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We're having a heart to heart with the countryside, let's talk.
Hosted by Kerry Hoffschneider
Hosted by Kerry Hoffschneider

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29 APR 2025 · “The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings." ~ Masanobu Fukuoka
As a grower of food and community in Cheney, Kan., Shelby Beyer embodies this quote in her many endeavors at Anchor Farm that she owns and operates with her husband Brad and their two children.
Anchor Farm produces a wide variety of seasonal vegetables in outdoor gardens and high tunnels. Brad and Shelby also shepherd a flock of hair sheep. Their goal is to provide healthy meat and produce for their family and their local community.
Shelby has broad work experience across the agricultural setting. She worked in the conventional beef cattle, research, soil amendment, organic produce, and regenerative dairy industries before starting Anchor Farm in 2019.
Prior to her pursuing her passion for agriculture, Shelby worked in health care for 20 years. This journey led her to a deeper understanding of the connections between healthy soil and ecosystems, and food and human health.
More recently, Shelby has worked with multiple companies to conduct soil health research. She provides consulting services for growers of all sizes, helping them to support and grow the diversity in their ecosystems and the health of their soils.
Shelby's intent is to nourish her community and support farmers in their quest to grow diversity. She has an intense drive for sharing the magic of food and the natural world with those around her, especially younger generations.
Follow Shelby at https://www.facebook.com/share/1H3dku6nPZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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HOST: Kerry Hoffschneider
GUESTS: Shelby Beyer
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CREDITS:
Mitchell Roush, Producer
Bibi Luevano, Cover Art
Purple Planet Music, Theme
1 APR 2025 · Del Ficke, co-founder of the Graze Master Group, and Larry Hafer - Graze Master Group leader, talk about the new Graze Master Genetics® Certification Program: https://www.grazemastergroup.com/graze-master-genetics
The program is a complete systems approach to genetic improvement and profitability backed by 80 years of combined expertise in real world cattle solutions.
It’s cow sense and common sense combined. The following are key points to the certification program:
· We provide genetic recommendations that will make herds excel in the real world with practical traits suited for your farm and ranch.
· We can help you fine-tune your genetic resources and turn them into market opportunities.
· We use your quality genetics as a base for building a profitable herd that is best suited for your farm and ranch.
· We also want to extend an invitation to be part of the Graze Master Group family and powerful ag solutions network.
“The Graze Master Genetics Program is an opportunity for livestock producers to benefit from improving their genetics with a solutions approach, based on years of development that not only improves the animals that roam your farm or ranch, but also improves the soil beneath them while putting more profitability in those operations,” Hafer said.
“This program is mostly about people,” Ficke said. “It’s about their potential first, and then how that potential can exponentially grow on their farms and ranches. The right cattle genetics is one piece of a much bigger story. The rest of the story, and most important, is about maximizing our journeys while we have time left on earth. Larry and my roads and all our group’s life stories led to this moment. Now we want to take the power of the Graze Master Group ag solutions network, and combine it with the power of the Graze Master Certification Program, and see that power unfold in dreams on the farm and ranch that begin to take shape in their vision for their future.”
Learn more about the Graze Master Genetics® Verification Program by calling or texting:
Del Ficke - (402) 499-0329
Larry Hafer - (402) 937-2585
Everyone is invited to come out to the Graze Master Group field day, equipment show, and educational workshop in Denton, Neb. July 10-11, 2025 to learn more:
https://www.grazemastergroup.com/events-2025
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HOST: Kerry Hoffschneider
GUESTS: Del Fike & Larry Hafer
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CREDITS:
Mitchell Roush, Producer
Bibi Luevano, Cover Art
Purple Planet Music, Theme
28 FEB 2025 · According to Statista Research Department, http://statista.com/, "The United States is home to the largest number of prisoners worldwide. More than 1.8 million people were incarcerated in the U.S. at the beginning of 2025."
In the U.S., incarceration extends beyond prisons and local jails to include other systems of confinement. The U.S. and state incarceration rates in this graph include people held by other parts of the justice system as well, so they might be slightly higher than the commonly reported incarceration rates that only include prisons and jails.
