The Super Bowl isn’t just about football—it’s also the biggest night in advertising. In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff Callis sits down with agency president Megan Hartman and account executive Josie Gregory to break down the game’s most memorable ads. From the ones that scored big to the ones that missed the mark, they analyze the strategies, creative choices and marketing takeaways. Tune in for expert insights on what made this year’s commercials stand out.

Marketing is constantly evolving, and staying ahead requires strategy, innovation and a strong ethical foundation. In this episode, Korena Keys of KeyMedia Solutions shares her insights on digital marketing, AI and the importance of responsible advertising. From starting a business at her kitchen table to leading a successful agency, Korena’s story is one of adaptability and growth.

Marketing pro Danny Vowell, the marketing manager at Best Way AG, brings a rich blend of experience in journalism, photojournalism and business communications to his role. Raised in a rural setting with deep family roots in farming, Danny has a personal understanding of the agricultural community’s values and challenges. His background in mass communications and a career spanning local journalism to in-house marketing for industry leaders gives him a unique perspective on reaching rural audiences.

In this episode, Danny discusses how storytelling and relationship-building play pivotal roles in connecting with the agriculture community. From navigating rapid technology changes to the authentic appeal of rural life, Danny provides a wealth of advice for marketers targeting rural audiences.

A key component of marketing and sales rests in the people behind the product or service. As a marketing agency based in rural America, we love a good story, especially if it has local roots and ties to agriculture. Today’s episode has all three components. I sat down with Michael Hemme to talk about his family’s business, Hemme Brothers Farmstead Creamery. 

Tune into this episode to learn how the Hemme Brothers create a product and operate a business “that’s better from the beginning.”

What you’ll learn: 

• Michael’s background growing up on a dairy farm and how they transitioned into the creamery business
• How the Hemme Brothers’ operation and responsibilities are broken down among the family members
• Why the Hemme family decided to go with a vertically integrated approach to their business, controlling the product from crop to curd
• What makes Hemme Brothers cheese unique from other products and producers
• The ways they distribute their products and where consumers can find their cheeses
• Some of the ways they take their product to market and share the Hemme Brothers story
• What Michael loves about rural America and living in the country
• Michael’s advice for how people can support farmers and people in agriculture

Did you know St. Louis claims the fourth largest sewer district in the country, only behind New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago? The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) is responsible for servicing nearly 10,000 miles of pipeline and over a million customers. So, you may be wondering what all this has to do with rural America.  Geographically speaking, St. Louis sits in the middle of the heartland and is known as the gateway to the west.  There are also a number of world-class agriculture companies located there, like Monsanto, Purina and Anheuser Busch (yes, beer is made using grains grown in rural America).  And, if you think about rural America as a mindset and a lifestyle, there are thousands of rural Americans who live there.  So, in this episode,  Sean Hadley from St. Louis joins the podcast to talk about their approach to mass communications for a major city utility system.

Tune in to hear from Sean as he shares valuable insight on crisis communications, the importance of telling your own story, and some interesting facts about the fourth-largest sewer system in the country. 

What you’ll learn: 

• Details on the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD), the public affairs team, and Sean’s role with MSD
• How Sean’s initial career path in news media and broadcast communications led him to the role that he serves today
• A recent crisis management situation regarding storms and flooding that impacted MSD
• Insight into the construction of the wastewater tunnels and details on the consent decree St. Louis is under due to the Clean Water Act
• What Sean thinks it takes to be successful in a media career 
• How organizations can tell their own stories without relying on media outlets
• Sean’s thoughts on the diversity of rural America, from St. Louis and Warrensburg, Missouri

5… 4… 3… 2… 1… Happy New Year! We hope you had a safe and fun weekend celebrating the start of the new year. Now that 2023 is officially here, we thought it was the perfect time to take a look back at our top downloaded episodes from 2022. In this edition of OUTdrive, we revisit our top five most popular podcasts of the year. 

Join us as we countdown our most-listened-to episodes and uncover the takeaways they all have in common. 

What you’ll learn: 

• Details on OUTdrive’s top five podcasts of 2022
• Key takeaways and common themes from our top downloaded episodes

Culture is intangible, but you can feel it when you walk in a room. How would you describe the culture at your company? Whether it is clearly defined or not, every organization has a certain feel - or a “vibe” as the cool kids call it these days. At Callis, we walk the line between hard work and good fun. We have a group of the right people who really care. We strive to make smart decisions and accept that change is inevitable. And, we do all this to maintain our clients' trust. 

Check out this mini episode to learn more about the Callis core values and take a peek inside our work culture.

What you’ll learn: 

• An inside look at the company culture at Callis
• How the Callis team lives out their core values
• Why culture is an important piece of any organization

Those of us who live, work and play in rural America know how important farmers are to our society. But, not everyone lives in a region surrounded by farms and farmland, which is why Missouri Farmers Care was established to promote the growth of Missouri agriculture and rural communities through communication, education and advocacy. In this episode, Executive Director Ashley McCarty explains why education is the primary pillar in executing a successful marketing strategy.

Tune in to hear from a Missouri family farm owner and executive director as we discuss all the pieces Missouri Farmers Care has in play throughout the agriculture industry.

What you’ll learn: 

• What Missouri Farmers Care is and their primary initiatives
• Details on Ashley’s experience studying agriculture abroad in the Czech Republic 
• How the Stand for Ag podcast came to fruition
• The content MFC is pushing on their social media channels that is garnering solid engagement
• Information on the “Drive to Feed Kids” and how MFC partners with other organizations to fight food insecurity in the state
• Ashley’s definition of the rural lifestyle and what it means to work in agriculture 
• How Ashley markets the McCarty Cattle Company and the importance of off-farm marketing
• More about Ashley’s family and their farm operation, McCarty Cattle, in Northeast Missouri

There are no less than a million things you can be doing digitally to reach your audience, and it’s easy to fall into the idea that you need to have a presence on every new media channel out there. Sometimes, you just need to get back to grassroots marketing. Politicians refer to it as “shaking hands and kissing babies,” but we like to think of it as staying connected to your fan base. In this episode, I visit with Mizzou Associate Athletic Director Brad Loos on the ways the Tiger Scholarship Fund is speaking to its stakeholders. 

Our podcast typically highlights industry trends, new technologies, and improved communication tools. Join us as we dive back into the basics of face-to-face and personalized marketing.

