Farmer Spotlight: GMRS Handheld Radio Use on Hefty Farms

farmer stands in field of corn

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In South Dakota's farmland, fifth-generation farmer, Zach Hefty continues his family's legacy of growing corn, soybeans, alfalfa, oats, and small grains. 

Farming just outside of Baltic, South Dakota, Zach manages not only crops, but also a vital role in one of agriculture's largest educational events while staying connected across his operation with Midland's reliable GMRS handheld radios. 

Carrying on a Legacy

Farming runs deep in Zach's bloodline. His family has been farming the same land for five generations, and their commitment to agriculture only grows. The Hefty's primarily grow corn and alfalfa. 

"The reason that we have corn and alfalfa is because of a giant dairy farm that is nearby. We cut a lot of our corn for silage and then harvest our soybeans normally," Zach said. 

Like many family farms, their story is one of adaption and innovation, finding opportunities to diversify crops and serve the needs of their community while managing acres of farmland efficiently. 

farmer stands in field

From Radio to TV to Field Day

Zach's dad and uncle are known across the country as the voices behind Ag PhD, a daily radio show dedicated to agronomy. What started as an idea sparked by Zach's grandpa has grown into a highly recognized AG media platform. 

"When it first started, my dad and my grandpa had seen a different agriculture TV show and my grandpa said they should do a show. They filmed a pilot and realized it looked horrible so they needed b-roll or additional footage. They filmed for the next year and then they started up again. Now, the show is what it is today."

The Hefty family didn't stop there. They launched Ag PhD Field Day, a massive one-day event that attracts tens of thousands of farmers from across the country. 

"The Ag PhD Field Day is the largest one-day event in agriculture. We expect and we had over 10,000 people last year and that's what we expect going forward as well. We try to make the event bigger and better every single year. Last year was our best event." 

Hefty said there is over 70 exhibitors and educational plots highlighting new products and practices, the event centers around hands-on learning. Panels, speakers, and tours of test plots provide education to all attendees.

"The coolest part about the whole show is that it's one day, all free, and my dad and uncle bring everyone through all of the different plots. A lot of people are there to see them talk about all these different plots and trials we are doing on our farm," Zach shared. 

aerial of farm event

Educating Through Social Media

Inspired by his family's commitment to education, Zach also began sharing his own experiences online. Running the Ag PhD social media channels led him to starting creating content on his personal accounts, posting videos to share tips, lessons, and farm life. 

"I started posting the videos that were not very good to start, but they keep getting better and better which is a testament to everything we do in life. If you keep doing it and trying it, the product will continue to get better as well."

For Zach, creating content isn't just about visibility, it's about connecting with other farmers and consumers. 

"The best part of doing social media is learning a topic and figuring out how to teach it others on social media."

farmer in field

A Passion for Farming

Like so many farmers, Zach finds joy in seeing the results of his hard work throughout each season. 

"It's really cool to see the whole growing season. You're planting a seed in the ground over thousands of acres and you're harvesting at the end of the season. There's a lot of work that goes into it and it's super cool to see all the different inputs that go in. It's nice to see all the different parts of it- the whole story." 

He also sees the bigger picture, beyond the yields.

"I think the thing that makes farming the most special is really that you're helping feed the world. It's really cool to be able to go out into rural areas in the country and see this amazing production going on because everyone is getting so efficient with everything that they're doing- the bigger equipment, how guys are trying to make the most out of every single thing that they do, whether that's crop protection or fertility, and making it all work to get the best yield, but yet spend the least amount of money to get that." 

farmer in field

Communication Across the Farm

With so many moving parts, efficient communication is key on the Hefty operation. Radios have been part of their farm longer than Zach has been alive, but now, they rrely on Midland GMRS radios to keep everyone connected. 

The Hefty's use:

"If you need to, you can talk to one person or everyone at the same time. It makes communication a lot easier and quicker. You know all of your team is connected. It makes it quicker and easier to connect when things need to be communicated very quickly. If there's ever a problem or an issue, then it can get solved much quicker and easier. It's much more efficient," he said.

Why GMRS Handheld Radios Matter

For Zach, GMRS handheld radios offer flexibility and portability- especially important during the demanding harvest season. 

"Harvest season is the biggest time for communication, especially when you have different trucks in the field, you have grain cart operators, combines, and you're just trying to connect with all the pieces at once. Being able to speak with all the different parts of the operation directly with radios is just easier. 

Unlike cell phones, radios offer reliability when farmers need it most.

"Even though cell phones have gotten better, cell service hasn't necessarily gotten better. GMRS handheld  radios are just really reliable. They're portable and easy to use. You can just bring it and have it on you at all times which is nice."

That's why Zach and his team count on Midland GMRS handheld radios and MicroMobiles- to cover every corner of their operation, no matter how busy or remote the season gets. 

GXT3000 GMRS Walkie Talkie 2 Pack - GXT3000VP4

The Farm in October

As Zach and his family wrap up silage harvest and turn their attention to soybeans and corn in October, communication remains central to their work. With acres of crops to manage, vehicles to coordinate, and a team spread across fields, reliable radios make all the difference. 

From planting to harvest, education to community events, and radio to television, the Hefty family continues to push forward with innovation and connection. 

And, Midland's GMRS handheld radios remain a critical part of keeping that legacy moving forward. 

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