Beyond The Crops

We are back together again after what feels like ages! In this episode of Beyond the Crops, we’re catching up on all the life that’s happened in just a few short weeks—like MP’s spontaneous and wild trip to California, complete with cybersecurity issues, winding mountain roads, the grossest hotel you can imagine, and we even debate how to pronounce "Oregon." We also reflect on the real c...

In this powerful episode we are talking with rural firefighter and paramedic Mike Bailey to tackle one of agriculture's most critical and often overlooked issues: farm safety.  With agriculture ranking among the most dangerous industries in the U.S., especially for families raising children on the farm, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone in the farming community. Mike shares his fi...

In this episode we are bringing on the men and answering your burning questions that came in from Instagram. Tune in as we dive into a variety of topics, from the quirky concept of a "wife swap" to how Josh and Levi really feel when it comes to transition planning in farming.   Our husbands share their insights on navigating the challenges of succession planning and offer valuable advice...

In this episode of Beyond the Crops, we're diving into the critical topic of farm succession planning. Passing down the farm is more than just a business transaction; it's about preserving a legacy and ensuring the family's future. For this episode we've brought on Elaine Froese, a certified farm family coach, mediator and farm advisor who empowers families to increase profit b...

This week we take a break from interviews to catch up on our personal adventures and give you the latest updates from our farms. We talk about summer trips and how to get off the farm (it's totally worth it). We also dive into the current state of our crops. Tasseling, irrigation, and the challenges posed by unpredictable weather. Tune in for an engaging mix of farm life insights and lighthea...

Join us for this inspiring interview episode with Marilyn Backman, entrepreneur, mother, and farm matriarch extraordinaire. We had a great conversation about building businesses and diversifying income, while growing relationships and serving your customers well. Marilyn has raised 4 boys along with her husband on their family farm in Minnesota. She’s developed incredible relationships with farmer...

In this episode of Beyond the Crops we are navigating the challenges of raising children in a technology-driven world with our special guest Jen Stutzman, who is known for her insightful parenting approach and emphasis on the importance of setting boundaries with technology. Jen provides practical advice on encouraging kids to embrace boredom, fostering creativity, and the benefits of limiting scr...

Join us for a special 4th of July episode of Beyond The Crops! This week, we're celebrating the holiday with some fun farming history and a good old crop update. We'll take you back in time to discover where the saying of "knee-high by the 4th of July" comes from, other farming practices, and we'll even share some personal stories from our own childhoods spent in the field...

In this episode, we sit down with Noah Young to uncover the secrets of planting seeds of influence in the digital world. Join us as Noah shares his insights on the power of intentional storytelling, strategic use of social media, and effective ways to monetize your unique skills. Whether you're an aspiring influencer, entrepreneur, or simply looking to amplify your online presence, Noah'...

In this episode of Beyond the Crops, we are diving into a topic that's sparked a lot of interest on our social media platforms—artificial food dyes. We discuss our personal experiences, the impact of these dyes on our children, and the scientific research behind the effects of artificial food dyes on health and behavior. Thrive market finds: Find Jena's thrive market food dye swaps here....

The quality of life we enjoy living rurally is something that is difficult to put into words, but rather it must be experienced. This week we brought Shelly Greving on the podcast to highlight her brainchild, Evolution of the Heartland, a movement highlighting  how rural America is changing. Tune in to this week’s episode to hear how Evolution of the Heartland is helping to bring awareness around...

This week we’re excited to kick off a new series: On Farm Succession Planning. We have been wanting to lean into this topic since we started podcasting and this week we’re brining you an interview from Brooke Didier Starks , founder and owner of Legacy Legal.   Brooke is an Estate Planning Attorney who caters to farm families and entrepreneurs. She strives to break hard topics into bite-size piece...

Welcome back to another episode of Beyond the Crops! This week we are diving into a hot topic that’s been sparking debates online: Harrison Butker’s controversial commencement speech. We unpack the polarized reactions, especially around his comments to women about prioritizing marriage and family, a perspective rooted in his Catholic faith. Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and...