What you’ll learn: 

• Brad’s background and career journey through coaching college basketball and his life lessons from growing up as a “gym rat”
• Brad’s perspective on winning the 2014 National Championship at the University of Central Missouri 
• What the transition from athletics to administration was like and some of the things Brad learned within the process
• Marketing strategies that Brad and the Tiger Scholarship Fund and the University are using to reach local donors and supporters
• How the NIL impacts the fundraising efforts of the college athletics programs
• The importance of social media in athletics and how it fits into a bigger communications plan
• An update on Brad’s daughter Rhyan, how the annual #RallyforRhyan game came to fruition, and information on this year’s fundraising game

There is no denying that healthcare is complex. Terminology, technology, and insurance just scratch the surface of understanding the system. This impacts the way hospitals and healthcare systems communicate with stakeholders, from the messaging they use to the media platform they use to get it out there. In this episode, Missouri Hospital Association CEO Jon Doolittle and I discuss successful communications strategies, approaches to recruitment challenges, and the intangible benefits rural healthcare systems provide in their communities.

Despite the complexity of the industry, marketers are tasked with sharing their stories in a clear, simple, and compelling way. Tune into this episode to learn how MHA is helping hospitals approach communication plans for their communities, patients, and employees. 

What you’ll learn: 

• Jon’s rural American background and career journey to his current role with the Missouri Hospital Association (MHA)
• Details on some of the major initiatives happening at the Missouri Hospital Association
• The similar challenges that urban and rural hospitals are currently facing
• The “intangibles” that hospitals provide to the communities they serve
• Impactful communication strategies Jon is seeing in healthcare and what MHA is doing from a marketing standpoint to communicate with members
• Jon’s perspective on the use of social media for healthcare organizations
• Strategies hospitals are using to attract healthcare workers into the industry
• What Jon values in rural American communities

The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas can feel like sprinting through a marathon, especially for those in the marketing industry. We know many of our listeners are back at it, too,  grinding away to catch up on emails and tasks following the Thanksgiving holiday. That’s why we made today’s episode “bite-size,” so you can make the most of your time during a busy week. In this episode, I’m joined by Callis President Megan Hartman to discuss key takeaways from our recent agency peer meetings in Boston. 

At Callis, we prioritize professional development and continuing education, which makes peer groups and an agency network so valuable. Tune in to hear what we learned and why joining a peer network makes sense for you - no matter your industry. 

What you’ll learn: 

• What Agency Management Institute (AMI) is and the benefits of being part of a peer group for support and best practices
• Details on Megan and Cliff’s visit to Boston and their favorite parts of the trip 
• A brief state of the marketplace from Cliff
• Megan’s key takeaways on new practices and trends
• Cliff’s takeaways and perspective on changes in agency life
• Megan and Cliff share what changes and growth they see in the 2023 Callis plan

Every loyalty program should be designed to do one primary function: connect people; connect people to the things they want, to the rewards they can earn, or the status they want to attain. For example, we see commercials all the time for companies emphasizing their points, miles, and perks for frequent flyers. In this episode, airline loyalty thought leader Mark Ross-Smith joins OUTdrive from across the world in Malaysia for an introspective on building a successful loyalty program. 

Mark is the CEO and co-founder at StatusMatch, a global status management firm that works with some of the world's largest airline brands. His company enables individuals to maintain their status level when they switch to a new airline or hotel chain. Mark has 20 years of experience leading loyalty programs in travel and telecommunications, most recently at Malaysian Airlines. Mark is also the founder and editor of the industry blog, TravelDataDaily.com. He is a globally recognized, award-winning thought leader and known as one of the “brightest minds in loyalty.”

Tune in for a dynamic conversation with Mark on the marketing behind loyalty campaigns, the impact of big tech on airlines, and an international perspective on rural America.

What you’ll learn: 

• Mark’s background and how his career journey through telco and startups eventually led to a niche in the airline loyalty industry
• Details behind Mark’s industry blog, TravelDataDaily.com
• Marketing and industry insights from Mark’s time running the Malaysia Airlines loyalty program
• Details behind Mark’s company, StatusMatch.com, which helps consumers maintain loyalty status when they switch their business to a new airline or hotel 
• The audience that StatusMatch is trying to reach and how audience behavior impacts the strategy used to reach them
• What it’s like living in Malaysia and the positive perceptions of rural America from around the world

“If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.” There are very few things you can do throughout your whole life, but fishing is one of them. And, there is hardly a better place to do it than here in Missouri. In this episode of OUTdrive, I had the chance to visit with Brian Sowers to talk about all the things Crappie Masters is doing to reach youth, amateur, and professional anglers, alike.

This is one honey hole of an episode you don’t want to miss. Tune in to hear Brian share his best fishing stories, details on Crappie Masters and fishing tournament trails, and ways to get involved in the sport’s educational pieces. 

What you’ll learn: 

• How Brian got to where he is today in his role with Crappie Masters, including his background in radio and how he got started
• An overview of the Crappie Masters organization and tournament trail, with details on membership and other information available on crappiemasters.net
• The difference between recreational fishing and tournament fishing 
• The strong educational components and the investment of ag commodity groups into the Crappie Masters organization
• Multimedia marketing strategies Crappie Masters uses to get their message out to anglers, potential members, and sponsors
• Details on Brian’s role as emcee for the Missouri State Fair parade and flag retreat
• What Brian loves about Missouri, plus his top fishing stories

Attorney Chris Spangler could have built a law practice anywhere, but he chose to establish his career in the heart of rural America. A Missouri native and graduate of the University of Missouri, Chris returned to central Missouri after attending law school in Kansas City. Today, he co-leads the law firm, Spangler Ward, with his partner, Laurie Ward.

Chris has also brought his son, Cale, into the firm, reflecting his commitment to a family-first lifestyle—with friends as a close second. Beyond the firm, he owns a row crop farm, staying deeply connected to his agricultural roots. Join us as Chris reflects on his journey from radio to law, his passion for serving the community and the values that guide his life and career.

When a consumer comes across your online presence, can they tell who you are? Or, maybe more importantly, can they tell what you are not? In our second episode with Steve Kroll, we discuss why businesses located in the Midwest should be leaning into what they know and asking for support in delivering the message. As Steve puts it, we want our client’s consumers to feel like they are “running their fingers through the wheat.” To achieve that, you need authentic representation and a digital-savvy team that can get you found. 

Check out Part 2 of this mini-series to learn what Midwest businesses can do to reach rural American consumers and the best ways to approach a digital marketing strategy. 

What you’ll learn: 

• Industry insights Steve and the Granular team are seeing happening right now that they are incorporating into client programs
• Details on the latest tool in Google’s tool belt - performance max campaigns
• The skills marketers should invest in learning outside of high-level digital expertise
• Insights on Midwest-based business marketing tactics and how they can improve 
• How to approach building a foundation for a digital marketing program
• Why Granular puts an emphasis on philanthropy in their business
• Where marketers can go to find more relevant content on digital strategy and tactics

How do you know if your marketing campaign is working? Not all channels are created equally when it comes to reporting. Fortunately, digital marketing avenues such as Search Engine Marketing (SEM), offer the value of predictive analytics and effective reach. In the first episode of a two-part podcast series, I sit down with Steve Kroll, President of Granular, to discuss his lifelong exposure to and the power of online relevancy. 

