Tanner Winterhof on Treating Your Farm Like a Business
Farming has always been more than a job—it’s a lifestyle, a legacy, a calling. But according to Farm4Profit co-host Tanner Winterhof, it’s also something else entirely: a business. And treating it like one isn’t just a mindset shift—it’s the key to long-term sustainability in an increasingly complex industry.
Winterhof, who co-leads the widely respected Farm4Profit podcast, has built his platform around helping producers run more profitable operations by embracing business principles that often get overlooked in ag circles. For him, success on the farm doesn’t just depend on yield or acreage—it hinges on management, decision-making, and strategy.
At the core of his message is the idea that emotional ties to the land shouldn’t override operational clarity. Winterhof encourages farmers to look at their numbers with the same rigor as any business owner would: Are you tracking profitability by enterprise? Do you understand your cost structure? Have you evaluated your break-even points? These aren’t just financial questions—they’re survival questions.
That doesn’t mean stripping the heart out of the work. Quite the opposite. Winterhof argues that professionalizing the business side of farming protects the personal side—making sure that the land can be passed down, that families stay supported, and that farms aren’t lost to external pressures or preventable mistakes.
Through Farm4Profit, he and his co-hosts regularly interview producers who’ve made the leap—those who’ve built systems, hired advisory teams, analyzed their operations like portfolios, and diversified income streams to reduce risk. These are the farms that remain resilient through commodity downturns, supply chain disruptions, and policy swings.
Winterhof’s digital presence helps further this message. On platforms like his YouTube channel, he continues to push for mindset shifts and practical steps, blending education with accessible content. Even his Substack newsletter archive provides a window into the consistency of his approach—balancing story with strategy, emotion with execution.
Winterhof also underscores the importance of mindset. He pushes for a shift from reactive to proactive—encouraging producers to plan, not just respond. That means creating operating budgets, reviewing performance, and asking hard questions about labor, leases, and legacy. It’s not always comfortable, but it’s necessary.
At the end of the day, Tanner Winterhof’s message is clear: passion gets you started, but business sense keeps you going. And in a world where volatility is the norm, treating your farm like a business isn’t just wise—it’s essential. For more practical tips and tools, visit his podcast resources at: