The Farmer's Greatest Asset Podcast
The Farmer's Greatest Asset podcast is dedicated to supporting and empowering farmers by recognizing that their greatest assets are the knowledge, experience, mind and health. Hosted by husband-and-wife duo Jesse and Dr. Leah, this podcast combines their unique backgrounds to provide valuable insights. Together, they explore topics that help farmers thrive both personally and professionally. Tune in for a blend of practical advice, real conversations, while having a little fun along the way as they talk about all thing's agriculture and family.
The Farmer's Greatest Asset Podcast
From Grian Bags to Healing, Faith, and Supporting Family Farms
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
We move from a smooth switch to corn and a smarter bagging setup into a frank talk on burnout, the healing pull of nature, and why community support keeps both people and farms alive. Small rain, small signs, big meaning, and a reminder to reach out when the room goes dark.
• bean finish and corn bagging workflow for efficiency
• roles for the team and kids to cut idle time
• reframing pauses as part of the process
• a needed rest triggered by a small rain
• speaking on burnout and using nature to heal
• years-long climb out of darkness and what helped
• the power of one listener who sits without judgment
• disconnection from land and rising anxiety and perfectionism
• support for family farms and food freedom
• local buying as better nourishment and better economics
• blessings as daily signs to notice and act on
As always, go find us on all of the socials at farmers great asset. Feel free to reach out to us with email at farmersgreat asset at gmail.com
Harvest Update: Beans Done, Corn Bagging
SPEAKER_00The Farmer's Greatest Asset Podcast. We believe the Farm's Greatest Asset is the Farmer. Their knowledge, experience, mind, and health.
SPEAKER_02Well, welcome to the podcast. I'm Jesse.
SPEAKER_03And I'm Dr. Leah.
SPEAKER_02It is mid-October.
SPEAKER_03Today is mid-October.
SPEAKER_02Literally.
SPEAKER_0315th.
SPEAKER_02And we are plugging along with harvest, done with beans. Finally. Switched back to corn yesterday. So things are going well. We are on the downhill slide. Going to finish up with corn hopefully in a week-ish. So we have been bagging dry corn out of a bin and put it in a bag. And that is a slow process. Just because you got auger out of the bin, but it works. We have cut beans and put them directly into a bag, and it works great. And now we're on corn in the field bagging right out of the field, and it works great. It is a little bit of a process to put the bag on. But once you figure that out, it's not that bad. You've pointed it out.
SPEAKER_03Like with most things.
SPEAKER_02Right. And you pointed it out to me that I have to look at putting that bag on as just part of the process and not be irritated that I gotta stop a combine to help put a bag on. Um because in the end, it is quick. You're not waiting on a grain cart, because they can just basically open the grain cart up, plug along as they're bagging, and take off. And just empty the entire grain cart. You don't have to really worry about getting that truck loaded just right and shutting it down before you're over full, because we have a 1300 bushel grain cart,
Bagging Workflow, Roles, and Efficiency
SPEAKER_02and that would not all fit on a truck. So dump it go, dump it go, dump it go. It is quick.
SPEAKER_03It's efficient, even though you have to stop to put up a new bag.
SPEAKER_02Right. So yesterday was the first day in the field bagging corn straight off the combine, and it was slick. Excited to be finishing up corn that way. It'd be fast.
SPEAKER_03It surprises me that you want it done so fast.
SPEAKER_02But it's not about being fast. It's about being efficient. Because I'm I'm not worried about being done. Because there's guys around here that are done. And it's October 15th.
SPEAKER_03I know. I don't know a I don't remember a time that has ever been.
SPEAKER_02I actually stopped on the road yesterday and talked to the neighbor, Alan, and they're one of them that are done. And he asked if we were done. I said, Well, we're done with beans. We're now down to the last bit of corn, so we're downhill slide. I said, It's only October 14th. He's like, I know, it's usually Halloween.
SPEAKER_03Right.
SPEAKER_02So we're plugging along. Stuff's still doing pretty good.
SPEAKER_03So And who were your helpers yesterday? Who was working who were you working with?
SPEAKER_02Henry was my green cart guy, which is pretty typical, but and Lucy was out there taking care of the bag. The guys we bought the bagger from said just hook your tractor up, get the bag started, so figure out your brake pressure, and just let it hum along. They just hook a tractor up and crank it up, let the PTO run all day. I don't know. I guess I'm I'm worried that the tractor will just start veering one way or the other. Um and then it's then I don't think the tractor needs to sit there and scream, especially in beans, because there's a longer wait time between grain cart loads getting to the bag. I had somebody sit in the tractor and idle it down, turn the PTO off when the grain cart left. So I feel like we're saving a little on fuel by not just letting it sit there and scream. Um then somebody's there to measure the bag, make sure it's getting filled properly. And Lucy has taken ownership of it. It's pretty cool.
SPEAKER_03So it was fun watching her walk out there to the tractor with all of her bags yesterday. She had her lunchbox and her water and then her bag of all the things to do.
SPEAKER_02Her big purse.
SPEAKER_03It's not really a purse, it's like a bag. Bag. Big bag.
SPEAKER_02She had that tractor cab full stuff.
