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What does it look like to build a future on the family farm? This week, Jena and Mary Pat are joined by Hannah Borg, a sixth-generation Nebraska farmer who found her own path home through an unexpected opportunity: raising chickens for Costco. Hannah shares how her family diversified their farm to create opportunities for the next generation, what it’s like raising 65,000 chickens, and how the chicken operation fits alongside their crops and cattle. They also talk about the importance of manure management and soil health, entrepreneurship, working with family, and the value of finding your own place within a family operation. Plus, Hannah shares her passion for farm photography and documenting the everyday moments that become family history, along with a personal health journey that led her to explore tongue and lip ties, breathing, and sleep. In this episode: Creating opportunities for the next generation on the family farmHannah’s family’s diversified chicken, cattle, and crop operationRaising chickens for CostcoThe chicken supply chain from farm to processingBiosecurity and the challenges of avian influenzaUsing livestock manure and chicken litter to build soil healthEntrepreneurship and the UNL Engler Entrepreneurship ProgramFinding your own path and purpose on the farmWorking with parents and siblingsFarm photography and “finding the magic in the mundane”Documenting family, farm, and agricultural historyHannah’s personal health and wellness journeyThe legacy of a multi-generation family farmNew episodes every Tuesday! 🙌 Join the Conversation! Tag us or send us a DM @beyondthecrops_. And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line!  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!

What happens when you’re new to farm life, working a job, raising kids, and trying to keep up with the demands of harvest? Jena and Mary Pat have been there—and in this episode, they’re sharing what they’ve learned along the way. They talk about over-communicating with your spouse and family, setting expectations before harvest, recognizing burnout, making room for rest, and asking for help when you need it. They also get real about motherhood, bringing a new baby into farm life, protecting time for yourself, and why taking a true day of rest can make busy seasons more sustainable. Plus, Jena shares an update on her home build and the mold issues they’ve encountered, and the two friends talk about finding support through hard seasons, taking care of your mental health, and praying with your spouse. In this episode: Advice for new farm wives and farm momsCommunicating and setting expectations before harvestBalancing an off-farm job with farm lifeRecognizing burnout and knowing when to ask for helpBringing a new baby into the farm lifestyleMaking time for yourself and protecting your restThe importance of a true day of rest during harvestJena’s home build and mold challengesFinding professional and community supportPrayer, faith, and getting through hard seasons togetherNew episodes every Tuesday! 🙌 Join the Conversation! Tag us or send us a DM @beyondthecrops_. And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line!  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!

Harvest has officially started for some farmers, and Jena and Mary Pat are talking about what that means—from getting equipment ready to having serious conversations with their kids about farm safety. They also recap their time at the Farm Progress Show, including a family rail bike adventure, Seed Life, Red Ants Pants, Case IH equipment, unpredictable weather, and plenty of farm-show fun. Plus, they talk about bringing kids to farm shows, making time for family, and learning to slow down and enjoy the experience—even when things don't go exactly as planned. In this episode: Harvest is starting earlier than expectedFarm safety and keeping kids safe during harvestFamily adventures at Farm Progress ShowRail biking with the kidsSeed Life and Red Ants PantsCase IH’s 2026 America 250 displayFarm show weather dramaBringing kids to farm showsGetting ready for the rhythm of harvestNew episodes every Tuesday! 🙌 Join the Conversation! Tag us or send us a DM @beyondthecrops_. And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line!  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!

Harvest is right around the corner, but before the combines roll, Jena and Mary Pat are squeezing in a little fun, faith, and family time. This week, they recap Becknology Days and Farm Wives Club, talk about independent agricultural research and Beck’s incredible Root Reveal greenhouses, and share some of the women who inspired them along the way. They also get personal about adult baptism, motherhood, mom guilt, and learning to make time for yourself—even when it feels like there’s always something else that needs to be done. Plus: House of Colour, women’s workwear from Red Ants Pants, a 20-mile run, and getting ready for Farm Progress! In this episode: Jena’s adult baptism and growing deeper in faithBecknology Days & Beck’s Practical Farm ResearchRoot Reveal technology and hybrid selectionFarm Wives Club and inspiring women in agricultureHouse of Colour and finding colors that work for youMom guilt and making time for yourselfRed Ants Pants women’s workwearGetting ready for harvest and Farm ProgressNew episodes every Tuesday! 🙌 Join the Conversation! Tag us or send us a DM @beyondthecrops_. And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line!  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!

