Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life. In this somber but hopeful episode, Jena and Mary Pat set aside their planned topic to speak from the heart about what’s been weighing on them. Opening with a heartfelt prayer, they dive into a candid conversation about navigating a world heavy with tragedy, the spiritual battles we all face, and the unwavering hope found in the Gospel. This isn't just a podcast episode; it's a front-porch chat about faith, conviction, and the urgent call for Christians to be a light in the darkness.

📌 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ A Prayer for a Heavy World
✅ Processing Tragedy in a Digital Age
✅ The Gospel is Simple
✅ Finding Hope Amidst Grief
✅ A Wake-Up Call for Lukewarm Christians
✅ Starting Revival at Home
✅ The ABCs of Christianity

💡 Key Takeaways:

✨ In a dark world, the Gospel is our hope. While we grieve tragedy, as Christians, we do not grieve as those who have no hope. Our focus is not just on life and death, but on eternity.
✨ Be a discerning consumer of media. The devil thrives on division. Seek the full context, check your heart, and don't fall for out-of-context narratives designed to make you hate others.
✨ Salvation is a gift, not a wage. The message of the Gospel is that the work is "done." It's not about what we do to earn our way to heaven, but about accepting the finished work of Jesus on the cross.
✨ This is a wake-up call to be bold. The world needs the light of Jesus now more than ever. This is not the time for lukewarm faith; it is a time to stand firm and share the truth with love and conviction.
✨ Revival starts in your home. The most powerful way to change the world is by discipling your children, praying with them, and building a foundation of unwavering faith within your family.

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.

🙌 Join the Conversation!
We're so excited to launch our new voicemail line! Have a question, a story to share, or a topic suggestion for a future episode? Leave us a message and you might hear it on the show! The link is in our show notes and on our Instagram profile. And, as always, you can connect with us by tagging @beyondthecrops_.

Leave us a Voice Message!
We love hearing from you and continuing the conversation off the podcast. Click here to leave us a voice note!

#FaithAndFarming #ChristianPodcast #TheGospel #Revival #HopeInDarkness #BeBold #LukewarmChristianity #SpiritualWarfare #BeyondTheCropsPodcast #FarmWife #Sponsored

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life. In this heartfelt and candid episode, Jena and Mary Pat take a moment to pause and reflect. Jena opens with a powerful prayer for a world heavy with tragedy, setting the stage for a conversation about finding hope, controlling what we can, and the immense value of community. Then, they dive into a full recap of their inspiring and cup-filling weekend at Kylie's Farm Wives Club, an event that couldn't have come at a better time.

📌 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ A Prayer for Heavy Hearts
✅ Navigating Hard News
✅ The "Can't Change It" Mindset
✅ Farm Wives Club Recap - A First-Timer's Perspective
✅ Inspiring Speakers & Workshops
✅ Community, Connection & Full-Circle Moments

💡 Key Takeaways:
✨ In times of tragedy, faith is an anchor. Focusing on prayer and the light of Jesus provides hope when the world feels dark.
✨ You cannot control world events, but you can control your home, your mindset, and how you show up for your family and community.
✨ Vulnerability is the key to connection. Sharing our hard stories helps others feel seen and reminds us that we are never truly alone.
✨ Community is essential. Events like Farm Wives Club are a powerful reminder of the strength and encouragement that comes from being surrounded by women who just "get it."
✨ Your greatest trials can become your greatest testimony. Much like the origin of Farm Wives Club itself, beauty and purpose can be born from the darkest moments.

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.

🙌 Join the Conversation!
We're so excited to launch our new voicemail line! Have a question, a story to share, or a topic suggestion for a future episode? Leave us a message and you might hear it on the show! The link is in our show notes and on our Instagram profile. And, as always, you can connect with us by tagging @beyondthecrops_.

Leave us a Voice Message!
We love hearing from you and continuing the conversation off the podcast. Click here to leave us a voice note! 

