The Farmer's Greatest Asset Podcast

Send us Fan Mail The countdown to harvest begins as we return from a successful but scorching State Fair where our kids showed their home-raised cattle and Henry lived his fitting dream. • Kids earned reserve breed championships with their self-raised shorthorn and simmental heifers • State Fair heat reached 95 degrees with heat index over 100, requiring gallons of water daily • Henry spent weeks...

Send us Fan Mail We're heading to the Iowa State Fair with 4-H cattle and breeding heifers, continuing a family tradition that spans generations for Jesse while creating new memories for our entire family. • Comparing state fair experiences: Jesse has attended almost every year of his life, while Dr. Amy first attended in 2005 • Evolving accommodation strategies from hotels to campers to Airb...

Send us Fan Mail Family connections remain vital despite our busy lives, especially as older generations age and health challenges arise for loved ones. • Summer is flying by, with county fairs marking the end of the season and family reunions filling our calendars • Both hosts come from large farming families – with 15-16 siblings in their parents' generations • Only a small fraction of fami...

Send us Fan Mail Jesse and Dr. Leah discuss farming conditions in Iowa after significant rainfall, then share insights about nutritional supplements and their role in maintaining optimal health. • Recent weather in Southeast Iowa has brought 2.5-4 inches of rain, creating potential challenges for soybeans which dislike wet conditions • Using drones to apply special nutrition mixes during grain fil...

Send us Fan Mail After months on a modified ketogenic diet, we share our personal journeys with giving up sugar and carbohydrates, exploring both the challenges and life-changing health benefits we've experienced. • Sugar is the most addictive substance humans consume, and breaking its grip requires complete elimination for at least 2-3 months • Ketosis is a state where your body burns fat in...

Send us Fan Mail Jesse and Leah reflect on how their relationship has evolved over 19 years of marriage, from surviving the chaos of early careers and parenthood to finding deeper connection through everyday moments. • Finding quality time together has transformed from quarterly weekend getaways to valued truck rides and morning coffee conversations • When feeling disconnection in relationships, l...

Send us Fan Mail We reflect on our county fair memories while preparing for this year's Lee County Fair in Iowa, where our son will show a heifer he's raised from birth. Fair traditions have evolved over time, but the values of hard work, responsibility, and personal growth remain central to the 4-H and FFA experience. • The show industry has changed drastically since our childhood, beco...

Send us Fan Mail Summer on the farm brings a whirlwind of activity as we balance baling, spraying, fair preparation, and finding moments to connect as a family amid the busy season. The weight of sustaining our agricultural legacy weighs heavily as we navigate the challenges of modern farming and explore ways to diversify and strengthen our operation. • Feeling the rush of summer farm activities w...

Send us Fan Mail In this hot and humid Iowa summer, we share updates on our hay making, crop conditions, and innovative approaches to foliar feeding crops with precise nutrient mixtures. We discuss how we're transitioning to drone technology for better application of nutrients while reducing compaction and crop damage. • Corn is looking good at V10 stage and standing over 6½ feet tall • Movin...

Send us Fan Mail Jesse and Dr. Leah share their "Coffee on the Porch" conversation covering farm updates, personal reflections, and practical health tips for agricultural families. • Discussing the satisfaction of haymaking season and the nostalgia of fresh-cut hay smell • Comparing the surprising growth difference between expensive hybrid soybeans and simple garden green beans • Practic...

Send us Fan Mail Jesse and Leah reflect on the invaluable lessons learned from their fathers that have shaped who they are as farmers and as people. Despite being busy with hay baling during Father's Day weekend, they take time to honor the wisdom that's been passed down through generations on their family farms. • Hard work as a foundational value that both sets of parents instilled in...

Send us Fan Mail Jesse and Dr. Leah share updates from their farm life, discussing their new high tunnel greenhouse project and the seasonal transition from planting to summer maintenance. They explore the physical and mental health benefits of growing your own food, getting your hands in the dirt, and connecting with the natural world. • Installation of a 3,100 square foot high tunnel greenhouse...

