WASHINGTON, DC, JUNE 03, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the detection of a New World screwworm (NWS) in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas. NWS is a serious pest that affects livestock, pets, wildlife, and less commonly, people and birds. NWS larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of living animals, causing serious damage to livestock and economic losses. 

The affected animal is a 3-week-old calf and larvae were identified in its umbilical area. To date, there have been no further detections.

“All models showed New World Screwworm entering the country in 2025; however, thanks to the hard work across the entire Trump administration and our industry, state, and local partners, we were able to buy time for this moment. Protecting our livestock industry is a national security issue of the utmost importance, and USDA is wasting no time in taking action,” said Dudley Hoskins, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. “USDA invested heavily in the tools needed to eliminate NWS ever since cases started increasing in Central America and Mexico. The United States has defeated this pest before, and we will do it again.”

USDA and Texas officials are taking immediate action to contain and eradicate NWS from the United States, following the strategies and actions outlined in the NWS Response Playbook. This includes: 

• Forming a unified Incident Command Team with the Texas Animal Health Commission and deploying response personnel to the area;
• Establishing a 20 km infested zone around the detection and implementing quarantines, movement controls, and surveillance in this area;
• Expediting targeted release of sterile NWS flies by immediately deploying ground release chambers in the area, in addition to the 4 million sterile flies per week already being released aerially in the area; 
• Increasing trapping for NWS flies along the border and just outside of the dispersal area;
• Implementing NWS surveillance and management strategies in wildlife; and
• Conducting targeted outreach in the local area.

Additionally, USDA’s National Veterinary Stockpile stands ready to assist, and will provide resources including treatments, equipment, and logistics support the response as needed.

USDA will continue to work with state departments of agriculture, animal health officials, industry, and producers to mitigate economic impacts of restrictions as much as possible, including negotiating with our trading partners to regionalize any trade restrictions on live animals, limiting them to defined geographic areas.  

NWS maggots can infest livestock and other warm-blooded animals, including in rare cases people. They most often enter an animal through an open wound and feed on the animal’s living flesh.  

USDA urges residents in the area to check their pets and livestock for signs of NWS. Look for draining or enlarging wounds and signs of discomfort. Also look for screwworm larvae (maggots) and eggs in or around body openings, such as the nose, ears, and genitalia or the navel of newborn animals. If you suspect your animal is infected with screwworm, contact your state animal health official or USDA area veterinarian in charge immediately. 

While not common in people, if you notice a suspicious lesion on your body or suspect you may have contracted screwworm, seek immediate medical attention. 

The U.S. food supply is safe. Screwworms do not infest meat, fruits, vegetables, or other food sources. USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) ensures that the nation’s commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe and properly labeled. Under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA), FSIS inspection personnel must inspect all eligible animal species unless they are exempt or covered by a state inspection program.

Any evidence of screwworm infestation in an animal would be identified during these inspections, and any contaminated product from an affected animal would not be allowed to enter the food supply. 

For more than a year, USDA has led a unified response to NWS. As the lead coordinating agency, USDA has deployed advanced surveillance systems and supported robust cross-border response efforts in Mexico and Central America to combat the pest and push NWS away from the United States. These efforts have bought time for USDA to increase domestic preparedness efforts. 

Learn more about New World screwworm at Screwworm.gov.

-USDA

I recently took a trip to my old stomping grounds in eastern South Dakota. The small acreages, silos, and fertile prairie soil were all a stark contrast to my current home in eastern Wyoming. Still, I love to see the differences in land and agriculture across our great country.  

One pattern stuck out to me as I drove further and further east on Highway 212. Empty barns.  

Now, I don’t know about you, but I have an affinity for barns. You know the ones: red or white with a rounded roof and hayloft. Those that still exist have been helped along by continued refurbishing – and thank goodness for that – but few seemed to have any animals in or around them.  

While many old barns still stand, that’s nearly all they do. I think of three generations ago when the barn was the lifeblood of the farm. It’s where cows were milked, teams were hitched, and all manner of animals took shelter from the harsh prairie wind and snow.  

Now, many historic barns are used for storage sheds, if they are even used at all.  

Assuredly, this pattern has been compounding for many years, but I believe the empty old barns are representative of larger issues in the ag industry.  

It is more difficult than ever for younger generations to get involved in agriculture due to ever-increasing land prices and interest rates. Older generations seem to be hanging onto land and homes, rather than downsizing or transferring land to the next steward. Consolidation of land and assets make it difficult for small operators to expand. And those small acreages with once-great barns are hardly profitable enough for people to want to be involved in production agriculture. So, barns are empty.  

This short list is certainly not exhaustive and numerous books could be written about the issues named. However, I will live up to the stereotype that “ranchers are eternal optimists” and choose to find hope and offer encouragement.  

Even though agriculture rapidly changes, some things don’t change. Those who want to be involved in agriculture still need to be flexible, business-minded, and gritty – a lot like those who built those barns. Homesteading wasn’t a walk in the park, but neither is it simple to operate today. The common denominator is that one must be determined in their pursuit of finding an open door.  

One advantage of the modern era is that we live in the information age. That means that there is a plethora of educational resources available to aspiring and operating producers. It may be harder than ever to increase margins, optimize land or run a profitable farm or ranch. But the good news is that one can take affordable online classes, read good books, use agency resources and listen to podcasts to hone one’s knowledge on business, marketing, grazing, production and more.   

Still, no man is an island. Relationships are key to building and growing in agriculture. It is my hope that those who are passionate about entering into ag cross paths with mentors willing to help them achieve their goals.  

The small, growing subset of people who are passionate about growing their own food and raising their kids in agriculture give me cause to hope.  

As an industry, I hope we can collectively work to fill those barns once again.  

While the terms “influencer” and “content creator” may feel new to some in agriculture, the concept behind them is not. Producers have long relied on trusted voices, word of mouth and firsthand experience to guide decisions. What’s changed is where many of these conversations are happening and how far they can reach. 

Across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and more, agriculturists are sharing real-world farm and ranch life with producers and consumers. For some, social media has also become an additional business, particularly as opportunities for brand partnerships grow. 

As you scroll social media, understanding of how agricultural content creators balance work with brand partnerships can provide context for evaluating products, practices and perspectives, as well as even inspire new ideas for your own farm or ranch. 
 
Andrea Flemming, That Fit Agvocate 

Andrea Flemming, a fifth-generation farmer from southwest Minnesota who shares farming and fitness content as That Fit Agvocate, said that the broader impact of ag social media content is often underestimated. 

“We all love to scroll and there’s a lot of value to learning from one another in the day-to-day life,” she said. “For example, FarmTok on TikTok is a really great algorithm to be a part of when it comes to new ideas and discussions. I personally have learned a lot of great things that have influenced our operation in a variety of ways.” 