The statistics are alarming, heartbreaking, and expensive. During this Underdog Ag Podcast, we meet Brandon Hinrichs, the visionary behind Aspire Impact Network. A network that, "empowers communities through life skills, programs, community corrections, and family support, while also offering web development, data solutions, and tech services."
Brandon wants to use his skills working as a probation officer and in the system in the past to help alleviate stress on the system and to ensure people don't repeat going to jail. His mission and vision saves our precious neighbors and saves taxpayer dollars. It's an amazing mission that needs more partners to succeed. Contact Brandon at (402) 759-2210 to become engaged with his cause and amazing pantheon of services.
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HOST: Kerry Hoffschneider
GUEST: Brandon Hinrichs
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CREDITS:
Mitchell Roush, Producer
Bibi Luevano, Cover Art
Purple Planet Music, Theme
29 GEN 2025 · “Farm and Ranch Profitability all Starts in the Soil.”
Terry Buettner serves as the Account Development & Agronomy Support Manager for Ward Laboratories Inc. based out of Kearney, Neb. Ward Laboratories are Graze Master Group partners. Buettner joined Ward Laboratories in the fall of 2017. He graduated from the University of Nebraska – Kearney in 1983 with a B.S. in Business Administration. He has been involved in production agriculture and seed sales in the Kearney area for 34 years.
During this Underdog Ag Podcast, Buettner will discuss the Ward Laboratories Soil Health Assessment as well as Soil Health Principles that lead to increased fertility, more productive land, and more. Below is more information about the assessment that benefits farmers and ranchers in numerous ways.
About the Ward Laboratories Inc. Soil Health Assessment:
Looking to boost your dollars per acre at harvest time? It all starts in the soil. Your plants are only as healthy as the soil they are feeding from. Reduced microbial activity and limited nutrient availability can result in lackluster harvests. Ward Laboratories can give you a complete report of our findings and recommend corrective measures.
The new Soil Health Assessment (SHA) package is a test that combines the latest in soil science, ensuring that both soil fertility and soil health are viewed through a single test, helping farmers and researchers measure and manage soil health without compromising productivity. Microbial activity and food are evaluated to provide data that enhances operations while also evaluating nutrients in a manner that is widely accepted by Land Grant University correlations and calibrations.
This new package also includes modified aggregate stability. With this addition, the new Soil Health Assessment offers two biological, one chemical and one physical indicator of soil health.
Learn more at:
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wardlab.com%2Fservices%2Fsoil-health-analysis%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7C79dffb84baca4af7cca308dd341bbf67%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638724015955712676%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=KusZoRs9%2Bogy27kyNLgSAkMHC7Zub0MkcqaA2RwLhsA%3D&reserved=0
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.grazemastergroup.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7C79dffb84baca4af7cca308dd341bbf67%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638724015955725977%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=3pEP68f7WoxektKh28txTkJsMsOq3PAFVXKAm9Zi6S4%3D&reserved=0
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HOST: Kerry Hoffschneider
GUEST: Terry Buettner
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CREDITS:
Mitchell Roush, Producer
Bibi Luevano, Cover Art
Purple Planet Music, Theme
21 DIC 2024 · This Underdog Ag Podcast features a very inspiring story told by Svetlana (Vysotsky) Hensley, wife of Allen Hensley, of Agua Dulce, Texas.
Although she ended up in Texas, Svetlana spent the first five years of her life in Lviv, Ukraine. Then, because of religious persecution (even imprisonment), her parents, Igor and Nadia, fled to the United States with very little money, only the belongings they could carry, each other, and their faith in the risen Christ.
Listen to Svetlana talk about her journey to the United States, that began when she was a tearful child at a train station in the Ukraine. So sad to leave her home, her friends, and her life there, little did she know a church and community in Oklahoma was preparing to welcome the family with open arms.
This story is one of gratitude, humor, endurance, love, and faith. A fitting story to move us as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Thank you, Allen Hensley, for recognizing the precious gift your wife and her story are to the world. Thank you, Svetlana, for your willingness to share your journey.
