JUNE 2021
COVER STORY
Three Surprising ways Dairy Farmers are Implementing Sustainability on their Farms, pg. 25 GetRuralLeaderMag.com | JUNE 2021 1
Contents
7 Pursuing a Mortgage with ‘less-than-perfect’ Credit Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication that highlights every day people doing extraordinary things nationally and abroad. www.RuralLeaderMag.com www.GetRuralLeaderMag.com
About Us
Launched in March 2014, Rural Leader
Magazine, LLC is a digital publication with a mission to highlight every day people doing extraordinary things in business, education, music, community, art, sports, and leadership nationally and abroad. Rural Leader Magazine honors exemplary individuals on a variety of levels, such as the 20 under 20 Honors, 40 under 40 Honors, Best Small Town Restaurant, Small Town America’s 100 Most Influential People, the Scholars of Collegiate Distinction, Fifty under Fifty, and the Eagle Elite Club.— Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part, in English, or other languages, is prohibited without written consent. Send editorial ideas to Kuanita Murphy, PhD, Editor-in-Chief editor@ruralleadermag.com Contact Us info@ruralleadermag.com editor@ruralleadermag.com ruralleadermagazine@gmail.com
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9 A Healthy Balance: How to Make the Hybrid Office Better for You 11 Six tips for Controlling your High Blood Pressure 13 How a Surprising Discovery led to a New Cancer Screening test 15 How to Crush Interviews and Build Relationships-Even Through a Screen 16 Taking action: Three Ways Businesses can Support Careers for Women in STEM
18 Seven Tips to Avoid Distracted Driving 21 Growing a Sustainable Future from Pasture to Plate 23 Looking to improve your finances? Here are Five Tips COVER STORY 25 Three Surprising ways Dairy Farmers are Implementing sustainability on their Farms 27 Going remote permanently? Five Essentials for a Successful Work-from-home Environment 29 Essential Services for Growing Your Business in a Post-pandemic World
Tell us what you think about our publications, if you have a great idea for a story, or to just share. We may print your comments in Rural Leader Magazine. By sending us your comments, you’re giving permission to call you for an interview. Please be sure to include your name, address, email address, and phone number so we can reach you. Write to us at info@RuralLeaderMag.com—
Editor’s Note Dear Readers, Inside this issue, there are a number of great articles about leadership best practices, building positive self-esteem and productivity! We hope you enjoy this issue. As always, I hope you enjoy this issue and continue to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google +, and LinkedIn. Thanks again for your continual support! Sincerely, Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
What you do matters. @RuralLeaderMag
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Pursuing a Mortgage with ‘less-than-perfect’ Credit Owning a home is the cornerstone of the American dream. There’s nothing like having a permanent plot of land you can call your own. But, if you’ve hit a rough patch with your credit score, this dream might feel like it’s out of reach. However, finding a suitable mortgage with a “less than perfect” credit score is still possible. Is there a minimum credit score for mortgages? Typically, there isn’t a minimum credit score required for mortgage applications. However, recent blending of government policy and business practice have resulted in a current credit score threshold of around 620. But some lenders may have the power to determine their own score acceptance limit. This can make it hard to find the institution where you may qualify, as each lender operates a little differently. No matter where you’re at in your path to homeownership, or what your score is, here are a few tips to help you secure that mortgage: Exercise all of your options. If you’ve had lenders reject your conventional mortgage application, there is no need to worry. That’s because there are several loan options available aside from conventional mortgages. Some of those include: * FHA loans: This is a loan provided by an FHA-approved lender and while there are no maximum income limits on an FHA insured loan, they have typically been used for first-time homebuyers or low-to-moderate income borrowers. The loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration. FHA loans require a small down payment (typically 3.5%) and will frequently accept borrowers with lower credit scores. * VA loans: For current and former members of the military, a VA loan can be a viable option for securing a home. VA loans typically don’t require any down payment; are partially backed or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs; and are frequently made available to active duty or former
members of the military with lower credit scores. * USDA loans: Like FHA loans, these are frequently made to low-to-moderate income individuals with low to moderately low credit scores. However, to qualify for a USDA loan, your home must be in a USDA-designated suburban or rural location. Work to improve your credit. If you’re not interested in utilizing a government-backed loan such as FHA, VA or USDA, improving your payment habits, thereby boosting your credit score, can be another viable option. Even if it takes time to raise your credit score a few points, it can still be beneficial. You can boost your score by making consistent, on-time payments, and finding ways to diversify your credit mix or lower your overall credit usage. Buy within your means. Even if you have a bad credit score, lenders will perceive you as less of a risk if you stay within your means when buying a home. Lenders will likely analyze your income to obligations closely to see if you have leftover reserves every month (which they refer to as “residual income”) to help absorb the shock of unexpected expenses. Do your best to save as much as you can for a down payment, but remember - private mortgage insurance can help minimize a down payment shortage. Don’t give up. While the mortgage qualification process can be challenging, it’s essential to stay vigilant. If it looks like you’re going to get a “no” at first, it might just mean more work needs to be done to evaluate your situation more deeply. Many times, a “no” is really a “not just yet.” But with persistence, patience and passion, you can still achieve your dream of homeownership. Learn more about what your score looks like and examine the factors using VantageScore’s consistent, accurate and inclusive scoring models at https://vantagescore.com/consumers/our-models.—
