Grit and Grace in the Heartland: Women In Agriculture

Episode Show Notes: The Fit Advocate with Andrea This week, Mary and Leah welcome Andrea, better known online as That Fit Agvocate , for a conversation about agriculture, fitness, mental health, family farming, and finding purpose when life takes an unexpected turn. The episode begins with a discussion about much-needed rainfall across parts of Nebraska and Minnesota, along with reflections on dro...

This week, Mary and Leah welcome Deanne, creator of This Farm Girl Cooks , for a heartfelt conversation about food, family, farming, and finding joy in the kitchen. Deanne shares her journey from growing up in a small farm town to becoming a farm wife in northern Illinois, raising four children, helping on the family farm, and building a successful food platform that inspires thousands of home coo...

In this episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland, Mary and Leah welcome McKenzie of Arrow M Cattle Company for a wide ranging conversation about ranching, cattle production, consumer education, social media advocacy, and resilience after a life changing accident. The episode begins with a discussion about the end of the school year, gardening season, and the challenges of weather across the Midw...

This week, Mary and Leah welcome Amanda Wells of Wesley Wells Farm in St. Augustine, Florida for a heartfelt conversation about agriculture, family farming, food education, and preserving farmland in the face of rapid development. Amanda shares how her family accidentally launched a thriving you-pick farm during 2020, and how that unexpected beginning became a mission to reconnect families with wh...

In this episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland, Mary and Leah dive into two major issues impacting rural America, agriculture, conservation, and civic engagement. The conversation begins with spring on the prairie, asparagus patches, rhubarb harvests, wild morels, and the deep connection rural families have to the land and their food sources. From there, the discussion turns toward two pressin...

In this deeply personal and powerful episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland, Mary and Leah welcome Nebraska rancher Naomi Loomis of Circle L Ranch to share the raw reality of surviving the devastating March 2026 wildfires in western Nebraska. Before the conversation begins, Leah reflects on celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary while Mary shares thoughts on why podcasts resonate so deeply r...

In this heartfelt episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland, Leah and Mary reflect on a whirlwind weekend packed with milestones, emotions, gratitude, and the realities of rural life. The conversation begins on Nebraska primary election day with a reminder to appreciate poll workers and the importance of civic engagement. Leah shares about daughter Maggie casting her first ballot and the meaningf...

Mary and Leah reflect on graduation season, calving season, and the emotional weight of watching children grow up. Leah shares what it means to celebrate her daughter Maggie’s graduation while balancing ranch life, drought conditions, and family responsibilities. The conversation touches on parenting, marriage, family farms, gratitude, grief, and the importance of showing up for the people you lov...

In this episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland, Mary and Leah welcome Marilyn Lambert of Silloway Maple in Randolph Center, Vermont. Marilyn shares the story of her family’s maple syrup business, which began in the 1940s, and explains how they sustainably tap 27,000 naturally grown maple trees to produce pure Vermont maple syrup, maple sugar, maple candy, and more. The conversation covers the...

Mary and Leah reflect on a gentle, much needed rain and how perspective shapes how we value it, from golfers to farmers. They discuss the importance of stepping outside personal silos to better understand others’ realities. The conversation shifts to spring on the farm, including crop and tree concerns, and a joyful recap of a daughter’s birthday celebration filled with friendship, gratitude, and...

Planting season is underway and this episode opens with a real time snapshot of spring in the Midwest, from corn going in for next year’s silage to the rollercoaster of rain, frost, and greening fields. Leah and Mary are joined by Brandy Von Holten, a Missouri based entrepreneur, horsewoman, and self described “shot of whiskey.” Brandy shares her journey from a tough upbringing to competing intern...

Mary and Leah catch up during a hectic spring in the Midwest, sharing updates on unpredictable weather, calving season, and the realities of rural life. They reflect on everything from late snow and drought concerns to the emotional weight of graduation season and shifting family roles. This episode features a thoughtful conversation with Amy Blum, a South Dakota rancher, writer, and mother of fou...

