agriculture Archives - Podcasts for Aggies

One Stoplight to Success(Episode Two): New Homes

20Apr

Howdy there and welcome to Episode Two of One Stoplight to Success, New Homes. In this episode we learn what moving to College Station from a small town is like. Topics include Traffic, Construction, lack of space and finding a community. The Aggies talk about all the issues they ran into as they attempted to create a new home for themselves in College Station. I also have an incredibly insightful conversation with Katie Atkeisson about the differences between College Station, Dallas and her home town of Kerens.

One Stoplight to Success was inspired by my background growing up in Dallas, Texas. When I first came to A&M, three years ago, and saw how tiny it was by comparison, I went absolutely stir crazy. As insane as it may seem, I had never dreamed anyone could live in a town so small. It was like a cage to me compared with what I grew up with. Imagine my surprise when I then found out many of my fellow classmates told me College Station was akin to the big city for them. This changed my entire perspective and inspired me to learn as much as I could about these small town aggies. This inspired the idea for One Stoplight to Success. So come along as we talk about life outside the big city of College Station!

Listen to New Homes, Episode Two of One Stoplight to Success, on Spotify!

Why All The Rules?: E2

28Apr

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In episode 2 “Riding Solo” I break down the previous episode with guest Jake Richardson and discuss what is next.

After the brief breakdown, I will discuss my opinions on many different things, and give my thoughts of where the show livestock world is at.

This will not be a particularly exhilarating episode, but more so a chance to get to know me, and what I do as someone who is deeply engrained into this crazy world that myself and others love so much.

Why ride solo?

I think it important for the you, the audience to know me better. This will hopefully give everyone a more detailed understanding maybe of why I am the way I am. Hopefully listening will be even more enjoyable when taking in some of the things that are on these episodes, and why I choose the guests I choose.

I genuinely hope the audience understands how much I truly love this industry, and also at times how one could loathe it. Understanding me, and my tendencies will most definitely allow everyone to not be so confused, or thrown off by some comments made.

I quote movies, comedians, and even things said behind closed doors. Thats what makes this unique, because even though we say some things on this show that may be a tad controversial, there is no doubt it is all meant very lightly. I do this because I love it, and it is my idea of fun, because if everything was always serious, Everybody would think I was a robot.

Make sure to tune in to Episode 2, Riding Solo!

Listen on Podcast for Aggies!

Welcome to Podcasts for Aggies

Host Reagan Thurman

“Pilot” w/ Jake Richardson

28Apr

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Welcome to The Crying Hole and our “Pilot” episode with Jake Richardson.

We will have discussions about all things within the livestock show world. Although it may seem dominated by the sheep and goat industry, we still give our takes throughout the rest of the industry.

Be prepared for some takes that may be a little more “out there” as we hope to talk about things that others may dance around sometimes, or maybe just be scared to bring up in general. We dig in, and get to discussing the good, the bad, and the ugly of that what’s what, and the who’s who of the livestock show world.

“Pilot” With Jake P Richardson

In the “Pilot” episode of The Crying Hole, I sit down with longtime friend Jake Richardson, and catch just another “conversation”. Although everything can’t make the cut for the final edit, I am confident there will be plenty of hot takes, laughs, and even a couple conspiracies that will make your head spin.

We discuss everything from this past major show season, the drama, the winners, and what we look forward to in this upcoming sale season. We even get into some predictions and thoughts on what the 2023-2024 major and national stock shows could look like later this year.

Don’t Forget!

Whatever you do, mark your calendars, set your alarms, and be prepared for the absolute worst, because the “Pilot” is guaranteed to have something everyone will make their head spin at the sheer ridiculousness that will be talked about and discussed throughout the episode!

Make sure not to miss this episode of The Crying Hole with Jake Richardson!

We never claim to be right, but we will always be truthful!

Listen on Podcast for Aggies!

Welcome to Podcasts for Aggies

Jake Richardson and Myself preparing high quality baby goats for promotional photos

Roots: Episode 1 – Origins

29Apr

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Welcome to Roots. I’m your host, Abby Huie, and I’ll be walking with you through the story of my family’s farm and ranch outside of Beeville, South Texas. We will dive into the origins of 1349 Food and Fiber, its struggles and successes, and the outlook for future generations. We’ll also explore the ways that agriculture has evolved for small production businesses like ours, gaining a deeper understanding of the realities an American farmer faces everyday.

James Riggle riding a horse with his grandson, Matt Huie, on the 1349 Food and Fiber ranch.

James Riggle riding horses with his grandson, Matt Huie.

