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Beyond The Crops

Jena & MP bring a unique perspective to the world of agriculture, offering a blend of humor, heart, and wisdom honed from their combined years on the farm. With a deep passion for their families, their farms, and the communities they call home, these two farmwives delve into the daily triumphs and tribulations that come from rural living. They discuss everything from the latest advancements in agriculture and the art of balancing family with farm duties to the time-honored traditions and recipes that make life on the farm so special. Their stories will make you laugh, tug at your heartstrings, and inspire you to see the beauty in the ordinary moments of life. "Beyond The Crops" is not just a podcast for farmers; it's for anyone who appreciates the enduring values of hard work, resilience, and the simple joys of living close to the land. Whether you're an urban dweller curious about rural life or a fellow farm enthusiast, you'll find something to love in the genuine and heartfelt conversations of Jena & MP. Subscribe today and be a part of their journey as they cultivate a deeper appreciation for the remarkable world of agriculture.

Latest Episode

It's Our 100th Episode! Celebrate With a Look Back

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! Join your hosts, Jena Ochsner and Mary Pat Sass, as they celebrate a huge milestone – the 100th episode of the podcast! It's also (nearly) their two-year anniversary, and they're taking a trip down memory lane, reflecting on the journey, thanking their amazing listeners, and looking ahead. 📌 What We Cover in This Episode: Celebrating 100 Episodes! Jena and Mary Pat can hardly believe they've reached this milestone and express their immense gratitude to their listeners. The Origin Story: How Mary Pat, after years of thinking about it, finally asked Jena (just days after she had baby Walker!) to start a podcast. Favorite Memories & Most Impactful Episodes: The incredible listener response to Jena's health journey (Episode 50). Connecting with listeners at farm shows and in-person events. Heartwarming interviews, including Jena's 96-year-old grandma (Episode 15) and the inspiring Marilyn Bachman (Episode 66). Deep dives into farm safety (Episodes 22 & 81), succession planning, and parenting in a tech world (Episode 65). The "Beef: It's What's for Dinner" episode (Episode 42) and Mary Pat's recent dry-aging saga. Noah Young's "open hand" analogy (Episode 63) that profoundly impacted Jena. Funny Behind-the-Scenes Moments: Spilled coffee, accidental mutes, and mispronunciations (Oregon, anyone?). Hard Moments & Finding Their Voice: Navigating overwhelm and the evolution of the podcast beyond a strict niche to embrace all aspects "Beyond the Crops." Faith in Farming: Discussing episodes where they boldly shared their testimonies and faith (Harrison Butker response & Christmas testimonies). Dream Guests & Future Topics: Who they'd love to interview (Joe Rogan, Alex Clark, Sadie Robertson Huff!) and a desire to explore more family farm dynamics and structures. A Special 100th Episode GIVEAWAY! Listen for details on how to enter to win an etched water bottle and other goodies. 🙌 Join the Celebration & Enter the Giveaway! We’re so grateful for 100 episodes with you! To celebrate: Share this 100th episode to your Instagram Stories. Tell us what you love about Beyond the Crops or your favorite episode. Tag us @beyondthecrops_ You'll be entered to win a fun etched Beyond the Crops water bottle and some other surprise goodies! And, if you haven't already, please leave us a review! We'd love to hear your feedback. #BeyondTheCropsPodcast #100thEpisode #FarmPodcast #FarmLife #WomenInAg #PodcastAnniversary #FarmWife #Agriculture #Podcasting #FaithAndFarming #RuralLife #FarmFamily #PodcastGiveaway

May 6

Episodes

It's Our 100th Episode! Celebrate With a Look Back

May 6

Planting Season Kick-Off: Farm Updates, Faith Reflections & Tallow News!

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! Join your hosts, Jena Ochsner and Mary Pat Sass, for a heartfelt chat recorded in a rare "sliver of time" just before Easter, as the planting season looms large. This episode blends reflections on faith, the renewal of spring, and the very real hustle (and occasional hilarious chaos) of life on the farm right now. 📌 What We Cover in This Episode: ✅ Reflecting on Easter: Connecting the themes of resurrection and renewal to the hope, anxieties, and faith required for a new planting season. ✅ Personal Faith Journeys: Mary Pat shares the story of her adult baptism on Easter Sunday, and Jena discusses navigating weather scares with trust. ✅ Farm Updates & Planting Prep: Hear how Jena and Mary Pat's families are tackling fertilizing, tillage, and the first days of planting, including Nebraska's unpredictable spring weather and the rare need for pre-plant irrigation. ✅ Mary Pat's Homemaker Adventures: Diving into pressure canning (beef, chicken, broth!), planting fruit trees and raspberries, and the sudden urge to research freeze dryers. ✅ Jena's Fermenting Fun: Recapping a lacto-fermentation class and the delicious world of homemade sauerkraut, effervescent pickles, kvass, and even fermented ketchup! ✅ Balancing Birthdays & Busy Season: Celebrating Levi's (and Mary Pat's!) birthday amidst the demands of planting. ✅ Farm Wife Tallow Update: Exciting news about the upcoming skincare launch – get ready before Mother's Day! 💡 Key Takeaways: ✨ Faith provides essential perspective and hope during the often stressful and uncertain planting season. ✨ The themes of Easter – sacrifice, renewal, and hope – resonate deeply with the cycles of agriculture and life. ✨ Embracing new skills like canning and fermenting can be a rewarding way to connect with food, preserve the harvest, and even "get your pink back." ✨ Life on the farm is unpredictable! Flexibility, humor, and trusting God's plan are key to navigating the chaos. ✨ Prioritizing connection, like pausing for a family meal or celebrating a birthday even during busy times, matters. 🙌 Join the Conversation! We’d love to hear from you! What's giving you hope or getting you excited as planting season begins? Or, inspired by Mary Pat and Jena, have you tried any new 'homesteading' skills lately? Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_. Remember, new episodes launch every Tuesday! #Easter #PlantingSeason #FarmLife #BeyondTheCropsPodcast #FarmWife #FaithAndFarming #Homesteading #Canning #Fermenting #TallowSkincare #FarmFamily #WomenInAg #NebraskaFarming #FarmHer #ChristianPodcast #FarmLifeRealLife