For Flemming, working with brands was never her original goal. 

“I never started posting on social media to ‘make money,'” Flemming said. “I started sharing as a creative outlet and to help advocate for agriculture.” 

Since 2018, that approach has remained central, but has evolved into more. 

“Now, if we fast forward, it’s the same core reasons for sharing online, but much more business-minded,” she said. “This is my job and business now, so while it’s still incredibly fun and surreal, it’s also much more intentional.” 

Today, Flemming still focuses on her passions of daily farm life, mental health and fitness, but also has longer-term partnerships that fit with her content and audience. 

“For sponsorships, I’ve transitioned to more main partners with longer-term projects versus one-off projects,” she said. “The brands I choose to work with complement what I already share and we have a solid relationship that truly allows me to share authentically in the day-to-day life of a farmer.” 

Partnerships and content need to align to get the best influence, she said. 

“With brands, generally, there are a set number of posts or a few campaigns throughout the year,” Flemming said. “We’ll work together to build the best content bundle that makes the most sense on both ends.” 

Flemming said she weighs potential partnerships carefully, balancing audience trust with opportunities.  

“It’s really exciting to get partnership offers, but too much can exhaust an audience,” she said. “If it’s not a brand that I’m excited to create content for or that does not align with my brand, it’s a no from me at this point. If I’m not into it, my audience will know.” 

To Flemming, it’s amazing how influence can translate into real-world decisions. 

“I get emails monthly from people who watch my YouTube channel sharing things they’ve learned, ways I’ve inspired them and even purchases or decisions they’ve made because of watching me over the years,” she said. “We all know ‘word of mouth’ is still the best marketing, and that is possible even more with social media and trusted voices.” 

Cole Sonne, Sonne Farms 

Cole Sonne and his family operate Sonne Farms in southeastern South Dakota, and share farm life and equipment insights on their YouTube channel, Instagram and Facebook. Over time, Cole said that partnerships with brands have grown alongside their channel. 

“We tend to work with brands that are ag-related, so not much has changed for us except that as our channel has gotten bigger, so have the brands that we work with,” Sonne said.  

Today, those partnerships take a variety of forms. 

“They range from demos to discounts on equipment to endorsements, where a brand pays for exposure,” he said. 

But the focus is always on fit and value to their operation. 

“We try to work with brands that we were customers of in the past, or to try products that we have always wanted to try,” he said. “If the partnership can have a positive impact on either our farm or YouTube channel, we will entertain the potential deal.” 

Beyond partnerships, Sonne said agriculture content, overall, plays an important role in connecting and resonating with a wide audience.  

“I think that ag content especially has an impact on our younger generations,” he said. “It helps them to get a taste of farm life at a safe distance.” 

He’s also heard how their content has provided encouragement in unexpected ways.  

“I started making YouTube videos for not just your entertainment, but for mine as well,” Sonne said. “One of the most frequent messages we get is how a loved one watched our videos during treatment of diseases and injuries. They can be good mood lifters and distractions.” 

Brandi Buzzard, Buzzard’s Beat 

Kansas rancher Brandi Buzzard, who shares ranch life and advocates for agriculture through her Buzzard’s Beat platform, has seen the agricultural creator space evolve firsthand. She began blogging in 2009, before social media partnerships were common in agriculture. 

“When I first started creating content, it was just a blog. I didn’t even have Facebook or Instagram pages,” she said. “My first partnership was a company who sent my husband and me boots and asked me to review them. That’s what it looked like early on: ‘Here’s a product. Will you talk about it?'” 

Today, she said, partnerships are much different. 

“Now there are contracts, scopes of work and deliverables,” Buzzard said. “When I first start talking to a brand, I ask what their goals are. Are they wanting brand awareness, social growth or sales? Then I talk about how I can be a partner and help them achieve those goals. Also, now, the product is part of my compensation package, and not the only part of compensation.” 

Authenticity remains central to her approach, even as partnerships have evolved. 

“I really pride myself on authenticity,” she said. “My audience isn’t the largest in ag, but it’s a loyal audience that knows I don’t promote anything just for the sake of money. I promote things I really believe in.” 

She also carefully selects partnerships that align with her operation, beliefs and personality while also balancing ranching, rodeo and raising her family. 

“If partnering with a company would damage my credibility or cause people to not trust me, I would not do it,” she said. “They’re paying for access to my audience and for my testimony and authenticity. That’s more than just the product. Historically, I also do not take on a lot of partnership work in the summer months because I am rodeoing, my kids are home and we’re doing softball and junior rodeos.” 

From her experience, partnerships can create meaningful value for agricultural businesses and producers, particularly when trust is already established. She gets messages from followers often while promoting brands and has discovered companies and products herself through social media. While she doesn’t adopt everything she sees, she often looks into products and learns more after seeing them shared by peers online. 

“Partnering with someone whose audience genuinely trusts them can provide a huge boost for awareness,” Buzzard said. “When I talk about a product I’ve used for years, my audience knows I truly believe in it. I talk about it even when I’m not getting paid. That kind of trust is incredibly valuable.” 

Like social media platforms, advertising has evolved 

While every creator approaches partnerships differently, the structure behind many collaborations is becoming more defined across agriculture. Understanding how these relationships work can help producers make sense of the content showing up in their feeds and how it may ultimately influence decisions on the operation. 

“Partnerships are typically built as part of a larger campaign tied to clear business goals, whether that is driving product sales, increasing retailer demand or building awareness for something new,” said Erin Storm, vice president and group social media director with Broadhead, a Minneapolis-based marketing agency specializing in food, agriculture, transportation, health and wellness. 

From there, brands look for creators who are a strong fit. 

“We help identify creators who are the right fit based on relevance to the product, audience and content style,” she said. “It is not just about follower count anymore. Brands look closely at how content performs, the quality of conversations in the comments, how creators respond to their audience and whether they are actually influencing decisions.” 

Execution can vary widely, from single posts to longer campaigns or in-person events. 

“Some partnerships are one-off posts tied to a key moment, while others are longer campaigns that play out over a season,” Storm said. “We also see strong results from in-person moments like field days or demos where creators can capture content in real time.” 

However, Storm said one of the biggest shifts in recent years is toward long-term partnerships. 

“The strongest partnerships start with creators who already believe in the brand or product,” she said. “You see it in how they explain things, how they answer questions and how naturally the product fits into their day-to-day. They are not just promoting. They are showing, teaching and reacting in real time.” 
 
Many agricultural creators are also still farming or ranching full time, balancing content creation with daily work on their operations. That connection to real-world experience helps content resonate with audiences. 

“The best performing content in agriculture often feels simple, direct and grounded in real experience,” Storm said. “It’s not overproduced. It is not overly scripted. The content that stands out is the content that does not feel like marketing.”  

