Ag Chicks

Jacee May grew up on a seed stock cattle operation in Stillwater, Okla., that her family still manages today. She started being involved on the family operation at a young age by exhibiting her bred-and-owned Angus cattle herd on the county, state and national levels. She is a 4th generation cattle producer.

After graduating highschool, she accepted a livestock judging scholarship to Blackhawk College in Illinois. Her national champion team was coached under the hands of Dan Hoge and Brian Arnold.

After judging on the JuCo circuit, Jacee went back to her Oklahoma roots and graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2014.

She currently works for Corteva Agrisciences as a range and pasture specialist covering Alabama, Mississippi and the Florida panhandle. She is rewarded daily in her role to help families like her own be profitable on their own cattle operations by making the best decisions to grow more forage.

Allison (Alli) Fender grew up in the gorgeous San Diego backcountry on a small Dairy and Beef operation.

She attended San Diego Mesa College and played soccer on the women’s team while attending the Animal Health program offered there. In 2014, she obtained her Associate of Science Degree in Animal Health Technology and became licensed as a Registered Veterinary Technician. She worked in several small animal hospitals in the area.

A month after graduation in 2014, she and her high school sweetheart were married on Mesa Chiquita Ranch, where she grew up. Her dad gifted her and her husband, Bryce, ten bred heifers, which was the start of their beef herd. Flying F Ranch was established in 2020 after Bryce and Alli created the brand and business selling beef directly to San Diego consumers. Their motto is “We Give a Flying F About BEEF.” In 2021, they added Registered Black Angus cattle into their herd to improve carcass quality. The couple learned more about genetics and began breeding more mindfully, propelling their beef business to a higher level.

Bryce and Alli raise their two sons, Warren and Wells, on the ranch together. They believe raising the next generation beside them will teach the young boys valuable life lessons and memories. Alli is an active member and Vice President of the San Diego CowBelles and helps with local Ag in the Classroom lessons, Beef Promotion, and Advocacy for our industry. In her spare time, she breeds and shows Australian Shepherds, participates in CrossFit, helps with school activities for her sons, is a dog leader for the Julian/Santa Ysabel 4H, started podcasting, and manages the business of Flying F Ranch.

Hannah Dorn is a photographer and rural enthusiast born, raised, and currently residing in South Central Nebraska. She captures the real of rural living through #ShoeboxPhotos that leave a legacy. Hannah enjoys photographing and sharing the stories of rural folks in agriculture and the businesses that thrive in our communities.

In her free time, Hannah enjoys exercising, reading, and spending time with her husband Andy and Australian Shepherd Mae at their ranch in the Nebraska Sandhills.

Register for Hannah's course:  https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/1516760473510/WN_GC16vSXER06fwjS_awHSSA 

Connect with Hannah on Instagram @hannahgaebeldorn

Connect with Ally:

IG: @agchicks

FB: @agchicks

Website: www.agchicks.net

**Thank you to our sponsors: **  Mudeas- www.mudeas.com  Farmtee Co - www.farmteeco.com

I’m Anna B! I’m originally from Escalon, a small farming/ranching town in California’s Central Valley. Born and raised in an Italian Catholic farming family where we farm walnuts, almonds and persimmons as well as horses, mules and the occasional parrot. I fell in love with mules and packing when I was 16 when I became a member of Backcountry Horsemen of California. I attended Modesto Junior College and received my BS in Geology from the University of California Davis.

I began working for Rock Creek Pack Station when I was only 18 and I’ve worked almost every summer since then, but I’m more part time now. I’m very involved with Bishop Mule Days Celebration, as well as other projects with the American Mule Musuem and my continued dedication to Backcountry Horsemen. I’m passionate about access to public lands, rural living, using my privilege to help others and working with youth. I currently live near Bishop, CA and work full time as a Contract Forester for our local Utility company. I have some exciting projects in the works having to do with horses and packing and I’m looking forward to making more connections in the western industry.

Connect with Anna on Instagram @annuhbird

Connect with Ally:

IG: @agchicks

FB: @agchicks

Website: www.agchicks.net

**Thank you to our sponsors: **  Mudeas- www.mudeas.com  Farmtee Co - www.farmteeco.com

I was born and raised in California growing up in the horse industry. I am married to a horse trainer and run media and communications for the National Reined Cow Horse Association.

Connect with Callie @callie.boevers

Connect with Ally: 

IG: @agchicks 

FB: @agchicks 

Website: www.agchicks.net 

**Thank you to our sponsors: **  Mudeas- www.mudeas.com  Farmtee Co - www.farmteeco.com 

On this very special episode of Ag Chicks, I sit down with Cassandra, Stefanie, Natalie, Jenna, and Kirsten to discuss the pretty and gritty elements of women in agriculture. 

