Farming on Purpose

Mental Health is Not a Dirty Word in Agriculture with Jason Medows

“It’s not that I don’t have the time; I do have the time, I choose to spend the time on other things. We all make time for the things that are most important to us. We always do. Whatever is most important to you is going to look different from time to time and from other people, but we all make time for things that are most important to us.”
In this episode, I have the pleasure of sitting down with Jason Medows and discussing a very important topic, mental health in agriculture. Jason touched on why starting his podcast, Ag State of Mind, was important for improving his own mental health and how he balances his many roles to maintain his mental health. Jason also shares how his family’s core values help him manage his expectations on the farm and in life. 
 
About our guest: Jason Medows, Ag State of Mind - Missouri
Jason is a pharmacist, rancher, podcaster, husband, and father from Crawford County, Missouri. Jason’s podcast, Ag State of Mind focuses on creating positive conversations around mental health and wellness among the agricultural community.  
You can listen to Jason on his podcast.
 
At a glance: 
[4:50]: Mental health
“I began my podcast, Ag State of Mind, because I started having my own mental health challenges.”
[9:06] “I wear a lot of different hats.” 
Jason shares how he prioritizes what is important to him. 
[13:50] Pressure in ag
“Is this going to matter in 5 years? 1 year? A month?”
[28:10] Managing expectations
“It’s hard, but we have a set of core values that we use as a family and we try to spend our time and money on things that align with our core values.”
 
You may also enjoy…
#3 An Individual Approach to Ag and Rural Mental Health
#22 The Power of Positive Perspective in Health & Ranch Business with the Native Cowgirl Cheyenne Glade Wilson
#41 Habits & Routines for Your Season With Thea Larsen of Cowgirls Over Coffee
 
About the Host of Farming on Purpose, Lexi Wright: 
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the stories of agriculture from generations past, preserving the skills and lessons learned along the way, and ensuring the best of that is passed onto those who will continue to lead the way into the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media. 
Connect with me on Instagram @wrightatthemoment, Facebook, and TikTok. 

Building a Homestead with Terra Larsen of Everest Acres

“Sharing your life online, like we talked about, has been really surprising how many people appreciate what you’re doing and are open to let you know how much they appreciate what you’re doing and that’s been a big comfort for me.” 
In this episode, I have the pleasure of talking with Terra Larsen about a topic that is near and dear to my heart, homesteading. Terra shared how and why she and her husband, Trevor, started homesteading. Terra talked about the expansion to their operation and introduced us to some of the stars on their farm, milk cows Helen and Ruth. Terra also opened up to some of her struggles with sharing her homesteading journey online as well as some of her good experiences such as meeting new people and forming new friendships.  
 
About our guest: Terra Larsen, Everest Acres - Utah
Terra grew up on a farm in a small town in the heart of Utah.  Her parents raised and sold purebred black Angus cattle and her mom bred and sold registered mini American Shepherds. Terra loved living on the farm until she was a little bit older and wanted to experience the city life. She moved away, traveled the world, became a firefighter/ AEMT, met and married her husband Trevor who is also a Firefighter/Aemt. Then in 2017, they moved back to Terra’s hometown where they lived for several years before moving into her grandma’s old farmhouse that they renovated. In 2020, Terra and her husband were expecting their miracle baby Everest, and they couldn’t get anything in the stores for a baby because it was all sold out. That made them realize how dependent we were on others for our basic needs, and it struck a cord for them. They then purchased a 2 acre parcel of land with a home and metal building and some old corrals that Terra’s dad actually built when her parents were first married. This being a piece of property that had been in the family and is now back in their family.  They have built everything since and now have a small homestead complete with chickens, donkeys pigs, cats, turkeys, rabbits and of course their milk cows, Helen and Ruth. Now in 2023, they sell raw milk and pasture chickens to their community and are excited to see where this journey takes their family. 
You can connect with Terra on Youtube or TikTok. 
 
