Episode Summary

This week I welcome Quentin Connealy, an Eastern Nebraska farmer, social media creator, and podcast co-host to Pioneer Mindset. Tune into our conversation where we cover the realities of modern farming, from flooding and weather extremes to ag tech adoption, mental health, and staying positive through the inevitable cycles of farm life. Quentin shares how wakeboarding in a cornfield back in 2017 accidentally launched his social media presence, and how that platform evolved into a genuine community-building tool and even a business asset.

Join us for this grounded conversation that is full of practical wisdom for anyone in agriculture.

In this week's episode with Quentin:

• Farming the Missouri River Bottom
• Social media as therapy
• Mental health and peer groups
• Early adopter approach to ag tech
• Technology budget discipline
• Between Two Farms podcast
• Surviving the down cycle

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 Quentin:

• Follow Quentin on Instagram @qconnealy19
• Follow Quentin on X @qconnealy19
• Follow Quentin on Tik Tok @qconnealy
• Follow Quentin on LinkedIn
• QJ Connealy Family 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

As we enter Holy Week, I wanted to focus this week's podcast episode on faith, perspective, and the weight we all carry.

I walk through the parable of The Prodigal Son and how each character, the younger son, the older son, and the father each represent struggles we all face in our own lives.

From chasing what we think we want, to feeling overlooked even when doing everything "right," to learning how to extend grace and love, this episode challenges you to see yourself in the story and reflect on where you're at today.

I also share how hardship, pressure, and uncertainty often become the very things that draw us closer to faith and how shifting your perspective can change how you carry those burdens.

Whether you're strong in your faith, struggling, or somewhere in between, this episode is an invitation to lean in, reflect, and grow, especially during a season meant for exactly that.

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 busy spring season approaches, it's easy to get caught in the cycle of constant work. We focus only on the production side and can lose sight of what truly matters. In this episode of Pioneer Mindset, I share five practical ways to stay grounded, in control, and aligned with your goals before things get busy. From knowing your numbers to protecting your time and relationships, this episode is a reminder that success isn't just about working harder, it's about being intentional so you can build a life worth living, not just a business.

Here are some key takeaways from this week's episode:

• Know Your Numbers
• Revisit Your Goals
• Make (and Communicate) the Plan
• Schedule Non-Negotiable Check-Ins
• Schedule Non-Negotiable Check-Ins

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

This week on the podcast, I dive into sharing the story behind Pioneer Farmer.I talk about why I started the business, some of the struggles that I faced, and how I now helps farmers and ranchers take back control of their operations.

I talk about how some of our experiences on our operation like expanding our cow-calf operation and the financial pressure we faced after taking on debt from that expansion to navigating difficult conversations with bankers, attorneys, and family members. Like many producers, the challenge wasn't a lack of work ethic, it was a lack of financial clarity and a business framework for running the farm.

After being forced to actually look the numbers and rethink the future of our operation, we began rebuilding our operation with a stronger focus on financial awareness, strategic decision-making, and long-term sustainability.

That journey ultimately led to the creation of Pioneer Farmer, a coaching and consulting program designed to help farmers and ranchers gain clarity around their finances, build a plan for the future, and make confident decisions about their operations.

Tune in to this episode to learn more what Pioneer Farmer actually does, how the process works, and the five biggest obstacles that hold farmers back from running their operations like a business.

More importantly, I share the deeper mission behind the business: helping farmers build profitable, sustainable operations so they can continue doing what they love while strengthening the rural communities that depend on agriculture.

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

We've all heard the phrase: "Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life." But what if that is actually misleading?

In this week's episode, I dive into the question: Should you pursue your passion? While passion can be a powerful motivator, relying on it alone can also create unrealistic expectations, especially in industries like agriculture where adversity, financial pressure, and uncertainty are part of the journey.

I talk about experiences from our own operation from expanding our cow herd to eventually making the difficult decision to sell our cow herd. I talk about how passion can evolve when faced with real-world challenges. From calf loss and financial strain to burnout and difficult decisions, I reflect on how hardships can cloud the very passion that got you started in the first place.

This conversation isn't about abandoning passion. It's about protecting it by creating balance and recognizing the seasons of life you're in, setting boundaries, diversifying your identity, and sometimes making money in one area while pursuing passion in another.

This episode offers a different perspective: success often comes from combining skill, resilience, and purpose, not passion alone.

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 of Pioneer Mindset, I sat down with Landon Schafer to break down the biggest crop insurance updates heading into 2026. With increased premium support, expanded Beginning Farmer benefits, ARC/PLC flexibility, and stronger ECO/SCO options, this isn't a year to auto-renew coverage. It's a year to intentionally evaluate your risk, your cost of production, and how your insurance strategy supports your revenue and marketing plan.

In this week's episode about crop insurance we dive into these key factors:

• Premium support increased — many producers may see lower per-acre costs in 2026.
• ECO & SCO up to 95%% support — making county-level coverage more affordable than ever.
• Beginning Farmer benefits extended to 10 years with enhanced premium discounts.
• ARC/PLC flexibility improved, including higher reference prices and dual-benefit opportunities for 2025.
• Revenue protection > yield protection — insurance decisions should align with your financial strategy, not just bushels.

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

We are back this week with part 2 of my conversation with Matt Griggs on farming for resilience! We continue to dive deep into making decisions that strengthen your operation for the future and generations to come.

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

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!