Rural Lifestyle on Highway 6

Let's Talk Compact Tractors with Jim Clewell

This past Sunday on Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country, our friend, Jim Clewell, came by the studio to talk tractors.  Jim works with our sponsor Kubota and Capital City Equipment of Ames and Des Moines.  And...tractors and the rural lifestyle is something he knows about!  Jim and his wife live on 40 acres in Madison County, Iowa and use their compact tractor all the time.  Now, sure we talked about Kubota...but we also spent some time on answering questions posted by listeners and Jim gave some suggestions about the "new" vs. "used" and some spring tips for keeping your tractor running...for a long, long time.

We've posted his interview here...just in case you want to skip the "news" portion of the show.

Our thanks to Jim for making the trip up to the studios and taking some time discussing compact tractors and the rural lifestyle.

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

Allied Insurance - For insurance answers for your small farm, acreage, business or vehicle see you local independent Allied Insurance Agent.  Allied Insurance - "Now with Country Choice, for the way you live."

Kubota and Capital City Equipment- Owing a small farm or acreage means you've got work to do.  Why not partner with a real "workhorse", a Kubota tractor and all the attachments you'll need.  Get 'em from Capital City Equipment in Ames and Des Moines.  Go Orange with Kubota!

Country Vet Pet Food – A complete line of pet food for your best friend.  You can find your dealer on-line or, here in Central Iowa, you can pick up Country Vet at Shoppers Supply.  Country Vet Pet Food - "Loved by Pets, Trusted by Owners!"

Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds - Owning a horse has it's issues.  One of them is the equine digestive system.  Now, with Running Horse, that's less an issue than before.  Running Horse is formulated to help prevent digestive problems while creating a better horse..from inside out.  "Running Horse - For the Long Run!"

AquaFuzion of Iowa - Clean, great tasting water is what they do.  Stop wasting money on bottled water, replacement of appliances and using more and more soaps.  Rural or urban, AquaFuzion of Iowa and the General Electric Pro-Elite water system brings you water that is...perfect

Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications - We're a full service advertising agency that specializes in rural lifestyle and agriculture.  You make a product or service...let us help you make it great with a solid marketing plan.

Michael Libbie - Acreage Owner & Host

 

Tis The Season & Jim Clewell - Kubota

This morning I noticed a couple of Twitter messages from some horse friends in Texas.  @WalkingHorse was telling us about a storm they weathered last night.  It brought back some very vivid memories.

For those of you who've been "in the eye" of a tornado with livestock, you know where I'm headed.  It happened to us twice.  It was a Sunday afternoon in early summer and the Midwest weather was threatening.  Living in the country doesn't give us the luxury of sirens.  So we depend on radio and our own experience.  We saw it coming before we got the radio report.  Just in time to let the horses in...and head to the shelter.  Lucky for us the tornado touched down 300  yards away in an empty field.

That was daytime.

The other was much more scary.  When it's the middle of the night, the lights are out and the wind is blowing from two directions at the same time.  You know you're in trouble.  It was 4am, the rain was coming down from the south and the north.  The bottom of my yellow slicker was blowing east.  I couldn't see a thing but I could hear it.  That and the noise of the horses as I went from stall to stall letting them.   I figured they had a better chance in 400 acres than in a barn that was rocking. 

There is vulnerability yet a sense of calm in a situation like this.  Did I do the right thing?  Putting the horses in or letting them out?  I don't know but once again we were spared. 

And, that is the seasonal reality.  Be safe out there and thanks for the memory jog.

Coming up this Sunday on Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country we'll welcome our friend Jim Clewell from Kubota and Capital City Equipment.  Jim will be in to talk about spring tips for tractor owners.   Some of the new Kubota items available and we'll visit about the benefits of owning new vs. buying somebody else's problems.

We'll be talking compact tractors Sunday morning with our friend Jim Clewell...join us?

Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country is this nations only live full hour radio show dedicated to the rural lifestyle.  If you own an acreage or small farm, raise meat goats to horses this is the place for you each and every Sunday morning at 8.  If you live in Central Iowa you can pick us up on 98.3 WOW-FM (983wowfm) or if you're outside the listening area you can still listen using your computer.  We stream the show live.  And, if all that is too early...you can download the podcast and listen when you want.  Ain't technology great?