Send us Fan Mail Farm life means constantly juggling seasonal pressures with family needs while battling self-imposed time constraints. Jesse and Dr. Leah explore the mental and physical toll of the farming mindset that everything must be done immediately and perfectly. • Spring brings overwhelming task lists: side dressing corn, spraying, preparation for hay season, and equipment maintenance • Th...

Send us Fan Mail May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and today we discuss practical strategies for farmers, ranchers, and anyone who's been running on empty during busy seasons. We share our personal experiences with burnout and stress while offering seven simple, research-backed steps to improve mental wellness. • Morning sunlight exposure within the first hour of waking resets circadian r...

Send us Fan Mail We explore the deep emotional connection farmers have to their land and the importance of legacy planning to preserve family farms for future generations.  • Farmland represents more than monetary value—it carries the blood, sweat, and tears of previous generations • Creating a mission statement and core values provides clarity for farm succession planning • Open communication bet...

Send us Fan Mail We believe the farm's greatest asset is the farmer – their knowledge, experience, mind, and health.  • Springtime on the farm means planting crops and loading fat cattle in Southeast Iowa • Unexpected challenges are inevitable on the farm – from equipment breakdowns to cattle escaping • When faced with problems, most people initially react instead of respond • Moving from &qu...

Send us Fan Mail We explore the transformative impact of taking breaks during busy farming seasons and how it can rejuvenate your mindset and productivity. Our recent family getaway in the middle of planting season proved that stepping away from farm responsibilities, even briefly, can significantly improve mood and perspective. • Spring planting update with crops in the ground and looking good de...

Send us Fan Mail We explore the fundamentals of health by focusing on two critical but often overlooked aspects: proper hydration and quality sleep. These two pillars form the foundation of success by ensuring farmers maintain their most valuable asset - their own health and wellbeing. • Drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily to maintain proper hydration • Replace sugary beverages (i...

Send us Fan Mail Steve Boender returns to continue our heartfelt conversation about finding meaning through faith in farming and life's challenges. He shares wisdom about weathering economic cycles in agriculture, offering practical strategies for staying resilient during difficult times. • Economic downturns happen in roughly 50-year cycles, making current pressures part of a predictable pat...

Send us Fan Mail We welcome Steve Boender, a farmer from Oskaloosa who shares his remarkable journey of faith, family, and farming over 50 years. Steve reveals how he and his wife Jan started with nothing but an FHA loan at ages 18 and 19, building a diverse agricultural enterprise while raising six children who've all returned to agriculture in various capacities. • Started farming in 1974 w...

Send us Fan Mail We dive deep into nitrogen management strategies, balancing science with the practical realities of farm operations to maximize yield while controlling input costs. • Fall versus spring anhydrous application depends on soil conditions, workload management, and weather patterns • Soil temperature and biology significantly impact nitrogen availability to crops • Soil moisture must b...

Send us Fan Mail Beck's Field Agronomist Greg Shepard shares insights on spring planting readiness, soil biology research, and practical farming recommendations based on Beck's Practical Farm Research (PFR) findings. The conversation explores the fascinating connection between soil health and crop performance, revealing how understanding root structures and biological processes can drama...

Send us Fan Mail Wrestling with the paradox of wanting our farm kids to stay while knowing they need to leave to grow is an emotional journey every farming family understands. Together, we unpack our real conversations with our nearly-grown son about his impending departure from our operation. • Farming families uniquely struggle with the tension between independence and legacy • The fear that you...

Send us Fan Mail The episode focuses on the crucial link between a farmer's health and the business operation. We dive into how acknowledging personal well-being can create a thriving farming business.  • Importance of asking for help and shifting mindset toward delegation  • Recognizing the demands of physical and mental health on farmers  • Discussing personal experiences and approaches to...

Send us Fan Mail Our discussion shines a light on the transformative power of slowing down in the farming lifestyle. As we navigate the busy seasons, it is essential to prioritize health, relationships, and well-being, ultimately leading to a more productive and fulfilling farming experience.  • Exploring the misconception that hard work is the only path to success  • The importance of recognizing...