April 22

On-Farm Seed Treating with Ryan Sass

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! Join your hosts, Jena Ochsner and Mary Pat Sass, as they bring in a special guest – MP's husband Josh and brother in law, Ryan Sass. With planting season just around the corner, they're diving deep into the process, benefits, and challenges of treating their own soybean seed right on the farm. 📌 What We Cover in This Episode: ✅ Introducing Ryan and his agronomy-focused role on the family farm (his passion for plant science, health, and fertility). ✅ The decision to treat seed on-farm: How they started, the learning curve, and the significant cost savings involved. ✅ Why they treat seed close to planting season (inoculant shelf life, flexibility for weather/market changes). ✅ The risks involved: The importance of precise mixing and measuring, and potential costly mistakes (including a real-life equipment failure example!). ✅ Advice for farmers interested in treating their own seed (talk to other farmers, dealers, understand the "art" vs. science). ✅ Busting misconceptions: Knowing exactly what products and rates are being applied to your seed. ✅ Seed treatment's role in protecting potential early against soil-borne threats vs. later foliar applications. ✅ Preparing for planting season beyond the seed (mental prep, home front support, project prioritizing). ✅ Ryan's perspective on navigating planting season while expecting a new baby and the importance of family support. ✅ Encouragement for farm families facing the busy season: Give grace, have patience, and maintain perspective. 💡 Key Takeaways: ✨ Treating seed on-farm can offer significant cost savings (approx. $10/unit mentioned) and flexibility, but requires diligence and carries risk. ✨ Timing is strategic: Treating close to planting maximizes inoculant effectiveness and allows adaptation to conditions. ✨ Knowledge is power: Understand exactly what treatments and rates are being applied to your seed, whether you do it yourself or buy it treated. ✨ Seed treatment is primarily for early-season protection against soil-borne diseases and pests, maximizing the seed's potential from the start. ✨ Precision matters: Mistakes in mixing or application can negate savings quickly. Start small if unsure. ✨ On-farm treating is an investment in time (estimated 3 days for their operation) and equipment, which has its own costs and potential failures. ✨ Communication (or lack thereof!) and defined roles are part of the reality of working with family. ✨ Give grace, be patient, and maintain optimism and perspective during the demanding planting season. God's got your back. 🙌 Join the Conversation! We’d love to hear from you! Do you treat your own seed, or rely on retailers? What's one takeaway from this episode, or one way you're preparing for the upcoming planting season? Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_. #SeedTreatment #OnFarm #Soybeans #PlantingSeason #FarmLife #BeyondTheCropsPodcast #Agronomy #FarmWife #AgPodcast #FarmFamily #ROI #FarmManagement #RiskManagement #WomenInAg #AgTwitter thumb_up thumb_down

April 15

Mindset Shifts To Help You Thrive During Planting Season

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where we bridge the gap between farm life and real life! Join your hosts, Jena Ochsner and Mary Pat Sass, as they gear up for the busy planting season. With spring break wrapping up and tractors potentially rolling soon, it's the perfect time to talk about mindset, self-care, and thriving through the chaos. 📌 What We Cover in This Episode: ✅ Catching up on life updates, including Jena finally getting power back after a storm. ✅ Shifting your mindset from just surviving planting season to truly thriving through it. ✅ Practical strategies for taking care of yourself during busy times (morning routines, nutrition, sleep, hydration, gratitude). ✅ The importance of setting boundaries – saying no to protect your time and sanity (with specific examples around kids' activities, field visits, and commitments). ✅ How building daily habits and resilience before the chaos hits makes a difference. ✅ Recognizing when you need help and the importance of asking for it. ✅ Understanding that energy often follows action – sometimes you just have to decide to do the thing. ✅ Tips for managing kids' expectations and schedules during the demanding season. 💡 Key Takeaways: ✨ Planting season is demanding, but your mindset determines your experience: choose to thrive, not just survive. ✨ Setting boundaries (with commitments, kids' schedules, field visits) is crucial for managing overwhelm. It's okay to say no. ✨ Consistent self-care (even small things like morning routines, hydration, decent sleep, gratitude) builds resilience for stressful times. 🙌 Join the Conversation! We’d love to hear from you! What's one boundary you're setting or one self-care practice you're prioritizing for this planting season? Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_. #PlantingSeason #FarmLife #BeyondTheCropsPodcast #FarmWife #AgMentalHealth #FarmStress #MindsetShift #SettingBoundaries #SelfCare #FarmFamily #Resilience #SpringPlanting #FarmHer #WomenInAg

April 8

Crunchy Agronomy for Healthier Soils and a Healthier You: A Beyond the Crops Special Interview with Crop Cast by BW Fusion

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where we bridge the gap between farm life and real life. Join your hosts, Jena Ochsner and Mary Pat Sass, for a fun collaboration with the CropCast team from BW Fusion live from Commodity Classic 2025 in Denver, Colorado! 📌 What We Cover in This Episode: ✅ We start with the importance of relating holistic human health to soil health, introducing the concept of "crunchy" ag. ✅ Next, we dive into Sean's insights on holistic agronomy and BW Fusion's approach. ✅ You’ll hear a discussion on making small, tangible changes in health and farming practices. ✅ Then, we go over BW Fusion, its beginnings, and how it merges biological products with nutritional strategies. ✅ Later in the podcast, we also address combining modern and holistic approaches in farming and medicine. ✅ Lastly, we hear a conversation about how a better understanding of the soil helps farmers improve and save money. 💡 Key Takeaways: ✨ A balanced approach: integrating conventional methods with innovative regenerative practices. ✨ Taking baby steps in farming and health. ✨ The importance of asking questions and being open to change. ✨ You can not out-supplement a bad diet. ✨ Farmers don’t need to apply all 5 stages of success, just pick something you want to change. ✨ Holistic soil testing has more than just the standard metrics and can save you money. 🙌 Join the Conversation! We’d love to hear from you! What small changes are you planning to implement on your farm or in your daily health routine? Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_. #BWfusion #regenerativeagriculture #holisticagriculture #conventionalfarming #holistichealth #functionalhealth #FarmLife #BeyondTheCropsPodcast

April 1

Surviving Storms, Power Outages, and Sketchy Facebook Marketplace Meet-ups

In this episode of Beyond the Crops, we're coming to you in survival mode....literally. Jena is recording in the dark on day 3 of a power outage from an intense midwest spring snowstorm. We cover what it looks like when the unexpected happens, what we would change to be more prepared in the future, and some miracles and trials on the farm. MP is catching us up on a risky Facebook Marketplace adventure and we both talk about pre-planting season prep - it's going to be here before we know it! 📌 What We Cover in This Episode: ✅ Jena's spring storm drama and power outages ✅ MP's FB Marketplace fiasco ✅ Pre-planting prep- from date nights to decluttering and more! 🙌 Join the Conversation! We’d love to hear from you! What’s one thing you’re focusing on controlling this week? Share with us on social media and tag us @‌beyondthecrops_. 🎧 Listen Now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! #FaithOverFear #FarmLife #BeyondTheCropsPodcast

March 25

Beyond the Crops LIVE from Commodity Classic: The Evolution of Precision Ag

In this episode of Beyond the Crops, Mary Pat and Jena are live from the Commodity Classic, interviewing Kendall from Case IH, and talking about new technology and the evolution of precision technology, followed by Alex from Case IH to discuss Case IH’s Sense Apply technology. 📌 What We Cover in This Episode: ✅ Kendall's background and how she came to work at Case IH. ✅ How precision technology trends are going with connectivity. ✅ What are some challenges that precision tech has helped farmers overcome. ✅ Alex's overview of Sense Apply technology. ✅ Key differences between Case IH and other competitors. 💡 Key Takeaways: ✨ Being able to teach farmers how to fix their equipment is huge for uptimes. ✨ Precision technology has improved so much over a short period of time. ✨ Sustainability means a little bit different things to everyone. ✨ Make sure that your customers/producers are involved in the development process. ✨ Sense Apply technologies have an ROI within 1-2 years. ✨ There is no annual subscription for Sense Apply, or per-acre fees. 🙌 Join the Conversation! We’d love to hear from you! What do you think about these new technologies coming? Share with us on social media and tag us @beyondthecrops_. #PrecisionAg #PrecisionTech #CaseIH #SenseApply #FarmLife #BeyondTheCropsPodcast

March 18

Our Commodity Classic Experience: New Tech, Insights, & More!