For all producers consuming this content, Storm said the value comes from seeing products and practices in real-world conditions.  

“Partnerships do bring proximity and proof,” she said. “Producers are seeing products used in real conditions by people they trust. That is very different from traditional media, where the message is more controlled and less interactive.” 

Social media also creates opportunities for questions and dialogue. 

“Creators are often breaking down practices, sharing tips and explaining the why behind what they are doing,” Storm said. “A producer can see how something works, ask about it and get a direct answer. That speeds up understanding and can influence decision-making in a more immediate way. The brands that win are the ones that trust creators to tell the story in their own voice.” 

As agriculture continues to adapt to changing communication channels, social media content creators are becoming another layer in how information is shared across the industry. For producers, this means more access to real-time insights, peer experiences and product information, but, ultimately, the increasing opportunity to join conversations and learn from others in the process. 

When they say don’t quit your day job, Matt Wald of Lodge Grass, Montana, took it literally.  

A lifelong cowboy and rancher, he kept on ranching, even after being elected in 2018 as district judge of the 22nd judicial district in Montana, which encompasses 8,868 square miles in the counties of Big Horn, Carbon and Stillwater in the southeastern part of the state. 

Today his life and work as a ranch owner and judge of widespread territory creates a schedule that is never dull and allows him to both serve a calling and continue living the life that he was born to.  

Wald moved with his family to the Lodge Grass area when he was eight years old and grew up a traditional Montana ranch kid, horseback most days and swathing hay when he was nine years old. “I was part of the ranch labor force like most ranch kids – they gave you a job and you did it,” he said. Horses were always a part of their family, for both work and enjoyment. “We just always did things horseback,” he said. 

Wald went to high school in Lodge Grass and played football, wrestled and rodeoed. He planned to wrestle in college until he got hurt, so he ended up riding saddle broncs at Montana State University, where he graduated with an undergrad in history. Law school happened by chance, he said. “Being in agriculture made me interested in having some control over water issues, property issues, and just getting a better understanding of things that affect ranchers,” he said. A friend on the rodeo team suggested he take the law school entrance exam, so he did, was accepted and went, graduating in 1993. 

From there it wasn’t his career path, but his future wife, who took him to Miles City, Montana, where she was going to nursing school. They got married and he used his degree for several years but soon got restless and quit “lawyer-ing” to run a sizeable ranch for another local attorney.  

“Looking back, it was probably a stupid decision in a sense – there I am with one child and a pregnant wife and thank God, she followed me after student loans and eight years of college and then going right to work. I didn’t even stop to study for the bar, I just took it and kept going. And then I quit that and we moved out to the middle of nowhere for a year to run this place. Honestly, I look back now, it was a good time and great experience, but you can’t pay for law school on cowhand wages.” 

Wald realized that while he liked agriculture, he was ready to work for himself. 

He opened his own office in Miles City and did well, but even though he bought a 20-acre place outside of town, “it just wasn’t real to me,” Wald said. “Every weekend we’d load up the family and drive to Lodge Grass to help on the ranch. In 2000, my wife realized where my heart was at, and encouraged me to give the ranch a try full time.” 

Wald’s brother, who was on the place, wanted to devote more time to his work as a rawhide braider, so the family decided it would work for Matt and his family to come back. 

“When we came home, we started cautiously with a ranch corporation owning most of the cows and we put together about 25 cows as our personal stake,” he said. “I was very careful about family business dynamics, having seen too many wrecks as a lawyer from poor planning and communication. We gradually phased out the corporate cattle and now my brother and I run our own cattle in conjunction but each own our own. This allows autonomy while still working together.” 

They’ve been on the home ranch for 26 years now and have gradually built up their cow herd. “My wife Patty is a ranch girl and very helpful, and our kids love the ranch work.” 

The Walds have three children: their daughter Elle is married to Lawson McGill and they ranch near Powderville, Montana. Elle was a state brand inspector for five years and is now making wool saddle pads while raising a two-month-old baby and a two-year-old. Their oldest son Ross went to Miles Community College, worked as a professional farrier, then cowboyed for several big outfits including the Sunlight, Padlock, the YP in Nevada, and a yearling place in Wyoming before coming back home.  

“I think it’s important for kids to work elsewhere first so coming home is a choice, not just because they don’t know what else to do,” said Wald. “Ross is now buying his own cattle and we’re seeing if we can make it work for him to take over eventually and trying to make sure we do it right.” 

Their youngest, Connor, worked in the Bighorn Basin and went to Miles City for college. He works starting horses near Parkman, Wyoming, and helps at home when he can. 

In 2000, a new judicial district was created in Montana, carved from three counties that had been part of the Yellowstone County (Billings) district. Wald worked as a law clerk for the first judge for two years, then “I hung out my own shingle and practiced law in Hardin until 2018, when the other judge quit and basically forced me into running,” he said. 

Today, his life is “ruled by a calendar” as both a rancher and judge. 

“While agriculture requires doing things when they need to be done, I create my own calendar but have to fit everything in,” he said. Wald builds in a week in October for shipping and gathering, and a week in the spring for ranch work. He typically travels to each county every other week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, driving 150 miles to Red Lodge, 130 to Columbus, and 42 to Hardin. All district judges have statewide jurisdiction, and he can hear cases anywhere and help other judges when needed, so he often works other locations as well. 

“The job as judge is really full, but sometimes trials get settled at the last minute, and it frees up time for ranch work. On weekends I don’t go anywhere – I just love doing ranch work, that’s what I do in my spare time,” he said. “Obviously the judge job has to be the priority since I’m elected, but the ranch work still has to get done.” He says it wouldn’t be possible without his wife, brother and now, son, on the place.  

“Since Ross has been back, the fences are getting better and things that need to be done can get done when they need to. That takes stress off me because even though cows are my stress reliever from the judge job, when something breaks or the bulls get out, if I’m holding court in Red Lodge, I can’t fix it.” 

Wald said his agricultural background has definitely helped in his judicial role – there are certain cases he’s heard, like water access or disputes over brands – where he understands the intricacies of the issue. In addition, common sense of how the world works is imprinted on ranch kids at an early age. 

“Ranch kids are doing real things in childhood – they understand things die, but you still try to make them live, and everything has real consequences. If you don’t feed them, they don’t live. If you don’t fix the fence, you lose them all. I think this helped me establish an ability to stay grounded. My people are ranchers – I’m a rancher who’s a judge, and I was the same way as a lawyer. I truly think that growing up and still being involved in ranching day-to-day helps me do a better job. I always want to try to be fair and make decisions that I can explain my reasoning to someone. They may not agree, but I’ll have a reason.” 

“I truly think that growing up and still being involved in ranching day-to-day helps me do a better job.” 

– Matt Wald 

As a district judge, Wald handles general jurisdiction – all felonies, dissolutions, child custody, dependency and neglect, civil cases over $15,000, probates and more.  

