Plow and Pencil
Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you’re a thousand miles from the corn field. –President Dwight D. Eisenhower A lot has changed in America since Ike’s presidency, including agriculture. Equipment, supply-chains, communication platforms – they’ve all evolved and adapted with the rise of technological advancements. Like Ike, HitchPin’s roots begin on a farm in Abilene, KS where the spirit of watching the original entrepreneurs – American farmers and ranchers – was planted in a young man watching his dad sell hay. As he, and their family farm grew, a belief was cultivated that one creates value by looking to solve problems for others. That conviction grew into an idea: the agriculture industry needed new technology to buy, sell, hire and find work. In 2019, founder Trevor McKeeman publicly launched HitchPin: the best digital marketplace for agriculture. HitchPin has been plowing new ground ever since, providing a platform at the fingertips of farmers and ranchers to securely, efficiently and easily transact – all from their computer or mobile device. And today’s consumers? It’s safe to say they’ve changed over the decades too. Growing in number and now generations-removed from production agriculture, they are truly curious about where their food comes from. It’s an incredible opportunity for agriculturalists to bring the cornfield to the consumer, and with the help of technology, it too is easier than ever. The Plow & Pencil podcast will paint a picture of American Agriculture today. It will tell the stories of the producers, the products, the policies and the platforms that provide feed and fuel to our nation and world.
Episodes

5 days ago
5 days ago
When I sat down with Jeff Bathurst of Bathurst & Sons LLC, I didn’t just hear a farm story—I heard a legacy. Five generations of hard work, hay, and heart. Based in Abilene, Kansas, Jeff and his family grow crops like sunflowers, milo, soybeans, corn, wheat, and alfalfa hay, while also raising cattle and kids (six of them, to be exact).
Jeff jokes that their farm motto could be "raising quality crops, kids, and cattle," and honestly, it fits.
A Deep Family Legacy
The Bathurst family has been in Dickinson County for generations, starting with Jeff’s great-grandfather who once ran a general store in the small town of Talmage. Over time, they shifted from teaching to farming full-time, and now Jeff, his dad, and their kids are carrying it forward.
His brother once worked alongside them too, before following a calling to become a missionary in Malawi. It’s clear the Bathursts are a family rooted in both faith and hard work.
Adapting to a Changing Ag Economy
Over the years, the Bathursts have watched the ag landscape shift around them. When Jeff first started, most of their hay went to local dairies. Today, those dairies are gone, and most of their product is shipped out of state. That shift pushed them to think bigger, finding new ways to reach customers and keep the operation moving.
"It used to be all local," Jeff said. "Now, we’re shipping hay all over the country."
That change hasn’t been easy. Between droughts, inflation, and shifting markets, keeping the farm running has taken more than grit. It’s taken adaptability. Jeff brought in H-2A workers from South Africa to help during the busiest seasons, and he’s taken on the role of project manager—keeping equipment running, managing cattle, and planning ahead for the crew.
The Good Stuff
Ask Jeff what he loves most about farming and you’ll hear it plain as day:
Watching baby calves play before turn-out
Seeing a harvest go off without a hitch
Running equipment alongside his kids
The moments are small, but they stick. And they’re what keep folks like Jeff going.
Marketing in a Modern World
Jeff’s not afraid to admit that marketing can be tough. He still sells a lot through local elevators, but he’s always watching for better bids, better margins, and more meaningful connections. And that’s where HitchPin comes in.
Jeff grew up with Trevor McKeeman, HitchPin’s founder, and decided to give the platform a try as a way to list hay and connect with buyers beyond his local circle. Today, you can find alfalfa and dairy hay on his HitchPin storefront, with the ability to arrange shipping nationwide.
"The broader your market, the better," Jeff told me. "And there’s no broader market than the internet."
Why This Work Matters
For Jeff, success isn’t about massive expansion. It’s about keeping the farm strong enough to hand off to the next generation.
"I want the farm financially sound, so if one of the kids wants to come back, they can."
