The Heart of Rural America

Hosted by Amanda Radke

Business Entrepreneurship Arts FoodInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

157

Latest episode

Jul 2026

Language

About the show

Welcome to the Heart of Rural America podcast. I’m your host, Amanda Radke -- a South Dakota cattle rancher, wife, mom of four, children’s book author, and motivational speaker. I started this show with a simple goal in mind -- to share the untold stories of the often-overlooked independent farmer and rancher. On this program, We’ll discuss the challenges that face rural America and the anti-animal agriculture agenda that seeks to eliminate our way of life. But in the face of these ongoing battles, we’ll explore impactful solutions and meaningful pathways to profitability in order to keep producers on the land, to safeguard our private property rights, and to keep meat, dairy, and eggs on the dinner table. And in stark contrast to the ugly, divisive headlines in today’s mainstream media, "The Heart of Rural America" will celebrate the faith, family values, patriotism, and work ethic of the incredible people I meet in my travels as an agricultural speaker. I hope you’ll be inspired by these agricultural entrepreneurs and rural families, just as I am. Now let’s hit the dusty trail together as we uncover The Heart of Rural America. - Amanda

Listen to episodes

60 recent

July 1, 202641 min

Homesteading for Beginners: How to Raise Food, Teach Kids, and Build a Self-Sufficient Life

TakeawaysWhy learning to grow food and understand agriculture builds stronger families and communities.How homesteading teaches resilience, critical thinking, entrepreneurship, and practical life skills.Simple first steps anyone can take toward becoming more self-sufficient without changing their entire lifestyle.Summary of the EpisodeWhat happens when a food safety expert, homesteader, and educator decides to reinvent the way families learn about agriculture?In this inspiring conversation, Amanda sits down with Kody Hanner, founder of Homestead Education, to discuss the growing movement toward self-sufficiency, homeschooling, and reconnecting families with where their food comes from.Kody shares the personal story that transformed her family's life after her husband was diagnosed with end-stage liver disease, leading them to embrace a healthier lifestyle centered around raising their own food, homeschooling their six children, and building a thriving homestead in North Idaho.Together, Amanda and Kody explore why practical life skills matter now more than ever, how agriculture education can shape future generations, and why entrepreneurship is key to keeping rural America strong. They also discuss the importance of work ethic, raising resilient children, supporting local farmers, and creating new opportunities for family farms through direct-to-consumer agriculture.Whether you're raising kids on a ranch, living on a small acreage, or simply looking for ways to become more self-sufficient, this episode is filled with practical advice and encouragement to take the first step.Key Topics CoveredKody Hanner's journey into homesteading and homeschoolingLessons learned from building a self-sufficient family lifestyleWhy COVID changed the conversation around food securityThe importance of teaching children where food comes fromAgriculture education for homeschool, public school, and familiesPractical first steps toward homesteadingRaising resilient kids through hands-on learningEntrepreneurship and diversifying farm incomeDirect-to-consumer agriculture and adding value to family farmsConnect with Kody HannerVisit thehomesteadeducation.com to explore Homestead Education curriculum, survival courses, agriculture science resources, and tools designed to help families, educators, and communities reconnect with food, farming, and self-sufficiency.Presented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & CattleUse code RADKE for $10 off your next All American Angus Beef order at www.BidOnBeef.comSave on Redmond Real Salt with code RADKE at https://shop.redmondagriculture.com/Check out Amanda's agricultural children's books here: https://amandaradke.com/collections/amandas-booksLearn more about Bulletproofing Your Direct-To-Consumer Beef Enterprise: https://amandaradke.com/products/bulletproof-your-beef-business

June 22, 202622 min

SD Property Rights Discussion Part 2 Featuring Governor Larry Rhoden | Hosted by American Land & Legacy

