We are replaying a past episode this week!

Ross T. Hendrickson shares his journey from a political career to managing the Hendrickson Cattle Company, emphasizing the importance of family legacy, community involvement, and the challenges faced in the cattle industry. He discusses the role of older generations in passing down knowledge, the significance of conservation in ranching, and the balance between work and enjoyment on the ranch. Ross also highlights the importance of preparing the next generation for the future of the family business while maintaining a strong commitment to the land and community.

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Cliff is the founder and co-owner of Rocky Mountain Financial Group in Denver, Colorado. He has 30 years of experience working with business owners regarding their estate and business planning.

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I’m joined by Paul Bernklau, a 91-year-old cattle buyer who spent decades traveling in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah, consigning cattle and building relationships along the way. Paul grew up on a ranch near Rifle, Colorado, but when he was 19, his father became ill, and the family had to sell the ranch. Paul went on to work as a ranchhand before finding his life’s work in cattle buying — what he calls a people business, not a cattle business. Paul has been married to the love of his life, Carla, and has devoted himself to caring for her. Quick note: this interview was recorded by phone, so Paul is quieter than me at times, but his stories are worth a listen.

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Cliff is the founder and co-owner of Rocky Mountain Financial Group in Denver, Colorado. He has 30 years of experience working with business owners regarding their estate and business planning.

Find Shelbys' Sassy Designs at facebook.com/shelbyssassy

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Robert and Shari Kurtz: Family Beyond the Fences

In this episode, we sit down with Robert and Shari Kurtz, lifelong farmers from east-central Kansas, to talk about what it means to steward both land and legacy. Shari, the only sibling of Terry — whose memory and impact inspired the podcast — brings a deeply personal perspective to the conversation. Together, they reflect on a family shaped by farming, resilience, and strong bonds.

Robert shares stories from his grandfather’s era, when cotton and sheep were part of the farm’s experimentations, and how that pioneering spirit continues today through conservation practices and cover crops, always balancing ideals with the realities of modern agriculture.

Shari offers heartfelt insights on raising farm kids and grandkids, highlighting how children learn not just by teaching but through observation and participation. The couple discusses the challenges and joys of passing down traditions while navigating change, and the importance of sharing their story to build greater understanding about farm life.

From kids make-believe ranching with toy calves to physically helping with chores, the Kurtz remind us that farming legacy is as much about family and character as it is about the land.

Key Topics Covered:

• The long view: multi-generational farming and its influence on decision-making
  
  
  
• Balancing conservation goals with financial realities
  
  
  
• How children learn life lessons naturally on the farm
  
  
  
• Tradition, transition, and technology in agriculture
  
  
  
• Overcoming misconceptions about farming through storytelling
  
  
  
• The role of family humor and close relationships in farm resilience

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Cliff is the founder and co-owner of Rocky Mountain Financial Group in Denver, Colorado. He has 30 years of experience working with business owners regarding their estate and business planning.

Find Shelbys' Sassy Designs at facebook.com/shelbyssassy

or shop them at shelbys-sassy-designs-emporia.myshopify.com

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In this episode, we hear from Dan McCarty, a fourth-generation Coloradan with deep roots in the cattle industry. Dan shares stories about his family's history in agriculture, going all the way back to his great-grandfather, a medical doctor who also speculated on farmland. Dan also talks about his unlikely friendship with Terry, how they met through the National Cattleman's Beef Association, and some of the valuable lessons he’s learned along the way. From discussing the challenges of managing large-scale operations in the high desert of Western Colorado to the importance of land stewardship and sustainability, Dan offers a wealth of knowledge and a down-to-earth perspective on the realities of ranching today. You won't want to miss his insights on navigating intergenerational transitions in agriculture and his level-headed advice for the next generation. So, give it a listen!

• Dan's family's involvement in the cattle industry in Colorado for four generations, with his great-grandfather starting as a medical doctor who also invested in farmland
• How older generations play a crucial role in passing down knowledge and traditions in ranching, especially regarding risk tolerance and lessons learned from past economic hardships
• Modern operations face challenges such as federal land issues, wolf reintroduction, and water scarcity, requiring ranchers to adapt and plan for the future
• Sustainable practices, like matching resources to cattle and implementing grazing management plans, are essential for responsible land management
• How despite the challenges, there are still many opportunities in agriculture for both those who grew up in it and those who didn't, but a business or finance background can be a major asset

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Cliff is the founder and co-owner of Rocky Mountain Financial Group in Denver, Colorado. He has 30 years of experience working with business owners regarding their estate and business planning.

