Grit and Grace in the Heartland: Women In Agriculture

What does it take to navigate the complicated world of agriculture, and what challenges are facing the next generation of farmers and ranchers? In this episode, Mary and Leah welcome Becky McTaggart of Agricultural Resources Consulting to talk about wetland and highly erodible land determinations, USDA programs, and the roles of the Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service. B...

What if an ordinary life is actually an extraordinary one? In this episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland, Mary and Leah sit down with author Gretchen A. Carlson , whose life has included farming, ministry, quilting, teaching, and writing historical fiction. Gretchen shares the story behind her books More Than Grit and I Be Brave, both inspired by her family's history and the strength of ordin...

What happens when you combine pumpkins, livestock, family, and a whole lot of entrepreneurial spirit? Mary and Leah welcome Crystal, owner of Pumpkins, Pets and Pals in southwest North Dakota. Now in its fourth year, Crystal's pumpkin patch has grown into a family-friendly destination where visitors can pick pumpkins, enjoy a petting zoo, explore a corn maze, ride the barrel train, play in the cor...

As summer winds down, Mary and Leah look ahead to fall, the holidays, and the importance of supporting small businesses and rural communities. In this episode, they welcome Kara from Inspiration Acres Christmas Trees and Gift Market in Wisconsin. Kara shares the story of how she and her sister started their Christmas tree business during the pandemic, eventually purchasing an established Christmas...

In this episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland, Mary and Leah reflect on the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001 and the lasting impact that day had on their lives and on America. They share their very personal memories of 9/11, including where they were when they heard the news, their concerns for family and friends, and the uncertainty that followed. They also remember something they beli...

Mary and Leah welcome Emily O'Byrne, also known as Housewife in the Good Life , from Southwest Nebraska. Emily shares what life is like as a ranch wife, mom of five, writer, artist, and advocate for women. We talk about ranching through drought, the importance of rotational grazing, a frightening hay fire, and what it means to find your place in agriculture even when you are not the person driving...

Mary and Leah talk about a big week of transitions, from sending a daughter off to college to getting the cattle home from pasture. Then the conversation turns to beef, food prices, imports, and what consumers really know about where their food comes from. Leah shares her perspective from inside the cattle industry and explains why the current conversation around beef prices, Mexican cattle import...

In this episode, Mary and Leah talk about the life and legacy of Dolly Parton, reflecting on the grit, grace, humor, generosity, and integrity that made her such a remarkable woman. From her humble Appalachian beginnings to her incredible success, Dolly never forgot where she came from. They talk about her commitment to literacy, her generosity toward her community, her ability to stand up for her...

Mary and Leah talk about the realities of perimenopause, menopause, sleep deprivation, and advocating for women's health. They share personal experiences with exhaustion, changing hormones, HRT, and the importance of asking for help instead of suffering in silence. They also chat about sending a daughter off to college, recovering from severe summer storms in Nebraska, a heartbreaking stray kitten...

What happens when a dairy farmer decides to raise reindeer? Sara from Santa’s Crew LLC in Wisconsin joins Mary and Leah to talk about her unexpected journey into the world of reindeer, starting with just a few animals and growing into a busy seasonal agritourism business. Sara shares what it takes to care for reindeer, the surprising differences between reindeer and caribou, how reindeer are used...

In this important episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland, Mary and Leah have an honest conversation about melanoma, skin cancer, and why women in agriculture need to take sun protection seriously. Leah shares her personal experience with a melanoma diagnosis, while Mary reflects on childhood sunburns and her family's experience with skin cancer. Together they discuss prevention, early detectio...

Mary and Leah catch up after an unforgettable week at the county fair. What began as an extreme heat challenge quickly turned into an overnight flash flood that threatened livestock, campers, and the fairgrounds. Leah shares the remarkable story of volunteers coming together to safely evacuate cattle in the middle of the night, the emotional highs and lows of her daughter Maggie's final 4-H fair,...