What happens when a challenging crop year has you questioning every decision you made? In this episode of Beyond the Crops, Jena and Mary Pat welcome back Faith Pearson, agronomist, seed business owner, farm wife, and self-proclaimed “crunchy agronomist,” for a conversation that goes way beyond what’s happening in the field. The challenge this year has been a corn disease called Tar Spot. Faith breaks down what tar spot is, the weather conditions that can contribute to its spread, and the reality that sometimes farmers can make the best decisions they can with the information they have—and Mother Nature still has the final say. The conversation quickly becomes about something bigger: the pressure farmers put on themselves. Jena shares how much Levi has been beating himself up over the tar spot situation, and the three women talk about the importance of checking in on the farmers in your life, learning from difficult seasons, and remembering that a crop that doesn't meet your expectations isn't necessarily a failure. From there, they dive into the very different roles women can have in agriculture. Whether you're working directly in the field, running a business, marketing grain, raising kids, managing the home, supporting the farm behind the scenes, or doing some combination of all of it—there is no one “right” way to be a farm wife or a woman in agriculture. And, as always, there's a little encouragement woven throughout: you don't have to have everything figured out. Your role can change. Your passions can change. And you can grow through those changes instead of fighting them. In this episode: What tar spot is and how it affects cornWhy weather and leaf wetness matter when it comes to diseaseHybrid selection and fungicide managementWhat this year's unusual weather has meant for cropsLearning from difficult farming seasons instead of beating yourself upThe importance of checking in on the farmers in your lifeWhy you can't have a record-breaking crop every yearThe many different roles women play in agricultureThe value of the work that happens behind the scenesMarketing grain with a different perspectiveFinding your own place in agricultureFollowing what fuels your passionEmbracing change through the different seasons of lifeConnect with Faith: 🎙️ Rhizometrics — available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify 📧 [email protected] 🙌 Join the Conversation! Tag us or send us a DM @beyondthecrops_. And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line!  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!

What started as a way to blow off some steam turned into half-marathons, early morning runs, sore muscles, and a whole lot of lessons about doing hard things. In this episode, Jena and Mary Pat talk about how running has challenged what they thought their bodies were capable of and what it has taught them about discipline, resilience, comparison, and making time for themselves in the middle of busy seasons of life. They talk about starting from very different places, learning to embrace slow runs and recovery, fueling for longer distances, avoiding injury, and realizing that you don't have to be an athlete to become a runner. They also get very honest about the less glamorous side of running… including nervous bathroom emergencies, cornfields, and the surprising freedom of ditching your underwear.  Most importantly, they talk about how building physical resilience can help us carry the other hard things life throws at us and why sometimes the biggest victory is simply proving to yourself that you can do something you once thought was impossible. In this episode:  How Jena and Mary Pat accidentally became runners  Why you don't have to be an athlete to start running  Learning to slow down and embrace easy runs  Fueling, hydration, and what they wish they'd known sooner  Injuries, recovery, and the importance of not rushing the process  The mental game of running and pushing past what your brain tells you  Comparison and learning to run your own race  Finding time to run as a mom  The very real (and very funny) bathroom side of running  Building resilience through physical challenges  Learning that you're capable of more than you think  Keeping fitness in perspective and remembering what matters most🙌 Join the Conversation! Tag us or send us a DM @beyondthecrops_. And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line!  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!

Traveling with kids can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to keep everyone fed, entertained, and happy without relying entirely on screens or fast food. In this episode of Beyond the Crops, Jena and Mary Pat are talking about their best healthy travel and road trip hacks for families. They share tips for packing food through airport security, traveling with kids, keeping road-trip meals simple, and finding ways to entertain kids without handing them an iPad for the entire trip. They also chat about 75 Hard, healthy eating, protein goals, canning salsa, farm life, and the realities of keeping up with healthy habits during a busy summer. Whether you're heading out for a family road trip, flying with kids, or just looking for easier ways to keep your family fed while traveling, this episode is full of practical ideas you can actually use. In this episode:  Healthy foods and snacks to pack when flying  TSA rules for traveling with food, ice packs, and breast milk  Easy road trip meals for families  Road trip organization and reducing car messes  Screen-free travel activities for kids  Travel scavenger hunts, books, podcasts, and Yoto players  How to keep kids entertained without constant screen time  75 Hard and creating healthier habits  Canning salsa and preparing for harvest season🙌 Join the Conversation! Tag us or send us a DM @beyondthecrops_. And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line!  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!

