Spring and summer bring a special kind of busyness to the farm. Calving season, rotational grazing, haymaking, farmers markets, mowing, gardening—you name it, it’s happening. And when you’re running the entire operation as a husband-and-wife team with two little ones under two, the question we hear most often is:
“How do you do it all?”
The answer?
Faith. Hard work. Consistency. And coffee—lots of coffee. 😂
But over time, we’ve learned that the secret to doing “all the things” isn’t just effort—it’s intention. It’s choosing to focus on key moments that anchor the rest of our day.
That’s where the Nine Minute Rule comes in.
Dr. Jaak Panksepp, a renowned neuroscientist, TED Talk speaker, and expert in emotional development, identified three key moments that hold the most emotional weight in a child’s day:
- The first three minutes after they wake up
- The first three minutes after reuniting (like after daycare or a busy day apart)
- The final three minutes before they go to sleep
Just nine minutes total, but when consistently invested in, they strengthen trust, stability, and emotional well-being.
And here’s the thing: that kind of intentional presence? It doesn’t just apply to parenting. It applies to faith, farming, & so much more.
We’ve taken this principle and applied it to how we farm—because we believe care and consistency shape not just children, but animals, land, and even the food we grow.
Here’s what our version of the Nine Minute Rule looks like on the farm:
1. Environment
We pour daily care into the spaces our animals live. Calving pens and vet areas are cleaned and disinfected regularly. Chicken tractors are rotated and sanitized between batches. Even manure gets a second life as compost for our garden.
Why? Because a clean, safe environment isn’t just about appearances—it’s about health, stewardship, and dignity.
2. Health
We check on every animal twice a day, every day—without fail. This daily rhythm creates trust, enables early intervention, and supports long-term wellness. Our animals are pasture-raised, not only for their benefit, but because we know that healthy animals produce healthier, more nutrient-dense food.
3. Welfare
Inspired by Dr. Panksepp’s research on animal emotions, we believe our animals deserve lives that reflect how God designed them to live—rooting, grazing, foraging, and simply enjoying fresh air and sunshine.
Because how we treat them matters. Not just ethically, but spiritually. Creation is something we’re called to tend, not tame.
Where the Heart of the Farm Meets the Heart of the Home
The same intentionality we apply on the farm also guides how we parent and grow in our faith.
For Our Family:
- First 3 Minutes of the Day – We wake up our kids with smiles, cuddles, and a calm start.
- Family Dinner – A time to reconnect and fill up on more than just food.
- Last 3 Minutes Before Bed – Stories, prayer, and peaceful connection.
For Our Faith:
- Daily Devotionals and Prayer – A few minutes in the Word keeps our hearts aligned.
- Sunday Worship and Sabbath Rest – Our weekly reset.
- Mid-Week Bible Study – A time to regroup and reconnect with community and truth.
Why It All Matters
It might not look impressive on paper: nine minutes here, nine minutes there. But over time, these small, sacred moments become the backbone of everything—parenting, farming, marriage, faith.
When we keep our eyes on what truly matters—faith, family, and good food raised right—everything else finds its rhythm.
And that rhythm? It shows.
It shows in the peace of our home.
It shows in the health of our animals.
It shows in the beef we raise and the meals it becomes around your family table.
When you choose to buy from our farm, you’re not just purchasing meat. You’re supporting a way of life that honors God, nourishes people, and respects creation.
You’re choosing purpose. You’re choosing care. You’re choosing food that feeds more than just your body—it feeds your soul.
With gratitude,
The VanDerwerken Family