WEBVTT 00:00.498 --> 00:04.298 "America's Heartland is made possible by..." 00:04.298 --> 00:07.464 Farm Credit - financing agriculture and rural 00:07.464 --> 00:09.731 America since 1916. 00:09.731 --> 00:11.831 Farm Credit is cooperatively owned by America's 00:11.831 --> 00:13.364 farmers and ranchers. 00:13.364 --> 00:16.498 Learn more at farmcredit.com 00:16.498 --> 00:19.231 The United Soybean Board whose "Common Ground" 00:19.231 --> 00:21.398 program creates conversations to help 00:21.398 --> 00:23.931 consumers get the facts about farming and food. 00:23.931 --> 00:28.364 There's more at: findourcommonground.com 00:28.364 --> 00:31.598 The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. 00:31.598 --> 00:33.631 Dedicated to building greater awareness and 00:33.631 --> 00:35.864 understanding of agriculture through education 00:35.864 --> 00:37.331 and engagement. 00:37.331 --> 00:40.564 More information at: agfoundation.org 00:40.564 --> 00:43.764 The Fund for Agriculture Education - A fund created 00:43.764 --> 00:47.364 by KVIE to support America's Heartland programming. 00:47.364 --> 00:49.398 Contributors include the following: 00:51.698 --> 00:52.864 I'm Sarah Gardner. 00:52.864 --> 00:55.964 Bees are crucial in helping farmers grow dozens of 00:55.964 --> 00:56.998 different products. 00:56.998 --> 00:58.431 But, their native populations are 00:58.431 --> 01:00.264 mysteriously declining. 01:00.264 --> 01:02.531 We'll take you to California where farmers, 01:02.531 --> 01:05.131 scientific experts, and beekeepers are launching a 01:05.131 --> 01:09.498 major new program to help bring bees back. 01:09.498 --> 01:10.698 Hi, I'm Jason Shoultz. 01:10.698 --> 01:12.531 Come with me to New England where the history of many 01:12.531 --> 01:15.498 farms stretches back hundreds of years. 01:15.498 --> 01:17.431 I'll introduce you to a farm family that's seen 01:17.431 --> 01:19.898 some great times and struggled through some 01:19.898 --> 01:21.131 tough times 01:21.131 --> 01:24.831 all with the goal of keeping the farm alive. 01:24.831 --> 01:26.264 Hi I'm Kristen Simoes. 01:26.264 --> 01:29.164 We're taking you to school in big sky country and this 01:29.164 --> 01:31.964 lesson is all about good horsemanship for the 01:31.964 --> 01:33.731 animal and the rider. 01:33.731 --> 01:36.264 Saddle up for a one of a kind ranching adventure 01:36.264 --> 01:38.298 in Montana. 01:38.298 --> 01:39.464 I'm Rob Stewart. 01:39.464 --> 01:42.331 We've got a unique ranching story for you this time. 01:42.331 --> 01:44.098 It's not about cattle. 01:44.098 --> 01:48.198 We're taking you to Arkansas to a ranch that is bustling 01:48.198 --> 01:49.998 with buffalo! 01:49.998 --> 01:51.798 That's all coming up next, right here on 01:51.798 --> 01:53.631 America's Heartland. 01:54.864 --> 02:00.998 ♪You can see it in the eyes of every woman and man ♪ 02:00.998 --> 02:07.031 ♪in America's Heartland living close to the land. ♪ 02:07.031 --> 02:10.064 ♪There's a love for the country ♪ 02:10.064 --> 02:13.064 ♪and a pride in the brand ♪ 02:13.064 --> 02:19.598 ♪in America's Heartland living close, ♪ 02:19.598 --> 02:24.031 ♪close to the land ♪ 02:30.564 --> 02:31.564 When you think of bees, 02:31.564 --> 02:33.231 you think of that hard working insect who 02:33.231 --> 02:34.231 brings us honey. 02:34.231 --> 02:36.064 But, they actually do much more than that. 02:36.064 --> 02:37.864 They're essential in agriculture. 02:37.864 --> 02:41.298 Many successful crops depend on bee pollination. 02:41.298 --> 02:42.764 But, bees are in trouble. 02:42.764 --> 02:45.764 Their numbers are declining, and experts aren't sure why. 02:45.764 --> 02:48.598 Here in Orange County, California a major effort is 02:48.598 --> 02:51.098 underway to bring bees - back. 02:51.098 --> 02:53.964 ♪ 02:53.964 --> 02:55.598 The first settlers to America brought European 02:55.598 --> 02:59.298 honeybees with them in the early 1600's. 02:59.298 --> 03:01.698 The honey bee is our workhorse pollinator. 03:01.698 --> 03:04.131 And bringing bees back especially native 03:04.131 --> 03:07.264 varieties is what's drawn habitat conservationists 03:07.264 --> 03:10.764 like Mace Vaughn to this carefully-tended field in 03:10.764 --> 03:13.431 the hills outside Irvine, California. 03:13.431 --> 03:16.131 Vaughn wants these farmers and ranchers to know just 03:16.131 --> 03:20.331 how important all native pollinators are to producers. 03:20.331 --> 03:24.231 Pollination is critical because many of our crops if 03:24.231 --> 03:27.998 we look at apples and pears and plums and cherries, 03:27.998 --> 03:30.798 blueberries, strawberries, squash, melon, 03:30.798 --> 03:33.798 some of our tomato varieties they need to have pollen 03:33.798 --> 03:37.531 moved from one flower to another in order to be able 03:37.531 --> 03:42.231 to set fruit or to set seeds that we then eat. 03:42.231 --> 03:44.164 In the past few years, beekeepers, 03:44.164 --> 03:46.598 farmers and orchard owners have been facing a 03:46.598 --> 03:49.831 phenomenon called "Colony Collapse Disorder". 03:49.831 --> 03:51.898 While its causes are still unclear, 03:51.898 --> 03:55.064 the disorder can devastate entire hives - killing off 03:55.064 --> 03:56.864 millions of bees. 03:56.864 --> 03:59.764 That impact ultimately affects prices we pay 03:59.764 --> 04:01.464 at the supermarket. 04:01.464 --> 04:02.964 With colony collapse disorder, 04:02.964 --> 04:04.831 there's been a major increase, 04:04.831 --> 04:06.664 because of a shortage of bees, 04:06.664 --> 04:09.298 in the price of renting hives. 04:09.298 --> 04:12.364 Back 10 years ago, you're probably talking 30 to 35 04:12.364 --> 04:14.664 dollars on average per hive. 04:14.664 --> 04:17.064 Today, we're talking about well over a hundred dollars 04:17.064 --> 04:19.364 a hive in many areas of the country. 04:19.364 --> 04:22.331 California's Almond crop alone depends on tens of 04:22.331 --> 04:24.631 thousands of beehives brought into the state each 04:24.631 --> 04:27.731 spring to pollinate eight hundred thousand acres of 04:27.731 --> 04:29.164 almond trees. 04:31.631 --> 04:34.498 Farmers, scientists and others in U.S. agriculture 04:34.498 --> 04:36.698 are mounting an effort to develop a unique 04:36.698 --> 04:38.664 "pollinator partnership." 04:38.664 --> 04:40.931 promoting the growth of native plants on farms, 04:40.931 --> 04:44.631 orchards and ranches all across America. 04:44.631 --> 04:47.964 So what we've been doing is looking at how we can help 04:47.964 --> 04:50.898 rebuild populations of native pollinators. 04:50.898 --> 04:54.798 wild bees, moths, butterflies, insects, 04:54.798 --> 04:57.231 even some animals - that provide value added 04:57.231 --> 04:59.264 pollination services. 04:59.264 --> 05:02.098 In the east we find that native bees can potentially 05:02.098 --> 05:06.164 provide all the pollination that's necessary on the vast 05:06.164 --> 05:08.064 majority of those farms. 05:08.064 --> 05:09.431 "Let's go down this way". 05:09.431 --> 05:12.031 One candidate in this southern California field 05:12.031 --> 05:15.331 is this surprising variety of native bee. 05:15.331 --> 05:17.564 A lot of our native bees are really small - quite small 05:17.564 --> 05:19.798 compared to a honey bee. 05:19.798 --> 05:23.264 So this looks like one of our very small sweat bees. 05:23.264 --> 05:25.498 Facilitating increased numbers of native 05:25.498 --> 05:28.298 pollinators, however, often demands that farmers and 05:28.298 --> 05:30.698 growers adjust the plants that populate their 05:30.698 --> 05:32.764 available landscape. 05:32.764 --> 05:35.964 You create a habitat where beneficial insects can take 05:35.964 --> 05:38.298 up residence, come into the fields, 05:38.298 --> 05:41.998 provide pollination services that won't replace those 05:41.998 --> 05:45.531 that come from managed bees, but will supplement them. 05:45.531 --> 05:48.631 In addition to bees, conservationist David Raetz 05:48.631 --> 05:50.998 says certain plants including black sage 05:50.998 --> 05:54.531 can attract other types of native pollinators. 05:54.531 --> 05:56.598 Southern California has a high percentage of butterfly 05:56.598 --> 06:00.431 species that occur here and are really concentrated here. 06:00.431 --> 06:02.931 And so the black sage, as well as many others, 06:02.931 --> 06:04.898 will attract those particular species. 06:04.898 --> 06:07.498 Restoring native habitat to attract a variety of 06:07.498 --> 06:11.031 pollinators can also prove beneficial to reducing soil 06:11.031 --> 06:14.198 erosion and improving water quality. 