And, when not here or on the air you can follow us on Twitter - @RuralLifeRadio just click the link and you're there.

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

Allied Insurance - For insurance answers for your small farm, acreage, business or vehicle see you local independent Allied Insurance Agent.  Allied Insurance - "Now with Country Choice, for the way you live."

Kubota and Capital City Equipment- Owing a small farm or acreage means you've got work to do.  Why not partner with a real "workhorse", a Kubota tractor and all the attachments you'll need.  Get 'em from Capital City Equipment in Ames and Des Moines.  Go Orange with Kubota!

Country Vet Pet Food – A complete line of pet food for your best friend.  You can find your dealer on-line or, here in Central Iowa, you can pick up Country Vet at Shoppers Supply.  Country Vet Pet Food - "Loved by Pets, Trusted by Owners!"

Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds - Owning a horse has it's issues.  One of them is the equine digestive system.  Now, with Running Horse, that's less an issue than before.  Running Horse is formulated to help prevent digestive problems while creating a better horse..from inside out.  "Running Horse - For the Long Run!"

AquaFuzion of Iowa

- Clean, great tasting water is what they do.  Stop wasting money on bottled water, replacement of appliances and using more and more soaps.  Rural or urban, AquaFuzion of Iowa and the General Electric Pro-Elite water system brings you water that is...perfect

  SpotGone! from NatraTurf- If winter kill, salt and pet urine has done a number on your lawn you need SpotGone from NatraTurf.  Natural, organic and it contains no dyes or foreign grass seed.  Just sprinkle on water and in weeks the spot is gone!  Keep the Dog - Lose the Spot with SpotGonefrom NatraTurf.

Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications - We're a full service advertising agency that specializes in rural lifestyle and agriculture.  You make a product or service...let us help you make it great with a solid marketing plan.

Michael Libbie - Acreage Owner & Host

 

 

Rural Broadband - The Free Market Issue

Welcome to Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country this nation's only full hour live radio talk show that deals with living on small farms, acreages or the tiny towns that dot our great land.  The show can be heard each Sunday morning at 8 but at 98.3 WOW-FM(983wowfm).. or by listening live when we stream the show to your computer.  In the meantime we continue to follow stories of interest for for folks living the rural lifestyle and we'll talk about them here.

The lack of rural broadband, according to study after study (Here is a link to the Kauffman Report see page 42) , is a major obstacle in the economic development of Rural America but...because there are so few voices "out here" we tend to get forgotten.  Just yesterday I was having a Twitter discussion (@RuralLifeRadio) with a new friend (@aaronwebb) who sent me this note:

"My wife and I are in the process of relocating to a rural setting. We have been wanting to move out of the city for some time and now seems to be the time where things are coming together. One thing I have experienced is lack of broadband. My business depends on it so it's a requirement for me.

Having said that, what are the big inhibitors to getting broadband coverage across the state? What is preventing this from becoming a good business opportunity? Seems like there must be some big barrier to entry...possibly a cost factor. Is it infrastructure that needs to be constructed? Seems like if it were a profitable business some enterprising fellow would have taken it on but that's just the free
market entrepreneur in me speaking."

The issue...is money.  I answered Aaron in the e-mail but thought you might like to learn what I said: 

The "free market" does not always work.  I know that sounds like blasphemy to those of us who take so much of what we have for granted.  Things like the Interstate Highway System a Government project of the 1950's or running electric wires to farms in the 1930's & 1940's.  Yet another government project.

You see, just like with rural broadband Internet, there wasn't much of a financial incentive to provide electrical service to Rural America because there was no way a company could pay for the capital outlay by selling service to two or three homes in a square mile of countryside.  The numbers just did not work.

That's why there is new hope with the 57 billion dollars the president has suggested go to improve things like rural broadband.  We believe, if done well, we will see Rural America surge in new economic adventures and think of the savings of fuel we'll see when workers no longer have to commute 30 miles "into town".  They can stay home or co-work in smaller towns.

So...what are your answers and...Aaron, thanks for the question!

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

Allied Insurance - For insurance answers for your small farm, acreage, business or vehicle see you local independent Allied Insurance Agent.  Allied Insurance - "Now with Country Choice, for the way you live."