Tune in to this podcast for a deeper understanding of why getting your SEO and SEM strategy on the right track is paramount for the success of your digital marketing campaigns and online presence. 

What you’ll learn: 

• Steve’s background growing up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and where his passion for digital and online business started
• Details behind Steve’s first job as an intern with a digital marketing agency in the early 2000s
• How Steve’s family, support system, and early job exposure provided the perfect launch pad for his career
• An overview of Granular and the digital advertising space Steve’s team specializes in 
• The predictability of search engine marketing (SEM) and how important FAQs are in developing an SEM strategy
• Other things businesses can do to make Google reward their site with better placement on the search results page
• A deep dive into the impact of paid search on organic search

At Callis, we take pride in putting together a great marketing team to develop and execute the best insights and strategies for our clients. Part of that comes from finding people with all types of business-related backgrounds, like sales, finance, or communications. Darren Grove, one of our account executives, is a prime example of that philosophy. Darren brings years of sales experience and high-level business education to our team. In this episode, Cliff and Darren cover a lot of ground on what makes a great sales, business, and marketing professional.

What you’ll learn: 

• Darren’s rural American background, growing up in both Minnesota and Alaska, and how that exposure led him to pursue a degree in aeronautics
• Darren’s enjoyment of flying drones and some recent examples of where he has been able to utilize his aviation skills and knowledge
• The strategies and paradigm shifts Darren saw throughout the course of his sales career
• Why it’s important that marketers have a knowledge of business to be successful
• Darren’s experience in the medical sales arena and learning how to deliver your pitch to highly educated medical personnel 
• How Darren’s sales and B2B experience has transferred to marketing and insights from his entrepreneurial education
• Darren’s hobbies and interests outside of work and why he prefers the rural American lifestyle

Did you know that Missouri youth involved in agriculture education courses directly contribute to the state’s economy? In 2021 alone, Missouri FFA students generated over $58 million dollars of income through their supervised agriculture experience and work-based programs. And, those work experiences are not just farming-based, they are in business, tourism, science, and even marketing. In this episode, Keith Dietzschold outlines the incredible opportunities that ag education programs bring to our high school students and the importance of agriculture literacy in today’s world.

Tune in to learn more about the state’s agriculture education program and the life lessons Missouri FFA instills in thousands of young agriculturalists every year. 

What you’ll learn: 

• Keith’s background and how he got to where he is today with the Missouri Department of Education
• The primary focus of Keith’s department of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
• Details and misconceptions behind the Missouri FFA education program and how Keith is striving to educate Missourians about all the other pieces of agriculture outside of farming
• The other organizations involved in ag education in the state of Missouri, from junior high students to young adults
• Where to find more information about Missouri Ag Education and key takeaways from the 2022 Annual Report
• The role the State of Missouri Ag Education has at the Missouri State Fair
• The types of life lessons youth learn while involved in FFA programs, primarily agriculture literacy and comprehension
• What media and strategies Missouri Ag Education programs are using to tell their story and to reach students and adults

Community colleges offer accessible and affordable training and education to a diverse demographic of students. This brings value and economy to the rural communities in which they serve. In this episode, Cliff chats with Dr. Brent Bates, the president of State Fair Community College, to discuss how community colleges should be considered a solution and asset to community challenges and opportunities. 

What you’ll learn: 

• Brent’s journey to education and the value of exploring career opportunities 
• Why being president of State Fair Community College (SFCC) is Brent’s dream job and the vision he has for SFCC 
• The community benefits of partnering with a community college in rural areas
• Details behind the development of the Olen Howard Workforce Innovation Center and other advanced technology education programs at the college
• The career paths available to SFCC students and the advantages that community colleges have over a four-year university 
• How the demographics of community colleges tend to fluctuate with the state of the economy
• How the evolution of digital marketing has impacted SFCC’s marketing strategy in recent years
• Some of the lessons SFCC learned through the pandemic and the improvements they made to their virtual learning environment

Today’s market is lacking in what consumers crave most: authenticity. However, a recent surge in agritourism has many Missouri farmers opening their gates for visitors to buy locally sourced products, support small businesses, learn about agriculture firsthand and enjoy a family-friendly outing. It really doesn’t get more authentic than that. In this episode, Missouri State Fair Foundation executive director, Lorin Fahrmeier, discusses personal connections and how brands can reach rural American audiences. Tune in for a deep dive into Missouri farming and agriculture - as a business and lifestyle. 

What you’ll learn: 

• Lorin’s background growing up as an in-town farm kid in Marshall, Missouri and her career path to executive director of the Missouri State Fair Foundation
• Details on the Missouri State Fair Foundation and the support it provides to the fair
• Lorin’s takeaways from her first Fair as the executive director of the Foundation
• Lorin’s description of farm life and why she thinks farmers have to be “serial entrepreneurs” 
• Details on Fahrmeier Farms U-Pick, produce market and winery
• The need for marketing strategy to address consumer assumptions and emotions
• Marketing trends in agriculture and the heightened interest in agriculture-related activities

Some people just know how to get the most out of life. They are constantly pursuing a new hobby or interest. They are involved in community boards and organizations. They are always in the know about the next big thing in town, most likely because they were part of the process to establish it. We often refer to them as movers and shakers, and our guest today is one of those people. In this episode, Cliff sits down with Dr. Doug Kiburz, a small-town orthopedic surgeon and true Renaissance Man. 

Tune into this episode to learn more about Dr. Kiburz’s varied interests, perspectives, and historic community projects. 

What you’ll learn: 

• Doug’s background growing up in rural Nebraska and what led him to a career in medicine 
• How advancements in technology have impacted hospitals and Doug personally during his years in practice
• Where Doug’s inspiration comes from and what he does in his free time (maintaining properties, serving on community boards, hosting foreign exchange students, writing books, traveling and so much more)
• Details behind the Trail’s End project in Sedalia, Missouri 
• Doug’s involvement in the development of “Mentor Town USA” as a pipeline into the school district program that helps prepare youth for their future career path
• The inspiration behind and the details of the Mozark Music Festival in 2024 and the Peace, Love and Halloween concert on October 29, 2022 (www.themozark.com)
• Doug’s passion for cycling, specifically high-wheeled cycling on a penny-farthing 
• What Doug loves about living in rural America and why he chose to practice in a rural community

Local governments address issues that have an impact on nearly everyone who lives, works or plays within city limits. If you look around rural communities, you’ll see that many public servants are our neighbors, co-workers, and local business owners. Unlike federal lawmakers, these individuals actually have skin in the game. For today’s episode, Cliff sits down with Andrew Dawson, mayor of Sedalia, to discuss the opportunities, challenges, and projects that lie ahead for Sedalia and communities like it. 

