Award-Winning "Reframing Rural" Podcast Founded by Dagmar Native

Megan Torgerson's documentary series shares stories of rural life and farm succession planning.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 12:00am

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Megan Torgerson, a native of Dagmar, Montana, is the founder and producer of the award-winning documentary podcast "Reframing Rural" which shares stories of rural life. The fourth season of the podcast is focusing on farm succession, chronicling five Montana farm and ranch families and the communication needed to begin discussions around the next generation taking over the family business.

Why it matters

The podcast aims to "reframe" perceptions about rural America and farm/ranch life, celebrating culture, preserving history, and cultivating curiosity. With the challenges of keeping family farms and ranches in the hands of the next generation, the podcast provides an important platform to share succession planning stories and resources.

The details

Torgerson started "Reframing Rural" after leaving Dagmar and living in several large cities, realizing there was "some negativity but mostly a naivete' regarding rural America and Farm-Ranch life" that she wanted to change. The fourth season features families like the Bruskis of Ekalaka, Howie Hammond and his daughter Andrea Lien of Malta, and Gene Curry, the current chairman of the Montana Department of Livestock. A bonus episode recorded at the Petroleum County Community Center provides resources for families on succession planning.

  • The fourth season of "Reframing Rural" is currently underway, focusing on farm succession.
  • The bonus episode featuring succession planning experts was recorded last fall.

The players

Megan Torgerson

A native of Dagmar, Montana, Torgerson is the founder and producer of the award-winning documentary podcast "Reframing Rural".

Winnett ACES

A rancher-led non-profit organization that has joined forces with Torgerson for the fourth season of "Reframing Rural" which concentrates on farm succession.

Gene Curry

The current chairman of the Montana Department of Livestock, who provided a passionate account for the podcast on the importance of having a transition plan to keep family farms and ranches in the hands of the next generation.

Laura Nowlin

The executive director of Winnett ACES, who stated the organization's goal is to "keep family ranching on the land".

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What they’re saying

“Without a transition plan, there's just no way that a farm or ranch can stay in a family, and that would be a devastating loss.”

— Gene Curry, Chairman, Montana Department of Livestock

“At the end of the day what the Winnett ACES are trying to do is keep family ranching on the land.”

— Laura Nowlin, Executive Director, Winnett ACES

“Ag land should stay in the hands of ag families, and this is something that is getting harder and harder to continue.”

— Megan Torgerson, Founder and Producer, *Reframing Rural* podcast

What’s next

The fourth season of "Reframing Rural" focusing on farm succession is currently underway, with new episodes being released on podcast platforms.

The takeaway

The "Reframing Rural" podcast provides an important platform to share stories and resources around the critical issue of keeping family farms and ranches in the hands of the next generation, helping to celebrate rural culture and dispel misconceptions about life outside of urban areas.