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
Rural Sisterhood: Dr. Leah's Highlights From The Rural Rising Retreat
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We share how a rural retreat reshaped our mindset, business, and home life, and how human design and tapping gave us tools for calmer choices. The story moves from sisterhood and inner work to grain hauling, cattle chores, and parenting an 18-year-old with grace.
• retreat takeaways on community, clarity, and courage
• human design as a tool for roles and parenting
• tapping for stress release and focus
• building rural sisterhood online and in-person
• balancing inner work with farm work
• grain bag lessons and logistics wins
• cows home, hay grinding, and preparation
• parenting at 18, legal steps, and independence
• planning for fall without Henry on the farm
• weather needs and the Iowa Beef Expo
If you have any questions or anything that you would like for us to discuss, please get a hold of us at farmersgreatasset at gmail.com
If you want to be on the podcast or know somebody that you would like to hear on the podcast, let us know. We’re always looking for guests.
And remember, it’s a good day
Welcome Back And Retreat Tease
SPEAKER_01The Farmer's Greatest Asset Podcast. We believe the Farm's Greatest Asset is the Farmer. Their knowledge, experience, mind, and health. Welcome back to the podcast. I'm Jesse.
SPEAKER_02And I'm Dr. Leah.
SPEAKER_01Good morning, good afternoon, good evening.
SPEAKER_02Where is that coming from?
SPEAKER_01From whenever and wherever you're listening to, thanks for coming back. And Leah is back with us this week.
SPEAKER_02Yes.
SPEAKER_01Flew solo last episode. So Leah is here. Welcome back.
SPEAKER_02Thanks, babe. Last week I went to the Rural Rising Retreat put on by Kylie Epperson.
SPEAKER_00That's such a hard word. Rural. Rural.
SPEAKER_02Rural. I first was introduced to Kylie, I don't know, a couple of years ago, I would say, and started following her and just really liked her messaging and her brand and what she was doing. And when the first Farm Wives Club came out, I really wanted to go, but there was something we had something pressing that week weekend that I couldn't go. When it came up again, I was like, I think I signed up the first day. And Farm Wives Club was amazing. It was, I felt like I was in a room with my people. You know, I'd been searching for my people for so long.
SPEAKER_01We talked a little about it on the podcast a little bit when you returned from that.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. And we were supposed to get back to all the stuff that I learned and didn't get back
Farm Wives Club And Human Design
SPEAKER_02to that. Life got busy. I mean, as soon as I got back, it was we were in the field. We were in the harvest, and that just snowballs into all of the energy.
SPEAKER_01But into February.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. Right.
SPEAKER_01Here we are.
SPEAKER_02So as part of Farm Wives Club this year, she had on Sunday like a half day business focused retreat. And she brought in human design work, which is she coaches human design as well. And I that is a very interesting topic. And just kind of tailoring your business and what you are looking at.
SPEAKER_01So since then you have really tried to do the kids' human design and mine, and it is spot on.
SPEAKER_02Fascinating.
SPEAKER_01It is very fascinating. It's all about personality and it has your traits, your right.
SPEAKER_02Basically, you put in your date and time of birth and where you were birthed or born. If you if you believe that your soul came here for a true purpose and then it kind of forgets what it came to earth to do when you're born, it's kind of like all the traumas that get heaped up on it. This is kind of a playbook or guide to what you were really like your gifts that you received from God. And it is definitely spot on. Um it really has made me see why I am being called to what I'm starting right now in my life and in my business. It also has made me more aware of how similar but yet different you and I are in our thinking and really in our education styles.
SPEAKER_01That's the way we buttheads a lot.
SPEAKER_02Right. Um, but it's also shown me how I can better mother our children and support who they are and why they learn differently than I do. So it's really been eye-opening in that
Spot-On Insights For Family And Work
SPEAKER_02aspect. So human design, it's interesting if you have if you have interest in that, look into you know, Kylie's coaching or just kind of look into things on your own. But it is, it's fascinating. So back to the business edit. So she talked a lot about human design and and I just loved the day. I loved being in the room. I think there were 15 to 20 of us there. It was nice to be in the room with other women in rural settings that had different businesses, but just kind of held the same ground as you. So when Kylie sent out that she was going an email that she was going to be hosting the rural rising retreat, I again I signed up right away. I was like, I I didn't, I signed up, I didn't even ask you about it. I was like, I'm totally going.
