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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 despite not rushing
• Taking a quick family weekend getaway during planting season led to better mood and productivity
• Our kids had a phone-free weekend at the lake, experiencing "good boredom" that fosters creativity
• Modern farming efficiency with high-speed planters has doubled productivity and improved crop stands
• Field meals now focus on nutritious options instead of processed foods
• Jesse's emotional milestone of completing a challenging hike in Yellowstone after hip replacement
• Introduction of "The Farmer's Greatest Asset" workbook to document farming knowledge and procedures

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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 (including sports drinks and energy drinks) with plain water
• Consider a home water filtration system to remove heavy metals and contaminants
• Create complete darkness in your bedroom by removing all light sources
• Maintain a sleep-friendly environment with temperatures below 69°F
• Stop caffeine consumption after lunch to prevent sleep disruption
• Expose your face to morning sunlight to help regulate your circadian rhythm
• Understand that physical symptoms like fatigue often stem from dehydration
• Recognize the connection between gut health, inflammation, and nutrient absorption
• Start implementing these habits now - your body can rebuild itself within a few years

Send us an email at farmersgreatesasset@gmail.com with your questions or topics you'd like us to cover. If you've received value from this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help other farmers discover this information.

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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 pattern
• Morning prayer and helping others are powerful tools for maintaining perspective during hardships
• Look for the small daily blessings - they're everywhere when you're watching for them
• Marketing strategy: "hit singles instead of home runs" by selling incrementally when prices exceed production costs
• Avoid the dangerous cycle of "greed, hope, and despair" by selling on the upward climb
• Focus on faithfulness rather than success - it's a meaningful distinction that transforms everything
• Creating space for the next generation to lead while providing support builds stronger families and communities
• Equipping children with social skills and responsibility prepares them for adulthood and independence

If you like what you heard or want to hear more, subscribe, like, share, or email any suggestions to farmersgreatesasset@gmail.com.

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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 with 200 acres and an FHA loan at age 18
• Found resilience through faith during the 1980s farm crisis when banks refused loans
• Created independent business opportunities for each child rather than just positions in the family operation
• Diversified beyond traditional farming into seed sales, custom work, trucking, and excavation
• Measures success not by how necessary he is to the operation but by how well it runs in his absence
• Built a reputation for servant leadership that extends throughout the agricultural community
• Believes in the principle that "when you shovel out, God shovels back—and God has a bigger shovel"
• Views his responsibility as not just teaching his children but teaching them to teach their children
• Values relationships over self-sufficiency, recognizing the importance of both giving and receiving help

Join us next week for more wisdom from Steve as we continue exploring what truly makes the farmer agriculture's greatest asset.

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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 be adequate to properly seal anhydrous and convert it to plant-available forms
• Progressive farmers are achieving nitrogen efficiency rates around 0.7 pounds per bushel of corn
• Side-dressing nitrogen at V3 growth stage offers optimal timing for corn utilization
• Spoon-feeding mobile nutrients like nitrogen, sulfur, and boron maximizes fertilizer efficiency
• Early morning applications of foliar products provide yield advantages over midday applications
• Harvesting soybeans at higher moisture (15-16%) rather than waiting until 8-9% could capture 5+ bushels per acre
• Family involvement creates valuable learning opportunities and problem-solving skills for the next generation
• Full-season soybean varieties may provide advantages as growing seasons shift with changing climate patterns

Share this episode with your farming friends and let us know what topics you'd like us to cover by emailing farmersgreatestasset@gmail.com.

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