Merry Christmas From The Radkes

“Son of a nutcracker!” –Buddy

I can't believe Christmas is already here, and we'll soon close the chapter on 2023. Compared to last winter's Snowpocalypse, it's been a welcome change of pace to be feeding cattle this Christmas season in hooded sweatshirts and no hats, gloves, or coats required! Cattle are grazing stalks, and we are thankful for the extra sunshine! 

It's been a busy year for us as a family. If I rewind the tape and watch it all back, I'm not sure how we squeezed everything in that we did, but Tyler and I are still standing, I guess, a little worse for wear but that's parenting in a nutshell, I think! 

The boys kicked off the year with wrestling. Thorne "The Badger" Radke competed in his first tournaments, and made it to regionals. He's a tough and ornery old farm boy, so it's a good way to channel all that energy. This winter will be even better with all three boys competing, so Scarlett and I look forward to our quiet and peaceful girls' nights while the trio are at practice with their dad.

“You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.” —Santa Claus

Speaking of the trio of boys, they keep us hopping. Living with three sons is like inviting a pen of yearling bulls to live with you. If they get bored, they'll start flipping feed bunks and destroying the place, so keeping them busy with projects is key.

Somehow, the boys think they are grown men now. And they've transitioned from asking for cheap plastic toys for Christmas to weaponry -- real guns, knives, arrows, that sort of thing. Lord, help me. And fair warning to any neighbors planning to swing by and say hello to the Radkes. Our little militia is fully armed and ready for action. We probably should have a sign in the front yard that reads, "Beware Of Boys."

In the theme of keeping the boys busy, Tyler bought an old duck boat off Craigslist this summer, and the boys spent months fixing it up -- complete with custom camouflage paint, cushy seats, rope lights, navigation, and any bells and whistles you can think of. The maiden voyage of the boat on the Mighty James River was hysterical. I watched from ashore as Tyler took the kids out for a trip down the slowest and most shallow river in America. They all bawled like babies out of pure terror, but eventually they warmed up to the idea and now beg to go back out on the water daily.

We bought an acreage a mile straight east of our place this summer, and probably the favorite project for the boys in 2023 has been the demolition. We knocked down the farmhouse, outbuildings, and dead trees, and it was "EPIC," according to the boys. 

"Christmas isn't just a day. It's a frame of mind." —Kris Kringle, Miracle on 34th Street

While the boys give us gray hairs, Scarlett marches to the beat of her own drum. She's taken quite an interest in the cattle business, and she sure let's us know if she doesn't like our breeding decisions. Lots of opinions with a dose of sass, she certainly must get that from her dad. ;) 

She showed cattle for the first time this summer, and we all made the trip to the NALJA show in Rapid City, where she got to show her steer, Kyote. Thorne and Scarlett also earned some hardware with the bull calves we brought out. Scarlett made her mama extra proud winning her first national speaking competition -- sales talk. She had to learn the EPDs, pedigree, and data of the bull she showed and present it to judges and make the final sale. We are hoping to put her bull salesmanship skills to work in the real world soon. 

Her big project for the year was writing, illustrating, designing and publishing her first children's book, "Scarlett & Lucky." It's based on the true story of her bottle calf, Lucky, who went viral on social media with the videos we made of him and the kids. She's sold hundreds of copies so far and has done some school book readings and event signings. I think I can retire now and just be her biggest fan/personal chauffeur. 

“You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary. ”—George Bailey, It's A Wonderful Life

Tyler is the steady and solid rock that keeps the chaos of careers, kids, and cattle all together. He runs with all my crazy ideas, and keeps our focus on what really matters. He's patient and kind and everything you would want in a husband and father to your children.

Honestly, the amount of people who have told me I married a saint when I'm out on the road is unbelievable at this point. I'm not sure what that says about me, but we won't dig too much into that. I certainly married well, but hopefully he thinks the same about me! HA! It's hard to believe it's been 15 years since I first met that quiet guy on the SDSU meats judging team. I think I'll keep him around. He's an alright fella. ;) 

Tyler continues to work at Farmers National Company, managing farms and selling ag real estate. He's great at what he does, and it's been interesting to watch land sale trends in the last couple of years.