#FarmWivesClub #FaithAndFarming #CommunityOverCompetition #WomenInAg #FarmLife #RuralLife #GriefAndHope #FarmWife #Mindset #BeyondTheCropsPodcast #Sponsored

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! Fresh off a whirlwind month of travel, your hosts Jena Ochsner and Mary Pat Sass are here to recap their adventures at two major farm shows. From the incredible culture and cutting-edge research at Beck's Technology Days to the hustle and bustle of the Farm Progress Show, they're sharing the behind-the-scenes stories, coolest tech, and most inspiring moments. Plus, stick around to the end for a special live interview they recorded from the Case IH podcast studio at Farm Progress with tillage expert CJ Parker!

📌 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ Listener Love on the Road
✅ Beck's Technology Days Recap
✅ Farm Progress Show Recap
✅ LIVE from the Case IH Booth: A Conversation with CJ Parker
✅ BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: Mary Pat and Jena launch a brand-new way for you to interact with the show – a voicemail line!

💡 Key Takeaways:

✨ Farm shows are invaluable for connecting with people, discovering new ideas, and seeing the future of agriculture firsthand.
✨ Company culture and values matter. The success of a family-owned, faith-driven company like Beck's Hybrids is a testament to their commitment to farmers and research.
✨ The future of ag tech is here, with innovations in autonomy, precision spraying, and smart tillage poised to change how we farm.
✨ "Every pass of the field needs to complement the planter." This simple but powerful mantra highlights the importance of a systems approach to every job on the farm.
✨ Tillage is a crucial and nuanced tool for residue management, soil health, and setting the crop up for success.

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.

🙌 Join the Conversation!
We're so excited to launch our new voicemail line! Have a question, a story to share, or a topic suggestion for a future episode? Leave us a message and you might hear it on the show! The link is in our show notes and on our Instagram profile. And, as always, you can connect with us by tagging @beyondthecrops_.

Leave us a Voice Message! 
We love hearing from you and continuing the conversation off the podcast. Click here to leave us a voice note! 

#FarmShow #FarmProgressShow #BecksHybrids #CaseIH #AgTech #BeyondTheCropsPodcast #FarmLife #Tillage #PrecisionAg #SoilCommand #WomenInAg #FarmWife #Sponsored

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! Join your hosts, Jena Ochsner and Mary Pat Sass, as they sit down with Lori Reese, the Director of Commercial Sustainability at Pivot Bio. This conversation is a fascinating deep dive into the future of farming, from cutting-edge microbial nitrogen products to the often-confusing world of carbon credits. Lori, who comes from a seventh-generation farm family on both sides, shares her unique perspective on innovation, sustainability, and leaving a lasting legacy.

📌 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ Pivot Bio 101.
✅ Jena's Pivot Bio Story
✅ The Next Generation: Proven G3
✅ New Horizons: More Crops & Global Expansion
✅ Demystifying Carbon Credits & The Innovator Program
✅ Career Advice & A Legacy of Sustainability

💡 Key Takeaways:

✨ Innovation is key. Pivot Bio is a prime example of a company disrupting a 100-year-old industry (synthetic fertilizer) to provide farmers with new, more efficient, and sustainable tools.
✨ Proven G3 represents a significant leap forward. The new four-microbe blend offers farmers even more consistency and plant health benefits, building on the success of previous products.
✨ Carbon programs can be a valuable opportunity. While complex, programs like Pivot Bio's Innovator Program offer a straightforward, low-commitment way for farmers to get paid for sustainable practice changes they're already making.
✨ Sustainability is about legacy. At its core, adopting sustainable practices is about ensuring the health and viability of the land for future generations, a value deeply held by farmers.
✨ Ask questions and find trusted partners. Whether you're trying a new product or exploring a carbon program, find good people to work with and resources you can trust to help you make the best decisions for your operation.

🙌 Join the Conversation!
We’d love to hear from you! Are you exploring microbial nitrogen or carbon programs on your farm? What questions do you still have about these new technologies? Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_.

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.

To learn more about Pivot Bio's products and programs, visit pivotbio.com.
#PivotBio #Sustainability #CarbonCredits #FarmTech #Sponsored #ProvenG3 #BeyondTheCropsPodcast #Farming #AgTech #WomenInAg #RegenerativeAg #NitrogenFixing

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this episode, your hosts Jena Ochsner and Mary Pat Sass are tackling a topic on every parent's mind: heading back to school. With a fantastic listener question, they dive into prepping advice, lunch ideas, and strategies for managing the morning chaos. Coming from two different perspectives this year—Mary Pat sending her kids to school and Jena embarking on her first year of homeschooling—this conversation is packed with practical tips and relatable truths for any family navigating this seasonal shift.