P.S. There are a few surprises along the way in this interview too. Such as, we may know the source of those mysterious crop circles that pop up at times. Also, the power of mowing your lawn and more.
In honor of Svetlana’s father, I am also sharing her father’s obituary below so that the story may live on in the hearts of those who read it:
Igor Fedorovich Vysotsky, age 77, entered through the eternal gates of Heaven peacefully on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in the comfort of his home. Igor is survived by his loving wife, Nadia (Gavrilov) Vysotsky, and his six children, Miroslav Vysotsky (wife Natasha) of Roseville, CA; Lilia Otten (husband James) of Bartlesville, OK; Nelya DeSpain (husband Brady) of Talala, OK; Igor Jr. Vysotsky (wife Lauren) of Cypress, TX; Svetlana Hensley (husband Allen) of Agua Dulce, TX; Isaya Vysotsky (wife Aileen) of Tampa, FL; and 21 grandchildren: Sara, Breyden, Alexis, Emily, Ethyn, Leah, Baylie, Trystan, Mia, Melana, Abram, Jonah, Eli, Miryk, Adelade, Levi, Silas, Kirym, Samuel, Magdalene, and Maverik.
Igor was born on January 25, 1947 in Matsoshyn (village near Lviv) Ukraine to Fedir and Agafia Vysotsky. He was the seventh of their eight children together. Igor attended and graduated from the Matsoshyn school house (completing grades 1-8; and prevented from pursuing higher education because of his Christian beliefs) after which he attended mechanical and technical trade schools where he earned mechanic and electrician certifications. Igor then completed 2 years of compulsory military service and entered the workforce in Lviv Ukraine. This turned out to be a fortunate location for Igor, as he began attending a local home-based church where he met, courted, and married his bride, Nadia, who would remain his life-long spouse for over 54 years, and would be by his side until his last breath on this earth.
As the patriarch of a growing family, Igor worked for various state owned/run enterprises and was often held back from promotions or outright fired for his beliefs and his refusal to live out his Faith in secret. The ongoing persecution for his Christian beliefs strained his ability to provide for his family and he often had two to three menial jobs and drove a gypsy cab during non-working hours to make ends meet.
This was simply the way of life for true Believers under the oppressive regime of the Soviet Union and became a theme of his ongoing struggle for freedom to worship and to live a life that God called him to live. Aside from the “softer” persecution of career and professional development limitations, Igor also experienced direct punishment for playing Christian worship music in the privacy of his own home. He and his pastor were imprisoned for over 40 days after being reported to the authorities by a neighbor. Igor was prepared to serve a much longer sentence but was unexpectedly released without explanation.
Although Igor was able to feed and clothe his children, he and Nadia recognized that it would be a difficult future for their family to build a life they wanted under their circumstances in Ukraine. Together, they made the difficult decision to renounce their citizenship, sell-off or give away most of their possessions, pack up their suitcases with whatever remained, and leave their homeland behind with five children in tow, in pursuit of freedoms of opportunity and above all, the freedom to live and worship their God as He had called them to. They found this freedom in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, having been sponsored by First Assembly of God Church. The Vysotsky family arrived in the USA on November 4, 1989, where they began the second act of their life.
Igor and Nadia embraced the opportunities that America afforded anyone lucky enough to reside inside its borders. They learned a new language, maximized their work opportunities (working just as hard as they had in Soviet Union but reaped the benefits of their labor), became business owners, sponsored other family members to immigrate to the States, raised their five Ukrainian born children and added one American born, and welcomed sons and daughters in law into the family. Above any material gains, Igor and Nadia were blessed with 21 grandchildren whom Igor considered his greatest success and best part of his legacy.
Igor was a man of few words but managed to speak volumes in the way that he lived his life for his children to observe and model after. He lived out his faith by example in his daily devotional time, in reading his Bible, in private prayers and fasting, church attendance and giving. He also taught life skills and deep personal convictions and virtues that his kids have adopted by living those out in the person that he was rather than verbal teaching. He taught the importance of effort, to do tasks the best that one had the capacity to do them, to mind the fine details, the willingness to learn and to try something new, the confidence to tackle seemingly insurmountable challenges, the necessity of humor in life, the virtues of sincerity, honesty, justice, gratitude, and servanthood. Igor had a critical eye for detail, offered strong and unfiltered opinions, and quick wit and a dry sense of humor that he employed regularly to entertain himself and those around him; all qualities that have been embraced and adopted by his kids and grandkids.
