WEBVTT 00:00.931 --> 00:05.298 >>America's Heartland is made possible by.... 00:05.298 --> 00:09.398 TheUnited Soybean Board, America's soybean farmers 00:09.398 --> 00:13.898 and their checkoff. 00:13.898 --> 00:15.964 Farm Credit, owned by America's farmers 00:15.964 --> 00:17.164 and ranchers. 00:17.164 --> 00:19.964 Celebrating 95 years of service to U.S. agriculture 00:19.964 --> 00:21.431 and rural America! 00:21.431 --> 00:24.698 Learn more at farmcredit dot com. 00:24.698 --> 00:26.564 And by theAmerican Farm Bureau Foundation 00:26.564 --> 00:28.564 for Agriculture, dedicated to building 00:28.564 --> 00:31.264 greater awareness and understanding of agriculture 00:31.264 --> 00:34.698 through education and engagement. 00:34.698 --> 00:35.698 >>I'm Rob Stewart. 00:35.698 --> 00:38.531 Research to improve crops benefits not only 00:38.531 --> 00:41.631 consumers like you but farmers in the far-flung 00:41.631 --> 00:43.398 corners of the world. 00:43.398 --> 00:45.264 We'll take you to Illinois where new research 00:45.264 --> 00:48.264 is under way to improve crop yields 00:48.264 --> 00:51.664 just by using smart phone technology. 00:51.664 --> 00:53.198 >>Hi, I'm Sarah Gardner. 00:53.198 --> 00:54.998 We've shared a lot of harvests with you 00:54.998 --> 00:57.131 over the years onAmerica's Heartland. 00:57.131 --> 00:59.431 But this time, we have an unusual story 00:59.431 --> 01:00.398 for you. 01:00.398 --> 01:01.598 We're headed to Northern California 01:01.598 --> 01:03.398 where one company is bringing in a harvest 01:03.398 --> 01:05.831 ofsea salt that's headed for your 01:05.831 --> 01:07.231 dinner table. 01:07.231 --> 01:08.198 >>I'm Jason Shoultz! 01:08.198 --> 01:10.431 The corner feed store has disappeared 01:10.431 --> 01:13.164 from lots of small towns across the heartland 01:13.164 --> 01:14.298 but not all. 01:14.298 --> 01:15.898 Coming up, I'll show you how some 01:15.898 --> 01:18.164 are still going strong. 01:18.164 --> 01:22.564 It's all coming up onAmerica's Heartland. 01:22.564 --> 01:28.498 ♪ You can see it in the eyes of every woman and man ♪ 01:28.498 --> 01:34.498 ♪ in America's Heartland living close to the land. ♪ 01:34.498 --> 01:37.564 ♪ There's a love for the country ♪ 01:37.564 --> 01:40.531 ♪ and a pride in the brand ♪ 01:40.531 --> 01:47.264 ♪ in America's Heartland living close, ♪ 01:47.264 --> 01:57.764 ♪ close to the land. ♪ 01:57.764 --> 01:59.898 >>Agricultural research on crops is important 01:59.898 --> 02:02.164 when it comes to the foods that we enjoy 02:02.164 --> 02:04.064 when we head to the supermarket. 02:04.064 --> 02:07.798 But that research is especially important when it comes 02:07.798 --> 02:11.464 to third world countries suffering to find food to eat 02:11.464 --> 02:13.031 every single day. 02:13.031 --> 02:15.964 We found a research project in Illinois 02:15.964 --> 02:21.231 using smart phone technology to help save lives. 02:21.231 --> 02:26.964 ♪ ♪ 02:26.964 --> 02:30.131 >>Agriculture has long been an important academic offering 02:30.131 --> 02:32.264 at theUniversity of Illinois. 02:32.264 --> 02:34.398 But today some of the research here 02:34.398 --> 02:38.098 is focused on crop production far beyond the corn 02:38.098 --> 02:43.464 and soybean fields that surround the campus. 02:43.464 --> 02:45.864 A team of researchers and graduate students 02:45.864 --> 02:48.898 is developing technology for saving lives 02:48.898 --> 02:51.198 in third world countries. 02:51.198 --> 02:53.864 The team is called Scientific Animations 02:53.864 --> 02:56.531 Without BordersorSAWBO, 02:56.531 --> 03:00.864 a blend of academics, agriculture and awareness. 03:00.864 --> 03:02.298 >>We were talking about a lot of the challenges 03:02.298 --> 03:03.798 that we faced in getting information 03:03.798 --> 03:06.731 out to approximately 1 billion low-literate learners 03:06.731 --> 03:08.598 that live in the world. 03:08.598 --> 03:11.531 So as we started talking this idea of animations 03:11.531 --> 03:14.264 that could be taken across cultures, 03:14.264 --> 03:16.131 across language groups, and could be deployed 03:16.131 --> 03:22.464 through theInternet and through cell phones came up. 03:22.464 --> 03:24.564 >>Using cell phones to disseminate animated 03:24.564 --> 03:27.498 crop production videos allows the team here 03:27.498 --> 03:30.731 to tailor the instruction in different languages 03:30.731 --> 03:34.164 to the specific needs of a country or region. 