In this episode of Beyond the Crops, Jena and Mary Pat catch up on the realities of late summer farm life, about starting a new homeschool year, choosing curriculum, creating routines, and finding flexibility when farm life, harvest, and family responsibilities don’t always go according to plan. Jena also shares an update on their tiny house project and the challenges of figuring out housing and homeschooling while preparing for harvest and a new baby. The conversation also covers drought, wildfires, farm stress, and the impact of weather on farmers and ranchers, along with a recent family trip to Idaho, hot springs, and making the most of time together before harvest. Plus, they dive into homesteading and food preservation, including canning salsa, marinara, tomato juice, applesauce, pickle relish, and beef. And finally, Mary Pat opens up about struggling with her mental health and ongoing dizziness, finding a new hobby in crochet, and the importance of giving ourselves grace when life feels overwhelming. In this episode: Homeschooling and choosing curriculumCreating routines around farm life and harvestBuilding a tiny house on the farmPregnancy, health, and family transitionsDrought, wildfires, and farming challengesFamily travel and making time for funCanning, gardening, and preserving foodSalsa, marinara, tomato juice, and canned beefFinding hobbies and coping with difficult seasonsMental health and giving yourself graceEncouragement for farm moms heading into a busy season🙌 Join the Conversation! Tag us or send us a DM @beyondthecrops_. And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line!  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!

This week we're diving into a trend that's been making the rounds online: What's actually worth spending your money on... and what's absolutely not? From Owala water bottles and running gear to health insurance, cleaning ladies, coffee, kids' toys, and seasonal décor, we're sharing our completely unfiltered opinions.  We also announce our latest giveaway winner, chat about oral health, pregnancy, marathon training, functional medicine, family vacations, and why sometimes spending more upfront actually saves money—and stress—in the long run. Whether you agree with us or think we're completely wrong, we'd love to hear what makes your "worth it" and "not worth it" lists. In this episode: Announcing our Beyond the Crops giveaway winner 🎉Why we both love our Owala water bottlesThings we believe are absolutely worth the investmentThe purchases we regret (or would never buy again)Functional healthcare vs. traditional healthcare costsRunning gear, shoes, and marathon training updatesWhy experiences often matter more than thingsCleaning ladies, decluttering, and simplifying lifeKitchen gadgets, baby gadgets, and household clutterCoffee, protein, smoothies, and investing in quality ingredientsOral health, flossing, and small habits that make a big differenceOur thoughts on kids' toys, seasonal décor, and trendy purchasesIf you enjoyed this episode, we'd love if you left us a review! Every review helps more farm families discover the show, and we're planning to make our listener giveaways a regular thing. Thanks for spending part of your week with us—we're so grateful you're here! 🙌 Join the Conversation! Tag us or send us a DM @beyondthecrops_. And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line!  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!

What’s your current Roman Empire—the thing you can't stop thinking about? This week, Jena and Mary Pat catch up on everything currently taking over their minds. Jena shares an update on their family's mold journey, designing a temporary 1,200-square-foot home, and what she's learning about building a healthier house. Mary Pat opens up about coming off hormonal birth control and her growing fascination with women's health and hormone balance. They also chat about drought conditions, gardens that don't quite go as planned, homeschooling in a tiny space, and finding peace in seasons that feel anything but simple. In This Episode  Crop and weather updates from Nebraska and Minnesota  Building a temporary home after mold damage  Letting go of belongings and starting fresh  Healthy home building tips and lessons learned  Solar power, HVAC systems, and moisture prevention  Hormone health and life after birth control  Supporting your body through your monthly cycle  Gardens, motherhood, and embracing imperfect seasonsKey Takeaways  Sometimes the hardest seasons become the ones that shape us the most.  Building a healthy home is about thoughtful decisions, not perfection.  Our bodies are designed to work together, and supporting overall health often matters more than chasing individual symptoms.  Motherhood often means choosing progress over perfection.  God can still use your story while you're living through it—not just after you've overcome it. 🙌 Join the Conversation! Tag us or send us a DM @beyondthecrops_. And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line!  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!