Local governments address and balance the needs of both the city and its citizens. Tune into this episode to hear from Sedalia Mayor Andrew Dawson on public servanthood and why you can’t approach a public entity with a private sector mindset.

What you’ll learn: 

• The types of communications and messages that Andrew fields daily as mayor
• What led Andrew into local government and how being a council member helped prepare him for his current role
• The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges that lie ahead of the city in the coming years, including addressing housing and a new sewer plant
• Some of the challenges that come with the role as mayor, from delegating to balancing the needs of the many to the needs of the few
• Opportunities for improved technology or automation in city departments
• The differences in the business approach between the public and private sector 
• The City’s partnership with the Missouri State Fair, the economic and tourism impact, and what it means to our community

The long-term success of a business hinges on loyalty. Every day, companies are competing for brand loyalty, customer loyalty, and employee loyalty. This might be most evident in the car industry. Purchases are few and far between and a customer usually has their mind made up before they walk in the door. Building loyalty grows from the inside out, and today’s guests, Kyle and Kelsey Weymuth, experienced this firsthand growing up in a family-owned business that now boasts over 100 years of service to Central Missouri. 

Through a family work culture, community involvement, and strategic marketing, W-K has hit the loyalty trifecta. Tune into this episode to hear how the Weymuth family has stayed up with trends, technology, and the ever-evolving world of consumer buying habits. 

What you’ll learn: 

• Kyle and Kelsey’s background growing up in the family business and the different paths they took that led to running W-K
• An overview of the car business and the different types of departments within W-K
• How Kyle and Kelsey divide up their daily responsibilities and how their long-time employees keep things running smoothly
• Details on the organic growth of W-K, the benefits of owning dealerships with different brands, and how the industry is moving toward the direction of consolidation
• The current challenges and trends in the automotive industry
• How W-K positions themselves in front of a rural audience, including details behind W-K’s new video podcast series, wkburnouts.com
• What Kyle and Kelsey love about living in rural America

2022 is a significant year for Callis & Associates - it’s our 35th Anniversary! Back in January, we started our #CallisTurns35 initiative on our digital and social channels. Every week for the first 35 weeks of 2022, we shared a lesson from each year Callis has been in business and featured a past client or project from that year, as well. It’s been a challenge to churn out this content every week, but it’s also been a joy looking back on work and memories from the last three and a half decades and we have seen some great engagement from our followers. As we approach our 35th week, we wanted to share a special OUTdrive episode in recognition of this initiative and celebration of 35 years in business. 

Tune into this week’s solocast to learn more about #CallisTurns35 and grab a couple of key takeaways you can apply to your online and social strategy.

What you’ll learn: 

• Details behind the #CallisTurns35 initiative
• What Cliff and the Callis staff have enjoyed about creating content for the blog and social media 
• Where you can catch up on the last 35 weeks of content, at ecallis.com or on Callis social channels
• Some ideas for how to highlight milestones in your business 

April DeGraff, a seasoned marketing professional, has over 15 years of experience, with a decade dedicated to health care marketing. Growing up in rural Missouri and earning a degree from Missouri Valley College, April has a unique understanding of both rural communities and the health care landscape. She has served in various roles including a stint in an agency setting, but found her passion lies within health care systems. Now a senior marketing advisor at University of Missouri Health Care, she combines her deep-rooted curiosity and strategic mindset to tackle the complexities of promoting an academic medical center while focusing on community impact and effective patient communication.

Tune in to learn how to build effective marketing campaigns, overcome misperceptions of academic health care and stay ahead in a rapidly changing environment.

We know there can be a lot of complexity surrounding digital marketing, specifically within the topic of Search Engine Optimization. But, when you break it down, SEO can be simplified to crafting the most relevant and accurate answers to your consumer’s frequently asked questions. In this episode, agency owner Rogelio Rodriguez gives valuable and simplified insight into digital marketing and how to make it work for your business. 

Check out this episode of OUTdrive to get a crash course from Rogelio in SEO, inbound marketing, and trending strategies like message testing and Account-Based Marketing. 

What you’ll learn: 

• How Rogelio’s time in the Marine Corps shaped him as a person
• What led Rogelio to online business, SEO and eventually digital marketing
• Some of the ways that companies can take initial sales leads and nurture them into repeat customers
• Rogelio’s insight for those looking to start inbound marketing and how to take FAQs and make them advantageous on your website and social media
• A simplified breakdown of SEO and the strategy behind it 
• Strategies like message testing and Account Based Marketing, that Rogelio’s company has found effective
• Rogelio’s perception of rural America and his experience hiring talent from the Midwest

CEO’s have a lot on their plate, and managing finances is a critical part of running a business. Many small to medium size companies can’t justify a full-time CFO, meaning this responsibility often falls on the owner. But, there are financial support options for businesses that just need a little help. After spending most of her career in varying CFO roles, Rebecca Mankin established her own company, Mankin Consulting, which specializes in helping non-profits and community health organizations meet their financial goals. 

Tune into this episode to learn more about the clients Rebecca serves and the common challenges they face.

What you’ll learn:

• A short background on Rebecca’s career journey and path to Sedalia, Missouri
• What prompted Rebecca to start her own business
• What Mankin Consulting does and the types of clients Rebecca serves
• How Rebecca takes Mankin Consulting to market and what strategies her team uses to attract new business
• What Rebecca loves about living and working in rural America
• Some common challenges Rebecca feels community and health organizations are facing today

A visit to the Gerken Dairy Center is a tradition for many who attend the Missouri State Fair. Ice cream, milking demos, and, of course, the butter cow sculpture, are just a few of the great things you can find inside the dairy barn. But, it also serves a greater purpose: connecting Missourians with the dairy farming community.  The producer-to-consumer relationship is incredibly important in agriculture, and especially in the dairy industry. Midwest Dairy works to cultivate farmer connections, ensuring that the dairy story is shared in restaurants, grocery stores, ballparks, and homes across the nation. In this episode, Farmer Relations Manager Stacy Dohle joins the podcast to discuss effective ways Midwest Dairy is working to share farmer stories through media, Missouri program partnerships, and at state fairs across the Midwest. 

 What you’ll learn: 

• Stacy’s background and how it lead to her current position
• The work and goals of Midwest Dairy
• Insight on Midwest Dairy’s work with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Race to the Plate partnership
• Opportunities offered by Midwest Dairy at the Missouri State Fair and what you can expect at the Gerken Dairy Center
• Effective ways to tell the farming story
• Background on the partnership with Grants Farm in St. Louis and  Wonderscope in Kansas City
• The passion of Dairy Farmers

We believe some of the best agriculturists come from the state of Missouri; not just farmers and ranchers, but bee-keepers, winemakers, orchard owners, and many others, as well. The Missouri Grown program was established to share the stories and the farm-to-table experiences available across the state. As a farm kid turned Missouri Grown program manager, Taylor Tuttle has a passion for educating Missourians on all things agriculture, including the crops and value-added goods produced right here in our backyard. In this episode, Cliff chats with Taylor about the focus of Missouri Grown, where to find Missouri Grown products, and the educational opportunities provided through the Missouri State Fair.  

