Join Derek Pfrang as he talks about family, cattle, crops, and carrying a Kansas operation into the next generation. With the addition of Holton Meat Processing, the Pfrangs have created a fully connected farm-to-family model. This podcast explores the grit, growth, and vision it takes to build a sustainable ag business that stands the test of time.
Learn more about them https://holtonmeat.com
Watch more episodes https://www.humblegroundag.com
Check out Valley Vet at https://www.valleyvet.com
Born and raised in Seneca, Kansas, Matt Koch has built a name that now stands among the greats in the reined cow horse world. An NRCHA Million Dollar Rider and accomplished horse trainer, Matt’s journey has been defined by good horses, great mentors, and the kind of grit that only comes from life on the ranch. From working cattle in the Sandhills to competing under the lights of Las Vegas, his story is one of hard work, humility, and coming full circle — back to where it all began.
Watch more episodes at https://www.humblegroundag.com
Learn more about Koch Cowhorses at https://www.facebook.com/kochcowhorses
Learn more about Valley Vet at https://www.valleyvet.com
In the quiet heart of Marysville, Kansas, two veterinarians set out to make life better for those who care for animals. What began in 1973 as a small-town clinic would grow into one of the nation’s most trusted names in animal health — Valley Vet Supply.As customer needs changed, Drs. Nagely and Shultz saw opportunity where others saw limits.
By 1985, they had transformed a local practice into a pioneering national mail-order retailer, hand-binding their first Farm and Ranch catalogs with help from their families. From there, Valley Vet Supply never stopped evolving — expanding to serve pet and equine owners, opening a retail store, and launching ValleyVet.com just before the turn of the century.
Today, that same spirit of innovation drives a company that ships over one million packages each year and partners with more than 800 suppliers to serve customers in all 50 states. What started as a rural clinic has grown fifty-fivefold in size — yet remains rooted in its mission: to care for those who care for animals.
In this episode, Julie takes us behind the scenes of a company built on trust, passion, and heartland perseverance.
Learn more at https://www.valleyvet.com
Watch more at https://www.humblegroundag.com
Nolan Wellensiek is a seventh-generation farmer carrying on his family’s legacy at Wellensiek Acres — a Nebraska farm dating back to 1843. But Nolan’s story doesn’t stop with corn and soybeans. What started as his dad’s wild idea has turned into Big Red Shrimp Co., where Nolan grows fresh shrimp in the middle of the heartland. In this episode, we talk about tradition, innovation, and how one young farmer is proving you don’t need an ocean to raise shrimp.
Follow along with his journey https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565562000903 or https://www.instagram.com/bigredshrimpco/
For more episodes visit https://www.humblegroundag.com
Since 1971, Buessing Dairy has been a cornerstone of its small-town community. Now, as Roy and Roger Buessing prepare to hand the reins to the next generation, Roy reflects on a lifetime spent on the farm — from his early days growing up among the cows to milking 300 head alongside family. In this episode, Roy shares the highs, the hard work, and the heart behind building a multigenerational dairy operation. It’s a story of tradition, transition, and the deep roots of rural life.
For more episodes visit https://www.humblegroundag.com/watch
Rokeyroad Creamery is a family-owned dairy nestled in the scenic hills of Nemaha County, Kansas, where tradition, quality, and community come together. Established in the late 1990s as a continuation of the Rokey family’s passion for farming and registered Holsteins, the Creamery is built on decades of dedication to raising healthy cows and producing fresh, wholesome dairy products.
From their signature cheese curds to creamy, handcrafted ice cream and rich, farm-fresh milk, everything at Rokeyroad Creamery is made with simple, honest ingredients. Their commitment to sustainability and animal care is evident in every aspect of the operation—from the clean, comfortable barns to the nutrient-rich, homegrown feed. With a deep-rooted legacy and a clear love for their land and livestock, Rokeyroad Creamery continues to grow as a local favorite and a trusted source of farm-to-table goodness.
Learn more about them at https://www.rokeyroadcreamery.com
From the struggles of the 1980s farm crisis to 45 years of raising quality cattle, the Alverson family has built a legacy rooted in hard work, perseverance, and a love for the land. Join Ron, Brent, and Brock as they share the story of Alverson Cattle Co.—a cow-calf operation with eyes on the next generation. It’s about more than cattle; it’s about family, resilience, and keeping rural traditions alive.