06:14.198 --> 06:16.531 Part of what the project is all about is how do we 06:16.531 --> 06:20.164 structure and create an appreciation for and more 06:20.164 --> 06:22.998 importantly a commitment to create habitat and build up 06:22.998 --> 06:25.464 the populations of the native pollinators so that 06:25.464 --> 06:28.331 if there is a problem we can still have an abundant 06:28.331 --> 06:31.564 supply of pollinating entities that can help make 06:31.564 --> 06:34.398 sure we still have food to eat. 06:34.398 --> 06:36.331 While a solution is being sought for 06:36.331 --> 06:38.031 Colony Collapse Disorder, 06:38.031 --> 06:40.064 developing a national program of native 06:40.064 --> 06:43.298 pollinators can provide options for protecting our 06:43.298 --> 06:46.664 food supply now and in the future. 06:46.664 --> 06:49.764 Native pollinators are a great example of a specific 06:49.764 --> 06:52.764 solution that farmer and ranchers can deliver from 06:52.764 --> 06:54.098 the land. 06:54.098 --> 06:56.898 Farmers, ranchers, forest landowners aren't the source 06:56.898 --> 07:00.964 of problems; they're the source of solutions. 07:00.964 --> 07:04.698 ♪ 07:04.698 --> 07:06.398 If you're wondering why honeybees make that 07:06.398 --> 07:09.098 "buzzing" sound, it's because their wings are 07:09.098 --> 07:12.298 fluttering at more than 11 thousand times a minute. 07:12.298 --> 07:15.131 Their perception of visual movement is fast as 07:15.131 --> 07:18.631 well about six times that of human beings. 07:18.631 --> 07:20.698 Were bees to watch a movie, they would be able to 07:20.698 --> 07:24.331 differentiate individual frames being projected. 07:24.331 --> 07:25.698 ♪ 07:25.698 --> 07:27.331 When you think about rodeos, 07:27.331 --> 07:30.031 competitive or recreational riding even those 07:30.031 --> 07:31.864 equestrian events in the Olympics, 07:31.864 --> 07:33.598 you can see why proper training for a 07:33.598 --> 07:35.231 horse is important. 07:35.231 --> 07:37.264 Well, here at this Montana ranch, 07:37.264 --> 07:41.598 good horsemanship is all about the animal and the rider. 07:41.598 --> 07:48.531 ♪ 07:48.531 --> 07:50.664 "Get down on your rein and ask for her eye and use your 07:50.664 --> 07:54.431 foot at the same time" 07:54.431 --> 07:56.798 It doesn't matter how great a horse we raise, 07:56.798 --> 08:00.098 if we don't bring people up, young people up through the, 08:00.098 --> 08:02.831 with knowledge and horsemanship, you know, 08:02.831 --> 08:04.831 our industry won't last. 08:04.831 --> 08:07.631 Lisa Anderson loves several things about managing 08:07.631 --> 08:09.598 Copper Spring Ranch. 08:09.598 --> 08:13.064 Including working alongside her husband, 08:13.064 --> 08:17.864 Brian and Training and selling world class horses 08:17.864 --> 08:19.564 "Bring her back into a small circle, 08:19.564 --> 08:20.898 looking between her ears." 08:20.898 --> 08:23.131 It's a place where champion quarter horses are bred and 08:23.131 --> 08:25.131 trained and where instructors like 08:25.131 --> 08:28.498 Lisa share their talents with the next generation of 08:28.498 --> 08:31.098 equestrian enthusiasts. 08:31.098 --> 08:33.464 Working here, I get to be outdoors all the time. 08:33.464 --> 08:36.198 I get to be around horses and being around people like 08:36.198 --> 08:41.898 Brian and Lisa, who know horses. 08:41.898 --> 08:44.964 Tana Pena rides for her high school's rodeo team and 08:44.964 --> 08:47.231 looks forward to someday having a career 08:47.231 --> 08:49.098 involving horses. 08:49.098 --> 08:51.864 The high school senior works as a barn assistant at the 08:51.864 --> 08:54.364 ranch earning some extra cash and picking up 08:54.364 --> 08:58.964 equine experience. 08:58.964 --> 09:01.764 I get to learn just by watching them every day. 09:01.764 --> 09:03.898 Just watching them out in the arena roping or working 09:03.898 --> 09:05.298 with the horses I'm learning all the time 09:05.298 --> 09:06.964 which is incredible. 09:09.731 --> 09:13.431 Like Tana, Kevin Peterson is on his school's rodeo team. 09:13.431 --> 09:16.431 Looking beyond college, Kevin sees a future in 09:16.431 --> 09:20.664 America's multi-billion dollar horse industry. 09:20.664 --> 09:22.864 "You know we market all over the United States we try 09:22.864 --> 09:25.564 to stay regionally focused with Montana, 09:25.564 --> 09:28.431 Idaho, Washington, South Dakota, North Dakota 09:28.431 --> 09:29.898 and Wyoming" 09:29.898 --> 09:33.231 Kevin is a marketing major at Montana State University. 