Kubota and Capital City Equipment- Owing a small farm or acreage means you've got work to do.  Why not partner with a real "workhorse", a Kubota tractor and all the attachments you'll need.  Get 'em from Capital City Equipment in Ames and Des Moines.  Go Orange with Kubota!

Country Vet Pet Food – A complete line of pet food for your best friend.  You can find your dealer on-line or, here in Central Iowa, you can pick up Country Vet at Shoppers Supply.  Country Vet Pet Food - "Loved by Pets, Trusted by Owners!"

Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds - Owning a horse has it's issues.  One of them is the equine digestive system.  Now, with Running Horse, that's less an issue than before.  Running Horse is formulated to help prevent digestive problems while creating a better horse..from inside out.  "Running Horse - For the Long Run!"

AquaFuzion of Iowa- Clean, great tasting water is what they do.  Stop wasting money on bottled water, replacement of appliances and using more and more soaps.  Rural or urban, AquaFuzion of Iowa and the General Electric Pro-Elite water system brings you water that is...perfect

Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications - We're a full service advertising agency that specializes in rural lifestyle and agriculture.  You make a product or service...let us help you make it great with a solid marketing plan.

Michael Libbie - Acreage Owner & Host

Smith Family Farm & Rural Lifestyle News - March 22

Welcome to Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country this nation's only full hour, live radio talk show dealing with living on small farms, acreages, and in rural towns.  We talk about small scale farming, horses, cattle, farmer's markets, organics and the way of life enjoyed by nearly 40 million households.  We're heard each Sunday morning at 8 Central Time on 98.3 WOW-FM (983wowfm) or you can listen live by using your computer.  

Stay in touch with us all week long:  Here is the link to our Twitter Address!(RuralLifeRadio)  And, we monitor that site all week long to interact with folks from all over the world.

Our special guest this morning are the folks from The Smith Family Farm located in the shadow of Washington, D.C.  This is a five generation farm that does things a little different.  We visited with Brad Smith about taking care of critters, kids, how the Internet has improved their financial picture and live on a very diversified chemical free farm. Again, here is the show from today.

In our segment:  Fast Takes for Rural America we had these stories:

PETA wants Louisiana to help them set up a "Chicken Empathy Museum"...ok.

Horse slaughter is front and center again this week.  Lots of activity.  Here is the lowdown from Montana as their legislature is trying to deal with the issue.  The folks against it vow to take the legislators down.  Meanwhile in Illinois their government is re-thinking the State Ban on Horse Slaughter. 

Coming out of Minnesota, their legislature wants to call horses, Livestock.

The New York Times ran this article about antibiotics in food.

So, last week did you hear about National Agriculture Week?  We doubt it...just another signal of the deep divide between rural and urban.

From our "say it ain't so" file:  We're saying goodbye to VeraSun as they have found buyers, at auction, for their struggling ethanol plants and now we've got a string of folks calling ethanol the Fuel American's Love to Hate.  Yikes!

Fertilizer prices are still very high so farmers are waiting for wholesale folks and co-ops to lower them.  "Nothing doing!", say the sellers.  "We got caught buying high priced fertilizer and we'll take a hit if we sell low."  So farmers are finding ways to increase yield but decrease costs.  That's what our friends at Calcium Products, Inc. have been doing for years.

Here is a neat story from our friends at the Des Moines Register about tiny Grant, Iowa (pop. 93) and Zelda's Hayloft Bar the kind of place that helps hold a community together.  Nice bit from writer Mike Kilen.

All of this an a whole lot more on Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country!

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

Allied Insurance - For insurance answers for your small farm, acreage, business or vehicle see you local independent Allied Insurance Agent.  Allied Insurance - "Now with Country Choice, for the way you live."

Kubota and Capital City Equipment- Owing a small farm or acreage means you've got work to do.  Why not partner with a real "workhorse", a Kubota tractor and all the attachments you'll need.  Get 'em from Capital City Equipment in Ames and Des Moines.  Go Orange with Kubota!

Country Vet Pet Food - A complete line of pet food for your best friend.  You can find your dealer on-line or, here in Central Iowa, you can pick up Country Vet at Shoppers Supply.  Country Vet Pet Food - "Loved by Pets, Trusted by Owners!"

Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds - Owning a horse has it's issues.  One of them is the equine digestive system.  Now, with Running Horse, that's less an issue than before.  Running Horse is formulated to help prevent digestive problems while creating a better horse..from inside out.  "Running Horse - For the Long Run!"

AquaFuzion of Iowa- Clean, great tasting water is what they do.  Stop wasting money on bottled water, replacement of appliances and using more and more soaps.  Rural or urban, AquaFuzion of Iowa and the General Electric Pro-Elite water system brings you water that is...perfect

Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications - We're a full service advertising agency that specializes in rural lifestyle and agriculture.  You make a product or service...let us help you make it great with a solid marketing plan.

Michael Libbie - Acreage Owner & Host

 

 

 

This Week on Highway 6 Radio

Rural Lifestyle, let's talk about it on Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country this nation's only full hour, live radio talk show dealing with living on small farms, acreages or in the tiny towns of America.  We're heard each Sunday morning at 8 on 98.3 WOW-FM (983wowfm) here in Central Iowa OR, if you use your computer you can listen from nearly anywhere on the planet.  Just click this link to listen live.

So, what's up this Sunday?

It's official..this is the first weekend of Spring 2009.  We're going to talk about what that means to many rural folks getting ready for all kinds of activity.

"Step away from the produce section at the grocery store!"  That seems to be the call across the country as American's opt to grow their own.  Even the White House, as urban as it gets, has gotten into the action.  We'll talk about it.

Say goodbye to VeraSun.  Just a few short months ago the Midwest based ethanol manufacturer was the darling of the industry.  Now, all of their plants have been sold at auction.  What's gong on?  We'll talk about it.

Spring means...Farmers Markets going to start up soon.  And, everywhere you look in the United States it is a booming industry.  (Here in Central Iowa several new markets will start up this season.)  We're going to talk about that and what the farmers market means to urban and rural economies.

And, speaking of Farmers Markets we'll visit with some folks getting ready for the season and they are our special guests this week.  The Smith Family Farm is a five generation operation based just outside of Gainesville, Virginia.  They'll be here to talk about their unique blend of selling beef, pork, turkey and chicken all raised on the low impact farm near the Manassas National Battlefield.  The products they sell are completely free of antibiotics, growth hormones, steroids, fertilizers and pesticides.  WHAT?  YOU MEAN YOU CAN ACTUALLY DO THAT?  Yep.  Their critters don't do drugs!  Good stuff and we're glad they agreed to visit with us.

All of that...and...much more!  We've got new stuff to give away and new things to talk about.  Join us this Sunday at 8 for Highway 6 Your Road to the Country.  And, if you want to follow us on Twitter through the week...just click here and let's visit.

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

Allied Insurance - For insurance answers for your small farm, acreage, business or vehicle see you local independent Allied Insurance Agent.  Allied Insurance - "Now with Country Choice, for the way you live."

Kubota and Capital City Equipment - Owing a small farm or acreage means you've got work to do.  Why not partner with a real "workhorse", a Kubota tractor and all the attachments you'll need.  Get 'em from Capital City Equipment in Ames and Des Moines.  Go Orange with Kubota!

Country Vet Pet Food - A complete line of pet food for your best friend.  You can find your dealer on-line or, here in Central Iowa, you can pick up Country Vet at Shoppers Supply.  Country Vet Pet Food - "Loved by Pets, Trusted by Owners!"

Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds - Owning a horse has it's issues.  One of them is the equine digestive system.  Now, with Running Horse, that's less an issue than before.  Running Horse is formulated to help prevent digestive problems while creating a better horse..from inside out.  "Running Horse - For the Long Run!"

AquaFuzion of Iowa 

- Clean water is important for folks living in urban and rural Iowa.  That's what AquaFuzion of Iowa brings to you.  AquaFuzion of Iowa for water that's perfect.

NatraTurf - If you're looking for a chemical free way to build your lawn, golf course, care for your garden or even get rid of pet urine spots, it's NatraTurf now with SpotGone!  We'll be giving away bags of SpotGone to help introduce the product.  Listen on Sunday!

Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications - We're a full service advertising agency that specializes in rural lifestyle and agriculture.  You make a product or service...let us help you make it great with a solid marketing plan.

Michael Libbie - Acreage Owner & Host - Thanks for listening and for reading!

