Pioneer Mindset
Pioneer Mindset is a podcast for rural agricultural business owners who want to challenge their thinking and address discomfort in their business and personal lives. Host Garrett Ruskamp, a fifth-generation farmer, husband, and father from rural Nebraska, shares lessons from a decade of farming. He discusses the disorganization and financial uncertainty that many owners face, and how to find clarity and build bold conviction. Through honest conversations, the show aims to help listeners gain control and create a profitable, sustainable business.
Episodes
E140 | We Bought Farm Ground: Here's the Process Start to Finish
Episode Summary Have you ever bought a farm before? Until you've actually gone through the process, it's really hard to know what to expect. We just bought some farm ground here recently and going through it firsthand taught me a lot. Some of it I wish I had known sooner. Some of it I wish I had done differently years ago. And all of it is worth sharing before you find yourself in the middle of it
E139 | Farm Weird and Figure It Out with Zach Smith The Stock Cropper: Part 2
Episode Summary We're back with Zach Smith for part two of this conversation. If you missed part one, go back and listen first. There's a lot of good context in there about Zach's background, how Stock Cropper started and what it's actually like to try something nobody in your area has ever done. This week we get into where Zach is today. The Stock Cropper system has evolved and he's been deep in
E138 | Farm Weird and Figure It Out with Zach Smith The Stock Cropper: Part 1
Episode Summary This week I'm bringing on a guy I've been wanting to get on ever since we crossed paths at a friend's field day. Zach Smith, known across the ag world as The Stock Cropper, is a fifth generation Iowa farmer who has spent the last decade doing things most people in his area thought were flat out crazy. If you've been thinking about trying something new, this one's for you. And if yo
E137 | When Expansion Makes Things Worse: Our Farm's Story
Episode Summary Is bigger better? Or does bigger just mean more risk? That question showed up on X a while back wrapped in a phrase that got a lot of pushback: the only way out of debt is to grow your way out of it. I've got thoughts on that. Strong ones. Because we lived it. In this episode I get honest about our own expansion story. Building the hoop building in 2016, doubling the cow herd, then
E136 | The Power of Putting Yourself in the Right Rooms
Episode Summary Would your future self recommend the circles you're currently in or think you could do better? This episode came straight from a weekend in Kansas City at the Singular Agronomics dealer conference. Being in a room full of the right people who are genuinely curious, open-minded and willing to try new things was a good reminder of just how much the circles you're in shape who you bec
E135 | Sell Buy Marketing and Taking Back Control: Part 2 with Doug Ferguson
Episode Summary I'm back with Doug Ferguson, Mr. Cattlemaster, for part two of this conversation. If you haven't heard part one yet, go back and listen. Doug shares his background, how sell-buy marketing works and more. This week we get into what actually keeps people from implementing sell-buy marketing after the school. We talk about the difference between being interested and being committed, a
E134 | Sell Buy Marketing and Taking Back Control: Part 1 with Doug Ferguson
Episode Summary This week I'm Doug Ferguson, Mr. Cattlemaster, to the podcast! He is one of the most unique thinkers in the cattle industry and this conversation did not disappoint. Doug teaches sell-buy marketing, a strategy that flips the traditional buy-sell approach. Instead of buying cattle and hoping the market cooperates on the back end, you capture your profit on the buy and that one shift
E133 | Audio Field Day, Part 2: Small Grains, Non-GMO Corn and Nitrogen Trials
Episode Summary This is part two of my audio field day series. Last week we walked through the strip crop trial. This week I'm taking you through the rest of what we've been doing on our farm this year: small grains, non-GMO corn, twin row cover crops, cover crop management in front of corn and beans and our reduced nitrogen trial. As I said last episode, I'm not a researcher. I'm a farmer trying
E132 | Audio Field Day, Part 1: The Strip Crop Trial
Episode Summary When's the last time you went to somebody else's farm and just tried to learn something? Field days are one of the most underrated things in agriculture and this episode is my version of one. Nothing fancy or formal, just me walking you through what we're actually doing on our farm this year and what we've learned along the way. Before we get into it, I share a thought that's been
E131 | 8 Business Lessons From a Fishing Trip
Episode Summary We took our family for a little staycation last weekend and somewhere between baiting hooks, untangling fishing lines and watching the boys get excited every time they got a bite, I started thinking about some things a little differently. Turns out fishing is basically a masterclass in business and life. And in this episode, I share eight lessons that hit me while I was out there o
E130 | Here's How to Take Back Control of Your Day
Episode Summary If you're struggling with feeling like things are constantly out of your control, it might be because your day is filled with things that are literally out of your control. For most of us, our days are stacked top to bottom with chaos, fires to put out and things that are just out of our hands. And when that's all your day is made of, it's no wonder we end up burned out, run down a
E129 | Revenue Feeds the Ego. Profits Feed the Family.