“Seeing all the awful stuff as a judge makes me appreciate what I have with ranching, though that doesn’t discount the stressors and difficulties of the ranch deal too. Looking at both positively, I try to strike a good balance and do better in both,” he said. “A bad day out here on a horse is better than staying in the office. This place is in my blood – the Bighorn Mountains are looming over me all the time here, and I just miss the cows and the real deal when I’m away.” 

Wald feels they need more lawyers in eastern Montana, especially ranch kids with a base of work ethic, focus on reality, and ability to understand not just agriculture but rural communities and what they need. “The legal education is valuable – you can do a lot with it even without practicing law.” 

Ryan Rigler neighbors the Walds in Lodge Grass and has considered Matt a close friend since he moved to the area 18 years ago. “Family, work and integrity – that’s the best way to characterize Matt,” said Rigler. “We tease him a little bit about being a lawyer, whenever he gets out his yellow lawyer notepad in the branding corral or something, but we just have to give him a hard time. 

“He’s as good as they come – he and his wife raised a couple of good kids and our kids grew up together and ranch rodeoed together; we trade help and rope together.” 

Rigler said Wald’s successful work as a judge in addition to the ranch work is a tribute to his meticulous and organized character, and his practical nature adds common sense to both jobs that helps them complement each other. Above all, his unwavering reliability and willingness to help stand out in both careers. “It doesn’t matter what time you call him, if it’s nine o’clock to help you the next day, he’ll be there,” said Rigler. “When we go to his place to rope, every time you leave, you always leave with a handshake and a big thank you. He’s as good of a neighbor as you could ask for.” 

Wyatt Glade is the former Custer County attorney and current Deputy Attorney of Big Horn County, as well as has a private law practice and ranches with his family south of Miles City. He met Wald when he first moved to Miles City as a starting lawyer.  

“I shared a ‘cowboy background’ with Matt and he was always one of the guys I looked up to,” said Glade. 

“Matt is an excellent attorney, just on his own merits – I know of two, maybe three instances where he has literally changed the law of the state through just his work as a criminal defense lawyer.  

“When you have a person sitting as a judge who has some real-world experience in the agriculture world and a ton of real-world experience as a trial lawyer, it makes the process much better, much more fair for the parties involved. 

“He is very honest, very direct, very common sense based. He knows what he’s going to do and you’re not going to talk him out of it because he did the work and he knows when he’s right.” 

In his early years, Glade was often mistaken for Wald. “I was always getting called Mr. Wald, and I soon learned that’s definitely a compliment. He’s not just a cowboy who’s a lawyer. He’s not just a cowboy who’s a judge. I was lucky enough to have him give me some advice from time to time. I think very highly of him.” 

When a family farm has been the focus for six generations, each generation has an opportunity to leave its mark on the family business. That’s what Colby and Kendra Olson, Kimball, South Dakota, are doing today at their family’s ranch. 

The ranch is home to multiple business enterprises, all related to the cattle industry, including a feedlot, cow-calf operation, backgrounding and most recently, a direct-to-consumer beef business.  

“We’re trying to be as diverse as we can with different enterprises,” Colby said. 

Started with a Feedyard 

Colby’s great-grandfather, Clifford, passed the ranch down to his daughter (Colby’s grandmother), Nancy, and her husband, Wayne. While the couple enjoyed raising show cattle, they branched out into the feedlot business. In 2007, Wayne got all the required permits for a confined animal feeding operation (CAFO) and built a feedyard. Wayne and Nancy also expanded the cow-calf operation under their leadership. Today, the feedyard is in two locations, and Colby and Kendra are working to expand the feedyard. 

Cattle from the feedlot are sold on the grid to Cargill, taking advantage of both genetics and quality grade. The family does custom feed quite a few cattle, a practice that started small and has kept growing over the years.  

Colby’s father, Chad, bought out the cow-calf operation from Wayne in 2016. Colby and Kendra have their own commercial Angus cows, too. Colby and Wayne have also purchased some cows from other Angus herd dispersals, keeping the best sons out of those cows to raise as bulls that are used on their own cow herd.  

Artificial insemination has been at the core of the family’s commitment to excellent cattle genetics for 50 years. Around 1977, Wayne approached Clifford and asked for his blessing to try AI on the cow herd. Clifford gave his approval, and the family has never looked back, breeding everything by AI to registered Angus bulls ever since. The family also uses CIDRs and a seven and seven synchronization protocol, so all females can be bred the same day. 

“We like to stay on the cutting edge of technology while still evolving,” Colby said. “With a multigenerational ranch, the more generations it lasts, the tougher the ranching business gets.” 

Another aspect of the business that Colby has started is a bred heifer operation. Each year, either in the fall or spring, Colby buys heifers from reputable Angus ranches and breeds them by AI. The heifers are then turned out with bulls purchased from Conneally Angus for clean up, and they’re developed on a cost-effective ration before being sold.  

Lyon Ranch Beef 

Lyon Ranch Beef launched on Jan. 1, 2025, selling prime, home-raised beef directly to consumers. The business has been successful, selling beef processed in a federally inspected plant in Nebraska. The couple uses social media to promote their beef and sells beef from Easter to Christmas. They sell prime rib, tenderloin, hamburger, and 28-day aged steaks—what Colby calls “special occasion steaks”.  

“When we have an open buying window, it’s non-stop messaging,” he said. 

Colby always knew he was going into the meat business in some form. He competed on the South Dakota State University livestock judging and meat judging teams while in college, and did an internship in Garden City, Kansas, as a carcass merchandiser.  

Colby and Kendra’s four children are the seventh generation to grow up on the ranch: Clancy, 10; Georgia, 9; River, 6; and Vera, 3. Kendra will be returning to work at the ranch this spring after teaching kindergarten for 13 years. 

Providing Genetic Value 

“The Angus breed just seems to check all of the boxes for us,” Colby said. “Carcass traits with the Angus breed have gotten substantially better, even in the last five to 10 years. When we sell our home raised cattle on the grid, we’re pushing 50 percent prime. We want to sell the best you can buy, whether that’s a fat steer, a bred heifer, a backgrounded calf, or beef. That’s our goal, and Angus bulls help us do that.” 

Even younger calves with an Angus bloodline have enough performance to make the weaning weight standard that Colby and Kendra aim for. Heifers look soft, broody, deep-bodied, and have a “cow look” to them, while still maintaining high foot and udder quality. 

Colby said he used to pick 10 bulls and be very intentional about matings. But for the last couple of years, he’s bred every female to the same bull, a Conneally bull that sold to Select Sires. Breeding 800 units of semen from the same bull has resulted in consistent cattle that are all half-siblings.  

