Wyoming podcast makes debut
Lusk – Kristy DeGering grew up on a multi-generational ranch with her dad Kenny, mom Barbara and brother Jerit. After graduating high school, she attended the University of Wyoming (UW) where she majored in agricultural communications and agricultural business.
While at college, she was active in the Wyoming Collegiate Cattle Association (WCCA) and she was also an Ag Ambassador – an advocate for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Her involvement with Ag Ambassadors as a student lead to a position as the recruitment coordinator for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources for two and a half years.
“I loved this job because it gave me the opportunity to meet students from all over the country – my favorite part was learning about them and why they were passionate about agriculture and what they wanted to do in the industry,” she shared. “I got to be a part of those students’ stories.”
After accepting a position as a human resources recruiter for an accounting firm, DeGering found herself not as immersed in agriculture as she once was with her previous job, so she decided to start a podcast called, Ranch House Radio.
Giving back to ag and using skills learned
“I started to think of ways I can give back to the agriculture industry as well as pull myself back in,” she shared. “Being an ag communications major in college, I learned all of these skills which can be combined into this podcast.”
The podcast’s first episode aired on March 5. DeGering is looking forward to sharing the stories of producers, ranchers and agriculturalist from across the industry. The name of the podcast was inspired by the stories told sitting around the table or a fire during branding, she said.
“The name of it – I was trying to think of different things and I kept thinking of names but they were taken or there was something similar out there,” she explained. “I got to thinking about what I wanted the podcast to be about and for me, learning people’s stories is something I love doing.”
“Everything made me think about sitting around the table at county fair or at the ranch, and everyone is telling stories – I loved that. Soaking up everyone’s funny stories, sad stories, good things, bad things – all parts of it. Ranch House Radio became an avenue and platform to share producers’ stories,” she said.
Future episodes
The second episode of the podcast was recently posted on March 12, and featured Trey Wasserburger with TD Angus at Rishel Ranch of North Platte, Neb.
Wasserburger talked about his background and how he didn’t grow up on a ranch in a traditional sense of agriculture but as a part of the Wasserburger family, who originated in Niobrara County. Throughout the podcast, the pair discussed TD Angus at Rishel Ranch’s history, stories, an inside look at their new program and their upcoming bull sale.
DeGering noted she would love to do interviews in person going forward, but with people’s schedules and technology – it makes it easy to connect with an array of people and make those connections.
“A lot of the guests on my list have some sort of relation to the state of Wyoming or UW,” she said. “I’m excited to tell authentic agriculture stories – in a way I want to promote different operations and businesses so people are getting connected.”
Coming episodes will be featuring M Diamond Angus of Glenrock, ranchers across Wyoming, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources personnel and more family stories from Kristy.
“I think it’s going really well and I’m looking forward to it expanding – people are following the social media every day and there are more and more people visiting the website,” said DeGering.
Looking back, DeGering has always envisioned herself involved in agriculture, but didn’t think it would ever be through a podcast.
She shared, “This is something people can enjoy and get value out of. It doesn’t have to be for just someone in the agriculture industry, it can be for someone brand new to the industry. I just want to be an advocate for this industry I love so much.”
At the end of the day, DeGering is reminded of a quote her previous co-worker, mentor and advisor would jokily say, “Without agriculture, we would all be naked, hungry and sober.”
“Agriculture affects everyone’s lives whether they like to admit it or not, and I just want to be able to share the wonderful people that are part of this industry and how it works,” DeGering concluded.
Ranch House Radio has a presence on Facebook, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music. Tune into these platforms to listen to future episodes.
For more information, visit ranchhouseradio.com or e-mail kristy@ranchhouseradio.com.
Brittany Gunn is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
