Episodes
Season 3 (Spring/Summer)
Episode 7
Multiple EINs
Audra Scheel &
Katie Jones
Owners and Operators, Ranchy Stems
Peonies and dahlias and snapdragons, oh my! Katie Jones and Audra Scheel are friends, neighbors, and owners/operators of a blossoming business. A subscription from their budding endeavor, Ranchy Stems, will supply colorful, fragrant, cut flowers throughout the season. A dash of Pepper tops off an episode that is a feast for your senses.
Episode 6
Pete the Paint
Melisa Goss
Assistant Editor, Tri-State Neighbor
“I want to write about ag.” The proverbial lightbulb flipped on for Melisa Goss in a thatched hut in Cambodia. As Assistant Editor at the Tri-State Neighbor, her articles instantly peak your curiosity then unfold in stories capturing the achievements, challenges, and character of South Dakotans in the ag world. Melisa first captivated audiences as a memorable barrel racer and subsequently when profiled in a Finnish youth and culture magazine. Give a listen. The conclusion is very good… I mean fantastic!
Episode 5
Toxicodendron Radicans
Charlotte Keoke-Almanza & Erica Fischer
Community Educator and Head of Hohpithokecawin Gardens &
Extension Outreach Coordinator at Sisseton Wahpeton College
Native seeds and plants are instrumental in Charlotte Keoke-Almanza’s and daughter Erica Fischer’s outreach efforts to preserve Dakota culture and promote food sovereignty. Charlotte is a community educator and head of Hohpithokecawin Gardens. Erica is an Outreach Coordinator at Sisseton Wahpeton College. Their ancestral inspiration traces to a Strange Nest Woman. They may inspire you to explore the soothing qualities of bitterroot, grow kaleidoscope carrots, tap a maple tree, or rescue a piglet.
Episode 4
What’s in a Name?
Kelly Brandlee
Co-owner and Operator, Back Forty Beef
Where’s the beef? Head to the Farmers Market at Aberdeen’s Malchow Plaza. Kelly Brandlee, co-owner and operator of Back Forty Beef has your favorite cuts. Take home a rib eye for the grill and some burger for her easy oven-baked cornbread casserole. Talk about a name dropper! Kelly shares her barrel of fun times with Roxy and her wild ride with Bingo!
Episode 3
At The Moovies
Robin Salverson
SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Specialist SD Annie’s Project Program Director
We are juiced to welcome Robin Salverson from Lemmon, SD. Robin’s livestock breeding and development knowledge is extensive! With her engaging personality, she’s a perfect fit delivering services as an SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist. Lemmon-aid. Robin is also South Dakota Program Director for Annie’s Project. Project programs empower women with farm and risk management education (and maybe confidence to drop their AAA membership.)
Episode 2
Steve’s Shear Relief
Elizabeth Davelaar & Erin Van Nieuwenhuyzen
Owners/Operators,
Maker's Way Fiber Mill
Sisters Elizabeth Davelaar and Erin Van Nieuwenhuyzen are a knitted pair. They own and operate Maker's Way Fiber Mill. Stitching their talents, they produce wool yarn to dye for, naturally. With Mom weaving on the peg loom, it’s a family affair. This conversation is a peach.
Episode 1
The Guardian Steer
Sadie Frey
Communication Specialist, Agtegra Cooperative
Hot dog! Sadie Frey’s passion is electric. You might say we couldn’t ‘resist-her.’ In her ‘current’ position, Sadie is an ace Communication Specialist for Agtegra Cooperative. Fair warning, she will reawaken science experiment memories. Plus, find out why if not for Reeses, Sadie might have been in pieces.
Season 3
Trailer
Rebecca & Chris
Hosts
Back from break, but did we have fun? The answer lies within this season’s preview that reaches new heights and may eclipse your expectations. We hope you enjoy eason-Say ee-Thray!
Season 2 (Fall/Winter)
Episode 10
Wrap up
Rebecca & Chris
Hosts
Our guest meteorologist aced her Christmas forecast. Now, our Nation’s foremost weather prognosticator forecasts an early spring. Whether you’re planting 5 sq. ft. or 500 acres, it’s seed selection time for your 2024 crop. This season’s guests, with their inspiring career choices, seeded inspirational ideas for all of us. Like the red, red robin, we’ll soon be bob, bob bobbin’ along with Season Three!
Episode 9
A Cow Named Snoop
Amy Pravecek
Territory Business Manager, Zoetis
“My pickup is my office.” Amy Pravecek's position at global animal health company Zoetis comes with a front row seat of the stunning ranchland topography of South Dakota and Wyoming. On the job, you’ll find her chute side with ranchers and their cattle. At home, well, she’s raising cattle with her husband. And, she's active in more ag groups than you can “cow”nt.
