Welcome back to Beyond the Cops, where farm life meets real life! In this raw and relatable harvest season check-in, Jena and Mary Pat get real about what it's like to navigate the busiest time of year when life throws you curveballs. Mary Pat opens up about feeling defeated after another vertigo episode sidelines her from the field, leading to a heartfelt conversation about self-preservation, giving yourself grace, and the pressures we put on ourselves. From harvest updates and homeschool realities to field meal ideas and tips for staying sane, this episode is a perfect front-porch chat for anyone in the thick of it.

📌 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ Harvest Updates (and Breakdowns)
✅ The Pressure to Push Through
✅ Homeschooling Through Harvest
✅ Staying Organized Amid the Chaos
✅ Field Meal Favorites & Ideas

💡 Key Takeaways:

✨ Give yourself grace to rest. Your health and well-being are more important than one more pass in the field. Listening to your body isn't a weakness; it's a necessity for long-term endurance.
✨ Busy seasons require flexible routines. Whether it's homeschooling or a traditional school schedule, having a morning anchor point can bring calm to the chaos, but be prepared to adapt as the season demands.
✨ It's okay to not be okay. Harvest is a high-stress season. It's normal to feel defeated, overwhelmed, and emotional. Acknowledge your feelings and lean on your support system.
✨ Decluttering creates calm. An organized space can significantly reduce mental stress. If your house feels constantly chaotic, it might be a sign you still have too much stuff.
✨ You are your child's best teacher in perseverance. How you handle breakdowns, setbacks, and challenges on the farm is a powerful lesson for your kids on how to work hard and push through difficulties.

🙌 Join the Conversation!
We’d love to hear a cherished memory you have of your grandmother. Share a story with us on Instagram and tag @beyondthecrops_. And if you have a question or a story to share, don't forget you can leave us a message on our new voicemail line! The link is in our show notes.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 

Ready for Jena's secret weapons for rave-reviewed field meals? Grab the amazing, farm-grown 3 Farm Daughters pasta (use her code JENA for a discount!) and the Half Baked Harvest: Super Simple cookbook, which is a total steal on Amazon right now!

Ready to trade the comparison trap for a daily dose of gratitude? Grab The Five Minute Journal we both swear by!

This episode of Beyond the Crops is brought to you by Beck's Hybrids. As farmers, we pour so much trust into every decision. That's why we're proud to partner with Beck's Hybrids, a company built on faith, family, and a love for agriculture since 1937. Learn more at beckshybrids.com.

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