To watch or listen to more episodes, visit https://www.humblegroundag.com
Blake Matthews joins us from Idaho to share the story behind his family’s fourth-generation farm, where they grow everything from potatoes and beets to wheat and corn—and also run a cow-calf operation and feedlot. We talk about the evolution of the farm, managing such a diverse operation, and what it takes to keep a multi-generational legacy thriving in today’s ag world.
For more episodes visit https://www.humblegroundag.com
We sat down with Donald Hornung, President and CEO of CrustBuster/Speed King, Inc., to talk about life growing up in rural Kansas, the challenges of building a business through some of agriculture’s toughest decades, and what it means to carry on a legacy. From its humble beginnings in Spearville, KS, CrustBuster grew into a nationally recognized name in farm machinery by staying innovative, adapting to changing markets, and never losing sight of its values.
Donald shares stories from the early days working alongside his father, Michael Hornung — who founded the company in 1960 — and how the business weathered the farm crisis of the '80s, reinvented itself through strategic acquisitions, and expanded into new markets. It’s a conversation about perseverance, family, and what it takes to build something that lasts across generations.
Chase Larson joins us to share the story behind Bestifor, a sixth-generation farm that’s grown far beyond the fields. From high-quality hay and grain to land management, trucking, fabrication, and even hay for exotic pets—Bestifor represents a modern ag business rooted in tradition. Now stepping in to lead the next chapter, Chase talks about inheriting more than just the land—he’s carrying forward a legacy built by his dad and uncle since the 1970s, and by generations before that. Learn how a name that means “grandpa” in Danish has come to represent excellence across the Midwest and beyond.View more episodes at https://www.humblegroundag.comTo learn more about Bestifor visit https://www.bestifor.com
Nick Hasenkamp joins us to share the powerful and personal story of his father, Bob Hasenkamp—a lifelong Kansas farmer who was born on the family farm in 1951 and never left. Bob farmed alongside his father, Alfred, until Alfred’s passing in 1977. Fifteen years ago, Bob died by suicide, leaving behind a grieving family and a story that echoes the silent struggles many farmers face.
Nick, one of Bob’s seven children, opens up about the toll mental health can take in rural America, the quiet weight farmers carry, and the legacy his father left behind. Today, Bob’s sons—Ben and Josh—continue to farm the land, carrying on a tradition rooted in generations, shaped by both love and loss.
This conversation is about more than one man or one farm—it’s about breaking the silence around mental health in agriculture and honoring the lives lived on and for the land.
If you are struggling or know someone who is please visit one of the links below.
https://www.healthinnovationsnetworkofkansas.org/hink-spin
For more episodes visit https://www.humblegroundag.com
Rick Strathman of Strathman Farms joins us to share a powerful story of family, farming, and resilience. Raised around a dairy operation, Rick began farming in the 1980s—a time when agriculture was anything but easy. Alongside his brother Roger and now three of their sons, the Strathmans have built a diversified operation in Kansas rooted in grit, faith, and a deep love for the land. For more episodes, visit https://www.humblegroundag.com
What started on a Kansas half section turned into a lifeline for farmers across the country. In this episode, we sit down with Elmer Haug, the man behind Elmer’s Repair—a shop that’s been keeping older tractors running strong since 1974. With over 1,700 Case and IH tractors dismantled and tens of thousands of parts shipped across the U.S. and beyond, Elmer’s team has built a legacy on grit, know-how, and a deep respect for the people who work the land.Now, the next generation of the Haug family is stepping in, carrying forward the mission to keep farmers and ranchers moving when buying new just isn’t in the cards. With over 100,000 new, used, and re-manufactured parts on the shelves—or just a day away—Elmer’s Repair isn’t just rebuilding tractors, they’re rebuilding possibilities for rural America.For more episodes visit https://www.humblegroundag.comCheck out Elmer's Repair at https://www.elmersrepair.com
Beck's began as a small family farm in 1937, rooted in the heart of Indiana with a simple yet powerful purpose: to help farmers succeed. What started with Lawrence Beck planting hybrid seed corn on just a few acres has grown into the largest family-owned retail seed company and third-largest seed brand in the United States. Through decades of faith, hard work, and unwavering commitment, Beck's now serves farmers across the country.For more episodes https://www.humblegroundag.com/watchTo learn more on Beck's https://www.beckshybrids.com/
For over 100 years, the Didier family has worked the same Oklahoma soil—enduring dust storms, war, heartbreak, and hardship—transforming 160 acres into over 2,000 acres of sustainable pasture and legacy.
