DRG Media Group Beyond the Mic podcasts

Agriculture In-depth-- 100 years of Little International at SDSU (Episode 50)

South Dakota State University invites the public to attend the 100th SDSU Little International at the Animal Science Arena on the SDSU campus in Brookings March 31 and April 1, 2023.

The annual SDSU event is famous for its reputation as the nation’s largest two-day, student-run agricultural exposition in the country. This year’s theme is “Built on Tradition, Powered by a Vision.”

DRG Media Group News and Farm Director Jody Heemstra chatted with event Manager Cody Gifford to learn more about the significance of this year’s event.

Agriculture In-depth-- USDA Rural Development investing in meat processing in South Dakota (Episode 49)

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development provides loans, grants and loan guarantees to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small spent time in South Dakota seeing first hand how some of those funds are being used.

Players Perspective - Episode 41 - Lincoln Kienholz

The former Pierre Governor quarterbacks looks ahead to his time at Ohio State with DRG Media Group Sports Director David Burrall and DRG Media Group Sports' Brian Oakland.

Agriculture In-depth-- Regional Conservation Partnership Program (Episode 48)

Ducks Unlimited, in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, is announcing the opening of the second application process of their collaborative Regional Conservation Partnership Program. The initiative, Scaling Soil Health in the Prairie Pothole Region, provides voluntary conservation incentives to farmers and ranchers looking to improve soil health, restore grasslands, and improve rotational grazing capacity for livestock on their properties. Hear more about the program from Bruce Toay with Ducks Unlimited in South Dakota and DRG Media Group News and Farm Director Jody Heemstra.

Interested participants in the 34 east river counties of South Dakota have until March 31, 2023, to submit their application. Applications will be prioritized by projects that would include a transition to regenerative agriculture systems and incorporate large tracts of restored grasslands.

Agriculture In-depth-- US Cattlemen’s Association President Justin Tupper focusing on bringing cattle producers together (Episode 47)

Justin Tupper is a South Dakota cow-calf producer, owner of St. Onge Livestock Auction barn and is currently the President of the United States Cattlemen’s Association. In this episode of Agriculture In-depth, DRG Media Group News and Farm Director Jody Heemstra chats with Tupper about cattle markets, federal Farm Bill discussions, the Cattle Contract Library Pilot Program and more.

Players Perspective - Episode 40 - Lincoln Kienholz

The future Ohio State quarterback talks about his dream of being a major college athlete fulfilled with DRG Media Group Sports Director David Burrall and DRG Media Group Sports' Brian Oakland.

Agriculture In-depth-- US Congress debating ag priorities (Episode 46)

The federal farm bill, the Butcher Block Act and the Cattle Contract Library Pilot Program will all get debate this year in the US Senate and House of Representatives. South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson chats with DRG Media Group News and Farm Director Jody Heemstra about those and other agriculture-focused topics.

Agriculture In-depth-- Response to USDA NASS surveys critical for quantifying agriculture’s impact (Episode 45)

The US Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service is following up with producers about their responses to the 2022 US Census of Agriculture through the spring of 2023. That followup includes mailings, phone calls and personal visits. Farmers and ranchers are encouraged to complete their ag census either online at agcounts.usda.gov or by mail as soon as possible. The online questionnaire is accessible on desktop, laptop, and other mobile devices.

Players Perspective - Episode 39 - Josh Rydberg

Pierre Governor and future University of Sioux Falls heavyweight wrestler Josh Rydberg visits with DRG Media Group Sports Director David Burrall.

Agriculture In-depth-- Insight from members of the Global Farmer Network (Episode 45)

DRG Media Group News and Farm Director Jody Heemstra participated in a news conference with fellow National Association of Farm Broadcasting members to hear directly from farmers from Nigeria, Mexico, Argentina and Germany about the challenges they face in their countries. They are all members of the Global Farmer Network, a group whose mission is to amplify the farmers’ voice in promoting trade, technology, sustainable farming, economic growth and food security worldwide.