Karoline Rose is the founder and CEO of Cattleman U, KRose Company, and The Rancher's Daughter. Her mission is to show ranchers: specifically ranch women and how valuable their creative side is on the ranch. She believes empowering women on the operation is the best way to ensure the operation continues on for the next generation, and that is what she and her team strive to do. Watching women strive for and achieve personal and professional growth on their ranch lights her up.

A little bit y’all and a little bit Yankee.” I am not the typical Long Islander. I fell in love with the equestrian and western industries early on in my life when I met a sorrel Quarter Horse, named Gunner. The fashion that came with showing him was also a huge bonus in my opinion. Over the course of my life, I went from competing in AQHA and NRHA shows to riding for the TCU Equestrian Reining Team. After college, I have remained a cowgirl at heart, always seeking new opportunities to support the western industry. I established the first spirit sponsorships with most major horse associations while I was at TX Whiskey. Now through my position at NCHA, I have been given the opportunity to promote the amazing sport of cutting within the western industry and beyond, exposing new people to the sport each and every day. Outside of work, I spend most of my time as a spectator at horse shows and rodeos. There is nothing I have a passion for more than introducing people to this incredible world and highlighting the cowgirl spirit.

Connect with Carley:

IG: @carleyfromtheblock

Connect with Ally:

Kiah Twisselman Burchett is a California cattle rancher turned life coach, speaker and podcaster, passionate about empowering others to find JOY in their journey of living a physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy life they love with a mindset-first approach. After battling with her own weight and body image from a young age, she embarked on her own personal health journey losing over 100 pounds, but more importantly, the mental weight she had been carrying with her for years. Her story has been shared in People Magazine, Good Morning America, the Kelly Clarkson Show, Women’s Health and more as she uses her struggles to give strength to others. Growing up as a 6th-generation cattle rancher, she has a heart for rural America, the agriculture community, and the western way of life. Nothing makes her heart fuller than being able to intertwine her calling for health and wellness into the community she grew up in.  

Connect with Kiah: 

IG: @coach_kiah 

FB: Coach Kiah 

My name is Katie Haynes! I am from Youngsville, NC and I am 22 years old! I am your 2022 North Carolina Miss Agriculture Advocacy Ambassador and your 2022 North Carolina People’s Choice Miss United States Agriculture. I grew up in both 4-H and FFA and currently serve as the Northeast district director for the 4-H Honor Club. I will become the 1st person in this system competing in a wheelchair and that is HUGE alone! I am competing in the national Miss United States Agriculture pageant. This will be held on June 24th & 25th, 2022. I am so excited about this trip and of course, it also comes with a trip to Disney World after the pageant!  I raise and show rabbits and have a photography degree! I also am the proud founder of Smiling While Sending Hope! SWSH is a nonprofit benefiting people ages 0-26 living with chronic illness and Special needs.  My goal in life is to be a role model for all of those with chronic illness and special needs! You can do anything you set your mind to! Her platform is to show that despite obstacles you might have to overcome everyone has a place in agriculture!  

Connect with Katie:  

https://www.facebook.com/NCMissAgAdvocacyAmbassadorKH

Vote Here: https://missunitedstatesagriculture.com/payments/ols/products/katie-haynes-peoples-choice-voting?fbclid=IwAR0pbhosyeeJUcon-_MSxJ5k6BKwOqDNRGYbJmsZQdypALwJZTsqeig3hjI 

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Thank you to this episode's sponsor Farm Tee Company. You can shop at www.farmteeco.com or follow them @farmteeco

More about Hayley: 

Hayley Skinner aka Skinner Ranch Mama is an artist, ranch wife and mom in western Montana. Hayley is a commission artist and started her custom art business, Skinner Ranch Mama, in June of 2021. She creates apparel, gift items and launched a children’s coloring book last fall along with turning your favorite photos into pencil drawings. 

Connect with Hayley 

IG: @skinnerranchmama  

Connect with Ag Chicks 

IG: @agchicks   

Amanda Severson is the owner of Grand View Beef, a 100% grass-fed beef operation in Clarion, IA. She received her degree in strategic communication from Washington State University in 2015 and began a career in the sports industry with the Seattle Seahawks. After meeting an Iowa farm boy, she left her dream job and moved to Iowa to ranch alongside her now-husband, Knute. She had no experience in agriculture.

Today, Knute and Amanda raise and sell their beef directly to end consumers across the Midwest. Amanda shares their story via Instagram (@grandviewbeef) with the hopes of educating others on where their food comes from and showing them how they can find their happiness in the most unlikely of places.

Ashley is a small-town girl, passionate about business, motherhood, & rural life just trying to navigate the chaos of it all. Her husband, son & she reside in SW MN where they raise a herd of registered limousin cattle & is about to tackle her new adventure as an Ag Teacher. On the side, she spends her time running a boutique & making ag-based graphic tee shirts with her sister, selling consumer direct beef with her husband, & doing social media consulting for small businesses.

