Send us a text

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 rhythms and boosts mood
• Naming your stresses through journaling, prayer, or conversation decreases their power over you
• Human connection is essential medicine—reach out to friends or family regularly to combat isolation
• Movement and physical activity improve mental health even if it's just getting out of the tractor to stretch
• Real food from the farm (protein, vegetables, fruits) stabilizes energy levels better than processed convenience foods
• Intentional breathing practices like box breathing (4-second inhale, hold, exhale, hold) reduce stress instantly
• Focusing on purpose and practicing gratitude helps maintain perspective during challenging times

Share this episode with five friends who might benefit from these mental health strategies. If there's something you'd love for us to talk about on the podcast, reach out anytime at farmersgreatesasset@gmail.com.

Support the show

Send us a text

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 between family members helps prevent conflict and preserves relationships during transitions
• Next-generation farmers benefit from gaining outside experience before taking on full farm responsibilities
• Non-farming heirs should understand options beyond selling inherited land
• Keeping farmland in the family can provide long-term investment benefits versus a one-time sale
• Documentation and facilitated conversations help families work through difficult succession planning topics

Go share it, like it, leave us a comment, subscribe on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify or wherever you're listening. Send us a note at farmersgreatesasset@gmail.com. We'd love to hear from you and the workbook is now available. So if you want to have a place to put the farmer's brain on paper, order the workbook. It's available on our website, thefarmersgreatesasset.com, and don't forget, it's a good day to have a great day.

Support the show

Send us a text

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 "why is this happening to me?" to "what am I learning from this?" shifts your perspective
• The faster you can stop ruminating on problems and start seeking solutions, the better
• Having a supportive partner or friend who can help pull you out of negative thought patterns is crucial
• We're building a community specifically for agricultural families to provide support and growth opportunities
• Face challenges like a buffalo – head-on into the storm – rather than avoiding them

Please reach out to us at farmersgreatestasset@gmail.com to share what you'd like to hear about or problems you'd like solutions to. Go give us a review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Support the show