03:34.164 --> 03:36.731 Learning by example overcomes the limited 03:36.731 --> 03:39.064 literacy skills found in many 03:39.064 --> 03:40.864 third world areas. 03:40.864 --> 03:41.931 >>So there's a lot of really great, 03:41.931 --> 03:44.064 simple techniques out there that we can share 03:44.064 --> 03:45.231 with the world. 03:45.231 --> 03:47.431 >>Professor Barry Pittendrigh is one of the leaders 03:47.431 --> 03:49.564 in this agricultural project. 03:49.564 --> 03:52.631 He knows the need for these videosfirst hand! 03:52.631 --> 03:54.298 The project takes him to Africa 03:54.298 --> 03:56.831 4 times a year to work with farmers 03:56.831 --> 04:00.298 facing difficult food production problems. 04:00.298 --> 04:02.464 >>So there's a lot of great ideas out there 04:02.464 --> 04:05.031 that exist in local communities. 04:05.031 --> 04:06.964 With this type of strategy, we can go in and work 04:06.964 --> 04:09.564 with these communities, animate those ideas, 04:09.564 --> 04:14.898 and share them with the rest of the world. 04:14.898 --> 04:17.298 >>This is a typical cell phone video. 04:17.298 --> 04:20.798 This one focuses on controlling or killing pests 04:20.798 --> 04:23.398 that can cripple the cowpeas crop, 04:23.398 --> 04:32.598 a staple in many parts of South America and Africa. 04:32.598 --> 04:35.231 Graduate student Tolulope Agunbiade 04:35.231 --> 04:37.598 is from Nigeria and knows the struggles 04:37.598 --> 04:39.098 farmers face. 04:39.098 --> 04:41.964 Hers is the voice on the cowpeas video. 04:41.964 --> 04:44.598 It was recorded on campus in her native language 04:44.598 --> 04:48.164 for use on cell phone videos in Nigeria. 04:48.164 --> 04:50.498 >>It actually means a lot for me to give back. 04:50.498 --> 04:53.664 I believeknowledge shared is very important 04:53.664 --> 04:54.998 in the world. 04:54.998 --> 04:57.531 It's always important when it's very good! 04:57.531 --> 04:59.398 It's rewarding when you have knowledge 04:59.398 --> 05:02.131 and you can share it with other people. 05:02.131 --> 05:04.564 >>Many times, it's the women whose job it is 05:04.564 --> 05:08.398 to take the family's crops for sale at public markets. 05:08.398 --> 05:11.398 Something that hits home for Tolulope! 05:11.398 --> 05:14.398 >>It makes me feel moved because I'm an African. 05:14.398 --> 05:17.931 And yes, it does touch me because I know 05:17.931 --> 05:21.064 they'll have information that can have positive impacts 05:21.064 --> 05:25.431 on their health, their farming skills, 05:25.431 --> 05:32.064 and so many other areas of their lives. 05:32.064 --> 05:34.764 >>Francisco Seufferheld is the Project Manager 05:34.764 --> 05:37.698 responsible for editing all of the videos. 05:37.698 --> 05:40.998 He says the animation approach avoids any cultural 05:40.998 --> 05:42.231 sensitivities. 05:42.231 --> 05:45.931 >>I work with different groups of people across borders, 05:45.931 --> 05:48.831 across different ethnicities. 05:48.831 --> 05:51.931 And I knew that by having animations 05:51.931 --> 05:55.164 that will make easier for the material 05:55.164 --> 05:59.264 that we can create here flow across ethnicities 05:59.264 --> 06:00.564 and borders. 06:00.564 --> 06:03.098 >>The project also touches other needs: 06:03.098 --> 06:06.798 producing videos that address public health issues. 06:06.798 --> 06:10.264 >>Right now, most of our work is focused on Africa 06:10.264 --> 06:13.998 but also in Latin America and other parts 06:13.998 --> 06:17.364 where they are facing cholera outbreaks. 06:17.364 --> 06:23.898 And now we are developing also health related videos 06:23.898 --> 06:28.164 that are a need, an urgent need! 06:28.164 --> 06:30.798 >>The SAWBO cell phone animate video project 06:30.798 --> 06:33.864 is currently underway around the world 06:33.864 --> 06:37.331 encouraging change and impacting lives. 06:37.331 --> 06:38.898 Absolutely! 06:38.898 --> 06:40.631 And it's.... ....I think one of the things 06:40.631 --> 06:43.331 I always enjoy about this (this type of program 06:43.331 --> 06:45.864 and this type of project) is you get to meet people 06:45.864 --> 06:47.931 from highly divergent cultures. 