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A Healthy Balance: How to Make the Hybrid Office Better for You
Hybrid work environments, combining remote and in-person work, are here to stay because the hybrid office offers flexibility that benefits employees and organizations without detracting from productivity. But with those benefits, there have been challenges. Remote workers have struggled with setting boundaries, building and deepening team relationships, and getting the easy access to resources they need to do their job. How should workers adjust to this remote model? After a year of accelerated experimenting due to the pandemic, there are clear steps employees can take to ensure this new hybrid model of work is successful. A few important considerations can help you limit your work stress and approach your job with a healthy body and mind. Be part of company culture. As wonderful as remote work can be, there’s simply no substitute for in-office bonding, whether it’s around the coffee machine or on lunch break. A hybrid work environment necessitates the creation of a different kind of company culture, one that treats remote work as part of the new normal. Schedule virtual coffee breaks and lunches with coworkers; if you’re overwhelmed with screen fatigue, start an activity like a book club or a health challenge that gets you (and your colleagues) away from the computer. If shared activities like an online cooking class or scavenger hunts aren’t already happening, suggest similar activities to your HR team. It’s possible to create social connection even through Zoom and across miles - it just takes a shift in perspective and some creativity. Be intentional about balance. Whether you have a dedicated office space, or your kitchen table does double duty as your desk, creating a healthy work/ life balance has become much harder when there’s no physical distinction. The new workday often means getting emails, Slack messages, or Zoom invites
well before your day starts or long after it’s ended. Whether you’re working from anywhere every day, or just a few days a week, set boundaries. Block time for breaks away from your screen and for exercise; eat healthy and avoid the all-too-tempting pantry of snacks; develop a habit of scheduling meetings within everyone’s workday; and, with the occasional exception, decline meetings that fall outside of yours. Because discipline around boundaries can be difficult to maintain, think about using some of the popular apps created to help you. Advocate for the technology you need to do your job. While innovation has made hybrid work possible, certain tools elevate the experience. Three key considerations should drive an organization’s technology decisions for those logging in from anywhere. First, go with solutions based in the cloud. The old model of software that has to be downloaded on an employee’s desktop computer or on servers tucked away in a company closet doesn’t meet the performance or innovation demands of modern business. Second, security is a top priority. Securing devices with antivirus and keeping work devices separate from personal use are just two best practices, and IT teams should distribute security policy to help educate employees. Lastly, the employee tech experience has to be a great one. A directory service like JumpCloud allows employees to access any resource they might need using a single log-in, offering top-notch behind-the-scenes security so workers can focus on what matters - making work happen. While the contours of the post-pandemic world are beginning to take shape, those preparing for the permanent presence of a hybrid workforce will be ahead of the game.—
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6 tips for Controlling your High Blood Pressure Did you know high blood pressure (hypertension) is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and “The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Control Hypertension,” nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, yet only 1 in 4 has their hypertension under control. High blood pressure is called a silent killer, as it frequently shows no signs or symptoms. Uncontrolled high blood pressure puts people at higher risk for heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of death in the U.S. Who is at risk? The likelihood of suffering from high blood pressure increases with age, but all adults are at risk. African Americans are more likely than White Americans to have high blood pressure, develop it when younger, and have worse outcomes. The good news? It is possible to control high blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke and other conditions. “High blood pressure is dangerous, and unfortunately all too common,” said Janet Wright, M.D., acting director, Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention at CDC. “Regularly checking your blood pressure and working with your healthcare team are vital first steps to help keep your high blood pressure under control.” Here are tips for achieving lower blood pressure and supporting your heart health: 1. Get your checkups. If you’ve put off regular wellness exams, take time to catch up. Talk to your healthcare provider about hypertension, especially if you’ve had high blood pressure readings, high blood pressure associated with a pregnancy or family history of hypertension. For checkups, use telemedicine if available, or communicate with your provider by phone or email. If you must visit in-person, protect yourself and others. * Before making an appointment, call your healthcare provider or check their website to see what measures they are taking to keep people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. * Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when you must go out in public. * Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth. * Stay at least six feet away from others. * Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get home. 2. Know your numbers. At your next checkup, ask your healthcare provider what your blood pressure numbers are, what they mean, and if you are at risk.
