Plow and Pencil

In this episode, HitchPin’s Jess Smith sits down with Brian Pine from Heck, based in Lawrence, KS, to talk about his deep roots in farming, the transition into agricultural real estate, and the unique story behind the Black Hat Ranch listing. Together, they cover themes of family legacy, land as both an emotional and financial asset and how technology is reshaping agriculture and real estate. 02:1...

Most people don’t start a business with worms. But most people aren’t Dan Rasure.  Dan is the founder of Fed N Happy, a company focused on helping farmers, ranchers, and gardeners build better soil through natural, regenerative products like worm castings and compost. What started as a curiosity about improving land and reducing waste has grown into a full-fledged business—and it’s changing the wa...

Some of the best ag businesses start with a simple idea and a whole lot of grit. That’s the case for M3 Welding & Fabrication, a custom manufacturing shop in Alma, Kansas, run by Hunter and Stephanie Maike. What started as a hobby in high school ag shop has turned into a growing business that’s now delivering show pens and barn equipment across the country.  From Side Hustle to Full-Time Shop ...

When I sat down with Jeff Bathurst of Bathurst & Sons LLC, I didn’t just hear a farm story—I heard a legacy. Five generations of hard work, hay, and heart. Based in Abilene, Kansas, Jeff and his family grow crops like sunflowers, milo, soybeans, corn, wheat, and alfalfa hay, while also raising cattle and kids (six of them, to be exact).  Jeff jokes that their farm motto could be "raising quali...

When I sat down with Brandon Cowley, owner of Kaw River Ag Solutions, I could tell right away he was someone who doesn’t just talk about supporting farmers—he shows up and gets to work. After 24 years in ag retail and co-op management, Brandon saw a gap in the market and took a leap to do something about it.  And it’s paying off faster than he expected.  A Business Built on Relationships  Brandon...

Marketing might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about raising livestock, but for Allison May, it’s become a way to help producers tell their stories, grow their reach, and move their business forward.  Allison owns Pinnacle Livestock Solutions, a business based in Greenfield, Indiana, that provides digital and social media marketing services tailored for livestock producer...

Farming isn’t about standing still—it’s about evolving, season after season. That’s something I’ve learned firsthand talking with folks like Glenn Brunkow, a fifth-generation farmer from Wamego, Kansas, who’s taken his family’s rich agricultural history and turned it into something new.  Glenn runs Brunkow Family Lamb, a diversified farm that’s been in the family since the 1880s. What started as a...

Farming has never been a one-size-fits-all business. Every operation is different, shaped by the land, the family working it, and the challenges they face. That’s exactly the case for Jesse Welch and his family, who are taking their farm in Tonganoxie, Kansas, to new heights by blending tradition with innovation.  Rooted in Tradition, Growing for the Future  Jesse and his family moved from Reno, N...

Farming isn’t just a job—it’s a way of life. For Jolene Dunbar of 88 Custom Hay in Almeria, Nebraska, that way of life has always revolved around hay and forage. With deep family roots in agriculture, Jolene has taken her passion for haying and turned it into a thriving business, overcoming challenges and embracing technology to connect with more customers.  A Life Rooted in Agriculture  Jolene gr...

Farming is built on trust, transparency, and good neighbors who look out for each other. That’s exactly what Zach Bosle, founder of Tractor Tuesday, believes in as he reshapes the online auction world for farmers and ranchers. His partnership with HitchPin is making it easier than ever to buy and sell farm equipment with confidence.  From the Farm to the Auction Space  Zach is a sixth-generation f...

Farming comes with plenty of challenges, and sometimes, the right equipment just doesn’t exist—yet. That’s where EJ Swihart of Swihart Solutions in Enterprise, Kansas steps in. His business is built around one goal: helping farmers work more efficiently by designing and fabricating the tools they need.  From Small Repairs to Big Ideas  EJ started Swihart Solutions as a small fabrication shop, but...

