E100 | The Season That Almost Broke Us But Built Us Instead with Ellan Ruskamp

Episode Summary


In this milestone 100th episode, I sat down with my wife, Ellan, to share the behind-the-scenes story of our farming operation, family, and the difficult seasons that shaped us both.


We walk through what it was like to move from not knowing our financial reality, to being forced to confront it head-on during a season of expansion, debt, stress, and major family change — including pregnancy, young children, buyouts, and hard conversations with bankers, attorneys, and family members.


Ellan vulnerably shares what it was like stepping into the books while pregnant, juggling an off-farm job, raising young kids, and carrying emotional weight she didn't always feel free to voice. We reflect on how the pressure impacted our health, marriage, mental load, and our perspective on farming, money, and leadership.


We also dive into how that season ultimately led us to greater clarity, stronger communication, better decision-making, and eventually the creation of Pioneer Farmer — not from a place of ambition, but from a place of necessity, survival, and growth.


This episode is an honest conversation about marriage, money, farming, legacy, and the uncomfortable growth required to move from survival to sustainability.


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 (https://linktr.ee/pioneerfarmer?el=po...) !


Connect with Garrett:


• Follow on Instagram - @garrettruskamp (  / garrettruskamp  )

• Follow on Facebook - Garrett Ruskamp (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...)

• Follow on TikTok - @garrettruskamp (  / garrettruskamp  )

• Learn more about Pioneer Farmer here (https://www.pioneerfarmer.org/) !


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