If your blood pressure is high or borderline high, ask what actions can help lower your blood pressure. You can also ask your provider about using a home blood pressure monitor. Learn how to obtain one and use it. Ask your provider about electronic health record portals or other ways to track your numbers and how you can receive clinical advice to manage your hypertension. 3. Take medications as prescribed. Medications are often an important part of blood pressure control plans. Follow your provider’s instructions carefully. If you experience problems getting or taking your medicines, talk with your healthcare team. 4. Make positive lifestyle changes. While medications may be prescribed to help control your high blood pressure, these lifestyle changes may also help: * Boost your physical activity - Start small, like adding a daily walk * Eat a heart-healthy diet - Include more vegetables, fruits and whole grains * Watch your salt intake - Read food labels and choose foods with less sodium (salt) 5. Reduce your stress. Taking care of yourself is always important, especially during challenging times. Stress can contribute to health conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and other illnesses. How can you reduce your stress levels for better health? * Be aware of stress. Do you have headaches, muscle tension or other symptoms? Observing what causes you stress and how your body responds is the first step. * Move more. Physical activity can help reduce stress, whether intense exercise or a walk around the block. * Try relaxation tools. Whether deep breathing, meditation or yoga - relaxation tools can help you let go of stress. Find what works for you! * Talk to someone. Call a friend or mental health professional. Talking out a problem can help to reduce your tension. 6. Quit smoking If you smoke, now is the perfect time to quit. According to the CDC, smoking increases your risk of: * High blood pressure * Heart disease * Heart attack * Stroke Ask your healthcare provider for support for quitting smoking. Visit CDC.gov/heartmonth for health tips, blood pressure logs and more.— GetRuralLeaderMag.com | JUNE 2021 11
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How a Surprising Discovery led to a New Cancer Screening test You may have heard the story about how penicillin was discovered by accident: A Scottish researcher studying the influenza virus came back from vacation to find mold on a culture plate that actually prevented the growth of staphylococci bacteria. And this is not the only case in history of a scientist discovering one thing when they were searching for something else. In 2013, healthcare company Illumina began offering a non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) to pregnant women in an effort to find tiny DNA fragments in the women’s blood that might indicate chromosomal abnormalities in the fetuses they were carrying. Armed with that information, researchers could potentially detect genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. Dr. Meredith Halks-Miller, pathologist and laboratory director of Illumina’s NIPT clinical lab at the time, noticed odd findings in some of the blood samples of the pregnant women. They didn’t show evidence of the chromosomal disorders the test was designed to find, but they indicated abnormalities that raised suspicions. “I was pretty sure that these expectant mothers had cancer and didn’t know it,” Halks-Miller recalls. “I encouraged the clinical consulting staff to do more clinical follow-up for these patients even though they appeared to be healthy.” Halks-Miller shared the information with Illumina’s chief medical officer at the time, Rick Klausner, a former director of the National Cancer Institute, who told her, “I don’t know of anything else that changes the genome the way you’re showing me here.” Sure enough, 10 women with these DNA abnormalities were eventually diagnosed with cancer. That led to the development of Galleri, a new multi-cancer early detection test from the healthcare company GRAIL, spun off from Illumina in 2016, with Klausner as a cofounder. The new test, expected to become commercially available by the summer of 2021, could potentially revolutionize cancer screening. And early cancer detection has the potential to lead to major reductions in both expense and mortality rates. The beauty of machine learning. Up until now, in the U.S., there have been early-screening tests for only 5 types of cancer: * PSA test for prostate cancer * Colonoscopy for colorectal cancer * Mammography for breast cancer * Pap smear for cervical cancer
* Low-dose CT scan for people at high risk for lung cancer But dozens of other cancers - ones for which no screening tests are available - are often detected only after they’ve begun to spread, making treatment more difficult. Although the science behind the Galleri test is sophisticated, the underlying premise is straightforward. It uses a single blood test that can detect multiple types of cancers from DNA fragments found in the blood. In fact, in clinical studies, Galleri demonstrated the ability to detect more than 50 types of cancers, as defined by the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Manual. It can also indicate where the cancer is located in the body, which can help physicians determine the appropriate diagnostic workup. Scientists have long known that cancer cells shed DNA fragments into the bloodstream, but until recently, they were unable to discern those signals from background