“You don’t just clock out of agriculture — it’s a lifestyle.”

In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I sit down with Olivia Harms — a sixth-generation rancher, country-western artist, and self-employed musician balancing life on the ranch with life on the road.

From growing up on a family ranch dating back to 1872, to performing on national television and major rodeo stages, Olivia shares what it really takes to carry Western culture forward while building a creative career. We talk about authenticity in music, advocating for agriculture in urban spaces, navigating burnout, and balancing ranch life, marriage, and a demanding touring schedule.

This episode is a powerful reminder that agriculture and creativity are both lifestyles — not jobs you clock out of — and that staying rooted matters, even when your work takes you far from home.

Key Topics:

• Growing up on a sixth-generation ranch and carrying agricultural heritage forward

• Using music as a platform to advocate for agriculture and Western culture

• Behind-the-scenes realities of national television and music competition shows

• Balancing ranch life, marriage, and a self-employed creative career

• Burnout, creativity, and reconnecting with what matters most

• Writing authentic music rooted in real-life experiences

• Advice for dreamers pursuing unconventional or creative careers

LINKS

Follow Olivia Harms and explore her music, tour dates, and merch: https://www.oliviaharms.com

Follow Olivia on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @oliviaharmsmusic

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!

Marketing Routine class, do so here!

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.

Other Episodes You May Enjoy:

#120: Finding Where You Belong on the Farm or Ranch – A thoughtful conversation about identity, purpose, and discovering your role within agriculture, especially when your path looks different than expected. Farming on Purpose

#124: Marriage, Parenthood & Building a Business – A real-life look at balancing marriage, family, and entrepreneurship while building a business alongside life in agriculture. Farming on Purpose

#117: Raising Kids, Cows, and Conversations: Paige Dulaney’s Real-Life Look at Ranching, Transition, and Family – Honest stories about family roles, legacy planning, and mixing business with relationships. Farming on Purpose

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 future of production agriculture.

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

“You can’t raise a cow that only has steaks on it — it doesn’t exist.”

In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I sit down with Nola and Mikaela Schultz, a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law team behind Schultz Country Market, to talk about what it really takes to build a direct-to-consumer meat business inside a multi-generation farm.

We cover the realities of processing, pricing, inventory management, and marketing — along with the family conversations, faith, and perseverance required to grow a business that supports both the farm and the people behind it.

Nola and Mikaela share honest lessons from launching an on-farm market, navigating processor relationships, learning how to price meat sustainably, and using social media to reach customers far beyond their local community. This episode is a must-listen for anyone exploring direct-to-consumer sales, diversification, or family business transitions in agriculture.

Key Topics:

• Transitioning from a multi-generation farm to a direct-to-consumer meat market

• Processing challenges and how to work with the right partners

• Pricing meat for sustainability — not comparison

• Managing inventory, bundles, and value-added products

• Using Facebook Live and TikTok to grow a local and regional customer base

• Navigating family roles, succession, and hard conversations

• Faith, resilience, and staying the course during hard seasons

LINKS

Sign up for the Schultz Country Market shipping waitlist: https://www.schultzcountrymarket.com

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!

Marketing Routine class, do so here!

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.

Other Episodes You May Enjoy:

#117: Raising Kids, Cows, and Conversations: Paige Dulaney’s Real-Life Look at Ranching, Transition, and Family – Honest stories about family roles, legacy planning, and mixing business with relationships. Farming on Purpose

#74: Capturing Profit from Heifers with Direct-to-Consumer Beef with Amanda of 2383 Farms – A deep dive into selling beef direct to consumers, including challenges and pricing decisions. Farming on Purpose

#76: Ag Entrepreneurship & Conviction in Fighting for the Family Farm with Amanda Radke – An entrepreneurial exploration of finding purpose, priorities, and diversified income on the farm.

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 future of production agriculture.

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Finding your place in agriculture isn’t always simple—or straightforward. In this special mashup episode of Farming on Purpose, we’ve pulled together stories from past guests who share how they discovered (and sometimes redefined) their role on the farm or ranch. From balancing family dynamics and business decisions, to stepping into unexpected responsibilities, to building side ventures that make staying on the land possible—these voices remind us there’s no one-size-fits-all job description in ag. Their journeys show the heart, grit, and creativity it takes to carve out a role that fits both your skills and your dreams.

Listen to the full interviews:

Episode #8 Shifting Seasons in Motherhood and Ranching with Richelle Barrett

Richelle Barrett

https://www.facebook.com/theprairiecrocus

https://www.prairie-crocus.com/

Episode #15 Developing Routines for Ranch Roles and Profitability with Marli Scarborough

Marli Scarborough

https://www.instagram.com/marliscarborough/

Episode #21 Systems for Managing Life & Work on the Farm with Natalie Egger

Natalie Egger

https://www.instagram.com/natalie_egger_consulting/

www.eggerconsulting.ca

Episode #109 Building a Future on the Farm: How One Rancher Found Her Own Path Home

Lettie Nickell

https://lettienickell.com/

https://www.facebook.com/mcbarmeatco

https://www.instagram.com/lettienickell/#

LINKS

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!