Together, we have been busy on the ranch working on some big projects and changes. We dispersed our Maine Anjou herd, which was very bittersweet, but closing that chapter was made a little easier with the great breeders we sent our cattle to. 

In turn, we've been aggressively expanding our Limousin and Angus herds and have several donors we are flushing. Me waiting for those embryo calves to be born this upcoming spring is like a kid waiting for Santa to drop down the chimney with presents. I'm eager to see what lies ahead in 2024!

"A true selfless act always sparks another."—Klaus

As for me, I continue to stay busy writing, speaking, and running a retail business. Hands down, the best part of what I do is being surrounded by so many amazing people. The kindness and generosity I experience and witness on the road could fill a book! Turn off the news, and go spend some time with real people. The America we know and love is alive and well, I assure you! 

I gave 52 speeches this year, which is insane to me to think about given that it all started as an 8-year old kid doing public speaking contests in 4-H! It's tough being on the road so much, but the people in ag fuel me. I love the work and am passionate about the message, so we push forward. 

A few new things this year -- I started a podcast, "The Heart of Rural America," inspired by the wonderful folks I meet on the road at ag conferences, and it's been such a joy to interview these individuals and highlight them on the show. This podcast and radio program wouldn't be possible without amazing sponsors, CK6 Source, CK6 Consulting, Linz Heritage Angus, Linz Meats, Real Tuff Livestock Equipment, and Redmond Real Salt. A special thanks to my talented producer, Abbey Graves, for bringing the show to life! 

This summer, I also took on a consulting gig with my friend, Chris Earl, at CK6. I join an incredibly talented, passionate, driven, and faith-filled team, and to me, the work is very much aligned with what I speak about on the road. Instead of just talking about it, I get to put those ideas to work, helping ranching families pursue new pathways to profitability, so they can continue to do what they love to do on the land and with the cattle they raise.

While I am increasingly frustrated with what's going on in Washington, D.C., I believe private enterprise and entrepreneurs will save this country and fix many of the challenges we face. So my goal on the road is empowering producers to do exactly that -- to be the change they want to see and pursue it without ceasing. We are the solution -- you and I, in the heart of rural America. We must continue to fight back, anyway we can, to create opportunities for success for future generations, to secure our food supply, and to keep main streets in rural America alive. I am actually quite optimistic for what lies ahead, but we definitely have our work cut out for us! 

"Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more." —The Grinch

As I reflect on another year gone by, I think it's a good time to remember what truly matters in life -- our faith, our family, our friends, our community, and the impact we can have in service to others.

Life is pretty meaningless without those pillars, and we are thankful to be surrounded by an amazing support system who reminds us of this often. 

Tis the season for tinsel, and lights, wrapping paper and bows, presents under the tree, Santa sightings at the mall, Christmas carols in the car, and delicious food at big family gatherings.

But truly, what this season really means is a KING came down from heaven as a vulnerable little baby. Born in a manger in poverty surrounded by cattle and sheep and two loving parents with unbreakable faith, His incredible life, death, and resurrection would change the world and give humanity with the opportunity to spend eternity with our Father in heaven who loves us so dearly. 

I pray that Jesus will impact your life as He has mine. I pray that more people will come to know and love Him. I pray that our hearts and minds will stay on fire to serve the Lord on this earth, so we can prepare for our true and forever home in the kingdom that awaits us. I pray that our children and grandchildren will grow in their relationship with Jesus. I pray for discernment, wisdom, and strength to carry the cross that God gives me in my life. And I pray the same for you, as well.

May God bless you and keep you in His loving embrace all the days of your life. May you experience health, happiness, and true purpose in 2024. Merry Christmas from the Radke family! We hope to see you on the dusty trail very soon! 

- Tyler, Amanda, Scarlett, Thorne, Alexander, and Croix Radke

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. – Isaiah 9:6