If you don’t set daily priorities, you’re hustling backwards—and losing time, money, and peace. In this episode, Jim Coleman breaks down how daily priorities and personal productivity changed his life and rebuilt Coleman Crest Farm.
You’ll hear how Jim transformed “hustling backwards” into strategic wins through daily habits, productivity tools, and focused decision-making. As a former corporate executive and now full-time farmer, Jim blends Wall Street wisdom with dirt-under-your-nails discipline. His simple planning method—writing down your 5 to 10 daily priorities each morning—has helped him turn a struggling property into a profitable, USDA-certified organic farm.

This episode is a wake-up call for anyone feeling stuck, disorganized, or overwhelmed. Jim doesn’t sell hacks—he offers something better: a mindset shift. He explains how most people don’t plan to fail, they just fail to plan. He dives into startling stats: 90% of Americans can’t cover a $2,000 emergency, and most retirees have less than $100K saved. What’s missing? Daily intention and long-term financial planning.

Through personal stories about his upbringing, his time at Howard University, and his journey running Coleman Crest Farm, Jim shows how effective planning leads to peace of mind, strong health, and lasting wealth. He gives listeners a copy-and-paste system: write down your goals, keep them visible throughout the day, check them off by night. It’s a simple act, but it’s changed everything for him.

Jim also discusses how this discipline helped fund college for his five siblings, build equity in the farm, and grow a high-performing organic operation—all without overwhelming stress or debt. He challenges listeners to ditch distractions, eliminate urgent-but-unimportant tasks, and double down on what really matters.

If you’re tired of spinning your wheels, or if you’ve ever wondered how some people seem to “have it all together,” this episode delivers the truth: it’s not talent or luck—it’s planning.
Whether you’re in business, farming, or simply trying to get ahead, this episode is your reminder to stop hustling backwards. Instead, plan your work and work your plan.

Organic farming and family farm ownership are under attack—but they might also be your path to generational wealth. In this emotional keynote, Jim Coleman shares how organic farming and family farm values preserved his legacy for 137 years.

In this powerful episode, Jim tells the story of Coleman Crest Farm, a Black-owned farm in Lexington, Kentucky, founded in 1888 by his great-grandfather—a former slave who bought the land he once tilled. Through this remarkable legacy, Jim explores how his family built generational wealth against all odds, despite the pressures of urban sprawl, aging farmers, and economic hardship.

Jim speaks directly to aspiring farmers—particularly women and people of color—who want to build something real. He challenges the audience to think differently about the value of land, community, and organic food. He also critiques the commodity-based agriculture system and offers a path toward independence: USDA certification, local market premiums, and community-powered financing models.

The story isn't just historical—it's urgent. Jim reveals how over $100,000 in produce was grown on just 1.4 acres using sustainable techniques. He shares how most Americans are disconnected from their food, and how 46% of our produce is imported despite the rise in organic farming demand. This is a call to action: to protect our land, grow our food, and restore dignity to farming.

This episode blends motivation, history, economics, and policy insight into a single rally cry. Whether you're an aspiring farmer, a policy advocate, or someone who's tired of corporate food systems, Jim’s story is proof that farming can be profitable, liberating, and world-changing.

Think you have to be knee-deep in compost to make money on a farm? Think again. In this episode, Jim Coleman explains how he earns six figures as a farmer—without spending every day in the fields.Jim doesn’t hide from hard work. But after decades in corporate America and years building Coleman Crest Farm into a USDA Certified Organic powerhouse, he’s learned that working the land isn’t the only way to profit from it.

This is the episode where Jim flips the script on what being a farmer actually means in 2025.

He shares:

• How he built income streams beyond produce
• The power of branding, partnerships, agritourism, and media
• Why farming is no longer about just “growing food”—it’s about building an ecosystem
• How he leveraged a 136-year legacy and a $1,200 land purchase into a $1.3 million asset—and a platform
  
  

Whether it’s keynote speeches, online content, institutional contracts, impact investing, or his aspiring farmer incubator, Jim breaks down how multiple income streams now flow through his farm—even when he’s not the one pulling the weeds.In this episode, you’ll also learn:

• The difference between being a farmer and being a farm CEO
• Why you don’t need to “do it all” to win
• How to turn your story into your strongest revenue source
  
  

This isn’t a flex—it’s a formula. One that can help you reclaim your time, increase your impact, and build long-term freedom through farming. And next time, Jim dives into a beginner-friendly guide to the most profitable crops for your first acre.