Episode Summary Unless you change the mind, you won't change the results. The the phrase that sets the tone for this episode came straight from a cattle marketing school I attended with Doug Ferguson, Mr. Cattlemaster. I went to learn sell-buy marketing. What I didn't expect was to spend the first half of a two-day class talking about paradigms, commitment, fear of success and why most of us wish
E128 | Don't Put Off These Important Things
Episode Summary We're over halfway through the year, halfway through the growing season and right about at that point where things feel just a little less chaotic than they did a month ago. And that moment, the pocket between the busy seasons, is exactly what this episode is about. As business owners, farmers and parents, we spend a lot of time just trying to figure out where our time is best spen
E127 | Optimistic vs. Oblivious — There's a Big Difference
Episode Summary Last week I talked about scarcity. What it is, what it steals from you and why it hits hardest when you're already vulnerable. This week, we flip it. This episode is about what becomes possible when you shift from a never enough mindset to one that actually believes there is enough. Not by ignoring reality. Not by pretending the challenges aren't real. But by choosing to see them d
E126 | Truck Tires, Target Boxes and the Scarcity Trap
Episode Summary The truck needs tires again. You just got done taking the sprayer to the shop. The wife wants to go on vacation. Five Target boxes showed up. And somehow it all hits at once. Those little things have a way of compounding fast. And when they do, it's easy to get sucked into a spiral that's a lot harder to climb out of than it was to fall into. In this episode, I get into the scarcit
E125 | The #1 Question in Your Marketing Plan
Episode Summary You pull up the marketing app and there it is again, corn down another six cents. Fifty cents off the highs in just a couple of weeks. That sinking feeling sets in and all the coulda shoulda woulda stories start running through your head. This episode came straight from a text I got from a client: "Corn really took a hit. It makes it a really big challenge to create new crop sales.
E124 | Should You Tell Your Banker You're Shopping Around?
Episode Summary Are you treating your cost of money like every other input on your farm? Because that's the question I had to ask myself recently. We're in the middle of a land deal and I had to decide whether or not to tell our banker we were shopping around with FSA and Farm Credit for a better rate. Sounds simple but it wasn't. All the usual stories ran through my head, what if he takes it pers
E123 | The Hard Truth About Bringing the Next Generation Back to the Operation
Episode Summary Coming from the son of the father who tried to get his son back to the operation, it's a tough thing to wrap your head around that if it wasn't for me, the farm would not have had to endure such hardships. But also, if it wasn't for me, the farm would not have survived. In this episode, I take you back through the full story of our operation.Where we were before I came back to the
E122 | How Much Equipment Do You Actually Need?