06:47.931 --> 06:49.231 And this is the type of mechanism 06:49.231 --> 06:50.698 where you do make some sort of connection 06:50.698 --> 06:52.298 with a community, and you realize 06:52.298 --> 06:54.431 that hopefully you'll have some sort 06:54.431 --> 06:56.164 of lasting impact that will be positive 06:56.164 --> 07:01.331 for them in the future. 07:01.331 --> 07:03.631 >>The University of Illinois has a long history 07:03.631 --> 07:05.564 of agricultural innovations. 07:05.564 --> 07:08.631 The school'sMorrow Plots are the oldest corn crop 07:08.631 --> 07:10.898 research fields in America having been 07:10.898 --> 07:15.164 continually planted and harvested since 1876. 07:15.164 --> 07:18.364 And while corn is a major crop in theLand of Lincoln, 07:18.364 --> 07:20.731 so too arepumpkins! 07:20.731 --> 07:22.798 Illinois farmers grow nearly half the pumpkins 07:22.798 --> 07:26.031 raised in the United States. 07:26.031 --> 07:31.798 ♪ ♪ 07:31.798 --> 07:33.664 >>If you had to guess which farm crop 07:33.664 --> 07:36.231 is found in the most products at your local supermarket, 07:36.231 --> 07:37.198 what would you think? 07:37.198 --> 07:38.598 Plenty of corn in cereals, 07:38.598 --> 07:40.398 chips, and even baby powder. 07:40.398 --> 07:41.131 Wheat? 07:41.131 --> 07:41.798 That's easy! 07:41.798 --> 07:43.398 Bread, pasta, crackers! 07:43.398 --> 07:45.131 But how about soybeans? 07:45.131 --> 07:46.764 Many folks never make the connection 07:46.764 --> 07:49.431 between soy and products in their homes. 07:49.431 --> 07:50.798 But if you look around? 07:50.798 --> 07:52.498 You'd be surprised! 07:52.498 --> 07:54.164 Out on the farm, soybeans grow 07:54.164 --> 07:56.464 as green leafy plants that turn brown 07:56.464 --> 07:58.564 just before they're harvested. 07:58.564 --> 08:01.464 The beans inside are then used for hundreds of products. 08:01.464 --> 08:03.598 Cattle feed is one use, but let's talk 08:03.598 --> 08:05.264 about shopping at the store. 08:05.264 --> 08:06.464 Baking or frying? 08:06.464 --> 08:10.264 Soybean oil has no Trans fats, plenty of omega 3 08:10.264 --> 08:12.464 fatty acids (that's the good stuff) 08:12.464 --> 08:15.031 and also contains vitamin E. 08:15.031 --> 08:16.664 You'll find soybeans in baby food, 08:16.664 --> 08:18.131 whipped toppings, and of course, 08:18.131 --> 08:21.464 soy milk and tofu products. 08:21.464 --> 08:23.264 But let's go directly to the plant 08:23.264 --> 08:26.331 and sample someedamame, baby soybeans in the pod 08:26.331 --> 08:28.264 that are usually boiled in water. 08:28.264 --> 08:30.398 They have kind of a nutty taste and are often served 08:30.398 --> 08:32.331 with condiments like salt or soy sauce. 08:32.331 --> 08:33.964 Pop them open and in your mouth, 08:33.964 --> 08:36.231 it's a country connection direct from the farm 08:36.231 --> 08:40.464 to your fingers! 08:40.464 --> 08:41.598 >>Still ahead, come with me 08:41.598 --> 08:43.398 to the hardware aisle where folks in the country 08:43.398 --> 08:45.398 are finding what they need for their farmstead 08:45.398 --> 08:47.698 andcity folks are getting some supplies 08:47.698 --> 08:52.864 for their homes, too! 08:52.864 --> 08:54.398 >>New information on food these days 08:54.398 --> 08:57.364 has consumers making choices on everything from cooking oils 08:57.364 --> 09:00.764 to foods with less fat or more protein. 09:00.764 --> 09:02.998 And it's a good bet you're seeing more products 09:02.998 --> 09:04.164 that usesea salt! 09:04.164 --> 09:06.631 Well, getting that crop from field to table 09:06.631 --> 09:08.164 is a bit different from any harvest 09:08.164 --> 09:09.764 you've every seen. 09:09.764 --> 09:12.164 ♪ ♪ 09:12.164 --> 09:13.498 >>At first glance it may look 09:13.498 --> 09:18.464 like snow covered fields in a mid Western winter. 09:18.464 --> 09:21.498 But this is late summer in Northern California, 09:21.498 --> 09:24.464 and these wide expanses of white are salt flats 09:24.464 --> 09:31.331 on the southern tip of San Francisco Bay. 09:31.331 --> 09:32.731 >>We trace the commercial operations 09:32.731 --> 09:36.264 back to about the 1850's where there were salt works 09:36.264 --> 09:39.031 are all around the South Bay in particular 09:39.031 --> 09:41.798 but even as far north as Napa. 09:41.798 --> 09:46.898 And through a number of acquisitions and the like 09:46.898 --> 09:50.198 over several years now, Cargillis the remaining 09:50.198 --> 09:54.598 salt manufacturer here. 09:54.598 --> 09:56.131 >>The salt here comes from the waters 09:56.131 --> 09:57.764 of the Pacific Ocean. 