Leah shares a firsthand update from Nebraska as multiple wildfires impact her community, highlighting the strain on volunteer firefighters, the dangers of extreme conditions, and the importance of rest and support for those on the front lines. The conversation shifts to a heartfelt reminder of connection and care as Mary reflects on the deep bond formed through the podcast and the emotional weight...

Mary and Leah welcome Elle Worley to share her unexpected journey from the East Coast to the Nebraska Sandhills. What began as a short visit to say goodbye to family land turned into a permanent move rooted in legacy, resilience, and faith. Elle opens up about navigating family conflict, long-distance marriage, and the challenges of rural life, including isolation and limited access to services. S...

This episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland includes an honest and emotional conversation about mental health and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. Mary and Leah open with a glimpse into spring on the Plains, from unpredictable weather and much needed rain to drought conditions and tough decisions facing ranchers. They also share a bit of everyday life, from thunderstorms and barking do...

Mary and Leah welcome Brenda, a South Dakota farm woman and leader behind Women in Blue Jeans, for a powerful conversation about resilience, community, and life in agriculture. Brenda shares her journey from growing up on a family farm to building a farming operation with her husband and raising a family through the challenges of the 1980s farm economy. She reflects on balancing off-farm work, mot...

Mary and Leah catch up during a busy and emotional season on the ranch. With calving in full swing and a high school graduation just weeks away, the conversation weaves between the realities of agricultural life and the personal transitions of motherhood. Leah shares what it feels like to watch her daughter step into adulthood while juggling the demands of calving season. The discussion explores h...

Mary and Leah welcome rancher and advocate Janie VanWinkle for a powerful conversation on agriculture, resilience, and connection. Janie shares her journey as a fourth-generation producer in western Colorado, building a ranching operation from the ground up alongside her family. She talks about growing a direct-to-consumer beef business and balancing multiple roles while staying rooted in her purp...

Mary and Leah talk through a week of weather extremes, from dust storms and heat to spring rain and the welcome sound of frogs returning. The conversation shifts to active wildfires in Nebraska, where dry lightning and high winds have sparked fast-moving grass fires across already drought-stressed land. They highlight the critical role of volunteer firefighters and organizations like Hot Meals USA...

Mary and Leah dive into rising grocery costs, unpredictable spring weather, and the realities of farm life during calving season. With prices climbing and uncertainty in the air, they shift the conversation to practical solutions families can control right now. This episode focuses on cooking from scratch as a powerful way to stretch your grocery budget, build food security, and reconnect with you...

Mary and Leah celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a candid conversation about holiday traditions, rural upbringing, and the realities of life across different regions of the country. From Nebraska wildfires to Montana snowstorms, they reflect on how agriculture connects communities despite distance and differing conditions. They are joined by Stacy Bronec, a writer and ranch wife in central Montana,...

Mary and Leah catch up on life, ranching, and the changing seasons as spring arrives in the Heartland. From the intensity of calving season to reflections on agriculture, community, and modern life, this episode blends practical insight with heartfelt conversation. What You’ll Hear in This Episode Calving season begins and what it takes to manage hundreds of births, including overnight responsibil...

In this heartfelt episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland, Mary and Leah reflect on the emotional weight families carry during graduation season, especially the pressure placed on young people to make life defining decisions at an early age. They are then joined by Patti Barth, co-founder and CEO of America’s Lifeline Emergency Response Team (ALERT) . Patti shares how her rural roots and person...

Mary and Leah welcome special guest Kate from Rolling Seven Ranch Company in Broken Bow, Nebraska. Kate shares the story behind her family’s unique ranching business raising mini Highland cattle and how it grew from a small idea into a nationwide operation. From adorable calves to unexpected celebrity customers, Kate offers a behind the scenes look at a growing niche in agriculture. In this episod...

Leah and Mary welcome Nebraska rancher and writer Megan Messersmith, creator of This Cowgirl Story . The conversation begins with a funny and heartfelt look at warming chilled calves in bathtubs and the realities of winter calving on working ranches. Megan shares the story of building a ranching operation with her husband from the ground up in southwest Nebraska while raising four daughters. She t...