SPEAKER_01Because I didn't even ask me, like, you act like I would have said no.
SPEAKER_02Well, it would no, no, not that you would have said no, but but but it is an investment. And like when you're spending that that money, I I feel it appropriate to speak with your spouse about it. So, but I knew how important it would be for me, and I knew you would support me in it. So I was like, yes, I am definitely doing this. And it was amazing. I would say the if I had to pick two words, it was transformative and community. Just being in that room with those women, like we all have different businesses from like seed seed sales to clothing boutiques to implement dealerships, like and to a tour company, like it was all very varying businesses, but but with an ag rural background. With a rural background. There was, I think there was at least one person there that had no ag background. But it really made me feel like I had a sisterhood. It was it was really wonderful. Just being in the room with women who are really trying to not only build a business, but transform and build themselves as well. When you're around that energy, it really ignites a fire, not only within you, but in all that are surrounding the group.
Rural Rising: Why She Signed Up
SPEAKER_02It was an amazing experience. And as part of the experience, she also um had Alicia with um her company is called With Joy Brand Co. Um, she is a coach as well, and she does business branding, but also brings in like the trauma and trauma healing along with building your brand. So as you are really looking into who you are and who you want to be in your life and who you want to be in your business, it will come back to all of the dark shadows within yourself that you're hiding or hiding from, or that you don't want other people to see.
SPEAKER_01The stuff you don't want to see.
SPEAKER_02Right. Really. So a lot of that was brought up for me while I was there as well. I've been working on those sorts of things for years, but um, there's always extra layers to shed. So she was there and she did some tapping with us, which I have seen and learned a little bit about online on Instagram, but it was Explain a little bit what you what you mean when you say tapping. Basically, you just tap on your body using your body, like using your hand. You'll tap on your hand, tap on your head, on your face. Um, there are different points within your body that can help release the energy that is that is caught up and stagnant within you. And she led exercises for us to kind of release the tension, release what we were experiencing as you delve into all that vulnerability within the group. It was an amazing way to release some of that negative energy. And I have been working on lately really trying to release a lot of the tension, like wearing my shoulders as earrings, um, tension within within myself, like holding
Transformative Community Energy
SPEAKER_02all of that need to protect myself for so many years, it was a good way to release some of that energy as well. Thank you, Alicia, and thank you, Kylie. So, some of the words that I have, because I was trying to think of just very specific words, again, transformative, community, energetic, togetherness, unpacking, complete, and love and joy. It was really amazing to be in that room and be there in times of sadness and grief, and have such love and joy for the other women in the room. And I am so honored to have been in that room with those women, to share that retreat with Kylie and Alicia, and to be able to hold space for all of the amazing, wonderful women that were there. It was amazing.
SPEAKER_01The power of community.
SPEAKER_02And there is so within your marriage, like there is a very special bond that takes place between a husband and wife, and there is a sharing that you can experience with someone else. But for women, and I don't know about men because I'm not a man, but for women, there is a need for a sisterhood and a community within our hearts. And as we grow through time, that community and those groups can change, but that longing to be in reverence with each other is deeply spiritual and I think very much needed for women. I don't know how it is for men. So again, Kylie, thank you so much for the retreat. It was love and joy.
SPEAKER_01You come home from Farm Wives Club last fall, and ever since you've been saying for a long time you've been looking for a group of women that you could meet with for coffee or just have
Branding With Trauma Healing
SPEAKER_01good conversation with, and not that you and I don't have friends or good friends, real friends, but you have really made some connections, good connections and amazing friendships ever since.
SPEAKER_02After Farm Wives Club, Emily Rushel, she started a group called Evolve. I joined that group. It is also for rural women business owners, offering support and some coaching to help build your brand, that sort of thing. And that has too been amazing. It we meet every other week. And um, she's taking a little break right now because she's on maternity leave. A couple of the women from Evolve also went to the rural rising retreat. Um, so we already knew each other, and that friendship grew a lot. I love being in Evolve. I have really grown myself and my business through that as well. But there's something about being in a room together. So Emily and I have met with um Brittany, the birth doula. Um, she's also out there and shared a lot of stories and time together. And I go out for coffee with them every other month or so, and that has been amazing as well.
