Grow Getters

In this episode of Grow Getters, Davis Michaelsen is joined by Courtenay Dehoff and Kiah Twisselman Burchett — the spirited hosts behind the TV show Back Road Cowgirls. Both rooted in multi-generational ranching families, Courtenay and Kiah share how a bottle of wine and a shared dream turned into a nationwide journey to showcase the heart and humanity of agriculture. From filming 16 episodes in just two weeks to spotlighting personal ranch stories and legacy moments — including an emotional cattle drive interview with Kiah's grandfather — the duo reveals what it takes to break into the entertainment world without losing their ag roots. Their message is loud and clear: start where you are, wear the cowboy hat, and don't wait for perfect.

In this inspiring episode of Grow Getters, host Davis Michaelsen sits down with Andrew McCrea—a Missouri farmer, rancher, and the voice behind American Countryside Radio. McCrea shares how he juggles life on the land with his passion for storytelling, and his goal to travel to all 3,144 U.S. counties to spotlight extraordinary everyday people. From leading the Heartland Foundation and serving as a lay pastor, to drawing inspiration from his wife’s humanitarian work, McCrea reveals how his rural roots and relentless curiosity fuel a mission to connect, uplift, and grow. Whether you’re a young farmer or simply chasing purpose, McCrea offers timeless advice on finding meaning and success in the unexpected.

When Ty and Tracy Woodard’s infant son required brain surgery, they leaned on their faith, trusted doctors, and a special blanket gifted by a caring nurse. Two years later, with their son healthy and thriving, Tracy was inspired to launch a business making blankets from cotton grown on their South Carolina farm. That dream became a reality with Covered in Cotton, a flourishing enterprise that weaves comfort and hope into every blanket.

In this episode of Grow Getters, Davis Michelsen talks with Katie Dotterer — former dairy farmer, Spanish teacher, and founder of Agvocate.com — about her unique path from the barn to becoming a leading voice in digital ag advocacy. Katie shares how her viral message, “Ask Farmers, Not Google,” reflects her mission to build trust and transparency in agriculture. Katie also dives into the importance of cross-cultural communication on farms, shaped by her background in language education and real-world experience. With insights on resilience, reinvention, and respect, she encourages listeners to embrace change, foster connection, and keep growing.

In this episode of Grow Getters, host Davis Michelson sits down with Maren Beard of Luna Valley Farm in Decorah, Iowa. Maren and her husband, Tom, raise cows, pigs, and sheep using regenerative farming practices—but they’re best known for their incredible wood-fired pizza, made with ingredients from their farm and other local producers. Maren shares how their farm-to-table pizza nights have become a beloved community tradition, earning recognition from Better Homes and Gardens, The New York Times, AARP Magazine, and Cosmopolitan.

Chris Riggers came back to the family farm when his uncle retired. But then his dad, Nate, had a serious health issue, pushing Chris into the leadership role sooner than expected. Not only did he take the reins of the fifth-generation Idaho farm, he led the effort to establish Cold Stream Malt & Grain Company, which sells grains directly to breweries and distilleries in the Pacific Northwest. True grow getters, Chris and Nate join Davis on this episode to tell their powerful story.

Out on the windswept prairie of North Dakota, the Doan family has been raising cattle since 1882. When fifth-generation brothers Jeremy, Jay and Jayce returned to Black Leg Ranch after college, they brought some new business ideas with them. Beyond raising Black Angus cows and bison on the 20,000-acre property, they’ve added a large event space, a micro-brewery, lodges for overnight guests, a hunting outfitter business and a direct-to-consumer meat enterprise. Jeremy and Jay Doan join Davis on this episode of Grow Getters to tell their tale. Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions to diversify their operations and add new sources of revenue. These resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer and are here to inspire and guide anyone with a dream of their own. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from host Davis Michaelsen, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media.

Where others see stumbling blocks, Kentucky farmer Joe Nichols sees building blocks. That’s how he’s built such a successful and diversified business. And he built it from scratch, starting as a teenager. Today, Seven Springs Farms spans 25,000 acres of row crops and more than 10,000 head of cattle. As a true grow getter, he also has developed side businesses such as manufacturing erosion-control blankets and selling crushed rock. He’s come a long way from the kid who stayed behind when his family sold their farm and moved away back in the 1980s. Enjoy his amazing story. Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions to diversify their operations and add new sources of revenue. These resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer and are here to inspire and guide anyone with a dream of their own. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from host Davis Michaelsen, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media.

When Bri Stagge came home to Greensburg, Indiana, after college to help out on the fourth-generation family farm a few years ago, she didn’t plan on starting a side business or on meeting Dustin Osborne, who is now her husband. But she did both. Bri and Dustin join Davis on this episode of Grow Getters to talk about how they started their own company — Osborne Ag Services — to help diversify the farm operation. Their company offers drone and light excavation services as well as grain bin management using robot technology. Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions to diversify their operations and add new sources of revenue. These resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer and are here to inspire and guide anyone with a dream of their own. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from host Davis Michaelsen, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media.