Episode Summary Here's a question most farmers never stop to ask: how much equipment do you actually need? If you can reduce your overhead, you're giving yourself a raise. So why do we keep signing up for the opposite? This episode is a direct challenge to one of the most deeply ingrained habits in agriculture, the automatic reinvestment of profits back into equipment. I dive into why we do it, ho
E121 | Should Farmers Share Equipment? My Honest Hot Take
Episode Summary I was in the sprayer the other day and a thought hit me: should farmers actually be sharing equipment? So I took the question to social media and the responses came flying in. Some people swore by it. Some said it had blown up in their faces. Others said it depends entirely on who you're doing it with. In this episode, I dive into that question head on and talk about the real econo
E120 | The Freedoms We Take for Granted: A Memorial Day Conversation with Tyler Sharp
Episode Summary Happy Memorial Day and what better way to honor it than by sitting down with someone who actually lived it. This week I brought on my good friend Tyler Sharp, Southwest Kansas native, former private security contractor, 22-year fire department veteran, and owner of Sharp Shooting Supply. In this episode, Tyler opens up about going overseas to Kandahar, Afghanistan as a precision ov
E119 | Don't Let the Farm Win at the Expense of Everything Else
Episode Summary This is part three of our series on the real stressors of the busy season. We talked about the weight of the workload. We talked about keeping the business from falling apart. Now we're getting into the one thing most farmers won't admit is suffering until it's already broken: the work and family life balance. In this episode, I get honest about the realities of trying to be a good
E118 | You Wouldn't Not Check Your Crops, Why Wouldn't You Do The Same With Your Business?
Episode Summary The farm will take every minute you have and every dollar you own. And right now, in the middle of the busy season, it's doing exactly that. This is part two of a three-part series on the stressors we're all carrying this time of year. Last week, I talked about the weight of the workload. This week, I want to talk about what quietly happens to your farm business when you're only fo
E117 | What's Actually Important on the Farm Right Now?
Episode Summary In this episode, I talk about something most of us just push through without ever stopping to address: the weight of the workload and what it actually costs us when we let it run unchecked. The endless to-do list, the weather decisions, the breakdowns, the mental load of trying to do everything right. It adds up fast. And if we're not careful, it quietly robs us of the very thing t
E116 | The Most Overlooked Metric on Your Farm
Episode Summary Last week I traded one hour of my time for $7,900. Not from some big investment or a lucky break but just by showing up to my annual farm insurance renewal meeting and being willing to ask a few questions. In this episode, I talk about return on time (ROT) and why it might be the most overlooked metric in your operation. We grind through long days, early mornings, and late nights,
E115 | The Fertilizer Audit: Stretching Your Biggest Input Dollar
Episode Summary Fertilizer can represent 10 to 20% of total input costs and yet many operations are still running the same rates, with the same suppliers, year after year without questioning whether that money is actually working as hard as it could be. In this week's episode, I dive into some figures within our own operation and how smarter agronomy, supplier shopping, and efficiency-focused thin
E114 | Profit First: Flipping the Farm Business Mindset
Episode Summary I recently talked with Mary Jo Irmen from Farming Without the Bank and this week I'm reflecting on that conversation, diving into one of the most fundamental and often overlooked mindset shifts in farm business management: evaluating which expenses are truly a need versus a want. This episode challenges you to flip the traditional income-minus-expenses equation on its head. I also
E113 | From Cornfields to Content: Farming in the Digital Age with Quentin Connealy
Episode Summary This week I welcome Quentin Connealy, an Eastern Nebraska farmer, social media creator, and podcast co-host to Pioneer Mindset. Tune into our conversation where we cover the realities of modern farming, from flooding and weather extremes to ag tech adoption, mental health, and staying positive through the inevitable cycles of farm life. Quentin shares how wakeboarding in a cornfiel
E112 | What is the Cross You Carry Teaching You?
