Trailblazing in Agriculture: Recent Episodes
Jessie Becker
Host Notes Have you ever had one of those experiences where you were in exactly the right place at exactly the right time? I can recall of few of those times in my life, and those experiences had a significant impact on me. Tom and Laura Field also experienced being in the right place at the right time, and they share about some of those times on today’s episode. Tom’s career includes time at Colorado State University and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. He currently serves as the director of the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.... Continue Reading
The post Episode 13 | Right Place. Right Time. appeared first on BluePrint Media.
Host Notes For the past 13 years, Jen Hartmann has worked in various positions at John Deere. Today, she is the company’s director of enterprise social media and public relations. Prior to working for John Deere, Jen worked for nonprofits, including the Illinois Soybean Association and Checkoff Board and United Way. On today’s episode, Jen and I discuss her career and the lessons she’s learned along the way; the evolution of social media and how she and her team approach John Deere’s social media presence; and the way people’s different perspectives and experiences contribute to better outcomes in the workplace.... Continue Reading
The post Episode 12 | Discovering Our Voice and Celebrating Our Differences appeared first on BluePrint Media.
Host Notes When our team at BluePrint Media started talking about Trailblazing in Agriculture in early 2020, turning it into a podcast was not the direction we were headed. In fact, we had plans to roll this out as a blog. It wasn’t until we were nearly ready to launch this project that the idea of making this into a podcast was on the table. We didn’t know everything about starting a podcast when we launched Trailblazing in Agriculture last year and, honestly, we’re still learning. But if we had waited until we knew everything there was to know about... Continue Reading
The post Episode 11 | Stepping Outside Our Comfort Zone appeared first on BluePrint Media.
Host Notes It’s sometimes amazing to think about how life turns out. Sometimes things go exactly the way you picture, and other times, life takes you on a crazy journey that you never saw coming. Both routes describe life for today’s guest. Danielle Rodgers grew up on Babbitt Ranches and never envisioned leaving. She also never envisioned she would be a business owner, but that is one of many hats she wears. Today, Danielle and her husband, Clay, are raising their four children on the vast Arizona ranch. Danielle also co-owns Cowhorse Gallery, where she sells the artwork of popular... Continue Reading
The post Episode 10 | Living the Dream appeared first on BluePrint Media.
Host Notes During a time when our schedule’s our busier than ever, we sometimes wonder if we can achieve success while also finding balance between our personal life and career aspirations. Today’s guest reminds us that life is about making choices intentionally and then leaning into them. Life is a juggling act. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices and “there are seasons for everything.” Today’s Trailblazer attended Colorado State University (CSU) before becoming Certified Angus Beef’s (CAB) 11th employee. Tracey Erickson has been part of CAB for 29 years. She started as director of international business and has held various positions with the Wooster, Ohio-based... Continue Reading
Host Notes If you want to hear from someone who has decades of experience in the beef industry, today’s episode is for you! Barbara Jackson grew up on a feedyard in Arizona and has remained connected with agriculture throughout her career. She is part-owner of Red Rock Feeding Company, a 30-000 head feedyard in Southern Arizona, co-founder and co-owner of Animal Health Express, a Tuscon-based online business that sells animal health supplies and more. She is also a former president of the American National CattleWomen. In this episode of the Trailblazing in Agriculture podcast, Barbara shares about her experience growing... Continue Reading
Host Notes If you’re passionate about advocating for the beef industry, cooking or learning from a fellow rancher, wife and mom, then today’s episode is for you! On this episode, I visit with Terryn Drieling, a Nebraska rancher, wife, mom and beef industry advocate, who launched her blog, Faith Family & Beef, in 2014. On her platform, Terryn shares about her family’s everyday life caring for cattle on a ranch in the Nebraska Sandhills, and she shares delicious recipes featuring beef and much more. Today, Terryn and I talk about ranch life, how she started her blog and how it has... Continue Reading
Host Notes Happy National FFA Week! As a former North Dakota State FFA officer and the wife of an ag teacher and FFA advisor, this is a big week in our household! Each year, FFA chapters across the country celebrate National FFA Week, sharing about what FFA is and the impact it has on members every day. This year FFA Week is even more exciting as we launch episode 6 of the Trailblazing in Agriculture podcast featuring Becky Fouard, who works in global learning and development for Elanco and is a former state and national FFA officer. Becky shares about... Continue Reading