📌 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ A quick recap of their trip to Beck's Hybrids Technology Days.
✅ Prepping for the school year
✅ Strategies for mastering the morning rush
✅ Practical and easy breakfast and lunchbox ideas
✅ The importance of mindset: Giving yourself grace, using mantras to stay calm, and creating small connection rituals with your kids.
✅ A call for listeners to share their best back-to-school advice on Instagram.

💡 Key Takeaways:

✨ Plan backwards, add cushion. The most effective way to build a successful morning routine is to figure out when you need to leave and plan every step backward from there, adding extra time for the unexpected.
✨ Prep the night before. A few minutes of prep—laying out clothes, packing what you can, and cleaning the kitchen—can save you immense stress the next morning.
✨ Establish a "drop zone." Designate a specific spot for all school-related items to land the second your kids walk in the door. It’s a game-changer for organization.
✨ Give yourself grace. Whether it's your first year with kids in school or you're starting a new homeschool journey, this is a huge transition. It won't be perfect, and that's okay.
✨ Find moments to connect. Amid the morning rush, find a small ritual—like a prayer, a song, or a specific question—to connect with your kids before they start their day.

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.

🙌 Join the Conversation!
We're taking Jena's idea and running with it! Head over to our Instagram @beyondthecrops_ and find this week's episode post. In the comments, share your #1 best back-to-school tip for a busy farm family. Let's help each other out!

#BackToSchool #FarmLife #BeyondTheCropsPodcast #FarmWife #SchoolRoutines #MorningRoutine #Homeschooling #FarmKids #ParentingHacks #LunchboxIdeas #Sponsored

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops! In this episode, Jena and Mary Pat are joined by Dena Malsom, Chief Marketing Officer at the National Peanut Board, for a fascinating conversation that busts myths, shares surprising facts, and explores the story of this humble but mighty crop.

📌 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ Meet Dena Malsom & her journey from corporate marketing to the National Peanut Board.
✅ Peanut Farming 101: How peanuts are grown (spoiler: underground!) and why they're so sustainable.
✅ The role of a commodity board in research, production, and consumer marketing.
✅ Why peanuts are a zero-waste, nitrogen-fixing, and water-efficient crop.
✅ Busting common myths about peanut nutrition and origins.
✅ The "Health Nut Club" initiative and strategies for engaging Gen Z consumers.
✅ Surprising and creative ways to eat peanuts (think pickles, fries, and breakfast sandwiches!).
✅ The surprisingly small number of farmers behind this mighty American crop.
✅ A global perspective on peanut consumption and America's unique love for peanut butter.

💡 Key Takeaways:

✨ Peanuts are a surprisingly sustainable superfood, functioning as a zero-waste plant with low water usage and natural nitrogen-fixing properties that enrich the soil.
✨ The U.S. peanut industry is powered by a small but mighty group of only ~7,000 farmers who produce enough to feed the nation and beyond.
✨ Connecting with younger generations, like Gen Z, by highlighting sustainability, health benefits, and the story behind the food is crucial for the future of the crop.
✨ When you choose peanuts or peanut butter, you're choosing a food that is good for you and good for the planet.

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.

🙌 Join the Conversation!
What’s your favorite or most surprising way to eat peanuts or peanut butter? Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_. 

Links You'll Want After Listening: 

• NPB website: National Peanut Board
• Health Nut Club: Join the Health Nut Club: Promoting On-the-Go Wellness with Peanuts
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalpeanutboard/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nationalpeanutboard
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-peanut-board

#Peanuts #NationalPeanutBoard #FarmLife #SustainableFarming #BeyondTheCropsPodcast #WomenInAg #AgMarketing #FarmHer #KnowYourFarmer #PeanutButter #Sponsored #BecksHybrids

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops! Summer is in full swing, and for Jena and Mary Pat, it's been... dense. In this candid catch-up, they share the highs, lows, and hilarious chaos of a summer packed with family, travel, and unexpected health deep dives.