At a glance:
[6:06]: Where it all started
“A milk cow is so incredibly diverse in what they can provide for you and your family.”
[17:43] Time and role management 
“We sit down and write out a schedule because we want to make sure it's equal because we both agreed to this venture.”
[26:07] Building the milk barn
“It was really fun to build it and know what we were working towards.”
[33:13] Selling raw milk
“We’re slowly getting more and more interest in our local community for our raw milk.”
[39:31] Other animals on the farm
Chickens, pigs and more.
[49:07] Making new friends and sharing online
“It took a lot for me to start posting because I am so self critical. I don’t want people to criticize what I’m doing and how I’m doing it, and that’s been hard for me.” 
 
You may also enjoy…
#2 Navigating First-Generation Dairy Farming
#12 Beginning Farming and Resetting Your Farm Practices with DL Lautenbach
#52 Growing a First Generation Operation with Millennial Rancher Calli Williams
 
About the Host of Farming on Purpose, Lexi Wright: 
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the stories of agriculture from generations past, preserving the skills and lessons learned along the way, and ensuring the best of that is passed onto those who will continue to lead the way into the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media. 
Connect with me on Instagram @wrightatthemoment, Facebook, and TikTok.
 

Developing Routines for Ranch Roles and Profitability with Marli Scarborough

“On Sunday I’ll try to sit down with an actual piece of paper… and just kind of brainstorm everything that’s happening that week, everything I would like to get done, and everything that really needs to get done to just get it all out there and see that list.” 
In this episode, I have the pleasure of talking with Marli Scarborough about a topic I love, efficiency and productivity.  First, Marli shared that with the passing of her mother, roles and responsibilities on the ranch had to adjust. Along with her dad and two younger brothers, they are figuring out what works for them in their operation. On the topic of efficiency and productivity, Marli and I both share methods that work for use. I love hearing how others operate day-to-day to see if there is anything I can use for myself or my farm. 
Marli Scarborough is a fifth generation rancher in western South Dakota. She lives and works on her family’s ranch with her dad and two younger brothers. In between ranch work and family responsibilities, she shares thoughts and snippets of daily ranch life on Instagram. 
You can connect with Marli on Instagram. 
Books mentioned in this episode: Atomic Habits by James Clear
 
At a glance:
[13:00]: Seasons on the ranch
“There’s been so many opportunities for learning in this season especially with the family dynamic change.”
[21:10] Family dynamic
“Day by day just figuring stuff out.”
[25:09] Efficiency and productivity
What Marli does to keep on track each day.
[33:40] Tying productivity to profitability
“How much of my time is spent on things that are profitable?”
 
You may also enjoy…
#14 Time vs. Money and Opportunity Cost on the Farm
#38 How to Make Growing Your Local Ag Business Easier with Sammy Gleason
#53 Ranching with an Eye on Financial Feasibility
 
About the Host of Farming on Purpose, Lexi Wright: 
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the stories of agriculture from generations past, preserving the skills and lessons learned along the way, and ensuring the best of that is passed onto those who will continue to lead the way into the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media. 
Connect with me on Instagram @wrightatthemoment, Facebook, and TikTok. 

Time vs. Money and Opportunity Cost on the Farm

“Understanding exactly what value we place on our time and how we spend our time and different tasks we’re doing with our time, is what can allow us to make the best decisions possible for us and for our farm.” 
In this episode, I wanted to share the importance of making sure you put a value on your time because like the saying, “time is money.” This might be a difficult perspective to view as a farmer or a business owner, but if you think of it as, “how much would I have to pay someone else to do this task?” then it is clearer to see the value of your time doing that task. Then you have to think about, “am I using my time in a way that is cost effective to my operation?” All of these questions are important to keeping your farm or business on track as well as making sure your time is being spent doing things or investing in things that align with your goals and values.
 
At a glance:
[3:07]: Give your time a value
“If it doesn’t cost money it probably costs time.”
[12:30] Opportunity Cost
What else could we be doing with our time?
[24:00] Chicken example
Even though it didn’t make business sense, it made sense for me.
[29:30] What value do you place on your time and the tasks that you’re doing? 
Know what jobs you don’t like doing and why you don’t like them. 
 