Connect with Ashley 

IG: @ashleywiesen 

Keep up to date with all things "Ag Chicks" by following along on Social Media

Thanks for joining me on another episode of Ag Chicks. In this episode, I dive a little deeper into my livestock roots and talk about how even though my plan and vision have changed along the way my goals of remaining in the agriculture community have been a constant. 

Do you have a business that you would like highlighted through Ag Chicks? Visit www.agchicks.net to find out more about sponsoring! 

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Emily is the writer and producer behind the blog, Hearty Sol. Rooted in the legacy and future of the American Dairy Farm, she shares her love for creativity, as an inspiration to others documenting diy projects, raising kids, growing food, and their simply hearty lifestyle on their MN Dairy Farm.

IG: @hearty.sol

Keep up to date with all things "Ag Chicks" by following along on Social Media

On this episode of Ag Chicks, I sit down with my favorite woman in ag... my mom! 

Listen to how deep and far my agriculture roots really run. 

Keep up to date with all things "Ag Chicks" by following along on Social Media

My name is Debbie Wise; I am a farmer's wife of 20 + years with two beautiful girls ages 17 and 15.  I have always had a passion for the ag industry.  Most of my time was spent in supporting roles, working alongside my husband Geordy in our orchards, raising our girls on the farm, tending to their stock show projects, and leading numerous 4-H and FFA groups.  But in 2016 my role changed.  Through a series of events combining my passion for healthy food, my love for raising livestock, and my family's own health scare, I set out on a mission to create a better beef product that was readily available to my local community.  After 8 months of planning and the support of my husband and our partners Keith and Jennifer Gardiner on July 14, 2017 (my birthday :) ) Redhouse Beef became a reality.  What started as a mission to produce quality grass-finished beef raised with the highest set of standards for my local farmers market has turned into a multi-species regenerative ranch that ships beef and a variety of provisions all throughout the west coast and the central US.  I never dreamed this project would grow as it has.  I love what I get to do every day and the team of people I get to work alongside. I love being part of such an incredible industry that feeds our world. I look forward to the future of Redhouse as we embark on the next chapter which includes fully integrating our beef operation, including opening our own USDA processing facility in late Spring of 2022.

Debbie Wise

President and Co Founder Redhouse Beef

@redhousebeef

www.redhousebeef.com

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Amanda Radke is a fifth-generation rancher from Mitchell, S.D., who has dedicated her career to serving as a voice for the nation’s farmers and ranchers. Since 2008, Rake has tackled hot industry issues on the BEEF Daily blog for BEEF Magazine, where she provides tools and strategies for producers to effectively engage with consumers and counter negative media articles on social media.

A former National FFA Extemporaneous Speaking Champion and National Beef Ambassador, Radke has spent the last 15 years on the road fighting for the agriculture, rural America and the western way of life. She believes food security is national security, and her work is focused on keeping producers on the land and ensuring every citizen has access to safe, affordable and nutritious food in this country.

When she’s not blogging or speaking, Radke is penning agriculturally-accurate children’s books to help promote agricultural literacy in schools. Her titles include, “Levi’s Lost Calf,” “Can-Do Cowkids,” “ A Home Run For Peanuts” and “The Soil Quilt.” Radke is determined to teach kids about where their food comes from to help the upcoming generation of consumers be both informed and empowered at the grocery store.

Welcome to the new and improved Ag Chicks, I hope you'll tag along for season two.

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This interview combined all my favorite things... small businesses, cowhide, jewelry, western fashion, and a sweet soul like Malorie! Burlap Bovine (and Malorie) have quickly become one of my favorite businesses to buy from and follow, I'm so glad we got to chat! 

More on Malorie: 

When it comes down to it, Malorie Walker, owner & maker of Burlap Bovine, has always been two things her entire life: passionate about agriculture and creative. She grew up on her family's cattle ranch in Livermore, CA and held onto her roots fiercely as she ventured into her professional career. Upon graduating from California Polytechnic State University with a degree in agricultural communication, Malorie moved to Sacramento to begin her professional career with the California Cattlemen's Association as a communication staff member. After losing her father to pancreatic cancer in 2017, she decided to step back from what had been her dream career path to build something from scratch, taking an entrepreneurial nod from both her mother and late-father. Thus, her part-time side hustle had become her full-time small creative business, Burlap Bovine.  Serving the western community through creative designs that bring joy to others has become much more than just making and selling a product. It has blossomed into a journey to help empower women through happiness and the power of positive interaction. The cute cowhide pieces are a happy bonus! When she's not spending her time creating new designs or making something out of cowhide or leather, you can find her in the dance studio tap dancing! That's how you know the happy dances are real every time she gets to send happy mail to her customers, most of whom have become her friends because of the wonderful community that is her herd! 