Keywords: make money farming, passive income for farmers, organic farm business, farming without labor, Jim Coleman, Coleman Crest Farm, farm CEO strategy, black landowners, agricultural entrepreneurship

Health is wealth. If you’re ignoring your body while chasing money, you’re hustling backwards. In this powerful solo episode, Jim Coleman unpacks his personal wellness routine and how health is wealth in both life and business. Jim shares how rebuilding his family's farm also helped him rebuild his body, mind, and mission.

After the loss of his wife Kathy, Jim returned to Coleman Crest Farm with a new mission—not just to grow produce, but to grow purpose. But none of that would’ve been possible without prioritizing his health. Health is wealth, and Jim breaks down exactly how he stays energized, active, and off medications at age 65—all while running a USDA-certified organic farm.

In this episode, you’ll learn 7 practical, no-fluff wellness strategies from Jim’s own life. These include getting an annual checkup, drinking more water, hiring a personal trainer, walking 7,500 steps per day, cutting back on processed foods, and eating earlier to let the body reset overnight. You’ll even hear how he replaced candy with fruit (without missing the sugar rush).

Jim doesn’t pretend to be perfect—he admits he still craves hot dogs, bacon, and Mountain Dew—but he shares how staying consistent with small wins has drastically improved his blood pressure, weight, and overall energy. He’s living proof that organic farming isn’t just about growing food—it’s about growing a lifestyle.

Whether you're running a business, building a brand, or just trying to feel better and live longer, this episode is a blueprint for building wealth from the inside out. The truth is, you can’t enjoy freedom or fortune if your health is failing.

And you don’t need a private chef or a fitness coach on speed dial. What you need is commitment to daily choices that fuel longevity, strength, and clarity. Jim brings this message home from the fields of his own farm, showing how the path to prosperity begins with what’s on your plate—and how you treat your body.

This is the perfect episode to share with a friend, play on your morning walk, or revisit when you're feeling stuck. Because no matter how many zeros are in your bank account, you’re not rich if you’re not healthy.

Farm business strategy is more than dirt and crops—it’s legacy thinking. In this powerful story, Jim Coleman shares how a lesson in farm profitability became a lifelong business strategy. Farm business strategy and leadership development are at the heart of this unforgettable father-son moment.

In this episode, Jim walks us through the moment he became "the manager" of Coleman Crest Farm at age 12. When his father handed him the keys to the farm—and the responsibility—Jim had to learn fast. The pigs were breaking out, the feed was expensive, and the farm couldn’t stay profitable unless something changed. Instead of quitting, his father taught him a simple but powerful business lesson: “Don’t sell the goose that lays the golden egg.”

You’ll hear how Jim’s father turned slop into savings, turning a $5 pickup problem into two new revenue streams. It's an entrepreneurial masterclass from a man who didn’t have an MBA—but who had vision, grit, and integrity. The story ends with a powerful moment: a $10,000 check that paid for Jim’s college, half of it funded by the profits he helped generate.

This isn’t just a children’s book—it’s a business case study. Whether you’re on a farm, running a startup, or leading a team, this story will give you the mindset to reengineer systems, cut costs, increase revenue, and never quit.