Mary and Leah catch up on life during county fair season, family visits, and the challenges that come with farming and homesteading. They talk about how windmills pump water across the Great Plains, share stories about unpredictable animals, discuss the realities of living alongside wildlife, and reflect on what setbacks can teach us. They also dive into concerns about artificial intelligence in h...

Mary and Leah chat about summer heat, local food, favorite garden vegetables, and the value of supporting local farmers. They also share exciting news about a new online community designed to bring people together to learn, connect, and share practical homesteading and agriculture knowledge. The conversation explores forgotten uses for common plants, the importance of preserving food and reducing...

Life has a way of throwing unexpected challenges at all of us. Whether it's a family emergency, financial stress, loss, or the daily uncertainties of life in agriculture, adversity is something no one escapes. In this heartfelt conversation, Mary and Leah share deeply personal stories about facing fear, navigating crisis, and learning how resilience is built one difficult moment at a time. From a...

What makes farmers markets so special? Mary and Leah explore the joy of shopping local, connecting with the people who grow and create your food, and why these community gatherings have become such an important part of rural life. They also share stories about parenting, raising independent kids, summer on the farm, and the simple moments that remind us to slow down and appreciate the season. In t...

Mary and Leah welcome Eliza from Sunstone Orchard & Rabbitry in Vermont. From growing up on a dairy farm to building a thriving homestead and online community, Eliza shares her journey of raising meat rabbits, teaching sustainable food production, and helping others reconnect with where their food comes from. The conversation goes beyond farming to explore the realities of sharing life online,...

Dairy farmer Dawn Blodgett of VT Blodgett Family Farm joins us for a wide ranging conversation about agriculture, food, and the importance of asking good questions. From fresh eggs and milk myths to beef, dairy, and the realities of modern farming, this episode explores how misinformation shapes the way we think about our food. We also discuss regulations, food waste, consumer education, and why a...

Mary and Leah celebrate six months of Grit and Grace in the Heartland. They reflect on how the podcast began, what they've learned from one another, and the friendships, conversations, and community that have grown along the way. They also discuss this season's gardens and crops, the challenges facing agriculture, why sharing stories matters, and how podcasts can connect people across different ba...

This week, Mary and Leah welcome Shelby of Echoed Roots, a southwest Nebraska flower farmer, mom, and entrepreneur. Shelby shares how flowers became part of her healing journey after motherhood, how she's building a local flower business, and why growing beauty is about so much more than bouquets. In this episode: Shelby's journey from floral design to flower farming Raising three young daughters...

Episode Notes How do we bridge the growing gap between agriculture and the people who depend on it every day? This week, Mary and Leah welcome Indiana agricultural advocate Angie for an honest conversation about urban growth, farmland loss, and the importance of helping people understand where their food comes from. In this episode, we discuss: Why agricultural advocacy matters now more than ever...

Leah and Mary tackle an issue that deserves every livestock owner's attention, the return of the New World screwworm. While many people assume this is only a concern for ranchers in the southern United States, the conversation explains why every animal owner, from cattle producers to pet owners, should understand the risks and know what to watch for. Leah shares why biosecurity matters more than e...

In this episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland, Mary and Leah welcome Nebraska farm wife, healthcare professional, agriculture advocate, and writer Michaela Gasseling. The conversation begins with a look at current drought conditions across Nebraska, including the ongoing challenges facing western Nebraska producers. Michaela shares firsthand insight into what her family and neighbors are expe...

In this episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland, Mary and Leah begin with a seasonal check-in from the ranch and farm. From branding calves and wrapping up calving season to hopes for much-needed rainfall, they share a glimpse into late spring life in rural America. The conversation then shifts to a topic Leah has wanted to tackle for a long time: artificial intelligence and the rapid expansion...

In this heartfelt episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland, Mary and Leah begin with a conversation about summer weather, humidity, mosquitoes, ticks, and the unique challenges that come with rural life. As often happens between friends, the discussion turns to dogs, their personalities, quirks, and the special roles they play in our lives. The centerpiece of this episode is a loving tribute to...