Episode Summary As we enter Holy Week, I wanted to focus this week's podcast episode on faith, perspective, and the weight we all carry. I walk through the parable of The Prodigal Son and how each character, the younger son, the older son, and the father each represent struggles we all face in our own lives. From chasing what we think we want, to feeling overlooked even when doing everything "righ
E111 | 5 Things to Help Stay Intentional this Spring
Episode Summary As the busy spring season approaches, it's easy to get caught in the cycle of constant work. We focus only on the production side and can lose sight of what truly matters. In this episode of Pioneer Mindset, I share five practical ways to stay grounded, in control, and aligned with your goals before things get busy. From knowing your numbers to protecting your time and relationship
E110 | Why I Started Pioneer Farmer
Episode Summary This week on the podcast, I dive into sharing the story behind Pioneer Farmer.I talk about why I started the business, some of the struggles that I faced, and how I now helps farmers and ranchers take back control of their operations. I talk about how some of our experiences on our operation like expanding our cow-calf operation and the financial pressure we faced after taking on d
E109 | When the Thing You Love Becomes the Hardest Job
Episode Summary We've all heard the phrase: "Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life." But what if that is actually misleading? In this week's episode, I dive into the question: Should you pursue your passion? While passion can be a powerful motivator, relying on it alone can also create unrealistic expectations, especially in industries like agriculture where adversity, financia
E108 | Crop Insurance in 2026: What Changed & Why It Matters with Landon Shafer
Episode Summary In this episode of Pioneer Mindset, I sat down with Landon Schafer to break down the biggest crop insurance updates heading into 2026. With increased premium support, expanded Beginning Farmer benefits, ARC/PLC flexibility, and stronger ECO/SCO options, this isn't a year to auto-renew coverage. It's a year to intentionally evaluate your risk, your cost of production, and how your i
E107 | Farming for Resilience with Matt Griggs: Part 2
Episode Summary We are back this week with part 2 of my conversation with Matt Griggs on farming for resilience! We continue to dive deep into making decisions that strengthen your operation for the future and generations to come. Resources & Links: To learn more about how I can help you achieve financial clarity and confidence through essential tools and systems, check out my free training here!
E106 | Farming for Resilience with Matt Griggs: Part 1
Episode Summary Hard seasons have a way of forcing clarity. In this episode of Pioneer Mindset, I sat down with fifth-generation farmer Matt Griggs to talk about some of the pivotal moments that reshaped his operation.From unexpectedly taking over the farm at 25, to surviving devastating droughts, to completely rethinking how he farms in order to reduce risk and build long-term resilience. We dive
E105 | Why Farm Transition Starts With Knowing Your Numbers
Episode Summary Farm transition and succession planning is one of the most important and most avoided conversations in agriculture. In this episode, I break down why transition planning feels so uncomfortable, what's truly at stake when we delay it, and why every successful transition starts with one thing: knowing your numbers. From family dynamics and emotional decision-making to debt, profitabi
E104 | Has Progress Hurt Farm Profitability? With David Kleinschmidt
Episode Summary Modern agriculture has pushed farmers toward specialization, higher yields, and more technology but has it actually made farms more profitable, resilient, or sustainable? In this episode of Pioneer Mindset, I sat down with David Kleinschmidt of Progressive Agronomy Consulting Services to discuss how agriculture arrived where it is today and why many producers feel like they're runn
E103 | How to Take Control of Your Line of Credit Renewal
E103 | How to Take Control of Your Line of Credit Renewal Episode Summary Loan renewals don't have to feel like a yearly interrogation or a moment where your entire operation hangs in the balance. In this episode of Pioneer Mindset, I break down how farmers and ranchers can take back control of their line of credit renewal process by shifting from a reactive mindset to a proactive and prepared app
E102 | Surviving vs. Progressing: The Importance of Goal Setting
Episode Summary To start off the new year, I dive into the importance of setting goals in this episode— not just dreaming about them — and why so many driven farmers, ranchers, and business owners feel stuck despite working hard and caring deeply about their families and future. Ag producers are capable, ambitious, and full of ideas… yet constantly distracted, overwhelmed, and feeling like nothing
E101 | Comparison Is the Thief of Progress
Episode Summary This week I talk about the mindset of jealousy — why it shows up so easily, how it holds us back, and what to do instead. I talk about how comparing ourselves to others can lead us to idolize their success, dismiss our own path, and lose focus on what actually serves us. I challenge you to stop trying to be someone else and instead commit to becoming the best version of yourself. T
E100 | The Season That Almost Broke Us But Built Us Instead with Ellan Ruskamp
Episode Summary In this milestone 100th episode, I sat down with my wife, Ellan, to share the behind-the-scenes story of our farming operation, family, and the difficult seasons that shaped us both. We walk through what it was like to move from not knowing our financial reality, to being forced to confront it head-on during a season of expansion, debt, stress, and major family change — including p
E99 | Fear or Purpose: What Will Drive You in 2026?
