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We explore the transformative impact of taking breaks during busy farming seasons and how it can rejuvenate your mindset and productivity. Our recent family getaway in the middle of planting season proved that stepping away from farm responsibilities, even briefly, can significantly improve mood and perspective.

• Spring planting update with crops in the ground and looking good despite not rushing
• Taking a quick family weekend getaway during planting season led to better mood and productivity
• Our kids had a phone-free weekend at the lake, experiencing "good boredom" that fosters creativity
• Modern farming efficiency with high-speed planters has doubled productivity and improved crop stands
• Field meals now focus on nutritious options instead of processed foods
• Jesse's emotional milestone of completing a challenging hike in Yellowstone after hip replacement
• Introduction of "The Farmer's Greatest Asset" workbook to document farming knowledge and procedures

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We explore the fundamentals of health by focusing on two critical but often overlooked aspects: proper hydration and quality sleep. These two pillars form the foundation of success by ensuring farmers maintain their most valuable asset - their own health and wellbeing.

• Drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily to maintain proper hydration
• Replace sugary beverages (including sports drinks and energy drinks) with plain water
• Consider a home water filtration system to remove heavy metals and contaminants
• Create complete darkness in your bedroom by removing all light sources
• Maintain a sleep-friendly environment with temperatures below 69°F
• Stop caffeine consumption after lunch to prevent sleep disruption
• Expose your face to morning sunlight to help regulate your circadian rhythm
• Understand that physical symptoms like fatigue often stem from dehydration
• Recognize the connection between gut health, inflammation, and nutrient absorption
• Start implementing these habits now - your body can rebuild itself within a few years

Send us an email at farmersgreatesasset@gmail.com with your questions or topics you'd like us to cover. If you've received value from this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help other farmers discover this information.

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Steve Boender returns to continue our heartfelt conversation about finding meaning through faith in farming and life's challenges. He shares wisdom about weathering economic cycles in agriculture, offering practical strategies for staying resilient during difficult times.

• Economic downturns happen in roughly 50-year cycles, making current pressures part of a predictable pattern
• Morning prayer and helping others are powerful tools for maintaining perspective during hardships
• Look for the small daily blessings - they're everywhere when you're watching for them
• Marketing strategy: "hit singles instead of home runs" by selling incrementally when prices exceed production costs
• Avoid the dangerous cycle of "greed, hope, and despair" by selling on the upward climb
• Focus on faithfulness rather than success - it's a meaningful distinction that transforms everything
• Creating space for the next generation to lead while providing support builds stronger families and communities
• Equipping children with social skills and responsibility prepares them for adulthood and independence

If you like what you heard or want to hear more, subscribe, like, share, or email any suggestions to farmersgreatesasset@gmail.com.

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We welcome Steve Boender, a farmer from Oskaloosa who shares his remarkable journey of faith, family, and farming over 50 years. Steve reveals how he and his wife Jan started with nothing but an FHA loan at ages 18 and 19, building a diverse agricultural enterprise while raising six children who've all returned to agriculture in various capacities.

• Started farming in 1974 with 200 acres and an FHA loan at age 18
• Found resilience through faith during the 1980s farm crisis when banks refused loans
• Created independent business opportunities for each child rather than just positions in the family operation
• Diversified beyond traditional farming into seed sales, custom work, trucking, and excavation
• Measures success not by how necessary he is to the operation but by how well it runs in his absence
• Built a reputation for servant leadership that extends throughout the agricultural community
• Believes in the principle that "when you shovel out, God shovels back—and God has a bigger shovel"
• Views his responsibility as not just teaching his children but teaching them to teach their children
• Values relationships over self-sufficiency, recognizing the importance of both giving and receiving help

Join us next week for more wisdom from Steve as we continue exploring what truly makes the farmer agriculture's greatest asset.

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We dive deep into nitrogen management strategies, balancing science with the practical realities of farm operations to maximize yield while controlling input costs.

• Fall versus spring anhydrous application depends on soil conditions, workload management, and weather patterns
• Soil temperature and biology significantly impact nitrogen availability to crops
• Soil moisture must be adequate to properly seal anhydrous and convert it to plant-available forms
• Progressive farmers are achieving nitrogen efficiency rates around 0.7 pounds per bushel of corn
• Side-dressing nitrogen at V3 growth stage offers optimal timing for corn utilization
• Spoon-feeding mobile nutrients like nitrogen, sulfur, and boron maximizes fertilizer efficiency
• Early morning applications of foliar products provide yield advantages over midday applications
• Harvesting soybeans at higher moisture (15-16%) rather than waiting until 8-9% could capture 5+ bushels per acre
• Family involvement creates valuable learning opportunities and problem-solving skills for the next generation
• Full-season soybean varieties may provide advantages as growing seasons shift with changing climate patterns

Share this episode with your farming friends and let us know what topics you'd like us to cover by emailing farmersgreatestasset@gmail.com.

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Beck's Field Agronomist Greg Shepard shares insights on spring planting readiness, soil biology research, and practical farming recommendations based on Beck's Practical Farm Research (PFR) findings. The conversation explores the fascinating connection between soil health and crop performance, revealing how understanding root structures and biological processes can dramatically improve yields.

• Spring soil conditions currently showing good freeze-thaw cycles but need rain to settle "fluffy" topsoil
• Planter maintenance is critical with corn being particularly sensitive to depth, spacing, and emergence timing
• Talc replacement powders with biologicals showing consistent ROI in Beck's PFR trials
• "Root Reveal" research project classifying corn hybrids by root structure (horizontal, balanced, vertical)
• Micronutrient applications, particularly boron and sulfur, becoming increasingly important
• Soil biology mirrors gut health - both systems require diverse microorganisms to process nutrients
• Timing field operations properly to avoid microscopic compaction that restricts root growth
• Beck's PFR research available to all farmers, not just Beck's customers

To find out more about Beck's Practical Farm Research and access their studies, visit beckshydrids.com to download the PFR book or speak with a local dealer.

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Wrestling with the paradox of wanting our farm kids to stay while knowing they need to leave to grow is an emotional journey every farming family understands. Together, we unpack our real conversations with our nearly-grown son about his impending departure from our operation.

• Farming families uniquely struggle with the tension between independence and legacy
• The fear that your children may never return to the farm creates constant inner turmoil
• Our son feels trapped between responsibility and his need for independence
• We've unintentionally perpetuated gender roles in how we involve our children in farm work
• Our daughters deserve the same opportunities to both leave and return to farming
• @FarmwithZoe is changing how our daughters see themselves on the farm
• Children need to experience life beyond the farm to truly choose it for themselves
• The phrase "you got to go to grow" applies to all our kids, regardless of gender
• We treat our teenage children like adults because of their capability and maturity
• Finding balance between preparing children for succession while letting them find their own path

Email us at farmersgreatestasset@gmail.com with your own stories about navigating this challenging transition with your children. We'd love to hear how you've supported your kids' choices while managing your farming operation.

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The episode focuses on the crucial link between a farmer's health and the business operation. We dive into how acknowledging personal well-being can create a thriving farming business.

• Importance of asking for help and shifting mindset toward delegation
• Recognizing the demands of physical and mental health on farmers
• Discussing personal experiences and approaches to health issues
• Emphasizing the necessity of running a farm like a true business
• Discussion on the significance of consistent exercise and nutrition


Until next time, it's a good day to have a great day!

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