Mentioned in this Episode:
Cattleman U Podcast Episode: Candid Thoughts from a 1st Generation Farmer: Time Management, Legacy & Motherhood
 
You may also enjoy…
#24 The Financial Planning and Grace that Makes Multi Family Farms Possible with Lydia Hiesterman
#51 Looking ahead at Ag Finance with a 4th Gen Farmer and Ag Lender
#53 Ranching with an Eye on Financial Feasibility
 
About the Host of Farming on Purpose, Lexi Wright: 
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the stories of agriculture from generations past, preserving the skills and lessons learned along the way, and ensuring the best of that is passed onto those who will continue to lead the way into the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media. 
Connect with me on Instagram @wrightatthemoment, Facebook, and TikTok. 

Self Awareness and Good Movement through the Enneagram with Terryn Drieling

“The enneagram is not an end all be all. Plenty of people do just fine without knowing the enneagram, but it does help expedite the self-awareness process. And when we’re more self-aware we can be better communicators. It’s just better for us and better for our relationships the more self-aware we can become.”
In this episode, I have the pleasure of talking with Terryn Drieling about a topic I enjoy and find fascinating, enneagrams. Terryn briefly explains each type of enneagram's characteristics and their motivations. She then talks about how being self-aware and knowing your enneagram type can translate into other aspects and relationships of your life. While discussing enneagrams, Terryn helped me determine which type I am through a series of questions. 
Terryn also shares the personal significance to the phrase “good movement draws good movement” and how it is part of her day-to-day life.  
Terryn lives and works on a large ranch with her husband and their three kids in the Sandhills of Nebraska. She is the creator of Faith Family & Beef, where she talks about mommin’, ranching, and connection. She believes the stockmanship phrase “good movement draws good movement” applies in life as much as it does in moving cattle.
Terryn has gone from self-professed Enneagram nerd to certified Enneagram coach and co-host of the Type It Out podcast. She teaches the personality typing system in a way that’s easy to understand, immediately applicable, and helps others draw good movement.
You can connect with Terryn on Instagram, her website, or by email. You can also hear more from Terryn by listening to her podcast. 
 
At a glance:
[3:05]: Enneagrams
Your enneagram type is rooted in your motivation.
[22:40] Why the enneagram matters to Terryn
“It has impacted my relationships with my kids, my husband…just everyone I interact with.”
[29:05] The Good Movement
“One kind interaction with constructive conversation could lead to more of it.”
[36:46] Finding your type
“It is self-reflection. If you’re struggling with your type and you come talk to me, I’m going to ask you a bunch of questions and they’ll be self-reflective questions.”
 
Mentioned in this Episode:
The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile 
 
You may also enjoy…
#6 A Look at Identity and Communication on the Family Farm with 6th-Generation Nebraska Farmer Hannah Borg
#11 Toss Your To-Do List for a Minute
#22 The Power of Positive Perspective in Health & Ranch Business with the Native Cowgirl Cheyenne Glade Wilson
 
About the Host of Farming on Purpose, Lexi Wright: 
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the stories of agriculture from generations past, preserving the skills and lessons learned along the way, and ensuring the best of that is passed onto those who will continue to lead the way into the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media. 
Connect with me on Instagram @wrightatthemoment, Facebook, and TikTok. 

Beginning Farming and Resetting Your Farm Practices with DL Lautenbach

“That point that I’ve heard you talk about before, about knowing what’s important to you and knowing what success means to you is so important for any of the purchasing decisions you make and has to guide everything.” 
In this episode, I got the chance to chat with DL Lautenbach, a farmer from Washington. DL shares how he got started in the cattle industry as well as some of his practices and the challenges that come with them. In our conversation, DL divulges how he and his family changed from their consumer lifestyle to a more conservative spending lifestyle and the importance of that lifestyle shift for his family. 
DL is a farmer, auctioneer, trucker, husband, and father. He has a small cattle operation in northwest Washington. He has been married for 30 years to his wife, Randi, and he has two children, Kobi and Kase. 
You can connect with DL on TikTok. 
 