Episode Summary As 2025 comes to a close, I walk through reframing how to approach the challenges and opportunities ahead of us in 2026. I walk through two scenarios — one driven by fear, overwhelm, and scarcity, and the other grounded in purpose, optimism, and intentional action — this episode challenges you to examine what actually motivates you to move forward. I dive into how fear can sometime
E98 | Lessons Learned the Hard Way: Our Mistakes from 2025
Episode Summary As the year winds down and the holidays approach, I take a look back at 2025 — not to highlight wins, but to analyze the mistakes and learning opportunities that happened throughout the year. From communication breakdowns and rushed decisions to equipment issues, agronomic timing, and family-life lessons, this episode is an honest reflection on what went wrong, what it cost, and wh
E97 | Bridging the Gap Between Survival and Profit
Episode Summary In this week's Pioneer Mindset episode, I break down what I call the "profit gap" in farming — the space between being stuck in the trenches and reaching profitability I talk about why so many service providers in agriculture are built to help producers once they're already profitable, while far fewer are designed to help farmers and ranchers who are still grinding to get there. Fr
E96 | A Lender's Perspective for Farmers with Banker Bryce Havlovic
Episode Summary In this episode, Garrett sits down with agricultural lender Bryce from CharterWest Bank to give producers a clearer understanding of what lenders actually look for — and how you can set yourself up for a smoother, more successful loan renewal process. They break down the realities of farm financing, why equipment and land decisions can't be based on "justifying" the numbers, and ho
E95 | Your End-of-Year Farm Business Checklist
Episode Summary As we enter the final month of 2025, I break down the essential business tasks every farmer and rancher should focus on to finish the year strong and set up 2026 with clarity—not chaos. I walks through the some core areas that make the biggest impact on your financial organization, stress levels, and decision-making as we close out the year. Whether you're ahead, behind, or somewhe
E94 | Creative Ways to Add Revenue to Your Operation in 2026
Episode Summary What It Really Means to "Provide Value" to Your Operation We all grow up wanting nothing more than to farm, but many of us work off farm jobs, build side businesses, or take big risks just to earn our way to keeping the farm alive. In this week's episode, I challenge the mindset of "just keep doing what we've always done" — and encourage you to think differently, experiment, and no
E93 | The Money Mindset Every Farmer Needs
Episode Summary In this week's solo episode of Pioneer Mindset, I dive deep into how you think about money — because your mindset around money impacts far more than just your bank account. I recently listened to one of Mel Robbins' podcast interviews with Morgan Housel, author of The Psychology of Money.From that episode, I share my own thoughts and break down the core principles from the book and
E92 | Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze? The Custom Work Dilemma
Episode Summary As harvest wraps up, I take a practical look at one of the most common questions farmers face each fall: is custom work worth it? Whether you're combining for neighbors, drilling cover crops, or taking on extra acres to help justify equipment costs, there are real pros, cons, and mindset shifts to consider. In this episode, I break down how to evaluate custom work in your own opera
E91 | The Weight of Always Trying: Letting Go of Striving and Trusting God's Plan
Episode Summary In this solo episode, Garrett opens up about the reality of "trying so hard" — in harvest, in family life, in business, and in faith. From long days in the combine to the quiet moments of reflection that come after, this conversation is an honest look at the weight many farmers carry: trying to be the best husband, father, Christian, and business owner — all at once. In this week's
E90 | Informed. Aligned. Actionable. The Framework for Smart Farm Decisions
Episode Summary In this episode of Pioneer Mindset, I break down one of the most overlooked skills in agriculture — decision-making. Every day, farmers and ranchers make thousands of choices, but not all of them are quality decisions. I dive into what it means to make high-quality decisions, why the process matters more than the outcome, and how improving your decision-making directly impacts prof