What you’ll learn: 

• Taylor’s background and journey from farm kid to her role as program manager for Missouri Grown 
• The focus of Missouri Grown and information on becoming a member at www.missourigrownusa.com 
• The educational opportunities the Missouri State Fair provides to Missouri Grown through the market and AgVenture areas
• Insight into the impact of the Missouri State Fair on the state’s agriculture industry
• How to find Missouri Grown products and other ways to support local producers outside of the state fair
• What Taylor's typical day looks like during the fair and the rest of the year
• Taylor’s key takeaways when it comes to marketing and connecting people to the agriculture industry

Rural Americans and their operations are what keep the world running. Just like anyone else, these business owners, manufacturers and farmers need access to reliable internet, but many rural areas lack a reliable connection or wifi. GoNetspeed, a fiber internet provider formerly known as Otelco, is out to change that. In this episode, Rick Lashley, Director of Wireless Operations and Product Development, explains the company’s primary goal of running fiber to rural American communities to support their business and lifestyle. 

What you’ll learn: 

• Rick’s responsibilities as Director of Wireless Operations and Product Development
• Rick’s favorite parts about serving rural America
• The purpose and focus of GoNetspeed
• The relationship between GoNetspeed and the Missouri State Fair
• Insight on why rural Americans are underserved by their fiber and how GoNetspeed fills the gap
• How to get in touch with GoNetSpeed at gonetspeed.com
• The role GoNetspeed has in Military Appreciation Day at the Missouri State Fair
• Details about how the internet and technology has changed and grown 
• The role of the good people that make sure rural Americans can depend on their internet connection 

Here in Missouri, there’s a MO adventure for every “M-O,” outdoorsmen, art enthusiasts, history buffs, foodies, sports fanatics, and everyone in between. The Division of Tourism’s “Find Your M-O” campaign is part of the state’s marketing effort to attract visitors to Missouri. And those efforts are pretty important, considering they produce a 13.5 billion-dollar impact. As the Director of Tourism and a lifelong Missourian, Stephen Foutes quite literally lives, works, and plays in the Show-Me State. In this episode, I chat with Stephen about how his experience and state pride combine in his role, promoting Missouri as a premier tourist destination. 

What you’ll learn: 

• The purpose of the Missouri Division of Tourism and how important tourism is to the state’s economy
• The role the division of tourism plays in the Missouri State Fair
• Stephen’s typical day as the Director of Tourism and how the variety of marketing roles prepared him for his current role
• Stephen’s favorite things to do around the state of Missouri
• Details behind the “Find your M-O” campaign, how it came to fruition, and the ultimate execution
• Insight on the behavior and interests of out-of-state visitors to Missouri, as well as trends Stephen is seeing within tourism, regionally and nationally
• How to find out more about Missouri tourism at VisitMO.com or at Welcome Centers across the state

We are coming up on the best 11 days of the year - the Missouri State Fair. One of our favorite parts of the Fair is interacting with the partners and sponsors who make it all possible. In this episode, Cliff is joined by Family Center Farm and Home co-owner and regional director Blake Mills and marketing manager David Swearingen. When Family Center Farm and Home opened their Sedalia location, becoming a sponsor with the Missouri State Fair made all the sense in the world for their marketing efforts. 

Founded in 1965 by Blake’s grandfather, Family Center Farm & Home opened its first store under the name of Tractor Parts and Home Supply in Harrisonville, MO. Now, their business serves more than just farmers, offering something for everyone from dog owners to factory workers to interior designers. The flagship store is still open and the company has expanded to six additional locations - Butler, Rolla, Ozark, Sedalia, and St. Joseph, Missouri and Paola, Kansas. 

FC Saddlery and Tack

Family Center Farm and Home

What you’ll learn: 

• The origin story of Family Center Farm and Home, launched by Blake’s grandfather, and how it evolved into the store it is today
• Marketing strategies they use to reach their rural audience and the logistics behind the locations of their stores
• The role Family Center Farm and Home plays during the Missouri State Fair as a sponsor and the impact of fairground events on their Sedalia location
• An overview of the Saddlery and Tack branch of their business (FC Saddlery & Tack)
• The development and integration of their e-commerce presence, from their website to online ordering and in-store pickups
• Updates on Family Center’s rewards program and how the change in consumer buying habits has impacted their business model
• Advice for business owners and marketing managers who are stepping into the social media world and how they can keep tabs on what is going on in the communities they serve

What makes a great marketer? Someone who is strategic? Yes. Detail-oriented? Absolutely. Asks good questions? Certainly! All of these skills are part of the equation, but they also need to be business savvy. A great marketer should be able to look at the client’s business as a whole, see marketing as a piece of it, and then identify how it can better fit into the puzzle. In this episode of OUTdrive, I sit down with Callis President, Megan Hartman, to discuss how her business and entrepreneurial DNA helped build the foundation for a career in marketing. 

Megan was recently named President and a partner in Callis & Associates. Megan began her career at Callis as an account manager and went on to serve in a number of account roles over the last 10 years. Prior to Callis, Megan started her business career at BluCurrent Credit Union, managing day-to-day operations of all branches. A Pettis County native and Northwest alum, Megan pursued earned a degree in business from Missouri State University.

What you’ll learn: 

• Megan’s business background and her new role as president of the agency 
• What makes a good account executive and how to get in contact with Callis
• Takeaways from the Build a Better Agency Conference in Chicago, put on by the Agency Management Institute (AMI)
• Some of the creative projects Megan’s been involved with at the agency over the last 10 years 
• The relationship Callis has with the Missouri State Fair as their marketing partner 
• Some of the marketing strategies and emerging media she’s seeing that have been the most effective 
• Why developing personas is one of the most important parts of a business’ marketing plan

Investing in marketing is a self-fulfilling prophecy. History has shown that marketing works when done correctly. You can grow your business by increasing your investment in advertising, public relations, social media, and online. But it also works the other way. You can decrease your sales by lowering your investment. And if you keep cutting back over time, you might cut yourself right out of a job.

Business comes and business goes, but one thing should always stay the same - and that's your commitment to marketing. Tune into this episode for a special holiday edition of OUTdrive and insight on how committing to marketing in good times and bad can help you gain a bigger share of the market. 