At a glance:
[6:56]: Competitive advantage
Some differences in the cattle industry in Washington compared to the cattle industry in Kansas.
[19:50] Transition of lifestyles
From a consumer lifestyle to knowing what your priorities are. 
[28:50] FFA
“Any kid that has even shown a hog, sheep, or especially a steer, they’re never going to forget that. They’re going to know a lot more about where their food comes from and they’re going to respect that farmer.” 
[32:23] Trends in agriculture
“More and more people want to have experiences, they want to chase cattle or go to a brewery.” 
 
Links:
She's a Hand Ranch Camp
 
You may also enjoy…
#10 When You Have to Wait to Expand the Farm
#16 Building a Homestead with Terra Larsen of Everest Acres
#50 Building Your Dream on God's Time Through Daily Dedication
 
About the Host of Farming on Purpose, Lexi Wright: 
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the stories of agriculture from generations past, preserving the skills and lessons learned along the way, and ensuring the best of that is passed onto those who will continue to lead the way into the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media. 
Connect with me on Instagram @wrightatthemoment, Facebook, and TikTok. 

Toss Your To-Do List for a Minute

“There are so many stories from people in my life that I would like to hear and I need to take time to hear them.” 
In this episode, I wanted to share with you a reminder to be more present. I find it is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of the holiday season and focus too much on my to-do list tasks, that I sometimes forget to be present with my family. Spending time with family and making memories is so important, and after losing my grandma this year, you realize time with your family members is not infinite. So take the time to talk with and listen to the people you hold dear.
 
At a glance:
[1:40]: Throw your to-do list away
Take time to relax and reset after the holidays.
[3:00] Enjoy the company you are in
Be present and take time to listen to people’s stories.
 
You may also enjoy…
#13 Self Awareness and Good Movement through the Enneagram with Terryn Drieling
#32 Shifting Perspectives with Michaela Gasseling
#41 Habits & Routines for Your Season With Thea Larsen of Cowgirls Over Coffee
 
About the Host of Farming on Purpose, Lexi Wright: 
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the stories of agriculture from generations past, preserving the skills and lessons learned along the way, and ensuring the best of that is passed onto those who will continue to lead the way into the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media. 
Connect with me on Instagram @wrightatthemoment, Facebook, and TikTok. 

When You Have to Wait to Expand the Farm

“Leaning in to where you are and finding the resources you already have accessible to you to make the most of the situation.”
In this episode, I wanted to talk about my current season of life and it happens to be a waiting season.  For me, I’m not a big fan of waiting. I like to have a plan so this period of wait and see has not been easy. However, I’m coming around to accepting this is where me and my family are at in our farming journey, and I talk about some things I’m doing to help.
If you are also in a waiting season, I hope this episode can give you comfort and perseverance to keep going to get to the other side of the wait!  
 
[2:34]: Season of waiting
“Waiting for me is something I don’t know what to do with.”
[10:20] Choosing to focus on…
“Some things that I am choosing to focus on is creating experiences for my kids where we are at now.” 
[13:18] Learning from others
 I have gained so much knowledge from TikTok. Just hearing the information that other people put out there or have seen their infrastructure that they have on their farm and trying to learn from that and think about how I’m going to implement that on our farm one day. 
 
You may also enjoy…
#12 Beginning Farming and Resetting Your Farm Practices with DL Lautenbach
#16 Building a Homestead with Terra Larsen of Everest Acres
#50 Building Your Dream on God's Time Through Daily Dedication
 
About the Host of Farming on Purpose, Lexi Wright: 
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the stories of agriculture from generations past, preserving the skills and lessons learned along the way, and ensuring the best of that is passed onto those who will continue to lead the way into the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media. 
Connect with me on Instagram @wrightatthemoment, Facebook, and TikTok. 

Comparing our Capacity as Farm Moms with your host Lexi Wright

“Nothing looks like you think it will in motherhood.”
In this episode, I wanted to talk about motherhood and what being a mother on a farm looks like for me. My motherhood journey was not what I had anticipated and I had a hard time accepting that I couldn’t be as active on the farm as I wanted to be or thought I would be. Once I accepted that in this season of motherhood, my roles on the farm are different but will change one day, I am able to enjoy where I am in this season and find tasks that utilize my strengths.
 