Marketing Routine class, do so here!

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.

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 future of production agriculture.

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

Starting a farm from the ground up isn’t easy—but it’s possible. In this episode, I pulled together stories from beginning farmers who are doing just that. Some bought back family ground. Others started with just a few acres, raising food for their own families and learning as they went. A few had help, and many didn’t. But every single one had to work through doubts, learn from failure, and find their own way forward. These are the stories of grit, family, long days, and the kind of deep belief it takes to build something that lasts. Whether you’re dreaming of your first 10 acres or trying to prove yourself in a family operation, I hope this episode reminds you—you’re not alone, and your story is worth building.

Listen to the full interviews:

Episode #103 Building a Ranch From Scratch: How One Family's Faith and Grit Created Their Legacy

Laura Hicks

www.laurahicks.org

www.instagram.com/laura_a_hicks

www.facebook.com/laura.hicks.1884

Episode #77 How Full Time Farming Works for Winding Creek Farms

Harry Frederick

https://www.facebook.com/windingcreekfarmsKY

www.windingcreekfarms.com

https://www.instagram.com/windingcreekfarms/

https://www.tiktok.com/@windingcreekfarms801

Episode #72 Advice from a First-Generation Farmer on Surviving Trends

Joseph Blakeslee

https://www.tiktok.com/@blakesleeacres?_t=8mBoNynbHVy&_r=1

https://youtube.com/@blakesleeacres?si=ZRrEdeM9xztkVK0A

https://www.facebook.com/share/KeVHkkjHNae61BUq/?mibextid=qi2Omg

https://www.facebook.com/share/4AW7ZtymLMnYGcqq/?mibextid=qi2Omg

Episode #99 Working Full Time While Building Her Farm Dream with Brenna Beard

Brenna Beard

https://www.instagram.com/brennabeardfarms/

https://www.youtube.com/@brennabeardfarms

LINKS

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!

Marketing Routine class, do so here!

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.

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 future of production agriculture.

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

“You can do anything you set your mind to. I say that all the time—and I say that as a working mom. There’s judgment, exhaustion, and chaos, but I’m building a legacy for my daughter. She doesn’t know any different—this is just life for her, and that’s what makes it worth it.” — Penny DuSablon

In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I sit down with Cole and Penny DuSablon, the husband-and-wife team behind Springpoint Company in Newton, Illinois. What started as a 7×16-foot trailer selling livestock feed has grown into a thriving small-town business combining a feed store, western boutique, and trailer dealership — all built on faith, family, and hard work.

We talk about the challenges and rewards of running a business together, parenting while growing a brand, and staying grounded in purpose when life gets hectic. Cole and Penny share what it’s really like to balance marriage, motherhood, and management in modern agriculture — and how trusting the process has shaped both their business and their family.

Key Topics:

• Building Spring Point Company from a 7×16 trailer to a storefront

• Balancing marriage, motherhood, and business ownership

• Taking the leap from job security to entrepreneurship

• Navigating small-town retail challenges and loyalty

• Mentoring rural youth through part-time employment

• The role of faith and community in business growth

• Finding hope in the next generation of agriculture

You can find Cole and Penny online for more of their story and daily life behind Springpoint Company: 🐴 Website: springpointco.com 📱 Instagram & Facebook: @springpointco 🎥 TikTok: @pennydusa | @coledusa

LINKS

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!

Marketing Routine class, do so here!

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.

Other Episodes You May Enjoy:

• Episode 120: Finding Where You Belong on the Farm or Ranch

• Episode 119: The First Acres: Honest Lessons from Beginning the Farm Journey

• Episode 117: Raising Kids, Cows, and Conversations: Paige Dulaney’s Real-Life Look at Ranching, Transition, and Family

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 future of production agriculture.

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

“If cash is king, cash flow is queen.”

In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I sit down with Tressie Mitzner, economist with Kansas Farm Management, to talk about the side of ranching and farming that no one gets excited about—but everyone needs to understand: taxes, recordkeeping, and financial strategy.

Tressie shares how she and her husband built their cow-calf operation from the ground up, why clean records matter more than most producers realize, and how to navigate high- and low-income years without losing sleep. She also breaks down some of the biggest tax code changes coming in 2025–2026 and how they’ll impact family operations across rural America.

Whether you’re new to managing your farm’s books or just ready to take a more confident approach to your financial decisions, this episode will leave you with clarity, encouragement, and a few practical to-dos you can start right away.

