Andrew McCrea

Drawing upon his travels and experiences as a farmer and rancher, radio broadcaster and speaker, Andrew McCrea shares stories from the American countryside.

Latest Stories
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Succession Planning
These Colorful Corn Sacks Are Preserving a Piece of Rural History
Corn may be a commodity, but cloth sacks from the 1930s and ’40s are anything but ordinary. They’re bright, bold snapshots of farm life. And through collectors like Ron Kelsey, they continue to tell those stories today.
November 27, 2025 11:30 AM
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Andrew McCrea
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Health
How a Visit to This Rural Vermont Library Can Actually Take You on a Trip to Another Country
There are no entrances on the Canadian side of the Haskell Library building, but U.S. citizens enter through a door in Vermont. And once inside can wind up in a different country while inside the walls.
January 14, 2025 02:44 PM
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Andrew McCrea
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Health
The Magic Behind Bell Making: From the Famous SNL ‘More Cowbell’ Skit to the Iconic Bell in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
While the use of bells when Bevin Bells was founded in 1832 is much different today, the sixth-generation company continues to spread Christmas cheer year-round.
December 24, 2024 09:37 AM
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Andrew McCrea
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Corn
How an Iowa Corn Field Saved the Los Angeles Lakers
In 1960, the Minneapolis Lakers were traveling back from St. Louis on their team plane. The plane lost electrical power soon after takeoff, and flying blind, the pilots finally found a place to land. It’s that spot in the middle of Carroll, Iowa, that helped create a safe landing.
November 27, 2024 11:39 AM
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Andrew McCrea
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Health
Caitlin Clark Just Broke the All-Time Scoring Record, But This Female Athlete May Be the Greatest of All Time
Babe Didrikson was talented in the game of basketball as well as baseball, track and field and golf. It’s been nearly a century since she passed away, but her accomplishments still astound Texas visitors today.
March 11, 2024 01:33 PM
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Andrew McCrea
Health
How One Rural Community Rallied To Raise $12.5M For Impressive Community Complex
Osage, Iowa was able to raise enough money, without raising taxes, to build the Cedar River Complex, which features an indoor pool, fitness center, walking track, basketball courts, 600 seat theatre, museum and more.
July 07, 2023 03:39 PM
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Andrew McCrea
Succession Planning
Want a Slice of Nostalgia? Try Road Tripping to Andy Griffith’s Real Hometown Now Known as Mayberry
Andy Griffith actually grew up in Mt. Airy, North Carolina, but many people refer to it as Mayberry. Today, visiting the North Carolina town is like stepping onto the TV set decades ago.
July 06, 2023 01:21 PM
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Andrew McCrea
Fatma Dodurka and her daughter Alara
Health
Andrew McCrea: Why Stories Matter and How They Connect Us
A couple of years ago I was approached with a novel idea. Could we use the show to help share stories about the U.S. with those outside this country and perhaps help them learn English as a second language as well?
April 18, 2023 08:00 AM
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Andrew McCrea
North Pole Alaska
Succession Planning
Letters to Santa: Take a Trip to Where Millions of Children’s Letters to the Big Guy Arrive
If you address a letter to Santa, chances are the letter arrives in Santa Claus, Alaska. This is the story of a family who somewhat by accident became associated with Christmas.
December 23, 2022 08:48 AM
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Andrew McCrea
Minnesota Christmas Tree
Health
A Magical Rural Minnesota Christmas Tree
In 2012, Jerry Lageson flipped the switch and transformed an oak tree into a landmark for thousands of passersby. South of Faribault, Minn., Lageson annually adorns this tree with 50,000 white lights.
December 22, 2022 01:00 PM
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Andrew McCrea
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