“We want replacement heifers that are sired by a bull with carcass data behind him, so if she’s used for the beef business, it’s a quality product, and if she’s sold as an open heifer, there’s still value there.” 

Heifers are bred the first week of June, with cows being bred the first week of July. Bulls are turned out five days later, with females calving in March and April. 

Once heifer calves are selected to keep in the herd, the other calves are backgrounded in the family feedyard before being sold at Kimball Livestock in the spring. 

“We’re lucky here in South Dakota that we have really good livestock auction markets,” Colby said. “Kimball is only 14 miles away and it’s as good a yearling market as anywhere in the country.” 

The family chops silage and puts up hay each year to help feed the cattle, although they do buy some hay, too. 

Important Perspective 

Colby and Kendra would like their cattle business to be in such a place that if one or more of their children want to return to the operation, there’s a place for them to be able to do that.  

“It gets in your blood, and they enjoy working with us every day,” Colby said. “In the cattle business, there’s good days and not so good days. We want them to come back to the ranch because they love ranching, not because it was expected of them.” 

In his free time, Colby is active on the board of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association. He has noticed a trend that there’s not as many young people getting back into the beef business, while ranchers aren’t getting any younger.  

“I’ve been the youngest guy at the sale barn for 12 years,” he said. “I hope the next generation steps up a little bit. It’s our turn to get involved and give our opinions. If you want a seat at the table, you have to be willing to get involved.” 

Photo Captions 

6582: Colby and Kendra Olson and their children. The sixth-generation ranchers are from Kimball, S.D. Photo courtesy of the Olson family. 

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In the wide-open landscapes of northwestern Wyoming, where sunrise paints the sky in hues of pink and gold and cattle dot the horizon, Dr. Danielle “Doc” Flowers has built a life that bridges science and creativity. As a veterinarian serving the Cody and Meeteetse region, she spends her days caring for animals that sustain ranching operations and companionship alike. In her spare time, she brings those same animals to life through richly detailed portraits — capturing not just their likeness, but the spirit of the West that surrounds them. 

For Flowers, the path to veterinary medicine was never in question. “I was one of those people who knew I wanted to be a vet from the time when I was five years old,” she said. “I grew up loving horses, loving animals. If there was a dog in the room, I’d go to the dog instead of talking to people.” 

That early passion guided her academic journey from Aurora University to the University of Illinois veterinary school. Though she had always been drawn to art, Flowers put it aside during her veterinary schooling. 

Finding Home in the West 

It was Wyoming that ultimately shaped both her career and creative identity. After completing a pre-veterinary internship in the state in 2016, she fell in love with its landscapes and the Western lifestyle. “I knew I wanted to move to the West – it’s always just kind of been who I am,” she said. 

Today, Flowers works as a mixed-animal veterinarian, treating everything from small pets to equine patients and livestock. Her experience reflects the diverse needs of a rural, agriculture-driven region. “We see anything and everything, so we don’t turn anything down,” she said. “I’ve become the rat vet of the area, but I’ve grown to be very, very passionate about the livestock industry.” 

Her time in larger livestock practices exposed her to the scale and significance of production agriculture. Working with large cattle operations gave her a deep appreciation for the role veterinarians play in herd health and producer success. 

Building Trust with Producers 

Now, in Cody, she is actively building relationships with ranchers and producers — something she views as central to her work. “When it comes to ranching clients, that relationship is unique,” she explained. “Their animals are their livelihood. So it’s always a balance of trying to do what’s financially right for the producer but also medically correct for the animal.” 

That balance requires trust, communication and a shared understanding of long-term herd health. Flowers emphasizes the importance of explaining the “why” behind veterinary recommendations, helping producers see the value of preventive care, such as vaccinations. 

Art as an Outlet 

While veterinary medicine anchors her career, art has become an equally meaningful outlet — one born from the emotional realities of her work. Flowers returned to drawing after entering practice, initially as a way to cope with difficult cases. 

“Our job can be extremely difficult,” she said. “Those difficult euthanasia cases really hit me hard, and one of the ways that I liked to deal with those situations is I started drawing custom portraits for owners who lost their pets.” 

What began as a personal coping mechanism grew into a renewed passion. She invested in learning pastel techniques through an online course and quickly found her artistic stride. “Since then, it’s the one medium that I love and I’m really passionate about,” she said. “It’s definitely my go-to.” 

The Science Behind the Art 

Although she works in a variety of mediums — including acrylics, oils, charcoal and pencil — pastels offer her the flexibility she prefers. “It’s so easy for me to be able to shade colors and add details,” she said. 

Her veterinary background plays a critical role in shaping her artwork. A deep understanding of anatomy and structure allows her to capture animals with accuracy and nuance. “My art got 10 times better when I learned anatomy,” Flowers said. “I catch myself looking at an animal and thinking about the shades of colors in their coat.” That keen eye for detail doesn’t just benefit her art — it also enhances her clinical work. “It’s helped me see details on an animal that people often overlook,” she said. 

Inspired by Ranch Life 

Much of Flowers’ artistic inspiration comes directly from her surroundings. Living on a remote ranch with sweeping mountain views, she is immersed daily in the landscapes and animals she later recreates on paper. 

“When I go to work in the morning, I get the most beautiful view of the mountains,” she said. That connection to place is evident in her subject matter. While many commissioned pieces feature dogs and cats, Flowers is especially drawn to livestock and working animals — particularly horses and cattle that reflect the Western lifestyle in which she is now immersed. 

Where Two Worlds Meet 

In a small, close-knit ranching community, Flowers’ dual identity as both veterinarian and artist often overlaps in unexpected ways. Clients who know her professionally are quick to connect her to her creative work — even in the exam room. “I’ll be in the middle of an exam, and a client may ask if I can draw a portrait of their grandma’s dog,” she said with a laugh. 

Her artistic skills also serve a practical purpose in veterinary care. Flowers frequently sketches diagrams to help clients better understand medical conditions and procedures. “I’m able to draw in a way that people can kind of understand,” she said. “A lot of times, I’m drawing diagrams to give them a visual side of things.” 

Sharing the View Through Her Eyes 

At its core, Flowers’ work — both as a veterinarian and as an artist — is rooted in connection: to animals, to producers and to the land itself. Through her portraits, she hopes to share that connection with others. 

“My goal is to be able to show them what I see,” she said. “I would love for people to be able to look through my eyes and see a glimpse of what I experience out here.” 

In a profession where science often takes center stage, Doc Flowers proves there is still room for artistry — and that, sometimes, the two are more connected than they appear. 

All photos credit | Rylee Olsen Photography 

Kate Janak and Kourtney Tejral are making the world a more beautiful place, one bloom at a time.  

The FFA students, both juniors at East Butler High School in Brainard, Nebraska, are co-owners of K & K Floral Blooms. 

