Pioneer Mindset

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!

Episode Summary

This week, I sit down with Zane Abner of Tredas to dig into grain and cattle marketing strategies that help producers stay proactive instead of reactive. From handling grain carry and price spreads to managing cattle market volatility, Zane shares practical tools and mindset shifts that keep operations steady when markets swing. We explore how to create flexible plans, avoid emotional decisions, and use tools like hedging, options, and LRP (Livestock Risk Protection) to protect profitability without giving up opportunity. This conversation is full of grounded, real-world advice you can apply directly to your farm or ranch.

In this week's episode for some actionable marketing tips from Zane:

• Grain Marketing Mindset: Stay flexible with carry and spreads—opportunities are there, but every move comes with risk.
• Harvest Preparation: Keep accurate production records, revisit claims, and plan logistics early to avoid surprises when time gets tight.
• Flexibility Matters: Successful marketing isn't about one perfect move—it's about keeping options open and adapting to changing conditions.
• Cattle Market Volatility: With record highs and wild swings, clear planning and risk management are essential for avoiding generational setbacks.
• Big Picture Reminder: At the end of the day, remember why you're working so hard—don't lose sight of family, time, and the bigger purpose behind the 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 Zane at Tredas:

• Check out their website: www.gotredas.com
• Follow Tredas on Facebook

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

Crop insurance may not be the most exciting part of farming, but it can make or break your bottom line. In this episode of Pioneer Mindset, I sits down with crop insurance agent and advisor Landon Shafer to break down what farmers need to know heading into harvest and beyond. From understanding new program changes and margin coverage options to managing claims, price discovery, and production records, this conversation is packed with practical insights you can use right now. We also dive into livestock risk management, exploring tools like LRP (Livestock Risk Protection) and how producers can lock in profitability while protecting against volatility.

Whether you're a row crop operation, feeding cattle, or both, this episode will help you think differently about managing risk and making confident business decisions on your farm.

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

What's driving your goals—the destination, or the journey it takes to get there?

In this conversation with John Sachse of RanchFIT Coaching, we dig into the deeper meaning behind goal setting, physical fitness, and living with intention in farming, ranching, and life. From training for the Boston Marathon to hosting annual ruck events, John shares how the pursuit itself often brings more growth than the achievement—and why tying your goals to a bigger why makes all the difference.

Whether you're working toward your next big milestone or just trying to stay consistent day-to-day, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you define success and to focus on who you're becoming along the way.

Key thoughts from this week's episode with John Sachse:

• The mental clarity and confidence that come from consistent physical fitness
• Why the pursuit of a goal often delivers more growth than reaching it
• The importance of attaching your goals to a deeper why
• Flexibility and adaptability in maintaining health while farming and ranching
• Facing fears as the path to growth—in body, being, balance, and business
• How intentionality turns everyday actions into momentum for bigger results

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 John:

• Check out his website here!
• Follow John on Instagram
• Follow John on LinkedIn

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!