*Connect with Malorie* 

IG: @BurlapBovine 

Website: www.burlapbovine.com 

 Keep up to date with all things "The Dirt" by following along on Social Media 

Western fashion, home decor, and poultry! Y’all I’m so excited to be featuring Suzie Crooch from @velvetbrumby as my first Friday Feature since NFR. Suzie perfectly combines all her passions through her platform and I loved getting to chat with her about everything she has going on!  

More about Suzie: 

Suzie is the face behind Velvet Brumby, a western lifestyle blog. She is a wife to Gus, mama to Wren and a sales woman for a family owned poultry company. In 2015 she graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelors of Science in Poultry Science with a minor in Ag Business. She loves sharing fashion and home content on Instagram while connecting with other like-minded individuals online. Make sure to follow her @velvetbrumby for all the inspo!  

Connect with Suzie  

Instagram: @velvetbrumby

 Website: www.velvetbrumby.com  

Keep up to date with all things "The Dirt" by following along on Social Media 

I love meeting fellow California gals, and Tara @tarabeavercoronado was one you'll want to take note of! Not only was she a blast to chat with, but she is also killing it with her very own vineyard. You won't want to miss this one! 

More about Tara: 

Tara is a 5th generation farmer in Northern California. Her family’s background in farming is mainly grain crops, like corn and wheat, as well as running a land leveling business. Tara moved back to the farm in 2015 and was quickly encouraged to find her own path in farming. After a few years of searching and hard work, Tara decided she wanted to plant a vineyard. The dream became a reality in April of 2018. Since then she has been sharing her farming journey on social media. Originally for friends and family, but extremely thankful for the community she has become apart of. Tara has recently taken on the challenge of showcasing California agriculture with her new YouTube series called Field Trips.  You can follow along with her journey on Instagram and YouTube under TaraBeaverCoronado. 

*** Connect with Tara*** 

IG: @tarabeavercoronado 

Youtube: TaraBeaverCoronado 

Keep up to date with all things "The Dirt" by following along on Social Media 

What is the secret to a good business? A great story, hard work, and of course a strong woman always helps! Mary Heffernan from Five Marys Farms has master the art of all these things and I had the privilege to pick her brain about it all!  

More on Mary: 

Mary and Brian Heffernan always dreamed of moving to the country to ranch and raise "free-range kids" in the dirt and sunshine.  They both have deep agriculture roots and a passion for small town, small business, and family-centered food.  So when the opportunity to purchase the historic Sharps Gulch Ranch came along in 2013, Mary and Brian knew they'd found their land.  With eyes on a new adventure and California soil in their souls, they took their four spunky girls to Siskiyou County.   We are Five Marys Farms - after Mary and our four daughters all named Mary after grandmothers and aunts on both sides of the family.  Mary Frances, or "Francie" is 13, Mary Marjorie or "Maisie" is 11, Mary Jane or "JJ" is 9 and Mary Teresa or "Tessa" is 8.  Those are the FIVE MARYS proud to be working the ranch everyday keeping up with the leader of our pack, Heff.   Five Marys livestock including Black Angus cattle, Navajo-Churro sheep and Berkshire hogs spend their whole lives at Five Marys Farms in Siskiyou County; roaming freely and grazing California grasses.  Brian and Mary's ranching methods and beliefs help to preserve and protect the land and respect the animals from birth through processing.  After the animals are processed, the meats (beef, pork and lamb) are available for purchase through www.fivemarysmeats.com

**Connect with Mary**

IG: @fivemarysfarms

FB: Five Marys Farms

website: wwwfivemarysfarms.com

Keep up to date with all things "The Dirt" by following along on Social Media

I love chatting with new people every week, but this week was special because I got to catch up with an old friend! Megan and I go way back to our youth livestock exhibiting days, but she sure isn't THAT little girl anymore! She has grown into such a smart, well-spoken young lady that you're sure to enjoy! 

More about Megan:  

My name is Megan Silveira, and I am originally from Denair, California. I am currently located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where I am pursuing my masters' degree in agricultural communications at Oklahoma State University. I grew up heavily involved in the agriculture industry as I raised my own herd of black Angus cattle, showed Quarter Horses, and even exhibited a few Boer goats.   I currently have a few different irons in the fire as I work for the Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center at OSU through my graduate program, own my own freelance business called Silver Lining Media, and serve the Angus breed through my role as the assistant editor of the Angus Journal.  I run on my three favorite "c" words - Christ, cows, and coffee. The Lord guides my journey, I pursue my passion for the cattle industry wholeheartedly and caffeine is the fuel that keeps me going. Every day I look forward to the work I do as I have a unique opportunity to share the story of the agriculture industry with the rest of the world.  

*Connect with Megan* 

IG: @silvers.meg , @silver.lining.media, @angus_journal 

FB: @SilverLiningMedia @AngusJournal

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I had the privilege to speak with the woman who has taken social media by storm with her gorgeous photos and spot on words. Speaking with Natalie was refreshing and she mentioned important topics about agvocating and what it means to be a woman in Ag.  