In a time where many family farms are folding under pressure, that’s no small thing. And tools like HitchPin are helping make it possible. By creating an online storefront, Jeff is expanding his reach, building trust, and giving buyers an easier way to connect.
You can check out what Bathurst & Sons LLC has listed by visiting HitchPin.com and searching their name. If you need quality hay and want to buy from a family that treats the land and its people with care, you’ll be glad you did.

Thursday May 22, 2025
Thursday May 22, 2025
When I sat down with Brandon Cowley, owner of Kaw River Ag Solutions, I could tell right away he was someone who doesn’t just talk about supporting farmers—he shows up and gets to work. After 24 years in ag retail and co-op management, Brandon saw a gap in the market and took a leap to do something about it.
And it’s paying off faster than he expected.
A Business Built on Relationships
Brandon and his wife launched Kaw River Ag Solutions out of Wamego, Kansas. They provide custom spray application, fertilizers, biologicals, and soil additives that help local producers grow better crops and build healthier soils.
Brandon started with realistic goals, but the need for better, personalized service helped his business grow three times faster than expected. It turns out, when people know you, trust you, and can count on you to pick up the phone, they want to work with you.
Why Local Service Still Matters
In a region where co-ops and national companies dominate, Brandon’s independent approach brings something a lot of folks were missing: flexibility, price transparency, and personal attention. He’s not trying to out-scale anyone—he’s simply meeting people where they are.
Many producers today aren’t looking for patronage down the line. They want a fair price up front, service when they need it, and someone who understands their ground. Brandon knows that because he’s lived it.
He’s also willing to pivot. He’s adjusted his product line, sourced new options when needed, and focused on what his customers actually want—not just what’s been done before.
Smart Growth with a Steady Hand
Kaw River Ag started with herbicides and biologicals, but quickly grew into liquid fertilizer as demand rolled in. That meant new tanks, more equipment, and higher overhead—but Brandon planned ahead. He keeps his equipment costs tight, his service pricing steady, and his product margins reasonable.
“If I’m making money on the machine running through the field, I’m going to cut my margin on the product,” he told me. “That’s how I help my customers stay profitable, too.”
And that’s why so many local farmers are supporting him in return—some even offering their own labor or equipment to help keep things moving.
HitchPin as a Time-Saving Tool
With everything on his plate, Brandon admits he hasn’t used his HitchPin storefront to its full potential yet—but the idea is already working for him. HitchPin gives him a trusted place to list proprietary products, and a path to reach customers without always needing to hit the phones or schedule extra meetings.
As his wife steps more into the business, they plan to expand their listings and take full advantage of the platform. For a business that’s growing this fast, HitchPin offers a digital support system that’s easy to use, and built with agriculture in mind.
Get Connected with Kaw River Ag Solutions
If you’re in northeast Kansas and looking for a local partner who understands what’s really happening in your fields, check out Brandon’s storefront at HitchPin.com/Kaw River Ag Solutions.
He may be busy, but he’s not too busy to make sure the job gets done right—and in today’s ag economy, that’s exactly what folks are looking for.

Thursday May 15, 2025
Thursday May 15, 2025
Marketing might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about raising livestock, but for Allison May, it’s become a way to help producers tell their stories, grow their reach, and move their business forward.
Allison owns Pinnacle Livestock Solutions, a business based in Greenfield, Indiana, that provides digital and social media marketing services tailored for livestock producers. And while Pinnacle is just a year old, Allison’s path to launching it started long before.
From the Show Ring to Storytelling
Allison grew up on a fifth-generation family farm in New Jersey, raising livestock and showing in 4-H. She later earned her degree in animal science from Penn State and followed a path through animal nutrition and reproduction before stepping into the marketing world.
Her work in the livestock space—and her love of sales and connection—led her to create Pinnacle. What started with helping her own family farm and a few organizations quickly became a full-time business.
“I’ve always been the hype girl,” Allison said. “I love seeing people succeed and helping them connect their story with the people who need to hear it.”
