Plow and Pencil

How One Family Farm is Growing with HitchPin

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. 

Building a Business on the Land: How One Nebraska Farmer is Thriving with HitchPin

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. 

How Tractor Tuesday and HitchPin Are Changing Online Auctions for Farmers

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. 

Building Better Solutions for Farmers: How One Fabricator is Innovating Agriculture

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! 

Let's Talk Fertilizer with Elm Dirt

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
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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!

HitchPin's Newest Launch: Storefronts

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!

Exploring the Hildebrand Farms Dairy

It’s National Dairy Month and we had the opportunity to take a moment to learn from a well-known name in dairy – Hildebrand Farms, of Junction City, Kansas. In this episode Melissa Reed shares with us more about what makes the Hildebrand Farms Dairy work in the evolving dairy industry.
Facebook: Hildebrand Farms Dairy
Website: https://www.hildebrandfarmsdairy.com/
In this episode you’ll hear:
Melissa discuss in detail about how the farm operates and what products they offer.
The struggles they experienced during Covid-19 and how they overcame these obstacles.
Melissa gives a behind-the-scenes look at what a typical day looks like for their dairy farm.
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!

Marketing on a Marketplace with Lexi Wright and Growing HitchPin Profiles with Bryce McPhail

In this episode of Plow and Pencil, I had the pleasure of sitting down with two of my colleagues at HitchPin, Lexi Wright, and Bryce McPhail. Lexi and her husband farm outside of Manhattan with their four children while Lexi also owns Back Pocket Social Marketing.  Bryce is the Product Manager at HitchPin and has been with us almost a year. Bryce and his team have been hard at work making updates to HitchPin to provide an excellent user experience.
Find Lexi on Facebook and Instagram by searching for Lexi the Freelancer 
Find Bryce on Twitter and LinkedIn at: @bamcphail
In this episode you hear:
Lexi talks about the importance of marketing and why every business needs to have a marketing strategy.
How to use HitchPin as a marketing tool to benefit your farm, ranch, or business.
Bryce describes and explains the newest feature of HitchPin and what to be on the lookout for in the future for new updates.
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!

Listening to Patients that Can't Speak and 43 Years of Veterinary Experience

In this episode, Dr. Hodes talks about his experiences being a veterinarian and shares some very unique stories from his years of treating and caring for his patients. Dr. Hodes has been a veterinarian for 43 years and has a mixed-animal veterinarian practice.  
In this episode you’ll hear:
Some of Dr. Hode’s favorite veterinary stories and some of his more challenging encounters.
Advice Dr. Hodes has for new or aspiring veterinarians.
Dr. Hodes talks about compassion fatigue. 
You can follow Hodes Veterinary Health Center on Facebook or Instagram or learn more on their website: hodesvhc.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!

Stubborn Farm Families & Planning for Future Generations

Andy Junkin owns and operates Stubborn.farm, a consulting business that provides farming families with farm succession and operating their family farm business together. In this episode Andy shares his experiences and insight into what saves family farms and stubborn farm families.
You can follow Andy on Facebook or YouTube or learn more on his website: www.stubborn.farm
In this episode you’ll hear: 
What succession planning is and some of the problems farming families face
Ways to improve familial relationships on the farm.
The importance of mental and emotional health for farmers
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!