09:33.231 --> 09:36.764 His intern work updating the ranch's website earns him 09:36.764 --> 09:40.064 college credit and allows him to interact with the horses 09:40.064 --> 09:41.498 he's promoting. 09:41.498 --> 09:44.531 Having the, the kids around, the younger generation, um, 09:44.531 --> 09:47.031 it just builds a positive attitude. 09:47.031 --> 09:49.298 They're excited about life, they're excited about 09:49.298 --> 09:52.098 their future, and it's just a happy place. 09:52.098 --> 09:54.564 It's an attitude Lisa shares with owners 09:54.564 --> 09:56.831 Klein and Karen Gilhousen. 09:56.831 --> 09:59.431 The husband and wife team see the ranch as a way to 09:59.431 --> 10:02.898 take young riders and horses to championship 10:02.898 --> 10:06.464 levels in a variety of equestrian events. 10:06.464 --> 10:13.464 To me it's really important to help our young people to 10:13.464 --> 10:18.531 be successful and to be good role models for them and 10:18.531 --> 10:20.764 give them opportunities that they might not 10:20.764 --> 10:22.664 have otherwise. 10:22.664 --> 10:25.664 Karen's daughter, Aspen, is also one those learning more 10:25.664 --> 10:28.364 about the skills involved in riding. 10:28.364 --> 10:31.298 For other young people, a variety of internships give 10:31.298 --> 10:34.498 college students a chance to expand their knowledge in 10:34.498 --> 10:38.198 everything from veterinary medicine to marketing. 10:40.864 --> 10:44.464 Lisa and her husband, Brian, see their jobs as providing 10:44.464 --> 10:47.498 the tools needed to excel in a number of 10:47.498 --> 10:49.198 forms of horsemanship. 10:49.198 --> 10:52.064 Equally important - is recognizing that excellence 10:52.064 --> 10:57.098 comes from a cooperative effort between animal and rider. 10:57.098 --> 11:00.398 It's not just about how many wins you get or getting your 11:00.398 --> 11:01.564 name in the headlines. 11:01.564 --> 11:03.498 It's about loving these animals, 11:03.498 --> 11:05.298 getting them placed in the right hands, 11:05.298 --> 11:08.698 with the right people, so that they have great lives. 11:11.198 --> 11:13.331 ♪ 11:13.331 --> 11:15.164 North America was home to members of the equine 11:15.164 --> 11:17.298 family way back in history. 11:17.298 --> 11:19.831 But those pre-historic horses ultimately 11:19.831 --> 11:21.264 became extinct. 11:21.264 --> 11:24.064 Spanish explorers brought horses back to the America's 11:24.064 --> 11:25.598 in the 1500's. 11:25.598 --> 11:28.264 Many of the wild horses roaming the west today are 11:28.264 --> 11:30.764 descendants of those original breeds. 11:32.164 --> 11:33.398 I'm Jason Shoultz. 11:33.398 --> 11:35.531 Still ahead - I'll take you to Massachusetts where one 11:35.531 --> 11:39.064 multi-generational farm family is very picky about 11:39.064 --> 11:40.898 their produce. 11:40.898 --> 11:42.431 I'm Rob Stewart and still ahead on 11:42.431 --> 11:43.464 America's Heartland, 11:43.464 --> 11:46.698 we're heading for Arkansas and a ranch raising 11:46.698 --> 11:50.564 some of the biggest land animals in the entire country. 11:52.364 --> 11:59.198 ♪ 11:59.198 --> 12:01.098 Hi, my name is Mike Freeling and I have a 12:01.098 --> 12:02.998 question about agriculture. 12:02.998 --> 12:04.998 I grow a lot of vegetables in my garden so I know a 12:04.998 --> 12:07.264 small amount of land can be pretty productive. 12:07.264 --> 12:10.064 But I was wondering just how much food can be grown on 12:10.064 --> 12:11.831 the average farm? 12:11.831 --> 12:14.331 Hey, we all love to get a great harvest when it comes 12:14.331 --> 12:16.964 to our home gardens --even if you're wondering what 12:16.964 --> 12:19.431 you're going to do with all of that zucchini? 12:19.431 --> 12:21.698 You may already know that American farmers are some of 12:21.698 --> 12:24.164 the most productive in the world and that's one of the 12:24.164 --> 12:25.964 reasons that Americans, on average, 12:25.964 --> 12:29.164 spend a lot less for food than people in many parts of 12:29.164 --> 12:31.564 Europe, the Middle East and Asia. 12:31.564 --> 12:34.131 But, let's answer your question about production on 12:34.131 --> 12:35.164 the farm. 12:35.164 --> 12:36.598 Let's start with corn. 12:36.598 --> 12:39.098 Now, of course, it depends on your soil conditions, 12:39.098 --> 12:41.898 growing season and weather, but on average, 12:41.898 --> 12:44.998 you can expect to get more than a hundred fifty bushels 12:44.998 --> 12:46.798 per acre when it comes to corn. 12:46.798 --> 12:48.564 Wheat? 