In The Beginning

In episode 1, we will explore the origins of the 1349 Food and Fiber farm and ranch. We’ll date back to my great-grandfather and the origin of our roots, James Riggle, who handpicked cotton during the great depression. James and his wife, Frankie, would go on to build their own farm and ranch operation with all of the blood, sweat, and tears that this lifestyle demands. James, who was “Grandaddy” to us all, embodied the spirit of the Texas cowboy. He embraced the land and it in turn bared the fruits of his diligent work. Though he and Frankie are not physically with us anymore, their legacy remains at the root of our family and our love for agriculture.

Our First Guests:

To get a first hand perspective of life growing up on the original family land, we will hear from Cherry Pichot, one of James’s three daughters, and her husband Claude Pichot, who in later days helped James with the finances and business aspect of his farming operation. Although James’s daughters never officially took over the operation, they were vital in its lasting success and in its continuity in the next generation. In speaking with Cherry and Claude, we will lean into stories of the old days, when pastures stretched to the horizon and $200 was a lot of money.

James Riggle, 2010

Farming and ranching are not for the faint of heart. This life requires faith, perseverance, and grit to be successful. It is these values and this story that shaped who I am today. It is my hope that through this podcast, you too will feel these roots. As Grandaddy always said, move forward in your life rooted in the past, but with steady eyes on the future.

Roots: Episode 2 – 1349 in 2022

29Apr

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In episode 2, we are exploring the modern-day farm operation at 1349 Food and Fiber. Our discussion will cover the everyday routine, how farmers handle financial risk, and the why behind the commitment to this lifestyle.

FM 1349

The 1349 Food and Fiber ranch is rooted in roughly 900 acres up and down Farm to Market Road 1349. This land is where James Riggle began his original operation in 1945 and what my family considers the “homeland.” However, today’s farm operations span far beyond the bounds of 1349. The business is now located in 5 counties, covering roughly 6,000 crop acres and 10,000 acres of cattle pasture. For perspective, 6,000 acres is about 4,500 football fields.

The operation currently produces corn, cotton, and grain sorghum. In addition, seasonal cover crops such as winter wheat are grown to enhance soil matter. Most of these products are sold or traded to make animal feeds and textiles. However, we use some of these products to feed the ranch’s livestock. The planting season for these crops usually begins in late February and spans until early May, ending just in time to prepare for summer harvest. This period is one of the most stress-inducing parts of the production agriculture process. The weather in these months can make or break a good crop.

So how does it all happen?

Tune in to hear from our guests, Matt and Shambryn Huie, who currently own and operate the 1349 Food and Fiber farm and ranch. Matt will dive into the modern-day farm operation, providing a first-hand perspective of the realities American farmers face in production agriculture everyday. Shambryn will also chime in on farm finances and how family helps keep this operation moving. Oh – and they’re my parents.

This episode is special to me, as it encompasses my life growing up. This is what made me who I am. So, welcome to the family! These are the roots.

Stay up to date with Roots on AGCJ366 or wherever you get your podcasts.

Roots: Episode 3 – Horizons

29Apr

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Although this season of Roots is coming to a close, the story of 1349 doesn’t end here. In episode 3, we are looking to the future.

Raising ‘Em Right

In 2021, 1349 Food and Fiber set out on a new venture, founding Raising ‘Em Right Ranch to Table Beef. The intent is to create the full beef production cycle internally. Raising ‘Em Right (RER) livestock is born, raised, and fed on the ranch. In addition to their consistent diet of grass, the livestock eat a feed mixture of corn, hay, and cotton seed grown on 1349. This balanced diet removes any need for added hormones, rendering meat that is healthy for consumers and regenerative for the land. All of RER’s processing is done at a local, USDA approved processing facility. The cuts of meat are all sold online and out of the storefront in Beeville, Texas. This internal production cuts out any third-parties in the typical beef industry and instead sends the product directly consumers.

Raising ‘Em Right provides high quality meat for all of its customers, but it also brings diversity to the business. As we learn what the future of 1349 will bring, this kind of business expansion plays a key role. Food sourcing and and labelling awareness is on the rise and Raising ‘Em Right is keeping up with the times.

Our Guest

Joining us to talk about Raising ‘Em Right and the future of 1349 Food and Fiber is Rosalie Bonner. Rosalie is one of James Riggle’s granddaughters and curates all thing media and PR for RER. Although she is one of the pioneers of RER, Rosalie has not always been involved in the family business. She grew up in San Antonio, Texas, and later moved to New York City to work as an Account Director for advertising agency Droga5. When COVID-19 hit the United States in early 2020, Rosalie moved from New York back to her family’s land in Beeville. Although she moved back to New York in January, her work in the creation and execution of RER has been vital. Rosalie also provides a different perspective on the farm and ranch as a whole, bringing the bigger picture in.

Tune in for this season’s final episode, Horizons, at AGCJ336 or wherever you get your podcasts.