In this episode of Beyond the Crops, we're sharing everything that's been happening behind the scenes. From county fair adventures and first-year 4-H lessons to pregnancy updates and navigating one of the biggest challenges our family has ever faced, this conversation feels like catching up with friends on the front porch. Jena shares how her sons confidence is growing through 4-H, why county fairs teach so much more than showing animals, and where things currently stand with their family's unexpected home situation. We also talk about building a temporary home, learning to let go of possessions, and the ways God continues to teach us about contentment in difficult seasons. Plus, we debate one very important question: Should you find out your baby's gender before birth—or wait for the surprise? If you've ever felt like life took a turn you didn't expect, this episode is a reminder that even in uncertain seasons, God is still writing the story. In this episode, we discuss:  Summer updates from the farm  Jena's first "real" year as a 4-H mom  Lessons learned from county fair week  Bucket calves, showmanship, and raising farm kids  Pregnancy updates and whether to find out baby's gender  An update on Jena's home and building plans  Learning contentment through unexpected loss  Why slowing down before making big decisions matters  Trusting God through uncertainty  Finding hope while you're still in the middle of the story Whether you're hauling kids to the county fair, checking cattle, or enjoying a quiet drive down a gravel road, we're so glad you're here. If today's conversation encouraged you, we'd love for you to leave a review and share this episode with another farm wife who could use a little encouragement. 🙌 Join the Conversation! Tag us or send us a DM @beyondthecrops_. And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line!  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!

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this honest and relatable episode, Jena and Mary Pat take a walk down memory lane as they reflect on all the things they swore they'd never do as moms... only to find themselves doing exactly that. From homeschooling and reading every food label to becoming stay-at-home moms after planning ambitious careers, this conversation is full of laughter, humility, and reminders that motherhood has a way of changing us in the very best ways. They also reflect on the sacrifices their own parents made, the wisdom they now understand as adults, and how becoming mothers has given them a whole new appreciation for family, faith, and raising the next generation. If you've ever caught yourself saying, "I sound just like my mom," this episode is for you. 📌 What We Cover in This Episode: ✅ The biggest "I'll never..." moments that motherhood completely changed ✅ Why both Jena and Mary Pat took unexpected paths into homeschooling ✅ How becoming parents changed their views on health, food, and raising children ✅ Career dreams vs. the reality of motherhood ✅ Learning to appreciate the sacrifices our own parents made ✅ Funny moments when they realized they had become their mothers ✅ Parenting firstborns versus younger siblings ✅ The importance of giving yourself grace as a mom ✅ What they would tell their younger, pre-mom selves today 💡 Key Takeaways: ✨ Motherhood has a way of reshaping your priorities in ways you never expect. ✨ Never say never—life has a funny way of changing your perspective. ✨ You don't fully understand your parents' sacrifices until you become one yourself. ✨ Every family looks different, and there isn't one "right" way to raise children. ✨ Motherhood is both deeply refining and incredibly rewarding. ✨ Grace—for yourself, your kids, and your journey—is one of the greatest gifts you can give. ✨ Sometimes the life you never planned becomes the one you wouldn't trade for anything. Whether you're raising toddlers, teenagers, or somewhere in between, we hope this episode reminds you that you're not alone. Motherhood is messy, beautiful, humbling, and constantly teaching us lessons we never saw coming. We'd love to hear what you once swore you'd never do... only to find yourself doing today! 🙌 Join the Conversation! Come share your own "I said I'd never..." moments with us! Tag us or send us a DM @beyondthecrops_. And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line!  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!

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this episode, we're diving into one of the most requested topics we've ever covered: mold illness and the surprising ways our homes can impact our health. Joining us is functional medicine practitioner Keri Anania, who helps us unpack the connection between mold exposure, chronic inflammation, nervous system dysregulation, and the symptoms so many people struggle to explain. Along the way, we share pieces of Jena's family's ongoing mold journey, what we've learned, and why finding answers—while overwhelming—can also be incredibly empowering. If you've been dealing with unexplained fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, recurring illness, hormone imbalances, or simply feel like something is "off," this conversation will give you practical tools, hope, and a reminder that healing is possible. 📌 What We Cover in This Episode: ✅ What mold illness and mycotoxins actually are ✅ The signs and symptoms of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) ✅ Why some people are more sensitive to mold than others ✅ How chronic stress and an overwhelmed nervous system can keep the body stuck in survival mode ✅ The connection between mold, gut health, hormones, acne, candida, and chronic inflammation ✅ Why slowing down, prioritizing sleep, and helping your body feel safe are essential parts of healing ✅ The difference between dust testing, urine testing, and when each may (or may not) be necessary ✅ What to know before remediating mold—and why rushing the process can create bigger problems ✅ Why not every positive mold test means you have to leave your home ✅ Practical first steps if you suspect mold could be affecting your family's health 💡 Key Takeaways: ✨ Healing is rarely about finding one "magic fix"—it's about addressing the whole picture. ✨ Your nervous system needs to feel safe before your body can fully heal. ✨ Small daily habits like quality sleep, time outside, deep breathing, gratitude, and slowing down can have a profound impact on your health. ✨ Knowledge is power. Test, don't guess. ✨ Every mold situation is different, and there is hope—even if the journey feels overwhelming. ✨ Investing in your health today can change the trajectory of your future. Whether mold ends up being part of your story or not, we hope this conversation encourages you to listen to your body, ask questions, and remember that healing is often a journey of small, faithful steps—not overnight transformation. Connect With Keri:  Nebraska Functional Medicine Find her on Instagram🙌 Join the Conversation! You can connect with us and share your thoughts by tagging Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_. And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line!  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!