In this episode of Beyond the Crops, Mary Pat and Jena give a recap of the Commodity Classic! Listen along and hear them talk about their experience and takeaways from the event. 📌 What We Cover in This Episode: ✅What each of the girls learned and what they’d like to do different next year. ✅All the interesting companies they visited and new information they learned. ✅How it is a great show to attend and well worth the investment to go to. 💡 Key Takeaways: ✨ You should attend the Commodity Classic trade show. ✨ The Commodity Classic is a very progressive trade show. ✨ There are a lot of new and upcoming companies in the agricultural space. ✨ So many new technologies that are just around the corner. 🙌 Join the Conversation! We’d love to hear from you! Have you ever been to the Commodity Classic? Share with us on social media and tag us @‌beyondthecrops_. #CommodityClassic #FarmLife #BeyondTheCropsPodcast

March 11

Family Farm Succession: Navigating Sibling Dynamics, Land Transfer & Estate Planning ( Ep 91)

In this episode of Beyond the Crops, Jena and Mary Pat dive back into the important topic of succession planning with succession expert Ashlee Westerhold. They discuss what to consider when planning for the future of the farm, whether passing it down to the next generation, skipping a generation, or connecting with interested individuals outside of the family. Join us as we learn more about practical tools for succession planning, valuable advice, and steps to take as you start thinking about the future. 📌 What We Cover in This Episode: ✅ Introduction to Ashlee Westerhold, Director of the Office of Farm and Ranch Transition at Kansas State University. ✅ Ashley’s story of how personal experiences led her to a career in farm succession planning. ✅ What tools the University offers to farm families and students. ✅ A deep dive into the Kansas Landlink program, a matchmaking process for landowners without successors and beginning farmers/ranchers. ✅ Parameters for seekers to share with potential landowners via a 12-page application process. ✅ Best advice for farm families just beginning to think about transition planning, focusing on goals and vision. ✅ The importance of including your spouse in transition planning and the legal implications. ✅ Discuss bringing in an accountant or attorney. 💡 Key Takeaways: ✨ You are always transitioning. Planning should always be ongoing. ✨ Goal setting and vision are essential building blocks to starting the transition process. ✨ It is essential to find an attorney you can trust, who understands agriculture and the emotion that comes with the land and the farm. ✨ Protecting your whole operation is less than what you would pay for a tractor tire. ✨ Succession Estate plans change. ✨ If you're the one carrying the torch, then you should be the one working on this; try to help them through this because it is overwhelming. ✨ Put It In Writing LINKS Kansas Land Link Program: https://www.agmanager.info/farm-management/transition-planning/kansas-farm-link University of Wisconsin: Cultivating Your Farm’s Future 🙌 Join the Conversation! We’d love to hear from you! What are some takeaways you had about the episode? Share with us on social media and tag us @‌beyondthecrops_. 🎧 Listen Now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! #SuccessionPlanning #FarmLife #BeyondTheCropsPodcast

March 4

Faith Over Fear: Focusing on What We Can Control ( Ep 90)

In this episode of Beyond the Crops, we’re tackling something that every farmer, rancher, and family faces—uncertainty. With markets, policies, weather, and world events constantly shifting, it’s easy to feel like everything is out of control. But while we can’t change the outside forces, we can control our mindset, faith, family life, routines, and how we respond to challenges. Join us as we dive into practical ways to shift our focus, lean into faith, and take charge of the things that truly matter. 📌 What We Cover in This Episode: ✅ The biggest stressors we can’t control—markets, government policies, weather, and information overload. ✅ How to shift our focus to what we can control—faith, family, daily habits, and our mindset. ✅ Practical steps for managing stress, setting boundaries, and protecting our peace. ✅ Encouragement to lead with faith, create a strong home environment, and make intentional choices. 💡 Key Takeaways: ✨ We may not control the chaos of the world, but we can create peace in our homes. ✨ Faith, prayer, and scripture are powerful tools for navigating uncertainty. ✨ Protecting our mindset and setting boundaries with media can make a huge difference. ✨ Small daily choices—like prioritizing family time and gratitude—help us focus on what truly matters. LINKS Mary Pat’s bible that she loves: ESV Everyday Gospel Bible: Connecting Scripture to All of Life (TruTone, Chestnut) Podcast episode with Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East + The Home Edit: Home Edit: Clea and Joanna The Home Edit baby book: Let's Put That Away! My First Book of Organizing: A Home Edit Board Book for Kids (The Home Edit for Kids) The Home Edit Kids book: The Rainbow Cleanup: A Magical Organizing Adventure (The Home Edit for Kids) The Home Edit Teen Book: The Home Edit for Teens: How to Edit Your Space, Express Your Style, and Get Things Done! 🙌 Join the Conversation! We’d love to hear from you! What’s one thing you’re focusing on controlling this week? Share with us on social media and tag us @‌beyondthecrops_. 🎧 Listen Now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! #FaithOverFear #FarmLife #BeyondTheCropsPodcast

February 25

Harvest, Hogs & Hindsight: A Farm Couple’s Recap (Ep 89)

We’re bringing our husbands back to the podcast for a no-holds-barred conversation about the highs, lows, and lessons of the 2024 farming season. From harvest takeaways to hard-earned wisdom, we’re diving into what worked, what didn’t, and what we’re changing for next year. We also reflect on the challenges and wins of raising livestock, share our personal and farm goals for 2025, and discuss the outlook for agriculture in the coming years. Plus, hear our thoughts on how potential policy changes could impact family farms. In This Episode, We Cover: 🌽 Harvest Recap: The biggest lessons learned from 2024 🚜 What’s Changing: What we’ll do differently next year (and what we won’t repeat!) 🐖 Hog Butcher Recap: What we learned from this year’s process 🎯 2025 Goals: One new thing to try on the farm + personal growth goals 📉 Ag Outlook: What’s ahead for farmers in the coming years 🇺🇸 Policy & Agriculture: Thoughts on the new administration’s potential impact on farming Join us for an honest and lighthearted discussion about life on the farm, learning from experience, and preparing for the future. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow farmer!

