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A medical emergency with Jesse's mother reveals an unsettling truth: most families don't know each other's wishes for end-of-life care or who's authorized to make decisions when someone can't speak for themselves.

• Advanced directives allow you to make your own decisions in advance rather than burdening others with making them for you
• The designated power of attorney doesn't make decisions but ensures your documented wishes are carried out
• Everyone in the family should know what's in the directives to prevent conflict during crisis
• Documents should be regularly updated as your situation and wishes change over time
• Keep copies accessible—not just in safe deposit boxes or with attorneys
• Advanced directives differ from wills, focusing specifically on medical decisions
• Having these conversations brings relief once completed, even though they may be difficult to start
• The Farmer's Greatest Asset Workbook helps organize this information in one accessible place

Order The Farmer's Greatest Asset Workbook at farmersgreatesasset.com today to document your wishes and protect your legacy. Email us at [email protected] with questions or topics you'd like us to cover.

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The countdown to harvest begins as we return from a successful but scorching State Fair where our kids showed their home-raised cattle and Henry lived his fitting dream.

• Kids earned reserve breed championships with their self-raised shorthorn and simmental heifers
• State Fair heat reached 95 degrees with heat index over 100, requiring gallons of water daily
• Henry spent weeks fitting champion animals across multiple species and herds
• Six-horse hitch competition featured 26 teams with approximately 120 horses
• Pro Farmer crop tour indicates good yields with corn moisture already dropping to 40%
• Planning to use grain bagging instead of paying high elevator storage rates this harvest
• Lucy will drive grain cart this year as she catches the "heifer bug" for showing
• School starting and harvest approaching with corn likely ready in just two weeks
• Midwest Wagyu Beef offering 40% inventory reduction sale - check Facebook or Instagram for details

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We're heading to the Iowa State Fair with 4-H cattle and breeding heifers, continuing a family tradition that spans generations for Jesse while creating new memories for our entire family.

• Comparing state fair experiences: Jesse has attended almost every year of his life, while Dr. Amy first attended in 2005
• Evolving accommodation strategies from hotels to campers to Airbnb houses
• Navigating the fair with children of different ages and varying levels of interest
• Favorite fair foods including pork chop on a stick, hot beef sundaes, and Barksdale's cookies
• Must-see attractions beyond livestock shows including the master gardeners' display and Six Horse Hitch competitions
• Iowa State Fair's reputation as one of the country's premier agricultural expositions

Contact us at [email protected] to share your state fair traditions or favorite fair experiences. Like and share us on social media to help spread the word so we can help other farming families.

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Family connections remain vital despite our busy lives, especially as older generations age and health challenges arise for loved ones.

• Summer is flying by, with county fairs marking the end of the season and family reunions filling our calendars
• Both hosts come from large farming families – with 15-16 siblings in their parents' generations
• Only a small fraction of family members still farm compared to previous generations
• Agriculture in the US is economically larger than the S&P 500 despite farmers being a small minority
• Family support becomes most apparent during hardships like injuries or illness
• Pride and ego often prevent reconnecting with family members after disagreements
• Expressing love through hugs or words can feel uncomfortable but is always worthwhile
• Time moves quickly, making it important to prioritize family connections while you can

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Jesse and Dr. Leah discuss farming conditions in Iowa after significant rainfall, then share insights about nutritional supplements and their role in maintaining optimal health.

• Recent weather in Southeast Iowa has brought 2.5-4 inches of rain, creating potential challenges for soybeans which dislike wet conditions
• Using drones to apply special nutrition mixes during grain fill stage to improve yield and moisture retention
• Discussion of bean moisture management strategies, including bin management technology to rehydrate harvested beans
• Dr. Leah emphasizes that supplements cannot compensate for a poor diet and reducing gut inflammation is essential for supplement absorption
• Top supplement recommendations include vitamin D (especially for those with limited sun exposure), quality multivitamins, and omega-3s
• Tips for sun exposure without sunscreen to naturally increase vitamin D production and melanin production
• Importance of researching supplement quality rather than purchasing from big box stores

Email us your specific supplement questions at [email protected]

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After months on a modified ketogenic diet, we share our personal journeys with giving up sugar and carbohydrates, exploring both the challenges and life-changing health benefits we've experienced.

• Sugar is the most addictive substance humans consume, and breaking its grip requires complete elimination for at least 2-3 months
• Ketosis is a state where your body burns fat instead of sugar for fuel, providing benefits like reduced inflammation and improved mental clarity
• The hardest parts of keto are finding enough variety in meals and overcoming the convenience factor of carb-heavy foods
• Inflammation reduction has been significant, especially in swelling, pain, and mobility
• Sugar feeds cancer cells and burdens the immune system, making diet a powerful tool for prevention
• Animal fats are healthy while seed oils and low-fat products disrupt hormonal balance
• Seasonal eating aligns with our body's natural needs - more fats and proteins in winter, fresh fruits during growing seasons
• Connect directly with farmers at markets rather than obsessing over specific labels like "grass-fed"
• You cannot supplement your way out of an unhealthy lifestyle - diet must come first

We love hearing from you! Contact us with questions or topic suggestions at [email protected] or find us on social media at Farmers Greatest Asset.

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Jesse and Leah reflect on how their relationship has evolved over 19 years of marriage, from surviving the chaos of early careers and parenthood to finding deeper connection through everyday moments.

• Finding quality time together has transformed from quarterly weekend getaways to valued truck rides and morning coffee conversations
• When feeling disconnection in relationships, look inward first to see how you're feeling about yourself
• Personal growth comes from recognizing when you're blaming others for obstacles you've created yourself
• The foundation of being lovable to others is learning to love yourself first
• Growth in relationships often comes from addressing core limiting beliefs about worthiness and self-value
• Learning to approach challenges with a "this is happening for us" mindset rather than victimhood
• The importance of looking beyond surface frustrations to find the root causes of relationship friction

Please like and share the podcast, subscribe, and find us on social media at Farmer's Greatest Asset or email us at [email protected].

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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

Contact us at [email protected]. Please share this episode on social media with five friends to help support your agricultural community.

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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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