As teenagers, Dave and Jean Gottenborg dreamed of owning a cattle ranch. After decades of delay, they finally achieved their dream. They now raise cattle and sell award-winning beef and hay at Eagle Rock Ranch, perched 9,000 feet above sea level in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Dave and his daughter, Erin, join Davis on this episode of Grow Getters to tell their amazing story. Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions to diversify their operations and add new sources of revenue. These resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer and are here to inspire and guide anyone with a dream of their own. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from host Davis Michaelsen, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media.

Iowa ag producer Kelly Garrett stays very busy growing corn and raising cattle, but his entrepreneurial spirit drives him to start side businesses to extend an impressive, vertically integrated operation. From trucking companies to digital advisory platforms, a direct-to-consumer beef business to a gas station/restaurant, he’s always hustling. On this episode of Grow Getters, he explains how — and why — he does it. Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions to diversify their operations and add new sources of revenue. These resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer and are here to inspire and guide anyone with a dream of their own. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from host Davis Michaelsen, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media.

Well-known ag influencer Tara Vander Dussen (aka the New Mexico Milkmaid) joins Davis on this episode of Grow Getters to tell how she went from being a reluctant dairy farmer to a vital voice for the industry. She’s a busy mom, wife, environmental consultant, podcast host and public speaker, but she’s probably best known for her social media presence, which has drawn a great many followers. A quintessential grow getter, Tara explains how she juggles so much so successfully. Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions to diversify their operations and add new sources of revenue. These resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer and are here to inspire and guide anyone with a dream of their own. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from host Davis Michaelsen, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media. Visit Tara’s website: https://taravanderdussen.com

When the goat dairy she was running wasn’t quite paying the bills, Penny Bowers-Schebel started a side business — Formality Bridal. Located in a tiny rural Ohio town, the shop has an ingenious business model, buying never-worn, sample bridal gowns from high-end boutiques and selling them for less than a thousand dollars. The idea worked and she now owns two profitable stores. The daily transition from milking a herd of American Alpine goats to hosting brides became a busy but wonderful life. Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions to diversify their operations and add a new source of revenue. These resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer and are here to inspire and guide anyone with a dream of their own. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from host Davis Michaelsen, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media.

To kick off National Pork Month (AKA “Porktober”), Unscripted hosts Tyne Morgan and Clinton Griffiths welcome PORK magazine’s editor Jennifer Shike to the podcast. She provides plenty of insider insights on the state of the pork industry, from biosecurity to challenging markets to the impact of Hurricane Helene on North Carolina producers. Jennifer also reveals that she’ll soon fill a host’s chair herself on The PORK Podcast, which debuts this month.  Unscripted is a show where scripts take a back seat. Hosts Tyne Morgan and Clinton Griffiths put down the teleprompters and let the conversations flow naturally. Each week, they bring in fellow Farm Journal hosts and editors and friends to share behind-the-scenes insights on the stories we've covered, giving you a chance to meet the personalities behind the personalities.

As prices on row crops sagged back in 2015, the Smith family in southern Michigan decided to try producing ancient grains on their seventh-generation farm. They grew teff, an Ethiopian grain, and began using it to make a new snack called Teffola. It’s now sold in health food stores throughout the Midwest. On this episode of Grow Getters, Claire Smith, who is literally allergic to farming, explains how she returned home to run this amazing company. Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions to diversify their operations and add a new source of revenue. These resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer and are here to inspire and guide anyone with a dream of their own. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from host Davis Michaelsen, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media.  Visit the Teffola website: https://eatteffola.com Try a free sample pack of Teffola with this special Grow Getters offer: https://eatteffola.com/pages/growgetters2024

Moving their farm operation more than 1,400 miles — from Maryland to Waco, Texas, — was quite a challenge for fourth-generation farmer Taylor Huffman and her family. After settling onto their new farm, they battled everything from record-setting drought to brutal heat to an invasion of fire ants that decimated their pumpkin crop. But this year their annual fall festival at Western Belle Farms is ready to go, complete with a cannon designed for “pumpkin chunkin’.” Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions to diversify their operations and add a new source of revenue. These resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer and are here to inspire and guide anyone with a dream of their own. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from host Davis Michaelsen, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media. 

When your farm is located right in Chicago’s backyard, you need to get more from every acre. Illinois farmer Jamie Walter joins us on Grow Getters to explain how he and his dad diversified their operation by making whiskey with their corn crop. Whiskey Acres is now an award-winning brand with a wide range of spirits and a popular tour stop for bourbon fans. Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions to add revenue to their operations. These resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from host Davis Michaelsen, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media. 

