Raised Between the Rows

This Fourth of July, we’re celebrating freedom, family, and the incredible evolution of agriculture. In this episode, we reflect on the phenomenal changes our grandparents saw on the farm throughout their lifetimes, and compare them to the shifts we're experiencing firsthand today. From old-school grit to the rise of AI and high-tech farming, we're breaking down what it means to be the next genera...

This week, Ashleigh and Amanda sit down to recap a chaotic stretch of weather in Michigan. While Amanda is side-dressing nitrogen in the fields, Ashleigh has been dealing with localized hail damage. Together, they are tracking how the crop is handling record-breaking spring rains and what it means for the season ahead. Here is what we’re digging into this week: The Wet Soil Reality Check: Why the...

We survived planting season! (Mostly intact). Join Ashleigh and Amanda on this week’s episode as they officially trade the tractor seats for a long-overdue coffee chat. After trying to hit "record" for five days straight, the girls are finally diving deep into the post-planting debrief—and fair warning, they are going down some hilarious rabbit holes. From the absolute necessity of self-care (shou...

Buckle up for a real and relatable look at the chaos of modern farming! In this episode of Raised Between the Rows , Ashley and Amanda catch up right after a long day of planting a massive 17-variety corn test plot. The girls dive straight into the unpredictable reality of this year’s "marathon spring." They discuss shifting dramatically from ultra-wet conditions to an unexpected dry spell, and th...

In this episode, Ashleigh and Amanda sit down with Sarah Zastrow—a multi-generational crop farmer, farm-stress guru, and the voice behind the Throwing Wrenches, Mending Fences podcast. Farming is often romanticized, but the reality involves a unique set of pressures that can weigh heavily on families and mental well-being. Sarah shares her journey from joining the Farm Bureau to find a "better way...

Ready to hit the fields? This episode of Between the Rows is all about that high-stakes first pass and the unpredictable Michigan spring. Episode Description The frost is lifting, the equipment is hummin’, and Ashleigh and Amanda are back to talk about the most critical time of year: The Planting Pass. From the back of a seed tender in the Upper Peninsula to the active discing fields of West Michi...

Introduction In this episode, hosts Ashley and Amanda welcome Rachel Hyde. Rachel shares her unique journey from working in corporate agriculture to balancing multiple roles as a business owner, mother, and active participant on her family’s corn and soybean farm. Key Topics Covered: The Transition Home: Rachel discusses the difficult decision to leave her full-time role at Beck’s Hybrids to focus...

In this episode, Amanda and Ashleigh pull back the curtain on the "slow" season in Michigan, which is anything but quiet. They dive into the realities of navigating record-breaking rainfall, the steep learning curve of grain marketing, and the vital importance of professional development through programs like Farm Bureau’s ProFILE. From venting to a trusted circle of female friends to finding a se...

“With snow still making an appearance in Central Michigan in mid-March, Ashleigh and Amanda are navigating the final stretch of the "office phase". In this episode, Ashleigh discusses the logistical hurdles of shipping seed from the warehouse in Isabella County to a new elevator in Coleman while managing strict frost laws and road weight restrictions. Amanda shares a major operational pivot as her...

In this Episode: Join Ashleigh and Amanda for the very first episode of Raised Between the Rows . Today, they share the candid stories of how they both tried to leave the farm behind, only to find that their roots ran deeper than they realized. From Ashleigh’s dreams of marine biology to Amanda’s journey through the "lawyer track" and the dairy barn, this episode explores the beauty and the "mucki...

From the tractor cab to the laundry room, life on a Michigan farm is a balancing act of grit and faith. Join Ashleigh and Amanda —two farmers navigating family legacies, crop scouting, and motherhood—as they share what it actually takes to keep an American farm moving. Whether you’re a lifelong farmer or just curious about where your food comes from, grab a coffee or a Diet Coke and settle in. The...