✅ Real-life farm business strategy
✅ Lessons in leadership, grit, and problem-solving
✅ Perfect for farmers, entrepreneurs, and parents building generational wealth

⏱️ Timestamps for Key Topics
0:08 – Becoming the “manager” of Coleman Crest Farm at age 12
1:06 – Taking on full responsibility for crops, livestock, and operations
2:10 – Getting “paid” in three hots and a flop
3:19 – The hogs keep breaking out, and Jim figures out they’re hungry
4:56 – Overfeeding creates a new problem: rising costs and low profit
5:32 – The moment Jim hears: “Don’t sell the goose that lays the golden egg”
6:06 – The solution: collect restaurant slop for free—and get paid for it
7:48 – Hogs love it, profits rise, and slop becomes a second revenue stream
9:01 – Cousin Wheeler becomes their first slop resale customer
10:25 – How this strategy paid for college with a $10,000 check
12:02 – Jim’s book: Don’t Sell the Goose That Lays the Golden Egg
12:24 – Key business lessons: delayed gratification, performance = profit
13:47 – How to meet conflicting objectives: lower costs + better service
14:55 – Final reminder: seize the moment and never quit

Before you buy land, plant a crop, or hire your first farmhand—listen to this. In this episode, Jim Coleman shares the 5 biggest lessons he wishes he had known before starting his farm.Jim went from corporate America to farming full-time—and learned quickly that soil and spreadsheets don’t mix unless you know what you’re doing. He built Coleman Crest Farm into a USDA Certified Organic operation that made $62,000 from just 1.4 acres. But getting there wasn’t easy.He made mistakes. Big ones. And in this episode, he’s laying them all out so you don’t have to repeat them.

Whether you’re dreaming of 10 acres or already knee-deep in compost, these five lessons could save you years of frustration, debt, and wasted energy.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why farming knowledge alone isn’t enough—you need sales, marketing, and brand power
• The hidden cost of being too hands-on (hint: burnout is real)
• Why most beginner farmers price themselves into poverty
• The labor mistake that almost killed Jim’s margins
• What to build before you plant anything
  
  

Jim also shares the mindset shift that changed everything: from acting like a worker to thinking like a land-owning entrepreneur.This isn’t a homesteading highlight reel. It’s the hard-earned wisdom of someone who’s done the math, put in the hours, and lived the story.
Don’t start your farm until you hear this. It could be the difference between living free—or losing your farm.And next time on the show, Jim will break down the true story of how a $1,200 land purchase turned into a $1.3M farm.

Keywords: beginner farmer mistakes, starting a small farm, farming advice, profitable organic farming, USDA organic, Coleman Crest, farm entrepreneurship, what I wish I knew farming

Legacy farming and estate planning are two critical, yet often overlooked, components of sustainable agriculture. In this compelling episode of Lasting Farms, hosts Jim Coleman and Grant Wallace dive deep into what it really takes to preserve a family farm for generations. Legacy farming and estate planning are not just buzzwords—they are survival tools for modern farmers who want to turn hard work into generational wealth.Hollywood romanticizes farming with shows like Little House on the Prairie, painting a nostalgic picture of sunsets, simple living, and inherited land. But Jim and Grant reveal the harsh truth: without a clear business model and succession plan, that picturesque farm is destined for foreclosure.

This episode kicks off with a game—"Little House or Legacy"—to determine whether common farm scenarios are rooted in fantasy or sustainable business logic.Listeners will hear stories of family farms destroyed by indecision, and others that thrive because someone dared to take full ownership—emotionally and financially. Jim shares how he became the most "hated" in his family for doing what was necessary to save his farm. He outlines what real legacy farming looks like: reinvesting profits, drafting estate plans, creating LLCs, and selecting a successor based on dedication, not bloodline.Grant brings his own perspective, having seen the painful sale of his family farm. He emphasizes how adapting to market demands—such as shifting from CSA to salad greens—was the key to survival.

Together, they explore farm management as a business, with standard operating procedures, zoning compliance, and financial literacy taught to the next generation.The episode also includes discussions around heirs property, trust funds, and the legal frameworks that can make or break a legacy. Jim even outlines his own plan to create a board-managed trust to keep his farm running long after he's gone, ensuring it never gets sold.Whether you're a current farmer, aspiring landowner, or simply someone passionate about sustainability and generational wealth, this episode offers actionable insights. You'll learn how to build a profitable, legacy-driven farm that survives family drama, market shifts, and economic downturns.Don’t miss this honest, heartfelt conversation between Jim and Grant. It’s a wake-up call for anyone who thinks farming is just about crops and livestock. It’s about vision, strategy, and love for the land—and making sure that love lasts.