More on Natalie: 

Natalie Kovarik is a modern day rancher’s daughter, turned ranch wife, turned ranch mom. She and her husband Luke own and operate Kovarik Cattle Company in Central Nebraska - a cow calf operation with a growing registered Angus herd.   Natalie shares her personal journey of ranching and familying in the Nebraska Sandhills as a way to showcase the beauty behind the western lifestyle, as well as foster a community who supports and trusts the Agricultural world as much as she does. Most of her days are spent bouncing around in a dusty old tractor or out in pasture on horseback, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.   With roots firmly planted in the ranching community, she aims to spend her time advocating for the world of Ag, while collecting meaningful moments on her ranch with her ever growing family. 

*Connect with Natalie* 

IG: @nataliekovarik 

Stephanie Nash and I had more in common than we every thought, a California native but she certainly has the better voice! I loved chatting dairy and music with this sweet girl, be sure ot checkout her new single!!  

More about Stephanie: 

As a fourth-generation dairy farmer who’s dedicated the majority of her life to the family farm, Stephanie Nash quickly learned compassion for the agriculture community. Her latest venture also incorporates her other passion and career, country music. She’s created an eight-part video series titled ‘The Life of a Farmer’ for her YouTube channel to bring awareness to the needs of those that cultivate our lands and waters.  

 “Growing up I saw strong agricultural communities diminish,” says Nash. “Sadly, so many farms that are vital to providing food do not get the same opportunity as other businesses to grow and flourish and their success is critical. My hope is that the series is educational and sheds light on the importance of farming.”   

Episode one of the online series features a charming, nearly 98-year old Paul Smith O’Dell of Laurens, South Carolina. He showcases his cotton, beef and crop farm, now run by his children, and 1947 tractor, the first one released after WWII which he bought new for $146.  

You know those people you talk to and you just click? Courtenay DeHoff is one of those people. I found her story so relatable and feel that many people can find at least one piece of connection in her words. Not to mention, she is bada$$ that has created a name for herself in the world of TV! 

More on Courtenay: 

Courtenay DeHoff is a cowgirl turned television personality, keynote speaker and podcast host who has grabbed the attention of Deadspin, Yahoo!, The Huffington Post, LIVE! with Kelly, The CW and more.  You never know where you will find her!  One weekend DeHoff may be hosting on-air inside Madison Square Garden for the Professional Bull Riders and the next she is speaking to a group of ranchers in small town America.  A self labeled “Fancy Lady Cowgirl” ™ DeHoff takes pride in upholding traditions of the West in unexpected ways.  She loves combining her passion for city life, urban trends and high fashion with her cowgirl spirit.  Through her multiple platforms she works to help bridge the gap between urban and rural communities through advocacy and storytelling.  DeHoff has worked on-air at all levels doing everything from hard news to red carpet premiers.  She loves hosting, speaking and even dabbles in acting.  See her acting debut on USA Network’s crime drama “Queen of the South’ (now available on Netflix).  In 2016 DeHoff was named a top 10 finalist in the “LIVE! with Kelly” guest co-host search with Kelly Ripa! She was selected among thousands of entries thanks to her audition tape, which featured a tongue-in-cheek take on her rural lifestyle.  When she isn’t busy working DeHoff loves to travel the world. She has visited 18 countries around the world and doesn’t plan to slow down anytime soon. DeHoff is also a former collegiate and professional rodeo athlete. 

*Connect with Courtenay* 

IG: @courtdehoff 

FB: @courtenaydehofftv 

Podcast: Cowgirl Problems https://anchor.fm/courtenay-dehoff 

Website: https://courtenaydehoff.com/

Keep up to date with all things "The Dirt" by following along on Social Media

IG: @agchicks

I got the amazing opportunity to speak with Sandi Brock. Sandi taught me so much about the sheep industry and utilizing farming in a way that works for your family. Sandi is an amazing individual who has taken the social media world by storm by sharing the trials and tribulations of raising livestock. I hope you enjoy our episode as much as I did!  

More on Sandi: 

I am a sheep and grain farmer from Hensall, Ontario.  Historically a grain operation, my husband Mark and I run 1700 acres of crops, and diversified into sheep in 2012.  Now we run 400 commercial ewes.    

In 2017, I decided to share this sheep life online through YouTube.  A platform, that like the sheep, challenges me but puts into focus the story that is our backbone.  People long for connection.  Trust.  Empathy.  Community.  

My goal is to not change minds, but to open them to a new point of view.  As it turns out, this community ended up opening mine. 

*Connect with Sandi on Social Media* 

Instagram: @sheepishlyme 

Facebook:@sheepishlyme 

In today's episode I sit down with Saskatchewan's very own, Lesley Kelly and talk about agriculture as a community, need for a focus on mental health, as well as finding a way to bridge the gap between consumers and producers. 