noise. Galleri uses machine learning essentially algorithms - to filter out the background noise. This use of algorithms means that the test may also improve over time, such as detecting additional types of cancer. “As more people use the test, the data gathered will improve our ability to interpret the test for the next people,” Klausner explained. “So Galleri is probably going to be much better in the future. That’s the beauty of machine learning.” The company’s models estimate that by adding Galleri to diagnosis by existing cancer screening tests, the test has the potential for earlier-stage detection of nearly 70% of cancers that result in death within five years, which translates to the potential to avert 39% of deaths that would otherwise be expected if not for early detection. A path to early detection. As the company prepares for Galleri’s launch, Klausner explains the intentional balance of enthusiasm with a bit of skepticism. “The company has been set up from day one to be its own harshest critic, because we don’t want to emphasize hype over promise,” he says. “We’ve done large, rigorous clinical studies. We’ve put skeptics on our Scientific Advisory Board. But I feel very comfortable saying we’ve begun to break the back of this holy grail of cancer, which is early detection.” To learn more about this groundbreaking test, visit www.grail.com/galleri.— GetRuralLeaderMag.com | JUNE 2021 13
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How to Crush Interviews and Build Relationships-Even Through a Screen Have you been on a recent virtual date or job interview and just not felt the energy you might have in person? You’re not alone - as the pandemic has taken away the ease and safety of in-person meetups, “Zoom fatigue” has become a regular part of our vocabulary. Sometimes, trying to connect with someone through a webcam just doesn’t feel right, but the good news is that there are solutions. Some people have mastered the Zoom life and have some tips to share about how to foster really meaningful personal interactions, even through a screen. “You’ve got to let your curiosity fuel you,” says OZY CEO Carlos Watson. As host of the viral YouTube talk show sensation The Carlos Watson Show, Watson has created the warmest place on the internet, where his uniquely charming conversation style leads to some of the most intimate conversations with the world’s biggest names. “Don’t think of it like you’re miles away; appreciate the intimacy Zoom brings - you’re in each other’s homes.” And while Watson has invited TV’s most diverse lineup to his virtual coffee table, boasting names from Ava DuVernay to Mark Cuban, John Legend to Megyn Kelly, here are his top tips for anyone trying to get past Zoom fatigue and create real relationships over calls: Start in a place of mutual understanding. Having interviewed everyone from President Obama to Karl Rove, Tomi Lahren to Rep. Ilhan Omar, Watson knows he might not agree with every guest, but emphasizes the importance of finding common ground. “It feels like one of the most divisive times in history,
but we need to remember that there’s more that connects us than divides us,” he says. Try to find something you do agree on or a mutual friend or favorite activity. Starting things off on the right foot will allow the rest of the conversation to go more smoothly. Have an open mind and no expectations. Don’t approach a new conversation with expectations, because you may be disappointed if they’re not met. But an open mind allows conversations to take whatever serendipitous turn they might. Watson knows this, and covers a notable range of topics with the world’s top names. Let your conversations wander, because you never know where they might take you. Surprise yourself with creative questions. Along with avoiding presuppositions of the conversation, avoid presupposing what your conversation-mate might be interested in talking about. In his show, Watson focuses on asking creative questions. He might talk about love with politicians, politics with musicians and music with athletes. Whether on a virtual date or job interview, the likelihood is the person you’re talking to is used to getting similar questions and doesn’t get to be creative with their answers. By thinking outside the box with the questions you ask, and pivoting from the norms, you can get the most genuine answers. Hopefully you feel prepared to tackle that next Zoom interview or ask your Hinge date for a virtual coffee. And make sure to check out Carlos Watson’s expertly charming conversations on The Carlos Watson Show.—
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Taking action: Three Ways Businesses can Support Careers for Women in STEM There is a severe global shortage of women entering careers in Science, Technology, Education and Mathematics (STEM). According to the National Girls Collaborative Project, women occupy just 28% of STEM careers, despite constituting half of the total workforce. This long-standing problem leaves businesses and institutions chronically missing opportunities and talent. Those lost opportunities are front-of-mind for many technology CEOs, including Chris Adams, President and CEO of Park Place Technologies, a U.S.-based source for data center hardware maintenance and a full suite of managed services. “The future of the technology industry depends on engaging, supporting and retaining a diverse workforce, including more women,” he said. “As a tech company, we believe businesses like ours play a central role in addressing this problem. That’s why we’re actively engaged in designing programs that offer 360-degree support for women interested in careers in STEM, including mentoring, internships and jobs.” Here are three concrete ways employers can engage, support and train young women in STEM 16