TakeawaysGovernor Rhoden signed HB 1052 and gave a direct, unambiguous answer when asked if he would uphold it against any attempt to amend or repeal it in the upcoming legislative session: yes.Rhoden does not support special tax exemptions or deals for data centers, but he did sign the Data Center Bill of Rights for Citizens carried by Senator Carr and Speaker Hansen, which requires data centers to prove they won't negatively impact South Dakota's water supply or electricity rates.Rhoden points to a decades-long record on property rights, including leading the charge after the 2005 Kelo v. New London Supreme Court decision, carrying the Open Fields Doctrine bill, and resolving the non-meandered bodies of water issue after 20 years of legal limbo.In Part 2 of American Land and Legacy's exclusive gubernatorial candidate interview series, Amanda Radke sits down with South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden ahead of the July 28th runoff election.With the same questions put to both candidates, this conversation gives landowners a direct side-by-side look at where each man stands on the property rights issues that matter most to South Dakota's farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.Rhoden speaks to his record as a lifelong West River rancher and his history of working on property rights legislation going back two decades, including model legislation he carried in the wake of the Kelo v. New London decision, the Open Fields Doctrine bill he got across the finish line as lieutenant governor, and the resolution of the non-meandered bodies of water issue that had been in limbo for 20 years.On the most pressing current questions, Rhoden is direct: he signed HB 1052, he wouldn't hesitate to do it again, and he will veto any attempt to weaken or repeal it. He does not support special tax exemptions for data centers, though he's open to using existing incentive structures if facilities comply with the rules laid out in the Data Center Bill of Rights he signed. And on the question of federal pressure to expand eminent domain for energy infrastructure, he expresses confidence in the working relationship his administration has built with the Trump team while maintaining that South Dakota's own statutes already offer stronger protections than any other state in the union.The conversation also covers SB 201's complicated legacy, the local control concerns in Section 4 of that bill, the case for and against a constitutional amendment on eminent domain, rural broadband investment, international trade missions, and what Rhoden sees as the key differences between himself and Toby Doeden heading into the runoff.Key Topics CoveredHB 1052 and the compromise threshold discussion during negotiations: why it didn't get support and what Rhoden did when the bill reached his deskData centers: his opposition to special tax exemptions, his support for the Data Center Bill of Rights for Citizens, and how he views existing incentive structuresPresident Trump's executive orders on data centers and expanded eminent domain for energy infrastructure, and how Rhoden plans to navigate federal pressure while protecting South Dakota landownersHis decades-long property rights record: Kelo v. New London model legislation, the Open Fields Doctrine bill, and the non-meandered bodies of water resolutionSB 201 and RL 21: Rhoden's perspective on what the bill actually did, why the referendum process surprised him, and how Summit Carbon's loss of trust with landowners shaped the outcomeSection 4 of SB 201 and the local control concerns around PUC authority versus county and township ordinance-making powerhttps://www.americanlandandlegacy.org/

June 22, 202619 min

SD Property Rights Discussion Part 1 Featuring Toby Doeden | Hosted by American Land & Legacy

TakeawaysToby Doeden opposes any attempt to repeal HB 1052 and has promised the fastest veto in South Dakota history if a repeal ever reaches his desk as governor.On the question of a compromise threshold for eminent domain projects, Doeden is firm: when it comes to God-given constitutional rights, there is no wiggle room and no compromise.Doeden believes true economic development in South Dakota doesn't require multi-billion dollar subsidized projects. It comes from supporting local entrepreneurs, small businesses, farmers, and ranchers.Coming off a first-place finish in the June 2nd Republican primary with 31% of the vote in a four-way race, Toby Doeden sits down with Amanda Radke for a direct, issue-focused conversation on the property rights topics South Dakota landowners care about most.This is Part 1 of American Land and Legacy's two-part exclusive interview series ahead of the July 28th runoff election, where Doeden will face Interim Governor Larry Rhoden. With thousands of landowners reaching out to Amanda asking who to support, she took the question straight to the candidates themselves.The conversation covers the full range of property rights issues at stake in this race: the legacy of SB 201 and the overwhelming voter rejection of RL 21, the landmark HB 1052 that eliminated eminent domain for CO2 pipelines, the ongoing debate over data centers and tax exemptions, and how a Doeden administration would respond to federal pressure to expand eminent domain for energy infrastructure.Doeden is clear on his foundational position: every decision he makes as governor will be rooted in protecting God-given constitutional rights, and he will mirror the will of the people, not the will of lobbyists and big donors. He points to the 59% voter rejection of RL 21 across 65 of 66 counties as proof of where South Dakotans stand, and argues that the legislature's decision to push SB 201 through anyway was a direct failure to represent the people.He also addresses the economy, rural communities, and what he sees as the real differences between himself and his runoff opponent, including a 38% increase in state spending, rising crime, doubled property taxes, and a sales tax increase coming in 2027.Key Topics CoveredThe SB 201 / RL 21 Landowner Bill of Rights: what went wrong and how a Doeden administration would honor the will of South Dakota votersHB 1052 and eminent domain for CO2 pipelines: Doeden's commitment to protecting and defending this nation-leading legislationWhether a compromise threshold for pipeline projects is on the table (short answer: no)The data center debate: the 50-year tax exemption attempt versus the Data Center Bill of Rights for Citizens passed by Senator Carr and Speaker HansenPresident Trump's executive orders expanding eminent domain for energy infrastructure and how Doeden would balance federal direction with South Dakota's states' rightsWhat economic development actually looks like for South Dakota, and why it doesn't require big subsidized projectsThe challenges facing rural communities, small farms, and ranches, and who Doeden would bring to the table to address themHow Doeden's primary results reflect a statewide demand for change, and what he sees as the key differences between his vision and Larry Rhoden's recordReuniting the Republican Party after a competitive four-way primary and what that means going into the runoffhttps://www.americanlandandlegacy.org/