They launched their business in August of 2025, after their interest in floriculture was piqued as freshmen in high school.  

“I grew to love floriculture and flower design,” Kate said. “We wanted to take it to the next level and share our floral design skills with others. We thought it would be a great way to start a business, make extra money, and do something we really enjoy.” 

Their first big business project was Homecoming at East Butler High School, creating lay bouquets for royalty candidates, as well as wrist corsages and boutonnieres.  

Their next big project was a flower subscription. For $100, subscribers could get a floral arrangement once a month for three months, each with its own theme or color. Then the girls did a “floral bar” at a craft fair, offering the chance for people to choose their flowers and make a bouquet, with arranging advice from the girls. And recently, they provided table arrangements for a bridal shower.  

Kate and Kourtney have received mentoring, help and funding from the Launch! program with the Engler Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. They’ve traveled to Lincoln for classes and gotten resources online, too. Earlier this year, they were part of a “pitch contest” – pitching their idea to a panel of judges – and won $1,500. 

That money, plus the profit they’ve made so far, will go towards a flower cooler. It’s not a cheap investment. The cost is more than $6,000, and since the manufacturer is in New Jersey, they’ll have to pay for freight to get it to Brainard, Nebraska.  

The new cooler will be placed in the shop at Kate’s farm. So far, their work has been done in the FFA room at school, but this summer their headquarters will be at the Janak farm along the highway which offers easy access to customers. The girls will also purchase a work table designed specifically for floriculture. “Normal tables are too low,” Kourtney said, “and you can hurt your back from leaning over.”  

Their flowers come from a wholesaler in Omaha, who delivers about twice a month. “We always have something in the cooler,” Kate said.  

The girls have learned a lot through the last nine months of being in business.  

One thing that stands out is the estimations needed to buy enough inventory (flowers), but not too many. Since they are perishable, flowers that aren’t used have to be thrown out.  

“It’s a lot of calculations,” Kate said, “so that we’re making a profit, and not charging too much, but not having leftover flowers.” They limited the number of floral arrangement subscribers, so they could estimate their flower needs better.  

Time management was also a skill they honed. Both students are involved in sports (both in cross country and track, and Kourtney in basketball) and in clubs such as the National Honor Society, FBLA, student council, Letter Club, and FFA (Kate is the 2026-27 FFA chapter president and Kourtney is chapter vice-president.) 

Homework and activities had to be balanced with working on flowers.  

“We had to make sure we had enough time to get our floral arrangements done,” Kourtney said. “We always figured it out, because we love working with the flowers. It’s not a bad thing to come to school extra to work on flowers.”  

The girls will plant some of their own flowers this summer in their home gardens, and at the vegetable farm of good friends, the Pekareks. They hope to raise zinnias, strawflowers, coneflowers, and some wildflowers. 

And they’ve had potential customers interested in purchasing wedding arrangements from them. That’s a big step they may take. “Wedding flower arrangements are so big and there are so many of them,” Kate said. “We’re new to that and slowly trying to get into that.”  

 
Both girls are farm-raised (Kate has a small herd of Red Angus cattle), so floriculture as an agriculture angle didn’t occur to them before they took classes as freshmen.  

“You think of farming as row crops and livestock,” Kate said, “but there is so much more to it. In FFA, in your freshman year, it opens your eyes quite a bit to all the possibilities in agriculture.”  

After high school graduation in 2027, Kate hopes to attend Bryan School of Nursing in Lincoln and pursue a BSN. Kourtney plans on attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln or South Dakota State University, majoring in horticulture or landscape design with a minor in business.  

Having the business experience is a big benefit, they say.  

“It’s been a good experience for us. We have the background knowledge of what it takes to do it all,” Kate said.  

The two are cousins and best friends, and working together has been enjoyable. Working with flowers is something they both love.  

“We’ve been able to grow with this business,” Kate said. “We love working with flowers and being able to brighten someone’s day when they pick up their flowers. It’s been an awesome experience.” 

The students’ FFA advisor is Jenny Kocian. Kate is the daughter of Mitchell and Wendy Janak; Kourtney is the daughter of Alan and Tammy Tejral.  

Their business can be found on Facebook at KK Floral Blooms and on Instagram at KandK Floral Blooms.  

“Other people are going to find healing in your wounds. Your greatest life messages and your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest hurts.”  

– Author Rick Warren 

Jo Vitek is living proof of Warren’s idea, using her own wounds as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse to lead others to healing through her ministry Hope, Healing, and Hoof Prints.  

After enduring years of sexual abuse as a child, Jo pursued a career in law enforcement as an adult, getting certified in Georgia, Florida, and South Dakota. Though she never disclosed her history during her career, it stayed with her through 40 years of policework, giving her an “edge” as she worked her way up from patrol officer to Chief of Police. She said she had “a burning desire to right a wrong, if you will,” that gave her “huge compassion for victims, especially children.”  

When Jo was 55 and retiring from police work, “God opened the door for [her] to step into the pulpit” when a local minister asked her to fill in in her absence. 

“I had long talks with God about this,” Jo said.  “Are you sure you want me to do this?” she prayed.  

Jo began preaching at the First United Methodist Church in Watertown, South Dakota. One day, she shared that she was a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. The response was overwhelming, as countless women and children started confiding in her and disclosing their own experiences of sexual abuse. At the time, Jo told her husband, Tony, that she knew she “was supposed to do more for kids that had been sexually abused.”  

At that time, Jo had been working with a horse named Brandy at Joy Ranch– an experience she says gave her a lot of healing. This gave her the idea to give children who had been sexually abused an opportunity to come to Joy Ranch to experience the same healing that she had through equine companionship.  

With the help of Jan DeBerg of the Watertown Area Community Foundation and Joy Nelson of Joy Ranch, Jo started Hope, Healing, and Hoof Prints in 2016.  

“God set me up really well to be in that position,” Jo said, noting her extensive connections from her years in police work and her strong ties within the faith community as founder of Divine Providence of South Dakota, a nonprofit that operates several ministries in northeast South Dakota.   

With a little networking, Hope, Healing, and Hoof Prints was soon receiving referrals and serving children.  

When children come to Joy Ranch, they are paired with a horse, and they progress from grooming to bridling, then on to saddling and riding. In the beginning, each session was done individually, but Jo said they soon realized that the group sessions were powerful, as “the kids realize they’re not the only one that this has happened to.”  

Group sessions also afford parents an opportunity to connect with one another as they support their children on their healing journeys.  

After experiencing sexual abuse, a person’s trust is shattered, sometimes “even to the extent that [they] don’t trust God because He allowed this to happen,” Jo said.  

This inability to trust is where the child’s relationship with the horse makes all the difference, as they “regain a sense of control and learn to trust the horse and have the horse trust [them].” Jo said,  

“There’s this mysterious thing that occurs between the horse and the kid, and they bond. You can see it in their eyes; you can feel it in their breath.” Something powerful happens inside a child’s soul when these powerful creatures yield to and care for them, Jo believes.  