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careers. 1) High-quality externships. Technology companies play a critical role in shifting outdated perceptions about STEM careers by showcasing the opportunities available to women in STEM. Developing a rigorous, supportive externship means establishing a radically new, highly positive environment for young women from their first day in their chosen field. Of course, not all externships are created equal. The most valuable externships, for all parties, will: * Provide diverse career training: STEM career training is the most important part of a STEM externship. However, externs should also receive holistic exposure to modern, global business practices and real-world job experience. This is something the Park Place Technologies Women in STEM (WINS) externship program showcases. Young women participate in shadowing employees through myriad modern business scenarios and challenges. The experiences reinforce the importance of flexibility and problem solving. And, because the program is global, participants meet colleagues in other regions and hear about innovative problem-solving techniques
used around the world. * Support and challenge participants: A great externship is equal parts encouragement and ambitious goal setting. One of the best support strategies is engagement from the company’s leadership team - the C-suite. When leadership is an accessible resource throughout the program, participants have their potential as young women in STEM reaffirmed. At the same time, ambitious goals are key to tapping that potential. In the Park Place WINS program, participation culminates in an end-of-externship project presentation to management and C-Suite executives at Park Place Technologies. It’s the combination of active support and high expectations that make the capstone project so impactful and delivers a successful, stimulating experience. * Nurture leadership skills: In male-dominated fields like STEM, a woman’s experience will be very different, even if a job’s subject matter, roles and responsibilities may be the same. Therefore, it’s important for young women to shadow and see women in leadership positions as role models. This potential difference in experiences should also be reflected in leadership training, so as to provide perspective for females learning about management. * Lead to job offers: When externships are designed to result in job offers upon successful completion, everyone benefits. Not only will top-quality candidates be attracted, but employers are also incentivized to invest in a robust program providing genuinely valuable experiences. 2) Invest in introducing young women to STEM. Another key to growing women’s participation in STEM majors and careers is supporting and investing in community events. Perhaps the best examples of this is the IWISH program, an Ireland-based, award-winning, volunteer-led community committed to showcasing the potential of STEM careers to
female secondary school students. Since 2015, over 40,000 young women have attended the IWISH program. This year, the event drew a global audience for the first time, with attendees hailing virtually from countries across the globe including Kenya, Singapore, Canada, Peru and the U.S.A. STEM businesses are investing in the future of their industry by supporting programs like IWISH through donations, event participation and promotion. 3) Innovative, people-oriented management. Ultimately, a company’s culture hinges on the actions and attitudes of management. To that end, management is fundamental to making STEM fields appealing for women to enter and remain within. Identifying and addressing roadblocks to women’s participation requires leadership to be willing to see the opportunity to promote STEM and develop effective programming that is mutually beneficial. By continually offering innovative programs that break down the barriers for women joining the industry, businesses can reinforce positive change. “Innovation has always been at the heart of our company,” Adams said. “It’s how we’ve evolved and grown over the last 30 years into a global organization providing companies around the world industry-leading solutions to help manage critical technology infrastructure. We’ve also put great emphasis on a positive company culture that listens. Now, we’re using these values to ensure Park Place Technologies, and the technology industry as a whole, steps up to make STEM truly supportive and achievable to women.”—
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Seven Tips to Avoid Distracted Driving It is estimated that 81% of drivers read and type text messages while driving, 70% use social media while driving and 50% say their smartphone is essential for getting around, according to AT&T It Can Wait. What can you do to keep the roads safe by limiting distractions? 1) Use your phone’s built-in tools: Set your phone to Do Not Disturb, and avoid phone calls even if they are hands free. Preset your navigation and any preferences. 2) Don’t cut corners: Avoid texting or using your phone in stop-and-go traffic or at lights. 3) If it’s an emergency, pull over: No call is worth jeopardizing the safety of you and your passengers.
