WEBVTT 00:01.031 --> 00:04.398   America's Heartland is made possible by 00:04.398 --> 00:09.964 ..They make up a small part of our population. 00:09.964 --> 00:12.931 But have a huge impact on our lives. 00:12.931 --> 00:16.064 They take business risks that few others would tolerate 00:16.064 --> 00:18.164 all on our behalf. 00:18.164 --> 00:23.431 They're American farmers who feed, fuel and clothe the world. 00:23.431 --> 00:27.131 Monsanto would like to recognize them for all they do, 00:27.131 --> 00:30.831 for the rest of us, because ultimately our success 00:30.831 --> 00:34.798 and everyone else's depends on theirs 00:34.798 --> 00:38.064 .and by the American Farm Bureau Federation 00:38.064 --> 00:42.064 - the voice of agriculture. 00:42.064 --> 00:44.964 COMING UP YOU'LL SEE HOW CHICAGO'S BOARD OF TRADE AFFECTS 00:44.964 --> 00:48.331 THE PRICES THAT YOU PAY FOR FOOD ON YOUR TABLE. 00:48.331 --> 00:51.531 THEN. WE'LL TAKE YOU TO IOWA WHERE HOLLYWOOD TRANSFORMED THIS 00:51.531 --> 00:54.631 FAMILY FARM INTO A  FIELD OF DREAMS 00:54.631 --> 00:57.831 HOW MODERN WINDMILLS ARE GENERATING ENERGY FOR CONSUMERS 00:57.831 --> 01:00.998 . AND CASH FOR FARMERS AND RANCHERS . 01:00.998 --> 01:04.764 AND SOME TEXAS TOWNS.USING A NEW APPROACH TO AGRICULTURE. 01:04.764 --> 01:06.564 TO SAVE THEIR CITIES. 01:06.564 --> 01:10.298   AMERICA'S HEARTLAND IS NEXT. 01:10.298 --> 01:16.664 ♪ You can see it in the eyes of every woman and man ♪ 01:16.664 --> 01:22.398 ♪ in America's Heartland living close to the land. ♪ 01:22.398 --> 01:28.464 ♪ There's a love for the country and a pride in the brand ♪ 01:28.464 --> 01:38.998 ♪ in America's Heartland living close, close to the land. ♪ 01:38.998 --> 01:46.331 ♪ In America's Heartland. ♪ 01:46.331 --> 01:49.698 Hello I'm Paul Ryan and welcome to  America's Heartland . 01:49.698 --> 01:53.064 Where as you can see things are a bit more hectic then usual 01:53.064 --> 01:56.398 today and that's because this is where the American farm meets 01:56.398 --> 02:00.398 the world of high finance.where crops and capitalism come 02:00.398 --> 02:03.631 together in a frenzy of buying and selling. 02:03.631 --> 02:06.864 The Chicago Board of Trade is the place that I think we've all 02:06.864 --> 02:09.964 heard about, but very few of us fully understand. 02:09.964 --> 02:12.798 But as I learned, it can play a big role in the financial 02:12.798 --> 02:16.598 success of the American farmer.and what we all pay for 02:16.598 --> 02:23.498 food, clothing and other essentials. 02:23.498 --> 02:27.164 The day has begun at the Chicago Board of Trade. 02:27.164 --> 02:30.998 But it first began in 1848, when a marketplace opened in Chicago 02:30.998 --> 02:34.498 to buy and sell commodities. 02:34.498 --> 02:39.598 "Here at the CBOT we trade corn, wheat, soybeans, soybean meal, 02:39.598 --> 02:43.631 which is made from soybeans, soybean oil, rice. 02:43.631 --> 02:45.831 Even gold is considered a commodity. 02:45.831 --> 02:47.164 Gold, silver, metals. 02:47.164 --> 02:50.598 Anything you procure from the ground is kind of a way to think 02:50.598 --> 02:51.798 of a commodity. " 02:51.798 --> 02:54.398 While the chalk boards have been replaced by electronics, 02:54.398 --> 02:56.764 the traditional way of trading hasn't changed. 02:56.764 --> 03:01.598 Buyers and sellers of corn, wheat, soybeans shout and signal 03:01.598 --> 03:07.764 to order-takers how much they'll buy or sell and for how much. 03:07.764 --> 03:10.698 Each area or  pit on the trading floor represents a 03:10.698 --> 03:13.831 different commodity. 03:13.831 --> 03:15.998 It all seems chaotic, but there is order behind the yelling and 03:15.998 --> 03:18.098 the hand signals. 03:18.098 --> 03:20.298 Steve Bruce is a long-time trader. 03:20.298 --> 03:22.031 "I want to buy it, my hands are like this. 03:22.031 --> 03:24.031 Want to sell it, my hands are like this. 03:24.031 --> 03:25.231 How many contracts do I want to buy? 03:25.231 --> 03:27.064 1-2-3-4-5. 03:27.064 --> 03:28.664 6-7. 03:28.664 --> 03:32.031 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60. 03:32.031 --> 03:32.964 A hundred. 03:32.964 --> 03:33.598 200. 03:33.598 --> 03:34.098 300. 03:34.098 --> 03:34.764 400. 03:34.764 --> 03:35.464 A thousand. 03:35.464 --> 03:36.331 Two thousand. 03:36.331 --> 03:37.531 What price do I want to sell them at? 03:37.531 --> 03:40.631 I want to sell them at a quarter, half, 3, full cent. " 03:40.631 --> 03:43.531 Of course, the board of trade wouldn't exist without farmers. 