09:57.764 --> 10:00.198 Flowing south through the bay, the salty water 10:00.198 --> 10:04.631 is captured in huge ponds just north of San Jose. 10:04.631 --> 10:07.398 >>We typically bring in sea water just during 10:07.398 --> 10:08.564 the summer months. 10:08.564 --> 10:10.198 We don't want to bring it in during the winter time 10:10.198 --> 10:12.498 because there's so much rain water coming off the hills 10:12.498 --> 10:16.298 that it actually dilutes the Bay and makes it less salty. 10:16.298 --> 10:18.398 >>The salty water is pumped into what are called 10:18.398 --> 10:22.298 concentrators, shallow ponds ringed by levees. 10:22.298 --> 10:25.564 Then sun and wind evaporate much of the water 10:25.564 --> 10:28.164 leaving behind a salty brine. 10:28.164 --> 10:29.964 As the increasingly salty water 10:29.964 --> 10:32.564 is mixed with brine from other concentrators? 10:32.564 --> 10:35.931 Apinkishhue becomes evident in the liquid. 10:35.931 --> 10:38.998 >>And as it gets closer to a salt precipitation, 10:38.998 --> 10:41.798 it takes on a pink or reddish color. 10:41.798 --> 10:44.131 And that's because of an organism 10:44.131 --> 10:47.831 that lives in the brine where nothing else can live 10:47.831 --> 10:49.964 at that high saline level. 10:49.964 --> 10:51.664 This can, and it happens to be pink! 10:51.664 --> 10:53.931 And when we drain it off, and we wash it? 10:53.931 --> 10:55.664 Then it turns back to white. 10:55.664 --> 10:57.764 >>Pumped from pond to pond, thesea salt 10:57.764 --> 11:01.764 orsolar saltbrine will sit under sun and the wind 11:01.764 --> 11:03.931 for 3 to 5 years before it reaches 11:03.931 --> 11:06.298 the correct level of salinity. 11:06.298 --> 11:08.798 >>So it starts at 3%, and it gets greater 11:08.798 --> 11:10.598 and greater until it get into 11:10.598 --> 11:14.098 the crystallizers which is where we're standing right now. 11:14.098 --> 11:15.864 And at this point in the process, 11:15.864 --> 11:19.531 the brine is about 25% sodium chloride. 11:19.531 --> 11:21.598 >>At the end of the evaporative process, 11:21.598 --> 11:24.931 you're left with a thick layer of sea salt in large ponds 11:24.931 --> 11:26.531 known ascrystallizers. 11:26.531 --> 11:29.598 It looks like snow on a frozen lake. 11:29.598 --> 11:38.898 A crop ready to be harvested! 11:38.898 --> 11:42.131 >>Each year we harvest 500,000 tons of salt. 11:42.131 --> 11:44.864 We harvest 4 to 6 inches in each crystalizer 11:44.864 --> 11:47.898 during the summer and during the fall. 11:47.898 --> 11:50.498 And we try to leave the remainder of the salt 11:50.498 --> 11:53.164 underneath as a mantle to have a good, 11:53.164 --> 11:55.331 clean cut of salt so that we're not digging 11:55.331 --> 11:57.264 into the Bay mud. 11:57.264 --> 11:59.498 >>After a grader breaks up the top layer, 11:59.498 --> 12:01.831 a harvester moves in to fill large trucks 12:01.831 --> 12:04.031 with tons of sea salt. 12:04.031 --> 12:05.398 >>We do think of it as a crop. 12:05.398 --> 12:07.398 In fact, we talk about taking 12:07.398 --> 12:09.398 just the new crop from the crystallizer 12:09.398 --> 12:12.364 which is about the top 4 or 5 inches. 12:12.364 --> 12:17.064 And we refer to it as this year's crop. 12:17.064 --> 12:19.231 >>Cargill will run the sea salt through the first 12:19.231 --> 12:21.964 of several washes before stacking the harvest 12:21.964 --> 12:25.998 in huge piles some 80 feet high. 12:25.998 --> 12:27.964 All of this salt will ultimately be processed 12:27.964 --> 12:29.631 into various grades. 12:29.631 --> 12:32.031 Most will be used in different food products 12:32.031 --> 12:35.998 like granules for canning, a salt powder for butter, 12:35.998 --> 12:38.931 or crystals for ice cream. 12:38.931 --> 12:40.998 >>As we look at the data, we find there have been 12:40.998 --> 12:43.331 about 6000 new product introductions 12:43.331 --> 12:46.398 in the last 6 years that call out with sea salt 12:46.398 --> 12:48.964 or containing sea salt on the label or package 12:48.964 --> 12:50.264 in some way. 12:50.264 --> 12:52.664 >>And there other uses as well! 12:52.664 --> 12:55.264 >>There are thousands and thousands, 12:55.264 --> 13:00.064 interestingly, uses for salt from setting dyes in textiles. 13:00.064 --> 13:02.098 It's used in the petroleum industry 13:02.098 --> 13:05.064 and many other uses, swimming pools, 13:05.064 --> 13:06.464 that kind of thing. 