Deep in the heart of America's farm country, Big Iron stands as the nation's largest agricultural show, sprawling across 300 acres of the Red River Valley Fairgrounds. On this special episode of America's Land Auctioneer, host Steve Link takes us through the final day of the 45th annual event, capturing conversations with the innovators shaping modern agriculture.

The spotlight first falls on Chris Paulson and his groundbreaking QA Farmer app. Born from frustration with existing digital tools, this purpose-built application consolidates weather forecasts, grain market data, and inventory management into one intuitive interface. "I used to log into four or five websites," shares one farmer, "now I literally just have to go into one app." Developed in just three months after consulting with dozens of producers, the app represents agriculture's ongoing digital transformation.

We then journey into the sugar beet harvest with Harrison Weber of the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association. Weber explains the unique dual-harvest system and the delicate balance between sugar content and tonnage. With prices down 30-40% year-over-year, producers face significant challenges, yet remain optimistic about crop quality. "A good crop can mitigate some of those things," Weber notes, highlighting how weather, factory efficiencies, and storage conditions will ultimately determine the season's success.

Ross Johnson of Agassi Drain Tile shares insights from his company's 20-year journey and their expansion into precision planting technology. "Getting everything placed, both spaced out evenly and at depth, with the same compaction over it" dramatically affects yield, Johnson explains. His comments reinforce a recurring theme throughout the episode: even in challenging economic times, strategic investment in the right technology delivers substantial returns.

The episode concludes with Fair Director Cody Cashman revealing record vendor participation and exciting plans for next year's show, including the potential addition of a combine demolition derby. His passion for agricultural education shines through as he describes the fairground's year-round educational center and livestock enrichment program.

Ready to experience more insights from America's agricultural heartland? Subscribe to America's Land Auctioneer and visit piferscom for expertise in farmland management and auctions where experience truly meets results.

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What makes a community's stories worth preserving? Rick Thompson believes the answer lies in the rich tapestry of western heritage that defines North Dakota—a legacy he's dedicated his career to protecting as Executive Director of the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Thompson's journey from Bowman, North Dakota to his current role spans decades of deep connection to rodeo and western culture. With an animal science degree and 25 years producing a nationally syndicated rodeo program, he brings authentic passion to the Hall of Fame's mission. When asked why this work matters, Thompson's answer cuts to the heart: "If we don't tell our story, what's that story going to sound like?"

The conversation reveals how the Hall of Fame functions as far more than a museum. Beyond its impressive exhibits honoring legendary cowboys, ranchers, and rodeo champions, the facility hosts land auctions, receptions, and community gatherings. Perhaps most remarkably, Thompson and his staff of seven don't wait for visitors to come to them—they travel extensively throughout North Dakota and beyond, sacrificing countless weekends to connect with communities and members who've relocated to warmer climates.

This dedication speaks to a deeper truth about preserving heritage: it requires going to where people are, meeting them in their own communities, and creating opportunities for stories to be shared. The Hall's ambitious expansion plans—adding 10,000 square feet with technology-focused areas for younger visitors—demonstrates their commitment to evolving while honoring tradition.

As Thompson explains, the urgency of their mission grows daily: "We lose those people every day. We lose a piece of that history when somebody leaves us." From the sod houses of early settlers to today's multi-generational ranches, these stories create an unbroken chain connecting past and future. Through creative fundraising (including auctioning a donated motorhome that attracted bidders nationwide) and a network of over 300 trustees who nominate Hall of Fame inductees, the organization continues finding innovative ways to capture these narratives before they're lost forever.

Want to be part of preserving North Dakota's western heritage? Visit the Hall of Fame in Medora, attend an event, or consider supporting their expansion project through membership or donation. Every contribution helps ensure these powerful stories will inspire generations to come.

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What happens when rural communities face development projects that promise prosperity but threaten local resources and way of life? Trent Luce, the voice behind Luce Trails Media for 26 years, joins us for a frank conversation about the changing landscape of America's heartland.

Trent shares his journey as a sixth-generation American farmer whose family built their Illinois barn in 1889—a structure that still stands today as his nephew prepares to become the seventh generation of land stewards. This deep connection to agricultural heritage frames our discussion about modern challenges facing rural America.

We dive into Trent's formative experience managing a pig farm on the Rosebud Reservation, where he hired and trained tribal members amidst 87% unemployment rates. While the project initially offered hope, it ultimately revealed how development initiatives can divide communities along unexpected lines. This experience transformed Trent into a passionate advocate for transparent communication about food production and rural development.

The conversation shifts to today's pressing rural development issues—particularly AI data centers consuming unprecedented amounts of electricity and water in small communities. When Trent reveals that a single AI center in Cheyenne will use five times the electricity of every home in Wyoming combined, we're forced to question the true cost of these projects. Are the promised jobs worth the resource drain? Who truly benefits when tax credits drive development decisions?

We also explore the status of controversial CO2 pipeline projects across the Great Plains and how South Dakota's grassroots opposition has effectively challenged corporate interests. Throughout our discussion, one message rings clear: when communities organize and show up at public meetings, they retain control over their future. As Trent powerfully states, "We haven't shown up to hold accountable the people representing us in this representative republic. If we start showing up, we actually dictate the direction of the ship."

Ready to understand what's at stake in your community? Listen now and discover how property rights, resource management, and citizen engagement intersect to shape rural America's future.

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Contact the team at Pifer's