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Takeaways Dean Wade explains how cutting fast food and processed food took him from 8 to 9 percent body fat down to 4.5 percent in a single season, with no change to his workouts.Dean and Chris Earl connect what it takes to survive as an undrafted NBA player to what it takes to survive in the cattle business right now: discipline over motivation, a team of doers, and a refusal to quit.Dean shares why he is already planning a life after basketball in Kansas and how Angus genetics and Bid on Beef fit into that plan. In this episode of The Heart of Rural America, Amanda Radke goes boots on the ground at Rocking R Ranch in New Mexico for customer appreciation day with return guest Chris Earl of CK6 Consulting, Bid on Beef, and All American Angus Beef. Chris brings along his longtime friend Dean Wade, a Kansas native and new addition to the Philadelphia 76ers, for a conversation about beef, athletic performance, and rural roots. Dean opens up about growing up in a small Kansas farm community, going undrafted, and building a seven-year NBA career on defense, nutrition, and daily habits. He explains how a wake-up call in his early NBA years pushed him away from fast food, how a home-cooked, beef-centered diet helped him drop his body fat without changing his training, and why Bid on Beef gives his family consistent, high-quality steak delivered to the door. Chris ties Dean's underdog story to the challenges facing cattle producers today, arguing that the ranchers who keep showing up on the toughest days are the ones who win. The conversation closes with Dean's plans for after basketball, including land in Kansas and a growing interest in Angus genetics, plus a lighthearted debate over favorite cuts and how to cook them. Amanda wraps with a reminder to keep fighting for this way of life, for yourself and for the next generation. Presented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & Cattle Use 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-businessResources for producers: the USDA Law Fair website and americanlandandlegacy.org

Takeaways A national monument designation can leave ranchers in limbo for years. Chris Heaton explains how a 2023 proclamation listing drainages and grasslands as protected "objects" left his family unable to get straight answers on maintaining stock ponds or adding new water improvements.The Heatons' federal lawsuit with Pacific Legal Foundation was dismissed for lack of standing, but they are weighing a refile or an appeal, and their bigger goal is to fix the Antiquities Act so no president can lock up millions of acres on their own.Submitting your story to the USDA lawfare portal can lead somewhere. The Heatons filled it out with low expectations and were invited to Washington, D.C., where they met with Secretary Brooke Rollins and her team and told their story at a press event and on News Nation.Summary of the Episode In this episode of The Heart of Rural America, host Amanda Radke welcomes back Chris and Cassie Heaton, sixth-generation cattle ranchers who live in Kanab, Utah, and run a cow-calf operation on the Arizona Strip, just north of the Grand Canyon. When they first joined the show, a federal national monument designation was putting their grazing and water rights at risk. This time they share what has happened since, from a federal lawsuit to a trip to the nation's capital. Chris walks through how the designation unfolded, starting with public hearings in Flagstaff and Kingman in 2023 and the decision to exclude their private ground from the final monument. He explains why the proclamation worries him: it lists drainages and grasslands as objects to protect, their stock ponds sit inside those drainages, and the Department of the Interior told him that what they can and cannot do is up to interpretation. With help from Pacific Legal Foundation, the Heatons sued in February 2024. The case was recently dismissed for lack of standing, and they are now working with their legal team on whether to refile or appeal, with the ultimate goal of fixing the Antiquities Act. After the change in administration, the Heatons submitted their story through the USDA lawfare portal, not expecting a response. At the end of June, Secretary Rollins' office invited them to Washington, and on July 1 they met with the Secretary, her team, and Representative Eli Crane, shared their story at a press event, and appeared on News Nation. Amanda shares her own experience at the White House supper honoring farmers and ranchers, and her fight against a carbon pipeline near her ranch, as she and the Heatons talk about why speaking up matters even when it is uncomfortable. Presented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & Cattle Use 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-businessResources for producers: the USDA Law Fair website and americanlandandlegacy.org

Pre-Order Laura's book: https://bravebooks.us/products/rogers-hay-day?srsltid=AfmBOorOdGgK8CQcJj3-cmdUUpff1fkL-fswYbQGRo6uFtsGOI_7M1O3 Check out Laura on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LauraFarms Takeaways: Laura Wilson explains how Laura Farms started in April 2020 when she propped her iPhone in her tractor cab during planting season, and how that first video's viral moment turned into six and a half years of content and a real revenue stream for her farm.Laura breaks down the practical side of building a farm-based media brand: her weekly YouTube posting schedule, hiring a part-time editor, filming everything on an iPhone with DJI mics, and the brand partnerships, like her multi-year relationship with Chief Industries, that now help pay down her land debt.Laura and Amanda talk about her new children's book, Roger's Hay Day, published with Brave Books and distributed through a partnership with FFA, releasing October 9 and designed to plant a love of agriculture and reading in the next generation.In this episode of The Heart of Rural America, host Amanda Radke sits down with Laura Wilson, a fifth-generation Nebraska farmer and the creator of the YouTube channel Laura Farms. Laura explains that her channel started almost by accident in April 2020, when COVID sent everyone home and she propped her iPhone in the corner of her tractor cab to document planting her first crop as an official partner in her family's operation. The video went viral, and what began as a way to give homeschooling families a window into rural life has grown into six and a half years of content across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and more. Laura and Amanda dig into the entrepreneurial side of farming: how Laura started with a $100,000 beginning farmer loan from the FSA at 18 years old, backed by little more than babysitting money and a dirt bike, and how brand partnerships like her multi-year relationship with Chief Industries have become what she calls her off-farm job, helping her pay down land debt and stay a full-time farmer. She shares her simple production process, an iPhone, a couple of DJI mics, a part-time editor who has freed up 15 hours a week, and pushes back hard on the excuse that people don't have time to share their own story: how you spend your days is how you spend your life. Presented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & Cattle Use 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-businessResources for producers: the USDA Law Fair website and americanlandandlegacy.org

Takeaways Senator Mike Rounds calls President Trump's plan to import 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef "disappointing," warning it sends the wrong signal to a cattle market that has finally started rewarding producers after the smallest U.S. cow herd in 70 years.Rounds breaks down the RANC Act, a bipartisan bill with Senator Amy Klobuchar that would pay landowners the county average rental rate to put marginal cropland back into grass for 10 to 15 years, capped at 20 million acres nationwide, in an effort to rebuild the national cow herd.Mandatory country of origin labeling finally has a real path forward. Rounds confirms Senator Thune got it included in the farm bill moving through the Senate Agriculture Committee, more than a decade after producers first started pushing for it.In this special episode of the "Heart of Rural America," host Amanda Radke sits down with Senator Mike Rounds at the Casey Tibbs Heritage Center in Fort Pierre, South Dakota, right after a one hour roundtable discussion with cattle producers from across the state. The conversation centers on President Trump's surprise announcement to buy 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef, and Rounds does not mince words about it, calling it disappointing and warning that it undercuts an America First message at the exact moment cow-calf operators are finally turning a profit. Rounds and Radke dig into why beef prices are up in the first place: the American cow herd is the smallest it has been in 70 years, and rebuilding it means ranchers have to hold back heifers instead of selling them, a multi-year commitment with no fast fix. That leads into a detailed breakdown of the Ranch Act, Rounds' bipartisan proposal with Senator Amy Klobuchar to pay landowners to convert marginal cropland back into grass for 10 to 15 years, with a second payment available from whoever grazes the land. The two also cover the recent reopening of the Mexico border to cattle imports, packer consolidation, and the progress mandatory country of origin labeling has made inside the farm bill after more than a decade of advocacy. Presented by Bid On Beef | CK6 Consulting Services Inc. | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Ambrook | Redmond Real Salt | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & Cattle Use 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/Try a one-month trial with Ambrook for free here: ambrook.com/radkeCheck 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-businessReport an issue with the USDA Lawfare portal: https://www.usda.gov/lawfareJoin the property rights fight at American Land & Legacy. at www.americanlandandlegacy.org

