GMRS walkie talkies are making a difference on a Central Nebraska farm. The walkies are bridging safety and efficiency.
Midland caught up with Noah Hubbard about his experience on the farm, sharing his life on social media, and how GMRS walkie talkies are keeping him connected.
ABOUT NOAH HUBBARD
Nestled in Central Nebraska, is fourth-generation farmer, Noah Hubbard. He runs a corn and soybean operation with his mom.
From an early age, he knew the family operation would be part of his future.
“I always wanted to farm, but I had to go to college first, and then had to get a job for a year elsewhere just to make sure this was what I wanted to do. The stars aligned, and we’ve been farming ever since,” Hubbard said.
For him, farming is more than a job. It’s a passion rooted in purpose.
“I just kind of love being able to have my own schedule. I can enjoy the outdoors. I hate being inside. I could never do an office job. Nothing against people who do, but the farm is where I’m happy.”
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Beyond the flexibility and connection to the outdoors, Hubbard has been able to meet and connect with others, many of whom he may not have met otherwise. Recently, he’s been able to give back as wildfires have damaged farms in other parts of the state.
“I thought to myself, I don’t know how to put out a fire. I’m not good at that kind of stuff, but we’ve got some hay lying around and I’ve got hay trailers, so I decided that was the best way I could help people. In this occupation and industry, everybody helps everybody. I kind of work under the idea that if I was in the situation they’re in, they’d be there to help me too.”
He calls agriculture a brotherhood, saying helping one another is part of the code. He’s been all over the state, dropping off hay to local ranchers.
“It’s nice to actually be able to meet the guys and kind of see what they’re going through. You get a little more of a personal connection there when you see the damage firsthand and how you’re helping them. It always makes me smile seeing the critters running around knowing you’re bringing them food."
SHARING THE FARM ON SOCIAL MEDIA
He started sharing his experience on the farm during harvest season one year, beginning with TikTok.
“I like sharing because there are a lot of people that don’t know much about agriculture, which is nothing against them. It’s just not something a lot of these big schools teach in the cities, so just being able to share what we do with people who otherwise wouldn’t really know about it, I really enjoy that.”
USING GMRS WALKIE TALKIES TO COMMUNICATE
His operation began using two-way radios several years ago and for the longest time were having a hard time finding some that worked. Because of this frustration, they relied on cell phones and old-fashioned hand signals. Now, they’re using Midland’s GXT67 GMRS 5‑Watt Walkie Talkie - GXT67PRO.
He’s seen improvements both in the farm’s safety and efficiency.
“For safety, just being able to grab the GMRS walkie talkie really quick and let Mom know where I need her with the grain cart is huge. Also, I feel like we’re a lot more efficient because we can communicate right away instead of having one person guessing where the other guy wants them to be. Communication in the field is an important thing during planting and harvest, and we’ve been able to get along a lot better with that now.”
Most of the year, it’s just him and his mom running things, but they add in a trucker during harvest. That’s when relying on walkie talkies is especially important, keeping them connected between the grain cart and combine operators.
“We’ve got enough reach with those powerful GMRS walkie talkies to guide our trucker where we need him.”
MAY ON THE FARM
During the month of May, Hubbard and his mom are planting for a majority of the month. The walkie talkies are a crucial part of them keeping things on track.
“I like to keep track of how the machines are operating and everything. A lot of times, I need help with getting seed tenders and fertilizer tanks moved over to the planter tractor so I can keep going. Letting my mom know when I need her to run and grab that stuff speeds things up a lot. When we’re planting, every second counts when there’s rain coming."
As another season gets underway in Central Nebraska, dependable communication continues to help keep Hubbard’s operation moving, proving that on the farm, teamwork and timing go hand in hand.
Share:
Old Lessons and New - To Survive a Hurricane