13:06.464 --> 13:08.631 But much of the salt from this facility 13:08.631 --> 13:10.464 does go to food use. 13:10.464 --> 13:12.798 >>Consumer preference has prompted the growing number 13:12.798 --> 13:14.498 of products using sea salt. 13:14.498 --> 13:16.131 Some prefer the texture. 13:16.131 --> 13:17.864 Some, the taste! 13:17.864 --> 13:21.298 >>A number of people do say that sea salt tastes different 13:21.298 --> 13:24.398 from other salts even among different sea salts! 13:24.398 --> 13:26.198 It's typically courser so people enjoy 13:26.198 --> 13:28.864 just the feel of it when they're cooking. 13:28.864 --> 13:30.131 It tastes different on the tongue. 13:30.131 --> 13:31.998 So it's not just the sense of taste 13:31.998 --> 13:35.431 that comes into play. 13:35.431 --> 13:37.798 >>These salt flats are also important wildlife 13:37.798 --> 13:40.031 and wetland areas. 13:40.031 --> 13:41.864 The company has worked with a number of groups 13:41.864 --> 13:45.464 on recreational and environmental projects. 13:45.464 --> 13:48.564 We found an opportunity to work with a number 13:48.564 --> 13:54.831 of agencies and return nearly 40000 acres of marsh 13:54.831 --> 13:58.098 and wetland to public use and parks. 13:58.098 --> 14:00.131 There are all types of wildlife. 14:00.131 --> 14:02.698 So it's really neat to see as we go out there? 14:02.698 --> 14:06.664 From birds to harbor seals that congregate around 14:06.664 --> 14:08.998 some of the intake areas? 14:08.998 --> 14:11.664 So returning that? 14:11.664 --> 14:13.898 If we're not using it (and I think it was really 14:13.898 --> 14:15.831 the right thing to do) 14:15.831 --> 14:20.298 Such a beautiful area here to take advantage of! 14:20.298 --> 14:21.898 >>There's no denying that this is a very 14:21.898 --> 14:25.031 different kind of harvest from others in the heartland. 14:25.031 --> 14:27.064 But getting thiscropto market 14:27.064 --> 14:31.031 demands the same kind of focus. 14:31.031 --> 14:32.564 >>It's a very unique place to work. 14:32.564 --> 14:34.298 Everyone takes pride in what they do 14:34.298 --> 14:37.531 here in the solar plant especially! 14:37.531 --> 14:39.431 It's a great group to work with. 14:39.431 --> 14:42.331 It's a fun time of the year during harvest 14:42.331 --> 14:44.931 when everyone prepares. 14:44.931 --> 14:47.598 We've got a lot of people here, and all the equipment is ready. 14:47.598 --> 14:50.131 And we usually perform really well. 14:50.131 --> 14:53.498 So we're proud of that! 14:53.498 --> 14:55.931 >>More than 20 million tons of salt are produced 14:55.931 --> 14:59.131 in the United States each year: evaporated from salt water, 14:59.131 --> 15:02.264 mined like coal, or brought to the surface 15:02.264 --> 15:04.998 from underground salt deposits in a watery brine 15:04.998 --> 15:06.998 which is dried before the salt crystals 15:06.998 --> 15:08.431 are processed. 15:08.431 --> 15:10.898 There are early references to salt being used 15:10.898 --> 15:14.531 in Chinese medicine almost 5000 years ago. 15:14.531 --> 15:17.931 Roman military salt rations gave rise to the English word 15:17.931 --> 15:19.098 salary! 15:19.098 --> 15:21.598 And ancient Greeks, (in trading for slaves) 15:21.598 --> 15:25.598 coined the expression not worth his salt! 15:25.598 --> 15:31.364 ♪ ♪ 15:31.364 --> 15:33.464 >>Hi, my name is Moniqua Woods, and I have a question 15:33.464 --> 15:34.664 for a farmer! 15:34.664 --> 15:37.431 When I go to the grocery store or farmers market, 15:37.431 --> 15:39.364 I like to buy sweet corn. 15:39.364 --> 15:40.598 And when I'm driving on the highway, 15:40.598 --> 15:42.331 I often see vast fields of corn, 15:42.331 --> 15:43.998 and I wonder if that's sweet corn 15:43.998 --> 15:45.664 or something else. 15:45.664 --> 15:47.131 How many kinds of corn are there, 15:47.131 --> 15:49.331 and what are they used for? 15:49.331 --> 15:51.164 >>Hi, I'm Janice Thompson. 15:51.164 --> 15:58.731 And I'm a corn and produce farmer. 15:58.731 --> 16:00.531 Everybody likes sweet corn. 16:00.531 --> 16:02.764 It's one of the best things that you can eat! 16:02.764 --> 16:04.931 But when you're traveling down the highway? 16:04.931 --> 16:06.764 It's a good bet that what you're seeing 16:06.764 --> 16:20.898 is probably not sweet corn. 16:20.898 --> 16:25.064 What you're probably seeing is field corn ordent corn. 16:25.064 --> 16:28.764 Field corn is used for things like livestock feed 16:28.764 --> 16:30.631 and making ethanol. 