Igor suffered a stroke in September 2022 that limited his mobility and contributed to his passing on July 3, 2024. He lived a full life and leaves behind a legacy that he could not have imagined during his humble beginnings in the village of Matsoshyn. He lived a life worthy of remembrance. A life that our God called him to live. Igor followed and obeyed and through the many trying times of imprisonment, persecution, loss of earthly possessions, and loss of health, his faith never wavered. He now spends his time in Heaven with the One he loved and trusted all his days on Earth.
Obituary source: https://www.davisfamilyfuneralhome.com/m/obituaries/Igor-Vysotsky/Memories
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HOST: Kerry Hoffschneider
GUEST: Svetlana Hensley
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CREDITS:
Mitchell Roush, Producer
Bibi Luevano, Cover Art
Purple Planet Music, Theme
19 NOV 2024 · This Underdog Ag Podcast features sisters, “the Heine girls.” Known in their formative years as Jenny and Kerry Heine, we will discuss life growing up in the 1970s, 80s, and early 90s on a York County, Neb. farm. You may be surprised by this interview. You might cry. We hope you laugh. Mostly we hope you too can find healing and move on from what you need to as well.
Jenny has a long list of experiences:
While serving as a very talented farm hand at the “Heine Circus,” Jenny drove a tractor at age eight, and was doing field work at 12 years old. She was doing whatever was asked on the farm, and did it well.
She balanced teenage jobs in food service at Dairy Queen and Hardee’s.
Sun Theatre in York was also a high school position.
Jenny also served as a circulation manager and more at two newspapers.
She was a much-loved teacher for 12 years.
Today, Jenny helps people with disabilities understand and navigate Social Security, as well as state and federal benefits systems.
Jenny and her husband Casey Mentink love their grandchildren and are full of life. Jenny especially is proud of her daughter, BreeAnna Hoff, her husband Kyle, and their beautiful daughter, Evangeline (sweet Evie).
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HOST: Kerry Hoffschneider
GUEST: Jenny (Kerry's Sister)
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CREDITS:
Mitchell Roush, Producer
Bibi Luevano, Cover Art
Purple Planet Music, Theme
29 OTT 2024 · “Living Water,” we’re all living because of it. Kylen Hunt has a story of self-discovery and faith. The center of that story is the incredible, divine element that is the foundation of all life, “living water.” You will be surprised by some of the twists and turns in his testimonial. Surprised, and filled with, HOPE.
About Kylen Hunt:
Kylen’s background in Precision Agriculture began as a teenager working with his grandfather in the fields of Central Nebraska. He was taught to love the land and respect its natural resources.
It wasn't until 2001, that Kylen began his career in Precision Agriculture. While operating a local farm service business and working alongside local farmers, he became intrigued by auto steer and variable rate technology. This caused him to sell his business and transition into a Precision Ag Operator role for a local Cooperative.
By the mid-2000s, Kylen began to see several issues developing within the precision industry. Learning how important data analytics would become in the future, he began to focus a considerable amount of time on the subject.
Through personal research and study, Kylen learned that 87% of the time, water management was the cause for yield variability, crop production limitations, and even consistent profit management. Through this process of learning, Kylen developed a passion for data analytics and data interpretation on irrigated acres.
Today, Kylen has the privilege of working alongside industry partners, and farmers, to help them fully adopt real-time and predictive water management. He’s learned his real gifts and talents are not in the technology or analytics, but in helping industry leaders and producers fully adopt precision technology along with annual and real-time data analytics.
Kylen lives in Corning, Iowa with his wife Rebecca, his biggest fan for 31 years. They travel together and look forward to investing time in their four grandchildren.
Kylen is also a DISC Certified Personality and Behavioral Trainer and Consultant as well as a certified speaker, trainer, and business coach with the John Maxwell Team.