 

Today - Sunday March 15 - Rural Life Radio

Welcome to Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country this nation's only full hour, live talk show dealing with living on small farms and acreages.  We're heard each Sunday morning at 8am (Central Time) on 98.3 WOW-FM or if you don't live in Central Iowa you can hear us by using your computer and steam live by clicking this link.  Thanks for reading and for listening.

And, following the show we'll post the podcast right here so you can listen when you want.  AND...yes, there is more!...if you want to follow us on Twitter we're RuralLIfeRadio you can follow us online to ask questions and interact all week long.  Technology...ain't it great!

So, what's on the show this week, besides our special guest Shannon Ramsey from Trees Forever?  Let's count them down:

We're talking horses...again.  Recently there was a "non" interview with the president of the United States Humane Society about what the heck are we going to do with all the neglected and unwanted horses.  Guess what that answer was?   Silence.  Here is the non-interview from the Norman, OK newspaper.

While we're at it, you might remember our story about Mrs. T. Boone Pickens and her desire to set up a non-profit designed to take care of 30,000 wild horses on a one-million acre ranch?  The Bureau of Land Management said, "no".  Here is that story.

Does Tom Vilsack head up the "most important" department in the US Government?  It might be.  How so?  This story asks "What are we doing to ourselves?".   Americans eat one in five meals in their cars, gas stations make more money from food and cigarettes than from gasoline and one in three children eat fast food everyday.  The USDA very well may be the most important department in government.  Here is that story.

Let's look at the stories we're introducing in our "Fast Takes on Rural America.  These are stories you'll not find in any other medium but...we've got them because we feel they are important to Rural America.  Let's go:

CMT and Carrie Underwood and the Humane Society...oh my.

Iowa State University looks at environmental impact of organic beef production.

Yard Birds are back in North Carolina...and welcome!

COSCO has an online survey about animals - You should take it.

Grocery stores angry at food manufacturers, "The cost of food too high!"

Dog breeders looking for help from agriculture as they battle PETA.

All of this and our special guest, Shannon Ramsey talking about trees and Trees Forever.  It's a great show line up for anybody living the rural lifestyle or for folks wanting to know more about living on small farms, acreages or in "small town USA".

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

Allied Insurance - For insurance answers for your small farm, acreage, business or vehicle see you local independent Allied Insurance Agent.  Allied Insurance - "Now with Country Choice, for the way you live."

Kubota and Capital City Equipment

- Owing a small farm or acreage means you've got work to do.  Why not partner with a real "workhorse", a Kubota tractor and all the attachments you'll need.  Get 'em from Capital City Equipment in Ames and Des Moines.  Go Orange with Kubota!

AquaFuzion of Iowa - It doesn't matter if you live in town or in the country good, clean water is important and Aquafuzion of Iowa can make your water...perfect.

Country Vet Pet Food - A complete line of pet food for your best friend.  You can find your dealer on-line or, here in Central Iowa, you can pick up Country Vet at Shoppers Supply.  Country Vet Pet Food - "Loved by Pets, Trusted by Owners!"

Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds - Owning a horse has it's issues.  One of them is the equine digestive system.  Now, with Running Horse, that's less an issue than before.  Running Horse is formulated to help prevent digestive problems while creating a better horse..from inside out.  "Running Horse - For the Long Run!"

Acreage the Magazine of Rural Living - Each month Acreage hits your mailbox with the latest information on living the rural lifestyle.  Great tips and ideas every month.  To order your subscription...click here.

Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications - We're a full service advertising agency that specializes in rural lifestyle and agriculture.  You make a product or service...let us help you make it great with a solid marketing plan.

Michael Libbie - Acreage Owner & Host

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rural Life News, Tips and Trees Forever - This Sunday!

Welcome to Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country!  We're this nations only full hour, live talk show that deals with rural lifestyle news, tips and information.  Each Sunday morning at 8 we can be heard anywhere on the planet by using your computer to listen live.  Or...if you happen to live in Central Iowa you can hear us on 98.3 WOW-FM (983wowfm).  We also post the podcast each week...  And you can follow us all week long on Twitter(RuralLifeRadio).