Episode 8
The Notorious Bay Horse
Justine Rivard
Senior Ag Lender, Black Hills Federal Credit Union
Q: When is a loaner a keeper?
A: When she’s Justine Rivard, Senior Ag Lender at the Black Hills Federal Credit Union. Bank on it. Her expertise, compassion, and grit shine through in our conversation. Saddle up and lend an ear. Also, is chili soup?
Episode 7
Ho, Ho, Ho
Dr. Kristine Lang
Associate Professor & Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist, Department of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science at SDSU
Happy New Year! Resolve to start garden planning with sage advice from SDSU horticulturalist Dr. Kristine Lang. Borage? Add that to the plan. If you’re not ready to put the holidays behind, she’s an extension specialist with expert tips on extending your poinsettia’s life. BTW, those aren’t flowers, they’re bracts.
Won’t be long before it’s time to hoe, hoe, hoe.
Episode 6
Since the Neolithic Age
Dr. Maneesha Mohan
Associate Professor & Alfred Chair in Dairy Manufacturing, Dairy and Food Science Dept. at SDSU
When it comes to dairy scientists, SDSU Associate Professor Dr. Maneesha Mohan is the cream of the crop. Take her course and you’ll exercise better judgment…of dairy products. Learn a technique used in dairy and soil judging. Find out the answer to, “Why is milk white?” It’s an episode like no udder.
Episode 5
A Wales Tale
Gwen McCausland
Director, South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum
Gwen McCausland’s cemetery walks with her history teacher grandmother were inspirational. Now, as Director of the SD Agricultural Heritage Museum, Gwen inspires visitors with a passion for the diverse history, culture, and science of agriculture in South Dakota. ‘Tis the season to visit the museum for great exhibits and seeds of ideas for holiday gifts.
Episode 4
A Plethora of Peppers
Michelle Grosek
Owner/Operator, Bear Butte Gardens
Michelle Grosek and her husband are organic farmers and owners/operators of the community-oriented Bear Butte Gardens. She’ll have you seeing red – red tomatoes, red potatoes, red kuri squash, and Bourbon Red turkeys! If red isn’t your color, Michelle has a cornucopia of produce spanning the spectrum for you. Happy Thanksgiving!
Episode 3
Tulips, Peonies, and Zinnias
Connie Johnson
Owner/Operator, Freedom Acres SD
Coordinator, Veterans Affairs Resources Center at SDSU
Connie Johnson has a Purple Heart and a heart of gold. As Coordinator for Veterans Affairs Resources at SDSU and purposeful flower farmer of Freedom Acres SD, she is a guardian angel to veterans and their families. Deservedly, she has her own Angel. Join us in saluting Connie and all veterans this Veterans Day week.
Episode 2
Thundersnow!
Kelly Serr
Warning Coordination Meteorologist, National Weather Service
Launching weather balloons sure is fun. Ask NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Kelly Serr. Her forecasts help keep us safe. They’re vital to farmers, firefighters, and trick-or-treaters. Good news for the latter thanks to El Niño. When it comes to explaining weather phenomena, Kelly is phenomenal!
Episode 1
Down Evans Lane
Nicole Krautschun
Owner, Spearfish Valley Produce & Beck's Nursery
Top quality produce and nursery needs? See Nicole Krautschun. Pure fun? Visit her Spearfish Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch. Pick from 40 pumpkin varieties, get lost in the stalks, frolic in 12 tons of corn, and spiral down a windmill.
A-MAZE-ING!
Season 2
Trailer
Rebecca & Chris
Hosts
Summer break reports and what’s in store for the upcoming, holiday-filled season. Ring the bell. Round Two of popping podcast episodes are heading your way.
Season 1 (Spring/Summer)
Episode 14
Season One
Wrap Up
Rebecca & Chris
Hosts
Phew! Season One was a tsunami of tales and insight from a baker’s dozen of talented, gracious South Dakota women. What an ocean of ag-related opportunities our guests identified and seized. We are awash in admiration of their inner strength to follow a path to their Best Jobs. So, give a listen, let’s gather our breath, and we’ll convene in October for Season Two. Phew!
Episode 13
There Was
an Incident
Sentel Schreier
Shepherd
You can’t go home again? You can if you have the mustered confidence of Sentel Schreier aka Mr. Kolenkhov. Just ask the 2500 Targhees she shepherds. Remember, “Pressure and release.” She’s never backed down whether loading bulls or taking on Rosie, the evil Shetland pony. Belle Fourche is lucky to have Sentel back.