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4) Recruit a navigator: If you’re driving with a passenger, enlist them to perform navigation and other tasks like climate control and audio selection. 5) Hands on the wheel: Resist personal grooming, eating and drinking while driving. 6) Leave pets at home: If you must travel with yourpet, don’t let them roam freely in the car. 7) Utilize technology when it makes sense: Telematics programs like the USAA SafePilot App can bring undesirable driving behaviors like phone handling to light, and encourage safer driving by offering auto insurance savings. For additional information on the USAA SafePilot App, visit usaa.com/safepilot.—
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Growing a Sustainable Future from Pasture to Plate The next time you take a bite of beef or pork, take a minute to ponder how that food gets from the pasture to your plate. There is a veritable team of ranchers, veterinarians and even sustainability experts working behind the scenes to find new ways to improve care for animals and the environment while making the food on your plate even more delicious. Many food companies are working hard to offer a sustainable food supply without depleting our natural resources, which is no doubt one of the biggest challenges facing modern society. Meat industry leader Swift is at the forefront of that movement, with a solid track record for reducing its carbon, water and electricity footprint. In fact, they recently committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. With regard to animal welfare, Swift requires all its farmer and rancher partners to follow specific animal welfare guidelines and regulations, in addition to getting additional certification of their practices. Rancher Steve Gabel is one of those partners. Growing up in a small farm town, he spent 10 years in 4-H and went on to become the first person in his family to graduate from college. “I had an opportunity to learn what I think were some very strong, yet basic fundamental things like work ethic at a young age.” He believes that has given him “a certain set of values that we try to carry over day to day in the things we do in our feedyard business.” His business, Magnum Feedyard, includes a team of 32 employees who practice sustainability in their everyday work. Gabel says it “takes buy-in from
every staff member and we’ve worked aggressively to get that buy-in throughout the team.” He believes that as a result “we’ve created an atmosphere within our company where everybody supports our efforts.” Making sure animals are healthy and cared for is another integral component of the work being done throughout the supply chain. When it comes to the health of the herd, “every individual animal matters,” says veterinarian Dr. Kayla Blake. On the hog farm, there’s always someone on hand “throughout every aspect of these pigs’ lives. They want to make sure these animals are happy, content, fed well.” And being part of the animals’ life cycle, “makes me really proud because everything that my team does actually affects the final product.” Dr. Blake says by having people constantly on site with the animals “we’re able to actually put in processes to help streamline everything throughout the whole farm, which is pretty neat.” Another thing that is pretty neat? When a job becomes more than just a paycheck. “Working every day together,” says Dr. Blake, “you end up being a family, and families take care of each other.” When it comes to raising livestock and reducing your carbon footprint, it is a continuous journey and there are always ways to improve. Read more about what sustainability means to the food supply and Swift’s own sustainable journey at swiftmeats.com.—
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Looking to improve your finances? Here are Five Tips A new survey reveals that people are focusing more on saving money due to COVID-19. The Coinstar survey found nearly three out of four people (74%) say they are likely to set aside an emergency fund in the future due to COVID-19. The survey also revealed that people who had savings said they dipped into it more than twice over the course of the past year, highlighting just how important a savings account or an emergency fund can be. The survey also found people reexamining what they spend money on, ways to plan for the future and how to be more conscious of their overall financial picture as a result of the events of the last year. Almost half (46%) of those surveyed said they plan to “tighten their belt” by actively spending less. If you’re one of the many Americans looking to improve their financial situation and emergency-proof your finances, here are some tips to get you started. 1. Establish a post-pandemic budget. As people emerge from the pandemic, more options like eating out, entertainment and travel are available. Develop a workable budget now, that includes room for discretionary spending, to make it possible to do the things you look forward to when you feel comfortable. 2. Create an emergency fund. This year made it clear that even people with stable jobs can have their livelihoods upended by unforeseen events. No matter how you earn a living, it’s a good idea to have three to six months’ worth of expenses set aside in an account for emergency use only, so you aren’t tempted to dip into it for splurges. Start small by setting up automatic deposits from your paycheck into a special savings account, and save up change that you accumulate daily to add to your emergency fund once a month. 3. Consider selling personal items. In the survey, nearly one-third (31%) were considering selling personal items to help boost their finances. Spending
more time at home has made everyone reevaluate clutter in their homes, and reassess what is necessary or useful. Decluttering by selling items you no longer want or use is a win-win - you get a tidier home, along with a little extra cash to save or spend. And thanks to the internet, there are many platforms available to post items you want to sell. 4. Look for the right side hustle or investment opportunity. Over half of those surveyed (57%) have considered picking up an extra job or side hustle. Today’s gig economy is full of options for taking on extra work. From being a shopper or rideshare driver to creating items for sale or caring for someone’s children or pets, it’s important to choose a side hustle that really works for you. It should be something that fits your current schedule and earns enough cash to make the extra effort worthwhile. And if cryptocurrency is your thing, consider making small investments and watch how your investment might grow. You could even have fun dabbling in this new area. 5. Be purposeful with collecting spare change. Make a special place where you keep extra change that piles up. Then you can use those coins to pad your emergency fund, or to pay for extras in your post-pandemic life (such as movies, dinners or gas). It’s easy to save up and use your spare coins, which you can convert to cash or to a no-fee eGift card at a Coinstar kiosk. You can use some or all of these strategies to help support your financial goals moving forward. With a new approach to budgeting, earning and saving, you’ll feel more confident about whatever the future may hold. For more information on kiosk locations near you to convert your spare change, or use cash for a bitcoin purchase, visit www.coinstar.com/findakiosk.—