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this heartfelt and high-energy episode, Jena and Mary Pat recap a weekend they’ll never forget—running a half-marathon together, hosting a big family birthday party, and reflecting on friendship, motherhood, faith, and what it means to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. From race-day nerves and matching patriotic outfits to the emotional finish line and a surprise pregnancy announcement, this episode is full of real-life moments, laughter, and powerful reminders about perseverance. The conversation also shifts into a meaningful reflection on the legacy of American agriculture, faith, freedom, and the incredible innovation that has shaped our country over the last 250 years. 📌 What We Cover in This Episode: ✅ Recapping the half-marathon: the highs, the struggles, and finishing together ✅ Why training for hard things builds confidence in every area of life ✅ Mary Pat’s birthday party chaos (including a tractor through the basement wall 😅) ✅ Jena’s surprise announcement  ✅ Celebrating America’s 250th birthday and reflecting on freedom ✅ How agriculture shaped America—and continues to feed the world ✅ The massive evolution of farming over the last 250 years ✅ Why faith has always been deeply woven into farm life and rural communities ✅ Raising kids, building strong families, and creating change from home 💡 Key Takeaways: ✨ Hard things are worth doing—even when the journey doesn’t look perfect. ✨ Friendship makes the hard seasons lighter and the victories sweeter. ✨ Your body is capable of more than you think. ✨ Agriculture is one of America’s greatest untold success stories. ✨ Innovation has transformed farming, but stewardship still matters. ✨ Faith, family, and community remain the foundation of strong farms and strong nations. ✨ Lasting change doesn’t start in politics—it starts in our homes. As we head into the 4th of July, we hope this episode reminds you to slow down, reflect, and celebrate the freedoms, faith, and families that make this life so meaningful. 🙌 Join the Conversation! You can connect with us and share your thoughts by tagging Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_. And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line!  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!

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this episode, Jena and Mary Pat cover everything from 4-H projects and half marathon plans to summer hosting chaos—but the heart of this conversation is a major life update Jena shares about her family’s ongoing mold journey. After receiving a 316-page inspection report, Jena and Levi are facing some incredibly difficult decisions about their home—whether to remediate, rebuild, or start over completely. What began as unexplained health struggles, behavioral symptoms, and chronic inflammation has uncovered a much bigger issue than they ever expected. Jena opens up about the physical, emotional, and financial toll this process has taken on their family, the surprising symptoms they’ve connected to mold exposure, and how they’re navigating uncertainty while trying to make the best decisions for their family’s future. 📌 What We Cover in This Episode: ✅ How 4-H can be so much more than livestock and a valuable homeschool tool ✅ Half marathon training, summer hosting, and preparing for a full house ✅ What a full mold inspection actually looks like ✅ The reality of toxic mold remediation and the hidden costs involved ✅ How mold can impact physical health, mental health, and behavior ✅ “Mold rage,” chronic inflammation, fatigue, food sensitivities, and nervous system dysregulation ✅ The difficult decision between rebuilding, repairing, or walking away ✅ What it looks like to trust God and seek discernment in overwhelming seasons 💡 Key Takeaways: ✨ Mold can show up in ways you’d never expect—from migraines and skin rashes to emotional regulation and chronic fatigue. ✨ Sometimes the symptoms you normalize for years may actually have a deeper root cause. ✨ Big life decisions rarely come with clear answers, and discernment often takes time. ✨ Home is more than a structure—it holds memories, routines, and security, which makes hard decisions even heavier. ✨ Even in overwhelming seasons, faith and forward movement can coexist. We love hearing from you and continuing the conversation beyond the podcast. If you’ve dealt with mold, chronic illness, or a season of uncertainty, we’d love to hear your story. 🙌 Join the Conversation! You can connect with us and share your thoughts by tagging Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_. And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line!  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!