E89 | More Than Yields — What We Forget in the Middle of Harvest
Episode Summary Harvest season brings long days, high pressure, and plenty of comparison — whether it's yields, equipment, or how much progress the neighbors have made. I share an honest look at how harvest is going at Ruskamp Farms and the mindset shifts that can make all the difference. I dive into the realities of yields, basis changes, long hours, and the constant temptation to push harder — b
E88 | From Soil Data to Real Decisions: Getting ROI From Every Acre with Trent Mastny
Episode Summary Garrett sits down with Trent Mastny, a Nebraska-based farmer, agronomist and sales rep with JTM Ag, to explore how the next generation of soil sampling tools can help farmers make smarter fertility and planting decisions. They break down what makes zone sampling more accurate than traditional grids, how the Haney test measures real nutrient availability, and why tools like Ferticas
E87 | The Confident Farmer: Why Faith and Action Go Hand in Hand
Episode Summary In this week's episode, I talk about one of the most universal struggles for farmers and ranchers — confidence. Whether you see yourself as naturally confident or someone who wrestles with self-doubt, this conversation dives deep into why confidence matters, how faith ties directly into it, and what practical steps you can take to strengthen both. This episode challenges you to fli
E86 | No More Excuses: Becoming the Leader Your Operation Needs
Episode Summary In this week's episode of Pioneer Mindset, I talk about what it takes to move beyond "getting by" and stepping into true ownership—both in life and in business. Are you just keeping up, or are you stepping up as a businessman? This episode dives into the idea that to have what others don't, you must do what others won't. I apply this mindset across the CORE 4—body, being, balance,
E85 | Breaking Down Profitability: What Every Farmer Needs to Know
Episode Summary This week on the podcast, I dive into profitability!I talk why now—before harvest kicks into full swing—is the ideal time to evaluate your numbers, build crop plans for next season, and get clear on what's truly profitable in your operation. In this week's episode on profitability: Why profitability is more than just having cash in the bank The difference between cash vs. accrual
E84 | Managing Volatility: Grain, Cattle and the Mindset to Match with Zane Abner
Episode Summary This week, I sit down with Zane Abner of Tredas to dig into grain and cattle marketing strategies that help producers stay proactive instead of reactive. From handling grain carry and price spreads to managing cattle market volatility, Zane shares practical tools and mindset shifts that keep operations steady when markets swing. We explore how to create flexible plans, avoid emotio
E83 | Beyond the Bushels: Protecting Your Farm's Bottom Line with Landon Shafer
Episode Summary Crop insurance may not be the most exciting part of farming, but it can make or break your bottom line. In this episode of Pioneer Mindset, I sits down with crop insurance agent and advisor Landon Shafer to break down what farmers need to know heading into harvest and beyond. From understanding new program changes and margin coverage options to managing claims, price discovery, and
E82 | Facing Fears in Farming, Fitness, and Life with John Sachse
Episode Summary What's driving your goals—the destination, or the journey it takes to get there? In this conversation with John Sachse of RanchFIT Coaching, we dig into the deeper meaning behind goal setting, physical fitness, and living with intention in farming, ranching, and life. From training for the Boston Marathon to hosting annual ruck events, John shares how the pursuit itself often bring
E81 | How to Recognize and Embrace the Season You're In
Episode Summary Life comes at us in seasons. Some are filled with growth and excitement, others with struggle and exhaustion. And too often, we either compare our season to someone else's or complain about the one we're in—without realizing it may be the very season we once prayed for. In this week's episode I share some thoughts on embracing the season you're in: Why it's critical to acknowledge
E80 | What Do You Really Want?