Our special guest this week is Shannon Ramsey (right) of TreesForever.  More on Shannon below.  In addition to trees, here are some of the stories we've got on tap:

This week we're following news about Rural Broadband Internet.  This past week we visited with the Midwest Partnership Corporation about our idea of co-working and a public / private partnership to speed this technology to rural areas.  We'll talk more about it on Sunday.

The "food vs. fuel" debate continues to roll.  The PR firm hired to lobby congress (and us) about the poor choice of corn based bio-fuel is getting traction.  We'll talk about it.

Agri-Tourism...look for it to get very, very big this year as people make the decision to avoid long expensive trips to "destination points" and replace them with a Farm Adventure.

And, once again, our special guest this week is Shannon Ramsey, founding president and CEO, of TreesForever.  This time of the year many of us turn our focus on renewing and reviving our interest in the outdoors.  Urban and rural folks get into making plans for gardens, landscaping and...trees.  Shannon will be here to discuss the impact you can have when we seriously have a "tree plan" and work it.  Besides, Shannon is also a "rural life" person...in real life.  She and her husband live on 45 acres along the Wapsipinicon River in Jones County, Iowa. 

A "tip of the hat" to our friends at The Arbor Day Foundation who on Twitter (treeplanting) gave us the contact info for our guest.  Thank you Robert Smith!   Shannon Ramsey our special guest this Sunday morning on Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country.

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

Allied Insurance - For insurance answers for your small farm, acreage, business or vehicle see you local independent Allied Insurance Agent.  Allied Insurance - "Now with Country Choice, for the way you live."

Kubota and Capital City Equipment- Owing a small farm or acreage means you've got work to do.  Why not partner with a real "workhorse", a Kubota tractor and all the attachments you'll need.  Get 'em from Capital City Equipment in Ames and Des Moines.  Go Orange with Kubota!

Country Vet Pet Food - A complete line of pet food for your best friend.  You can find your dealer on-line or, here in Central Iowa, you can pick up Country Vet at Shoppers Supply.  Country Vet Pet Food - "Loved by Pets, Trusted by Owners!"

Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds - Owning a horse has it's issues.  One of them is the equine digestive system.  Now, with Running Horse, that's less an issue than before.  Running Horse is formulated to help prevent digestive problems while creating a better horse..from inside out.  "Running Horse - For the Long Run!"

Acreage the Magazine of Rural Living - Each month Acreage hits your mailbox with the latest information on living the rural lifestyle.  Great tips and ideas every month.  To order your subscription...click here.

Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications - We're a full service advertising agency that specializes in rural lifestyle and agriculture.  You make a product or service...let us help you make it great with a solid marketing plan.

 

Michael Libbie - Acreage Owner & Host

 

 

Rural Lifestyle Radio - News, Information & Mike Parry

Welcome to Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country this nations only full hour, live radio talk show the centers on living the rural lifestyle.  We talk about horses, sustainable farms, small farms, acreages, dairy, meat goats...the list gets pretty long and it's information you're not likely to hear anywhere else.  If you live on a small farm or acreage...this is the place to be each Sunday Morning at 8.

And...you can also follow us on Twitter.  We're RuralLifeRadio, we monitor the site often to take your questions and comments during the show and after. 

Along with our special guest, Mike Parry of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB) what are we talking about today?

We start out talking about the "Geography of a Recession".  The New York Times has put together a nifty interactive page where you can track the job losses and unemployment from last year to now.  It seems that the areas hardest hit are those places where the housing bust started and where there is high manufacturing centers and "pre 2009" high unemployment.  All making the reality...harder.  Here is the link to that interactive map.

Got a horse...or two...or three?  If so you are among lots of friends.  According to the USDA census of agriculture there are more horses in the United States than there were just five year ago.  How many more?  384,549 and we think that number may be a little light as it's tough to count every horse on every small farm and acreage across the country.  It's a good news / bad news issue.  More horses also means a downturn in price.  More horses might also be related to the ban on horse slaughter.  More horses...might also mean more neglect.  Here is the census story.

We started a new feature, "Fast Takes in Rural America" this morning.  Links to some of the interesting stories we did...in short on the radio.  Here are the links to the "rest of the story"

• Science suggests that high cholesterol foods may reduce blood pressure...
• Anew "Meet the Farmer" site up in New York - Great PR for city folk to learn.
• Veterinarians suffering from binge drinking, tobacco consumption and drugs?
• Brace yourself and new ANTI-AG Film on the way - Food Inc.
• Should it be against the law to use fed. forest waste for biofuels?
• Is Dow Chemical AgroSciences for sale?  Indy paper says...yep.