Episode 12
Anything With
Chocolate
Dr. Beth Thompson
State Veterinarian and Executive Secretary, South Dakota Animal Industry Board
Dr. Beth Thompson wins the trifecta
Best Job: SD State Veterinarian
Best Location: 2 blocks from Zesto
Best Aspiration: Sled dog vet crew
Heads up, this episode is a bit of a scream.
Episode 11
Where the Prairie Meets
the Sky
Amy Mesman
State Plant Health Director, South and North Dakota, USDA's Animal Plant Health Inspection Service
Listen. Do you want to know a secret? Grasshoppers, they’re so interesting. They really are. Just ask Amy Mesman, USDA’s SD State Plant Health Director. Thank you to Amy for dedicated service protecting agriculture, grasslands, trees, and all SD flora. Plus, a nod to the Fab 4-H.
Episode 10
Walking
Pens
Kelsey Geraets
Feedlot Manager,
JPJ Enterprises, Inc.
On the job and in the boardroom, Kelsey Geraets earned her seat at the table. Managing JPJ Enterprises’ feedlot is just one of her talents. You won’t doubt her abilities after this meaty conversation. Don’t fill up on the tacos. Save room for the ribeye. Listen in and get on board(s).
Episode 9
The Birds and
the Bats
Silka Kempema
Wildlife Biologist,
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
Naturally, it’s a wild visit with Silka Kempema, South Dakota Game Fish and Parks wildlife biologist. At one point, she goes overboard. You otter listen.
Episode 8
The 100th
Meridian
Laurie Anderson, Ph.D.
Head and Professor, Geology and Geological Engineering
Director, Museum of Geology,
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Explain South Dakota farming and ranch land terrain? Dr. Laurie Anderson has that covered. She’s a gem. And, she’s Head of the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering at South Dakota Mines and Director of the Museum of Geology on campus. Cameos by a triceratops and freshwater dolphins.
Episode 7
Trixie’s
Haircut
Stephanie Bruggeman, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology, Augustana University
Dr. Stephanie Bruggeman created and teaches BIOL 216 – Beer, Bread, and Brie: Preserving the Planet. In this Augustana U course, Ag + Microbiology = epicurean delight. Indulge in this episode!
Episode 6
Opportunity Is Dressed
In Overalls
Sarah Waltner
Senior Director of Global Sales, Raven Industries
Sarah Waltner runs to hard problems. An Electrical Engineering degree was her first step in a career that takes her from sugarcane crops in Brazil, to tulips fields in The Netherlands, and delightfully, to South Dakota farmland. Her reflections instill confidence to dream and achieve. And, she answers the age-old question, “How smart is a pig?”
Episode 5
River Trails &
Horse Tales
Kelsey Scott
Director of Programs,
Intertribal Agriculture Council
Kelsey Scott has her hands full and a full life. Enhancing Indian resources, managing a herd, supplying beef direct to consumers, rebuilding community through food systems, and providing opportunities for youths. The joys of ranch life. Amen. Mitakuye Oyasin.
Episode 4
DIY
Q-Tips
Rachel Frei
Urban Conservationist for South Dakota, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service
Aah, the mystery of soil. Who wouldn't fall in love? Oh, and how do you get from Wisconsin to South Dakota? If you follow Rachel Frei's route you'll stop in Rhode Island, Denmark, and Greenland along the way. We should be so adventurous.
Episode 3
Violet
Milk
Leah Heidler
CPA and Shareholder,
Casey Peterson, LTD
Taxes don’t tax Leah Heidler. She likes numbers and providing her expertise to fellow farmers and ranchers. Oh, and she likes herding buffaloes, bow hunting, and milking her cow! Doesn’t compute? Have a listen, it all adds up.
Episode 2
Baby Doll in the Window?!
Abby Bischoff
Executive Director,
Stockyards Ag Experience
Climbing steps, flag football, farm-to-table education, community support, royal bloodlines, exquisite photography, leaps of faith, and a strawberry-rhubarb turnover. Press play for The Abby Bischoff Experience.
Episode 1
The Blue Truck Incident
Stacy Hadrick
Extension Associate,
South Dakota State University
Time travel, agritourism, a runaway truck, thoughts of fashion, economics, beef, life on the ranch, patience, and a carousel ride. Rebecca and Chris welcome Stacy Hadrick for an action-packed, half-hour conversation.
Season 1
Trailer
Rebecca & Chris
Hosts
Open the curtain on what to expect from the Best Job in South Dakota podcast.