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 not fear failure.

The Truth About Sharing Your Competitive Advantages

Farmers are naturally protective of what works. I dive into the challenge of opening up to others about what we're doing on the farm — and why leading with integrity means being willing to share ideas that can help others thrive.

Agronomy, Marketing, and On-Farm Skill Stacking

I talk about how nutrient management, soil sampling, exploring alternative seed options, and strong grain marketing partnerships add both resilience and profitability.

Off-Farm Ideas That Bring Value Back Home

From renting out skills to becoming a consultant, advisor, crop insurance adjuster, retail dealer, farm manager, or real estate agent — I share some creative ways to use what you already know to strengthen your operation.

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!

Connect with Garrett:

• Follow on Instagram - @garrettruskamp
• Follow on Facebook - Garrett Ruskamp
• Follow on TikTok - @garrettruskamp
• Learn more about Pioneer Farmer here!

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

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 connect them directly to farm and ranch life.

Farm and ranch life is FULL of financial pressure — high input costs, volatile markets, land prices, debt, and constant comparison to what others have. This episode helps you slow down, rethink your expectations, and get honest about what's actually driving your financial stress.

This isn't about limiting your ambition. It's about creating a mindset that makes ambition healthier and your goals realistic.

In this week's episode on money mindset:

• The psychology driving your financial decisions
• Why comparing yourself to other farmers is a trap
• Why the goalpost keeps moving
• "All problems are money problems"… or are they?
• Why "enough" might be your biggest financial breakthrough

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!

Connect with Garrett:

• Follow on Instagram - @garrettruskamp
• Follow on Facebook - Garrett Ruskamp
• Follow on TikTok - @garrettruskamp
• Learn more about Pioneer Farmer here!

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

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 operation—beyond the surface of "extra income."

In this week's episode on custom work:

• The hidden costs (time, wear, and stress) that can eat into custom work margins.
• Why custom work can be a smart tool for cash flow when done strategically.
• How to think through context, capacity, and season of life before saying yes.
• The importance of setting realistic expectations.
• How building connections and perspective through custom work can lead to new opportunities.

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!

Connect with Garrett:

• Follow on Instagram - @garrettruskamp
• Follow on Facebook - Garrett Ruskamp
• Follow on TikTok - @garrettruskamp
• Learn more about Pioneer Farmer here!

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

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 episode I share about the reality of "trying so hard":

• We're all trying hard — and that's okay. Acknowledge the effort without letting it drain your joy.
• Faith in the plan. Even when the season feels heavy, God is still working through it.
• Shift your focus. Instead of just striving for personal goals, pursue God and serve others.
• Do hard things to build resilience. The more you take on hard things, the stronger you become for the next challenge.

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!

Connect with Garrett:

• Follow on Instagram - @garrettruskamp
• Follow on Facebook - Garrett Ruskamp
• Follow on TikTok - @garrettruskamp
• Learn more about Pioneer Farmer here!

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

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 profitability, confidence, and legacy.

I share a simple but impactful framework for better decisions — Informed, Aligned, and Actionable.I walk through some real-world examples from our own operation, from cover crop mixes to grain marketing choices.

Whether you're deciding when to sell grain, which field to harvest first, or how to plan for the future, this episode will help you build a repeatable process that creates clarity and conviction in every choice you make.

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!

Connect with Garrett:

• Follow on Instagram - @garrettruskamp
• Follow on Facebook - Garrett Ruskamp
• Follow on TikTok - @garrettruskamp
• Learn more about Pioneer Farmer here!

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

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 — but I also emphasize the importance of pausing, taking a breath, and remembering what it's all for.

This episode is about finding balance, gratitude, and perspective in the middle of the busiest season of the year.

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!

Connect with Garrett:

• Follow on Instagram - @garrettruskamp
• Follow on Facebook - Garrett Ruskamp
• Follow on TikTok - @garrettruskamp
• Learn more about Pioneer Farmer here!

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

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 Ferticast are helping bridge the gap between data and action.

Key thoughts from Garrett and Trent's discussion on soil sampling:

• Why timing and planning matter for fall soil sampling
• How to interpret and apply the Haney and Indicator Complete soil tests
• The role of BaselineRx in building long-term field maps
• How Ferticast uses AI and agronomist input to turn soil data into usable fertility recommendations
• Why cutting costs blindly is one of the biggest mistakes farms make in tight years

It's a deep dive into soil, data, and decision-making — all centered around farming intentionally and using information to lead with confidence.

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!

Connect with Trent:

• Follow Trent on X

Connect with Garrett:

• Follow on Instagram - @garrettruskamp
• Follow on Facebook - Garrett Ruskamp
• Follow on TikTok - @garrettruskamp
• Learn more about Pioneer Farmer here!

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

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 flip the script: instead of waiting for motivation to build confidence, start with action. Every small step forward builds momentum, creates results, and strengthens belief in yourself. I also tie in the importance of faith — with the reminder that "life happens for you, not to you" — and that confidence and faith go hand in hand when weathering the hard times.

Listen now and start building the faith and confidence to move boldly toward what you want — one decisive action at a time.

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!

Connect with Garrett:

• Follow on Instagram - @garrettruskamp
• Follow on Facebook - Garrett Ruskamp
• Follow on TikTok - @garrettruskamp
• Learn more about Pioneer Farmer here!

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

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, and business—with stories ranging from running a 5K to showing up as a dad, to getting proactive with farm finances.

In this week's episode of taking ownership of your business:

• Why neglected tasks (like bookwork or cleaning the shop) get harder the longer you put them off.
• Using facts and numbers to kill scarcity and make better decisions.
• The power of doing hard things to build confidence across every area of life.
• How the CORE 4 framework helps you stop drifting and start leading intentionally.

If you've ever felt stuck pushing off the things you know matter, this episode is your reminder to step up, do the uncomfortable work, and take ownership of your operation and your life.

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!

Connect with Garrett:

• Follow on Instagram - @garrettruskamp
• Follow on Facebook - Garrett Ruskamp
• Follow on TikTok - @garrettruskamp
• Learn more about Pioneer Farmer here!

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

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 accounting—and why both matter
• What bankers really want to see (and why) when you sit down for a line of credit renewal
• The critical role of actuals, projections, and cost of production in decision-making
• A practical breakdown of variable vs. fixed expenses and how to calculate your true cost per acre

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!

Connect with Garrett:

• Follow on Instagram - @garrettruskamp
• Follow on Facebook - Garrett Ruskamp
• Follow on TikTok - @garrettruskamp
• Learn more about Pioneer Farmer here!

Make sure to hit follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!