Today, Chris and Grant Didier carry on the legacy of their father, Jimmy, and their great-grandfather, Pierre, running a fully modern cow-calf operation built on ethical practices, cutting-edge technology, and timeless family values. Alongside their mother, Kay—better known online as the beloved “Granny Bibbins”—and the youngest generation, including social media sensation Gatlin, the Didiers are blending tradition with innovation to bring premium, pasture-raised beef straight to the tables of everyday Americans.
For more episodes, visit https://www.humblegroundag.com
Follow along with Gatlin & Granny at https://didierranch.com/
In this episode, we sit down with Derek Thompson, one of the founders of NextGen Cattle Co., to hear the story of how he, his brother, and his cousin turned a shared vision into a vertically integrated beef business with impact. Raised on values like trust, integrity, and passion for the land, the trio set out to create a seedstock operation built specifically for the commercial cattleman. Today, NextGen spans the entire beef industry—from NextGen Ranch, to Riverbend, to Allen—offering not just elite cattle genetics, but real-world data and personalized consulting to help ranchers thrive. Hear how it all started, the lessons learned along the way, and how NextGen is shaping the future of the cattle industry—one relationship at a time.Watch more episodes at https://www.humblegroundag.com
Learn more about NextGen at https://www.nextgencattle.com
Jay Rezac and his family run Rezac Land & Livestock in rural Kansas, a diversified operation that includes hogs, cattle, crops, and part ownership in a sale barn. Growing up in the family business alongside his dad and grandad, Jay learned the value of hard work and developed a deep love for the ag industry—lessons that have carried over to his own kids and, hopefully, to his grandkids. Today, Jay and his brother work alongside the next generations, building a strong agricultural legacy that they hope will continue for years to come.
For more episodes visit https://www.humblegroundag.com/watch
In this episode, we dive into the transformation of Wilroads Feed Yard outside of Dodge City, Kansas and its journey under the ownership of Keith and Tessa Bowman. After purchasing the facility in 2019, the Bowmans expanded operations, upgrading the feedmill with automated flakers, increased storage, and computerized feed batching. Learn about the strategic improvements aimed at maximizing cattle performance, optimizing grid value, and boosting profitability. With plans to expand to 46,000-head capacity, we explore the Bowmans’ vision for the future and their commitment to providing top-tier service to their customers. Join us for insights into one of the most innovative feedyards in the industry.
Check out our other episodes at https://www.humblegroundag.com/watch
Learn more about Wilroads at https://wilroadsfeedyard.com
In 1972, John and Janie Kramer set out to build more than just a business—they built a legacy. What started as a vision to create opportunities for future generations has grown into J-Six Enterprises, one of the largest family-owned agricultural businesses in America. With over 600+ employees spanning farms, livestock operations, trucking, and milling across Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska, J-Six continues to thrive. In this episode, we sit down with co-owner Troy Kramer to hear the story behind J-Six Enterprises and its lasting impact on agriculture.
Learn more about J-Six at https://www.jsixenterprises.com
EDIT - I mistakenly said Troy was a Founder in the intro, John and Janie were the founders, Troy is one of the current Partners/Co-Owners of J-Six Enterprises.
Watch our content at https://www.humblegroundag.com
Dave Dreiling has been an entrepreneur since day one, always driven to build and grow businesses. From clothing and restaurants to the pet industry, he’s found success in multiple ventures. But after experiencing Wagyu beef for the first time, he set his sights on ranching.
Fast forward a few years, and Dave, along with his team at Booth Creek Wagyu, has built a fully integrated Wagyu operation and a powerhouse brand—with no plans of slowing down.To learn more visit https://boothcreekwagyu.com/.For more Humble Ground content visit https://www.humblegroundag.com