June 17, 202632 min

From Budweiser Clydesdales to Entrepreneurship: Building a Rural Experience Business

TakeawaysWhy creativity and diversification are essential for keeping families profitable in agricultureHow JFP Equine transformed Clydesdales into a unique experiential business modelWhy opening your farm gates can strengthen connections between consumers and agricultureThe marketing strategies helping a small rural business attract visitors from across the countryHow entrepreneurship creates opportunities on even small acreage operationsBarclay Poole takes listeners behind the scenes of JFP Equine and explains how his family built an immersive Clydesdale experience business around some of agriculture’s most iconic animals. Listeners will hear stories from the Budweiser Clydesdale operation, learn what makes these horses so special, and discover how one family is using creativity and customer experience to create new revenue streams in rural America. This episode is packed with practical lessons for entrepreneurs, livestock producers, and anyone passionate about preserving rural communities.Key Topics Covered:The Poole family’s journey from Canada to the United StatesBehind-the-scenes insights from managing the Budweiser ClydesdalesBuilding a profitable agricultural business on 10 acresCreating hands-on farm experiences consumers will travel forMarketing strategies for rural businesses and agricultural entrepreneursThe challenges and opportunities facing the Clydesdale industryWhy emotional connection and storytelling matter in agricultureThe importance of keeping families on the land through innovation and entrepreneurshipFollow Amanda Radke on social media and subscribe to The Heart of Rural America for more episodes featuring the voices shaping agriculture, rural values, and constitutional freedoms.Presented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & CattleUse code RADKE for $10 off your next All American Angus Beef order at www.BidOnBeef.comSave on Redmond Real Salt with code RADKE at https://shop.redmondagriculture.com/Check out Amanda's agricultural children's books here: https://amandaradke.com/collections/amandas-booksLearn more about Bulletproofing Your Direct-To-Consumer Beef Enterprise: https://amandaradke.com/products/bulletproof-your-beef-business

June 3, 202622 min

The Future of Cattle Ranching: Why Independent Producers Are Winning Again

TakeawaysIndependent cattle producers are finally seeing leverage after decades of survival modeStrong genetics and strategic breeding decisions are creating massive opportunities in today’s cattle marketRanchers must embrace entrepreneurship and free market thinking to build long term successAmanda Radke sits down with Chris Earl at Meat Stock, surrounded by thousands of beef enthusiasts, to discuss the state of the cattle industry, genetics, beef demand, and why independent producers may finally be entering their strongest market cycle in generations.Chris shares why cattle producers deserve more credit for surviving decades of difficult market conditions, how genetics are shaping the future of beef production, and why entrepreneurship may be the biggest opportunity for rural America moving forward.Together, Amanda and Chris discuss everything from beef demand and policy shifts to free market capitalism, cow numbers, family ranch survival, and what producers can do today to position themselves for the future.Key Topics Covered:Why CK6 Consulting saw record breaking sale seasonsBeef genetics and selection pressure in today’s marketWhy independent producers finally have leverageEntrepreneurship versus commodity thinkingThe future outlook for beef demandWhy producers must advocate for themselvesPolitics, policy shifts, and family ranch survivalBuilding generational opportunities in agricultureFollow Amanda Radke on social media and subscribe to The Heart of Rural America for more episodes featuring the voices shaping agriculture, rural values, and constitutional freedoms.Presented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & CattleUse code RADKE for $10 off your next All American Angus Beef order at www.BidOnBeef.comSave on Redmond Real Salt with code RADKE at https://shop.redmondagriculture.com/Check out Amanda's agricultural children's books here: https://amandaradke.com/collections/amandas-booksLearn more about Bulletproofing Your Direct-To-Consumer Beef Enterprise: https://amandaradke.com/products/bulletproof-your-beef-business

