The 6 A.M. Crew
A Community for Rural Leaders Who Want to Grow
Running a rural business can feel lonely. You're carrying questions about your business, your family, your finances, and your future. More often than not, the people around you are carrying those same questions, too.
The 6 a.m. Crew gives you a place to think differently, ask better questions, and learn alongside other operators who are committed to becoming stronger leaders, business owners, and people.
This isn't another course you'll never finish. It's a community built around real conversations, practical tools, and people doing the work.
What Membership Includes
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Monthly Speaker
Every month, members learn from someone who has lived the conversation they're leading. These aren't professional speakers or career educators. They're producers, business owners, lenders, accountants, attorneys, and industry leaders who have navigated the same challenges our members face.
Each presentation is centered on one of the community's six core pillars and is designed to leave members with practical ideas they can apply long after the call ends.
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Weekly Community Conversations
Real growth happens between the monthly calls.
Each week, the Empire Ag team leads guided discussions inside the community, giving members an opportunity to reflect on what they're learning, ask questions, and hear how other rural business owners are approaching similar challenges. Some conversations celebrate wins. Others help members work through difficult decisions. Every prompt is designed to encourage honest participation instead of surface-level networking.
The result is a community where members learn as much from one another as they do from the monthly speaker.
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Practical Resources
Every month includes a downloadable resource built around that month's pillar. Instead of filling your computer with another presentation you'll never open again, you'll receive tools designed to be used in your operation.
Resources may include planning worksheets, financial templates, checklists, conversation guides, assessments, or exercises that help you turn ideas into action. The goal is simple: leave each month with something you can immediately put to work.
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Five-Week Onboarding Course
Every new member begins with a structured onboarding experience designed to help them get the most from the community. Over five weeks, you'll learn how the community works, evaluate your operation through the six pillars, practice asking better questions, and begin building relationships with other members.
Whether you join on day one or halfway through the annual rotation, the onboarding course ensures everyone starts with the same foundation and is ready to engage with confidence.
Who This Is For
The 6 a.m. Crew is built for rural business owners, farmers, ranchers, and entrepreneurs who know they haven't stopped growing.
You're looking for practical conversations instead of motivational speeches. You value honest feedback, meaningful relationships, and learning from people who've been where you want to go.
Whether you're building your first operation or preparing for what's next, this community gives you a place to keep growing alongside people who understand rural business.
How It Works
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Six Core Pillars
The 6 a.m. Crew is built around six permanent pillars that rotate throughout the year. Each month focuses on one area of business and leadership, allowing members to make meaningful progress without feeling overwhelmed.
You can join at any point in the rotation because every pillar is designed to stand on its own. Over time, the six pillars work together to create a complete framework for building a healthier business and a stronger leader.
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Monthly Rhythm
Every pillar follows the same rhythm so members always know what to expect. Each month includes a live conversation with an experienced practitioner, a practical resource you can apply to your own operation, and weekly discussion prompts led by the Empire Ag team.
The conversations don't end when the speaker signs off. Members continue learning from one another throughout the month by sharing experiences, asking questions, and encouraging one another inside the community.
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Built for the Long Haul
The 6 a.m. Crew isn't designed to be completed in a few weeks and forgotten. It's built to grow with you.
Each year, every pillar is refreshed with new speakers, new resources, and new discussion prompts, allowing members to revisit familiar topics from a new perspective as their businesses and responsibilities evolve. Whether you've been here for one month or three years, there's always another conversation worth having.
"The problems facing rural businesses today aren't solved by working harder. They're solved by learning to ask better questions, surrounding yourself with people who challenge your thinking, and having the humility to keep growing. That's why we built the 6 a.m. Crew.
We wanted to create a place where rural business owners could step away from the day-to-day demands of their operations, think intentionally about the future they're building, and learn alongside others who are committed to doing the same. If stronger businesses lead to stronger families and stronger communities, then those conversations are worth having."
— Jonathon Haralson
Your Next Conversation Starts Here.
The questions you're asking today don't have to stay on your shoulders.
Join the 6 a.m. Crew and become part of a community that's committed to learning, growing, and building healthier rural businesses together. You'll receive immediate access to this month's programming, practical resources, weekly conversations, and a network of people who understand the road you're walking.
FAQs
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Who is the 6 a.m. Crew for?
The 6 a.m. Crew is designed for rural business owners, farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs, and leaders who want to keep growing. While many of our members work in agriculture, the conversations apply to anyone building a business or leading a team in rural America.
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Do I have to join at the beginning of the six-month rotation?
No. You can join at any time. Each month stands on its own while contributing to the larger six-pillar framework, so you'll never feel like you've joined in the middle of the story.
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What happens after I join?
You'll receive immediate access to the 6 a.m. Crew community, this month's programming, and the five-week onboarding course. From there, you can introduce yourself, connect with other members, and begin participating in weekly conversations right away.
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Are the monthly speaker sessions recorded?
Yes. Every monthly speaker session is recorded and added to the resource library, so you can watch it whenever your schedule allows.
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How much does membership cost?
Membership is $67 per month and includes access to the community, monthly speaker sessions, practical resources, weekly discussions, and the onboarding course. There are no long-term contracts, and you can cancel your membership at any time.
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How is the 6 a.m. Crew different from Elite Membership?
The 6 a.m. Crew is built around community, education, and consistent growth. Elite Membership is a smaller advisory community for business owners who want deeper strategic guidance, direct coaching, and ongoing accountability. Many members begin with the 6 a.m. Crew before deciding whether Elite is the right next step.