February 19

It's Us Again! Post-Holiday Farm Life on Beyond the Crops - (Ep 88)

We're BACK after a much-needed break, and we're ready to tell you all about it and what's been going on behind the scenes! On this episode of Beyond The Crops we're catching you up on ALL the things. recapping holiday stomach bugs, much needed vacations, and our exciting new business ventures, as well as what to expect this year on the podcast! Keep track of your family's farm journey through harvest and beyond. Get your own Grounded Journal today. Check out Jena's new business venture: Farm Wife Tallow here We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

February 11

Our Testimonies and the True Meaning of Christmas (Ep 87)

In the midst of the holiday hustle, it’s easy to get swept up in the busyness and lose sight of what Christmas is truly about. In this episode, we’re pausing to refocus on the heart of the season—our Savior, Jesus Christ. Join us as we share our personal testimonies, dive into the messiness of our faith journeys, and reflect on how God has worked in our lives. Whether your story feels polished or a little untidy like ours, this heartfelt conversation is sure to inspire you to reconnect with the true meaning of Christmas. Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. Keep track of your family's farm journey through harvest and beyond. Get your own Grounded Journal today. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our farm safety series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

December 10

Jena's Health Journey and Dental Surgery Update (Ep 86)

Today on Beyond The Crops we are getting all the nitty gritty details of Jena's recent dental surgery and an update on her health journey. We cover everything from what led her down this path, to parasite cleanses, to cost, recovery, and more. Keep track of your family's farm journey through harvest and beyond. Get your own Grounded Journal today. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our farm safety series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

December 3

How We Keep The Holidays Intentional + Holiday Gift Guide! (Ep 85)

Are you ready to transform your holiday season into a time of intention, connection, and joy? In this episode, we’re diving into meaningful gift-giving ideas that go beyond the material, focusing on thoughtful presents that foster connection, support small businesses, and bring joy to both the giver and the receiver. From unique local finds to heartfelt handmade creations, we’ll explore how to create a more purposeful holiday experience for your loved ones. Tune in for inspiration to make this season one to truly remember! 🎁 Featured in this episode: Intentional gift ideas for parents, grandparents, and kids Supporting local and small businesses Creating meaningful holiday traditions Make your holiday gifting purposeful and impactful—one thoughtful present at a time! Get The Gift Guide Here Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. Keep track of your family's farm journey through harvest and beyond. Get your own Grounded Journal today. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our farm safety series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

November 26

Harvest Highlights: Highs, Lows, and Lessons from the Field (Ep 84)

Harvest season is wrapping up, and we’re sitting down to share our reflections, wins, and lessons learned from the fields. And of course our favorite field meals of the season—think crockpot ribs, homemade rye bread Rubens, and Friday night steak traditions. Plus, we reflect on our recent farm safety series and the importance of keeping these critical conversations going to protect what matters most: our people. Join us for this casual, heartfelt harvest debrief as we celebrate the season’s hard work and look ahead to what’s next! Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. Keep track of your family's farm journey through harvest and beyond. Get your own Grounded Journal today. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our farm safety series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

November 19

Best Advice From Our Farm Safety Series (Ep 83)

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops. Today we want to take a moment to thank each and every one of our guests who came on during our farm safety series. We've compiled the advice from each of our interviewees to share with you today. These are quick, hitting, and impactful pieces of advice from those who experienced farm accidents firsthand. Take this episode and listen to it, then share it with your loved ones. We truly believe everyone in our industry should give this episode a listen to be better prepared with practical tips for the future. Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our farm safety series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

November 12

How to Get Through Tough Times on the Farm: Income Diversification Ways To Stay Resilient (Ep 82)

Join us for a special live episode of Beyond the Crops, recorded at Husker Harvest Days with FP Next podcast hosts Kurt Ahrens and Sarah McNaughton. In this live conversation, we dive into strategies for preparing farms for economic shifts, exploring ways to diversify operations and stay resilient in today’s evolving agricultural landscape. Our first-ever live audience made this a memorable experience, and we’re excited to share it with you. Tune in for insights, stories, and practical advice to help farm families weather economic challenges with confidence. Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our succession series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

November 5

Practical, Often Overlooked Farm Safety Tips from ER Nurse Katie Hammock (Ep 81)

Today, we’re bringing you a special interview sparked from a listener connection made in our DMs. Katie Hammock, an ER nurse and dairy farmer’s wife, reached out after tuning into our farm safety series, offering her insights as a farm safety educator. Katie has a unique perspective on ag safety from her experiences in the ER and is passionate about sharing practical, often-overlooked safety tips that could make a big difference. In this episode, she shares stories, advice, and crucial safety practices to keep our farms and families safe. * Here's a list of links for everything Katie mentioned in this episode to keep you prepared and safe on the farm: Tourniquet: https://amzn.to/3zzl3Va QuikClot: https://amzn.to/3Y8QCyi Coban: https://amzn.to/3XNElhs Whistle:https://amzn.to/4gWp4Ur CPR Shield: https://amzn.to/3NboowP Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our succession series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

October 29

80. Farm Safety is More Than Just a Checklist: Why Open Conversations About Complacency, Awareness, and Community Matter

Farm safety is more than just a checklist—it’s about protecting lives and fostering a culture of awareness in our communities. In this episode, Taylor Sjogren shares her personal story of her dad’s farm accident and why it’s so important to talk openly about safety. We talk about the dangers of complacency, the need for increased awareness, and how preparing our kids and keeping safety top of mind can make all the difference. Whether you're working on the farm or supporting those who do, this episode highlights the crucial role that conversations and community play in preventing accidents and saving lives Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our succession series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

October 22

79. Miracle in the Grain Bin: Kayla Cowell Shares a Farm Accident Survival Story and Career Change

Thank you so much for tuning into our safety series so far. This week we're welcoming Kayla Cowell to Beyond The Crops as she shares the truly miraculous story of her father surviving a grain bin fall and how that was a huge factor in her pivoting her career path and choosing to come back to the family farm. Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our succession series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

October 15

78. Navigating Post Accident Trauma: A Mother's Tale of Farm Safety

This week, we are bringing back our farm safety series. This is the first time that we're getting the perspective of a mom who had a child that was injured on their farm. Katie's son got his hand stuck in a feed auger. And the story is pretty incredible. She shares how sometimes like the knowledge that the farmers have of the equipment can be very helpful in a situation where somebody has some sort of limb or some sort of injury. And that was very true in this case, and they were able to actually save her son's hand because of the knowledge that the farmers had. Katie also talks about how she did get to a point where she needed therapy and she prioritized her mental health. Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our succession series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