03:43.531 --> 03:47.498 Steve Pitstick raises corn, wheat and soybeans fifty miles 03:47.498 --> 03:50.998 west of Chicago and works with traders to lock in the highest 03:50.998 --> 03:54.131 price before his crops are harvested. 03:54.131 --> 03:57.831 "Most of the time the low comes at harvest time when there's a 03:57.831 --> 03:59.364 glut of product. 03:59.364 --> 04:03.131 The highest price is in the spring planting season when the 04:03.131 --> 04:07.331 market is perceiving a possible shortfall in trying to entice 04:07.331 --> 04:09.598 producers to plant more grain. " 04:09.598 --> 04:12.598 If a company such as Kelloggs buys Steve's crops at a higher 04:12.598 --> 04:15.831 price, those costs might be passed onto us, the consumers. 04:15.831 --> 04:19.798 If they lock in a lower price, the cost for breakfast cereal 04:19.798 --> 04:21.564 can remain stable. 04:21.564 --> 04:24.064 To the farmer, even a small fluctuation in the price of a 04:24.064 --> 04:27.431 bushel makes a sizeable difference in profit. 04:27.431 --> 04:30.698 "A one cent fluctuation in prices at the Board of Trade 04:30.698 --> 04:34.398 equals about $2500 either positive or negative 04:34.398 --> 04:35.498 to my operation. " 04:35.498 --> 04:36.764 "Just one penny? " 04:36.764 --> 04:38.498 "Just one penny. " 04:38.498 --> 04:40.231 "So if it's five pennies... " 04:40.231 --> 04:43.898 "...that's $12,500 either positive or negative. " 04:43.898 --> 04:47.164 If Steve waits too long to lock in a price and there's a glut of 04:47.164 --> 04:50.031 grain on the market, he may be forced to sell at a lower price 04:50.031 --> 04:52.698 and possibly lose money. 04:52.698 --> 04:55.898 So how does he keep track of ever-changing prices? 04:55.898 --> 04:57.531 With his cell phone. 04:57.531 --> 04:59.564 "My grain dealers that I work with, two or three different 04:59.564 --> 05:02.464 ones, can email me prices if there's something 05:02.464 --> 05:04.064 happening down here. 05:04.064 --> 05:06.764 When I'm out in the field they can email it right to my phone. 05:06.764 --> 05:09.398 I know exactly what's going on. " 05:09.398 --> 05:12.264 "For the American farmer, high tech and high drama aren't 05:12.264 --> 05:14.731 relegated just to the floor of the Board of Trade. 05:14.731 --> 05:17.264 You'll find them right here in the farmer's field, 05:17.264 --> 05:19.498 where modern technology can make all the difference 05:19.498 --> 05:22.398 in making or losing money. " 05:22.398 --> 05:25.331 For example, Steve's tractor comes with a global positioning 05:25.331 --> 05:28.698 system that precisely measures where fertilizer should be 05:28.698 --> 05:31.631 sprayed-down to the inch. 05:31.631 --> 05:33.464 "The system I'm using is supposed to be 05:33.464 --> 05:35.198 plus or minus four inches. " 05:35.198 --> 05:36.731 "Four inches? ! ! ! " 05:36.731 --> 05:39.164 "And I swear, if you looked at my corn rows 05:39.164 --> 05:41.098 it's within an inch. " 05:41.098 --> 05:43.864 And one inch makes a huge difference, since over-spraying 05:43.864 --> 05:48.831 costs thousands of dollars in wasted fertilizer. 05:48.831 --> 05:51.798 In today's competitive environment, Steve Pitstick 05:51.798 --> 05:54.598 needs technology to maximize every penny--whether he's 05:54.598 --> 05:57.664 spraying fertilizer, checking weather conditions on his 05:57.664 --> 06:01.531 laptop, and most important, looking for the highest price at 06:01.531 --> 06:07.531 the Chicago Board of Trade. 06:07.531 --> 06:09.698 Moving with the times, the Chicago Board of Trade began 06:09.698 --> 06:13.898 trading Ethanol futures in 2005.the same year the Board set 06:13.898 --> 06:21.464 a record for trading volume. handling 674 million contracts. 06:21.464 --> 06:23.498 Well back here now at a much quieter setting. 06:23.498 --> 06:26.631 Back at Steve Pitstick's farm, about an hour west of the 06:26.631 --> 06:28.664 Chicago Board of Trade. 06:28.664 --> 06:31.631 As we learned, farmers like Steve have to worry about many 06:31.631 --> 06:35.431 things - crop yield, future prices, rising fuel costs, 06:35.431 --> 06:37.264 and weather. 06:37.264 --> 06:39.831 That's why some farmers are seeking out new and very 06:39.831 --> 06:42.598 different income sources - like tourism. 06:42.598 --> 06:44.298 Yes, tourism! 06:44.298 --> 06:46.998 For example - when Hollywood paid a surprise visit to a 06:46.998 --> 06:49.898 couple of Iowa farmers, they soon learned that, like the 06:49.898 --> 06:53.031 movie,  If you build it, they    will come. 06:53.031 --> 06:58.198 Our Jason Shoultz has the story 06:58.198 --> 06:59.231 Yeah Right. 06:59.231 --> 07:01.364 A baseball field in a middle of a corn field. 07:01.364 --> 07:03.598 A story straight out of Hollywood.. 07:03.598 --> 07:07.431 an Iowa cornfield transformed into a baseball diamond. by a 07:07.431 --> 07:10.164 farmer hearing voices. 07:10.164 --> 07:11.464 "Yeah right! 07:11.464 --> 07:12.798 Ha ha. " 07:12.798 --> 07:16.231 So far fetched.that Rita Ameskamp didn't believe it. 07:16.231 --> 07:19.264 "Yes, it really seemed kind of funny. 07:19.264 --> 07:23.098 until the cast and crew of the 1989 film  Field of Dreams 07:23.098 --> 07:25.664 showed up on her Iowa farm. 07:25.664 --> 07:28.931 But in one weekend the corn was cut down.the sod was rolled 07:28.931 --> 07:31.798 out.and the backstop in place. 07:31.798 --> 07:34.398 And for two months.Hollywood invaded the small town of 07:34.398 --> 07:37.131 Dyersville, Iowa. 07:37.131 --> 07:38.764 "It was great. 07:38.764 --> 07:40.798 They were a great movie crew. 07:40.798 --> 07:41.831 Everybody liked them. 07:41.831 --> 07:42.964 They were very very nice. " 07:42.964 --> 07:45.231 The oscar-nominated movie turned out to be a hit. 07:45.231 --> 07:48.431 In the plot, this field possessed magical powers.where 07:48.431 --> 07:51.198 the ghosts of famous baseball players came back 07:51.198 --> 07:53.898 for games on earth. 07:53.898 --> 07:57.064 The plot connected with moviegoers so much.they started 07:57.064 --> 07:58.998 showing up at the field. 07:58.998 --> 08:01.798 "Like the first year 70-thousand people came to visit 08:01.798 --> 08:03.498 Field of Dreams. " 08:03.498 --> 08:06.364 And the lives of some Iowa corn and soybean farmers 08:06.364 --> 08:08.064 changed forever. 08:08.064 --> 08:10.664 Today the movie site is one of Iowa's top tourist 08:10.664 --> 08:14.664 attractions.drawing visitors from all over the world! 08:14.664 --> 08:16.498 "Well, we're on vacation. 08:16.498 --> 08:19.331 We're going to the college and my sister and her husband and my 08:19.331 --> 08:21.164 girldfriend have never been here. 08:21.164 --> 08:23.131 And they all like the movie a lot. " 08:23.131 --> 08:24.531 Kevin Costner? You like Kevin Costner? 08:24.531 --> 08:27.364 " Oh I love Kevin Costner. Ha ha. Alright, I love 08:27.364 --> 08:29.631 Kevin Costner okay. " 08:29.631 --> 08:33.464 He's not Kevin Costner, but Bill, Judy and Bill's brother-in 08:33.464 --> 08:40.698 -law did help us reenact a key scene from the movie. 08:40.698 --> 08:44.098  IF YOU BUILD IT, HE WILL COME . 08:44.098 --> 08:46.364 Annie what was that? 08:46.364 --> 08:48.264 What was what? 08:48.264 --> 08:50.464 That voice just now. 08:50.464 --> 08:53.098 We didn't hear anything. 08:53.098 --> 08:56.064   IF YOU BUILD IT HE WILL COME . 08:56.064 --> 08:59.231 Annie surely you must of heard that. 08:59.231 --> 09:03.098 Sorry, .  COME ON INTO DINNER 09:03.098 --> 09:05.431 Alright, good job everybody. Everybody good job. 09:05.431 --> 09:06.731 Excellent job actors. 09:06.731 --> 09:09.898 Of course the voices were just Hollywood fiction. 09:09.898 --> 09:13.564 But some believe that this field, this corn, this piece of 09:13.564 --> 09:16.464 movie history carved into the Iowa soil 09:16.464 --> 09:19.598 possesses special powers. 09:19.598 --> 09:20.998 Now you're going to try to force them to go out into the corn? 09:20.998 --> 09:22.798 Yes, I think I'm going to drag them out in the corn 09:22.798 --> 09:23.931 and see if... 09:23.931 --> 09:28.098 .No, no, no. You're not dragging me! No. 09:28.098 --> 09:29.731 Do you think there are ghosts out there? 09:29.731 --> 09:30.398 Yeah. 09:30.398 --> 09:31.498 Why? 09:31.498 --> 09:34.164 Because of the movie. 09:34.164 --> 09:37.198 Hey is this heaven? 09:37.198 --> 09:42.131 No, it's Iowa. 09:42.131 --> 09:45.398 Iowa may be like heaven in a lot of ways, but in other ways it's 09:45.398 --> 09:47.098 just like everywhere else. 09:47.098 --> 09:49.298 Where property lines mean something. 09:49.298 --> 09:53.064 Here at the Field of Dreams this power line shows where the field 09:53.064 --> 09:55.298 is actually divided in half. 09:55.298 --> 09:57.531 Owned by two property owners. 09:57.531 --> 10:00.498 Just like everywhere else, sometimes neighbors don't see 10:00.498 --> 10:02.264   eye-to-eye . 10:02.264 --> 10:05.098 Filmmakers decided the perfect location for the diamond 10:05.098 --> 10:08.864 was just west of the big old farmhouse.the only problem: 10:08.864 --> 10:12.331 the baseball field spilled onto Rita's property. 10:12.331 --> 10:14.464 They approached us because they did not have enough room for 10:14.464 --> 10:16.431 the baseball field. 10:16.431 --> 10:20.298 I own third base, majority of center and all of left field. 10:20.298 --> 10:23.864 Without that, we would not have had a field of dreams. 10:23.864 --> 10:26.964 Because it had to be on two owners. 10:26.964 --> 10:30.764 And along the way.a dispute between the property owners 10:30.764 --> 10:32.064 developed. 10:32.064 --> 10:34.598 The folks who owned one side, the house and infield didn't 10:34.598 --> 10:36.698 want to talk on camera with us. 10:36.698 --> 10:39.398 So it's not exactly clear what sparked the feud. 10:39.398 --> 10:41.631 I really don't call it a feud. 10:41.631 --> 10:45.431 I mean I don't even like the word and I think it should even 10:45.431 --> 10:48.064 be talked about. 10:48.064 --> 10:49.598 Okay maybe not a feud. 10:49.598 --> 10:52.898 But whatever it is, it's hard for visitors to miss. 10:52.898 --> 10:56.431 Right at the property line, both landowners have signs making the 10:56.431 --> 10:59.798 case that they are the true home team. 10:59.798 --> 11:02.631 There are two souvenir shops, two parking lots, even two 11:02.631 --> 11:05.698 driveways leading to the field! 11:05.698 --> 11:08.864 But to once visitors get past the driveways, the signs . the 11:08.864 --> 11:13.731 actual baseball field seems to transcend neighbor disputes. 11:13.731 --> 11:15.398 Magical rows of corn? 11:15.398 --> 11:17.231 Maybe. Maybe not. 11:17.231 --> 11:20.698 But one thing is for sure. If you build it, they will come. 11:20.698 --> 11:27.898 And they are still coming! 11:27.898 --> 11:31.031 Baseball greats Roger Maris and Bob Feller both have ties 11:31.031 --> 11:33.231 to Iowa baseball history. 11:33.231 --> 11:37.064 And the home town team in Keokuk, Iowa lays claim to being 11:37.064 --> 11:40.398 the first professional team to break the color barrier 11:40.398 --> 11:50.498 when African American player Bud Fowler took the field in 1885. 11:50.498 --> 11:53.231 Still to come on America's Heartland.We'll take you to 11:53.231 --> 11:56.298 Texas where some towns are using agriculture 11:56.298 --> 11:58.198 to save their cities. 11:58.198 --> 12:01.264 And call these young folks.  farmers in training . 12:01.264 --> 12:03.398 They're harvesting much more than good grades 12:03.398 --> 12:06.264 in their school gardens. 12:06.264 --> 12:08.998 Many farmers and ranchers don't have the kind of spread that 12:08.998 --> 12:12.498 would attract tourists, or they simply don't have time for that 12:12.498 --> 12:13.864 kind of business. 12:13.864 --> 12:17.598 So they find other creative ways to generate extra income. 12:17.598 --> 12:20.598 Some are turning to nature - taking advantage of an abundant 12:20.598 --> 12:24.264 resource that, once captured, creates much-needed cash 12:24.264 --> 12:25.798 for farmers. 12:25.798 --> 12:29.031 It's also helping free the rest of us from our reliance on 12:29.031 --> 12:33.631 traditional energy sources. 12:33.631 --> 12:36.664 It's quiet out here on the high plains of Wyoming. 12:36.664 --> 12:39.731 An ancient silence broken by the gentle sounds of cows 12:39.731 --> 12:43.998 lowing.ranchers talking about the day's work ahead. 12:43.998 --> 12:46.098 And.this. 12:46.098 --> 12:48.498 The sound of huge propellers starting up.. 12:48.498 --> 12:54.331 responding to nature's free and abundant offering.the wind. 12:54.331 --> 12:56.931 It's a sound heard with increasing frequency all across 12:56.931 --> 12:58.398 the heartland. 12:58.398 --> 13:02.231 Reprising.renewing. an agricultural resource dating 13:02.231 --> 13:04.531 back many years. 13:04.531 --> 13:06.931 "THERE'S SO MUCH ABOUT FARMING AND RANCHING THESE DAYS THAT'S 13:06.931 --> 13:10.298 TOTALLY UNPREDICTABLE: THE WEATHER, CROP PRICES, 13:10.298 --> 13:11.898 PRICE SUPPORTS. 13:11.898 --> 13:15.298 SO, IN ORDER TO GET BY, YOU NEED PREDICTABLE REVENUE SOURCES. 13:15.298 --> 13:18.931 AND, UP HERE ON THE WYOMING HIGH PLAINS, THERE'S VERY LITTLE THAT 13:18.931 --> 13:23.064 IS AS PREDICTABLE AS THE WIND. " 13:23.064 --> 13:25.464 "I think grandpa would be amazed TO SEE THE TECHNOLOGY 13:25.464 --> 13:28.098 THAT THEY'RE BUILDING TODAY, that we're ranching with today. 13:28.098 --> 13:30.131 I THINK HE WOULD PROBABLY BE OVERWHELMED. " 13:30.131 --> 13:33.131 RALPH BROKAW IS THE LATEST GENERATION TO RUN CATTLE ON THE 13:33.131 --> 13:37.531 RANCH STARTED BY HIS GREAT-GRANDFATHER BACK IN 1886. 13:37.531 --> 13:40.431 IN THE MID 1990'S, RALPH'S FATHER CUT A DEAL WITH A WIND 13:40.431 --> 13:44.398 ENERGY COMPANY THAT WANTED TO INSTALL ELECTRICITY-GENERATING 13:44.398 --> 13:47.398 WIND TURBINES ON THIS HIGH PLATEAU. 13:47.398 --> 13:50.764 TODAY, THERE ARE ABOUT SEVENTY.PROVIDING ENOUGH POWER 13:50.764 --> 13:54.864 FOR 48-THOUSAND HOMES.AND A STEADY INCOME FOR THE RANCH. 13:54.864 --> 13:59.731 That's a long term income stream that we're finding brings some 13:59.731 --> 14:03.931 security to the volatility production ag part of it. 14:03.931 --> 14:06.764 " In our area a high percentage of people have looked into and 14:06.764 --> 14:09.464 decided it's the way to go. 14:09.464 --> 14:12.764 Ian Anderson is one of about two dozen farmers who've allowed 14:12.764 --> 14:15.398 wind companies to build turbines on their land in the 14:15.398 --> 14:19.531 Montezuma Hills southwest of Sacramento, California. 14:19.531 --> 14:22.331 He says the machines cover less than two-percent of his four 14:22.331 --> 14:25.831 thousand acres planted in wheat, barley and safflower. 14:25.831 --> 14:28.531 There's been little impact on his farming operations.but a big 14:28.531 --> 14:31.098 boost to his bottom line. 14:31.098 --> 14:35.331 "I CAN TELL YOU THE ENERGY PRODUCED IS PAYING MY LAND 14:35.331 --> 14:37.964 PAYMENTS, SO THAT'S REALLY EXCITING FOR ME. " 14:37.964 --> 14:40.964 AT THE WESTERN STOCK SHOW IN DENVER, ENERGY EXPERTS ARE 14:40.964 --> 14:44.631 TOUTING THE VIRTUES OF WIND MACHINES.BIG ONES THAT EARN 14:44.631 --> 14:48.464 GROWERS AS MUCH AS FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR .AND SMALLER ONES 14:48.464 --> 14:52.864 THAT HELP THEM SAVE BIG MONEY ON THEIR OWN ENERGY BILLS. 14:52.864 --> 14:55.198 "There are so many family farmers that are just pressed to 14:55.198 --> 14:59.031 the edge financially.this really offers them an opportunity to 14:59.031 --> 15:04.498 continue yet another generation of farming or ranching. " 15:04.498 --> 15:07.098 Indeed, the Andersons have had small wind machines on their 15:07.098 --> 15:09.531 farm for 25 years. 15:09.531 --> 15:12.298 On especially windy days, their electric meter runs 15:12.298 --> 15:14.831 backward.meaning they're selling juice back to 15:14.831 --> 15:16.531 the utility company. 15:16.531 --> 15:19.064 "Wind may only be five percent production in this country, but 15:19.064 --> 15:20.831 it's five percent we really need. 15:20.831 --> 15:22.331 It creates no pollution. 15:22.331 --> 15:23.931 It's a great thing. " 15:23.931 --> 15:26.731 Wyoming has incredible potential for wind generation. 15:26.731 --> 15:29.098 I really see this as a big part of the environment 15:29.098 --> 15:31.264 and the economy of Wyoming in the future. " 15:31.264 --> 15:34.598 America's wind industry has had its share of problems. 15:34.598 --> 15:38.298 Early turbine and propeller designs were inefficient, broke 15:38.298 --> 15:40.198 down, and wore out. 15:40.198 --> 15:42.998 There's evidence that some machines harmed wildlife, 15:42.998 --> 15:45.798 especially raptors and migratory birds. 15:45.798 --> 15:49.764 But new studies suggest improved technology and design, including 15:49.764 --> 15:53.531 slower propeller speeds, are addressing those concerns. 15:53.531 --> 15:57.498 And this idea of harnessing the wind seems to resonate among the 15:57.498 --> 16:00.831 many ranchers and farmers who already good stewards of the 16:00.831 --> 16:04.164 land and now the environment. 16:04.164 --> 16:07.631 "I FEAR FOR OUR COUNTRY THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO KEEP 16:07.631 --> 16:10.298 UP WITH THE SOCIETY WE'VE CREATED. 16:10.298 --> 16:12.898 THIS IS PART OF THE KIND OF THING WE NEED TO KEEP DOING. " 16:12.898 --> 16:16.231 "Anybody who has the potential to develop renewable energy like 16:16.231 --> 16:18.364 this should really take advantage of it 16:18.364 --> 16:24.531 and jump right in. Don't be scared. They're a good thing. " 16:24.531 --> 16:27.631 The United States ranks third in the world in wind power 16:27.631 --> 16:30.898 capacity, behind Germany and Spain. The states with the most 16:30.898 --> 16:34.764 wind production are California, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, 16:34.764 --> 16:37.598 and Wyoming. 16:37.598 --> 16:40.931 Even if a farmer has the time and the inclination to get into 16:40.931 --> 16:44.798 agri-tourism, promoting their product to city slickers usually 16:44.798 --> 16:47.664 means getting into unfamiliar territory. 16:47.664 --> 16:51.564 But in Texas, Jason says rural communities and farmers are 16:51.564 --> 16:55.031 getting help turning their history and hard work into a 16:55.031 --> 16:58.064 selling point for visitors. 16:58.064 --> 17:02.431 Friday night in Goliad, Texas... 17:02.431 --> 17:05.164 and the swine judging tent at the annual county fair is the 17:05.164 --> 17:08.264 place to be in this town of 2-thousand people. 17:08.264 --> 17:10.831 " It's the biggest event of the year for the county. 17:10.831 --> 17:14.864 Not only mom and dad but grandma and grandpa come down 17:14.864 --> 17:17.331 and a lot of them come out of town to come watch it. " 17:17.331 --> 17:20.698 Like small towns across Texas, Goliad's economy has been driven 17:20.698 --> 17:22.798 largely by agriculture.. 17:22.798 --> 17:24.298 But that's changing. 17:24.298 --> 17:26.864 Towns in Texas are no different then the towns across the entire 17:26.864 --> 17:30.464 United States and as the agricultural economy has become 17:30.464 --> 17:33.398 tougher and tougher, towns have struggled. 17:33.398 --> 17:37.564 So Goliad is turning that struggle into an opportunity. 17:37.564 --> 17:41.231 A chance to ask - what else does this town have to offer? 17:41.231 --> 17:43.231 Turns out - quite a bit. 17:43.231 --> 17:48.064 This is the birthplace of Texas cattle ranching, predating the 17:48.064 --> 17:51.064 King Ranch by a hundred years. 17:51.064 --> 17:54.564 By sharing Goliad's unique and rich history with visitors, the 17:54.564 --> 17:57.264 town is finding new economic life. 17:57.264 --> 18:00.331 Doug Plant is in charge of Goliad State Park. 18:00.331 --> 18:04.231 Here, visitors explore an 18th century restored mission. 18:04.231 --> 18:07.731 We have people from all over the world come here and come up and 18:07.731 --> 18:09.564 visit and they're very impressed. 18:09.564 --> 18:11.764 The Golden family came from Florida. 18:11.764 --> 18:15.231 I love western movies and I love western books. 18:15.231 --> 18:18.198 And I knew about Goliad and I knew about 18:18.198 --> 18:21.398 how they were supposed to have gone down to the Alamo. 18:21.398 --> 18:23.798 Rural towns like Goliad are getting help from the 18:23.798 --> 18:25.698 Texas Department of Agriculture. 18:25.698 --> 18:27.831 A program called  Texas Yes! 18:27.831 --> 18:30.231 offers rural towns grant money, promotional materials 18:30.231 --> 18:31.831 and workshops. 18:31.831 --> 18:34.931 A lot of it is diversifying the existing ag economy. 18:34.931 --> 18:37.431 A lot of that is nature tourism. 18:37.431 --> 18:43.364 Maybe encouraging businesses to get into, not just tourism but 18:43.364 --> 18:45.031 organic products. 18:45.031 --> 18:47.798 It's not just communities getting help from  Texas Yes . 18:47.798 --> 18:50.631 Ranchers and farmers finding new opportunities for revenue in 18:50.631 --> 18:53.564 nature tourism and agri-tourism. 18:53.564 --> 18:56.231 Here at La Mota ranch in Hebbronville, the third 18:56.231 --> 18:59.764 generation to own the land is selling its history. 18:59.764 --> 19:01.864 The family formed a partnership to manage the 19:01.864 --> 19:04.531 8-thousand acre ranch. 19:04.531 --> 19:07.064 We can all bring our friends and enjoy it. 19:07.064 --> 19:09.298 Enjoy the history, legacy of what our grandfather 19:09.298 --> 19:10.898 has left us. 19:10.898 --> 19:13.764 And that's our goal is to keep this alive for the generations 19:13.764 --> 19:15.264 that come after us. 19:15.264 --> 19:18.198 The family opens up the ranch to hunters.a popular way for Texas 19:18.198 --> 19:19.764 ranchers to make money. 19:19.764 --> 19:22.464 In fact, hunting fees are the biggest money maker 19:22.464 --> 19:24.298 on the ranch. 19:24.298 --> 19:26.398 I CALL IT  OUT TO PASTURE . 19:26.398 --> 19:28.598 When he's not tending to cattle, Charley Hellen shares 19:28.598 --> 19:34.164 his own cowboy poetry with visitors to La Mota ranch. 19:34.164 --> 19:36.531 She was pretty and lean and wore faded blue jeans. 19:36.531 --> 19:39.331 Had old cowboy boots and was just a little bit mean. 19:39.331 --> 19:42.031 Cowboy campfire meals are just part of the experience 19:42.031 --> 19:45.431 that the Hellen family offers three months a year. 19:45.431 --> 19:48.364 This family's new tourism venture has proven to be so 19:48.364 --> 19:50.664 successful, they are sharing their experience 19:50.664 --> 19:52.498 with other ranchers. 19:52.498 --> 19:55.464 The ranch was featured in a Texas Yes newsletter mailed out 19:55.464 --> 19:56.931 to members. 19:56.931 --> 19:58.831 It's in our blood. 19:58.831 --> 20:01.631 And we love it and we want to preserve it. 20:01.631 --> 20:04.198 And we want to inspire other ranchers and ranching families 20:04.198 --> 20:09.198 to preserve theirs also. 20:09.198 --> 20:13.031 The  Texas Yes program also encourages towns to showcase 20:13.031 --> 20:15.731 their musical talents with events that bring in visitors to 20:15.731 --> 20:20.231 sample regional country western music. 20:20.231 --> 20:23.198 Getting city folks out on the farm is one way to help them 20:23.198 --> 20:25.198 appreciate all that farmers do. 20:25.198 --> 20:28.164 Another way is to show 'em how to grow a few crops 20:28.164 --> 20:29.498 of their own. 20:29.498 --> 20:32.031 And as Pat McConahay found in Missouri, it's best to start 'em 20:32.031 --> 20:35.064 young.and let them discover with their own hands the miracle of 20:35.064 --> 20:37.098 seed and soil. 20:37.098 --> 20:41.831 For these Kansas City kids, there's more than gardening 20:41.831 --> 20:44.498 going on - life lessons are being learned. 20:44.498 --> 20:45.898 THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE TO BE GENTLE. 20:45.898 --> 20:47.764 IT'S JUST LIKE TAKING CARE OF A FAMILY isn't it? 20:47.764 --> 20:49.098 IT'S A FAMILY. 20:49.098 --> 20:52.031 THERE'S LOTS OF COMPARISONS BETWEEN TAKING CARE OF A GARDEN 20:52.031 --> 20:53.964 AND TAKING CARE OF CHILDREN. 20:53.964 --> 20:58.098 The garden is located in an unlikely place 20:58.098 --> 21:00.498 - on the grounds of Argentine Middle School 21:00.498 --> 21:04.498 against the backdrop of big city buildings---proving that school 21:04.498 --> 21:07.331 can be fertile ground for outdoor learning. 21:07.331 --> 21:09.031 NOW REMEMBER TO USE GRAVITY, RIGHT? 21:09.031 --> 21:10.931 YOU'RE USING GRAVITY TO HELP IT COME OUT. 21:10.931 --> 21:14.131 Argentine is one of seven school gardens founded in Kansas City 21:14.131 --> 21:17.631 in 2000 by Marcia Pomeroy, of the University of Kansas 21:17.631 --> 21:19.198 Medical Center. 21:19.198 --> 21:22.464 She came up with the idea as a way to teach inner city youth 21:22.464 --> 21:25.998 about healthy eating and respecting the land. 21:25.998 --> 21:28.664 "WHEN YOU TALK TO YOUNG PEOPLE I WOULD ASK AT DIFFERENT FAMILY 21:28.664 --> 21:31.631 GATHERINGS AT SCHOOL..I WOULD SAY HOW MANY OF YOU GARDEN? 21:31.631 --> 21:34.564 AND HOW MANY OF YOU DO THINGS TOGETHER AND INVARIABLY PEOPLE 21:34.564 --> 21:37.231 WOULD SAY THEY HAVE NO CONTACT WITH THE EARTH. 21:37.231 --> 21:39.431 AND I KNOW THAT THE EARTH IS SOMETHING IMPORTANT. 21:39.431 --> 21:41.564 WE WON'T TAKE CARE OF IT UNLESS WE KNOW ABOUT IT 21:41.564 --> 21:44.464 A NATURAL BOND IS CREATED BETWEEN THE GARDEN AND THE 21:44.464 --> 21:46.564 CLASSROOM CURRICULUM. 21:46.564 --> 21:51.398 WE TRY TO CONNECT NUTRITION INFORMATION WITH SCIENCE AND 21:51.398 --> 21:55.064 MATH AND MEASURING, COMMUNITY WORK AND WITH THE HISTORY OF A 21:55.064 --> 21:59.231 LOT OF THE PLANTS THAT WE'RE GROWING IN THE GARDEN. 21:59.231 --> 22:03.564 WE'LL HARVEST SOME BEAUTIFUL LETTUCE. 22:03.564 --> 22:07.764 Each class spends a 45-minute period in the garden every day. 22:07.764 --> 22:10.831 In 2005, alone, more that a thousand students took to the 22:10.831 --> 22:14.164 dirt-tending their urban plots of land. 22:14.164 --> 22:17.598 ONCE THE KIDS HAVE PLANTED AND HARVESTED IN THE GARDEN, IT'S 22:17.598 --> 22:20.764 TIME TO LINE UP TO TRY SOME OF THESE GREAT VEGGIES THAT THEY'VE 22:20.764 --> 22:21.898 BEEN GROWING. 22:21.898 --> 22:23.564 YOU DO WANT SOME LETTUCE, DON'T YOU? 22:23.564 --> 22:25.331 OF COURSE YOU DO. 22:25.331 --> 22:29.064 There is something about eating what you've grown yourself. 22:29.064 --> 22:30.464 THIS IS GOOD. 22:30.464 --> 22:35.564 SINCE IT'S GROWN HERE WE DON'T HAVE TO BRING IT FROM 22:35.564 --> 22:41.931 CALIFORNIA, FROM TROPICAL PLACES AND THAT WE MADE IT HERE. 22:41.931 --> 22:43.598 Many times these kids are eating things 22:43.598 --> 22:45.631 they've never tried before. 22:45.631 --> 22:48.798 I'VE NEVER TRIED RADISHES BEFORE. SO I DECIDED, 22:48.798 --> 22:51.364 HEY, WHY DON'T WE DO LIKE OLD FARMERS DO? 22:51.364 --> 22:57.431 JUST GRAB IT AND JUST CLEAN IT AND BITE IT. IT'S ACTUALLY GOOD. 22:57.431 --> 22:59.798 KANSAS CITY ISN'T THE ONLY PLACE WHERE SCHOOL GARDENS 22:59.798 --> 23:00.964 ARE GROWING. 