16:30.631 --> 16:34.531 Sweet corn, on the other hand, has a higher sugar content: 16:34.531 --> 16:43.531 10% versus 4% in field corn. 16:43.531 --> 16:46.864 Let me tell you about 2 other types of corn. 16:46.864 --> 16:49.798 Popcorn which you probably enjoy at the movies 16:49.798 --> 16:52.131 and make at home with the kids! 16:52.131 --> 16:54.598 Another type of corn isflint corn. 16:54.598 --> 16:57.264 It's the decorative kind you see at Thanksgiving. 16:57.264 --> 16:59.198 And it's used for some types of corn meal 16:59.198 --> 17:06.331 and polenta. 17:06.331 --> 17:10.298 Not to becorny, but that's thekernel of truth 17:10.298 --> 17:20.698 about this piece of produce 17:20.698 --> 17:22.731 >>The small town general store! 17:22.731 --> 17:25.398 It gets romanticized on stage and screen. 17:25.398 --> 17:27.631 And in a lot of places, it's been replaced 17:27.631 --> 17:29.864 by the big box place where you get 17:29.864 --> 17:32.664 everything you need under one giant roof! 17:32.664 --> 17:34.464 But places likeFred's Feed 17:34.464 --> 17:37.331 and Supply still do exist in towns 17:37.331 --> 17:39.398 like in West Liberty, Iowa. 17:39.398 --> 17:41.731 And trust me, there's a lot more inside here 17:41.731 --> 17:44.264 than feed and supply! 17:44.264 --> 17:48.564 ♪ ♪ 17:48.564 --> 17:52.698 >>There are less than 4000 people living here. 17:52.698 --> 17:54.864 But before you label West Liberty, Iowa 17:54.864 --> 17:58.331 a sleepy small town? 17:58.331 --> 18:09.098 Drive down West 3rd Street toFred's Feed and Supply. 18:09.098 --> 18:15.498 Say howdy to Larry Miller outside on the forklift, 18:15.498 --> 18:17.464 go inside and spend a few minutes 18:17.464 --> 18:22.498 with his brother Bruce, and sleepy isn't a word 18:22.498 --> 18:24.164 that comes to mind. 18:24.164 --> 18:24.964 >>See ya, Donna! 18:24.964 --> 18:26.564 >>Have a good week! 18:26.564 --> 18:30.698 >>Where else can folks go to get stuff like this in town? 18:30.698 --> 18:32.498 >>I don't think.... ....there's nothing 18:32.498 --> 18:35.364 that's very much duplicated here by any other business. 18:35.364 --> 18:37.898 So that means they have to go 20 miles to Muscatine 18:37.898 --> 18:40.031 or 20 miles to Iowa City! 18:40.031 --> 18:42.364 >>Wow, 20 mile drive to get a wrench? 18:42.364 --> 18:42.998 >>To get a wrench! 18:42.998 --> 18:45.831 To get a 10 cent nut! 18:45.831 --> 18:48.831 >>So you have definitely filled a need in town! 18:48.831 --> 18:49.764 >>Yeah! 18:49.764 --> 18:50.898 I bet there's not a day that goes by 18:50.898 --> 18:52.998 that somebody doesn't say, "Boy, we are glad 18:52.998 --> 18:54.331 you are here!" 18:54.331 --> 18:56.998 >>The corner feed store was once a mainstay 18:56.998 --> 18:59.598 of small towns across the heartland. 18:59.598 --> 19:02.331 And when Fred Miller openedFred's Feeds 19:02.331 --> 19:04.331 back in 1966? 19:04.331 --> 19:07.298 The store's purpose was simple: sell livestock feed 19:07.298 --> 19:08.564 to local farmers! 19:08.564 --> 19:13.898 And they still do that! 19:13.898 --> 19:16.964 But scanning a catalog for home appliance prices 19:16.964 --> 19:20.031 wasn't in the original business plan. 19:20.031 --> 19:22.031 But neither was selling spray paint, 19:22.031 --> 19:24.531 tools or garden hose! 19:24.531 --> 19:26.831 These days, just 2 out of 10 people 19:26.831 --> 19:29.531 that walk through the door are farmers. 19:29.531 --> 19:33.331 As farming has changed, so have the needs of farmers. 19:33.331 --> 19:37.298 Larger livestock operations have their own feed mills. 19:37.298 --> 19:40.964 Many of the old feed stores have closed their doors. 19:40.964 --> 19:42.898 >>When we were kids, I don't think we had a customer 19:42.898 --> 19:47.731 outside of the West Liberty area as far as address. 19:47.731 --> 19:49.331 Now we've got customers as far as Conesville, 19:49.331 --> 19:51.064 Muscatine, West Branch, 19:51.064 --> 19:52.998 Iowa City addresses! 19:52.998 --> 19:54.531 >>Why is that? 19:54.531 --> 19:55.798 >>Fewer people to service them! 19:55.798 --> 19:56.998 There's not as many feed dealers. 19:56.998 --> 19:59.264 No one cares to call on them, and most of the time? 19:59.264 --> 20:01.531 They are also smaller farmers! 20:01.531 --> 20:03.931 So they grew up walking into a feed store. 