SPEAKER_01I think it sounds like the message today is just good community, good energy, good vibes around you. The energy from one person will exude to the next person and just create good energy.
SPEAKER_02And it's something you definitely can do online as well.
SPEAKER_01Right. Your Evolve Group is just a Zoom call.
SPEAKER_02Right. Right. And it's wonderful to be able to do that and bounce off of each other and have that energy um together as well. But I love the in-person.
SPEAKER_01It's just well, there's more power in in-person stuff.
SPEAKER_02The collective, you know, the that collective energy that comes together when you can reach out and touch the person next to you and just send them love just through through the room.
SPEAKER_01So I don't think that's just a female thing. Uh there's a different connection, sure, in a a room full of women, but any group when there's just good vibes, good energy, good mojo, whatever you want to call it, that it just is you can just take on the the the energy of the room and it's infectious. It you know, good things come.
SPEAKER_02So after I went to Farm Wives Club, like when I left there, I was so full of energy. Like I it was I was so excited and it was amazing, and it just felt so good. When I left Rural Rising, it was it was there was a lot of vulnerability and a lot of emotion
Tapping To Release Stress
SPEAKER_02and mental like it was mentally draining. I was completely exhausted. Um, but in in the best way, right? So it was a lot of inner work as well as support. And thank you. I have so much gratitude.
SPEAKER_01You got home and then we went back south again for Henry's birthday.
SPEAKER_02The big number 18. Like it's so crazy to think he's 18.
SPEAKER_01It's crazy to think we have an 18-year-old.
SPEAKER_02And things I didn't think of. Like, well, now that he's 18, like we need to have him sign a power. He needs to get us a power of attorney, and he needs to because in the eyes of the world, I guess he's an adult now.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. Because he's 18.
SPEAKER_02Yes. I didn't even think that, but something had come up on my feed, like these are the things that you should put into place when your child turns 18. Like HIPAA information, like he needs to sign a release that his people his doctor can talk to us about things, that type of thing.
SPEAKER_01Like he's not our kid anymore.
SPEAKER_02I know.
SPEAKER_01Like I said, in the eyes of the world, he's an adult now.
SPEAKER_02But there's so much more growth that needs to happen. Right. But it will in time. Like he's already such a wise young man. He's an amazing young man. Right. But yeah, there's a lot of growth, of course. I feel like I'm just finally stepping into myself at 51.
SPEAKER_01You and I are still growing, and we are not 18.
SPEAKER_02No. We thought we knew everything then, didn't we?
SPEAKER_01I still do.
SPEAKER_02You still think that?
SPEAKER_01Yeah. Oh shoot. Most days. Some days. Anywho.
SPEAKER_02Life can be humbling, can't it?
SPEAKER_01It is, for sure.
SPEAKER_02So we have been busy hauling grain.
SPEAKER_01Picking up the grain bags. Yeah. That's actually going really well. It's a piece of cake. It's fast. It's luckily it's dry. Unfortunately, it's dry. Um say that because it's really dry out there. Like it'll rain. I mean, we always get rain in Southeast Iowa. But pulling the trucks in and out through the field, it's going well and it loads fast. So we've got a lot of grain hauled in the last five days. So that's going well. The whole grain bagging experience has been a learning experience. A learning experience for sure. It's a different way of handling grain, but man, it's in the harvest, it sped
Words That Framed The Retreat
SPEAKER_01up harvest and made it easier because you don't have to truck it. Um and then picking it up is man, it's simple.
SPEAKER_02It's also nice weather. I think you know, if we had freezing rain and ice and it was so cold out, like we're taking advantage of the nice weather we're having right now.
SPEAKER_01Luckily, right, it's nice weather for our first experience at all of this for sure. Because that was always my concern years ago. I don't even remember when it was, but we knew we had a big crop on our hands and we didn't have enough bin space, and we knew town would be full, and I think that just happens year after year now. But uh, I come across the grain bags and I brought it up to dad at that time, and we were both concerned about having to pick it up in the winter or the spring because it could be muddy, it could be icy, it could be drifted over, and so yes, luckily it's been a piece of cake this first go around. One of those things you just deal with it, you figure it out. If it's muddy, you use a grain cart or whatever. I don't know. Uh I've been really happy with how that whole process has gone for sure.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, and just scooping the scooping at the end isn't the fun part, but it's not that much usually.
