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In this episode of Patio Ponderings, I sit down with Hayden Heigl, founder of Frosty Bunk, a fast-growing direct-to-consumer beef sales business based in Kansas. Hayden shares the story behind launching his local beef brand, how he’s connecting farm and consumer in today’s market, and what it takes to build trust—and a loyal customer base—in the farm-to-table movement.

We talk about the challenges and rewards of launching a small business rooted in agriculture, the logistics of processing and delivery, and how staying true to your values can shape your brand’s identity. This conversation offers inspiration for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, local food systems, or supporting independent beef producers.

Whether you’re a fellow farmer, an ag startup enthusiast, or a curious consumer who wants to know where their meat comes from—this episode is packed with insight and authenticity straight from the pasture.

Connect with Hayden:
🐂 Frosty Bunk Beef – Premium Local Beef, Direct from the Ranch
Website: https://www.frostybunk.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564627391732
Phone: (785) 447-2662

🕯 Rough Cut Candles – Rustic Candles Made with Heart
Website: https://roughcutcandles.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hayden.heigele

📸 Mary Marsh Photography and Communications
Website: https://marymarshphotography.zenfoliosite.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryMarshPhotographyandCommunications
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksualmondfarmer/profilecard/?igsh=MTVuOGxzNDdkamRnMQ%3D%3D

📣 Hashtags:
#FrostyBunk #LocalBeef #DirectToConsumer #BeefBusiness #FarmToTable #SupportLocalFarms #AgricultureEntrepreneur #SmallFarmBigImpact #RanchLife #AgPodcast #PatioPonderings #KansasBeef #BuyLocalMeat #BeefProducers #AgBusiness #MeatFromTheSource #MaryMarshPhotography

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"I remember riding with my grandfathers to deliver grain to the St. Joe Elevator in St. Joe, Indiana. Across the railroad tracks sat Crow’s Rainbow Farm Center. At the time, it felt like these places would always be there—until they weren’t."

In this episode of Patio Ponderings, we take a look back at the agricultural businesses that once defined Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio—and explore why so many have disappeared. From Wayne Feeds and Central Soya to Eckrich Meats, and Parrot Packing, to long closed Farm Implement Dealerships I discuss the local feed mills, livestock markets, and equipment dealerships that shaped farming communities.

What led to their decline? How did events like the 1980s farm crisis and corporate consolidation change the agricultural landscape? And what lessons can we take from these lost businesses as we look toward the future of farming?

If you remember these businesses—or have stories of your own about the changing face of rural America—let’s keep the conversation going! Share your thoughts with me or leave a comment wherever you listen to podcasts.

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In this episode of Patio Pondering, we sit down with Jason Scott of Scott Farms, a multi-generational farming operation in Delphi, Indiana. Jason shares his journey from growing up on the farm to navigating the challenges of modern agriculture.

We discuss the evolution of Scott Farms, how technology has changed the industry, and the mindset needed to adapt in a rapidly shifting agricultural landscape. Jason also opens up about what it takes to run a successful grain farm, the values that drive him, and how his agricultural roots have shaped his future.

Topics Covered:

✔️ Family farming legacy – How Scott Farms has grown and adapted over generations and how succesion planning worked for him
✔️ Modern agriculture challenges – Market shifts, technology, and farm management
✔️ Indiana farming – Corn, soybeans, and the future of Midwestern agriculture
✔️ Sustainability in farming – How innovation is shaping the future
✔️ Lessons from a lifelong farmer – Business, resilience, and community impact

🎙️ Listen in as Jason Scott shares real-world insights, practical farm wisdom, and the story of his journey in agriculture!

💬 Join the Conversation:
Have thoughts on today’s episode? Drop a comment or share this episode with a fellow ag professional!

#PatioPondering #Episode31 #JasonScott #ScottFarms #IndianaFarming #ModernAgriculture #FarmLife #MidwestFarming #SustainableFarming #AgPodcast #AgriculturePodcast #FarmingPodcast #SuccesionPlanning

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In this episode of Patio Pondering, we sit down with Malachi Malcolm, a passionate outdoorsman, mental health advocate, and creative entrepreneur from Laotto, Indiana. Malachi shares his personal journey through mental health struggles and highlights the importance of seeking help, supporting others, and breaking the stigma around teen suicide awareness.

We also discuss his deep connection to the outdoors through deer hunting and turkey hunting, along with his growing photography and videography business, MSM Studios. Malachi’s story is a powerful reminder that no one has to face struggles alone—and that finding healthy outlets, like nature and creativity, can make a difference.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. You are not alone.