SPEAKER_03But she was happy to be out there.
SPEAKER_02She was. She was helpful. It was good.
SPEAKER_03Yeah. It's good. Maybe maybe next year we can promote her and she can try out the grain cart again. I think she's happier being in the in the bagger tractor than the grain cart.
SPEAKER_02It's a pretty easy job, but it's a step.
SPEAKER_03Yep.
SPEAKER_02So gets her involved and it's good.
SPEAKER_03And Lizzie did that, what, about a week ago? And she is still in volleyball, but once she's done in volleyball this week, then they're going to be switching back and forth. So I think they're both kind of excited to be part of the process. She didn't seem to mind that at all. She could just take a book out and yeah, it's it's extremely easy.
SPEAKER_02It's Lucy has been taking it upon herself to, and I asked her to, to measure the bag to make sure it's getting filled properly.
A Rain Pause, Rest, and Small Blessings
SPEAKER_02Um, because I want the bags to be full. Uh Lizzie, we just we had the brake set, so all she had to do was sit in there. I gave that extra task Lucy because I knew she could handle it and got her a little more involved.
SPEAKER_03She likes doing stuff like that.
SPEAKER_02She does. So yeah, last week, weekend, I got to go with you and watch you blossom a little bit. Um, so that was good. I'm glad I got to do that and see that and be with you.
SPEAKER_03It was nice. I was grateful that you were that you committed to coming.
SPEAKER_02Well, so I told the guys that if it rained Thursday night, Friday morning, that we will take the weekend off. And they all got excited. Rightfully so.
SPEAKER_03So, um Should we talk about the conversation we had? I was like, now, Jesse, these aren't your kids because in our house, Jesse'd be like, well, if it rains, then we'll, you know, go do this for the weekend. And then it never really like rained enough. So I was like, these aren't your kids. Like they are are gonna make plans and want to keep them. Our kids finally learned that. Yet you don't trust that until we're in the car.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I opened my big mouth.
SPEAKER_03No, it was good. It was good.
SPEAKER_02The point is that um that little rain shower, although it didn't amount to a whole lot, that was my sign that we all needed a break, and it was my opportunity to get to go with you. And we have talked about it before, or mentioned at least, that you have to look for those little blessings every day. And that was a blessing, and that was my sign to go with you. So, and then while you were at your speaking engagement, it was very apparent that God was calling and giving us signs and working through you. So use those little signs every day to um to your advantage. Look for them and know that they are blessings and God is there working for you.
SPEAKER_03It was really nice having you come along. I was happy to have you. Number one, I could be a passenger princess and you you chauffered me there. Um, that was really right up my alley. Um, and it was just nice to have you um present um and have your support during my talk. Um so I went and
Speaking on Burnout and Nature’s Role
SPEAKER_03spoke to Minnesota Holistic Medicine Group at their farm to table event. And it was also put on by WeCare and other sponsors. So thank you for hosting Hopkins Family at their farm. It was truly an amazing time for me. I spoke on burnout and how to use nature to heal you. So it was a group of practitioners, like doctors and other allied professionals that were there. And during the talk, it I was think feeling, getting the sense that they were kind of zoning out because it was right after lunch. And I was like, oh goodness, I just kind of need to get through this when I was looking at people's faces. But I think after the talk, I had a lot of people come up to me and say, Oh my goodness, that was so needed. And even in the question-answer period, that was I just what I needed to hear. So I think a lot of the uh of what I was seeing was contemplative look looks.
SPEAKER_02The other people were coming to you saying that's what they needed to hear.
SPEAKER_03Right.
SPEAKER_02You also needed to hear it as well.
SPEAKER_03Right.
SPEAKER_02And that was their calling, God calling them to come to the speech, but also God calling you. And it was really good to watch.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, I think that it was the beginning of a new of new opportunity for me. Um, it really has gotten me to see how there is such a need for someone to come out and voice their pain and show that there is life on the other side of it. So when I left medicine and and the reasons that I left medicine, I was in a very dark time for years. It was a struggle every day for years. And I think that it I had to slowly step out of that darkness. And people need to hear the journey.
SPEAKER_02People need to know that they are not the only ones.
SPEAKER_03When I left medicine, I like I couldn't sleep, of course. So I'd be up in the middle of the night, like scouring the internet. Like, how am I supposed to feel better? How am I supposed to get out of this pain? What am I supposed to be doing? And there was nothing out there. There wasn't a book. There wasn't, I mean, if if there was something, I would have found it. There was nothing at the time. You know, this was back in 2018. I think that even more now, I've done enough healing that I can speak to how to climb out of that. And I think it's going to be a beautiful journey showing people how to not only introspectively look at where you are and what you truly want from your life, but also how coming in tune with nature and really the people around us who are are there to support us, and how that collective love and giving can heal you.
SPEAKER_02And it also reach out, I guess is what I'm saying. Reach out to us if you feel the need. Reach out to somebody because you're not in it alone. You don't have to be in it alone. And if you just need somebody to talk to, you can reach out. Reach out to us, reach out to somebody. And that was kind of the point of your message.