Marketing that Feels Real
Allison doesn’t believe in one-size-fits-all marketing. Instead, she focuses on helping livestock producers feel confident about telling their stories—without the pressure to be something they’re not.
“Not everyone wants to go viral or dance on TikTok,” she said. “And that’s okay. What matters is being authentic. When people can see the real story behind your operation, that’s what builds trust and drives sales.”
She helps clients manage social media, advertise online, and build meaningful content that reflects who they are and what they offer. Whether it’s showcasing cattle genetics, sharing product photos, or building connections with new customers, Allison’s goal is simple: help producers show up in the right way, in the right places.
Tips for Marketing in Ag
Here are a few things Allison says make a big difference when marketing an ag business:
Stay consistent. People need to see your brand 30–40 times before they take action.
Quality content matters. A strong photo or graphic can make someone stop scrolling. A bad one can hurt your brand.
Be clear with your direction. Whether you’re working with a family member or a social media manager, be honest about what’s working and what isn’t.
Don’t chase followers. Focus on attracting the right audience, not just a bigger one.
Why Online Sales Need More Trust
As Allison helps producers move more of their business online, she’s also been an early user of HitchPin’s Instant Invoicing feature. For her, tools like this add much-needed confidence to digital sales.
“Selling online means there’s more room for confusion or unmet expectations,” she said. “What I love about HitchPin is that it helps protect both the buyer and the seller, and it gives you a real person to talk to.”
Whether she’s helping a rancher sell cattle or promoting a homemade ag product, Allison uses HitchPin to connect producers to the right buyers while making the transaction safe and simple.
Find Pinnacle Livestock Solutions on HitchPin
If you’re ready to start marketing your business or improving how you show up online, check out Allison’s storefront on HitchPin. She offers social media management, ad campaign support, and practical help to take the guesswork out of digital marketing.
Just head to HitchPin.com and search for Pinnacle Livestock Solutions to see how Allison’s helping livestock producers shine online.

Thursday May 01, 2025
Thursday May 01, 2025
Farming isn’t about standing still—it’s about evolving, season after season. That’s something I’ve learned firsthand talking with folks like Glenn Brunkow, a fifth-generation farmer from Wamego, Kansas, who’s taken his family’s rich agricultural history and turned it into something new.
Glenn runs Brunkow Family Lamb, a diversified farm that’s been in the family since the 1880s. What started as a few 4-H lambs for the kids has grown into a flock of 70 sheep, all raised for high-quality, grain-fed lamb. And while the kids have moved on, the lambs stayed—and the business kept growing.
From Dairy to Direct-to-Consumer
Glenn’s family farm didn’t always look like this. Over the years, they’ve raised dairy cows, hogs, and beef cattle. But after buying out his dad and sitting down with his wife to decide where to focus, they leaned into livestock and shifted the operation toward a mix of beef cattle and sheep.
They also made some big changes to the land. Glenn transitioned lower-performing crop ground into intensively grazed cover crops, co-grazing sheep and cattle to maximize the land’s potential. This shift also allowed them to reduce equipment needs and focus more on livestock.
And then came a bold step: selling lamb directly to customers.
How Brunkow Lamb Found Its Market
At first, Glenn sold lamb to a local butcher shop. But when that shop closed, he and his wife took the leap into direct-to-consumer sales. Now, they offer everything from ground lamb to leg of lamb, racks, stew meat, and more.
They started simple—with whole and half lamb sales—and slowly added more cuts as customers requested them. They even added stew meat because folks kept asking for it. Glenn’s biggest tip for anyone wanting to sell direct-to-consumer? Start small. Keep it simple. Let your product speak for itself.
These days, their best sellers are leg and rack cuts, and they’ve even had to buy lambs to keep up with customer demand. It’s been that successful.
Making Lamb Easy to Love
Lamb isn’t always a familiar meat in Kansas kitchens, but Glenn and his wife are helping change that. They include cooking tips and easy recipes with every sale—like marinating chops in Italian dressing and tossing them on the grill.