SPEAKER_01Well, the way we ended up tucking the bag under when we started it created that crease in the bag, so then we can't get all the way to the end. So we have to scoop a little extra, which you have to scoop some corn at the end or beans, whatever it is, at the very end. But we all need a little workout, so what the heck? You guys can shovel and I'll sit in the loader tractor.
unknownYeah.
SPEAKER_02That's kind of how it went yesterday.
SPEAKER_01Oh, I got out there and I scooped a little bit.
SPEAKER_02I'm just picking on you, honey. That's okay. We need we need your body to last. I don't want to sit in the tractor and combine. So you you just sit in the tractor and I can scoop a little bit. I'm fine with that at this point in my life. It's interesting talking about Henry turning 18 and roles on the farm, and he has played such a big role in our farming operation, like thinking about he'll be here in the spring, but in the fall, he's not planning on being here anymore. And what are we in our operation going to do? That is something that we will be unpacking through the rest of this year because we don't have that answer.
SPEAKER_01The kids have been homeschooled. Henry's been my right-hand man. Um, he's been the grain cart guy in the fall, and he's one of them that I'll just say go jump in the planter or whatever. And so, yeah, things are gonna change, but everything happens for a reason. So
The Need For Sisterhood
SPEAKER_01when he decides he's gonna go spread his wings, we'll figure it out.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, whatever that may be.
SPEAKER_01Alright, it's one of those bittersweet moments, right?
SPEAKER_02It is.
SPEAKER_01You know they got to, and you don't want them to, but you also want them to choose the farm.
SPEAKER_02So well and We both want him to choose his life.
SPEAKER_01That's what I mean. I don't want to make him do anything other than what he wants to do. He needs to choose his his life. So if he wants to farm, he needs to choose it. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02What else is new on the farm this week, babe?
SPEAKER_01Well, speaking of Henry, we so the cows have moved home. They're in the hoop barn. He might have brought it up to me the other day that we're getting low on hay, but yesterday he calls. He's like, um we need to grind hay. Um we're not going to have enough to feed cows tomorrow. It's like, well, the hay grinder guy can't just show up just on a phone call, even though we know him personally. And he's local. Uh he still has his own schedule to abide by. So one of those lessons.
SPEAKER_02It's about preparation. Right. Thinking it through.
SPEAKER_01Time management. Yeah. Thinking ahead. So because I have literally said, okay, those are your cows. You deal with it. You take care of them. I'll be here to help. But you can manage them. So he's doing well with it. So that's good.
SPEAKER_02That's good. He loves taking care of the cows.
SPEAKER_01He does. Getting ready to go to Beef Expo. That'll be next week for us, Iowa Beef Expo. It is usually the coldest show on earth. But as of right now, the weather looks to be in the 50s. So that'll be awesome.
SPEAKER_02It'll be amazing.
SPEAKER_01For the Iowa Beef Expo. If anybody knows the Iowa Beef Expo, that is a cold one.
SPEAKER_02I think it was 10 degrees last year when we were there. I I remember going. I don't know if it was that bad, but we've been to I had like three layers, four
New Friendships And Evolve Group
SPEAKER_02layers on.
SPEAKER_01Oh, you're cold-blooded anyway.
SPEAKER_02And I was yeah, we went into some friends' tents and it was they had heaters, and so then I was like starting to take all my layers off. But um it'll be nice not having to pack all of that. Hopefully the weather will stay true to what the outlook looks like.
SPEAKER_01As long as it doesn't rain, I'm I'm cool with 50.
SPEAKER_0250's good.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, if it rains, it'll be just be a mess, but it is what it is.
SPEAKER_02But we do need rain.
SPEAKER_01We do need rain.
SPEAKER_02We were talking about how dry it is.
SPEAKER_01Here in Southeast Iowa, we need rain.
SPEAKER_02It can rain here and not up there.
SPEAKER_01Yeah.
SPEAKER_02Well, that being said, I'd like to thank you for tuning in. If you have any questions or anything that you would like for us to discuss, uh please get a hold of us at farmersgreatasset at gmail.com.
SPEAKER_01If you want to be on the podcast or know somebody that you would like to hear on the podcast, let us know. We're always looking for guests. And remember, it's a good day.
SPEAKER_02Have a great day. Bye.
