Pioneer Mindset

Episode Summary Happy Memorial Day and what better way to honor it than by sitting down with someone who actually lived it. This week I brought on my good friend Tyler Sharp, Southwest Kansas native, former private security contractor, 22-year fire department veteran, and owner of Sharp Shooting Supply. In this episode, Tyler opens up about going overseas to Kandahar, Afghanistan as a precision overwatch contractor in his early twenties, the firefight that sent him home and the long road back to faith and purpose. He also talks about what he's built since, a thriving gun store, a deep commitment to his community, and a perspective on gratitude that stops you in your tracks. This one is raw, real, and a reminder that the freedoms we enjoy on a holiday weekend came at a cost most of us will never fully understand. In this week's Memorial Day episode with Tyler Sharp: Sacrifice looks different for everyone and it deserves our respect Asking for help isn't weakness, bottling it up doesn't work The change that pulls you out of a dark place often comes through the people closest to you Faith, community, and purpose are powerful tools for putting the pieces back together Building a business on relationships and customer service will always stand apart Gratitude for the sunrise is a practice, not a feeling 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 Tyler: Follow Tyler on Facebook Follow Tyler on YouTube Sharps Shooting Supply Website 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 The farm will take every minute you have and every dollar you own. And right now, in the middle of the busy season, it's doing exactly that. This is part two of a three-part series on the stressors we're all carrying this time of year. Last week, I talked about the weight of the workload. This week, I want to talk about what quietly happens to your farm business when you're only focused on the fields. The bills that pile up. The marketing move you meant to make. The invoice you forgot to send. The crop plan you threw out the window because you just needed to keep moving. These things don't feel urgent when the sun is shining and your neighbor's planter is already rolling but they add up fast, and they can cost you more than you realize. In this episode, I get honest about the emotional decisions we make in the middle of the season, why the business side is always the first thing to slide, and what you can actually do about it without pulling yourself out of the tractor on a good day. Because if you wouldn't go a month without checking on the crop, you can't afford to go a month without checking on the business either. Key points from this week's episode: The small things slip first: don't let them Markets, bills, and decisions don't stop because you're busy Pause, detach, and don't make quick emotional decisions Build a plan and know what's important versus what's urgent Think back to your goals, are your actions actually aligned? 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 Hard seasons have a way of forcing clarity. In this episode of Pioneer Mindset, I sat down with fifth-generation farmer Matt Griggs to talk about some of the pivotal moments that reshaped his operation.From unexpectedly taking over the farm at 25, to surviving devastating droughts, to completely rethinking how he farms in order to reduce risk and build long-term resilience. We dive into how cover crops, reduced tillage, and a systems-based mindset helped Matt improve weed control, increase water infiltration, build organic matter, and weather drought years far better than in the past — all while lowering dependence on chemical inputs. This conversation is about evolving, staying curious, and making decisions today that strengthen your operation for tomorrow. Whether you're navigating weather challenges, financial pressure, or simply wondering how to look to the future on your farm, this episode offers honest perspective on what it really takes to build resilience. 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 Matt: Follow Matt on Facebook Follow Matt on YouTube Follow Matt on Tik Tok Griggs Farms Website 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 Modern agriculture has pushed farmers toward specialization, higher yields, and more technology but has it actually made farms more profitable, resilient, or sustainable? In this episode of Pioneer Mindset, I sat down with David Kleinschmidt of Progressive Agronomy Consulting Services to discuss how agriculture arrived where it is today and why many producers feel like they're running harder just to keep up. From soil health and fertilizer ROI to technology, biologicals, and diversification, this conversation challenges the idea that more inputs automatically mean better outcomes. Instead of chasing the next "easy button," this conversation challenges producers to think about systems, knowing their numbers, and playing a different game, one that is focused on profitability and sustainability over the long haul. This podcast episode covers: How over-specialization has increased risk across farming operations Why efficiency matters more than maximum yield The hidden cost of technology and "easy button" solutions How some farmers are producing the same yields without borrowing operating money Using diversification and livestock to