On this episode of Plow and Pencil, Emilie at HitchPin got ahold of Lauren and Matt from Elm Dirt to discuss their innovative fertilizer business.  Lauren Cain is CEO and Founder of Elm Dirt. She and her husband Matt started Elm Dirt in January 2020 and started their operation on their dining room table.  Elm Dirt is located outside of Kansas City, Missouri and they sell Red Wiggler worms, their c...

In this episode of Plow and Pencil, I chatted with our very own Bryce McPhail to hear about HitchPin’s newest feature. In this episode you’ll hear: About HitchPin Storefronts. The tools and resources that are available to help you get your Storefront set up. The importance of Storefronts and how it will make buying and selling easier on HitchPin. Rate, Review, and Follow! HitchPin.com Use code POD...

It’s National Dairy Month and we had the opportunity to take a moment to learn from a well-known name in dairy – Hildebrand Farms, of Junction City, Kansas. In this episode Melissa Reed shares with us more about what makes the Hildebrand Farms Dairy work in the evolving dairy industry. Facebook:  Hildebrand Farms Dairy Website:  https://www.hildebrandfarmsdairy.com/ In this episode you’ll hear: Me...

In this episode of Plow and Pencil, I had the pleasure of sitting down with two of my colleagues at HitchPin, Lexi Wright, and Bryce McPhail. Lexi and her husband farm outside of Manhattan with their four children while Lexi also owns Back Pocket Social Marketing.  Bryce is the Product Manager at HitchPin and has been with us almost a year. Bryce and his team have been hard at work making updates...

In this episode, Dr. Hodes talks about his experiences being a veterinarian and shares some very unique stories from his years of treating and caring for his patients. Dr. Hodes has been a veterinarian for 43 years and has a mixed-animal veterinarian practice.   In this episode you’ll hear: Some of Dr. Hode’s favorite veterinary stories and some of his more challenging encounters. Advice Dr. Hodes...

Andy Junkin owns and operates Stubborn.farm, a consulting business that provides farming families with farm succession and operating their family farm business together. In this episode Andy shares his experiences and insight into what saves family farms and stubborn farm families. You can follow Andy on  Facebook  or  YouTube  or learn more on his website:  www.stubborn.farm In this episode you’l...

Wrenn and her husband Arturo Pacheco started their direct-to-consumer beef business, Pacheco Beef, LLC in 2021. We are excited to share Wrenn’s story with you about her business. Find Wrenn on Instagram:  @pachecobeef  In this episode you’ll find:  How Wrenn and her family came to Kansas and how their business got started. The roles that Wrenn and Arturo take on in Pacheco Beef, LLC. How their ope...

Youth are the future of our industry and we are excited to share Will Stroda’s story with you today. Will was the very first person to transact on HitchPin and is a perfect example of the next generation in agriculture. In this episode you’ll find: – Will’s story of how he got started in agriculture and how he continues to grow his operation. – The plan Will is using for genetic improvement in his...

Katherine, self-proclaimed “Cheif Minion to the Goats,” owns and runs her family’s small livestock farm in the metropolitan area of Central Ohio. Harrison Farm focuses on celebrations, animals, and teaching. The mission of the farm is to connect people with animals and farming. She raises primarily sheep, goats, and chickens. On her farm, she hosts numerous agritourism events including Goat Yoga,...

You would be hard-pressed to find a more passionate product manager.  Bryce McPhail is the Product Manager at HitchPin and enjoys every opportunity he gets to brag on his skilled team of developers building the technology that serves farmers and ranchers on HitchPin.com. Bryce shares a behind the scenes look at why he’s passionate about building the best marketplace for agriculture and the work, d...

Lynne Hinrichsen of the non-profit, Farm Rescue shares her experience as a development officer and the efforts of Farm Rescue and other ag organizations to assist those affected by the four-county Kansas wildfires in December 2022. If you are in search of assistance due to the December 2022 fires, use code HPHELP on  HitchPin.com  to see resources that have been donated or request support. The mis...