It was a simple, yet powerful, challenge that launched a father-son duo to invent a life-saving robot. A farmer in rural Nebraska, told Chad Johnson and his son Ben they needed to invent something to keep farmers out of grain bins. The Johnsons were experienced in robotics. So Chad, a teacher by trade with no knowledge of the ag industry, said “challenge accepted.” That’s when the Grain Weevil was born. Simply put, the Grain Weevil is a mobile robot that uses augers to move the device around. And because the robot can level the grain, break up crust, and more, it means that humans do not have to enter the dangerous confinements. According to the National Feed and Grain Association, there were 42 fatal and non-fatal grain entrapment cases documented in 2022, nearly 40% of which were fatal. “Our goal is to build a tool so that you never have to place your boots inside a grain bin where there’s grain,” Chad said. Chad and his son, Ben, run the company together. He reveals the challenges of separating family and business and shares tips for those who run family businesses. About Building Nebraska: We are a podcast for dreamers AND do-ers. We’ll ignite your passion for entrepreneurship and showcase those who turn ideas into reality. Powered by the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Follow Building Nebraska on Instagram! @buildingnebraskapod Connect with Grain Weevil: https://www.grainweevil.com/ Learn more about the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program: https://engler.unl.edu/ Check

Running a business is hard. Running a business with your spouse is harder. But Andrew and Alix Ambriz - owners of Embers Bakery & Cafe in McCook, Nebraska – are navigating marriage and parenthood while providing their community with a place to gather. Pretty cool, right? But how does a bakery and cafe in rural southwest Nebraska continue to hand-source its baked goods and find staff to keep its doors open? On this week’s episode of Building Nebraska, Andrew shares about the logistics of running the business, how much flour they go through in a year, and the “why” behind it all. Building Nebraska is powered by the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. About Building Nebraska: We are a podcast for dreamers AND do-ers. We'll ignite your passion for entrepreneurship and showcase those who turn ideas into reality. Powered by the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Follow Building Nebraska on Instagram! @buildingnebraskapod Connect with Embers Bakery and Cafe: https://www.facebook.com/embersbakeryandcafe Learn more about the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program: https://engler.unl.edu/ Check out more podcasts produced by the Rural Radio Network: https://ruralradio.com/podcasts/

In a bold move with no prior experience in the bakery business, a husband-and-wife duo purchased one of the most well-known bakeries in Nebraska. Alix and Andrew Ambriz didn’t grow up in McCook, Nebraska, nor did they have any background in baking. But that didn’t stop them from taking a leap of faith in buying Sehnert’s Bakery, a staple of southwest Nebraska, three years ago. Over the decades, Sehnert’s Bakery had become an integral part of the McCook community. Founded in 1957, it earned a reputation for its fresh donuts, bread, and warm, welcoming atmosphere. Now, three years into their ownership, the Ambriz family has truly made the bakery their own. Recently, they announced a new chapter in its history with a name change: Sehnert’s Bakery is now known as Embers Bakery and Café. To hear more about the Ambriz family’s journey and how they’re shaping the future of this beloved local business, listen to their story on the Building Nebraska podcast, powered by the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. --------- About Building Nebraska: We are a podcast for dreamers AND do-ers. We'll ignite your passion for entrepreneurship and showcase those who turn ideas into reality. Powered by the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Follow Building Nebraska on Instagram! @buildingnebraskapod Connect with Embers Bakery and Cafe: https://www.facebook.com/embersbakeryandcafe Learn more about the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program: https://engler.unl.edu/ Check out more podcasts produced by the Rural Radio Network: https://ruralradio.com/podcasts/

At Baker’s Candies, family isn’t just a value—it’s the foundation of their success. In this episode of Building Nebraska, CEO Todd Baker shares how he and his brother have carved out unique roles within the business while keeping their family at the heart of every decision. “The great thing for us as a family is that we're not motivated by money. When money becomes the principal value of a business, that is the moment when you risk losing everything. For us, family always comes before profit, productivity, and everything else.” Discover how these principles guide Baker’s Candies to produce 50 million chocolates yearly while remaining a symbol of Nebraska’s strong family values and work ethic. About Building Nebraska: We are a podcast for dreamers AND do-ers. We'll ignite your passion for entrepreneurship and showcase those who turn ideas into reality. Powered by the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Follow Building Nebraska on Instagram! @buildingnebraskapod Visit the Baker’s Candies Website: https://bakerscandies.com/ Learn more about the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program: https://engler.unl.edu/ Check out more podcasts produced by the Rural Radio Network: https://ruralradio.com/podcasts/

Baker’s Candies founder Kevin Baker set out to make a product that “Nebraska could be proud of.” These days, the company produces what is affectionately known as “Nebraska’s Chocolate.” Though the sweet, delectable chocolates are a point of pride for Nebraska residents, “Nebraska’s Chocolate” has not stayed within state lines. The product is now sold in all 50 states and many countries. CEO Todd Baker says proud Nebraskans are responsible for spreading their chocolate footprint. “When competition moves in, Nebraskans become defensive of our brand,” said CEO Todd Baker. “We are blue-collar gourmet.” Learn more about the branding of Baker’s Candies in Part 2 of their story on Building Nebraska! About Building Nebraska: We are a podcast for dreamers AND do-ers. We'll ignite your passion for entrepreneurship and showcase those who turn ideas into reality. Powered by the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Follow Building Nebraska on Instagram! @buildingnebraskapod Visit the Baker’s Candies Website: https://bakerscandies.com/ Learn more about the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program: https://engler.unl.edu/ Check out more podcasts produced by the Rural Radio Network: https://ruralradio.com/podcasts/

Would you believe us if we told you Nebraska’s favorite chocolate was created by an engineer who found himself without a job? Kevin Baker, founder of Baker’s Candies, worked for the U.S. Department of Defense during the end of the Vietnam War through the Cold War. He mass-produced missiles, but when the Cold War ended, those missiles were never fired, and his job was no longer needed. In 1987, Kevin told his family they were going to start a chocolate factory in Greenwood, Nebraska. His son, Todd, who is now the CEO of Baker’s Candies, was just six years old at the time. Forty years later, the business is shipping its product to all 50 states and dozens of countries. By the end of 2024, the business is on track to manufacture about 50 million chocolate meltaways. Learn more about the Baker’s Candies story on the Building Nebraska podcast. --- About Building Nebraska: We are a podcast for dreamers AND do-ers. We'll ignite your passion for entrepreneurship and showcase those who turn ideas into reality. Powered by the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Follow Building Nebraska on Instagram! @buildingnebraskapod Visit the Baker’s Candies Website: https://bakerscandies.com/ Learn more about the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program: https://engler.unl.edu/ Check out more podcasts produced by the Rural Radio Network: https://ruralradio.com/podcasts/