October 8

77. From Farm Shows to Harvest: A Busy Season Recap

In this episode of Beyond the Crops, we are taking a break from our farm safety series to catch up on some recent events and share personal updates. We discuss our experiences at the Farm Progress Show and Husker Harvest Days, including a live podcast and panel discussions. We also dive into the Farm Wives Club event organized by Kylie Epperson, emphasizing the importance of community and support among women in agriculture. This episode covers our current harvest experiences, challenges with yield due to weather, and of course our dedication to prioritizing our mental and physical health during this busy season. Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our succession series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

October 1

76. Honoring Kyle: A Story of Grain Entrapment and Family Resilience {Farm Safety Series}

As part of National Farm Safety Week from September 15th to the 21st, we are continuing our farm safety series. This series bring on different farm families to share their real-life experiences to raise awareness about farm dangers, help other agricultural families prepare, and offer support after accidents. In this powerful and emotional episode, we sit down with Madi Kerr, a young woman from a multi-generational Indiana farm, to share a story of unimaginable loss and resilience. Maddie recounts the tragic day her family lost her brother, Kyle, in a grain entrapment accident at just 13 years old. With heartfelt honesty, Madi opens up about the impact of that day, the strength of her family, and the role their tight-knit community played in supporting them during their darkest time. This episode is a sobering reminder of the importance of farm safety and the enduring power of family and community in the face of tragedy. If even one farm family learns from Kyle's story, Madi's bravery in sharing will have made a lasting difference. Tune in to hear this moving conversation about loss, love, and how farm life continues in the face of unimaginable grief. Listen, learn, and honor Kyle’s legacy with us. Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our succession series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

September 24

75. Her Husbands Hand Was Caught in a Bailer {Farm Safety Series}

September 17

74. Surviving a Mycotill Exposure {Farm Safety Series}

We are continuing our crucial farm safety series with mother- daughter duo Emily Wilson and Amy Doherty as they share about how their dad/husband was seemingly the first person to survive a Mycotill exposure. Mycotill is a vaccine used in cattle to treat bovine respiratory disease. It works incredibly well in animals and unfortunately has severe risk in humans. In most cases, humans do not survive exposure. We hope you enjoy this episode and we thank Emily and Amy for coming on and sharing their story. May this remind us to always stay diligent and safe on our operations. Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our succession series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

September 10

73. A Life-Saving Lesson from the Farm {Farm Safety Series}

We are kicking off our crucial farm safety series by diving into a harrowing real-life experience shared by Auna Koenigs from Northern Iowa. Auna opens up about a terrifying accident on her family farm that nearly cost her father his leg—and his life. Auna recounts the day her father's leg got caught in a sweep auger, and highlights the farm safety lesson that her family had practiced for years, which ultimately saved her father's life. Join us to hear Auna's powerful story and the importance of safety protocols on the farm. This episode is a stark reminder that safety isn't just a guideline—it's a lifesaver. Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our succession series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

September 3

72. Prioritizing Fitness: Our Journeys to Wellness and Why It Matters

In this episode of Beyond the Crops, we dive into the importance of prioritizing fitness and how our approach to health and wellness has evolved over time. Join us as we share our personal fitness journeys, from college days to the realities of parenthood and beyond. We discuss the challenges we've faced, the lessons we've learned, and the reasons why making fitness a priority is more crucial than ever. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to reignite your fitness goals, this episode is packed with practical tips, motivation, and real-life stories to inspire you on your wellness journey. Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our succession series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

August 27

71. From the Farm To California and Everything In Between: An End of Summer Recap

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 challenges we've faced this summer, from managing the farm during dry spells to balancing work, family, and mental health. So settle in, and join us for a heartfelt and fun conversation full of stories, laughs, and a sneak peek at some exciting events we’re gearing up for this fall. It’s going to be a good one! Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our succession series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

August 20

70. Farm Safety: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Family and Prevent Accidents on Your Farm

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 firsthand experiences from the field, offering life-saving insights into preventing and responding to farm accidents, from machinery mishaps to the deadly risks of grain entrapment. Discover the most common causes of farm-related injuries and fatalities and learn practical strategies to keep your farm safe this season. Whether you're a farmer, a parent, or simply part of a rural community, this episode delivers vital information that could save lives. Don’t miss out on this essential discussion on farm safety. Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our succession series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

August 13

69. From Wife Swap to Farm Succession: A Fun Q&A with Our Husbands, Josh and Levi

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 for young farm families looking to grow their operations. Whether you're curious about how to manage family dynamics on the farm or seeking tips on balancing work and personal life, this episode is packed with honest, real-life experiences and practical wisdom. Join us for a candid conversation that's sure to inspire and entertain! Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our succession series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

August 6

68. Mastering Farm Succession: Expert Tips For Kind and Clear Communication, Strong Farm Family Relationships, and Smooth Transitions with Elaine Froese

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 by having regular constructive communication to secure the legacy of their farms. She’s a go-to expert for farm families who want better communication and conflict resolution to secure a successful farm transition. We'll share our personal experiences and insights on fostering open dialogues, addressing potential conflicts, and building a unified vision for the farm's future. Whether you're in the early stages of planning or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with valuable advice to help you master farm succession and ensure that your farm's legacy thrives for generations to come. Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our succession series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_ Listen to the Farm Family Harmony Podcast Click here to connect more with our guest today: Elaine Froese

July 30

67. Summer Farm Life Updates, Iced Coffee Hacks, and Time Away From the Farm

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 lighthearted conversation about iced coffee, dying our eyebrows, and which midwest gas station is king. Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our succession series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

July 23

66. Musings From a Farm Matriarch: Marilyn Backman on Building Business, Diversifying Income, and Growing Relationships

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 farmers she’s worked with over the years by bringing her expertise and attention to detail. We really enjoyed our conversation with Marilyn and left feeling grateful for her sharing her wisdom as a woman in the agriculture space. Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our succession series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

July 16

65. Parenting in a Tech-Obsessed World: Setting Boundaries and Raising Resilient Kids with Jen Stutzman

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 screen time. The episode also delves into the evolving landscape of technology use among children, the impact on their emotional intelligence, and strategies for maintaining a balanced, tech-free family environment. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation filled with wisdom and actionable tips for intentional parenting in the digital age. Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our succession series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_ Connect with our guest today: @heartofthebison and I See You God Podcast

July 9

64. Knee High by the 4th of July

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 fields. (Spiders and slugs, anyone?) If you've ever wondered about the evolution of farming practices, the impact of climate change, or how genetics have revolutionized crop growth... we’ve got you covered. Whether you're a seasoned farmer or just love learning about rural life, this episode is a perfect blend of education and entertainment. Hit play now and celebrate the 4th of July with us in the heart of America’s farmland! 🌽🎉🚜 Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our succession series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_ Want a way to keep future generations in the loop about what is happening today on your operation? Grounded Journals is the perfect way to document everything. Get yours today! You can shop Grounded Journals at www.groundedjournals.co Use code: “beyondthecrops” for a discount on an order as a thank you for listening!

