The Farmer's Greatest Asset Podcast

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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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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 [email protected] 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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This episode highlights the profound connection between farming and personal health. We explore how farmers' well-being directly impacts their productivity and farm management.
• Introduction of Jesse and Dr. Leah Steffensmeier
• Discussion on how a farming accident revealed gaps
• Importance of transferring knowledge and creating procedures for farm continuity
• Exploring functional medicine and its relevance to farming health
• The broader agricultural community’s shared struggles and support system
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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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].

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