What you’ll learn: 

• What successful businesses do to maintain their presence in the marketplace
• The importance of staying in front of your current customers while courting new ones
• Why you should increase your marketing spend when business isn’t going great
• What happens to your market share when you stop investing in marketing
• How cutting ad dollars may save you money in the short run, but is actually creating opportunities for your competitors 

They say a dog is a man’s best friend, but for some individuals, their dog is a lifeline. Right here in rural America, we are privileged to have a nationally recognized organization and facility dedicated to raising, training, and placing service dogs with people in need. In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff sits down with Kyle Cory-Yaeggi, Operations Director, and Laura Erganian, Fund Development Coordinator, from Retrieving Freedom, Inc. 

Retrieving Freedom is a non-profit organization with a mission to change lives through the training and placement of service dogs for veterans with disabilities and children with autism.

The organization operates out of two Midwest locations, Waverly, Iowa, and Sedalia, Missouri as an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International. Retrieving Freedom is recognized nationally for its unique training methods and exceptional quality of its 117 service dog placements.

What you’ll learn: 

• Kyle and Laura’s passion for the non-profit industry and how their career paths led them to Retrieving Freedom
• An in-depth overview of Retrieving Freedom, from their mission and their training program to their locations and placement processes
• Kyle and Laura’s respective responsibilities as Operations Director and Fund Development Coordinator
• Some of the marketing strategies Retrieving Freedom uses to communicate with different audiences
• How being located in rural America helps them better serve clients across the country
• Details on the summer volunteer opportunities and the annual public events Retrieving Freedom hosts in their communities
• What Kyle and Laura love about living in rural America and how they would characterize the Midwest

Reaching rural audiences requires a tailored approach. Dr. Shannon McCarthy, Associate Professor of Marketing at the University of Central Missouri, brings us a unique perspective, having lived on both coasts and in the Midwest. She highlights that while there are differences between urban and rural America, people’s core desires remain the same: they want to live in happy, healthy communities.

Listen in as Dr. McCarthy shares practical, authenticity-driven strategies for crafting marketing approaches that resonate with rural consumers.  

In today’s world, you can get data on just about anything. This leads to many businesses drowning in reports of thousands of rows of numbers. At Callis, we like to say that “data without action is just trivia,” meaning that unless you can do something with it, it’s just a number. On this episode of OUTdrive, guest and business owner JJ Reynolds shares with us how his company, Mediauthentic, works to collect better information for clients and present it in an actionable way.

What you’ll learn: 

• JJ’s career journey into media buying and video production, and how that inspired him to chart an entrepreneurial course in marketing analytics 
• The type of clients JJ works with and what the process of engaging with Mediauthentic, looks like
• The default “silo” setting most companies are in and how Mediauthentic gets them on the same page
• How JJ’s analytical, curious, and creative traits led to his career path and are seen in his personal life, as well
• What JJ’s average day looks like as the founder and media alignment specialist at Mediauthentic
• How a dashboard can change the way somebody thinks about their marketing
• How to simplify the process of gathering and analyzing data

In rural America, we do business with people we know, like and trust, especially with major purchases or services. Buying a home is typically one of the largest investments a person will make in their lifetime and it helps to know someone to be by your side throughout the process.  That’s where the family team of Dave and Ryan Wiedeman have come to find success in the real estate market for over four decades.

What you’ll learn: 

• How the real estate business became a Wiedeman family affair 
• What separates Ryan and Dave from other real estate agents in the area
• How the buying process and consumer buying habits have changed due to home buyers’ access to data
• The benefits of being associated with REMAX and being under the umbrella of a larger organization
• Dave and Ryan’s perspective of the people of rural America
• The difference between marketing real estate in a small town versus a big city
• The new emergence of people moving across the country to rural areas and the recent interest in older homes around Sedalia

When it comes to “branding,” there is a lot of ambiguity. What is a brand? Can you measure how a brand works? How do you use it as part of a marketing plan? This is where our guest Karley Cunningham, business owner and branding strategist at Big Bold Brand, comes into play. In this episode, Karely offers up a paradigm shift and insightful perspective on how to approach branding as a way to define fundamental values and core messaging, and differentiate from competitors. 

Join Karley and Cliff as they take a deep dive into brand leadership, the strategy before the strategy, and the difference between branding and marketing.

Surefire Audit & Guide download: https://www.bigboldbrand.com/surefireaudit/

What you’ll learn: 

• Karley’s background growing up in Ontario, and the similarities between that area of rural Canada and rural America
• Karley’s experience as an endurance cycling athlete and the comparison of adrenal fatigue in sports and in business and how to address it
• Karley’s journey from a graphic designer to a strategic business owner
• Karley’s concept of “the strategy before the strategy”
• Karley’s current day-to-day role at Big Bold Brand and the type of clients she works with
• Defining brand leadership, Karley’s “surefire method” of differentiation and how to take the strategy off the page
• What the rural lifestyle means to Karley

In honor of Memorial Day and the extra-long weekend, Cliff is sharing a bite-sized podcast with some practical business advice. At Callis, Cliff’s team places an emphasis on education and professional development. One of the ways Callis accomplishes that is through involvement with the Agency Management Institute and by being part of a peer network. 

Agency Management Institute (AMI) is a management consulting business specializing in helping owners of small and medium-sized marketing communication companies move up to their next performance level—and keep improving. The Agency Management Institute was founded in 1995 (formerly known as the Agency Management Roundtable or AMR) to teach and promote the highest standard of business practices and professional ethics among privately-owned agencies in North America.

Tune in to this special episode to learn more about the benefits of peer networks, then come back next week to hear from an international branding expert who Cliff met through AMI’s many connections. 

What you’ll learn: 

• The time and place where Cliff first heard about Google
• How Cliff got involved with AMI
• The benefits of joining a peer network group
• Examples of best practices Cliff has learned from his peer network group over the years
• How Cliff’s peer network helped guide business decisions through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic

Arrow Rock is a village in central Missouri with a total population of 37. And, each year, more than 33,000 patrons travel to this community to enjoy Broadway-caliber productions at the Lyceum Theatre. Celebrating its 61st season in 2022, the Lyceum is one of Missouri’s oldest professional regional theatres. In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff sits down with Quin Gresham of the theatre’s leadership team to hear all the ways the Lyceum has been drawing crowds for over half a century. 

Quin is the Producing Artistic Director at the historic Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre. 2022 marks his 18th season in this role. During his career, he has directed over two-dozen productions at the Lyceum. On the other side of the curtain, Quin has been a frequent Company member at the Lyceum since 1999. With more than 20 years of acting experience, he has appeared in over 50 productions. Quin is a graduate of the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University in St. Louis, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting. 

The Lyceum’s 61st season opens on June 2. Tune into this episode for a full show run-down on 2022, and learn more about how the Lyceum went from a dilapidated church to the first theatre in the state to receive the “Missouri Historical Theatre” designation.