July 2

63. Planting Seeds of Influence: Intentionally Telling Your Story, Leveraging Social Media, and Monetizing Your Skills with Noah Young

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's expert advice will guide you through the process of growing your influence and turning your passions into profit. Tune in to learn actionable tips and real-world strategies that can help you thrive in today's digital landscape. Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our succession series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_ Connect with our guest today: @theshilohfarm on Instagram

June 25

62. Understanding Food Dyes: Effects, Safety, and Alternatives

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. Resources Mentioned: Food Color and Autism: A Meta-Analysis: NCBI - WWW Error Blocked Diagnostic Immune Reactivity to Food Dye: NCBI - WWW Error Blocked Diagnostic Prevalence of Artificial Food Colors in Grocery Store Products Marketed to Children: NCBI - WWW Error Blocked Diagnostic The Synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes chronic inflammation, and impacts microbiome in mice: NCBI - WWW Error Blocked Diagnostic Food Dyes | An overview of all the dyes currently used in Food : https://www.macsenlab.com/blog/food-dyes-an-overview/ Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our succession series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

June 18

61. Evolution Of The Heartland: Celebrating Agriculture and Rural Life

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 innovation in rural America and opportunities that exist here. Evolution Of the Heartland Events: DEWITT, IOWA | JULY 25 STANTON, IOWA | SEPTEMBER 12 COON RAPIDS, IOWA | SEPTEMBER 26 MANNING, IOWA | OCTOBER 3 ‌To find out more visit: https://www.evolutionoftheheartland.com or on social Facebook, Instagram Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our succession series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

June 11

60. Securing Your Family's Future: Effective Farm Succession Strategies with Brooke Didier Starks

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 pieces and find solutions to situations families think are impossible. We’re excited to have this conversation with Brooke and kick off our succession series. Remember we launch new episodes every Tuesday. We’d love to hear your feedback on this episode and our succession series on our Instagram page @beyondthecrops_. We’ve enjoyed connecting with so many of you over there. Let us know if you have any questions or things you’d like us to do a deeper dive on. See ya next time Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

June 4

59. Faith, Family, and Conviction: Our Bold Take on Harrison Butker’s Viral Speech

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 @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

May 28

58. Strategies For Finding Motivation and Overcoming Burnout

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 chores with personal well-being. From discussing the challenges of maintaining consistency in podcasting to sharing practical tips for improving sleep and staying energized, this episode is packed with insights for farmers, farm wives, and really anyone struggling to find motivation in their daily lives. Tune in for a candid, light-hearted conversation that blends real-life farm experiences with practical advice on overcoming burnout and staying motivated. Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

May 21

57. Ideas for Being Involved on the Farm When You Don't Know Where You Fit.

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_

May 14 • 37m 44s

56. Overwhelmed with Trying to Live a Less Toxic Life? SAME. Simple Steps to Start a Journey to a Healthier You.

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 Practitioner ‌ Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

May 7 • 35m 1s

55. How Functional Medicine is a Piece of the Puzzle for Infertility, Hormones, Mental Health, Gut Health and more.

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/find-a-practitioner/ Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

May 7 • 39m 59s

54. Grain Marketing for Dummies: how to hedge risk, play in the futures market, and create a basic marketing plan

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 (@nefarmgirlnextdoor) Seasonal price pattern: Seasonal Grain Price Patterns When is the best time to sell corn? http://farmgirlnextdoor.com/when-is-typically-the-best-time-to-sell-corn/ Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

April 30 • 43m 9s

53. Mental Mindset As A Long Game- Mental Health Tools and Strategies

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 with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

April 23 • 38m 47s

52. Permission to invest in YOU-Prioritizing Personal Growth When Saying Yes to You Feels Challenging

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, we all have gone to a retreat with something in mind and came away with so much more! We hope this episode leaves you feeling empowered and WORTHY to invest in YOU! Tickets to Farm Wives Club THE EVENT here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/farmwivesclubtheevent/1205722? Connect with Kylie: https://kylieepperson.com/ Follow Kylie on the gram: https://www.instagram.com/kylieepperson_/ Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

April 15 • 50m 17s

51. Tillage For Dummies and Pre-Planting Encouragement

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 every single day. The boys beg for salty water, they love it too!! Use this link and get a free sample pack with your first order: Get a discount at Drink LMNT, Inc.

April 9 • 43m 48s

50. How Functional Medicine Healed Chronic Migraines and Lyme Disease

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. Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

April 1 • 52m 52s

49. Planting Prep: How We're Physically and Mentally Preparing for the Most Important Pass of the Season.

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 is also a lot we are doing to get our bodies and minds ready as well! Breville Touch Espresso Machine on a MAJOR sale: Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine BES880BTR, Black Truffle Jena’s favorite coffee - Purity Coffee: Organic Coffee | Shop High Antioxidant Coffee Online - Purity Coffee Use code JENA for a discount Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

March 26 • 41m 5s

48. Celebrating National Ag Day, Daylight Savings Drama, + a Looming Tik Tok Ban

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 a sale of TikTok or ban it from US app stores impacting millions of people and the income of an astronomical amount of American families. Even worse, is this violating our first amendment? Hear our take! Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

March 19 • 27m 56s

47. Why We Don't Have Health Insurance: All About Christian Healthcare Ministries

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, we'll deep dive how CHM was a pivotal part of MP and Jena both stepping away from their full time off the farm jobs that previously provided traditional health insurance coverage. We'll also discuss the benefits of healthcare cost-sharing ministries and why/how both of our families have felt so much peace since leaving conventional insurance behind, shedding light on how these programs function and who they may be suitable for. Tune in as we explore this unique approach, how Christian Healthcare Ministries aligns with the values of our families, and how it has been an affordable and faith-based solution to our healthcare costs. Learn more about CHM here: Home - Christian Healthcare Ministries If you’re interested in joining or have more questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to MP or Jena! Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

March 12 • 36m 54s

46. Dicamba, Online Land Auctions, and "Sustainable" Energy

Levi joined Jena for a new series we are bringing to the podcast called Farmer Hot Takes! Hear Jena and Levi’s HOT TAKES on dicamba, online land auctions, and “sustainable energy.” Remember that these are just our opinions on these topics and it’s ok if your opinion is different from ours! There is a lot happening in the world and Levi admits that it is easy to keep his head down and just focus on the actual land and everyday physical farming. We thought it would be fun to hash out a few of these topics - let us know what you think!! If you loved what you heard from us be sure to leave us a review! Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

March 5 • 21m 40s

45. BEEF, It's What's For Dinner (Part 2)

We’ve been over all of the cuts of beef AND how to navigate a cut card. NOW it’s time to go over how to COOK all the different cuts of beef! Shop premium dry aged beef from Jena and Levi’s farm here: Double O Farms Use code BEYONDTHECROPS for a discount! Cheesesteak Style Sloppy Joes The Infamous Dry Ranch Mix - Double O Farms Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

