“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

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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.

  ”A topic we talk about on the podcast or have talked about several times is the stories that we tell ourselves and how much they matter and shape our daily lives.”

In this episode, I share why the Farming on Purpose podcast is shifting for summer and reflect on the stories we tell ourselves in agriculture. Inspired by The Psychology of Money, I explore how tail events—those rare, life-changing moments—shape our future, and why staying in the game matters more than chasing perfect formulas. It's a heartfelt reminder to keep showing up, even when the path feels uncertain.

Key Topics:

Why the podcast format is shifting for summer

The power of the stories we tell ourselves in farm life and business

Lessons from The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

Understanding and responding to "tail events"

The importance of staying in the game during uncertain times

Balancing priorities as a mom, entrepreneur, and farmer

How beliefs and habits shape long-term success in agriculture

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 85: Resiliency: The Secret to Success in Farming and Ranching

Episode 37: Looking Beyond Your Starting Point with Karoline Rose Bohannan

Episode 14: Time vs. Money and Opportunity Cost 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.

 ”We're not six year olds anymore. We're not children anymore. We're adult children and we're trying to raise our families too and continue a legacy. So there has to be grace on both sides.”

In this episode of Farming on Purpose, I visit with Paige Dulaney, a ranch wife and mom of three from northeast Colorado. We talk about balancing motherhood and ranching, the real-life challenges of farm transition, and raising kids to love the land. Paige shares honest insights about building a life in agriculture, bringing kids along for the work, and why open conversations are key to protecting your family's legacy.

Key Topics:

Balancing motherhood, ranch life, and family

Managing cattle across multiple counties

Navigating farm transition with family

Raising kids in agriculture and involving them in daily work

Importance of early conversations about farm succession

Building relationships in agriculture and rural communities

Finding peace with maintaining instead of constant growth

Hope for the future through connection and renewed interest in agriculture

You can find Paige on TikTok for more of her story and a behind-the-scenes look at life on the ranch.

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.

(Insert audio file of the episode (or link to listen on Spotify/Apple Music/etc.)

 ”We're trying to create awareness to critical issues and food production that are important to consumers.”

In this episode, I visit with Robby Sansom, CEO of Force of Nature, to explore what regenerative agriculture really means—and why more farmers and ranchers are starting to take a second look. We talk about his journey from corporate life to raising bison, how regenerative practices work in real life, and what shifting toward soil health and lower input systems can look like. Whether you're all-in or just curious, this is a conversation worth hearing.

Key Topics:

Robby’s personal story and how Force of Nature got started

What regenerative ag actually looks like in practice

The real challenges farmers face—and why it’s not about blame

How improving soil health can reduce risk and build long-term resilience

Practical steps for producers who want to explore regenerative approaches

Helping consumers understand the food system without needing a science degree

To connect with Robby or learn more about Force of Nature, check out their website, Instagram, and Twitter.

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 111: Building a Business That Works for Your Family and Your Farm

Episode 101: From Conventional to Regenerative: One Family's Journey to Building a Sustainable Farm

Episode 93: Finding Your Path to Homesteading: Lessons from Ryan Mitchell's Journey

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 think the biggest thing is just starting that conversation and thinking about it and like coming up with a plan that works for you and your family, and that's gonna look different for everybody based on how old your kids are, how much you trust your kids.”

When ER nurse and farm wife Katie Hammock started seeing farm injuries too often in the trauma center, she knew more could be done. In this episode, Katie shares practical tools and life-saving tips every farm family should know—plus how to prepare for emergencies, talk to your kids about safety, and handle the emotional aftermath of farm accidents. It’s a must-listen for anyone raising a family and running a farm.

Key Topics:

Common farm injuries and how to prevent them

Life-saving tools every farm should have (tourniquets, gauze, CPR shields, etc.)

How to respond in the first moments after a serious accident

Emergency planning when kids are with you

Teaching kids about farm safety without causing fear

Mental health after a farm injury—for both the injured and their families

How to direct emergency responders to rural fields or pastures

You can find the safety kits Katie talked about at www.thedairywife.com, and you can follow her on Instagram @thedairywife for more tips and insight.

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 98: From City Life to Farm Life: How Jessica Lewis Built Back to Roots Farm

Episode 60: Building Great Relationships with Your Rural Veterinarian

Episode 62: Your Life's Bingo Card and Flower Farming with Liz Fiedler of Sunny Mary Meadow Farms

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.

” Every little boy wants to be a cowboy when he grows up and so I think that's kind of kinda where it started.”

First-generation rancher Zak Copeland shares how he built a goat grazing and cattle business from the ground up with no family background in ag. From hatching chicks in a basement to running 120 goats for targeted grazing jobs, Zak’s story is all about grit, creative income streams, and chasing freedom. He talks mentorship, land access, building community, and how he's making a ranching dream work one step at a time.

Key Topics:

Starting a ranch from scratch as a first-generation producer

Building a goat grazing business for land management

Using goats to create steady income and support cattle goals

Creative side hustles to fund the ranching dream

The value of mentorship and community in ag

Finding and accessing land through relationships

Balancing risk, freedom, and family in rural entrepreneurship

If you want to follow along with Zak, you can find him on TikTok for The Copelands Farm or check out Idaho Goat Grazers on Facebook.

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 111: Building a Business That Works for Your Family and Your Farm

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

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

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.