rebuild resilience and optionality Why one-size-fits-all recommendations hurt profitability What it takes to build farms the next generation can realistically return to 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 David: Follow David on Facebook - Progressive Agronomy Consulting Services 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 To start off the new year, I dive into the importance of setting goals in this episode— not just dreaming about them — and why so many driven farmers, ranchers, and business owners feel stuck despite working hard and caring deeply about their families and future. Ag producers are capable, ambitious, and full of ideas… yet constantly distracted, overwhelmed, and feeling like nothing ever gets finished. Without a clear goal-setting process, it's easy to stay in survival mode, never celebrate wins, and slowly lose a sense of purpose or progress. Based on my own personal experience, I break down a simple, practical goal-setting process that actually works — especially in the chaos of farming, family, and business. I talk about the importance of how goal-setting isn't about perfection or motivation, but about clarity, prioritization, accountability, and momentum. 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 milestone 100th episode, I sat down with my wife, Ellan, to share the behind-the-scenes story of our farming operation, family, and the difficult seasons that shaped us both. We walk through what it was like to move from not knowing our financial reality, to being forced to confront it head-on during a season of expansion, debt, stress, and major family change — including pregnancy, young children, buyouts, and hard conversations with bankers, attorneys, and family members. Ellan vulnerably shares what it was like stepping into the books while pregnant, juggling an off-farm job, raising young kids, and carrying emotional weight she didn't always feel free to voice. We reflect on how the pressure impacted our health, marriage, mental load, and our perspective on farming, money, and leadership. We also dive into how that season ultimately led us to greater clarity, stronger communication, better decision-making, and eventually the creation of Pioneer Farmer — not from a place of ambition, but from a place of necessity, survival, and growth. This episode is an honest conversation about marriage, money, farming, legacy, and the uncomfortable growth required to move from survival to sustainability. 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 the year winds down and the holidays approach, I take a look back at 2025 — not to highlight wins, but to analyze the mistakes and learning opportunities that happened throughout the year. From communication breakdowns and rushed decisions to equipment issues, agronomic timing, and family-life lessons, this episode is an honest reflection on what went wrong, what it cost, and what can be learned. This episode isn't about beating yourself up over mistakes. It's about documenting lessons, slowing down, improving communication, and intentionally learning so you — and the next generation — don't repeat the same errors year after year. Mistakes are inevitable. Repeating them is optional. The real cost isn't making the mistake — it's failing to learn from it. In this week's episode on learning from your mistakes: Why documenting mistakes is just as important as celebrating wins The cost of poor or assumed communication — on the farm and at home Lessons learned from agronomic decisions, including fungicide timing and scouting The danger of rushing decisions and skipping simple checks How the lack of preparation affects productivity, stress, and family life Why reflecting now can prevent repeating mistakes next 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 In this episode, Garrett sits down with agricultural lender Bryce from CharterWest Bank to give producers a clearer understanding of what lenders actually look for — and how you can set yourself up for a smoother, more successful loan renewal process. They break down the realities of farm financing, why equipment and land decisions can't be based on "justifying" the numbers, and how being organized with your financials can save you real money through better rates and stronger lending relationships. Bryce shares his lender insights, including the biggest mistakes producers make, what separates strong borrowers from struggling ones, and why communication and character matter more than most think. From the 5 C's of credit to building a balance sheet that actually reflects your operation, this episode provides insights into the lending process and gives you practical steps to strengthen your financial position heading into the new year. This week's discussion on banking with Bryce we dive into these important topics: The biggest financial traps producers fall into What makes a loan process smooth for both sides How Pioneer Farmer's system helped Garrett secure financing The 5 C's of Credit — and which one matters most How organization can literally earn you better interest rates How to prep for year-end and renewal season Why communication is the foundation of every lender–producer relationship 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 Bryce: CharterWest Bank Website 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!