There is a moment at nearly every county fair when you can see what months of work look like. It might be a 4-H member guiding an animal into the show ring, answering a judge’s questions about a project or standing beside an exhibit that began as little more than an idea. The ribbons and awards are easy to see. What is harder to capture are all the hours that came before them: the practice, mistakes, responsibility, problem-solving and determination required to get there.

Through every season of growth, Eric and Lisa Riehle have remained grounded in the same things that brought them here: caring for the land, doing good work, treating people with integrity and keeping family at the center of it all. Long before popcorn filled the grain bins at Riehle Farms, this patch of southeastern Indiana was already part of the family story. The farm near Sunman once belonged to Eric Riehle’s grandparents. Today, Eric and his wife, Lisa, have raised

Pumpkin treats, apple cider, homemade baked goods and hearty bowls make October a delicious time to explore southeastern Indiana. There is something about October that makes us hungry for the season. Maybe it is the first roadside display piled high with pumpkins and gourds. Maybe it is the smell of barbecue drifting across a farm, a cup of fresh cider on a cool afternoon or something warm simmering in a kettle. Or perhaps it is a homemade pie, cake or cookie made from

When you hear the word cooperative, what comes to mind? As your local electric co-op, we hope you think of Southeastern Indiana REMC. Regardless of the services offered, all cooperatives have one thing in common: they’re led by the people they serve––and that simple idea makes a meaningful difference. Cooperatives come in all shapes and sizes, each created to meet a specific need. Credit unions help members save and borrow money. Producer cooperatives, like Ocean

October is National Co-op Month, and cooperatives can have a lot to teach us about smart money habits. Co-ops are built on member ownership and a shared stake in the outcome—and in practice, that tends to translate into patience and a long view. You can apply the same mindset to your own finances: Think long-term. Co-ops are built around the needs of generations of members, not just what happens this year. The same goes for your retirement savings. Small, consisten

Some family recipes are measured in cups and teaspoons. Others are measured in memories. For REMC member Debbie Monday and her family, homemade popcorn balls fall firmly into the second category. The tradition began with Debbie’s parents, Tom and Deloris Miles, after their three daughters were grown and began having children of their own. Each Halloween, the family would take the children trick-or-treating, then end the night at Grandpa and Grandma Miles’ house

A fall orchard visit uncovered a piece of REMC history and a story that feels remarkably familiar 45 years later. Sometimes a member visit comes with an unexpected trip through the REMC archives. A September stop at Beiersdorfer Orchard began simply enough: pick up a few bags of apples and some fresh cider and learn a little more about a longtime Dearborn County orchard. Then owner Hilda Beiersdorfer brought out a piece of REMC history. Framed behind glass

GUY WIRES ARE TENSIONED CABLES ATTACHED TO UTILITY POLES, RADIO TOWERS, TENTS, AND OTHER TALL STRUCTURES TO HELP KEEP THEM STABLE. They are typically anchored in the ground and attached to utility poles to help support the structure against the constant pull of power lines. If a guy wire is loose, bent, or cut, it can compromise the stability of the entire pole. In some cases, that could lead to leaning poles, sagging lines, power outages, or injuries. Yellow covers,