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COVER STORY
Three Surprising ways Dairy Farmers are Implementing sustainability on their Farms Fun fact: When put to good use, cow manure is quite the environmental boon. It can be recycled into fertilizer and crop irrigation water or repurposed as Earth-friendly seed pots that naturally nourish plants. And the methane produced by cow manure can even be converted into electricity and renewable natural gas. “These types of creative and efficient applications of cow manure are in use because U.S. dairy farmers have an enterprising spirit and a long legacy of being responsible stewards of the land and animals under their care,” said Karen Scanlon, senior vice president of environmental stewardship for the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. “That environmental legacy is alive and well today as dairy farmers across the country continue to explore innovative practices that improve their impact and aid the dairy industry in its quest to become carbon neutral or better by 2050.” For example, Reinford Farms, Freunds Farms and Royal Dairy have each won an Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award for being at the forefront of impactful technologies and practices that enable the dairy industry to give more than it takes. #1 Reinford Farms: Turning food waste into energy. In 2008, a grocery store offered to pay this family-owned Pennsylvania dairy farm to take its spoiled produce and turn it into renewable energy via the anaerobic digester Reinford Farms uses to generate power from the manure of its 800 dairy cows. When more companies started asking for the same service, owner Brett Reinford invested in a depackager, a machine that manually removes packaging from food waste before it goes into the digester. This has enabled Reinford Farms to work with local businesses, 30 grocery stores and food manufacturing companies to recycle up to 12,000 gallons of food waste along with its cow manure each day. As a result, they have kept more than 100,000 tons of waste out of landfills since 2008, preventing the equivalent of 133 million pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere. The food waste and cow manure also generate enough renewable electricity each year to power the entire farm and 400 nearby homes. #2 Freunds Farm: Making manure marketable for this family farm. During a 1997 dinner to brainstorm ideas for repurposing cow manure, someone made
an offhand remark about turning it into flowerpots, and it resonated with Connecticut dairy farmer Matthew Freund. He headed home and began tinkering with various concepts using Elmer’s Glue, a pail, and even his wife Theresa’s toaster oven. Eight years of trial and error and one $72,000 federal grant later, Matthew and Theresa Freund officially started making and selling CowPots, manure-based, biodegradable, seed-starting containers that are used by commercial and backyard growers across the country. CowPots are made with fibers from composted cow manure, and they break down naturally in one growing season because the nitrogen in the manure kickstarts the composting process. #3 Royal Dairy: Leveraging cows (and worms) to make dairy a more sustainable solution . In 2016, Austin Allred was on the hunt for solutions to help reduce runoff waste and greenhouse gas emissions from Royal Dairy, his farm in central Washington. He discovered a biofiltration process that uses screens, granite and hungry worms to turn cow manure into clean crop irrigation water. It starts at a low spot on his farm, where all the water that runs off from cows, cleaning and cooling machinery collects. Solid waste is held back by mechanical screens while the wastewater moves forward. A series of sprinklers takes this water and spreads it across a series of long concrete troughs filled with granite, which pulls out the methane and ammonia and converts greenhouse gases into nitrogen. Then, the water is absorbed by wood chips where millions of worms and microbes feast on the nutrients and bacteria. The water that remains is clean enough to be used to irrigate crops, and the worm’s poop gets used as a fertilizer product. These are just a few examples of many. Dairy farmers in every corner of the U.S. are thinking outside the box and actively experimenting with different solutions so they can contribute to a sustainable food future for all. Caring for the planet and its precious natural resources is what dairy farmers have always done - to help feed families, build strong communities and leave the planet a better place for future generations.—
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RuralLeaderMag.com | JUNE 2021
Going remote permanently? Five Essentials for a Successful Work-from-home Environment As the pandemic began, many professionals quickly switched from working in the office to working from home. What started as a tentative few weeks turned into a few months and now over a year later, many people are still working remotely. Furthermore, at increasing rates companies are transitioning indefinitely to hybrid or full-time remote work. Perhaps realizing the convenience for employees and the cost savings for organizations, leaders at companies nationwide are making the move permanent. In fact, an April 2021 report from Garner found 74% of CFOs intend to shift some employees to remote work permanently. This appears to be a welcome change for most workers. A Harvard Business School survey found 81% of professionals either don’t want to go back to the office or would prefer a hybrid schedule going forward. If you’re part of the movement and will be working from home more permanently, it’s smart to take a fresh look at your work environment. Many people transitioned quickly to working at home last year and makeshift offices became the norm. Now that you know you’ll be working from home regularly, making strategic updates to the work environment can support productivity, professionalism and overall success. Create a designated work space. Even if you don’t have the luxury of a designated office, you can still make changes to make remote work a bigger part of your home life. If you have a flex room, designate it as an office during work hours. Some people renovate a closet or corner nook into an office with a desk and other necessities. If space is limited, consider a mobile office such as a desk on casters so you can bring your desk into the kitchen or living room when working, and tuck away at close of business. Monitors, such as LG’s unique Ergo models, can replace a conventional monitor stand with a desk clamp to free up even more room in your work space without sacrificing performance or screen size. Upgrade technology. Upgrade your old laptop with technology that keeps up with your professional and personal needs. For example, the LG gram lineup is a top choice among premium Windows laptops. LG gram laptops are sleek, lightweight and powerful, with a vivid display. They feature a 16:10 aspect ratio screen which is larger than the typical 16:9 screens found on most laptops, and maximizes work efficien-