Find Shelbys' Sassy Designs at facebook.com/shelbyssassy

or shop them at shelbys-sassy-designs-emporia.myshopify.com

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Today we head to Paonia, Colorado, to sit down with Mark Roeber. He operates Mt Lamborn LLC and Mt Lamborn Triple LLP. This multi-generational operation’s story begins in 1889, when the first generation purchased the property from the Utes, establishing a legacy that runs as deep as the canyons west of Crested Butte. Mark and his wife Jody have four children. Their oldest son, Chase, is planning to carry their heritage forward. Mark is a dedicated advocate for the cattle industry, who has served on Colorado Cattlemen’s and Public Lands Council boards. Mark’s leadership was vital as he served with CCA when Terry was hired. It is an honor to hear Mark's story of preservation, transition, and ensuring his family’s legacy endures

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Cliff is the founder and co-owner of Rocky Mountain Financial Group in Denver, Colorado. He has 30 years of experience working with business owners regarding their estate and business planning.

Find Shelbys' Sassy Designs at facebook.com/shelbyssassy

or shop them at shelbys-sassy-designs-emporia.myshopify.com

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We are replaying one of our favorites!

Today, I’m joined by Tim Canterbury, a longtime family friend and true cattleman. My kids know him as “Uncle Tim.” He’s played Barbie dolls and many rounds of checkers with our kids, and more importantly, he was a loyal friend to Terry.

Tim runs a cow-calf operation near Salida, Colorado, and currently serves as President of the Public Lands Council, where he advocates for ranchers across the West.

In this episode, we talk about his journey, his deep connection to the land, and what it means to carry forward a legacy in work, friendship, and family.

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Cliff is the founder and co-owner of Rocky Mountain Financial Group in Denver, Colorado. He has 30 years of experience working with business owners regarding their estate and business planning.

Find Shelbys' Sassy Designs at facebook.com/shelbyssassy

or shop them at shelbys-sassy-designs-emporia.myshopify.com

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Today we're replaying an episode I recorded about a month ago with someone very special to Terry and me, Bill Gray of Gray Ranches in Ordway, Colorado.

When I first came into the CCA world, I honestly thought Bill was the association. He was on the board when Terry was hired and remained in that position for nearly a decade afterward. One of the people who believed in Terry early and supported him throughout his time there.

Bill passed away on November 24th at the age of 74 and we wanted to honor him by sharing this conversation again.

He was a pillar in Crowley County, a lifelong cattleman, and a steady, generous presence in our industry. Our deepest sympathy and all our hugs go out to his wife, Debbie, and the whole Gray family. I like to imagine Terry, Tim Lehman, and David Mendenhall waiting for him as he steps into Heaven's Cattleman's Bar, welcoming their old friend with open arms.

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Cliff is the founder and co-owner of Rocky Mountain Financial Group in Denver, Colorado. He has 30 years of experience working with business owners regarding their estate and business planning.

Find Shelbys' Sassy Designs at facebook.com/shelbyssassy

or shop them at shelbys-sassy-designs-emporia.myshopify.com

Make sure to leave us a review!

My guest today is my friend Rachel Gabel, writer, ag advocate, and host of the Pro Ag podcast. She’s known for her work in The Fence Post, the Denver Gazette, and the Colorado Springs Gazette. Rachel knew Terry and leaned on him for his steady advice and wisdom.

In this episode, she opens up about her family’s own uncertainties around succession planning—a struggle that’s far more common in agriculture than we like to admit.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-35-federal-indictments-for-the-maudes-s-d/id1722326615?i=1000665111274

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-55-shad-sullivan-on-the-maude-case-in-sd/id1722326615?i=1000689015815

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-66-maudes-criminal-charges-dismissed/id1722326615?i=1000705495246

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-67-heather-and-charles-maude-from-washington-d-c/id1722326615?i=1000705795560

Send us a text

Cliff is the founder and co-owner of Rocky Mountain Financial Group in Denver, Colorado. He has 30 years of experience working with business owners regarding their estate and business planning.

Find Shelbys' Sassy Designs at facebook.com/shelbyssassy

or shop them at shelbys-sassy-designs-emporia.myshopify.com

Make sure to leave us a review!