small farm or acreage or just want to some day, this is the show that talks about you.  We're heard each Sunday Morning at 8 on 98.3 WOW-FM here in Central Iowa.  If you missed the show today, here is the PODCAST link.

Today on the show we spent some time talking about ways to enter the corporate world...by not making the trip.  Our guest will be Daniel Shipton (right) of Impromptu Studio of Des Moines.  We're going to talk about his work model created in Des Moines last summer and how, with a little tweaking, it might be an answer for Rural America not yet tied to Broadband.  It was a great conversation and if people tied to rural government were listening.  You may have learned something.  This might be something for you to look into.

We've also got a story about Rural Health Issues.  Seems folks out here are not as healthy as a few years ago.  Here's the story from the Center for Rural Affairs.

Make some money with veggies!  Honest.  Commercial growers cut back their planting last year.  That opens up a market for you....even if you live in town. Here is something from the Southwest Farm Press.  Make sure you look beyond the headline.  Here is another report about lower costs and increased usage.  Is there something your small acreage or farm can produce that will make a difference, locally?

We've got a story about remote offices and how remote workers are catching on with corporations all over the country.  The reason:  The need for an expanded worker pool without the cost of infrastructure....the benefit:  Often the work is better quality.

And, as a tie in to our guest Daniel Shipton, we discussed money making opportunities as we wait for Broadband to hit Rural America.

Be listening this morning at 8 only on 983wowfm.

Highway 6 Your Road to the Country is proudly brought to you by Allied Insurance, Kubota and Capital City Equipment, Country Vet Pet Food, Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds, Acreage - The Magazine of Rural Living and our company,Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications.

Thanks for reading...and here is the link to our Podcast from today!

Michael Libbie - Acreage Owner and Host

Rural Lifestyle Radio - Highway 6

Welcome to the online version of Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country this nations only full hour, live radio talk show dealing with living on small farms and acreages.  We're heard each Sunday morning at 8 on 98.3 WOW-FM. 

This week we're talking Rural Broadband Internet.  A couple of weeks ago, President-Elect Obama indicated his support for improvement of our nations infrastructure that includes broadband Internet.  That, my friends is good news for Rural America!  In a story from The Morning Sun newspaper we even see a quote from Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar linking the Internet to the electrification projects of the 1939's.  She must have been listening to our show.  We've been making the same claim for nearly two years.  Now, let's make it happen!

Food prices dipped slightly during the fourth quarter of 2008.  Finally.  It's been a tough year at the supermarket but even worse for farmers.  Even though food costs are up, farmers are getting less of a percentage than what they did 30 years ago.  From nearly 33% to just 19% according to the USDA.  We had the full story.

Highly likely that if you own a rural home the value of your property increased in 2008.  That's not the case for urban homeowners.  We had that story from the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank.  Good stuff.

Also, a short departure from small farms and acreages.  I need to talk with you about marketing and advertising so we're taking a slight detour.  Here is the story:

We're talking business this morning.  In particular marketing and advertising.   This past week I was in a meeting where I heard business owners talking about cutting their advertising and marketing budgets.  That conversation led me to talking about what a BAD idea it is.  Here is the article I wrote this week and we're expanding on that issue on the show today.  If you own or work for a business that advertises a product or service and if you have the ear of the decision makers...listen up.  All of this and a whole lot more on the show this morning.

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

Allied Insurance - For information about insuring your home, acreage, small farm or vehicle see your local Independent Allied Insurance agent.  Allied Insurance, now with Country Choice - "For the way you live!"

Kubota & Capital City Equipment - Living on a small farm or acreage means you've got work to do.  And, Kubota is up to the job.  Find a complete line of quality Kubota tractors and the all new RTV-500 at Capital City Equipment.  Go Orange with Kubota and Capital City Equipment.

Country Vet Pet Foods - The finest food for your best friend comes from Country Vet.  With over 900 dealers nationwide you're sure to find one near you.  Here in Central Iowa you can find Country Vet at Shoppers Supply.  Country Vet - Loved by Pets, Trusted by Owners.

Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds - Running Horse Feed is something special.   You and your horse will notice the difference right away.  Feed less...because there is less waste and higher nutritional returns.  "Running Horse - For the Long Run!"

Acreage Magazine - The magazine of rural living packed with information about living on a small farm or acreage.  A monthly magazine in full color that should be in your home.

Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications - That's our company.  If you are looking for increased sales and a solid advertising campaign...call us.  We "get it".

Thanks for reading...and for listening!

Michael P. Libbie - Acreage Owner & Host

 

Let's Talk Business - This Week On Highway 6 Radio

Welcome to Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country this nations only full hour, live talk show that centers on rural living and the rural lifestyle.  We're heard each Sunday morning at 8 on 98.3 WOW-FM(983wowfm) here in Central Iowa.  And, if you don't live "in these parts" you can pick us up using your computer.  Here is the listen live link!

This Sunday we've got several news stories regarding the economy and rural living.  The impact of what is going on in the nation has a significant impact on our rural lifestyle.

But, something else...  We're also going to take some time talking about business.  The two key things our company knows about is advertising and marketing.  This week we're going to spend the second half hour of the show talking about those two issues.  So...

If you know of a person who owns a small business or that just might be you.  Let's visit about what we think you SHOULD be doing right now.  Today to capture a bigger share of the market.

The Business of Advertising and Marketing this week on Highway 6 -  Your Road to the Country.

Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country is proudly brought to you by Allied Insurance, Kubota and Capital City Equipment, Country Vet Pet Food, Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds, Acreage - The Magazine of Rural Living and Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications.

Thanks for reading....and for listening!

Michael P. Libbie - Acreage Owner and Host

Food For Thought - Organics

Welcome to Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country, this nation's only live full hour talk show about living the rural lifestyle on small farms and acreages.  Thanks for stopping by for the visual part of the radio show heard each week on 98.3 WOW-FM (983wowfm) in Central Iowa, or if you use your computer you can catch us nearly anywhere on the planet.

First, an apology.  The show you heard this past Sunday was a recording of a previous show.  We had billed it as a discussion with Jim Clewell of Kubota/Capital City Equipment but the station ran a show recorded earlier with Craig Dick of Calcium Products.  For those of you wanting to hear about compact tractors you got an ear full of soil science.  Hey, they are all great shows...but for those of you expecting tractor talk...we'll have Jim on again soon.

The reason the show was recorded is because I'm in Overland Park, Kansas at The Western Show a closed trade show for the turf and landscaping industry sponsored by the Western Nursery and Landscape Association.  Here owners of retail and commercial lawn , landscape and garden centers buy products from manufacturers and distributors for the coming year.

Like all trade shows there are plenty of publications being distributed to the attendees.  Yesterday I picked up Country Folks Grower (Midwest Edition).  It's a newspaper for commercial horticulture.  This one dated January, 2009.  The second story I read is by writer Bill McNutt about organics where he is quoting a recent report by Dr. Larry Phelan of Ohio State University where he talks about organic crop research.  Here is a quote about soil conditions/organics:

"...reduced nitrogen application in organic cultural methods increases carbon content in the soil.  There is less leaching and runoff of nutrients, much better weed control because of N starvation, plus a nearly one-third increase in yield over other organic growing methods."

What does all of that mean?  First it tells us we can get by with LESS not more fertilizer, second he is talking about the science of soil.  Exactly what Craig Dick was saying during the show on Sunday.  More fertilizer application continues to do negative things to our soil, water...and us(?).  It's an interesting discussion and one we continue to have here on Highway 6.

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

Allied Insurance - For insurance information for your home, acreage, small farm, business or vehicle see your local independent Allied Insurance agent.  Allied Insurance now with Country Choice, "For the Way You Live".

Kubota & Capital City Equipment - You've got work to do and Kubota is up to the job.  You'll find the tractor, attachments and the advice you need when you visit Capital City Equipment of Ames and Des Moines.  Go Orange with Capital City Equipment & Kubota.

Country Vet Pet Foods - A complete line of pet foods for your best friend.  With over 900 dealers you're sure to find one near you.  Country Vet can be found in Iowa at Shoppers Supply.  Country Vet - Loved by Pets, Trusted by Owners.

Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds - A brand new way of feeding horses that brings results quickly.  Find your local dealer on line.  Running Horse - For the Long Run.

Acreage Magazine - It is the magazine of rural living featuring articles and information for your rural lifestyle.  Own a small farm or acreage?   Acreage Magazine should be in your home.

Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications - We're an advertising agency that creates stunning marketing plans for your business.  Want to sell more?  Market better.  That's what we do...everyday.

Thanks for reading and for listening,

Michael Libbie - Acreage Owner / Host

Kubota & Jim Clewell This Sunday - Rural Living

It's a pleasure to welcome back to Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country, Jim Clewell, our friend from Capital City Equipment the Kubota dealer in Des Moines and Ames.  Jim was kind enough to come out and record a show for us back in November and because I'm headed to The Western Show sponsored by the Western Nursery and Landscape Association I'll not be in studio. 

Jim Clewell has been dealing with small farm and acreage owners for years and he understands the issues these folks so often face.  He's in to talk about the various models of Kubota tractors he sells, what are the most popular attachments and about service during and after the sale.  Jim makes it all seem so simple.  Be listening Sunday morning at 8 on 98.3 WOW-FM (983wowfm) for Highway 6 - Your Road to the Countryand our friend Jim Clewell of Capital City Equipment.  If you want to listen live, just click this link and you'll be there.

We'll return, live, next week with another show dedicated to living the rural lifestyle on small farms and acreages.  Have a great weekend!

Michael Libbie - Acreage Owner and Host

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

Allied Insurance - Learn more about protection for your home, acreage, small farm, business or vehicle from your independent Allied Insurance agent in your town.  Allied Insurance, now with Country Choice - "For the Way You Live".

Kubota and Capital City Equipment - You've got work to do on your small farm or acreage and Kubota is up to the job.  See what's new and learn more about the quality that comes from Kubota at Capital City Equipment, Des Moines & Ames.  "Go Orange with Capital City Equipment".

Country Vet Pet Foods - A complete line of pet food for your best friend.  Over 900 dealers nationwide you're sure to find one near you.  In Central Iowa you can find Country Vet at Shoppers Supply.  "Country Vet - Loved by Pets, Trusted by Owners!"

Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds - Running Horse is an exceptional feed source for your herd and a feed that brings positive results quickly.  Learn more about Running Horse and find your dealer online.  "Running Horse - For the Long Run!"

Acreage Magazine - Country Living at it's Finest.  Get the information you need to help make living on a small farm or acreage a real pleasure.  Acreage is a monthly magazine packed with useful tips for living the rural lifestyle.

Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications - That's us.  We understand how to drive sales through thoughtful and effective advertising messages.  Print, radio, television or Internet...we're here to help you sell more.