More on Lesley:

Lesley Kelly actively farms with her family at Watrous, Saskatchewan.

Lesley is the head and heart behind the High Heels & Canola Fields blog where she dispels myths about agriculture and brings consumers and farmers together. She started the blog four years ago to promote agriculture and farmers, create community and have fun. A place to share stories and the whys and a place for her and others to learn, grow, smile and connect.

Lesley’s goal in being involved in agriculture beyond the farm from blogging, being a co-host on What The Farm podcast with Rob Sharkey and vlogging (Riding in Cabs with Farmers) is to bring people together, create conversation, collaborate and identify solutions that help both the industry and consumers.

Mental health is near and dear to her heart. Lesley has been a leader in advocating for mental health in agriculture. She's been a part of the national Bell Let's Talk campaign and co-founded the Do More Agriculture Foundation whose mission is to break barriers and support all producers in taking care of their mental well-being. She was recognized by the Regina YWCA with the Women of Distinction award for this work.

When Lesley isn't in the field, you can find her running to the hockey rink with her boys, taking pictures, going for a run on country roads, learning how to cook for a harvest crew and traveling with her husband, Matt.

*Connect with Lesley*

IG: @highheelsandcanolafields

FB:@highheelsandcanolafields

Website: http://highheelsandcanolafields.com/

Keep up to date with all things "The Dirt" by following along on Social Media

IG: @agchicks

I had the privilege to sit down with Annaliese and talk about her family dairy and how she started sharing her story through social media. 

 More on Annaliese: 

Annaliese Wegner. Dairy farmer, twin mom, Wisconsin girl and lover of cheese. 

**Connect with Annaliese** 

IG: @modfarmchick 

FB: @modfarmchick 

Blog: www.moderndayfarmchick.com

Keep up to date with all things "The Dirt" by following along on Social Media

IG: @agchicks

Michelle Miller has taken the "Ag-vocate" world by storm with her sense of humor, application of science and facts, and ability to share Agriculture's story with the top dogs. I had the honor to sit down with Michelle and I promise you won't want to miss this one!   

More about Michelle: 

Hi, I'm Michelle! I grew up involved in 4-H, horse riding, and doing chores on my friends’ grandparents farms in Wisconsin, but when my high school aptitude tests told me to go into farming, I headed west for college and a career in fashion. 

 After working for Gucci On Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and spending a number of years in downtown Chicago, I bought into organic, grass-fed, “Monsanto is the devil” food idealism.  

At this point I caught the travel bug and moved to Florida, where I was able to have a flexible schedule as a ‘globetrotting bartender’ to finish up my goal of visiting all 7 continents (62 countries), and then met my “Prince Farming.” In the years I have been living and working on his Iowa farm, I have learned the truths of modern agriculture firsthand and enjoy “getting revenge on my wallet” by educating the public and debunking the popular myths I once believed in. Consumers today are bombarded with misinformation and marketing tactics, misleading food labels… And I bring real, unbiased education and facts from real farmers and leading industry experts.  

Today, I work alongside my boyfriend and his family on over 2,200 acres of corn, soybeans, alfalfa, oats, sheep, and cattle. I'm happier than I've ever been to get back to my “roots” of being involved with animals and farming and have gone from being skeptical about food to to sharing my passion of modern agriculture! I've literally gone from Rodeo Drive to the Rodeo, and wouldn’t have it any other way. 

* Connect with Michelle* 

Facebook: @TheFarmBabe 

Instagram: @thefarmbabe

 Website: www.thefarmbabe.com  

Keep up to date with all things "The Dirt" by following along on Social Media

IG: @agchicks

I had the honor to chat with Jena Ochsner about life in Nebraska, juggling farm life and an "off the farm" career, and growing their own family and farm!   

More on Jena: 

Hey, y’all! I’m Jena and I farm with my husband on his family’s 5th generation family farm. We have two little farm boys and are proud to live on the original family homestead from 1885!  We farm commercial corn and soybeans and raise black and red angus cattle. We have both a commercial herd and a finishing operation where we raise the cattle from birth to butcher then market our homegrown beef straight from our farm to families all across the country. We ship nationwide!  I love all things farming, but also have an off the farm job as a labor and delivery nurse! It’s a good balance with farm life and a career that I love!  We’re raising cows, crops, and country kids in small town Nebraska and are so happy to have you along for the journey! 

 *Connect with Jena on Social Media* 

Facebook: @doubleofarms.nebraska  

Instagram: @doubleo.farms

I had the opportunity to chat with Kayla about her life in Missouri growing hay with her husband and agvocating for the way of life she loves.   