We are back together and ready to dive into this episode focusing on finding motivation and overcoming burnout.  But first, we have to celebrate out podcast's ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Congratulations to us and a huge THANK YOU to you for listening and supporting Beyond The Crops. In this episode discover how we manage burnout, handle the ebb and flow of planting seasons, and balance daily farm c...

MP & Josh give updates on planting season and some early-season scouting tips. Right now is a crucial time for scouting on the farm and making decisions for your crop.  Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_ Thank you to the sponsor of this episode , Fieldview. Both Jena and MP have used Fieldview on their farms for the past several years and...

Part 2 of our two part interview with Keri Anania, Owner & PA-C at Nebraska Functional Medicine. In this episode we talk about where to start with functional medicine as a mother for your kids. We talk about practical steps to take mitigate stress on our bodies, start feeling better and live a happy healthier life. Nebraska Functional Medicine - Keri’s Practice Instagram Facebook Find A Practi...

Part 1 of our two part interview with Keri Anania, Owner & PA-C at Nebraska Functional Medicine. In this episode we talk about what functional medicine is and how it connects to fertility, hormones, gut heath, MTHFR and more. Keri shares where you can start with functional medicine and listening to your body. Nebraska Functional Medicine - Keri’s Practice Instagram Facebook https://www.ifm.org...

Ever feel like you’re hearing a foreign language when people are talking about the grain markets? Well, same. Brittany Wondercheck joins us today to break down all things grain marketing and helps us grasp some foundational grain marketing tips! Check out Brittany’s blog and find her Grain Marketing 101 and 201 courses here: http://farmgirlnextdoor.com/ Follow Brittany on Insta:  Instagram (@nefar...

Today we are talking about how we work on our mental mindset, how it's a long game, and some of the different strategies we use to heal and maintain our mental health. This is especially timely going into a season where mental mindset has been a challenge for both of us in the past.  Fried Ice Cream Bars recipe 5 Minute Journal Our Daily Bread Devotional - the quarterly option is FREE Connect...

Kylie Epperson joins us this week as the first ever repeat guest on Beyond the Crops! The three of us are very passionate about encouraging women to find their roles and step into who YOU are meant to be on your farm, in your family, in life in general.  We share all the ways we have invested in ourselves through retreats, online courses, etc.  Whether it was for business or personal development,...

Join us as we welcome our husbands back to the podcast. Today we're learning more about different tillage types and why we do them in words WE can understand! We also leave you with some encouragement going into the busy planting season. Link to the heated lunchbox Josh uses.  The “salty water” we couldn’t stop talking about is our favorite electrolytes from LMNT. We all drink at least 1 pack...

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, on this episode we’re starting a new series, Backroad Real Talk, where we explore more personal topics we care about. This week we’re sharing our experiences with functional medicine. Today Jena is sharing the health journey that she's been on and how she finally got my migraines under control after TWELVE years of suffering with them weekly if not daily. Con...

Planting is the most important pass of the season. It’s the only time the farmer gets to play offense and what happens during planting has a direct impact on yield and profitability. It is a BIG deal and it puts our farmers (and us as wives) under a LOT of stress. Tune in to hear HOW and WHY we are diligently preparing for this important season. There is a lot to get ready on the farm, but there i...

It’s not secret that Daylight Savings Time absolutely sucks. BUT did you know that there is scientific proof that this hour shift in time has detrimental effects on our mental and physical health and even causes deaths every year?! Tune in to hear the history behind DST and WHY it is time for the clock to run out on DST. Is the clock running out on TikTok too?! The US government is trying to force...

We're excited to finally bring you a highly requested episode from Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM), a faith-based healthcare cost-sharing ministry. CHM operates on the principle of Christians helping fellow Christians with their medical bills. They offer various programs tailored to different needs and budgets, providing an alternative to traditional health insurance. In this episode, w...