Because their lamb is grain-fed, it has a mild flavor that wins over new customers who may have had a different experience with grass-fed lamb. Their goal is to make it easy for folks to try it—and even easier to come back for more.
Selling Online with HitchPin
As demand for local meat grew, Glenn added a new tool to the toolbox: an online storefront on HitchPin.
HitchPin makes it easy for producers like Glenn to list and sell farm products, whether it’s lamb, beef, hay, or equipment. With a secure platform and built-in audience of ag buyers, it’s a simple way to reach new customers without losing the personal connection.
Glenn likes that selling online gives smaller farms a way to compete and capture more of the value they create. It may not always beat the top of the market, but it helps protect from the bottom—and that kind of stability is worth a lot.
Advice for Other Farmers
When I asked Glenn what advice he’d give to others thinking about selling their products direct, he said it comes down to this:
Keep your product list simple at first
Start with whole or half animals before jumping into cuts
Be ready to pivot—customers change how they want to shop every year
Don’t underestimate the power of returning customers
If you’re curious about trying lamb or looking to stock up for your next gathering, check out Brunkow Family Lamb on HitchPin. They’ve got Easter leg of lamb, rack cuts, stew meat, and more—plus the know-how to help you cook it right the first time.
Visit their storefront at HitchPin.com and search "Brunkow Family Lamb" to see what’s available.

Thursday Apr 24, 2025
Thursday Apr 24, 2025
Farming has never been a one-size-fits-all business. Every operation is different, shaped by the land, the family working it, and the challenges they face. That’s exactly the case for Jesse Welch and his family, who are taking their farm in Tonganoxie, Kansas, to new heights by blending tradition with innovation.
Rooted in Tradition, Growing for the Future
Jesse and his family moved from Reno, Nevada, back to their Kansas roots to take over their family farm, which has been in operation for more than a hundred years. Over the decades, the farm has evolved—from raising sheep and dairy cows to focusing on row crops like hay and soybeans. But Jesse saw an opportunity to do more.
Instead of sticking to just one path, Jesse and his wife took a hands-on approach to diversifying their operation. They experimented with different crops, eventually finding success with squash and pumpkins on a two-acre plot. On top of that, they started raising chickens, expanding into egg production and meat birds. Their goal? Keep building something sustainable for the future while keeping their farm traditions alive.
The Challenge of Scaling Up
Like many farmers, Jesse quickly realized that growth comes with challenges—one of the biggest being equipment.
“We have tractors, trucks, and the basics, but when you start moving bigger and heavier products, you need the right tools to make it work,” Jesse shared.
For example, when listing hay bales and hedge posts on HitchPin, he ran into a common hurdle: customers were interested, but self-loading heavy items wasn’t ideal. That’s where scaling up the right way became essential, ensuring buyers could get what they needed with less hassle.
Turning Hay into Revenue with HitchPin
One of Jesse’s biggest successes came from an unexpected place—old hay. Like many farmers, he had a barn full of hay that he assumed would end up as waste. But through HitchPin, he found buyers who needed affordable feed options. In no time, he sold over 600 bales, turning what could have been a loss into a profitable transaction.
Beyond just making a sale, Jesse found something even more valuable: connections.
“What’s been really great is after a sale, I’ve been able to collaborate with other farmers. That network has been huge,” Jesse explained.
A Marketplace Built for Agriculture
For Jesse, HitchPin solved a problem that many farmers and ranchers face—finding the right place to buy and sell. Before using HitchPin, options were limited.
“It was either eBay, which isn’t really built for farm stuff, or Facebook Marketplace, which has its own challenges. HitchPin is made for ag—it’s a place where you can actually see what things are selling for in your area,” Jesse said.
Price discovery has been a game-changer for him. Instead of guessing at prices based on Google searches, he can see what’s fair and competitive based on actual farm transactions in his region.