What you’ll learn: 

• The background story of how Quin decided to pursue acting and his journey to directing at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre 
• A description of Quin’s role as Producing Artistic Director and his day-to-day responsibilities 
• The difference between a producing theater, like the Lyceum, and a presenting theater
• A short history of the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre
• Details on the shows of the 2022 season and how Quin selects which shows to bring in
• How to find more information and the best ways to share the Lyceum experience
• Quin’s connection to the LEAD Institute and service on their Board of Directors
• What Quin loves about living in mid-Missouri

While it may seem like the world of advertising is all headed toward the Metaverse, there is still value in traditional marketing. Radio, television, and newspaper, combined with digital components, can make an impact. In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff sits down with Aric Bremer to discuss how businesses can use a multichannel approach to reach their goals and objectives. 

Aric is a sales manager at Zimmer Radio and Marketing Group, where he works with numerous local businesses to put together comprehensive marketing plans that bring a positive return on their investments. Aric has been a radio personality with Clear 99 in Columbia, Missouri for over 20 years and still hosts the weekly Afternoon Drive show spot. Aric is also the voice of Mizzou Arena as the public address announcer for the Missouri Tigers men's basketball and Mizzou volleyball teams. Aric got his start in radio at KDRO in Sedalia when he was just 15 years old. He went on to earn a degree in communication from the University of Missouri.

Tune into this episode of OUTdrive to hear Aric’s tactical team approach to client marketing plans, how he became the voice of Mizzou Arena, and details behind starting “Blended, Blessed, & Always a Mess,” a podcast hosted by him and his wife, Angie. 

What you’ll learn: 

• Aric’s background growing up in Sedalia, Missouri, and his journey to working in radio
• Aric’s experience as the voice of Mizzou men’s basketball and volleyball
• What goes into Aric’s role as sales manager at Zimmer Radio Marketing Group, which includes digital marketing and on-air work
• The story of Aric’s blended family and how he and his wife decided to start the “Blended, Blessed, & Always a Mess” Podcast 
• Marketing strategies Aric is seeing that are working well for his clients
• How Aric entered into the voice-over industry, working for regional, national, and even international companies
• Updates on the Mizzou basketball program and the 2022 Cardinal baseball season
• What Aric enjoys about living in rural America and why he loves the opportunity to come home to Sedalia

To put it simply, the rural American lifestyle builds character. The people raised in rural America are often the ones who go on to feed, lead, and serve our country. Today’s guest, Missouri Soy’s CEO Gary Wheeler, has done all three. In his role, he continues to spearhead legislation and representation for Missouri’s soybean farmers. 

Wheeler has a Bachelor of Science in agriculture and a Master of Business Administration. He also proudly served his state and country for 11 years in the Missouri Army National Guard. He has been involved in many agriculture organizations including the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance, U.S. Grains Council and U.S. Meat Export Federation, Missouri Society of Association Executives, Missouri Farmers Care, Missouri Economic Development Council, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and the Jefferson City Environmental Quality Commission.

Tune in to this episode to hear more about what Missouri Soy is doing to educate consumers and support rural America. 

What you’ll learn: 

• Gary’s background growing up in the small town of Risco, Missouri where his passion for agriculture started at an early age
• Gary’s experience in the military and how it shaped his perspective of rural America
• Gary’s journey to a career in the Missouri Department of Agriculture
• The importance of having the right people on staff and how to make that discernment
• The big picture initiatives that Missouri Soy is working on, from education to communication to policies
• The challenges of politics and legislation in state-funded organizations
• Details on the Center for Soy Innovation and the opportunities it provides for education

Happy 100th Episode! We’re celebrating the big 1-0-0 with a very special episode of OUTdrive. This week, guest host Ivy Reynolds turns the mic around to interview our host, the founder and CEO of Callis, Cliff Callis. In this episode, listeners get an in-depth listen to Cliff’s story, the origins of Callis, and life lessons from 35 years of business. 

Cliff has over 35 years of experience and expertise in marketing, advertising and public relations. He grew up in the retail business, working alongside his father and brother, where he first learned about the customer experience. Today, he oversees a full-service marketing and advertising agency that specializes in marketing to rural America. Cliff focuses his efforts on client, employee and public relations and working with clients to help them strategically grow their business. He is also president of the Board of Directors of the Center for Human Services. Cliff is a graduate and former trustee of Missouri Valley College, where he studied business, economics and communications and competed in intercollegiate tennis. Cliff and his family reside outside Sedalia, Missouri, where he enjoys outdoor sports, travel and the inspiration of life’s experiences.

Tune in to celebrate the 100th episode of OUTdrive and hear Cliff’s thoughts on marketing, life achievements, and 35 years of business.

What you’ll learn: 

• What it was like for Cliff growing up outside of Sedalia in the 1960’s, being part of a family business, and his experience during the Ozark Music Festival
• How Cliff’s career path changed from when he was in high school to the time he graduated from Missouri Valley College
• The story of what prompted Cliff to leave retail and start an advertising agency 
• How Cliff’s role in the agency has changed throughout the years and the way the business has evolved over time
• The details behind Cliff’s morning routine and how it came to be a staple in his day
• Cliff’s favorite part of being in the marketing industry and how he approached taking the agency through the digital revolution
• Lessons Cliff has learned from over 35 years of business and what advice he would give his younger self
• What rural America means to Cliff - as a resident and a business owner

Small business owners have an inherent responsibility to be active and invested in their community. That’s especially true for OUTdrive guest John Kehde, who took his passion and civic duty to the highest commitment, serving and eventually leading the local government for the city of Sedalia. In this episode, John takes listeners back in time, giving a guided history of the city of Sedalia, Kehde’s Barbeque and his career span from the military to a restaurateur to a small-town mayor. 

John is a local business owner and most recently served as the mayor of Sedalia. He has lived in Sedalia since his parents moved here in 1947. After serving in the Vietnam War and living in Denmark during his stint in the military, John, and his wife Chelsea, returned to Sedalia. John took over the family restaurant, Dog N’ Suds, and rebranded it to Kehde’s Barbeque. Along with running a family business, John served as a city councilman early in his career, and in 2018, he was elected mayor of Sedalia, and recently retired from that role.  He is a Smith-Cotton High School alum and studied at the University of Missouri before going into the military.

Tune into this episode to hear all about his amazingly diverse life story and you’ll soon discover why every day is “the best day ever” for John. 

What you’ll learn: 

• John’s background and the origin story of Dog N’ Suds
• What it was like growing up in Sedalia back in the 1960’s
• John’s story of being drafted into the military, meeting his wife, Chelsea, and their experience living in Denmark during the Vietnam War
• How John made the necessary decision to transition the family restaurant to a barbeque joint after the fast-food chains came to town
• How the now-famous railcar came to be home at Kehde’s
• What attracted John to local government and ultimately serve on city council
• How John’s passion for his community and neighborhood prompted him to run for mayor some 30 years later
• The revitalization of Sedalia neighborhoods and what the city is doing to help clean up and revitalize areas of town

Now more than ever, people are invested in where their food comes from. Those who frequent local farmers’ markets have the luxury of knowing exactly where their food is grown and how it’s raised, and they have a chance to connect with the people who produce it. In this episode, Cliff had the chance to sit down with Bonita Riley and her daughter Taylor, members of the family behind Back Yonder Farms, to dive into the day-to-day of running a family farm and small business.