Episode Summary What do you want? It's a simple question—but often one of the hardest to answer. In this episode of Pioneer Mindset, I dive into the idea of happiness, contentment, and the constant pursuit of "more" in our lives and businesses. Key thoughts from this week's episode: Why "wanting everything leaves you with nothing." The tug of war between contentment and ambition. Why money may no
E79 | Inside Our 2025 Wheat Harvest: Yields, Costs, and Marketing Wins
Episode Summary This week, I am diving into some lessons from our recent wheat harvest.Wheat isn't a huge crop for our area, but I break down the reason why we choose to keep it in our rotation and how this season turned out for us.It wasn't a record-breaking year, but our marketing strategy turned a potential loss into a profitable crop.Tune in to for some valuable insights on strategy and making
E78 | Fix It or Trade It? Making Smart Equipment Decisions
Episode Summary In this episode, I tackle a big question that every operator faces at some point: Do we fix our equipment or trade it in?I walk through a recent equipment decision we face and dive into the numbers, the decision-making process, and the trade-offs involved when it comes to managing one of the biggest line items on the farm. Your operation is unique. Don't get caught chasing what the
E77 | 7 Time Management Tools Every Farmer Needs
Episode Summary In this episode of Pioneer Mindset, Garrett digs into one of the most common and costly mistakes farmers and ranchers face—poor time management. Whether you're working long days in the field or trying to balance chores, business, and family, it can feel like there's just never enough time. But what if the problem isn't how much work there is—but how we've been trained to think abou
E76 | The Banking Framework That Builds Your Farm's Future
Episode Summary In this episode of Pioneer Mindset, I'm breaking down the 5 C's of Credit—Character, Capacity, Capital, Collateral, and Conditions—and how these can help farmers maximize their lender relationships and navigate tough times with clarity and confidence. Whether you're a first-generation farmer just starting out, or a multi-generational operation looking to future-proof your business,
E75 | Living the Lessons of the '80s: Our Family's Story of Struggle and Survival
Episode Summary This week, I continue the conversation on the 1980s farm crisis.I welcome my dad back on to the podcast for him to share his story of the farming during the 80s.He shares his experiences and lessons that he learned from this difficult chapter in agriculture. Let's take the resilience and knowledge gained from past experiences to think differently and lead boldly in our operations t
E74 | What the 1980s Farm Crisis Can Teach Us Today
Episode Summary Welcome back to Pioneer Mindset this week where I reflect on the 1980s farm crisis and how its lessons still echo in agriculture today. While history doesn't always repeat itself, today's farmers face many of the same pressures: rising debt, uncertain markets, and the tension between tradition and change. I dive into the similarities between then and now, what's different in 2025,
E73 | Legacy in the Dirt: Ruskamp Farms Journey in Ag
Episode Summary In this special episode, I sit down with my dad, Tom, to talk through the history of our family farm—where it started, how it's evolved, and the values that have carried it forward. We dig into some of his earliest memories of farming, the challenges he faced early on, and the key lessons he's learned along the way. It's a personal conversation packed with perspective, laughter, an
E72 | How to Stay on Top of Finances—Even in the Middle of Busy Season
Episode Summary This week on Pioneer Mindset, I dive into how you can be practical about staying financially sharp in the middle of the busy season. Whether you're wrapping up spraying, running hay, or livestock, the farm work never stops—but that doesn't mean the business side should get left behind.In this episode, I walk through a checklist of what to focus on financially, how to stay updated o
E71 | Setting Boundaries with Purpose
Episode Summary This week's episode focuses on the challenge of setting and maintaining boundaries in both personal and business life.Boundaries are essential to protecting your priorities, preserving your energy, and enabling you to lead with integrity and purpose. Whether you're a business owner, a parent, or a leader in your community, this episode will equip you with tools to say "no" effectiv
E70 | The Energy You Bring Affects Everyone Around You
Episode Summary This week's podcast episode is one that affects every farmer, rancher, and ag business owner—energy management.During the busy season, the pressure piles on.Whether it's the stress of planting delays, lack of rain, or just long, demanding days, it's easy to let that pressure bleed into your relationships and mindset.And the truth is your energy is contagious. Tune in to hear more a
E69 | Diversification vs. Specialization. Where Is True Profitability?