📌 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ Catching up on a "dense but good" summer filled with intentional family time.
✅ Navigating grief and family togetherness, plus a hilarious "beef stick in the ear" funeral moment.
✅ The hilarious reality of toddler life, AKA living with a "feral raccoon."
✅ Fair life: Jena's first year as a 4-H mom vs. Mary Pat's demolition derby past.
✅ Jena's 10-year anniversary photos in her wedding dress.
✅ Health deep dives: Mary Pat’s vertigo update and Jena’s surprising 10-day detox results.
✅ Uncovering family heirlooms, from a vintage waffle maker to a canning hutch.
✅ Farm updates: Ag PhD Field Day chaos, garden wins, and timely rains.

💡 Key Takeaways:

✨ Intentionality is key for a chaotic but happy summer.
✨ Family and humor are essential for navigating grief.
✨ Don't be afraid to advocate for your health and explore new solutions.
✨ Family heirlooms connect us to our past and find new purpose in the present.
✨ Embracing the chaos is the only way to survive (and enjoy) life with young kids.

🙌 Join the Conversation!
What's been the highlight of your "dense" summer? Share your stories and tag us @beyondthecrops_!

This episode of Beyond the Crops is brought to you by Beck's Hybrids. As the largest family-owned retail seed company in the US, Beck's is built on faith, family, and a love for agriculture. Learn more about their commitment to helping farmers succeed at beckshybrids.com.

#DenseSummer #FarmLife #BeyondTheCropsPodcast #FamilyTime #GriefAndHealing #CountyFair #HealthJourney #Detox #ParentingRealTalk #SummerAdventures

In this deeply personal and reflective episode, Jena and Mary Pat share a conversation sparked by recent life events that have them thinking about legacy, the passage of time, and the ever-present challenge of managing screen time in a hyper-connected world. After the loss of both of her grandmothers just eight days apart, Jena shares the poignant realization that it often takes a funeral to bring the whole family together, leading to a heartfelt discussion about being truly present with the ones we love.

📌 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ Jena shares the recent loss of her two beloved grandmothers.
✅ Reflecting on the legacy of their screen-free grandmothers' generation.
✅ Modeling healthy tech boundaries for our children.
✅ The challenge of having a phone-based job while parenting young kids.
✅ Actionable tips for reducing your own screen time 
✅ Startling statistics on how often we really check our phones.
✅ The addictive, intentional design of social media and video games.
✅ Encouragement to be more intentional, even when it's hard.

💡 Key Takeaways:

✨ The time we have with loved ones is finite. Being present is a choice we must actively and intentionally make every day.
✨ Our relationship with our phones is what our children will model. Healthy boundaries and intentional disconnection start with us.
✨ Small, practical changes—like turning off notifications or moving apps off your home screen—can significantly reduce mindless scrolling and create space for real life.
✨ Meaningful memories are often built in the simple, screen-free moments—cooking in the kitchen, playing outside, or just being fully together.
✨ Don't wait for a major life event to prioritize family. Put the phone down, be present, and "call your grandma."

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.

🙌 Join the Conversation!
This episode is a powerful reminder for all of us. What's one boundary you're setting with your phone to be more present with your family this week? Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_.

#ScreenTime #DigitalDetox #BeingPresent #FarmLife #BeyondTheCropsPodcast #FarmWife #Parenting #FamilyLegacy #Grandparents #IntentionalLiving #RuralLife

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! Did you know a staggering 80% of farmers don't plan to fully retire, creating huge risks for the farm and family. In this crucial succession episode, we're tackling the tough questions about what happens when you can no longer work. Mary Pat and Jena are joined by ag economist Jessica Groskopf, to debunk financial myths and reveal the four essential estate documents every adult needs now to protect their legacy.

📌 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ Why 80% of farmers don't plan to fully retire.
✅ Moving beyond the "the farm is my retirement" mindset.
✅ Planning for the staggering costs of long-term care.
✅ Debunking common retirement account myths.
✅ Retirement accounts designed for farmers (like the Solo 401k).
✅ The importance of building your professional "dream team."
✅ Asking the powerful question: "What is enough?"
✅ Why Mom can't be left out of the succession plan.
✅ The four essential estate documents every adult needs NOW.

