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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, becoming more specialized and separate from production agriculture
• Camping at the fair creates special memories and traditions for farm families
• Responsibility for livestock teaches kids that animals eat before they do - instilling important work ethic
• Learning to lose gracefully is one of the most valuable skills developed in the show ring
• Our son Henry has developed his own passion for cattle, taking full responsibility for his show heifer
• Young people develop public speaking skills, confidence, and resilience through 4-H and fair participation
• Showing livestock provides early experiences with constructive criticism and being judged
• The emotional connection kids form with show animals can be challenging but teaches important lessons

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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 while trying to make time for family connection
• Recent health scare triggering memories of past farm accident and trauma
• Exploring adding wheat to our crop rotation with plans to follow with soybeans
• Learning to manage soybean acres with the same intensity as corn to maximize returns
• Discussing the importance of agricultural community support rather than competition
• Supporting local farmers markets and small producers as part of building agricultural resilience
• Reimagining the future of family farming by fostering positive relationships and mindsets

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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
• Moving to drone technology for foliar feeding and fungicide application
• Using targeted nutrition based on tissue samples rather than blanket applications
• Copper serves as a natural fungicide while sugar acts as a natural insecticide
• Dr. Leah visited an integrative medicine clinic in Wisconsin to connect with other healers
• Discussing parallels between physician burnout and farmer stress
• Building community connections to combat isolation in both professions
• Home garden providing abundant produce with potential for a small farm stand

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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
• Practicing gratitude as a tool for maintaining perspective during busy farming seasons
• Addressing the challenge of getting caught in day-to-day busy work versus tasks that "move the needle"
• Exploring the limiting belief of needing to do everything yourself instead of delegating
• Highlighting the importance of intentional exercise beyond regular farm work
• Suggesting short 5-10 minute walks after meals to improve digestion and metabolism

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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 them
• Finding balance between dedication and burnout when it comes to farm work
• The wisdom of managing fewer acres excellently rather than many acres poorly
• Putting marriage relationships first as a "sacred union" that withstands farm stresses
• Embracing innovation and new technologies on the farm
• Encouragement to dream bigger and think beyond what's familiar
• The importance of quality over quantity in farming decisions

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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 after receiving an NRCS grant
• Extensive companion planting with herbs and vegetables to enhance flavor and deter pests
• Growing tomatoes, peppers, berries, green beans, and many other crops for self-sufficiency
• Completion of field crop planting season with successful soybean establishment
• Experimenting with electroculture using copper wires to harness atmospheric energy for plants
• Discussion of the Mitochondriac Manifesto and the importance of connecting with the earth
• Benefits of grounding (walking barefoot) for releasing negative energy from the body
• Using plant trimmings to create natural foliar feeding solutions
• Summer plans for hay making, county fairs, and preserving the garden harvest
• Upcoming wellness trip to Okoboji Wellness Clinic

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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
• The self-imposed pressure creates physical symptoms like back pain and sleep disruption
• Farmers struggle with delegation because they want everything done their specific way
• Effective communication requires explaining not just what to do but why it matters
• Farm kids experience both the rewards and stresses of agriculture intensely
• The pressure to continue multi-generational farm legacies creates significant mental burdens
• Farmers consistently undervalue their own time and expertise compared to other professionals
• Children are statistically likely to leave farming if they only see stress and constant work
• Taking time for family and personal wellness must become a priority
• "The work will always be there, but your kids may not"

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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

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