Nebraska cattle rancher, social media influencer and popular public speaker Natalie Kovarik has built a large and fervent following by showcasing and celebrating western culture and the world of agriculture. She joins host Davis Michaelsen on this episode of Grow Getters to talk about her varied entrepreneurial efforts and to explain her message about bridging the gap between rural and urban people, helping all of us to understand each other better. Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions and sometimes exploring new technologies to add revenue to their operations. In agriculture’s challenging economic climate, these resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from Davis, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media. 

Iowa’s Naomi Gretter, Sky Hahn and Kari Berg were busy schoolteachers, married to busy farmers and raising busy kids. With so many responsibilities, their lives had become a grind. So they decided to grind coffee beans instead. They started a new business — Rural Revival Coffee Truck — and hit the road. On this episode of Grow Getters, they tell host Davis Michaelsen how their ingenious side hustle gives them more time for family, friends and fun. Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions and sometimes exploring new technologies to add revenue to their operations. In agriculture’s challenging economic climate, these resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from Davis, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media. 

When Ty and Tracy Woodard’s infant son needed brain surgery, they relied on their strong faith, expert doctors and a special blanket a nurse gave them. Two years later, with their son fully recovered, Tracy had a dream of starting a business making blankets from cotton grown on their South Carolina farm. That business, called Covered in Cotton, is now a thriving enterprise. On this episode of Grow Getters, Ty and Tracy share their powerful story with host Davis Michaelson. Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions and sometimes exploring new technologies to add revenue to their operations. In agriculture’s challenging economic climate, these resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from Davis, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media. 

The Sproule family of Grand Forks, North Dakota, is an entrepreneurial bunch, starting with first-generation farmers Mom and Dad. Their three daughters took the family motto — failure isn’t fatal — to heart and started making a grand pasta for the forks of America. Their 3 Farm Daughters high-fiber pasta brand has grown in just a few years from humble beginnings to placement on shelves in national grocery chains. Annie, Mollie and Grace join host Davis Michaelsen on Grow Getters to reveal the secrets of their tremendous success. Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions and sometimes exploring new technologies to add revenue to their operations. In agriculture’s challenging economic climate, these resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from Davis, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media

What started out by sending an occasional funny video to friends from her college days on Snapchat has quickly grown into one of the largest social media communities in agriculture — Farm With Zoe. A few years ago, Ohio’s Zoe Kent bought the family farm from her dad, whose declining health made it difficult to continuing working. Now the former Ohio State cheerleader runs the operation herself and captures her daily life in short videos posted on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and other social media platforms. She tells host Davis Michaelsen about her surprising journey and even brings in her dad for a special Father’s Day episode. Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions and sometimes exploring new technologies to add revenue to their operations. In agriculture’s challenging economic climate, these resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from Davis, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media. 

When the four Hansen brothers came back to the family farm, which had operated since 1864, things had to change — meaning they had to expand. Since 2004, when the family built its own creamery, Hansen’s Dairy has taken ‘side hustle’ to a whole new level, adding their own line of milk, ice cream, cheese curds and even a couple of branded retail shops, not to mention kangaroos. Jordan Hansen tells host Davis Michaelsen the amazing tale on this episode of Grow Getters. Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions and sometimes exploring new technologies to add revenue to their operations. In agriculture’s challenging economic climate, these resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from Davis, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media. 

In this episode of Grow Getters, a podcast showcasing agriculture’s most inventive side hustles, host Davis Michaelsen interviews Nebraska farmer Joe Knobbe. When he’s not feeding cattle or raising corn and soybeans, Joe is distilling Flyover Whiskey, a unique side business he started a few years ago. Farmers send him 20 pounds of their corn and he makes and bottles small batches of whiskey for them from the corn, even creating customized labels. He’s already sold nearly 3,500 batches! Grow Getters takes a lively look at creative ways farmers are plugging into their passions and sometimes exploring new technologies to add revenue to their operations. In agriculture’s challenging economic climate, these resourceful “grow getters” are redefining what it means to be a farmer. Mixing fascinating stories with lots of humor and even some music from Davis, Grow Getters is truly an original in the world of Ag media.

When Pennsylvania’s Painter sisters, Stephanie and Hayley, started creating a side business to help support the family’s fourth-generation dairy farm, they didn’t envision the amazing success they’ve already achieved. After its first full year, the fledgling company, Painterland Sisters Organic Skyr Yogurt, is now the fastest growing yogurt brand in the U.S. natural foods market. This success sailed the sisters onto Forbes magazine’s list of 30 Under 30. In the debut episode of Grow Getters, a podcast showcasing agriculture’s most inventive side hustles, host Davis Michaelsen interviews Stephanie Painter to hear her story first-hand. Along the way, he sings a few songs (including “Yogurt Rhapsody” for a dairy Queen) and learns the proper way to eat string cheese. Grow Getters celebrates the moxie and innovation of our guests with plenty of our own.