NEW EPISODE of the "Heart of Rural America" featuring Amanda Radke & Chris Earl, recorded on Aug. 15 at Reverse Rocking R Ranch, Maxwell, NM. Topics of discussion: In part one, Chris and Amanda talk about three exciting sales offering elite Angus genetics including: - Aug. 29: Musgrave Angus - Sept. 5: Rhoades Ranch - Sept. 12: CK6 Genetic Allies at Edgar Brothers In part two, they unpack some of the biggest challenges in the beef cattle business today: - Market consolidation, facilities closing & the 85% monopoly holding the industry captive - Amanda's recent trips to Washington, D.C. to visit with the Trump administration and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins - Truth in labeling, MCOOL, Substantial Transformation Part three ends on a positive note, as they offer some words of encouragement for the American cattle rancher on: - Leverage - Entrepreneurship - Marketing - Paving the way - Building relationships with your customers - Standing for the truth & living by your faith Presented by Bid On Beef | CK6 Consulting Services Inc. | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Ambrook | Redmond Real Salt | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & Cattle Listen to Steve Stratford's CATTLE CHAT here: https://www.facebook.com/p/Cattle-CHAT-100068146624164/ Use 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/Try a one-month trial with Ambrook for free here: ambrook.com/radke 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-businessReport an issue with the USDA Lawfare portal: https://www.usda.gov/lawfare Join the property rights fight at American Land & Legacy. at www.americanlandandlegacy.org

Takeaways Casey Murph explains how Orsted, a Denmark-based wind and solar conglomerate, applied to take over the Arizona state grazing allotment his family has ranched for more than 100 years, and why he refused to give the company access through his private land.Casey makes the case that a full transition to renewable energy is not physically possible, pointing to the Nature Conservancy's Power of Place report, and argues for nuclear power and rooftop or parking lot solar instead of converting working rangeland.Amanda and Casey break down what any landowner can actually do when a company or government agency comes after their land: get educated, get local, get loud on social media, and don't wait for Washington to fix it for you.Summary of the Episode In this episode of The Heart of Rural America, Amanda Radke sits down with Casey Murph, a cow-calf rancher in Navajo County, Arizona, whose family has run cattle on the same range since before Arizona was a state. Casey explains that since Governor Katie Hobbs took office in 2022 and created a task force to fast-track state land for renewable energy development, he has received repeated notices that solar companies have applied to take over parts of his grazing allotment. The company he's most concerned about is Orsted, a global wind and solar conglomerate based in Denmark and partially owned by the Danish government, which reached out asking for access through his private land to reach the isolated state ground behind his gate. Casey said no. Casey and Amanda walk through what that process looks like, the leverage he does and doesn't have, and why his cousins across the river already lost most of their ranch to a similar project. They also get into the bigger picture: why Casey believes the renewable energy transition as currently pitched is mathematically impossible, why nuclear and urban rooftop solar make more sense than converting rangeland, and why he thinks every rancher facing something like this needs to get on social media and tell their story, even if they'd rather not be in front of a camera. Presented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & Cattle Use 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-businessResources for producers: the USDA Law Fair website and americanlandandlegacy.org