Key Topics:

• Year-end wrap-up tips for farm and ranch businesses

• Managing 1099s, W-2s, and reconciling accounts correctly

• Tracking capital assets and depreciation with confidence

• Understanding high- vs. low-income year strategies

• Smart planning for land, equipment, and future growth

• Upcoming 2025–2026 tax updates every producer should know

• Finding grace and rhythm in your recordkeeping routine

You’ll walk away from this episode ready to head into tax season with a plan—and a little less dread.

Connect with Tressie

Tressie welcomes questions and conversations from fellow producers and ag professionals. 📧 Email: tressiemitzner@gmail.com

LINKS

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!

Marketing Routine class, do so here!

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.

Other Episodes You May Enjoy:

Episode 87: Farm Succession Planning: Securing Your Family's Legacy

Episode 8: Shifting Seasons in Motherhood and Ranching with Richelle Barrett

Episode 19: Homesteading Skills with a Farm Family with 14 Hands Ranch

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 future of production agriculture.

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

“I don’t want to spend my short years on this earth doing things that are insignificant.” — Andrew Miller

In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I sit down with Andrew Miller, co-founder and CEO of Tulip Valley Farms in Washington’s Skagit Valley. We talk about the realities of building an agritourism-centered farm business, navigating regulations and community pushback, and choosing a meaningful life rooted in land and legacy.

Andrew shares openly about returning home after years in tech, the process of building something his family could be part of, and the unique challenges of running a U-pick tulip farm in an urban-adjacent region where tourism and agriculture collide. His story is equal parts courageous, strategic, and deeply human.

• Building a life and business rooted in significance, not just productivity
• Why agritourism is one of the biggest opportunities in agriculture today
• Navigating lawsuits, regulations, and zoning challenges as a small farm
• Turning a flower farm into an immersive experience—not a commodity
• Balancing family, farming, and off-farm responsibilities
• What makes U-pick operations successful (and what makes them hard)
• How to advocate for policies that keep farmland viable
• Why innovation in ag must happen at the business-model level
• Finding resilience through community, connection, and purpose
• Building a future in agriculture your kids can participate in

🌷 Instagram: @tulipvalleyfarms 🌷 Website: tulipvalley.com 🎙 Listen to Andrew’s podcast: Agri IQ 📧 Connect with Andrew: andrew@tulipvalley.com

The 8-Hour Marketing Plan — Build your one-day marketing roadmap https://backpocketsocial.com/8hours

Marketing Routine Class https://backpocketsocial.com/plan

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/farmingonpurpose

Shop Farming on Purpose Merch https://backpocketsocial.com/shop

Our recommended software for online sales: Thrivecart https://backpocketsocial--checkout.thrivecart.com/thrivecart-standard-account/

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.

• Episode 87: Farm Succession Planning — Securing Your Family’s Legacy
• Episode 8: Shifting Seasons in Motherhood and Ranching with Richelle Barrett
• Episode 19: Homesteading Skills with a Farm Family with 14 Hands Ranch

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 future of production agriculture.

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.

“Imperfect planning is still better than no planning. If you don’t talk about it now, the people you love are going to be in a really hard spot.”

In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I sit down with Jessica Groskopf, a Nebraska Extension Economist and fourth-generation farm wife who has spent over a decade helping families navigate some of the toughest conversations in agriculture: estate planning, farm transition, and preparing the next generation to lead.

Jessica blends her professional expertise with her lived experience farming alongside her husband, giving her a unique and deeply practical perspective on what it actually takes to protect a multigenerational operation. We talk about the difference between estate planning and succession planning, how to start when you feel overwhelmed, the six documents every family should gather before meeting with an attorney, and why honest conversations are the foundation of a strong future.

This episode is a must-listen for every generation on the operation — whether you’re thinking about stepping back or stepping in.

Key Topics:

• The difference between estate planning and succession planning

• The Great Wealth Transfer and why it impacts agriculture so heavily

• Why a will is not enough to protect your farm or ranch

• How to start transition planning when family dynamics feel complicated

• The six critical items to prepare before meeting advisors

• Navigating conflict, resistance, or avoidance in the ownership generation

• Preparing financially to buy into or buy out the operation

• Why difficult conversations lead to stronger families and stronger operations

• How to update your plan every 3–5 years or after major life events

• Building a future with intention, communication, and shared vision

You can find Jessica on Instagram at @jessicagroskopf for more resources and tools on farm business management.

LINKS

Sign up for the 8-Hour Marketing Plan here!

Marketing Routine class, do so here!

Join the Farming On Purpose Facebook group and visit the Farming on Purpose merch page.

Check out our favorite software tool for online sales: Thrivecart

I may earn affiliate commissions from links on this page.

Other Episodes You May Enjoy:

Episode 117: Raising Kids, Cows, and Conversations: Paige Dulaney’s Real-Life Look at Ranching, Transition, and Family

Episode 115: Farm Accidents, Family, and Being Ready for the Unthinkable

Episode 120: Finding Where You Belong on the Farm or Ranch

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 future of production agriculture.

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.