12:48.564 --> 12:51.431 Anywhere from 35 to 40 bushels an acre. 12:51.431 --> 12:54.764 Each bushel produces about 42 pounds of flour and that 12:54.764 --> 12:56.831 makes a lot of bread and pasta. 12:56.831 --> 13:00.531 You'll get lots of potatoes from an acre of farmland 13:00.531 --> 13:04.598 from 25 to 35 thousand pounds. 13:04.598 --> 13:06.564 And what about something like cotton? 13:06.564 --> 13:08.764 Again it depends on where you're planting, 13:08.764 --> 13:12.398 but an acre can produce more than 700 pounds of cotton. 13:12.398 --> 13:16.064 A bale of cotton weighs about 480 pounds. 13:16.064 --> 13:19.131 That's enough to make 200 pairs of blue jeans. 13:19.131 --> 13:20.798 And one more fact on production. 13:20.798 --> 13:26.231 In 1940 one farmer raised enough food to feed 19 people. 13:26.231 --> 13:27.298 Today? 13:27.298 --> 13:30.298 One farmer can produce enough food and fiber 13:30.298 --> 13:32.964 for 143 people. 13:32.964 --> 13:34.898 That's quite a jump. 13:34.898 --> 13:38.764 ♪ 13:40.631 --> 13:43.298 How close are you to your family? 13:43.298 --> 13:44.864 Well, imagine working with your parents, 13:44.864 --> 13:46.498 your brothers and sisters, aunts, 13:46.498 --> 13:49.098 uncles even your children every day. 13:49.098 --> 13:50.831 The Hanson family just outside of 13:50.831 --> 13:52.298 Boston, Massachusetts 13:52.298 --> 13:54.498 has been working together for 13:54.498 --> 13:57.931 generations and the ups and downs of their lives are 13:57.931 --> 14:04.764 tightly intertwined with the farm that they work on. 14:04.764 --> 14:06.298 It has to be very fresh. 14:06.298 --> 14:11.098 Fresh isn't just a marketing buzzword for Tom Hanson. 14:11.098 --> 14:13.564 As he and his crew head out to harvest sweet corn on 14:13.564 --> 14:15.498 this fall morning just outside of 14:15.498 --> 14:16.998 Boston, Massachusetts 14:16.998 --> 14:19.398 he's up against the clock. 14:19.398 --> 14:21.298 There's a constant rotation in trying to feed the 14:21.298 --> 14:23.731 farmer's market and the farm stand. 14:23.731 --> 14:26.931 Hanson's Farm has been in Tom Hanson's family since 1908 14:26.931 --> 14:30.698 and the land has been farmed since 1715! 14:30.698 --> 14:34.664 Today Tom, his wife Martha, his son Matt, 14:34.664 --> 14:38.164 daughter Elizabeth and even Martha's mother all help out 14:38.164 --> 14:41.564 on the farm in various roles. 14:41.564 --> 14:44.031 It's hard work and sometimes you just wondering 14:44.031 --> 14:46.698 why you're doing all of this. 14:46.698 --> 14:51.031 But, I'm really glad they want to do it. 14:51.031 --> 14:53.331 And the decisions made on this farm have a direct 14:53.331 --> 14:56.064 impact on the lives of the family. 14:56.064 --> 14:59.464 And sometimes an impact on who becomes part of the family! 14:59.464 --> 15:03.364 Like when about 30 years ago Tom was looking to help 15:03.364 --> 15:07.698 the bottom line by trying something new with his produce. 15:07.698 --> 15:08.698 I did You Pick. 15:08.698 --> 15:10.331 Where you could come and pick your 15:10.331 --> 15:12.231 own vegetables here at the farm or small 15:12.231 --> 15:14.498 fruit, you know, like strawberries or raspberries. 15:14.498 --> 15:18.998 That decision brought someone special to the farm. 15:18.998 --> 15:22.298 I get out of work early and I drove up here. 15:22.298 --> 15:25.231 I'd always wanted to pick strawberries and that's 15:25.231 --> 15:26.931 how I met Tom. 15:26.931 --> 15:30.531 And he showed me around his farm and eventually we went 15:30.531 --> 15:35.131 on a date, and six months later we were engaged. 15:35.131 --> 15:37.698 But with good times, also come bad. 15:37.698 --> 15:41.764 In 2009 Tom's son Matt and father Charles we're 15:41.764 --> 15:45.464 involved in a serious farm accident. 15:45.464 --> 15:48.398 So what happened was, he was cutting corners and he did 15:48.398 --> 15:49.998 something he always taught us never to do, 15:49.998 --> 15:52.031 which was to start a tractor on the ground 15:52.031 --> 15:55.164 they both of them got run over. 15:55.164 --> 15:57.264 I almost lost my son that day too. 15:57.264 --> 15:58.531 But he was ok. 15:58.531 --> 16:01.764 He was banged up, but my father got his ribs stove in 16:01.764 --> 16:04.531 and he died a couple weeks later. 