The Heart of Rural America

TakeawaysGovernor Rhoden signed HB 1052 and gave a direct, unambiguous answer when asked if he would uphold it against any attempt to amend or repeal it in the upcoming legislative session: yes.Rhoden does not support special tax exemptions or deals for data centers, but he did sign the Data Center Bill of Rights for Citizens carried by Senator Carr and Speaker Hansen, which requires data centers to prove they won't negatively impact South Dakota's water supply or electricity rates.Rhoden points to a decades-long record on property rights, including leading the charge after the 2005 Kelo v. New London Supreme Court decision, carrying the Open Fields Doctrine bill, and resolving the non-meandered bodies of water issue after 20 years of legal limbo.In Part 2 of American Land and Legacy's exclusive gubernatorial candidate interview series, Amanda Radke sits down with South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden ahead of the July 28th runoff election.With the same questions put to both candidates, this conversation gives landowners a direct side-by-side look at where each man stands on the property rights issues that matter most to South Dakota's farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.Rhoden speaks to his record as a lifelong West River rancher and his history of working on property rights legislation going back two decades, including model legislation he carried in the wake of the Kelo v. New London decision, the Open Fields Doctrine bill he got across the finish line as lieutenant governor, and the resolution of the non-meandered bodies of water issue that had been in limbo for 20 years.On the most pressing current questions, Rhoden is direct: he signed HB 1052, he wouldn't hesitate to do it again, and he will veto any attempt to weaken or repeal it. He does not support special tax exemptions for data centers, though he's open to using existing incentive structures if facilities comply with the rules laid out in the Data Center Bill of Rights he signed. And on the question of federal pressure to expand eminent domain for energy infrastructure, he expresses confidence in the working relationship his administration has built with the Trump team while maintaining that South Dakota's own statutes already offer stronger protections than any other state in the union.The conversation also covers SB 201's complicated legacy, the local control concerns in Section 4 of that bill, the case for and against a constitutional amendment on eminent domain, rural broadband investment, international trade missions, and what Rhoden sees as the key differences between himself and Toby Doeden heading into the runoff.Key Topics CoveredHB 1052 and the compromise threshold discussion during negotiations: why it didn't get support and what Rhoden did when the bill reached his deskData centers: his opposition to special tax exemptions, his support for the Data Center Bill of Rights for Citizens, and how he views existing incentive structuresPresident Trump's executive orders on data centers and expanded eminent domain for energy infrastructure, and how Rhoden plans to navigate federal pressure while protecting South Dakota landownersHis decades-long property rights record: Kelo v. New London model legislation, the Open Fields Doctrine bill, and the non-meandered bodies of water resolutionSB 201 and RL 21: Rhoden's perspective on what the bill actually did, why the referendum process surprised him, and how Summit Carbon's loss of trust with landowners shaped the outcomeSection 4 of SB 201 and the local control concerns around PUC authority versus county and township ordinance-making powerhttps://www.americanlandandlegacy.org/

TakeawaysWhy creativity and diversification are essential for keeping families profitable in agricultureHow JFP Equine transformed Clydesdales into a unique experiential business modelWhy opening your farm gates can strengthen connections between consumers and agricultureThe marketing strategies helping a small rural business attract visitors from across the countryHow entrepreneurship creates opportunities on even small acreage operationsBarclay Poole takes listeners behind the scenes of JFP Equine and explains how his family built an immersive Clydesdale experience business around some of agriculture’s most iconic animals. Listeners will hear stories from the Budweiser Clydesdale operation, learn what makes these horses so special, and discover how one family is using creativity and customer experience to create new revenue streams in rural America. This episode is packed with practical lessons for entrepreneurs, livestock producers, and anyone passionate about preserving rural communities.Key Topics Covered:The Poole family’s journey from Canada to the United StatesBehind-the-scenes insights from managing the Budweiser ClydesdalesBuilding a profitable agricultural business on 10 acresCreating hands-on farm experiences consumers will travel forMarketing strategies for rural businesses and agricultural entrepreneursThe challenges and opportunities facing the Clydesdale industryWhy emotional connection and storytelling matter in agricultureThe importance of keeping families on the land through innovation and entrepreneurshipFollow Amanda Radke on social media and subscribe to The Heart of Rural America for more episodes featuring the voices shaping agriculture, rural values, and constitutional freedoms.Presented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & CattleUse code RADKE for $10 off your next All American Angus Beef order at www.BidOnBeef.comSave on Redmond Real Salt with code RADKE at https://shop.redmondagriculture.com/Check out Amanda's agricultural children's books here: https://amandaradke.com/collections/amandas-booksLearn more about Bulletproofing Your Direct-To-Consumer Beef Enterprise: https://amandaradke.com/products/bulletproof-your-beef-business

South Dakota Representative Julie Auch talks about her bill to "consider a cultivated-protein food product to be adulterated food." This bill passed through the House and Senate before ultimately being vetoed by SD Gov. Larry Rhoden.A new bill on "fake meat" is still in play for the 2026 legislative session, SB 124, which Gov. Rhoden is calling a "compromise." Learn more about this topic that is happening in real time in this week's episode.Read the bill HB1077 here: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/26999Read Governor Larry Rhoden's statement here: https://news.sd.gov/news?id=news_kb_article_view&sys_id=ad6169141b0fba14df4edb1de54bcb3dLearn about SB124 here: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/27110Who is CJ Foods, what is the SF project? https://www.keloland.com/keloland-com-original/who-is-cj-foods-what-is-the-sf-project/CJ Cheil Jedang Reveals Strategy to Actively Push for Alternative Meat Production https://m.ajupress.com/view/20220329171527456