[10:25]: Figuring out that balance
“Figuring out that balance between the things that really matter to us in this season of life and the things we want to be better at and finding ways to be better at them is a constant juggling act.”
[12:52] Being a mom on a farm
“Another thing that has been difficult for me to come to terms with is what being a mom on a farm would look like.” 
[18:45] Things that have worked for me
“I am trying to take on more responsibility because I realized that’s the part I miss the most.”
[24:48] Taking on responsibility gives me purpose
“Taking on responsibility gives me a sense of purpose and it’s something I really enjoy. I enjoy doing farm chores daily.”
 
You may also enjoy…
#8 Shifting Seasons in Motherhood and Ranching with Richelle Barrett
#34 Irons in the Fire with Ranch Mom Jesse Thompson
#36 Farm Moms and The Comparison Game
 
About the Host of Farming on Purpose, Lexi Wright: 
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the stories of agriculture from generations past, preserving the skills and lessons learned along the way, and ensuring the best of that is passed onto those who will continue to lead the way into the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media. 
Connect with me on Instagram @wrightatthemoment, Facebook, and TikTok. 

Shifting Seasons in Motherhood and Ranching with Richelle Barrett

“Learn to be ok with where you are at in your life.” 
Richelle Barrett, a cattle rancher from Montana, joins us this week to talk about navigating ranching with your family and some of the struggles that come with being a cattle rancher. Richelle also speaks on being in the evaluation phase of her ranching journey and how to be ok with where she is, even if it's not what she imagined life would look like.
In addition to being a cattle rancher with her husband and parents, Richelle is also a mother to two wonderful girls. Richelle shares her struggles with balancing motherhood with being a rancher in the beginning and looking back, shares some things she would have done differently.
Richelle has a blog, The Prairie Crocus, that she shares her day-to-day thoughts and the highs and lows she experiences as a rancher and a mother.  
At a glance:
[16:06]: Be patient
“Don’t give up on those ideas that you have the first time someone says ‘no’.” 
[22:12] Love your people well
“You have to love your people well, no matter how hard and how miserable they maybe make you feel at times and you have to just be willing to accept that things aren't always going to look the way you thought they were going to.”
[38:54] Hindsight is 20/20
“I look back on it and think, ‘Man, I did that the hard way,’. I did a lot of things the hard way, but I think at the time, you do what you have to do. As a mom, you are constantly doing things to get through the day and maybe it’s not pretty but that’s ok.”
[43:48] Don’t be afraid to work hard
“I think the biggest thing I want to pass on to my kids is to work hard. Don’t be afraid of hard work and don’t be afraid to be told ‘no’. Sometimes the best things come out of things not going our way.”
 
About our guest: Richelle Barrett, The Praire Crocus - Montana
Richelle has lived on a cattle ranch most of her life, and loves it. Ranching is a way of life, not a job and Richelle is here to share the reality with anyone who will listen. Richelle speaks to the young families trying to navigate coming back home to the family operation, to their grandparents and parents who are doing their best to keep their places going long enough to hand it to the next generation, and especially to the women juggling all the things that come with being “a ranch wife”.  You can connect with Richelle on Facebook and by visiting her website.
 
You may also enjoy…
#9 Comparing our Capacity as Farm Moms
#21 Systems for Managing Life & Work on the Farm with Natalie Egger
#36 Farm Moms and The Comparison Game
 
About the Host of Farming on Purpose, Lexi Wright: 
I’m your host, Lexi Wright. I started the Farming on Purpose Podcast from a passion for sharing the stories of agriculture from generations past, preserving the skills and lessons learned along the way, and ensuring the best of that is passed onto those who will continue to lead the way into the future of production agriculture.
I’m so glad you’re here and I hope you’ll take a moment to join the conversation with me and other listeners on social media. 
Connect with me on Instagram @wrightatthemoment, Facebook, and TikTok.