Where is President Obama?  In October of 2007 he pledged that he would convene, within the first 100 days in office, a Rural Summit in Iowa to discuss the unique needs of Rural America.  It's been just shy of 50 days since Obama took office and the  White House seems to be backing away from the pledge.  The reason?  The economic meltdown across the united states.  On a related note...farmers, large farmers are none too happy with former Iowa Governor and now Ag Secretary, Tom Vilsack's plan to cut payments to farmers with sales of over $500,000.  However many small farmers applaud the idea and support cutting payments.  Class warfare?  We talked about it.

Our guest today is Mike Parry from the National Association of Farm Broadcasters.  One of the stories we have on the show today is "who will speak for Rural America?".  It's a problem as more and more Americans find themselves further removed from their rural lifestyle.  We talked to Mike, a friend and fellow broadcaster, about that issue and the renewed interest in how the NAFB reports on the Rural Lifestyle.  We also talked about the need for traditional farm radio to reach out to the millions of people who live on very diverse small farms and the help we can give to business and industry to better understand the people who make up the 70 million people living in 39 million households.    Mike Parry today on Highway 6 Radio.

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

Allied Insurance - For insurance answers for your small farm, acreage, business or vehicle see you local independent Allied Insurance Agent.  Allied Insurance - "Now with Country Choice, for the way you live."

Kubota and Capital City Equipment - Owing a small farm or acreage means you've got work to do.  Why not partner with a real "workhorse", a Kubota tractor and all the attachments you'll need.  Get 'em from Capital City Equipment in Ames and Des Moines.  Go Orange with Kubota!

Country Vet Pet Food - A complete line of pet food for your best friend.  You can find your dealer on-line or, here in Central Iowa, you can pick up Country Vet at Shoppers Supply.  Country Vet Pet Food - "Loved by Pets, Trusted by Owners!"

Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds - Owning a horse has its issues.  One of them is the equine digestive system.  Now, with Running Horse, that's less an issue than before.  Running Horse is formulated to help prevent digestive problems while creating a better horse..from inside out.  "Running Horse - For the Long Run!"

Acreage the Magazine of Rural Living - Each month Acreage hits your mailbox with the latest information on living the rural lifestyle.  Great tips and ideas every month.  To order your subscription...click here.

Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications - We're a full service advertising agency that specializes in rural lifestyle and agriculture.  You make a product or service...let us help you make it great with a solid marketing plan.

Michael Libbie - Acreage Owner & Host

 

Rural Lifestyle Radio - This Sunday!

This is Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country, this nations only live full hour radio talk show that deals with living on acreages and small farms.  We're heard each Sunday morning at 8 on 98.3 WOW-FM (983wowfm).  BUT, even if you don't live in Central Iowa you can still use your computer to listen live!  Just click this link...and you're on.

This week we're covering stories you won't hear anywhere else.  Sure, there are "ag shows" and we talk about agriculture.  But we also talk about horses, cattle, meat goats and small dairies.  Speaking of dairies...where are they going?  Last year the United States lost over 2,000 dairy herds.  Why?  And...what you pay for milk in the store...how does that square with what the dairy gets?  Interesting stuff.

What's happened to the Obama Rural Summit?  He promised to look into rural issues within the first 100 days in office.  Maybe he's busy?  Ya think??  Still on that message what is the shared fate for rural and urban folks?  We'll tell you.

WHO is carrying the RURAL MESSAGE?  As we wander further and further away from our rural roots folks like PETA and the Humane Society of the United States hammer a way of life that urban folks understand and have a growing sympathy for...we'll talk about it.

Last week I spoke before nearly 100 plant specialists who came to Iowa as guests of the Iowa Department of Agriculture.  The topic?  Diversity in agriculture.  Nope, we're not just about corn and soybeans...there is lots to what goes on here and in other states.  We also talked about the latest USDA numbers and the increase in US farms.  The first time that's happened in over 60 years!  Why...they've found out about the rural lifestyle farms.  You added big numbers.  We'll break that down.