“There’s this mysterious thing that occurs between the horse and the kid, and they bond. You can see it in their eyes; you can feel it in their breath.” 

– Jo Vitek 

Originally, Hope, Healing, and Hoof Prints was meant to serve children, but Jo began to see a need among teens and college students, so they extended the program. Still, Jo saw a need among adults, and with a generous contribution from Doug Sharp and his direction to Jan DeBerg – “tell Jo to use this however she needs it” – Jo was able to extend the program to them as well by hosting rides and retreats. 

They have also extended the opportunity for adult survivors to help with the children, which has been a healing experience for many. Jo recalls one adult survivor looking at a young girl and saying, “I just can’t believe that someone would do that to her.” 

Jo, who knew a bit of this woman’s story, gently asked, “And how old were you?” Jo said, “It just hit her like a ton of bricks. Oh my gosh, that was me. That was me. And so it gave healing to [her].”  

“It affords those who are adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse the ability to help a kid. It’s actually when you get outside of yourself and start helping someone else that you start healing.”  

Jo recalled the story from Luke’s gospel when Jesus told Simon Peter that Satan desires to sift him and the others like wheat.  

“To paraphrase, when you’re going through it, you’re going to think you’re dying. But then when you get through it, you use your experiences to help the others.” Jo said they have all been sifted– some at very young ages and others later in life– but what was meant for harm can be taken, by God’s grace, and used for good.  

Since she founded Divine Providence of South Dakota, Jo’s mission has always been simple: help others have a thriving relationship with Jesus Christ. Hope, Healing, and Hoof Prints is an instrument for that mission, using the power of the horse to help souls heal. She takes no credit, saying that because the Lord saved her, she owes Him everything.  

Jo tells everyone, “When Jesus came back from the dead, He came back with His wounds exposed because He wasn’t ashamed of what someone else did to Him.” Jo is also neither ashamed nor afraid of her wounds. 

Jo Vitek’s story is one of transformation—of wounds turned into witness and pain given over to purpose. Through every life she touches, whether by her witness of faith or the quiet strength of a horse beneath someone learning to trust again, her mission continues to unfold. In surrendering her past to our Lord, she has created space for others to do the same, reminding them that healing is possible, redemption is real, and no wound is beyond the reach of His grace.  

For many Montanans, the outdoors and ranch life are more than just a job—they are a fundamental identity. When injury or illness threatens that connection, the impact is both physical and emotional. Since 2022, the Cutting Fences Foundation has worked to bridge this gap, restoring access and quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and veterans across the state. 

A Mission Rooted in Reality 

Founded by occupational therapist Kendra Lewis, the foundation grew from a doctoral capstone project at Rocky Mountain College. While researching the agricultural community, Lewis discovered a significant population of producers working from wheelchairs without adequate resources. 

“I realized Montana lacked the tools to help people keep doing the things that bring them purpose,” Lewis says. This revelation led to the creation of the foundation’s core initiative: the Adaptive Equipment Loan Closet. 

Because Montana lacks local manufacturers for adaptive gear, sourcing equipment is a major hurdle. The Loan Closet removes this barrier by offering free access to specialized tools, including Action Trackstanders and TerrainHoppers for rugged ranch work, Freedom Trax and Coach Lifts to assist with mobility and machinery access and Coyote Outriders and Firefly attachments. 

These tools allow Montanans to return to fencing, tending livestock, and hunting. Beyond the physical utility, the impact on mental health is profound. “Restoring capability restores the person,” Lewis explains. “Being able to contribute to the family unit again eases a massive financial and emotional burden.” 

The restorative power of the foundation is often seen in small, human moments. When rancher Jeff Willmore used a Trackchair to stand for the first time in months, he joked to Lewis, “You’re not as tall as I thought you were.” After months of others looking down at his wheelchair, the ability to stand eye-to-eye was transformative. 

Looking Toward 2026 

The foundation is currently working toward establishing a permanent “Rural Resource Barn.” This hub will house inventory and partner with MonTECH—the state’s assistive technology program—to make resources more accessible to Central Montana. 

Through its Quality of Life Fund, the foundation also helps families navigate unexpected medical costs and assists individuals in securing permanent ownership of their own adaptive equipment. By combining advocacy with hands-on support, Cutting Fences ensures that a physical limitation never marks the end of a life outdoors. 

Visit cuttingfencesfoundation.net or contact Kendra Lewis at 406-217-1166. 

A Few Seconds Can Change Everything: The DuWayne Wilson Story 

For Scobey rancher DuWayne Wilson, a few seconds changed everything. 

It was January 2015, and DuWayne decided to take his team of mules for a quick spin with the cake wagon. 

“Those mules were feeling frisky, but it was a pretty day and my wife wanted to come along,” DuWayne remembers. “When she ran into the house to get something, I decided to take them in a few circles around the yard. I was leaning into the lines pretty good when the front wheel hit a series of gopher holes. I fell over the front of the wagon and landed on top of my head.” 

The accident injured several vertebrae in his neck. Although he never lost consciousness, he was paralyzed from the chest down. Today, he still has use of his arms and hands, a result he credits not only to the ambulance crew in Scobey and the teams of doctors in Denver but also to the team at Craig Hospital in Denver. 

He also credits Kendra Lewis and the Cutting Fences Foundation. Lewis contacted him shortly after his accident for a podcast interview, which eventually led DuWayne to the foundation’s “Loan Closet.” The program allowed him to test various types of equipment to see what would best assist him with daily chores. 

The Wilson ranch is heading into its sixth generation, and DuWayne and his family are determined to continue the Wilson legacy. Today, he manages to do more than most folks with full mobility. He operates the swather, tractor, and any other piece of equipment thanks to a specialized lift. During calving season, he utilizes a track chair to perform night checks. 

“You are close to the ground in a track chair, which makes it easier to grab a calf,” Wilson said. “Night calving is tricky even for someone with two moving legs, but I am generally able to get anything into the barn and into the calf warmer.” 

He also uses the chair to fix fence and handle other ranch maintenance. Wilson cautions that, especially as one ages, trying to overcompensate for an injury with other body parts—his shoulders, in his case—isn’t sustainable. He advocates for using technology and equipment to bridge the gap. 

Agriculture is in Wilson’s blood. He lives about a mile from where he grew up; his great-grandparents settled in the valley in 1909 and 1915. Although he spent 25 years as an ag teacher and FFA advisor for Wolf Point and surrounding towns, he always knew he would return to the land. In 2022, he and his wife designed and built a one-story house with total mobility in mind. One of his sons now lives on the original homestead and another son and his family live on a great uncle’s homestead.  

