About Pioneer Farmer

I’m Garrett Ruskamp—a 5th generation farmer, husband, dad, and someone who knows exactly what it feels like to be overwhelmed inside your own operation.

 

Over the last decade, I’ve lived through many of the same challenges farmers and ranchers face every day—financial stress, disorganization, and the constant pressure to keep things moving even when you feel like you’re barely hanging on.

 

In 2016, we expanded our cow/calf operation, but the truth was… we weren’t financially ready for it. We were working hard, but not always smart. We stayed busy working in the business and rarely took the time to work on it. Little by little, the cracks showed—cash flow tightened, unclear numbers, and decisions made with more guesswork than confidence.

 

It didn’t take long before the financial strain became impossible to ignore. We found ourselves leveraged, stretched thin, and stuck in that exhausting cycle of “just trying to make it to next year.” The stress didn’t just impact the operation—it hit our family too.

But that season forced growth.

 

Instead of avoiding the numbers, I focused on them. I learned how to read them, understand them, and use them to guide decisions. I stepped into the role of a business owner—not just a producer. And little by little, the fog lifted. Our operation became clearer, more stable, and more intentional.

 

That transformation is why I do what I do today.

 

I’m still farming. I’m still dealing with markets, weather, crops, inputs, bankers, and the daily curveballs in agriculture. And that’s exactly what allows me to help other farmers and ranchers—not from theory, but from real-life experience.

 

The struggles we walked through gave me a deep understanding of the financial, emotional, and operational pressure producers face. And they showed me what’s possible when you take back control with clarity, confidence, and a plan.

 

My mission now is simple:
Help farmers and ranchers break the cycle, gain control of their finances, and build operations they’re proud to pass on.