23:00.964 --> 23:02.698 WHAT DO YOU PICK IN HERE? 23:02.698 --> 23:04.964 LETTUCE, SPINACH AND CHARD. 23:04.964 --> 23:08.231 SOME TWO THOUSAND MILES AWAY IN THE SIERRA FOOTHILLS, EAST OF 23:08.231 --> 23:11.631 SACRAMENTO, A PLACERVILLE MOTHER OF TWO CREATED WHAT SHE CALLS 23:11.631 --> 23:15.064 A  GARDEN OF LEARNING  AT HER CHILDREN'S SCHOOL. 23:15.064 --> 23:18.764 FROM THE DAY WHEN BOTH MY CHILDREN WERE BORN, 23:18.764 --> 23:20.231 IF I COULD TEACH MY CHILDREN TO LOVE TO LEARN 23:20.231 --> 23:22.431 THEN I HAVE MASTERED EVERYTHING. 23:22.431 --> 23:26.864 AND SO A GARDEN WHERE MY KIDS COULD LEARN WAS REALLY IMPORTANT 23:26.864 --> 23:28.198 TO ME. 23:28.198 --> 23:30.898 LIKE THE KANSAS CITY PROGRAM, this one at Louisiana Schnell 23:30.898 --> 23:35.164 Elementary INTEGRATES GARDENING WITH CLASSROOM WORK.BUT THE 23:35.164 --> 23:38.831 REWARDS GO BEYOND MASTERING READIN', WRITIN' AND 'RITHETIC 23:38.831 --> 23:44.064 IN A SCHOOL GARDEN WE HAVE STUDENTS WHO MIGHT NOT FOCUS 23:44.064 --> 23:47.764 IN THE CLASSROOM AND YOU GET THEM IN THAT QUIETER SETTING 23:47.764 --> 23:50.664 OF A SCHOOL GARDEN, THEY'RE COMPLETELY ENGAGED 23:50.664 --> 23:52.264 AND FOCUSED OUT THERE. 23:52.264 --> 23:54.898 Kids find that gardening makes learning fun. 23:54.898 --> 23:59.298 IT'S JUST NICE BEING OUTSIDE AND YOU GET TO SEE THE WILDERNESS 23:59.298 --> 24:00.331 AND STUFF. 24:00.331 --> 24:03.498 I LIKE BEING OUTSIDE AND DOING THINGS. 24:03.498 --> 24:05.198 I DON'T LIKE CLEANING MY ROOM. 24:05.198 --> 24:08.698 I LIKE DOING OTHER CHORES INSTEAD OF CLEANING MY ROOM AND 24:08.698 --> 24:11.498 SO THIS IS A FUN THING FOR ME TO DO. 24:11.498 --> 24:15.331 Adding to the students' satisfaction is that they get 24:15.331 --> 24:18.664 to sell what they grow. 24:18.664 --> 24:20.631 WHEN YOU HOLD A FARMERS MARKET LIKE THIS, YOU SEE HOW THE 24:20.631 --> 24:21.798 ECONOMY WORKS. 24:21.798 --> 24:24.298 AND THE OTHER THING ABOUT A SCHOOL GARDEN IS THEY'RE 24:24.298 --> 24:27.064 LEARNING HOW TO EAT HEALTHY. AND THAT'S A HUGE PLACE 24:27.064 --> 24:31.664 WHERE WE ARE FAILING IN CALIFORNIA AND IN OUR COUNTRY. 24:31.664 --> 24:34.331 Like Placerville and Kansas City, a number of other 24:34.331 --> 24:37.764 communities have used garden projects to foster a respect for 24:37.764 --> 24:40.231 agriculture and the environment. 24:40.231 --> 24:42.231 . lessons that can serve youngsters well 24:42.231 --> 24:47.464 throughout their lives. 24:47.464 --> 24:51.064 There's nothing like your very first harvest, even if it's just 24:51.064 --> 24:53.164 an onion or two! 24:53.164 --> 24:55.431 And we certainly appreciate your coming along with us today. 24:55.431 --> 24:58.098 And we hope you'll join us again next time when we discover more 24:58.098 --> 25:00.898 great farms, families, and their fascinating stories. 25:00.898 --> 25:02.731 in  America's Heartland . 25:02.731 --> 25:08.031 I'm Paul Ryan. And I'll see you next time. 25:08.031 --> 25:10.764 To learn more about this edition of  America's Heartland , 25:10.764 --> 25:12.564 or to give us your feedback, visit 25:12.564 --> 25:16.131 americasheartland - dot - org. 25:16.131 --> 25:19.131 To order a copy of this broadcast, visit us online or 25:19.131 --> 25:24.598 call 1-888-814-3923. 25:24.598 --> 25:32.131 The cost is 14.95 plus shipping. 25:32.131 --> 25:38.064 ♪ You can see it in the eyes of every woman and man ♪ 25:38.064 --> 25:44.198 ♪ in America's Heartland living close to the land. ♪ 25:44.198 --> 25:49.964 ♪ There's a love for the country and a pride in the brand ♪ 25:49.964 --> 25:59.931 ♪ in America's Heartland living close, close to the land. ♪ 25:59.931 --> 26:05.964   America's Heartland is made possible by 26:05.964 --> 26:08.964 ..They make up a small part of our population. 26:08.964 --> 26:11.964 But have a huge impact on our lives. 26:11.964 --> 26:14.931 They take business risks that few others would tolerate 26:14.931 --> 26:17.064 all on our behalf. 26:17.064 --> 26:22.364 They're American farmers who feed, fuel and clothe the world. 26:22.364 --> 26:25.864 Monsanto would like to recognize them for all they do, 26:25.864 --> 26:29.831 for the rest of us, because ultimately our success 26:29.831 --> 26:33.798 and everyone else's depends on theirs 26:33.798 --> 26:36.798 .and by the American Farm Bureau Federation 26:36.798 --> 26:40.131 - the voice of agriculture. "