SPEAKER_03Yeah. And well, so agriculture and medicine and I even education, it feels like like they are
Climbing Out of Darkness and Finding Help
SPEAKER_03undergoing these dark clouds, these dark times right now. And there isn't, it doesn't matter what field you're in, if you're experiencing burnout in that dark, like it, like you said, it is so important to reach out to someone that will just sit in the dark with you. And I had a very dark time. And that's what I did. I I had a friend that I knew would just listen and not judge.
SPEAKER_02You don't have to be on an island. You don't have to be by yourself, and you're not.
SPEAKER_03But in the middle of it, it feels like you are, and like there is no other way out. So it's important to reach out to someone. And if you don't, if you can't find that someone, there are so many other people out there to help you. Whether you reach out to a hotline, you reach out to a friend, you reach out to your minister or church, someone in your church, you reach out to a stranger who will sit with you in that dark time. So it was truly beautiful to have that first full circle moment and be the person helping the people that are where I was ten years ago.
SPEAKER_01And maybe even not get get that far.
SPEAKER_03Oh, right. Right? Yeah, for sure. So if there is, I mean, our number is posted. Um if you ever need, if someone is in an extremely dark time and needs help, um, if you don't feel comfortable calling and talking, please send an email. I can I can I will help you in any way possible because you don't have to sit in the dark alone.
SPEAKER_02You don't have to be in it by yourself, and you're not. Know that. That's you or not. There is somebody out there, whether it's us or the list of people that you mentioned, somebody is out there and you're not in it alone. Um, and I'm telling you that uh God is giving you blessings every day and you have to look for them. They may be small, it may be uh not even a tenth of rain. But those are those are my signs, and you have to realize that they are little blessings.
SPEAKER_03Well, and it was really good to go and not only sit in community with all those holistic professionals, but also to spend time with some friends who are in a good who are giving energy like we are, just feeling community and spending good times together and talking. That was wonderful. Another big point that I was able to make to them was um I talked about so uh 100 years ago, um, everyone was tied to farming. Almost 50% of Americans were farmers. Maybe like if you delve back into the late 1800s, it was even more. Um you either bought, it was, you know, kind of before grocery stores, so you would go to a general store and buy things, but most produce and meats and eggs and dairy, you know, all of it you would buy from a farmer. The more disconnected from the earth that we became, the more anxiety, depression, all of the modern, the drive and the push and the productivity, all the perfectionism, all of those types of things are becoming more and more prevalent because we don't, as a society, know how to slow down and just
Community, Disconnection from Nature, and Healing
SPEAKER_03enjoy nature, which is where we as human beings really need to live. And I would say, even in farming, like, yeah, you you're outside, but it is go, go, go, go. Yeah, it is all about production and pace and efficiency, and and not that you don't need that, but you need the times with nature. Like, how wonderful was it to be at that farm to table lunch, have our lunch outside, talk with people. I mean, it was just it was amazing just being out there.
SPEAKER_02It was a beautiful day at a beautiful place. Thank you, Kat and Jason. All of it, yeah.
SPEAKER_03And another um, so I I really talked with them about that, uh, about how we are getting disconnected from nature, how important it is to bring that back into your life, and also how things are going in agriculture. And I talked with the group about making sure that they're supporting farmers because the statistics this year are that 25 to 40 percent of farms will go bankrupt. And if we don't have family farms, we don't have food freedom. So make sure you're supporting your farmers in every way that you possibly can. Look and see who's in your area producing what. And up there, they have collectives and those those people really there's a lot of people supporting their farmers up there, which is really great. There are different ways that you can do that in in different areas. That was another message that I really wanted to get out. Support local farming and support your family farms.
SPEAKER_02Well, it also goes to healthier eating, right? Not just getting all of your lunch meat from the grocery store. If you get your food from a local farmer, it's bound to be better. It's going to be better.
SPEAKER_03Well, and then you're putting you're putting your
Support Family Farms and Food Freedom
SPEAKER_03money into the hands of people who will definitely appreciate that income source. Like there, it's it isn't just about what you get, it's about the energy and the flow of of what you're getting as well. So you're in need and you purchase something that with an energy like from the farm, and you you allow that money to flow in a good direction and not just to corporate middlemen.
SPEAKER_02Corporate office, who knows where?
SPEAKER_03It was it was a wonderful talk. It went in lots of different directions, and I'm really excited to do to do more.
SPEAKER_02It was really good to watch you. I'm happy I got to go.
SPEAKER_03I am too.
SPEAKER_02So, with that being said, the point is look for the blessings and know that you're not in it alone. Um, like Leah just said, family farms, a lot of them may not be able to weather the storm here. Um, you're not in it alone.
SPEAKER_03Reach out.
SPEAKER_02There is a way to get through it and know that you can do it.
SPEAKER_03Miracles happen when you find the joy in the dark.
SPEAKER_02Look for those blessings.
SPEAKER_03Because they're there every single day.
SPEAKER_02Yep. So thanks for listening. As always, go find us on all of the socials.
SPEAKER_03At farmers great asset. Feel free to reach out to us with email at farmersgreat asset at gmail.com.
SPEAKER_02It's a good day.
SPEAKER_03Have a great day. Bye.