We're also talking about spring plans.  We can almost smell it here in Central Iowa.  Last week we got a "hint" as the temperature hit 74 degrees!  The pastures turned to mud...and it's everywhere.  We'll give you some helpful hints on dealing with the seasonal change.

All of this and more news that impacts living the rural lifestyle.  Oh, and our special guest!  We've got Mike Parry from the National Association of Farm Broadcasters.  Mike and I go back...a long, long way...and his efforts with the NAFB center on how serious the association now takes folks living on small farms and acreages.  He's a busy guy (as you can see from this photo of Mike taking in the country side on a what the heck is that?) anyway, we're grateful that he can make it!   Mike Parry on the Rural Lifestyle and Radio this Sunday!

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

Allied Insurance - For insurance answers for your small farm, acreage, business or vehicle see you local independent Allied Insurance Agent.  Allied Insurance - "Now with Country Choice, for the way you live."

Kubota and Capital City Equipment - Owing a small farm or acreage means you've got work to do.  Why not partner with a real "workhorse", a Kubota tractor and all the attachments you'll need.  Get 'em from Capital City Equipment in Ames and Des Moines.  Go Orange with Kubota!

Country Vet Pet Food - A complete line of pet food for your best friend.  You can find your dealer on-line or, here in Central Iowa, you can pick up Country Vet at Shoppers Supply.  Country Vet Pet Food - "Loved by Pets, Trusted by Owners!"

Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds - Owning a horse has it's issues.  One of them is the equine digestive system.  Now, with Running Horse, that's less an issue than before.  Running Horse is formulated to help prevent digestive problems while creating a better horse..from inside out.  "Running Horse - For the Long Run!"

Acreage the Magazine of Rural Living - Each month Acreage hits your mailbox with the latest information on living the rural lifestyle.  Great tips and ideas every month.  To order your subscription...click here.

Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications - We're a full service advertising agency that specializes in rural lifestyle and agriculture.  You make a product or service...let us help you make it great with a solid marketing plan.

Michael Libbie - Acreage Owner & Host

 

 

 

 

 

Rural Urban Divide - Larger In Tough Economic Times

Yesterday CNN aired a story by Drew Griffin that should make just about every person who respects the rural lifestyle realize the double standard "out there".

Here is the video.

The story, in our opinion, pokes fun at stimulus dollars being spent in rural parts of the country.  The mayor of St. Louis, Frances Slay, goes so far as to call the efforts illegal.

The nerve...

The federal government has poured billions and billions of dollars into urban banks, urban Wall Street, urban insurance firms, urban government agencies.  And these guys are going to whine.  Yes, whine about fixing a crumbling bridge in Rural America?

It's no wonder that those of us who live "out here" cast a wary eye in the direction of the "Land of Tall Buildings".

We'll talk about this, and other issues that effect rural living, this week on Highway 6 - Your Road to the Countrythis nation's only full hour, live radio talk show dealing with rural lifestyle issues.  We're heard each Sunday morning at 8am Central and you can pick us up using your computer.  Or if you live in Central Iowa (You remember us CNN?  We had some political impact last year...) you can also listen live on 98.3 WOW-FM (983wowfm).

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

Allied Insurance- For coverage for your acreage, small farm, business or vehicle find your local independent Allied Insurance agent online.  Allied Insurance, now with Country Choice "For the way you live."

Kubota & Capital City Equipment- Living the rural lifestyle also means work.  If your small farm or acreage could use an "extra hand" stop into Kubota and see the great line up of tractors and attachments that make those jobs easier.  Capital City Equipment, Ames and Des Moines.

Country Vet Pet Food - Over 900 dealers in the US you're sure to find one near you.  For dog and cat food...and biscuits...it's Country Vet - "Loved by Pets, Trusted by Owners".

Running Horse Elite Equine Feeds- A different type of horse feed that promotes value and results.  Find your local dealer online and see the before/after shots of so many of our Running Horse friends.  "Running Horse - For the long run!"

Acreage - The Magazine of Rural Living - Each month each issue is packed with ideas and tips for living rural.

Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications a full service advertising agency here in the middle of the Midwest.  When it comes to agriculture and rural lifestyle we know how to get your product or service to market.  Call us...or drop us an e-mail.

Thanks for reading...and for listening!

Michael Libbie - Acreage owner and host.