More about Kayla: 

I’m Kayla - a midwestern farmer, wife and mother who just a short time ago quit my 9 to 5 job and rediscovered my passion for writing. Since then I’ve been sharing my unscripted memoir on my blog and YouTube channel called Chronicles of a Farmer’s Wife.    This is a passion project of mine that shows my successes, struggles and how I try to balance wrangling cattle, riding horses, baling hay, raising my children, being a farmer’s wife and owning a business day by day. It is me being my true authentic self. Someone that I struggled to find for many years.    By you tagging along with my story, I hope you find the courage to take your leap of faith to your unknown that brings happiness to your life.   Welcome to my unhinged world - Chronicles of a Farmer’s Wife. 

*Connect with Kayla on Social Media* 

I had the honor to sit down with Amber Bristow from Wisconsin. Amber is a cranberry farmer and she walked me through everything involved in producing Wisconsin's state fruit!   

More on Amber:

 Hi! I’m Amber Bristow and I’m a fifth generation Wisconsin cranberry grower. Our marsh was started back in 1918 and has grown over 200 acres since then. I work along side my dad, cousin and now husband so it is truly a family run operation like many other marshes in our area.   I went to school for Sport Management and had a few jobs in baseball before realizing I didn’t belong in the big cities and begged my parents to let me come back home to work. They welcomed me back home and eventually welcomed my husband to the operation.   There’s a reason cranberry marshes stay in the family for so long. The sights, the uniqueness of the industry, and the support from fellow growers is enough to make anyone miss it the second they leave. I’m so excited to be educating others on our unique crop and will continue shouting “CRANBERRIES DON'T GROW IN WATER” from the rooftops until everyone hears it.  

Connect with Amber

 IG: @cranberrychats 

FB: Cranberry Chats 

Podcast: Forward Farming (apple, spotify, and sticher)

Keep up to date with all things "The Dirt" by following along on Social Media

IG: @agchicks

While visiting my hometown in California, I sat down with my cousins and brother to talk about 4-H and FFA. These two programs are to help develop youth into leaders and educate them on the importance of agriculture.   

Keep up to date with all things "The Dirt" by following along on Social Media

IG: @agchicks 

Jeanene Dal Porto and the Dal Porto family are life long family friends. Check out our latest interview where we got catch up on cows, life, and the impacts of the beef industry.   

More from Jeanene and Dal Porto Livestock:  

David and Jeanene Dal Porto own and operate Dal Porto Livestock, which consists of both registered and commercial Angus operations, near Oakley and Brentwood, Calif., as well as other areas in the northern part of the state. They have three children - Lindsey, A.J. and Dawson. All three have been active as youth in 4-H and FFA, as well as in exhibiting Angus cattle on local, state and national levels.   “We strive every day to produce the kind of bulls that will help our customers reap rewards of the market and allow them to reduce production costs as well. Our goal is the production of sound, functional females that breed up efficiently, calve unassisted and wean a big calf - and do this year after year.”  

Follow Dal Porto Livestock on Instagram and Facebook- @DalPortoLivestock

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If you were to look up Southern Belle in the Dictionary, there would be a picture of Meredith Bernard! So glad I got to chat with this amazing woman about cattle, finding your path, and butter!   

More about Meredith:  

Meredith is a wife, mother, farmer, photographer, writer and YouTuber living and working on a beef cattle farm with her husband and two children in North Carolina. Her biggest passion is storytelling and helping others see the importance of sharing their own through, realizing we all have more in common than we tend to realize.  

**Social Media**  

IG: @thisfarmwife  

FB: This Farm Wife  

Check out my latest interview and Friday Feature with Emily Shaw from @dairygirlfitness. Emily and I chat all things "agvocating", finding a place in the world, nutrition, and taking leaps of faith! 

More about Emily: 

Emily is a 25 year old online personal trainer who lives in North Central Florida. She started Dairy Girl Fitness over 2 years ago on Instagram as her way to combine some of her biggest passions, fitness and promoting the dairy industry! She hopes Dairy Girl Fitness can be a brand that encourages women to prioritize their health and happiness, while also showing consumers that dairy and animal products are a safe and healthy option to include in their diets. 

** Social Media**

Follow Emily @dairygirlfitness

Keep up to date with all things "The Dirt" by following along on Social Media

Tune in for today's feature with Whitney Larson! Whitney and I dove into challenges of women in the ag industry, the trouble with comparing, and everything Midwest farming!

More about Whitney:

Hi friends! I am Whitney Larson. My husband Bart and I are generational farmers on our first generation farm. I am most commonly known as Farm Wife Guru on Instagram. Am I a Guru? No. But that name sounded catchy when I started to share our farm story on social media. We farm in Northwest Kansas where we raise corn, wheat milo and free range kiddos. We also own and operate a ground spraying company. I stay at home with the kids and do all the farm books. I came from the city and became farm girl pretty quickly. I didn't grow up on a farm, but I got here just as fast as I could! I also co hosts a podcast for women in ag, Midwest Farm Wives with my friend Kylie! Check it out if you have spare time. Nice to meet you!