16:04.531 --> 16:06.398 Ah, and I miss him to this day. 16:06.398 --> 16:09.831 It was very hard for Matt who was there that day. 16:09.831 --> 16:15.931 And, ah, he, he really, um, tried to save my dad, um, 16:15.931 --> 16:17.964 as best as he could. 16:17.964 --> 16:19.731 But it was difficult for him. 16:19.731 --> 16:21.364 Um, and we were really lucky. 16:21.364 --> 16:22.598 He just got banged up. 16:22.598 --> 16:24.231 He was OK. 16:24.231 --> 16:27.631 Um, but I think for all of us it kinda of steeled us, 16:27.631 --> 16:29.831 you know, to pull together. 16:29.831 --> 16:33.198 Today this farm family is focused on staying a step 16:33.198 --> 16:36.898 ahead of trends in food and shopping tastes. 16:36.898 --> 16:39.698 From catering to ethnic communities to marketing the 16:39.698 --> 16:43.531 locally-grown and wholesome aspect of their produce. 16:43.531 --> 16:47.764 About 15 years ago something happened that there was all 16:47.764 --> 16:52.664 of a sudden a whole locally grown movement in the country. 16:52.664 --> 16:55.031 And it's kinda coming nation-wide. 16:55.031 --> 16:57.731 And diversifying the farm means trying new things, 16:57.731 --> 16:59.498 like horse boarding. 16:59.498 --> 17:01.698 And as new family members get involved, 17:01.698 --> 17:03.998 they bring ideas. 17:03.998 --> 17:07.664 Last year, my daughter wanted to get back into some 17:07.664 --> 17:10.131 of the farming aspect of it. 17:10.131 --> 17:13.231 And we came up with an idea of 17:13.231 --> 17:15.098 freshly squeezed lemonade. 17:15.098 --> 17:18.464 So she started a great business with doing freshly 17:18.464 --> 17:21.398 squeezed lemonade made to order at certain 17:21.398 --> 17:23.264 farmer's markets. 17:26.964 --> 17:29.098 Things like CSA and farmer's markets have been great 17:29.098 --> 17:30.798 for us right now. 17:30.798 --> 17:33.564 But it may be something else 10 years from now. 17:33.564 --> 17:35.764 So you have to be keep your mind open to that 17:35.764 --> 17:38.064 and keep evolving and that sort of thing. 17:38.064 --> 17:39.998 "We didn't spray it so much so there's gonna 17:39.998 --> 17:42.798 be some worms but just nip it nip it off, 17:42.798 --> 17:46.164 don't worry they don't eat much." 17:46.164 --> 17:48.631 So I really like getting out there and picking and I also 17:48.631 --> 17:51.464 really like, when we're at the farmer's market today, 17:51.464 --> 17:53.231 just talking with my customers. 17:53.231 --> 17:55.364 A lot of times I'll see folks I haven't seen 17:55.364 --> 17:56.798 in a long time. 17:56.798 --> 17:58.864 "They're the hottest peppers in the world 17:58.864 --> 17:59.531 right there" 17:59.531 --> 18:00.598 "Are they really?" 18:00.598 --> 18:01.598 "Yeah they are". 18:01.598 --> 18:03.231 You get a feel for what people are doing. 18:03.231 --> 18:04.864 And I don't spend enough time doing that and I really 18:04.864 --> 18:06.831 enjoy that part of it. 18:06.831 --> 18:09.698 I can't imagine it any other way. 18:09.698 --> 18:10.764 I really can't. 18:10.764 --> 18:14.398 I can't imagine them not being right here. 18:14.398 --> 18:15.364 It's great. 18:15.364 --> 18:17.198 It's great to be able to get together, 18:17.198 --> 18:19.264 see each other all the time. 18:19.264 --> 18:21.198 We all get along really well. 18:21.198 --> 18:24.031 And I think a big part of that is because Tom's mom 18:24.031 --> 18:29.298 and dad set a really fine example for us, 18:29.298 --> 18:33.698 when we first started farming. 18:33.698 --> 18:35.931 We always were able to talk things out. 18:35.931 --> 18:38.098 Work things out. 18:38.098 --> 18:41.164 So, I think we'll all make it. 18:41.164 --> 18:44.764 I'm sure we will. 18:44.764 --> 18:46.998 I don't want to be anybody else, anywhere else, 18:46.998 --> 18:48.531 doing anything else. 18:48.531 --> 18:51.731 I really this is what I always wanted to do. 18:51.731 --> 18:53.498 My heroes were farmers growing up and 18:53.498 --> 18:56.598 I love this place. 18:56.598 --> 18:59.031 So keeping it going for the next generation, 18:59.031 --> 19:01.931 that's what we're working on. 19:01.931 --> 19:05.864 ♪ 19:05.864 --> 19:07.198 Are you a cookie fan? 19:07.198 --> 19:09.431 The fig newton gets its name from the town of 19:09.431 --> 19:11.231 Newton, Massachusetts. 