The Future of Welch Farms
Jesse and his family aren’t slowing down anytime soon. Along with their growing row crops and poultry business, they’re looking to expand into firewood and lumber sales, taking advantage of the natural resources on their land. They also plan to sell equipment they no longer need, helping other farmers find reliable tools at fair prices.
“I think just getting involved is key,” Jesse said. “Even if you’re not selling right away, using HitchPin to see what’s out there and understand the market makes a big difference.”
If you’re looking for hay, hedge posts, or soon-to-come farm products from Welch Farms, check out their HitchPin storefront. And if you’re a farmer wondering how to reach more buyers and make sales easier, Jesse’s advice is simple: start today.
Ready to take your farm business to the next level? Explore how HitchPin can work for you.

Thursday Apr 10, 2025
Thursday Apr 10, 2025
Farming isn’t just a job—it’s a way of life. For Jolene Dunbar of 88 Custom Hay in Almeria, Nebraska, that way of life has always revolved around hay and forage. With deep family roots in agriculture, Jolene has taken her passion for haying and turned it into a thriving business, overcoming challenges and embracing technology to connect with more customers.
A Life Rooted in Agriculture
Jolene grew up in the hayfield, literally. She remembers as a young girl watching the men work, waiting for the day when she could finally reach the pedals on the tractor and join them. That dream became a reality when she took over part of her family’s operation and, later, expanded it into 88 Custom Hay alongside her business partner, Jacob Stern.
Today, their operation covers over 340 acres of irrigated land, producing high-quality hay and forage, including millet, alfalfa, rye, and cane. They also offer custom baling and trucking services, covering multiple Nebraska counties.
Challenges of Running a Forage Business
Growing hay isn’t like growing grain. Jolene explains that there’s little financial security for forage farmers—no government programs to fall back on, no standardized pricing. It’s a business built on trust, handshake deals, and navigating unpredictable markets.
One of the biggest hurdles? The ongoing drought. “If it keeps up, this will be our fourth year of drought,” Jolene says. Low yields and declining hay quality have made it tougher for both producers and buyers.
On top of that, labor shortages and soaring equipment costs add more pressure. “We solve our labor issues with equipment,” Jolene says, “but the price of machinery and parts just keeps climbing.”
How HitchPin is Changing the Game
For Jolene, HitchPin has been a game-changer. Before discovering the platform, marketing hay was limited to local newspaper ads or word-of-mouth. But with HitchPin, she can reach buyers across the region without the hassle of dealing with traditional marketplaces like Facebook.
“Posting on HitchPin is simple, and it gets the job done,” Jolene explains. She appreciates that it’s built specifically for agriculture, unlike other platforms where farm products often get lost in the mix. The ability to quickly list available hay and forage, update inventory as needed, and connect with serious buyers has made a big difference in her business.
Growing for the Future
Despite the challenges, Jolene is optimistic about the future of agriculture. She sees younger generations stepping up to take over family farms, bringing fresh ideas and new energy. She’s also deeply involved in her community, volunteering with 4-H and serving on local ag boards to help support and educate the next generation of farmers.
“There’s plenty of work for everyone,” Jolene says. “Instead of competing, we need to lift each other up.”
With her strong commitment to family, farming, and community, Jolene represents the best of rural America. And with HitchPin in her corner, she’s making sure her hay and forage operation continues to thrive.
Find 88 Custom Hay on HitchPin
Looking for quality hay, baling services, or trucking solutions? Check out 88 Custom Hay on HitchPin, where Jolene and her team are ready to help.
Ready to take your farm business to the next level? Explore how HitchPin can work for you.

Thursday Mar 27, 2025
Thursday Mar 27, 2025
Farming is built on trust, transparency, and good neighbors who look out for each other. That’s exactly what Zach Bosle, founder of Tractor Tuesday, believes in as he reshapes the online auction world for farmers and ranchers. His partnership with HitchPin is making it easier than ever to buy and sell farm equipment with confidence.
From the Farm to the Auction Space
Zach is a sixth-generation farmer from Hastings, Nebraska, who grew up in production agriculture. His background includes row crops, farrowing sows, and feeding cattle. But over time, he found himself drawn to a different side of the industry—helping farmers sell and buy equipment more efficiently.