💡 Key Takeaways:

✨ Your body will likely make the retirement choice for you before you're ready. Planning ahead ensures the farm and your family are protected when you physically can no longer work.
✨ Building a trusted team of professionals (attorney, CPA, financial advisor) is non-negotiable for navigating the complexities of succession, retirement, and long-term care planning.
✨ Retirement accounts are flexible tools that can reduce tax liability, provide income for older generations, take pressure off the farm, and even help equalize inheritance for non-farming heirs.
✨ The most crucial, immediate step every adult should take is to establish the four basic estate planning documents: a will, a power of attorney, a power of attorney for healthcare, and a healthcare directive.
✨ Ask the tough questions now: "What is enough?" and "What do our sunset years look like?" These conversations are vital for creating a plan that serves every generation.

🔗 Connect with Our Guest:
Find Jessica and her incredible resources on Instagram @JessicaGroff. You can also find her free articles, webinars, and podcasts by searching for her name on the University of Nebraska Extension website.

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. From localized support to research-backed insights, Beck's is committed to helping farmers succeed for generations. Learn more at beckshybrids.com.

🙌 Join the Conversation!
What's one question this episode sparked for you about your own family's retirement or succession plan? What's one step you're taking to get the conversation started? Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_.

#SuccessionPlanning #FarmRetirement #FarmLife #BeyondTheCropsPodcast #EstatePlanning #WomenInAg #FarmFinance #FamilyFarm #GenerationalTransition #FinancialPlanning #LongTermCare

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! Join your hosts, Jena Ochsner and Mary Pat Sass, as they "think outside the box" with special guest and agronomist, Faith Pearson. In this eye-opening conversation, Faith Pierson (aka "The Crunchy Agronomist") challenges conventional wisdom and draws fascinating parallels between holistic human health and the health of our soil.

📌 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ Holistic Soil Health vs. Traditional Agronomy
✅ Rethinking the Soil Test
✅ The "Makeup" Effect of Nitrogen
✅ The "Fence Row Effect"
✅ Challenging "The Way We've Always Done It"
✅ A Candid Conversation About Roundup (Glyphosate):
* Its history (did you know it was originally an industrial pipe cleaner?).
* How it works as a chelator and its potential impact on crops and soil biology.
* The importance of stewarding chemistries to combat weed resistance.
* Discussing how it's possible to farm with less, or even without, Roundup.
✅ Faith's "Hot Take": Her biggest challenge to the industry revolves around nitrogen rates and rethinking what's enough versus what's too much.

💡 Key Takeaways:

✨ Just like in human health, addressing the root cause of an issue in the soil is more effective and sustainable than repeatedly treating the symptom.
✨ Traditional soil tests may not be giving you the full picture. A more holistic test can reveal your true limiting factors and prevent you from applying inputs that aren't providing a return on investment.
✨ Over-reliance on synthetic fertilizers can disrupt the natural soil microbiome, making your farm more dependent on inputs over time.
✨ Challenging "the way we've always done it" and being open to new methods is crucial for long-term soil health, resilience to weather events, and farm profitability.
✨ Taking one small, informed step—like getting a different kind of soil test—is the best way to begin the journey toward a healthier, more resilient farming operation.

This episode of Beyond the Crops is brought to you by Beck's Hybrids. Built on faith, family, and a love for agriculture since 1937, Beck's is committed to helping farmers succeed for generations. From localized support to research-backed insights, learn more about what they offer at beckshybrids.com.

🙌 Join the Conversation!
What did you find most interesting about this conversation? Are you rethinking how you look at your own soil health? Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_.

You can connect with Faith on X (formerly Twitter) @FaithLois12.

#SoilHealth #Agronomy #RegenerativeAg #BeyondTheCropsPodcast #FarmWife #WomenInAg #FarmingForTheFuture #HaneyTest #TheCrunchyAgronomist #Roundup #Glyphosate #FarmLife #Beckshybrids #Sponsored