Back Yonder Farms is a diversified farming operation in Cole Camp, Missouri. Bonita and Rich Riley and their children and grandchildren make up the fourth, fifth and sixth generations of the family farming operation. The farm was homesteaded in the mid-1800s and has been operated by the family ever since. Back Yonder Farms specializes in pasture-raised meats, including pork and poultry, eggs, homegrown produce and baked goods.

Tune in to this episode to hear from Bonita and Taylor about what it takes to keep this family farm business running generation after generation. 

What you’ll learn: 

• Background on the Riley family, the longevity and history of their family farm, and details on the current diversified operation at Back Yonder Farms
• How the Riley family initially got involved with area farmers’ markets and how important the markets are to their business
• The story behind Back Yonder Farms’ famous giant cookies
• Where customers can find Back Yonder Farms, both at farmers’ markets and online
• How their social media has played a role in sharing their story and brand
• How they differentiate from other producers in the area, especially when it comes to the genetics of their pigs
• How the Riley’s have grown their business through experience and by continually seeking out new tools and ideas 
• The characteristics of rural America and the importance of agriculture education in today’s youth

This week’s episode of OUTdrive features a conversation unlike any we’ve had before. Cliff sits down with an unexpected guest—a chatbot named AI-dilene! Together, they dive headfirst into how artificial intelligence is reshaping the world of marketing. Listeners get an inside look at how AI functions, what it can offer to businesses and why marketers everywhere are taking note of this revolutionary tool.

If you’re curious about how AI might impact the future of rural marketing or just want to hear some forward-thinking strategies, this episode is a must listen. Join us on this unique journey and discover how AI can elevate your marketing strategy.

There is no shortage of beef producers in Central Missouri, but Brook and Larry White of White Angus Ranch are doing things a little different: raising grass-finished beef. Unlike “grass-fed” beef, “grass-finished” means corn and grain are never part of the animal’s diet,  resulting in a leaner product. In this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff sits down with the Whites to learn more about their business, passion for customer service, and commitment to consistent quality in both their product and their brand.

In 2010, Brooke and Larry White purchased a plot of land and moved their cattle from Nebraska to Missouri, formally establishing White Angus Ranch. After selling products exclusively to neighbors, in 2013 the Whites decided to make raising beef a full-time business and get involved with local markets. White Angus Ranch specializes in raising premium quality, Black Angus Cattle, for grass-fed and finished beef sales. The Whites are active vendors in the Sedalia Area Farmers’ Market, Camdenton Farmers’ Market, and the Pulaski County Farmers’ Market. In 2016 they launched their website and online presence to sell their products online, shipping beef across the country.  

Tune into this episode to hear the story behind White Angus Ranch and what you can do to help support local farmers, producers, and farmers’ market vendors in your community. 

What you’ll learn: 

• Background on the White family and the story behind White Angus Ranch and their grass-finished operation
• How they got involved with local farmers' markets and what it takes to be a consistent vendor
• The community, relationships, and partnerships the Whites have formed by being involved in farmers’ markets
• How the farmers’ markets themselves help market their products and business, primarily through social media
• Some of the other ways the Whites market their products and business outside of local markets and their emphasis on branding
• What sets the Whites apart from other beef producers in central Missouri
• The characteristics of rural America and the importance of supporting the lifestyle
• The short story of how the Whites became Boston Red Sox fans 

Did you know that the produce in grocery stores travels an average of 1,500 miles before it ends up on your plate? Furthermore, the USDA estimates that on average, a farmer only earns 17.4 cents for every dollar spent on a food item. Compare these numbers to your local farmers’ market, where the produce is grown within a 50-mile radius and the farmer or producer earns an average of 85 cents on every dollar. Farmers’ markets around the U.S. offer consumers an opportunity to support local growers and businesses, eat healthier, and connect with community members, all in one place. 

The Sedalia Area Farmers’ Market was established in 2009 by co-founders Bev Rollings and Brenda Raetz. Brenda oversees the day-to-day operations as the market manager and Bev currently serves as the treasurer. Matt Tennill and his wife, Kim, own Triple H Family Farms in Marshall, Missouri, specializing in fresh produce including greens, heirloom tomatoes, root vegetables, and honey. Matt was recently named president of the Sedalia Area Farmers’ Market board of directors. 

If you need more incentive on why you should shop at your local farmers’ market, tune into this special panel episode to learn more. 

What you’ll learn: 

• A simplified overview of how farmers’ markets work and the benefits of buying produce from local markets
• The criteria for becoming a vendor at the Sedalia Area Farmer’s Market and how to get the process started
• How the Sedalia Area Farmers’ Market helps market their vendors and share the story of local farmers, growers and producers 
• The logistics behind the set up of the market from week to week and the family-oriented, kid-friendly activities available on a monthly basis
• The individual and community health benefits of shopping at farmers’ markets
• How the Missouri Grown program and Community Supported Agriculture program support vendors across the state
• Details about the 2022 season of the Sedalia Farmers’ Market and the resources consumers can use to connect with the market online

Access to quality health care is at the core of a healthy community. Rural area hospitals play a vital role in attracting new families and businesses to small and mid-size cities. For this episode of OUTdrive, Cliff sat down with Dr. Stuart Braverman to discuss the ins and outs, challenges, and rewards of being a health care provider in rural America. 

Stu is a general surgeon in the private practice and is the Chief of Staff at Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia, Missouri. He has been practicing medicine for over 20 years. Stu received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri before going on to Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. Tufts consistently ranks among the world's best medical research institutions for clinical medicine year after year. Stu then completed his residency for general surgery at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia before making his way back to Sedalia. 

Tune into this episode to learn how the Bothwell Regional Health Center has grown and how medicine has advanced exponentially since Stu started practicing medicine.  

What you’ll learn: 

• What led Stu towards medicine and what influenced him to pursue general surgery over orthopedics or family medicine
• Why Stu decided to return to Sedalia after completing his education and residency programs out East
• Stu’s role as Chief of Staff at Bothwell Regional Health Center
• Some of the challenges rural health care systems like Bothwell face
• Why a young physician should consider settling in a rural community like Sedalia and the advantages that come with it, professionally and personally
• What Stu’s typical week and surgery schedule look like
• Some of the things Stu is seeing from a technology standpoint that are exciting in the medical world
• The emphasis Stu puts on the personal aspect of healthcare and taking pride in your own practices as a business