After years of running auctions under another brand, Zach realized the industry needed a better solution. He saw firsthand how high commissions, hidden fees, and a lack of transparency made it difficult for farmers to trust online sales. That’s when he launched Tractor Tuesday—an auction platform designed to put farmers first.
What Makes Tractor Tuesday Different?
The online auction space is competitive, but Tractor Tuesday stands out in key ways:
No Commission for Sellers – Farmers listing equipment on Tractor Tuesday pay zero commission. The platform instead uses a simple listing fee, keeping costs predictable and fair.
Transparent Buyer Fees – Buyers pay a 2% premium, a small price for the security and ease of online transactions.
No Proxy Bidding – Unlike other auctions, Tractor Tuesday doesn’t use auto-bidding. When you place a bid, that’s the bid—just like a live auction. This keeps the process fair, honest, and transparent.
Real People, Real Bids – The platform ensures verified buyers and makes bid histories visible so farmers know they’re dealing with real people, not automated systems.
Partnering with HitchPin for Instant Invoicing
A big part of making online auctions successful is handling payments safely. That’s where HitchPin’s Instant Invoicing comes in. This system gives farmers confidence by ensuring funds are secure, transactions are processed quickly, and both buyers and sellers know exactly where their money is at every step.
“We wanted a system that made transactions seamless,” Zach explains. “With HitchPin’s Instant Invoicing, sellers don’t have to chase payments, and buyers don’t have to worry about where their money is.”
The Future of Tractor Tuesday
Tractor Tuesday is just getting started. The company plans to hold six to nine auctions per year, including seasonal sales, specialty equipment sales, and even bank liquidation sales to help farmers looking for deals. They’re also expanding their presence in farm shows, television, and radio to reach even more producers.
As Zach puts it, “Every day is a battle, but we’re working to make online equipment sales as simple and fair as possible.”
How to Get Involved
If you’re looking to buy or sell farm equipment, check out Tractor Tuesday at TractorTuesday.com. Sign up for their newsletter to stay updated on upcoming auctions, or follow them on social media for the latest listings.
For a better, more transparent auction experience backed by HitchPin, Tractor Tuesday is proving that farmers can still do business the right way—with fairness, trust, and a handshake, even in a digital world.

Thursday Mar 13, 2025
Thursday Mar 13, 2025
Farming comes with plenty of challenges, and sometimes, the right equipment just doesn’t exist—yet. That’s where EJ Swihart of Swihart Solutions in Enterprise, Kansas steps in. His business is built around one goal: helping farmers work more efficiently by designing and fabricating the tools they need.
From Small Repairs to Big Ideas
EJ started Swihart Solutions as a small fabrication shop, but his vision went beyond just fixing broken equipment. Unlike most shops that tackle one project at a time, EJ looks for ways to solve problems on a larger scale. If one farmer needs a fix, chances are others do too. That’s why he focuses on creating products that help as many farmers as possible.
His work spans everything from mobile welding jobs to designing custom equipment solutions. Whether it’s repairing machinery, improving existing tools, or engineering completely new products, EJ’s team is always ready to take on a challenge.
The Birth of the Terrace King
One of EJ’s biggest success stories is the Terrace King, a tool designed to help planters navigate terraces more efficiently. The idea came from a fellow farmer struggling with uneven planting due to his 24-row planter skipping over terraces. EJ took a look at the problem, built a prototype, and quickly realized that this wasn’t just a one-farm issue—it was an industry-wide challenge.
After refining the design, word started to spread. What began as a simple fix for one farmer has now been installed on over 80 planters across multiple states. Farmers at trade shows and through HitchPin are seeing firsthand how the Terrace King improves planting accuracy, reduces skips, and increases yields.
Challenges in the Ag Equipment World
Like any business in agriculture, Swihart Solutions faces its fair share of challenges. One of the biggest? Marketing and visibility.