In this powerful solo episode of The Heart of Rural America, host Amanda Radke shares 12 actionable strategies designed to help small business owners, rural entrepreneurs, and family farmers succeed in 2026. From understanding your business financials to building a brand rooted in authenticity and faith, Amanda lays out a roadmap for sustainable, values-based growth.If you're ready to scale your business, streamline your systems, and lead with clarity and purpose this year, don’t miss this value-packed episode—complete with a free downloadable PDF checklist to help you take immediate action.What You'll Learn in This Episode:How to know and use your business financials to make smarter decisionsThe importance of delegation and building a strong, aligned teamSimple systems that save time and increase productivityHow to define and market your rural business authenticallyEmail list strategies and pricing tips for small business ownersSuccession planning and legacy building for family farmsThe role of self-care and faith in business leadershipAmanda’s upcoming bull and female sale event announcementHow to download the free 12-Step Business ChecklistFollow Amanda Radke on social media and subscribe to The Heart of Rural America for more episodes featuring the voices shaping agriculture, rural values, and constitutional freedoms.Presented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & CattleUse code RADKE for $10 off your next All American Angus Beef order at www.BidOnBeef.comSave on Redmond Real Salt with code RADKE at https://shop.redmondagriculture.com/Check out Amanda's agricultural children's books here: https://amandaradke.com/collections/amandas-booksLearn more about Bulletproofing Your Direct-To-Consumer Beef Enterprise: https://amandaradke.com/products/bulletproof-your-beef-business

In this powerful episode of The Heart of Rural America, host Amanda Radke welcomes back Senator Mark Lapka of South Dakota for a no-holds-barred conversation on property rights, grassroots activism, and groundbreaking legislation that could reshape the future for rural landowners.Fresh off a record-breaking rally at the South Dakota Capitol, Senator Lapka shares exclusive insights on two major legislative efforts:👉 HJR 5001 – A proposed constitutional amendment that would ban eminent domain for private gain in South Dakota, protecting landowners from seizure by private corporations.👉 SB 88 – The Bosley Bill – Named after farmer Jared Bosley, this bill addresses invasive land surveys and aligns South Dakota law with a unanimous Supreme Court ruling that protects private property from unauthorized corporate intrusion.Amanda and Senator Lapka reflect on the rising momentum of the property rights movement, the power of grassroots advocacy, and why farmers and ranchers across the state—and the country—are stepping up to defend their land.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why eminent domain reform is critical for rural communitiesHow the 2026 rally became a turning point for South Dakota politicsThe backstory behind the Bosley Bill and its legal foundationWhat HJR 5001 would change about the state constitutionHow you can get involved through AmericanLandandLegacy.orgLinks & Resources:💻 Learn more or get involved: AmericanLandandLegacy.org🎬 Watch “Little Pink House” to understand the dangers of eminent domain abuse🎧 Listen to past episodes with Senator Mark Lapka and other rural leadersStay Connected:Follow Amanda Radke on social media and subscribe to The Heart of Rural America for more episodes featuring the voices shaping agriculture, rural values, and constitutional freedoms.Presented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & CattleUse code RADKE for $10 off your next All American Angus Beef order at www.BidOnBeef.comSave on Redmond Real Salt with code RADKE at https://shop.redmondagriculture.com/Check out Amanda's agricultural children's books here: https://amandaradke.com/collections/amandas-booksLearn more about Bulletproofing Your Direct-To-Consumer Beef Enterprise: https://amandaradke.com/products/bulletproof-your-beef-business

In this episode of The Heart of Rural America podcast, host Amanda Radke welcomes her middle sister, Courtney Coughlin, a businesswoman, entrepreneur, and homeschooling mother of four. They discuss Courtney's various ventures, including her boutique CCXO and her cut flower business, Three Sisters Blooms. The sisters reflect on the importance of family, faith, and community, and share their predictions for business trends in 2026. They also offer practical advice for female entrepreneurs, emphasizing the value of authenticity, intentionality, and habit stacking. The episode concludes with a look ahead to 2026 and a special surprise for listeners.00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement00:59 Wedding Preparations and Sisterly Competition01:50 Entrepreneurial Ventures and Family Business03:29 Flower Business and Community Engagement05:51 Beauty Products and Coaching Team07:41 Social Media Strategies and Predictions for 202611:38 In-Person Events and Shopping Trends16:07 Grandma Core and Embracing Slow Living18:18 Family Time and Work-Life Balance18:45 Scheduling Meaningful Moments19:19 Involving Kids in Work20:20 The Importance of Community and Family Farm21:07 Habit Stacking for a Better Life23:39 Admin Nights: Combining Work and Socializing26:26 Faith and Family Values28:39 Intentional Living in 202629:59 Final Thoughts and EncouragementShop Red Aspen: https://redaspenlove.com/pages/incentive?srsltid=AfmBOopNOkswz8PWWlG-dJfmkmIG30focRh90PpRD91xzZowMyvRnzNJ&pws=amandaradkePresented by Bid on Beef | CK6 Consulting | CK6 Source | Real Tuff Livestock Equipment | Redmond RealSalt | Dirt Road Radio | All American Angus Beef | Radke Land & CattleUse code RADKE for $10 off your next All American Angus Beef order at www.BidOnBeef.comSave on Redmond Real Salt with code RADKE at https://shop.redmondagriculture.com/Check out Amanda's agricultural children's books here: https://amandaradke.com/collections/amandas-booksLearn more about Bulletproofing Your Direct-To-Consumer Beef Enterprise: https://amandaradke.com/products/bulletproof-your-beef-business