***Social Media***

Jess Peters is one of those people that you start talking to and feel like you're catching up with an old friend, even though you've never met! "Totes" listen to get the latest on Jersey cows, New Zealand, and mental health in the agriculture community. Oh and for a great laugh!  

More on Jess: 

I sat down with Evelyn Leubner, one of the three sisters from NYFarmgirls. We chatted about cows, being young women in agriculture, and using social media to share Ag's story.

A Message from NYFarmgirls:

We are three sisters sharing our lives on our family’s dairy and crop farm through social media. As farmers and agvocates, we find it so important to tell our story in hopes to create better relationships with our consumers!

***Social Media***

IG: @nyfarmgirls

FB: NYFarmGirls

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I got to chat with Mary Pat Sass from @millenialfarmwife about cheese, farming, and agvocating. Enjoy!  

More about Mary Pat:

 Hey there! I’m Mary Pat.  Yes, two first names.  It’s pretty southern, but I have been a midwest girl my entire life.  I’m a dairy farmer’s daughter turned crop farmer’s wife, and now I’m an AgVocate. I share our farm life and explain what we do and why we do it.  My goal is to connect with other farm families and help bridge the gap between consumers and farmers.  I’m passionate about inspiring others to share their stories and chase their dreams.

**Social Media**

IG: @millenialfarmwife

FB: Millenial Farm Wife

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Wisconsin dairy life, raising calves and kids, and embracing the age of social media. Join me as I sat down with Becca Hilby from @farmingwiththehilbys 

 More on Becca:

 I am a first generation dairy farmer from America’s Dairyland, Wisconsin. My husband, Joey, and I live on his family’s farm with our three year old daughter Sophia, and one year old son, Joseph! We raise steers, chickens, pigs and too many cats to count! My “day job” is the calf manager and co-herd manager on a 350 cow dairy where I have worked since college! (11 years!) I have my own herd on the farm of mostly registered Brown Swiss and a few Holsteins. And can’t forget the two Milking Shorthorns!  One fun fact about me is I did not grow up on a farm! At the age of nine, I joined 4H and we had a local farmer come to a meeting to see if anyone wanted to show a dairy cow! Who wouldn’t say yes to that!? Here I am, almost 22 years later, and I can’t imagine life not in the dairy industry and in agriculture! I love to share about our life on the farm, being a mom, and showing dairy cattle where I am able to connect with consumers at fairs!   This year I have broadened my horizons by signing up for my first farmers market! We’ve gone from selling a few steers a year to local friends and family to wanting to grow into providing affordable beef for our community. And pork now too because who doesn’t want pigs. We also sell chicken eggs when the girls feel like laying! It’s been a blessing to meet new community members and connect with consumers!

**Social Media**

IG: @farmingwiththehilbys

FB: Hilby Family Farms

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Today we get an inside glimpse of the daily life of a veterinarian with Dr. Marissa Hake the "Calf Vet"  

More about Dr. Hake: 

Dr. Marissa Hake is a graduate of Michigan State University where she received her Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and a Masters in Public Health. Her interests include young-stock care and handling, on-farm protocol and culture development and animal welfare. She is passionate about communicating with consumers about modern agriculture through her personal social media accounts - Dr. Hake - Calf Vet on Facebook and @Calvet_ on Instagram. She lives with her husband Travis and their son McCoy in NW Ohio where they cash-crop farm, raise wean-finish pigs, raise replacement heifers and beef cattle.

**Social Media**

IG: calfvet_

FB: calfvet_

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I had the privilege of sitting down with Michelle Martin from Ag Mag. We dove into farming in South Texas and Michelle's entrepreneur ventures within the Agriculture Industry! Thank you Michelle for chatting with me! 

More about Michelle:

 Michelle Michelle Martin, born and raised in McAllen, Texas. She graduated from Sharyland High School in 2004 and furthered her education at Texas A&M University in College Station. In 2009 she moved back to the Valley and began working at Rio Queen which is now Wonderful Citrus, and later went on to work for a private school as their marketing and advertising director. After three years, she decided to quit her job and start her own business which is the Ag Mag. The Ag Mag is an agricultural publication for the Rio Grande Valley.  The Ag Mag is now going on its 7th year and has readership of 50,000. While running her own publication Michelle has also started a program called Farmer Who which allows the consumer to know exactly where their food is coming from, by simply placing your phones camera to the Farmer Who sticker. There a one minute video pops up with the farmer who grew that piece of produce. Soon she will do all commodities, poultry, beef. Etc… Michelle also is the owner and host to a TV show called Ag on Wheels which you can find clips of on RFD, whole episodes on her youtube channel, social media, and her local ABC channel. Michelle is also a mother to a loving farm boy who is four years old, as well as a wife to a farmer!

**Social Media**

IG: @agmag_stx

FB: AgMag

Keep up to date with all things "The Dirt" by following along on Social Media

Keep up to date with all things "The Dirt" by following along on Social Media