February 27 • 43m 23s

44. Re-thinking Nitrogen- How Microbes Could Change the Future of Ag

Today’s episode is brought to you by Pivot Bio. Visit Pivot Bio to get a limited time deal on Pivot Bio PROVEN 40 On-Seed, named one of TIME’s Best Inventions! If you’re intrigued be sure to check out some YouTube videos of how Pivot Bio PROVEN40 worked on Jena and Levi’s farm: How we increased yield AND applied less Nitrogen per acre The results are in - Did Pivot Bio prove itself? Growing corn in a drought and PROVING it with Pivot Bio Harvesting corn in a drought - did our crop PROVE itself?! Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

February 20 • 41m 8s

43. Banks and Climate Change?!

Hot Takes in Ag - Banks combating climate change?? We’re diving into the Net Zero Banking Alliance today. We’ll go through what it is, what we learned from our research, and how it could impact agriculture in the future. Subscribe to Magnetic Ag here: Home Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

February 13 • 21m 12s

42. BEEF: It's What's For Dinner

Join us as Jena shares her expertise on all things BEEF! You’ll leave this episode feeling hungry, but also more confident to have conversations with your custom butcher. Jena also shares knowledge of how to cook certain beef cuts. We hope you enjoy! Shop Double O Beef Here! Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

February 6 • 44m 5s

41. Small Business- Where to Start?

Join us for an interview episode with Peggy Coffeen, the founder of UpLevel Dairy. Peggy is an entrepreneur who has started two successful businesses on her own. Today we dive deep into Peggy’s entrepreneurial journey and share tidbits for integrating your business into the life you want to be living. Shop Pri' CBD Here! YouTube video mentioned in the episode. Connect with us outside of the podcast @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass @‌beyondthecrops_

January 30 • 31m 40s

40. Diversifying Your Operation

Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Crops! Today we’re talking diversification. Having multiple income streams can help farm economics in the long run and today we’re going to be discussing a bunch of ideas that came in from YOU, our listeners. You can find us on Instagram @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass

January 23 • 40m 20s

39. An Intentional 2024

In this episode, we re-cap the first half of the Farm Futures Business Summit and share some of the key takeaways. Jena shares some big life news! We end the episode with our intentions for 2024. Link to The Love Prescription You can find us on Instagram @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass

January 16 • 42m 34s

38. Yearly Wrap Up with Everyone's Favorite Farm Husbands

As promised, we bring you the 2023 wrap up featuring everyone’s favorite farm husbands - Josh and Levi! Tune in to hear the final take on the 2023 growing season from the farmers themselves. Purchase your own 10 year crop journal from Grounded Journals here: 10 Year - CROP Farmer's Journal Register for Precision Planting’s Winter Conference here: Winter Conference OR here: Winter Conference ‌ ‌ You can find us on Instagram @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass

January 9 • 48m 48s

37. Merry Christmas and The End of 2023

I know we promised you guys are wrapped episode this week, but Mary Pat and I have both been very busy as I'm sure all of you have been too in the craziness of getting ready for the holidays. We are taking this week off and just wanted to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas We really appreciate all the support you've given us. Our first real growing season of recording together. This has been a really fun outlet for Jenna and I to share things that we normally wouldn't share on our social medias and dig deeper into things that we are passionate about, but really didn't know how to share in the past. We're so excited to bring you another year of Beyond the Crops in 2024. We hope you enjoyed Christmas and we'll see you in the new year. You can find us on Instagram @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass

December 26 • 1m 28s

36. Trial Results Are IN!

We are students of our crops. Every year on our farms we try new things to see how they affect our bottom lines and decide what we’ll change for the future. On this episode we’re going through the results of some of our on-farm trials from the season. We catch up on the last week and where we’re at with our Christmas plans. Here’s a link to the love language quiz: The Love Language® Quiz Link to Hannah Dorn’s “where to print photos” blog post: Where should I print my photos? - hannahdorn.com Link to mpix for photo prints: Photo Prints | Order Quality Prints Online | Mpixâ¢ Photo Lab You can find us on Instagram @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass

December 19 • 37m 19s

35. Harvest High's and Low's

We’ve finally decompressed from harvest and are ready to share our highs and lows, along with some lessons learned. We also catch up on what we’ve been up to since the end of harvest and entering into the holiday season. You can find us on Instagram @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass

December 12 • 41m 7s

34. Do Farmers Actually Retire?

Tune in for this interview episode with MP's Dad, semi-retired dairy farmer. They talk about his farming career, he shares some great advice, and there's lots of laughs along the way. We hope you enjoy! Shop for cheese at www.thecheeseryil.com You can find us on Instagram @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass

December 5 • 48m 6s

33. He Said, She Said: Q&A with Levi and Jena

Levi and Jena take over this episode and answer YOUR questions submitted on IG. Our conversation ranges from love languages, farm life, marriage, crop insurance, and more. We hope you enjoy this episode and are able to laugh along with us. MP will be back next week! Phew! You can find us on Instagram @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass

November 28 • 33m 56s

32. Simplify The Holiday Hustle

Simplify the holiday hustle by implementing a few of the tips we share on this episode. We dive into our family traditions and what makes the holidays special for us. We talk through some of our recommended gifts that won’t overwhelm or clutter your loved ones homes. Embracing Advent Book ‌ Shop Some of our Favorite Small Businesses: Gateway Farm Maple Products from a family farm in Vermont Papa Citrus Heirloom Navel Oranges (not open for orders yet but they will be soon!) Farm Kid Popcorn From a family farm in Nebraska Ely Farms Pickled Non-Perishable Products ‌ To order Cheese 🧀 in time for the holidays visit. www.thecheeseryil.com Beef 🥩 Boxes: Email jena@doubleofarms.com if you’re interested in the corporate/bulk beef box gifting options this holiday season! For individual orders check out shop.doubleofarms.com and use code BEYONDTHECROPS for a discount! You can find us on Instagram @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass

November 21 • 36m 18s

31. Deep Dive into the Enneagram with Rural America’s Enneagram Teacher, Terryn Dreiling ( Part 2)

A special episode with Terryn Dreiling, Rural America’s Enneagram Teacher. We dive deep into the Enneagram, the 9 types, and how it can be a useful tool in everyday life. Terryn is an amazing resource and has a lot of wisdom to share on this topic! Find Terryn online @terryn.drieling Listen to her Podcast: Good Movement Draws Good Movement Terryn also does 1:1 Coaching and Group Trainings. You can find more info on how to work with her here! Here’s a link to the Road Back to You book mentioned in the episode. ‌ To order Cheese 🧀 in time for the holidays visit. www.thecheeseryil.com Beef 🥩 Boxes: Email jena@doubleofarms.com if you’re interested in the corporate/bulk beef box gifting options this holiday season! For individual orders check out shop.doubleofarms.com and use code BEYONDTHECROPS for a discount! You can find us on Instagram @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass

November 14 • 35m 15s

30. Deep Dive into the Enneagram with Rural America’s Enneagram Teacher, Terryn Dreiling ( Part 1)

November 14 • 31m 20s

29: Now or Never: Reflecting on What Harvest Has Taught Us

Harvest is still rolling on the Sass farm and Jena’s family got sick right after their harvest wrapped up. Tune in to hear what we’ve learned as we reflect on what this season has taught us so far! Email jena@doubleofarms.com if you’re interested in the corporate/bulk beef box gifting options this holiday season! For individual orders check out shop.doubleofarms.com and use code BEYONDTHECROPS for a discount! You can find us on Instagram @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass

November 7 • 39m 22s

28. He Said, She Said: Q&A with MP & Josh

MP & Josh take over this episode and answer YOUR questions submitted on IG. Our conversation ranges from working together, working with family, our life before kids, what we do for fun, and more. We hope you enjoy this episode and were able to laugh along with us. Jena will be back next week! Phew! You can find us on Instagram @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass

October 31 • 42m 27s

27: Running on Fumes + The Volatile Soybean Market

We’re running on fumes from Harvest 2023, both of us possibly hit some breaking points since we last talked. Sharing some updates from our lives plus some info on a recent article on the soybean market. We share our thoughts and reactions to it and how it impacts our operations. Shop for Cheese here when new orders launch. Sign up for email updates in the meantime. Shop Jena’s Double O Beef- don’t sleep on that fajita meat. You can find us on Instagram @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass

October 24 • 33m 25s

26: Free From the Grind: How We Left Our Jobs and Found Purpose on Our Family Farms

Join us as we share HOW and WHY we both left our jobs to be more present on our family farms. It's been a journey of passion, perseverance, and growth for both of us and we can't wait to share it with you! You can find us on Instagram @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass

October 17 • 38m 42s

25. National Farmers Day

National Farmers Day is celebrated each year on October 12th. Today we’ll be sharing some the history and some fascinating facts about farming, the backbone of America’s economy. National Farmers Day is not just a day to celebrate the hard work and dedication of America’s farmers, but also a day to acknowledge how far we have come in agriculture and how bright the future is for the next generation. From the food on our tables to the clothes on our backs, the contributions of farmers reach every single one of us every single day! ‌ Celebrate today by thanking your farmer friends and supporting your local farmers markets and seeking direct to consumer farm products! Remember to tune in when new episodes drop every Tuesday, leave us a review or share the podcast to your stories for a chance to win this month’s giveaway. You can find us on Instagram @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass

October 10 • 46m 59s

24. Talking Mental Health in Agriculture with Ashley Machado

Today we’re discussing the stigma surrounding mental health in rural areas and how it affects seeking help with our special guest for today, Ashley Machado, is a Counselor & Mental Health Consultant focusing on the Ag industry. Ashley shares practical tips and resources for folks in the Ag industry to cope with stress, anxiety, and more in this demanding profession. ‌ Be sure to check out her new podcast M Well the podcast with her husband Manny. Ashley is a great resource if you are looking for support on the mental health side of agriculture. The Anti Anxiety Notebook can be found here: https://shop.therapynotebooks.com/products/anti-anxiety-notebook?variant=42405158355134&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=18279433349&gad=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIv4_91rXlgQMVVAB9Ch0GMwELEAQYAiABEgK4lfD_BwE The five minute journal: https://amzn.to/3PORXFj Be sure to check out her website ashleymachado.com, linked in the shownotes, so you can see all of the services she provides or schedule your free consultation. You can find us on Instagram @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass ‌

October 3 • 51m 9s

23. Thrive & Date?!- Through Harvest

Harvest is HERE. Tune into this episode of Beyond the Crops for tips on how to manage the stress that comes along with the busy season. We’re answering a couple of questions from YOU, our listeners, we had recently on dating during harvest. It’s juicy. 6 Week Thrive Through Harvest Mindset Journal Z. Harvest Gems Website ‌ You can find us on Instagram @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass

September 26 • 45m 47s

22. Farm Safety Week: Amanda Volsen on Rural Safety

This is a powerful, must listen to episode. Farm Safety week with special guest Amanda Volsen. Amanda is a farm wife, mom, and photographer from Minnesota. She's also a first responder for her local rural area. Amanda opens up to us about her son's experience in a farming accident and how she’s worked to prepare her family if an event like this were to occur. She shares her strong faith and how it shaped their experience. You can connect with Amanda on Instagram @‌amanda.volsen and on her website: http://amandavolsen.com/ More links from the episode: Hungry Canyon Farm Safety Gear Local Progressive Agriculture Safety Days interactive map: https://www.progressiveag.org/local-paf-safety-days AgriSafe http://agrisafe.org/ Farm Safety webinars and trainings. American Farm Bureau ASAP program: https://www.fb.org/initiative/farm-bureau-safety-health-network#:~:text=Farm%20Bureaus%20promote%20safety%20and,safety%20and%20health%20in%20agriculture. Shop tourniquets here: https://www.bleedingkits.org/all-products.html Telling the Story Project This episode is brought to you in part by Zimmatic by Lindsay You can find us on Instagram @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass

September 18 • 44m 36s

21. How Technology is Shaping Agriculture

The integration of technology in agriculture is revolutionizing the way we grow our food, manage resources, and care for the environment. On this episode of Beyond the Crops, along with our husbands, we explore tech-driven transformations we’ve witnessed first hand. From precision agriculture and data analytics to artificial intelligence and autonomy, in this episode we unpack how tech has improved our operations and what we might see as a fit for the future. The landscape of ag tech is ever-evolving and we hope you’re able to glean some new knowledge from this episode. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to leave us a review and subscribe! Learn more about FieldNET Advisor from Lindsay Corp This episode is brought to you in part by Zimmatic by Lindsay You can find us on Instagram @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass

September 12 • 39m 36s

20. Seasonal Shifts and Our Everyday Rhythms and Routines

Routines and Rhythms are welcome as the summer season comes to an end. In today’s episode we’re highlighting the beauty of some of the rhythm’s and routines in our own lives. We’re also giving some casual life updates and share about an exciting event where we get to be IN PERSON together. Husker Harvest Days: Don’t forget our panel starts at 11am on Tuesday, September 12th and we’ll be at the Zimmatic booth 410. Stop by to see us and add to the conversation! We hope you find inspiration from this episode. Don’t forget to subscribe and tune in every Tuesday! This episode is brought to you in part by Zimmatic by Lindsay You can find us on Instagram @‌jenaochsner and @‌marypat.sass

September 5 • 42m 56s