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In this insightful episode, Grant Walles and Jim Coleman tackle what it really takes to shift from “just farming” to running a profitable, thriving farm business. They dissect the critical mindset differences that separate struggling growers from those who build real wealth—debating everything from industry regulations to the powerful legacy behind your brand.The conversation kicks off with a discussion on RFK Jr.’s take on farming and the real-world impact of deregulation, especially as it affects small farms versus large agribusinesses. Jim and Grant offer candid thoughts on pesticides, health, and the need for holding Big Ag accountable while supporting organic and sustainable practices.

Listeners get a front-row seat to the practical strategies that drive success—like thinking of your farm as a full-fledged business, not a hobby. Grant shares actionable planning tools, from using the Farmer’s Almanac for crop scheduling to building detailed sales projections and labor calendars that keep the farm running efficiently and profitably.

For both seasoned farmers and backyard growers, the hosts emphasize the importance of strategic planning, cost tracking, and treating yourself—and your family—like paid labor. The episode also delves into building your farm’s brand story, showing how personal heritage and unique product stories can set you apart and command premium prices at market.

Whether you’re managing hundreds of acres or a few backyard beds, Jim and Grant offer actionable advice, resources, and even consulting packages to help you think like a CEO, boost profits, and create a brand customers truly connect with. Don’t miss the blend of real talk, expert tips, and inspiring farm stories in this episode!

Check out resources and guides at colemancrestfarm.com, and subscribe for more business-focused insights to fuel your farming journey.

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Let’s get one thing straight—if your prices don’t make you a little uncomfortable, you’re probably charging too little.

Jim Coleman calls out the guilt that’s been holding farmers back for generations—and burns it to the ground. Joined by co-host Grant Wallace, Jim dives into the hard truth: You can’t build a premium farm with poverty pricing.

What You’ll Hear: 

• Why charging more isn’t selfish—it’s how you stay in the game
• How to price for profit, not comparison
• The “Price Check” test: does your pricing pass?
• The psychology behind premium pricing (and why people want to pay more)
• “Hot or Not” pricing moves: Jim tells it like it is—no fluff
• A challenge that’ll boost your confidence and your revenue—today

This episode is your permission slip to stop playing small, raise your prices, and finally get paid like a premium brand—not a bargain bin.

🌱 Your farm deserves more. And so do you.

This episode is sponsored by my new book: “Cut the Crap & Close the Gap: The Urgency of Delivering Desired Results, by Jim Coleman. Available on Amazon in Paperback for $13.64 and on Kindle for $9.99 

Dig Deeper:

→ Visit ColemanCrestFarm.com
Follow Jim: @colemancrestfarm
Connect with Jim on LinkedIn: @JimColeman
Join the Farming Freedom Fighters on Facebook

📣 Can you help shape the future of this show? Take our quick listener survey → https://forms.gle/CE2Dnk9F1Ai43e1G6

Most people stay stuck in jobs they hate. But Jim Coleman? He walked away—and grew a life he loves.

In this episode of The Jim Coleman Show, Jim and co-host Grant Wallace unpack the real journey from Fortune 500 offices to open fields. Jim shares the mindset, money moves, and myths you need to break free from the 9-to-5 grind and start building something that’s truly yours.

🌱 In This Episode:

• Why so many professionals are ditching desk jobs for dirt and purpose
• The financial reality of quitting—and how to build a 6-month exit plan
• Real stories of people who made the leap (and how you can too)

Follow along and join The Farming Freedom Pledge! 🚜🌱

Learn more about Jim’s farm: ColemanCrestFarm.com

Follow Jim on Instagram: @colemancrestfarm

Connect with Jim on LinkedIn: @JimColeman
Join the Conversation: Facebook Group – Farming Freedom Fighters

Connect with Grant on LinkedIn: @GrantWalles

📣 Can you help shape the future of this show? Take our quick listener survey → https://forms.gle/CE2Dnk9F1Ai43e1G6