Host Notes The new year is often a time for setting goals for the coming year, and after you hear from today’s guest, I’m confident that you’ll be inspired to set some new goals for yourself. Hannah Esch is a recent college graduate, business owner and agriculture advocate. She launched her business, Oak Barn Beef, three years ago as a sophomore in college. That’s right. In addition to balancing college classes, organization involvement and just being a normal college kid, she launched a business selling farm-raised beef directly to consumers, which has flourished, despite the challenges 2020 threw her way.... Continue Reading
Host Notes Growing up on a diversified crop and beef cattle operation, I learned the value of hard work from an early age. In fact, I think many of us involved in agriculture can attest to that. It’s no secret that life on a farm or ranch is not always easy, and it certainly has its share of ups and downs. Despite that, people like Kathryn Hefte devote their lives to caring for the land and livestock. In Kathryn’s case, she’s been raising cattle nearly all her life. As a result of her hard work and perseverance, she owns and... Continue Reading
Host Notes Earlier this year, BluePrint Media launched the Trailblazing in Agriculture podcast. The podcast has been a true team effort, and the business is excited to use this platform to tell the stories of the agriculture industry’s pioneers and innovators. But you may find yourself wondering about the business behind the podcast, and that’s why I’m so excited to release this episode. BluePrint Media was founded in 2005 and is led by three remarkable women – Lisa Bard, executive principal; Kathie Bedolli, creative principal; and Leslie McKibben, administrative principal. In this bonus episode, Lisa, Kathie and Leslie share about... Continue Reading
Earlier this year, BluePrint Media launched the Trailblazing in Agriculture podcast. The podcast has been a true team effort, and the business is excited to use this platform to tell the stories of the agriculture industry’s pioneers and innovators. But you may find yourself wondering about the business behind the podcast, and that’s why I’m so excited to release this episode.
BluePrint Media was founded in 2005 and is led by three remarkable women – Lisa Bard, executive principal; Kathie Bedolli, creative principal; and Leslie McKibben, administrative principal. In this bonus episode, Lisa, Kathie and Leslie share about their backgrounds and their journey to launch BluePrint Media; they discuss their passion for serving clients in the agriculture industry and highlights they’ve experienced since founding the company; they share about what the future looks like for this growing business; and, since we’re launching this episode on small business Saturday, the trio also talks about the joys of owning a small business and encourages us to support small businesses of all kinds.
I’m so excited for you to hear from these powerhouse ladies and to learn more about BluePrint Media. Lisa, Kathie and Leslie are truly remarkable examples of the powerful things that can happen when we take some risks and follow our dreams.
Host Notes How many of us have a desire to get more involved in organizations and make a difference? Or perhaps you’ve been contemplating how to tell your farm or ranch’s story to consumers, but don’t know how to get started. I think many of us can relate to having those feelings from time to time, and that’s why I’m so excited for you to hear from today’s guest. Robbie LeValley is a rancher, businesswoman and past president of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. She also has many years of experience talking with consumers about where their food comes from and... Continue Reading
Betty Jo's story is remarkable. Despite not growing up in the agriculture industry, she went on to manage the office at a feedyard in South Dakota before creating sophisticated computer programs that transformed the way feedyards collected data, which led her to launching her own company and, ultimately, becoming the editor and publisher of CALF News magazine. Along the way, she's also written several books, traveled to Australia on three separate occasions and was in charge of the Miss South Dakota scholarship program for a number of years.
You know those people who you visit with and are instantly inspired by? Well, for me, Betty Jo Gigot is one of those people, and I'm so excited to feature her in the inaugural episode of the Trailblazing in Agriculture podcast.
Betty Jo's story is remarkable. Despite not growing up in the agriculture industry, she went on to manage the office at a feedyard in South Dakota before creating sophisticated computer programs that transformed the way feedyards collected data, which led her to launching her own company and, ultimately, becoming the editor and publisher of CALF News magazine. Along the way, she's also written several books, traveled to Australia on three separate occasions and was in charge of the Miss South Dakota scholarship program for a number of years.
Her story is incredible, and I can't wait for you to hear it. I hope Betty Jo's story inspires you to try new things and gain unique experiences. I know I've added a few things to my goal board after my visit with her.
Pioneer. Innovator. Trailblazer. We all know people in our lives who fit this description. The agriculture industry is filled with generations of leaders who have blazed a trail, and their stories deserve to be told. Join us on our journey to chronicle the stories of the agriculture industry’s many trailblazers.