This American Farm Family is #StillRanching in Idaho after 123 years and five generations

Today, the Breugmans grow wheat, canola, and hay and raise cattle in their century-old ranching operation in Grangeville, Idaho.

Overlooking some of the beautiful mountains in Grangeville, Idaho, Ken and Jill Breugeman farm on a 123-year-old operation that Ken’s great-great-grandfather started. The Idaho Farm Bureau introduces us to this week’s American Farm Family.

“Whether that’s a family folktale or what—but supposedly, he came over with basically nothing from Ireland, and within a period of five or six years, he was able to purchase the original part of the ranch,” Ken explains. “We’ll be fifth generation.”

Today, the Breugmans grow wheat, canola, and hay and raise cattle.

“Agriculture is important, you know?“ Ken continues. “There’s such a bad perception. I want the community to know that we’re here to raise cattle and crops in a healthy way. This ground’s been in our family for over 100 years, so we want to take care of it and be stewards of it. We’re not going to do things that will damage it and harm it, and you know, make it so we can’t pass it down to the next generation. We want the legacy to continue and not end with us. We’re just out here doing what we love every day -- that is always the bottom line to people.”

The Idaho Farm Bureau has over 10,000 member families involved in farming or ranching, just like Ken and Jill.

Related Stories
Plan for sharp, short-term volatility after unexpected outages; permanent closures rarely trigger major price spread disruptions.
USDA data confirms that U.S. agriculture remains overwhelmingly family-run despite structural shifts in scale and production, according to a new analystis by Farm Flavor.
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist Danny Munch joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to break down the scope of the U.S. Christmas Tree industry and what growers are up against.
Rising beef supplies and lower cattle prices, weaker hog markets, and softening dairy prices will shape producer margins heading into 2026.
Outdated reporting thresholds reduce cash-market visibility and increase the urgency of comprehensive Mandatory Price Reporting reform.
Rancher David Kroa of One Man Ranch joins us to share the story of his remarkable Shorthorn cow, Trish, who is beating the odds.
Stable U.S. fundamentals continue for major crops, but global adjustments in corn, soybeans, wheat, and cotton may influence early-2026 pricing.
Corn and wheat exports continue to outperform last year, while soybeans show steady but subdued movement compared to 2024.

Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
Ray’s Roadhouse is a weekly program featuring the music of Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel. Ray and his band Asleep at the Wheel has had a more than 50 year career in the music industry and over the years have earned nine Grammy Awards. The program also will feature guest performers such as Pat Green, Stoney LaRue and Kelly Willis.
Celebrating 16 Consecutive Seasons on RFD-TV! “The Penny Gilley Show,” starring “The Sweetheart of Country Music” herself, Penny Gilley.
Bill Gaither, the founder of one of gospel’s most successful groups, the Gaither Vocal Band, and his wife, Gloria, are delighted to showcase their favorite gospel music during “Gaither Gospel Hour” on RFD-TV.
RFD-TV’s newest music series, “On the Record,” presented by John Deere, takes viewers on a journey through the heart of country music. Hosted by renowned broadcaster, Suzanne Alexander, the show features long-form interviews with today’s biggest artists and the veterans who inspired them. “On the Record” also gives viewers a front row seat to intimate performances and exclusive music video releases, highlighting the broad scope of Nashville’s talent.
The Presley Family built Branson’s Original Show on the Strip. “Presleys’ Country Jubilee” was a smash hit, and people from across the country lined up every night for a chance to hear the country music and comedy the Presley Family loved to perform.