In his "spare time," Kylen engages in leadership, public speaking, and business training events, where he challenges individuals to seek truth, gain wisdom, and serve others. A formula he has found to be very successful in both his personal and business life.
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HOST: Kerry Hoffschneider
GUEST: Kylen Hunt
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CREDITS:
Mitchell Roush, Producer
Bibi Luevano, Cover Art
Purple Planet Music, Theme
25 SET 2024 · This Underdog Ag Podcast features my friend Gail Fuller of Circle 7 Farms near Severy, Kan.
Gail Fuller grew up just north of Emporia, Kan. on the Neosho River.
"The inner child in me had known all my life that we were farming wrong.
But it took me from 1979 to 2003 to really start to question things."
Fuller was always a hardworking farmer, dedicated to his tasks. In 2000, he was farming 3,200 acres of Roundup Ready® corn and soybeans.
"I was the fourth largest farmer in my county. But I came to know a change was needed."
"All farmers, I think in some fashion, grow up with a conservationist mindset," he said. "There was the little creek behind my parents' house where we would look for raccoon tracks, you know, all of those things farm kids do. And with those experiences, grew my affection for the trees, wildlife, and all those things."
"But then, when I became a farmer, suddenly we needed insecticides and those insecticides could kill some of the birds and insects too, but there I was needing to make money and grow corn to ‘feed the world,’” Fuller admitted. "The government had a big role to play in this mindset change. They quit talking about farmers as producers of food and changed the language from food to commodities. I think that language desensitized us into using all the chemicals."
Gail and Lynette are bringing senses and common sense alive in their many pursuits. Join them Oct. 3-4 at Fuller Field School for a life-changing conversation with Dr. Nasha Winters, who found a path to recovery from cancer by focusing on a new mindset about healing and a life’s mission fueled by the soil. Learn about the event and register here: http://www.fullerfieldschool.com/
Read Gail’s full story in “Hope Stories for the Heartland.” You can find the order link here: http://www.grazemastergroup.com/hope-stories
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HOST: Kerry Hoffschneider
GUEST: Gail Fuller - http://www.fullerfieldschool.com/
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CREDITS:
Mitchell Roush, Producer
Bibi Luevano, Cover Art
Purple Planet Music, Theme
28 AGO 2024 · The backbone of the family and the backbone of rural America, I present to you the modern farm wife.
This Underdog Ag podcast, I had the pleasure of visiting with Robyn Harlan of Nueces County, Texas.
Robyn is testament to the faith and lifelong learning it takes to play all the pivotal roles of farm partner and mother. You will love this podcast featuring an incredible woman who exudes joy, can-do, and timeless common sense to a world hungry to get back to the land.
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HOST: Kerry Hoffschneider
GUEST: Robyn Harlan
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CREDITS:
Mitchell Roush, Producer
Bibi Luevano, Cover Art
Purple Planet Music, Theme
11 LUG 2024 · This Underdog Ag Podcast I did something really different and outside my comfort zone.
I spent some time with myself, some of my writings, and a few of the ag heroes in my new book, “Hope Stories for the Heartland.”
If you feel moved to do so, come see us July 24 in Denton, Neb. for our Graze Master Group – Paths to Profitability event and field day! Register here for FREE: http://www.grazemastergroup.com/events
I will have some books on hand to sign at the July 24 event or you can order here too: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D264BYVQ
Thank you for your time and consideration of these serious topics. It means the world. Give me a call or text at 402-363-8963 if you want to learn more about the Graze Master Group and “Hope Stories.”
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Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe.
HOST: Kerry Hoffschneider
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CREDITS:
Mitchell Roush, Producer
Bibi Luevano, Cover Art
Purple Planet Music, Theme
We're having a heart to heart with the countryside, let's talk.
Hosted by Kerry Hoffschneider
Hosted by Kerry Hoffschneider
Informazioni
Autore | Kerry Hoffschneider |
Organizzazione | Kerry Hoffschneider |
Categorie | Scienze naturali |
Sito | - |
wordeed@outlook.com |
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