cy, whether you use it for your job, side gig or passion project. With a long-lasting battery, you extend time between charges so you never miss a beat. Plus, the lightweight design makes it easily portable, so it can roll with your daily routine. Assess the light. Proper light when working benefits you more than you think. First, adequate light prevents eye strain and helps you work more efficiently. Good light can also help you look your best on video conferences now that you’ll be meeting digital more often. A good overhead light is a must, so upgrade bulbs if necessary. Natural light is also beneficial, and by setting a desk up to face it, the light will illuminate your face, which is great for video. If no natural light is available, a desk lamp can be helpful. Avoid being backlit as it can cause shadows on video and reflect off your computer to cause visual discomfort. Implement good ergonomics. Forget the uncomfortable kitchen chair or the too-comfortable bed - it’s worthwhile to invest in some ergonomic office equipment to support your well-being and streamline the work day. Some of the most beneficial include a comfortable yet supportive office chair and a handsfree headset for ease of communication. Be mindful how you type and interreact with technology as well. Ergonomic navigation is essential, which is why LG enlarged the gram’s keyboard and touchpad for extended comfort and efficiency without compromising the portability. Set some rules. Working from home can come with many challenges, from distractions and interruptions to the temptation to work through lunch and extend the work day into evening hours. Set some boundaries for everyone’s benefit, including designating times for breaks and start/stop times on your digital calendar. To focus, add white noise or use noise-canceling headphones, depending on your preference. Talk with roommates or family members about respecting office hours and your workspace, and never underestimate the value of an old-fashioned do-not-disturb sign on the door. Most people have excelled at working from home throughout the pandemic. With permanent shifts to remote work on the horizon, many are making updates like these to help them thrive in a remote working environment long term.— GetRuralLeaderMag.com | JUNE 2021 27
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RuralLeaderMag.com | JUNE 2021
Essential Services for Growing Your Business in a Post-pandemic World After a year unlike any other, it is time for businesses across the country to start thinking about building back. Despite the chaos and change small businesses have faced, new business filings in 2020 were 25% higher than in 2019. Strength, innovation and resilience are out there, and small businesses are finding new ways to remain profitable and serve their customers. Investing in resources that drive successful outcomes. Growing any business, especially after this past year, will take research, planning and investment. But when you invest in the right resources and talent, you can focus on what’s important to you and let other experts take care of the rest. According to Fiverr’s Small Business Needs Index, based on millions of searches, these are some of the services you should consider investing in to help your business grow in a post-pandemic world: 1) Optimizing your digital storefront. Your website should clearly show who you are, why you’re unique and what you have to offer. According to joint research from Fiverr and CensusWide, 33% of businesses are investing in website development due to the pandemic. Because of this, your website needs to be clear and reliable, containing linear information that prioritizes your brand’s image and value adds. It should also encourage customers to take some kind of action. For example, Rooted, a plant company, created a quiz for their customers. Finding the right design, mapping and branding can be challenging. However, a freelancer who specializes in Shopify or WordPress Design can help you make a lasting impression on customers, increase traffic to your site and boost sales. 2) Developing an app that connects with customers. It’s also important to make sure your small
business is mobile-friendly. Having a mobile app allows your customers to engage with your business on the go, provide feedback in real time and promote your business in new ways. For example, restaurant owners are increasingly searching for freelance developers to build them “food delivery apps” as a way to avoid high fees from other delivery apps and increase profitability. That said, many small business owners put off app development because they are not programmers and often don’t want to learn how to make them. 3) Generating income through crowdfunding. Crowdfunding can be a helpful tool for new and existing small businesses. Crowdfunding allows entrepreneurs to generate cash for new business initiatives by delivering a compelling case for new products and services. When deciding to crowdfund, it is important to create a strategy, choose a campaign platform and establish your funding goals. Tile, the Bluetooth finding tool, was started as a crowdfunding campaign. Luckily, there are numerous freelance professionals who specialize in crowdfunding that can help with these tasks. From targeting the right donors to setting up a functional pay portal and helping you craft a strong funding proposal, they can worry about the details to help your business raise the funds it needs. There’s no better time to take the leap. Whether you’re looking to grow your business after a tough year or looking to start something new, there is no time like the present to take the leap. With the help of freelance services to promote the growth of your business, you can let someone else handle the details so you can focus on what you do best.—
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RuralLeaderMag.com | JUNE 2021