🔍 Topics Covered:
✔ Malachi’s journey with mental health awareness and teen suicide prevention
✔ How hunting and time outdoors support mental wellness
✔ Turning a passion for photography and videography into a business with MSM Studios
✔ The importance of asking for help and celebrating others' success

🎯 Perfect for listeners who are:
✅ Interested in mental health awareness & suicide prevention
✅ Passionate about hunting, the outdoors, and conservation
✅ Aspiring photographers, videographers, or entrepreneurs

📸 Follow Malachi & MSM Studios:
👉 Malachi’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malachismalcolm/
👉 MSM Studios: https://www.instagram.com/msm.studios1/

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Not every veterinarian grows up on a farm. Some start as a horse-obsessed kid in the suburbs—and somehow end up deep in agriculture, animal medicine, and rural life.

In this episode of Patio Pondering, I sit down with Dr. Kimberly Bedwell Smith, DVM—who also happens to be my wife—to talk about her unconventional path from horse-crazy kid to seasoned veterinarian. We dive into:

• How a childhood love of horses led her to vet school
• The gritty realities of starting a career a mixed animal vet
• How she transitioned to small animal practice in Fort Wayne—and what she never expected about the change
• The misconceptions about veterinary medicine most people don’t realize
• The struggles of work-life balance as a vet, farm wife, and mom
• The dark side of veterinary medicine—burnout, mental health challenges, and why the profession has one of the highest suicide rates

Of course, we wrap up with my five signature questions, exploring agriculture’s impact, the quirks of veterinary life, and the small changes that could reshape the future of animal care.

This raw, real, and unfiltered conversation pulls back the curtain on the pressures vets face, the sacrifices they make, and the moments that make it all worthwhile. Whether you’re in ag, animal care, or just curious about the industry, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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New Episode: Building a Future in Agriculture with Hayden & Mary Marsh Heigele

In this episode of Patio Pondering, we sit down with Hayden and Mary Marsh Heigele, two rising leaders in agriculture who have made their mark in Kansas and beyond. From their roots in Kansas and California to their time at Kansas State University and their current entrepreneurial ventures, Hayden and Mary share insights on the evolving world of agriculture, the differences between Kansas and California ag, and the challenges & rewards of running their own businesses.

🌾 Topics Covered:
✔ Hayden & Mary’s journey into agriculture
✔ Hayden’s growth as a farmer using regenerative farming practices to improve his soil and beef herd
✔ The Kansas vs. California agriculture landscape
✔ Their entrepreneurial ventures: beef, candles, and photography
✔ Mary’s massive growth as an agricultural leader after being a member of the 2022 Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) class

🔗 Connect with Hayden & Mary:

🐂 Frosty Bunk Beef
Website | Facebook

🕯 Rough Cut Candles
Website

📸 Mary Marsh Photography and Communications
Website | Facebook | Instagram

👨‍🌾 Hayden Heigele
Facebook

📢 Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe! If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and leave us a review.

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In this episode of Patio Pondering, we sit down with Paul Butler, a central Illinois farmer and Senior Development Manager in CRM at Express Scripts, to explore how his agricultural roots shaped his career in technology. Paul shares how growing up on a farm instilled problem-solving skills that now fuel his success in software development and customer relationship management.

🚜 We Discuss:
✅ How farming teaches adaptability, troubleshooting, and efficiency, skills that translate seamlessly into programming.
✅ The intersection of agriculture and technology—how digital tools are shaping the future of farming.
✅ Paul’s thoughts on New Ag Talk and the role of online ag communities in connecting farmers and industry experts.
✅ A special announcement: Paul reveals his plans to host a party during the 2025 Farm Progress Show, an event you won’t want to miss!

🌾 Whether you're a farmer, ag professional, or tech enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving relationship between agriculture and technology.

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe! If you enjoy the conversation, please leave a review and share it with your network to help us grow.

#Agriculture #FarmProgressShow #AgTech #PrecisionAg #NewAgTalk #FarmersInTech #AgCommunity #Podcast #PatioPondering #FarmLife #SoftwareDevelopment #FarmingInnovation

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In this episode of Patio Pondering, we turn the microphone on someone who’s usually behind it—Andy Vance, Executive Director of the Poultry Science Association and longtime agricultural broadcaster. As any good broadcaster knows, once the mic is live, there’s no shortage of thoughts to share, and Andy does just that in this candid and wide-ranging conversation.

We explore Andy’s unlikely path to agricultural broadcasting, his journey from farm kid to industry thought leader, and his take on the seismic shifts in farm size and structure. No conversation about ag media and leadership would be complete without tackling the political landscape, and we dive into a frank discussion about whether agriculture has become too aligned with a single political party.

Whether you're passionate about ag journalism, curious about the evolution of farming, or interested in the intersection of agriculture and policy, this episode is packed with insights from one of the industry’s most experienced voices.

🔊 Tune in to hear:
✔️ How Andy’s farm roots shaped his unexpected career in agricultural media
✔️ The evolution of farm size and what it means for producers today
✔️ A no-holds-barred discussion on ag’s political allegiances—are we too one-sided?
✔️ Why broadcasters love to talk when the mic gets turned on them

🔗 Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow ag enthusiasts!