AI Is Changing How Customers Find You—Here’s What You Need to Know
June 25, 2025
A Small Business Guide to Shipping Perishable Food
August 1, 2025AI Is Changing How Customers Find You—Here’s What You Need to Know
June 25, 2025A Small Business Guide to Shipping Perishable Food
August 1, 2025July 30, 2025
How to Keep Up When You Can’t Keep Up
By Lindsey Sorah
You’re deep into the season now. The grass won’t quit, the harvest bins are nonstop, and the to-do list has been outpacing you for weeks. You’ve been doing the real work—growing, grazing, managing chaos—but if you’re feeling behind on the admin, you’re not the only one.
This is the stretch where the pressure builds. And while the fieldwork can’t wait, neither can the business that keeps it all going.
If your books are messy, your inbox is full, or your plans feel like a blur, take a breath. You don’t need a full reset—just a few smart moves to help you finish strong.
Here’s a short, practical checklist of things you can do between now and fall to keep your business steady—and make life easier when things finally start to slow down.
1. Don’t let the numbers slide
You might not have time to sit down with spreadsheets every day—but ignoring your financials until winter usually means bigger messes later.
Even during the busiest weeks, take 15 minutes once a month to check these three things:
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Cash in the bank
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Outstanding invoices
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Big expenses coming up
It doesn’t need to be fancy. A quick glance can help you avoid overdrafts, missed payments, or shipping out product at a loss.
If you’re constantly behind, consider setting a standing “business check-in” on your calendar—even if it’s just during lunch on the first Monday of the month. Treat it like equipment maintenance: small, regular tune-ups beat a total breakdown any day.
2. Capture, don’t complete
Let’s be honest: you’re not catching up on marketing in the middle of harvest season.
But that doesn’t mean you let good ideas slip through the cracks. Instead, focus on capturing tasks, insights, and ideas in the moment so you can revisit them when life slows down.
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Use voice memos in the field to quickly note things like, “Customers keep asking for chicken thighs—we might need to update the website,” or “That wholesale order was chaotic—we should create a better packing system.”
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Jot down quick notes on your phone or clipboard when something stands out—maybe the market sign needs refreshing, or your labeling system caused confusion again.
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Take photos of great product setups, handwritten customer compliments, or a beautiful harvest moment that would make a great social post later.
You’re living the story right now. Capture it for future seasons when you have space to tell it.
3. Improve just one system
When things get hectic, it’s easy to tell yourself, “I’ll fix it after the season.” But small changes now can save you serious time—and stress—later.
Pick just one system that’s been slowing you down and make it easier:
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Set up automatic order confirmation or delivery reminder emails so you’re not chasing customers last minute
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Create a reusable product list or price sheet so you’re not rewriting it every time
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Label harvest bins by market or customer to avoid last-minute scrambles
You don’t need to overhaul everything. Just take one frustration off your plate. One smoother system means one less fire to put out next week.
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Pro Tip: If your team (or you) keeps making the same call every week—like how to pack a delivery, when orders need to be staged, or which cuts go in a bulk beef box—write it down once and standardize it. A simple cheat sheet taped to the cooler door or saved on your phone can save hours of back-and-forth and cut down on costly mistakes. When the days are long and brains are fried, consistency is a time-saver in disguise.
4. You don’t have to do it all—and you’re not alone
You might be the one steering the ship—but that doesn’t mean you have to row every oar.
This time of year, your crew is likely stretched thin too. Take five minutes to check in:
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What’s working for them?
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Where are things breaking down?
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What would make the day run smoother?
Sometimes the best business decision is improving your team’s workflow. Sometimes it’s asking for help—from a friend, a neighbor, another farmer who’s been through it.
5. Give yourself a midseason reset
End-of-July is peak stress and peak abundance. And it’s a good moment to pause—even briefly—and ask:
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What’s not worth doing anymore?
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What’s going better than expected?
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What needs attention before fall?
You might be in survival mode now, but fall will be here soon. A five-minute reset now can give you more control as the season shifts.
6. Start with the numbers that matter most
You don’t need to become a financial expert overnight. But you do need a system that gives you quick, honest answers to questions like:
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Are we actually making money?
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Which products or enterprises are truly pulling their weight?
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Can we afford to hire help, fix that tractor, or invest in next season?
A great place to start is your chart of accounts. Think of it like a field map for your business—if it’s well organized, it helps you spot what’s thriving and what’s not.
The key? Structure it by enterprise—like eggs, beef, or vegetables—instead of by sales channel. That way, you’re not just seeing how you sold something, but what is actually profitable. It's the difference between flying blind and knowing exactly where to focus your energy.
One farm we worked with made a $600K turnaround just by cleaning up their financial reporting. It didn’t take new products—just a clearer view of what was already happening.
Farming in the busy season is no joke. It’s hot, heavy, nonstop work. But even when everything feels urgent, small habits can protect your business, your sanity, and your future.
So breathe. Capture what matters. Let go of what doesn’t. And trust that you’re doing more than enough.
Keep growing. You’ve got this.
Let’s get you out of the weeds
At Good Roots, we help farmers get out of the weeds, plant new seeds, and grow good roots for a business that lasts. Because your farm feeds people—but it should also feed your family.
You don’t need to hustle harder. You need a better system, clearer numbers, and a trusted guide.
📞 Let’s start with a free consult.
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