20:03.931 --> 20:05.464 And they like to walkinto a feed store! 20:05.464 --> 20:07.531 They don't want to go into a fleet store 20:07.531 --> 20:08.898 or anything like that. 20:08.898 --> 20:11.398 >>We will see what September brings. 20:11.398 --> 20:12.498 >>Very good! 20:12.498 --> 20:15.031 >>You might call it supply-side economics 20:15.031 --> 20:17.098 on a local level. 20:17.098 --> 20:20.998 It's the supplies side of Fred's that keeps them in business! 20:20.998 --> 20:23.098 Plumbers, electricians, and home-owners 20:23.098 --> 20:25.364 can drop in and pick up what they need 20:25.364 --> 20:27.364 and be on their way. 20:27.364 --> 20:30.298 And the personal touch goes a long way at Fred's. 20:30.298 --> 20:33.064 >>There you go, 1 dozen! 20:33.064 --> 20:34.498 Thanks Len! 20:34.498 --> 20:35.764 >>There are not many days that go by 20:35.764 --> 20:37.431 that I don't know everybody's name 20:37.431 --> 20:38.564 that comes in here. 20:38.564 --> 20:39.564 >>Know them by their first name? 20:39.564 --> 20:40.764 >>Know them by their first name 20:40.764 --> 20:41.431 Know their kids? 20:41.431 --> 20:42.031 >>Know their kids! 20:42.031 --> 20:42.898 Know their grandpa's! 20:42.898 --> 20:44.098 Know their mom and dads! 20:44.098 --> 20:46.698 Yeah, it's a small town thing all the way, 20:46.698 --> 20:48.231 but it's helpful. 20:48.231 --> 20:50.764 >>They will come back the next day? 20:50.764 --> 20:52.498 >>They trust us. 20:52.498 --> 20:53.831 They can walk in here! 20:53.831 --> 20:55.498 Bruce, Larry, Ben or Fred 20:55.498 --> 20:57.631 or Charlotte are going to say, "Hey, how are you doing? 20:57.631 --> 20:59.164 How is your daughter? 20:59.164 --> 21:01.098 What do you need?" 21:01.098 --> 21:04.364 >>And when you know everybody, running lines of credit 21:04.364 --> 21:10.698 for customers is pretty easy. 21:10.698 --> 21:13.231 In many communities, the small feed and supply store 21:13.231 --> 21:15.498 has been replaced by larger chains 21:15.498 --> 21:18.364 that cater to the weekend jobber, 21:18.364 --> 21:22.064 the backyard chicken enthusiast, or sportsman. 21:22.064 --> 21:25.964 In Oregon, one of those stores goes by the nameWilco. 21:25.964 --> 21:27.564 >>I have to admit, I'm a little lost! 21:27.564 --> 21:30.498 I think I need a sage, a guide to show me 21:30.498 --> 21:32.298 around this place, and I think I found one! 21:32.298 --> 21:33.564 This is Merle. 21:33.564 --> 21:34.098 >>Hi, I'm Merle! 21:34.098 --> 21:36.898 Glad to meet you! 21:36.898 --> 21:39.098 >>Man, this is like the tool aisle? 21:39.098 --> 21:42.431 You've got everything from glue guns 21:42.431 --> 21:46.298 to wrenches and sockets. 21:46.298 --> 21:48.164 >>It's like a candy store! 21:48.164 --> 21:49.464 >>Nuts and Bolts? 21:49.464 --> 21:50.664 >>Nuts and Bolts! 21:50.664 --> 21:52.198 Did you ever think you'd see so many nuts 21:52.198 --> 21:55.264 and bolts in one store? 21:55.264 --> 21:56.264 >>You've got them right here! 21:56.264 --> 22:00.731 >>We've got 'em! 22:00.731 --> 22:03.231 >>Look at this: power tools! 22:03.231 --> 22:04.898 Power tools, now we're talking! 22:04.898 --> 22:06.831 >>A growing item for stores like Wilco? 22:06.831 --> 22:09.731 Chickens for backyard eggs! 22:09.731 --> 22:11.398 >>There's a lot of birds here! 22:11.398 --> 22:11.998 Hi, Ali! 22:11.998 --> 22:13.498 How're you doing.... 22:13.498 --> 22:14.498 >>These are turkeys! 22:14.498 --> 22:17.231 We have bronze turkeys and white turkeys. 22:17.231 --> 22:21.564 These are your turkeys raised for eating. 22:21.564 --> 22:23.964 >>So are there chickens in backyards all over Portland? 22:23.964 --> 22:25.198 >>Absolutely! 22:25.198 --> 22:26.598 It's big! 22:26.598 --> 22:27.231 >>What do you think, Merle? 22:27.231 --> 22:28.398 You want some chicks? 22:28.398 --> 22:31.698 >>I'm always in the market for chicks! 22:31.698 --> 22:36.131 ♪ ♪ 22:36.131 --> 22:38.131 >>I guess if you want to weld... 22:38.131 --> 22:45.264 ♪ ♪ 22:45.264 --> 22:46.798 >>So here's your gray meshed gates, 22:46.798 --> 22:49.264 galvanized meshed gates, 2 inch bolt gates.... 22:49.264 --> 22:50.664 >>We need to look good! 22:50.664 --> 22:51.998 Can you make us look good? 22:51.998 --> 22:52.798 >>I can! 22:52.798 --> 22:53.831 >>We want to be ready for work! 22:53.831 --> 22:54.398 >>Ready for work! 22:54.398 --> 22:55.698 We can set you up! 22:55.698 --> 23:23.531 ♪ ♪ 23:23.531 --> 23:26.064 >>Suzanne, I'm not so sure about this. 23:26.064 --> 23:26.831 What do you think? 23:26.831 --> 23:27.731 >>I think you guys look great. 23:27.731 --> 23:30.331 You are ready for work! 23:30.331 --> 23:31.198 >>Oh Merle, I didn't even see you there 23:31.198 --> 23:32.331 with that camouflage! 23:32.331 --> 23:34.131 You are hiding! 23:34.131 --> 23:37.664 >>You are trying to take all my glory, aren't you? 23:37.664 --> 23:39.731 >>Back in West Liberty, they're not worried 23:39.731 --> 23:41.331 about fashion. 23:41.331 --> 23:43.131 AndFred's Feed and Supply's owners 23:43.131 --> 23:45.464 know they can't compete with the bigger stores 23:45.464 --> 23:46.998 on all levels. 23:46.998 --> 23:50.064 No backyard chickens for sale here. 23:50.064 --> 23:53.264 But they do havefishing worms courtesy of local 23:53.264 --> 23:58.798 11-year-old boy, Hank Mead! 23:58.798 --> 23:59.631 >>So what did you do? 23:59.631 --> 24:00.598 Start looking out in the garden, 24:00.598 --> 24:02.064 or where did you start finding worms? 24:02.064 --> 24:03.464 >>I started looking out in the grass. 24:03.464 --> 24:05.598 And then started in the garden! 24:05.598 --> 24:07.131 Stayed up till probably 2! 24:07.131 --> 24:08.064 >>Two in the morning? 24:08.064 --> 24:09.431 Looking for worms? 24:09.431 --> 24:10.031 >>Yeah! 24:10.031 --> 24:10.464 >>Did you find some? 24:10.464 --> 24:15.831 >>Yeah! 24:15.831 --> 24:18.698 >>After exhausting the worm supply and his dad, 24:18.698 --> 24:21.531 Hank gets his worms online and sells them 24:21.531 --> 24:26.564 to Bruce and Larry. 24:26.564 --> 24:28.298 >>Nice little business for you! 24:28.298 --> 24:29.564 Made some money this summer? 24:29.564 --> 24:30.598 >>Yeah! 24:30.598 --> 24:31.298 >>You've probably done pretty well, right? 24:31.298 --> 24:33.431 >>Yeah! 24:33.431 --> 24:34.364 >>Congratulations! 24:34.364 --> 24:36.698 You are a small town business man now! 24:36.698 --> 24:37.631 They are going to ask you to join the chamber 24:37.631 --> 24:38.898 of commerce. 24:38.898 --> 24:39.631 >>What's that? 24:39.631 --> 24:42.364 >>Ha ha ha! 24:42.364 --> 24:43.464 >>Until then? 24:43.464 --> 24:46.498 With every worm or work boot, a slightly larger 24:46.498 --> 24:56.898 small business holds its own in this town. 24:56.898 --> 24:58.298 >>That's going to do it for this edition 24:58.298 --> 24:59.498 ofAmerica's Heartland. 24:59.498 --> 25:01.431 Thanks for traveling the country with us. 25:01.431 --> 25:03.698 We're always pleased to introduce you 25:03.698 --> 25:06.764 to some very interesting people and places. 25:06.764 --> 25:08.231 >>Don't forget, we have lots more stories 25:08.231 --> 25:09.931 and information to share with you online 25:09.931 --> 25:12.231 as well including video from all of our shows! 25:12.231 --> 25:15.031 Just log onto americasheartland-dot-org. 25:15.031 --> 25:17.331 And you can stay in touch with us 24/7 25:17.331 --> 25:19.431 through some of your other favorite sites as well. 25:19.431 --> 25:21.331 We'll see you next time right here 25:21.331 --> 25:24.231 onAmerica's Heartland. 25:24.231 --> 25:26.098 >>To order a copy of this program, 25:26.098 --> 25:31.664 visit us online or call 1-888-814-3923. 25:31.664 --> 25:37.798 The cost is $14.95 plus shipping. 25:37.798 --> 25:44.198 ♪ You can see it in the eyes of every woman and man ♪ 25:44.198 --> 25:50.198 ♪ in America's Heartland living close to the land. ♪ 25:50.198 --> 25:53.131 ♪ There's a love for the country ♪ 25:53.131 --> 25:56.198 ♪ and a pride in the brand ♪ 25:56.198 --> 26:03.031 ♪ in America's Heartland living close, ♪ 26:03.031 --> 26:06.164 ♪ close to the land. ♪ 26:06.164 --> 26:09.664 >>America's Heartland is made possible by.... 26:09.664 --> 26:11.664 Farm Credit, owned by America's farmers 26:11.664 --> 26:12.864 and ranchers. 26:12.864 --> 26:15.931 Celebrating 95 years of service to U.S. agriculture 26:15.931 --> 26:17.198 and rural America. 26:17.198 --> 26:20.498 Learn more at farmcredit.com. 26:20.498 --> 26:24.398 TheUnited Soybean Board, America's soybean farmers 26:24.398 --> 26:29.598 and their checkoff! 26:29.598 --> 26:31.531 And by theAmerican Farm Bureau Foundation 26:31.531 --> 26:33.564 for Agriculture dedicated to building 26:33.564 --> 26:36.298 greater awareness and understanding of agriculture 26:36.298 --> 26:39.364 through education and engagement. 26:39.364 --> 26:43.198 ♪ ♪