19:11.231 --> 19:13.698 The original maker a Boston cookie company, 19:13.698 --> 19:16.598 liked to name products after nearby communities. 19:16.598 --> 19:18.931 Of course the Boston Crème Pie was invented in 19:18.931 --> 19:22.064 Massachusetts and Clarence Birdseye is credited with 19:22.064 --> 19:23.898 developing frozen food in 19:23.898 --> 19:26.898 Gloucester, Massachusetts in the 1920's. 19:28.464 --> 19:30.198 When we talk about ranching, 19:30.198 --> 19:32.598 cattle or sheep may come to mind, 19:32.598 --> 19:34.864 but did you know that a growing number of ranchers 19:34.864 --> 19:38.764 are raising buffalo all across this country? 19:38.764 --> 19:42.731 That includes a rancher in Arkansas taking us along on 19:42.731 --> 19:46.698 a one of a kind ranching experience. 19:46.698 --> 19:49.298 ♪ 19:49.298 --> 19:51.531 These hills in Marshall, Arkansas are home to 19:51.531 --> 19:56.364 Ratchford Farms, a sprawling 500 acre oasis of 19:56.364 --> 19:59.698 rolling grassland. 19:59.698 --> 20:01.664 And if you take a short drive though these green 20:01.664 --> 20:07.864 pastures you'll find them blanketed with buffalo! 20:07.864 --> 20:10.131 Now, we'll be the first to say that an up-close 20:10.131 --> 20:13.631 encounter with the largest land animal in North America 20:13.631 --> 20:16.464 is not something to try in the wild. 20:16.464 --> 20:18.431 But ranch owner L.C. Ratchford 20:18.431 --> 20:20.898 felt confident that these animals his 20:20.898 --> 20:24.364 "breeding" herd could be approached safely. 20:24.364 --> 20:26.064 I can't believe we're gonna do this. 20:26.064 --> 20:29.231 Well, it's a lot of fun and we do it on a daily basis. 20:29.231 --> 20:34.398 ♪ 20:34.398 --> 20:39.264 Right through the gate, the buffalo come running. 20:39.264 --> 20:41.498 "Look at that, how fast can they run?" 20:41.498 --> 20:42.764 "They can outrun a horse. 20:42.764 --> 20:45.298 They can 35 to 40 miles an hour" 20:45.298 --> 20:59.298 ♪ 20:59.298 --> 21:01.598 "Oh my gosh! 21:01.598 --> 21:03.464 This is a 3000 pound male. 21:03.464 --> 21:07.931 This guy can go from a tamed docile animal like you see 21:07.931 --> 21:11.698 here, to a wild animal with all the wild instincts of 21:11.698 --> 21:16.198 self-preservation within a heartbeat. 21:16.198 --> 21:21.398 OK, well let's keep it happy with food. 21:21.398 --> 21:26.364 There is a massive presence coming from these animals. 21:26.364 --> 21:27.731 You can just feel their weight. 21:27.731 --> 21:28.964 Oh you can. 21:28.964 --> 21:30.964 They're very majestic. 21:30.964 --> 21:33.164 We as European's as American's, 21:33.164 --> 21:36.064 almost made them become extinct. 21:36.064 --> 21:39.298 And to me, that would have been such a waste. 21:39.298 --> 21:40.331 Hi there. 21:40.331 --> 21:42.931 Look at those horns, my goodness. 21:42.931 --> 21:44.831 Well they have good breath. 21:44.831 --> 21:45.831 Oh yes. 21:45.831 --> 21:49.864 I'm not kidding. 21:49.864 --> 21:52.064 The American buffalo or bison was 21:52.064 --> 21:55.931 nearly hunted to extinction in the 1800's. 21:55.931 --> 21:59.198 With some herds ultimately protected in national parks, 21:59.198 --> 22:01.331 their numbers grew. 22:01.331 --> 22:04.264 In the past 20 years, ranchers have initiated new 22:04.264 --> 22:07.131 herds or expanded their existing stock 22:07.131 --> 22:10.598 benefitting from a growing consumer demand for low fat, 22:10.598 --> 22:15.731 grass fed and sustainable meat. 22:15.731 --> 22:18.131 When I was just a youngster I watched a show 22:18.131 --> 22:21.298 on PBS, it showed the buffalo. 22:21.298 --> 22:23.598 I knew that there was a connection, 22:23.598 --> 22:28.431 I knew I had to raise them some day. 22:28.431 --> 22:31.464 Buffalo can live from 20 to 25 years. 22:31.464 --> 22:35.131 Each year, about half of these animals will reproduce. 22:35.131 --> 22:38.598 Once fully grown, they will be processed for their meat. 22:38.598 --> 22:42.431 And L.C.'s is some of the most popular in this area. 22:42.431 --> 22:46.531 So it went from one store almost 12 years ago, 22:46.531 --> 22:49.598 to we've got well over 700 stores that sell our 22:49.598 --> 22:52.931 snack sticks, our jerky, summer sausage, 22:52.931 --> 22:55.531 as well as some burgers, some steaks. 22:55.531 --> 22:58.098 Just got a call earlier today, uh, 22:58.098 --> 23:01.198 a big place in Texas, and another one in Tennessee 23:01.198 --> 23:04.531 that wanna start carrying our stuff. 