Rural Lifestyle on Highway 6

On The Road To Red Oak, Iowa - Rural Economic Development

Economic Development for Rural America.  It's a passion of ours and that's one of the reasons we're thrilled to be able to do a social media presentation for the Western Iowa Tourism Region today.  In total we're expecting about 80 tourism professionals from a large chunk of the state all the way from Sioux City, in the northwest, to Sidney, Iowa in the southwest.  Not only a big region but there is plenty to see and do...especially now when family vacations may NOT include a costly airline trip.

We'll no doubt be met with loads of questions as we help our friends learn more about blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.  It's scheduled to be a quick overview and hands on experience to help them learn the power of social media in their marketing efforts.

And...the bottom line is it's great for rural economic development.  OK, I know...Sioux City and Council Bluffs don't "think" they are rural... ;-)

Coming along with me is my son, Aaron... so we'll also have time to talk about his new business.

No doubt we'll call out later this morning on Twitter @RuralLifeRadio so if you could jump in and give us a "shout back" that would be very cool!

Thanks for reading and catch you later!!

To learn more about us visit our site, www.InsightCubed.com we're Insight Advertising, Marketing and Communications, a full service advertising agency, based in the Middle of the Midwest.

Michael Libbie - Acreage owner....and today's driver.

 

Highway 6 Radio - A Detour....

Thanks for a wonderful three years of listening in to Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country.  We've had hundreds of guests and even more stories over the time we were on the air at 98.3 WOW-FM (983wowfm) and it was great to be able to share with so many people my passion for all things rural. 

But, this month we had to pull the plug on he show.  We just could no longer subsidize our rural passion.

What most folks don't realize is that we were buying the time from 98.3 WOW-FM at a cost of $300 for each week's show.  That's $15,600 a year.  Our goal was to gather enough sponsors at $25 per ad to cover the cost of the show and the costs to write, produce and seek guests.  We never actually got over three sponsors at $400 a month and for the past seven months our only paying sponsor was our friends at Capital City Equipment the Kubota dealer in Des Moines and Ames.

We thought that because there are more folks living on small farms and acreges in the 70 mile radius of Des Moines than there are large farmers, it would be a great show to advertise on.  But either we didn't try hard enough to sell the program or folks didn't see the value of having over 3,000 people listening here in Central Iowa with hundreds of others from all across the country on the live stream.

In the end...It's...business.  And as much as that hurts...we had to pull the plug.

But our passion for rural remains and soon we'll ramp up another way to broadcast the stories about the people that make up so much of this country...and this state.  We're taking a detour.  In the meantime we'll be here on this blog talking about those important things regarding Rural Iowa and Rural America.  You can still reach us at @RuralLifeRadio on Twitter and our new Internet Radio Show - Insight on Business airs Monday - Friday starting at 12:30PM Central on www.MacsWorldLive.com and we've added some agriculture tidbits to that as well.

But...while we get to "move on" I want you to know how much I've been grateful to all of the listeners who took part in our show...you guys ROCK.

Michael Libbie - Host and Acreage Owner

 

 

 

Brian Keller, Kayaks and Rural Lifestyle News

Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country is this nation's only live radio talk show dealing with the Rural Lifestyle.  We talk about horses, cattle, small farms, acreages, and the outdoors in general.  If it's about organics, sustainable agriculture and rural economic development...we're there.  Highway 6 is heard each Sunday morning at 8 Central on 98.3 WOW-FM or if you listen using your computer you can catch us all over the world by clicking this link.  (www.983wowfm.com).

IF you missed the live show...HERE is the PODCAST!

On the show today, along with rural news, we've got Brian Keller of River's Access near the rural community of Redfield.  Brian started his company back in 2003 based on his love of the outdoors and Kayaks.  Now, just six years later, River's Access is a flurry of activity along the Middle Raccoon River as visitors suit up and ride the river on any  number of trips.

Brian keeps a full time job "in town" but has the time to not only run his rural business he also volunteers for a number of project...most having to do with the outdoors.  We'll visit with Brian on how he started, what the business means to Rural Redfield and how following a passion can mean real dollars.  It's rural and tourism all wrapped into a great package.

Brian Keller, Sunday morning right here on Highway 6 - Your Road to the Country.

Along with Brian we need to tell you about a front page story in the Sunday Des Moines Register.  If you are involved in beef production in Iowa or elsewhere you should check out the piece by Dan Piller - Is Iowa Steak Losing Its Sizzle?  Good stuff!

And, we may have a second guest, Kimberly Burns from Your Equine Source is in Iowa and we're hoping she'll pop in for some conversation!  Come on by with a cup of coffee starting at 8AM Central!  And, you can keep up with us before, during and after the show on Twitter it's @RuralLifeRadio.

And..there is more.  This is the FIRST 4th of July for one of our three beautiful grand-daughters.  Miss Taylor is dressed in her holiday hat. 

But, wait...there is more!  Grand-daughter Sailor, who is now four and whose Daddy is flying C-130's in Afghanistan this holiday might just get on the air with us Sunday morning and help us say "The Pledge".  Come on, indulge me a little...it's a holiday show on Highway 6!   Gotta love it!

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

 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!

Lotus Moments -  Lotus Moments is all about celebrating and relationships with unique printed and photographic pieces designed around life events.  From event invitations to photo books Lotus Moments brings creative concepts to life.

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!"

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