“Building something great is only half the battle,” EJ explains. “Getting it in front of the right people is the real challenge.”
That’s where HitchPin comes in. With HitchPin’s online marketplace, EJ can list his products in a place where farmers are actively searching for solutions. Unlike a general website that can get lost in the online noise, HitchPin focuses exclusively on agriculture—putting Swihart Solutions directly in front of the people who need it most.
What You’ll Find in the Swihart Solutions Storefront
Right now, Swihart Solutions’ HitchPin storefront features:
Terrace King Kits for John Deere, Case, and Agco planters
Narrow Profile Weight Brackets to reduce planter overhang and prevent accidents
Custom Air Seeder Weight Brackets to improve balance and performance
Everything EJ builds is designed to make farming easier and more efficient. And thanks to HitchPin, those solutions are now just a few clicks away for farmers across the country.
A Bright Future for Ag Innovation
Despite the challenges, EJ is optimistic about where agriculture is headed. He believes that as farms become more efficient, innovation will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the industry’s future.
“We’ve created some of our own challenges by becoming so good at what we do,” EJ says. “But that just means we have to keep innovating.”
With a commitment to problem-solving, a deep understanding of what farmers need, and a growing customer base through HitchPin, Swihart Solutions is proving that the right tools can make all the difference.
Find Swihart Solutions on HitchPin
If you’re looking for innovative equipment solutions, check out Swihart Solutions on HitchPin. Whether you need a Terrace King Kit or a custom fabrication project, EJ and his team are ready to help. Visit their storefront today to learn more!

Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
On this episode of Plow and Pencil, Emilie at HitchPin got ahold of Lauren and Matt from Elm Dirt to discuss their innovative fertilizer business.
Lauren Cain is CEO and Founder of Elm Dirt. She and her husband Matt started Elm Dirt in January 2020 and started their operation on their dining room table. Elm Dirt is located outside of Kansas City, Missouri and they sell Red Wiggler worms, their castings, plant fertilizer, and more. Due to COVID-19, they started selling their worms and castings online and they have “been selling like hotcakes.” In 2021, they expanded their operation and moved to a warehouse.
While their business started out focusing on gardeners and houseplants, they have been rapidly expanding into the production agriculture industry. The fertilizer is unique in that it doesn’t just supply nutrients, it also builds soil health, increases soil microbes, and increases drought tolerance. Because of this, less amendment is required over time and yields increase.
Lauren and Matt took components from Korean natural farming, permaculture, and regenerative agriculture to form their business. All of their products are organic and can be used on a small scale in your home garden and lawn or on a bigger scale in your crop fields and hay fields or pastures. Their products can be purchased on HitchPin in their storefront at www.hitchpin.com/elmdirt!
If you are interested in learning more about Elm Dirt, join us Friday May 5th, 2023 at 12 PM Central for a Lunch and Learn where you can hear more about their products, ask Lauren and Matt questions, and dive deeper into how their products work and how they can be incorporated into your operation.
Click here to sign up for the webinar!
To learn more about Elm Dirt, follow them on social media at @elmdirt on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok or visit their website at elmdirt.com
Rate, Review, and Follow!
HitchPin.com
Use code PODCAST when you create your account and you’ll receive $100 in HitchPin credits that can be applied to your transaction fees!
The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Plow and Pencil podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of HitchPin nor it’s employees. This podcast is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. Enjoy!

Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
In this episode of Plow and Pencil, I chatted with our very own Bryce McPhail to hear about HitchPin’s newest feature.
In this episode you’ll hear:
About HitchPin Storefronts.
The tools and resources that are available to help you get your Storefront set up.
The importance of Storefronts and how it will make buying and selling easier on HitchPin.
Rate, Review, and Follow!
HitchPin.com
Use code PODCAST when you create your account and you’ll receive $100 in HitchPin credits that can be applied to your transaction fees!
The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Plow and Pencil podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of HitchPin nor it’s employees. This podcast is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. Enjoy!