Good Soil and Generous Living: FarmHouse Pearls and Rubies Feature

If you had told me during my early days at Kansas State that the relationships I was building would still be shaping my life decades later, I am not sure I would have believed you. But FarmHouse Fraternity has been exactly that, a lifelong opportunity and a cornerstone of my personal and professional journey.

Last year, Justin Fraase wrote a feature on my career and my book, Plan of Action, for the Fall 2025 issue of FarmHouse’s Pearls and Rubies magazine. Reading it was a humbling experience, bringing back a flood of memories about the masters, mentors, and peers who helped me along the way.

One of my favorite parts of the article was a quote from Kent Horsager, a fellow FarmHouse brother. Kent pointed out that every farmer understands the value of good soil and nutrients. Without them, nothing grows. He noted that the steps laid out in Plan of Action—Reboot, Resolve, Respond, and Recharge—are essentially tools to help us tend to the soil of our own lives, whether personal, spiritual, or professional.

Writing this book was never about putting together a standard memoir. It was a way to record my experiences—the successes, the setbacks, and the transitions—and pay them forward. As I shared in the article, my own definition of success has had to do a lot of evolving over the years. Early on, my focus was largely on monetary goals. Over time, that shifted toward seeking significance, and today, I find the deepest meaning in simply surrendering to God. True leadership, I've learned, isn't about control or a title; it is about serving others through every changing season.

I am so grateful to Allison Rickels and the FarmHouse Foundation for their partnership over the years. My wife, Debbie, and I have always believed in "giving that multiplies"—investing in scholarships, leadership programs, and simply equipping others to lead with confidence. Hearing that chapters and alumni are now using Plan of Action in their own leadership discussions is the greatest payoff I could ask for.

To my FarmHouse brothers and to anyone navigating a season of change: invest wisely, give generously, and always be ready to connect, learn, serve, and lead.

You can read the full article here.

You can order your copy of Plan of Action here.