Wilson remains a resource for others in similar situations, offering a perspective rooted in forward-thinking. 

“You don’t make yourself feel better by making other people miserable,” he said. “I told myself I was going to do whatever it takes to be the best version of me I could be. I try to be positive, though I understand not everyone can do that.” 

He noted that there are many people in the same position in rural areas, though they are often not seen out and about. He frequently receives calls from friends of friends looking for advice on the next steps to take. 

Wilson worked with state vocational rehabilitation through the Department of Public Health and Human Services to secure federal funding for his own equipment. However, the ability to test those tools first through Cutting Fences was the turning point. 

“I was able to use a loaner chair through the spring and early summer while I waited for my own to be delivered,” Wilson said. “It’s really a benefit to be able to borrow a piece of equipment and realize, ‘Yes, this is going to work for me.'” 

It was an insult to their wine that got the Johnson family started in the vinegar making business. 

And since then, they’ve sold their high quality, traditionally made wine and balsamic vinegars across the nation and around the globe.  

George Johnson, a retired rancher in the Sandhills near Cody, Nebraska, planted grapes for wine in 1999. He was careful about the variety he planted, as the climate in northern Nebraska isn’t conducive to the typical wine grape.  

And from those grapes came fruity wines, with a different taste than in any other wine. 

It was a friend of Emily Johnson, George’s daughter, who suggested they do something else with the grapes and wine. 

“He said, “I feel like this wine would make a good vinegar,” Emily said, “which could be viewed as insult,” she laughed. But the comment wasn’t meant to be rude.  

From that, a new idea was born.  

George and Emily worked with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln food science department to do market research. They determined the market was promising, “and we said, ‘let’s give it a shot. We didn’t know what we were doing, we didn’t know anybody we could talk to about how to do it.”  

They began by making wine vinegars, learning the process of adding acetobacter to the wine and allowing it to “finish” – for the acetobacter to convert the alcohol to vinegar. It takes twelve to eighteen months for the wine vinegars to be produced, unlike conventional mass-produced vinegars which can be made in several days.  

Their vinegars include eight varieties: Apple Cider Vinegar (with the crisp flavor of fresh fall apples); Brianna (a white wine vinegar that has notes of pineapple, citrus and apricot); Edelweiss (a white wine vinegar with flavors of apple and cherry); Prairie White, (a white wine vinegar with elements of pear and rose); Prairie Red (a red wine vinegar); Temparia (a red wine vinegar with layers of cherry and wild rose); Raspberry (made from raspberry wine); and Emilia, a balsamic vinegar.  

Ingredients, as much as possible, are sourced locally. The grapes come from right down the road at Niobrara Valley Vineyards, long-time friends of the Johnsons who started their vineyard to supply grapes for the vinegary (where the vinegar is made). Niobrara Valley Vineyards has now expanded into making wine and has added a large event venue to the ranch as well. The apples come from Arbor Day Farms in Nebraska City. The raspberries are the hardest to source; there used to be a grower in eastern Nebraska, but that source no longer exists.  

When they started out, George, a natural salesman, went to Omaha, taking along samples for the high-class restaurants. 

“Dad is a character,” Emily said. “Him walking into these fancy restaurants in his cowboy hat and boots and having that be (the chefs’) first impression, and then he pulls out these super elegant bottles of vinegar, it’s a juxtaposition. That was part of the charm, too.” 

But the product sold itself. The chefs were wowed, and word spread that George Paul Vinegar had an excellent product.  

The Johnsons opened shop in 2009, and word of mouth has been their only form of advertising.  

The production facility and visitors center is located in a straw bale building, designed by Emily and chosen for its uniqueness and aesthetic and energy-efficient properties. The bale walls are over two feet thick and provide insulation against the cold and the heat. The combination of straw bale construction and vinegar-making sets the business apart and attracts more interest from the public. 

The Johnsons are also known nationwide for their balsamic vinegar. Balsamic vinegar is made differently than wine vinegar. Instead of starting with wine, balsamic starts with juice. Acetobacter is added, and the liquid is aged in oak barrels or with an oak stave. The Johnsons age their balsamic vinegar for up to ten years before selling it.  

There was a learning curve in figuring out how to make balsamic. They made multiple batches, but they all gave off a terrible odor. Eventually they figured it out; the bad smell was part of the process. As the vinegar aged, the odor went away.  

The balsamic “is our most famous product,” George said. “It’s what put us on the map.” Very few vinegar production facilities in the U.S. make balsamic the traditional way.  

Their balsamic, priced at $75, is named Emilia, as a tribute to Emily, and in honor of the Reggio Emilia area in Italy known (and legally permitted by the Italian government) to make this type of vinegar.  

Their Emilia balsamic vinegar was made famous by a reporter from the Wall Street Journal, who did a report on American-made balsamic. When her article came out, sales of the balsamic went through the roof. But because of the time needed to age it, there was a limited quantity.  

“It became so famous we couldn’t keep up,” George said. Customers were asked to sign up for it, and as it became available, it was shipped to them.  

The vinegars, both wine and balsamic, can be used to accent dishes.  

“I like to tell people that using vinegar is a lot like using salt. When you salt something, you enhance the flavors and bring them out,” Emily said. “That is exactly what vinegar does. 

“A dash of vinegar is going to brighten anything you make and deepen the flavor.”  

One unique way to use the raspberry vinegar is by putting it on vanilla ice cream. “It’s the most amazing thing on ice cream,” Emily said. “It really isn’t vinegar and it really isn’t ice cream. It becomes a new dish.” 

Vinegars can also be used in place of salt, for those who have sodium restrictions. 

“For me, vinegar is a staple, and my kids notice if I forget the vinegar in something. They’ll say, ‘what’s wrong with this?'”  

The vinegar is corked and bottled in fancy bottles with labels designed by Emily. The corks provide a better seal than screw-on caps and add a distinctive look. Emily, a letterpress printer, labels the bottles of balsamic using an antique printing press.   

The vinegary is open for tours. Everyone who comes in is treated to free samples and visits with George, who loves to talk to guests. They’ve had visitors from across North America, Europe and Australia.  

The people “are my biggest joy,” he said. “I’m a storyteller. I like to meet new people, interact with them, tell good stories, and have some laughs.”  

The irony of making vinegar in cattle country with nothing but grass and hills for miles is not lost on George.  

“It’s crazy, it really is,” he said. “But I’ve been called crazy a lot of times over the last 60 years. I’ve had so darn much fun with it. It’s been a great hobby for me. We’re so glad we did this.”  

George and his wife Karen have been married for 51 years; in addition to Emily (who is married to Michael Knapp), they have two sons: Adam, married to Breanna, and Eric, married to Holly, and eight grandchildren.  

More information about George Paul Vinegar can be found online at GeorgePaulVinegar.com.