Episode Summary Diversification vs. Specialization.Which makes sense for your operation?This week I dive into the pros and cons of both.Cash flow in ag can be tight but knowing which option is best for operation comes down to knowing where the true profitability lies within your operation.Tune in for some actionable steps to get your operation moving in the right direction. Actionable Takeaways:
E68 | Think Different. Farm Strong—Resilience in Ag with Logan Hanks
This week I'm excited to welcome Logan Hanks to Pioneer Mindest! Logan is a row crop farmer and host of the Talk Dirt to Me podcast. He shares a transparent and grounded look into the realities of modern farming. From battling a tough 2023 crop year to navigating the mental weight of the business, Logan speaks about faith, family, financial pressure, and why diversification and discipline matte
E67 | No One Teaches This Stuff in Farming—Until It Costs You
Episode Summary This week I reflect on some tough lessons I learned through mistakes and financial stress from our farm operation. Drawing from my personal experiences and from conversations with other farmers, this episode emphasizes that pain without reflection can lead to repeating costly mistakes. You'll hear about refinancing, farm financial strain, and how past hardship can either shape bett
E66 | How We Handle Grain Marketing On Our Operation
Episode Summary This week on Pioneer Mindset, I discuss how we go about grain marketing for our operation.This episode reinforces that smart grain marketing isn't about complexity, but about clarity, consistency, and intentional decision-making that safeguards both family legacies and farm finances. In this week's episode I share about grain marketing: Farmers often face the temptation of delayed
E65 | Farming Realities and Business Mindset with Josh Pretzer: Part 2
Episode Summary Welcome back to part 2 of my conversation with Josh Pretzer!In this episode, Josh talks about redefining value in agriculture — from planter setup and data-driven decisions to the mindset farmers need to lead well. He shares insights from his work with Singular Agronomics, emphasizing that price isn't the same as value and that true ROI comes from clarity, not just cutting costs. W
E64 | Farming Realities and Business Mindset with Josh Pretzer: Part 1
Episode Summary This week I would like to welcome Josh Pretzer from Singular Agronomics to the podcast for two part conversation where we dive deep into the realities of farming profitability, landowner relationships, cash flow management, business mindset, and personal growth as a farmer and entrepreneur. Profitability reality checks: Use simple financial breakdowns (like crop insurance guarante
E63 | Let Go to Grow: How Control Can Kill Business Growth
Episode Summary In this episode of Pioneer Mindset, I dive into a challenge many farmers and ag business owners face—letting go in order to grow. Whether it's delegating a task to your dad, a teammate, or your hired help, growth often requires releasing control. But that doesn't come easy when you're deeply invested in the results and have your own way of doing things. From my own experiences on o
E62 | The High Cost of Cutting the Wrong Corners
Episode Summary As the 2025 crop season kicks into gear, it's tempting to trim expenses wherever possible. But in this episode, I dive into why investing in the right tools and data—like soil testing, agronomic consulting, and financial clarity—can make the difference between just getting by and growing a profitable, sustainable operation. In this week's episode I share my thoughts of cutting expe
E61 | Profit-Driven Grain Marketing Tips for 2025 with Zane Abner
Episode Summary This week, I welcome back Zane from Tredas to the podcast! We dive back into a topic that's often overlooked but absolutely vital—grain marketing. We dig into why many farmers are hesitant to adopt futures, options, or work with marketing advisors, often due to fear, past negative experiences, or a lack of understanding. The conversation highlights how marketing can shift an operat
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