May 20, 202645 min

The Truth About AI Data Centers and Rural America with Sara Steever

TakeawaysAI data centers require enormous amounts of electricity and water resourcesRural communities are increasingly concerned about property rights and local controlThe economic promises tied to hyperscale data centers may not match realityAI technology presents both opportunities and risks for jobs, privacy, and national securitySouth Dakota lawmakers debated major legislation involving data center tax incentives and citizen protectionsIn this episode of The Heart of Rural America, Amanda Radke sits down with longtime friend and technology expert Sara Steever for an in-depth conversation about AI, hyperscale data centers, property rights, and the future of rural America.Sara explains the growing concerns surrounding massive data center developments proposed across South Dakota and other rural communities. From energy consumption and water usage to economic development claims and surveillance concerns, this episode breaks down the realities behind the AI boom and what it could mean for agriculture, small towns, and future generations.Amanda and Sara also discuss the role of government incentives, local control, free markets, and why first principles like privacy, critical thinking, and faith matter more than ever in an increasingly digital world.Key Topics Covered:What hyperscale AI data centers actually areHow much electricity large data centers consumeThe hidden water usage tied to AI infrastructureEconomic development promises versus real job creationProperty rights and local community concernsSouth Dakota legislation involving data centersAI’s impact on jobs and workforce developmentNational security concerns related to AI and ChinaPrivacy, surveillance, and deepfake technologyWhy critical thinking and faith matter in the AI eraFollow Amanda Radke on social media and subscribe to The Heart of Rural America for more episodes featuring the voices shaping agriculture, rural values, and constitutional freedoms.Presented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & CattleUse code RADKE for $10 off your next All American Angus Beef order at www.BidOnBeef.comSave on Redmond Real Salt with code RADKE at https://shop.redmondagriculture.com/Check out Amanda's agricultural children's books here: https://amandaradke.com/collections/amandas-booksLearn more about Bulletproofing Your Direct-To-Consumer Beef Enterprise: https://amandaradke.com/products/bulletproof-your-beef-business

May 6, 202639 min

Lawfare in Agriculture: The Hidden Threat to American Ranchers with Heather Maude

TakeawaysLawfare is a growing issue impacting farmers and ranchers across AmericaGovernment overreach can have devastating personal and financial consequencesCivic engagement is essential to protect property rights and rural communitiesIn this powerful season premiere, Amanda Radke sits down with rancher Heather Maude to discuss her family’s legal battle with federal agencies over a land dispute that escalated into felony charges. Heather shares how their case became a national example of lawfare in agriculture, the emotional toll it took on her family, and how they ultimately fought back. The episode also explores broader concerns about government accountability, property rights, and the importance of staying engaged in policy decisions that impact rural America.Key Topics Covered:Heather Maude’s legal battle with the USDA and US Forest ServiceThe concept and real-world impact of lawfare in agricultureProperty rights and federal overreachThe role of political leadership and accountabilityAdvocacy efforts to protect rural landownersThe importance of civic engagement in shaping policyRebuilding life and finding normalcy after a public legal battleFollow Amanda Radke on social media and subscribe to The Heart of Rural America for more episodes featuring the voices shaping agriculture, rural values, and constitutional freedoms.Presented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & CattleUse code RADKE for $10 off your next All American Angus Beef order at www.BidOnBeef.comSave on Redmond Real Salt with code RADKE at https://shop.redmondagriculture.com/Check out Amanda's agricultural children's books here: https://amandaradke.com/collections/amandas-booksLearn more about Bulletproofing Your Direct-To-Consumer Beef Enterprise: https://amandaradke.com/products/bulletproof-your-beef-business

April 29, 202640 min

Stop the Fighting on the Way to the Funeral Home with Jolene Brown [REPLAY]

One of agriculture’s greatest treasures, a champion for farmers and ranchers, an Iowa farmer, and my dear friend, Jolene Brown joins me on the show to discuss how we can better plan for the future, avoid common pitfalls, and prepare for success in our family businesses. Grab a pen and paper to take notes; you’re going to want to listen to this valuable episode twice!Presented by CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Meats by Linz | Linz Heritage Angus | Redmond Real Salthttps://amandaradke.com/

April 22, 202640 min

Getting in the Arena with Kim Bremmer [REPLAY]

Kim Bremmer, of Ag Inspirations, joins me to talk about the challenges facing family farms, how to get involved, and the best tips for pushing back against government overreach. Presented by CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Meats by Linz |Linz Heritage Angus | Redmond RealSalt

April 15, 202639 min

Redmond Real Salt for People & Livestock with Karson Rippstein

Healthy land. Healthy cattle. Healthy people. That’s the focus of today’s show with podcast partner, Redmond Real Salt. I’m joined by Redmond’s Karson Rippstein to talk all things cattle, soil, and steak.https://redmond.life/collections/real-salt?srsltid=AfmBOoqiByDHJb1AlUIYL6CBu9CfbcNq8nLj22k6GWq3QUTdofxX_JwVPresented by CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Meats by Linz | Linz Heritage Angus | Redmond RealSalt