Takeaways Fanchon Stinger shares how learning to hear a clear "no" from God, even when everyone around her said "run for office," kept her out of a season she now believes would have been disastrous.After becoming the target of media attacks meant to mischaracterize her, Fanchon walked through a four step process, cling, focus, fight, and share, that turned the experience into a testimony instead of bitterness.Fanchon and Amanda dig into why so many young women today say they lack joy and purpose, and why Fanchon believes the next generation needs a foundation of faith, not just confidence tactics.Summary of the Episode In this episode of The Heart of Rural America, Amanda Radke welcomes back her dear friend Fanchon Stinger, a fifteen time Emmy winning broadcast journalist, TV personality, and founder and CEO of Grit and Grace Nation. Fanchon returns to the show fresh off a trip to Washington, D.C. with Amanda for CPAC's Inaugural Women's Warrior Summit, where the two sat together on the Ranchers Coalition and Amanda's daughter Scarlett got to tag along. The conversation traces Fanchon's path from broadcast journalism into an unexpected chapter of political consideration, and the hard lesson she learned about waiting on a clear answer from God before making a major life decision. She opens up about becoming a target of media mischaracterization, the four step process she now teaches for walking through disappointment without spiraling, and the PRAY framework, Praise, Repent, Ask, Yield, she leans on in moments of crisis. From there, Amanda and Fanchon turn to the next generation, talking through why so many young women describe themselves as joyless and directionless despite growing up with more access and opportunity than ever, and why Fanchon believes the fix starts with faith, not performance. The episode closes with Fanchon connecting her work at Grit and Grace Nation to the bigger picture: agriculture, rural communities, and the country itself are in what she calls a spiritual battle, and the way through it starts with a personal relationship with Christ, not politics alone. Presented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & Cattle Use 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

Takeaways Action beats perfection. You don't need the perfect business plan, website, or logo — you need to start, and you can start in the next 30 days.Diversified income isn't a betrayal of "real" farming or ranching. 80% of farm families already have a spouse working off-farm, and stacking revenue streams (agritourism, direct sales, speaking, content, equipment rentals) is smart, not lesser.The strongest rural businesses are built on story and relationships, not just product. People buy the family, the faith, the failures, and the legacy behind what you sell — then they buy direct, because they crave the connection.In this solo episode of The Heart of Rural America, Amanda Radke answers the question she gets asked more than almost any other: how do you build wealth, opportunity, and a lasting legacy for your family and community when you live in the middle of nowhere? Amanda speaks on entrepreneurship all over the country — at ag banking conferences, cattlemen's and cattlewomen's events, Farm Bureau, Farm Credit — and this episode is her chance to lay out the full framework in one sitting. She opens by knocking down the excuse she hears constantly: that small towns don't have enough customers, enough opportunity, or enough reason to stay. Living in South Dakota, where cattle outnumber people four to one, Amanda argues rural America doesn't suffer from a lack of opportunity — it suffers from a lack of vision and the confidence to chase it. From there she counts down ten practical, specific moves: stop waiting for permission and just start messy (she began as a $30-an-article freelance writer during the 2008 recession); build around problems, not products; use the internet to serve locally but market nationally; stack multiple income streams the way she and her husband Tyler did, renting out ranch buildings before they could even afford cattle; become a better storyteller, because people buy stories before they buy products; turn relationships into real opportunities; sell direct to cut out the middleman and build trust with consumers hungry for transparency; invest in skills — public speaking, sales, writing, leadership — that appreciate forever; build a brand bigger than yourself, using the founding of American Land and Legacy as her own example; and, at number one, bring back the family dinner table as the real engine of rural economic development. Amanda closes by rejecting the narrative of rural decline. She sees innovators, young families moving home, ranchers building direct-to-consumer brands, and moms starting businesses from the kitchen table — and she argues the future of rural America will be built one family, one business, one small town at a time. Presented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & Cattle Use 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

Takeaways Why 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 Episode What 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 Covered Kody 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 Hanner Visit 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 & Cattle Use 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

Takeaways Governor 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 Covered HB 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/

Takeaways Toby 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 Covered The 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/

Takeaways Why 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 operations Barclay 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 entrepreneurship Follow 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 & Cattle Use 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

Takeaways Independent 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 & Cattle Use 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

Takeaways AI 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 & Cattle Use 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

Takeaways Lawfare 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 & Cattle Use 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