Docu-series explores taking over family farm after dad’s passing

Integrated agricultural software company Bushel recently completed the arc of its 2024 documentary series, which focuses on co-founder Ryan Raguse and his efforts to take over the family farm in Wheaton, Minnesota. Titled, The Unexpected Acre, the series is available for free on YouTube.

Raguse had to step in and lead the farming operation following his father’s unexpected passing last summer. Though he grew up dedicated to farming with his family, taking the lead for the first time this season brought many new and unforeseen challenges. The series not only captures the hands-on aspects of farming but also the emotional connection and authenticity that Raguse said he brings to North Dakota-based Bushel, which supports more 100,000 farmers, making it one of the largest technology networks in U.S. agribusiness.

“I started Bushel because of the inefficiencies I saw every day helping out on my family farm,” Raguse explains. “I wanted to show how the technology we’re building at Bushel is helping the farming community in their day-to-day work. This series is about living what we do—our products aren’t just something we create; we use them ourselves to improve the future of agriculture.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries

The Unexpected Acre debuted in April with an episode title, The Farm. In all there were five episodes released, with The Rookie, The Rain, The Preparation, and The Harvest following that debut episode. The most recent was released in mid-November, and it gave audiences a firsthand look at the culmination of a season spent growing corn, soybeans, and alfalfa.