The Rural Dispatch
Welcome to The Rural Dispatch, the podcast that delivers honest conversations from the fields, the highways, and the home front.
I'm your host, Aly Behrens - headquartered in rural Iowa, I help run a trucking company that specializes in hauling livestock nationwide.
I was born and raised in small-town-Iowa and I’m passionate about rural communities and the people who help them thrive. Since becoming a mom, I’ve taken a step away from my own career in finance and into a behind the scenes role in our second-generation family business. I’m proud to help continue the legacy of hard work and dedication that built this business. I’m building a life with a multi-faceted business owner who also holds the title of truck driver, cattle feeder and dispatcher, all while we both work together to manage office operations, oversee business development, and bring the next generation along to show them the ropes, just like their grandpa did with their dad.
If you’re anything like us, you wear a lot of hats in your operation. This podcast is for people like you: hardworking men and women in the rural trucking, livestock and business communities who are juggling all the things every day. Whether it’s running loads, managing a herd, staying compliant, or handling the bookkeeping, we know the challenges you face because we’ve lived them.
In our weekly episodes, I’ll bring you a mix of my own experiences as I navigate the ins and outs of these industries, stories with my better half, Smoke about the lessons we’ve learned throughout our time in this business, and interviews with experts who tackle the pain points we all probably face at one time or another. From trucking to livestock production to rural entrepreneurship, this show is here to equip you with the tools, resources and a supportive community to help you thrive.
Whether you’re in the cab of a truck, out checking cattle, or sitting at your kitchen table, we hope you’ll tune in and find value in conversations that speak your language. No matter your role in the industry, there’s something for everyone here.
Buckle up, friends, there's lots to come. If you enjoy an episode, it would mean the world to us if you would share it with a friend. Keep up with us between episodes on our socials, at Behrens and Co., or subscribe to our email list on our website to receive new episodes directly to your inbox every Wednesday. Thanks for being here. We'll talk soon.
The Rural Dispatch
Turning Iowa Farmland into Grass & Building a Seed Business from Scratch with James & Megan Holz
In this episode of The Rural Dispatch, we’re sitting down with James and Megan Holz—farmers, livestock producers, entrepreneurs, and one of the husband-and-wife duos behind Iowa Cover Crop. James and Megan share the story of how they ventured into feeding hogs and the lessons they’ve learned navigating that world, and how it differs from cattle feeding. We dig into the unexpected origin of Iowa Cover Crop — a business that began over beers in a garage between friends, and how it’s grown into a trusted seed provider serving farmers across the Midwest and beyond. James also shares what it was like feeding cattle for the first time on his own and how his approach has evolved over the years. Both James and Megan open up about their professional backgrounds, James as a grain merchandiser and Megan as a CPA, and what it took to transition into running their own ag-focused businesses full-time. From restoring Iowa farmland back to pasture to graze cattle, to growing organic corn with long-term goals in mind, the Holz family is committed to making smart, sustainable moves in agriculture. This is a candid and practical conversation packed with insights for anyone balancing family, business, and a love of the land.
Resources & Links:
Iowa Cover Crop - Seed Dealer and Cover Crop - Central Iowa, Des Moines, Ames
Follow along on ICC's socials: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube
This episode is sponsored by Jefferson Monument Works in Jefferson, Iowa.
Crafting custom granite memorials, markers, vases, and more — all designed and engraved in-house with care and craftsmanship since 1947.
Learn more at jeffersonmonumentworks.com or call 515-386-2652.
Because some stories are meant to be set in stone.
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