23:04.531 --> 23:06.564 Look at that view over there. 23:06.564 --> 23:08.698 Oh it is spectacular! 23:08.698 --> 23:11.398 Ranching has deep roots here at Ratchford Farms. 23:11.398 --> 23:15.464 L.C.'s great-grandfather raised cattle and descendants 23:15.464 --> 23:20.031 of those original cows still graze this land. 23:20.031 --> 23:22.731 I see your cows are following us. 23:22.731 --> 23:26.464 Oh Yes, we use very passive means dealing with our 23:26.464 --> 23:30.031 cattle no different than dealing with the buffalo. 23:30.031 --> 23:33.731 L.C still raises about 100 cows but adding buffalo 23:33.731 --> 23:37.264 to his farm changed his life forever. 23:37.264 --> 23:39.698 I think that they embody the United States. 23:39.698 --> 23:42.864 I think that they embody what we stand for as a country. 23:42.864 --> 23:45.098 They're very majestic, they're hearty, 23:45.098 --> 23:47.298 they're survivors. 23:49.131 --> 23:52.464 L.C has one more place he wants you to see 23:52.464 --> 23:54.964 he says it is his favorite view on earth. 23:54.964 --> 23:58.031 The bottom of the valley where his parents once plowed 23:58.031 --> 24:00.564 this land with mules. 24:00.564 --> 24:05.064 What does it mean to you to have this? 24:05.064 --> 24:08.298 It means everything. I consider myself so lucky. 24:08.298 --> 24:11.831 The ability to come out here and enjoy these things. 24:11.831 --> 24:14.798 I consider myself very rich. 24:14.798 --> 24:19.464 Not necessarily monetarily but just the way of life. 24:19.464 --> 24:23.731 Some people I think have a certain illusion that wealth 24:23.731 --> 24:26.264 is money, power. 24:26.264 --> 24:31.064 To me it's my 500 acres, my heard of buffalo, my family, 24:31.064 --> 24:33.031 to be living here in Arkansas and 24:33.031 --> 24:36.031 I wouldn't trade it for anything. 24:36.031 --> 24:40.598 ♪ 24:40.598 --> 24:42.098 And that's going to do it for us this time. 24:42.098 --> 24:44.431 We thank you for traveling the country with us on this 24:44.431 --> 24:47.231 edition of America's Heartland as we find 24:47.231 --> 24:50.931 interesting people and places to share with you. 24:50.931 --> 24:53.564 And don't forget you can stay in touch with us 24/7. 24:53.564 --> 24:55.064 We make it easy for you. 24:55.064 --> 24:57.264 You can find us on your favorite sites you can also 24:57.264 --> 25:00.764 find all of our stories and video on our website: 25:00.764 --> 25:02.531 americasheartland.org 25:02.531 --> 25:03.998 We'll see you next time 25:03.998 --> 25:06.898 right here on America's Heartland. 25:06.898 --> 25:10.064 You can purchase a DVD or Blu Ray copy of this program. 25:10.064 --> 25:11.531 Here's the cost: 25:13.031 --> 25:14.964 To order, just visit us online 25:14.964 --> 25:21.231 or call 888-814-3923. 25:21.231 --> 25:27.364 ♪You can see it in the eyes of every woman and man ♪ 25:27.364 --> 25:33.398 ♪in America's Heartland living close to the land. ♪ 25:33.398 --> 25:36.098 ♪There's a love for the country ♪ 25:36.098 --> 25:39.364 ♪and a pride in the brand ♪ 25:39.364 --> 25:46.031 ♪in America's Heartland living close, ♪ 25:46.031 --> 25:48.598 ♪close to the land ♪ 25:48.598 --> 25:49.664 ♪ 25:49.664 --> 25:52.098 "America's Heartland is made possible by..." 25:52.098 --> 25:55.398 Farm Credit - financing agriculture and rural 25:55.398 --> 25:57.464 America since 1916. 25:57.464 --> 26:00.331 Farm Credit is cooperatively owned by America's farmers 26:00.331 --> 26:01.298 and ranchers. 26:01.298 --> 26:04.298 Learn more at: farmcredit.com 26:04.298 --> 26:07.198 The United Soybean Board whose "Common Ground" 26:07.198 --> 26:09.098 program creates conversations to help 26:09.098 --> 26:11.698 consumers get the facts about farming and food. 26:11.698 --> 26:16.164 There's more at: findourcommonground.com 26:16.164 --> 26:19.631 The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. 26:19.631 --> 26:21.564 Dedicated to building greater awareness and 26:21.564 --> 26:23.831 understanding of agriculture through education 26:23.831 --> 26:25.198 and engagement. 26:25.198 --> 26:28.564 More information at: agfoundation.org 26:28.564 --> 26:31.731 The Fund for Agriculture Education - A fund created 26:31.731 --> 26:35.098 by KVIE to support America's Heartland programming. 26:35.098 --> 26:37.498 Contributors include the following: 26:38.898 --> 26:42.898 ♪