Advertise on podcast: Grit and Grace in the Heartland: Women In Agriculture

What would you do if the power went out for several days? Could you feed your family, find clean drinking water, cook a meal, or keep everyone warm without relying on modern conveniences? Mary and Leah sit down for a practical conversation about emergency preparedness, sparked by recent government recommendations encouraging households to keep emergency supplies on hand. But this isn't about building a bunker or preparing for the end of the world. It's about being ready for the unexpected, whether that's a winter storm, a prolonged power outage, or simply being stuck at home for a few days. The conversation covers the importance of keeping basic pantry supplies, having essential medications on hand, storing drinking water, and learning practical skills like starting a fire, cooking without electricity, and finding information without the internet. Leah shares her family's experience living without electricity for 21 days after a severe Nebraska snowstorm in 1994. It's a reminder that resourcefulness, problem-solving, and a little planning can go a long way. The biggest message? Don't panic. Think ahead, learn some basic life skills, and make sure your family knows how to make do with what you have. Because being prepared isn't about fear. It's about confidence, common sense, and taking care of the people who depend on you. In this episode: Why emergency preparedness deserves everyone's attention Basic pantry staples and household supplies worth keeping on hand The importance of having drinking water and essential medications Cooking and making coffee without electricity Learning to start and maintain a fire Why children should learn practical life skills Leah's experience surviving 21 days without electricity How to prepare without panicking or spending a fortune A little reminder from Mary and Leah: Don't wait until the power goes out to figure out what to do. Take some time now to make a plan. Learn more about emergency preparedness at Ready.gov.

What does it mean to grow up on a farm, carry on a family legacy, and preserve the stories that make agriculture special? Mary and Leah welcome AJ Hein, a fifth-generation dairy farmer and author of Home on the Farm, a children's book inspired by her childhood growing up on an Iowa dairy farm. AJ shares why she wanted to preserve her family's memories, the simple joys of farm life before smartphones and the internet, and how she turned a dream into a published book. AJ also talks about the realities of dairy farming, including long hours, family sacrifices, and the challenges of finding time away from the farm. She reflects on raising children in agriculture, passing traditions from one generation to the next, and helping people understand the hard work and rewards behind the dairy industry. This conversation is a heartfelt reminder of the importance of preserving agricultural history, sharing our stories, and building strong communities for future generations. In this episode: Growing up on an Iowa dairy farm in the 1990s The inspiration behind Home on the Farm Self-publishing a children's book and chasing a dream AJ's family's farming history and dairy farming traditions The realities of dairy farming and the commitment it requires Raising children with an appreciation for agriculture Why preserving family stories and rural communities matters Find AJ Hein: Website: www.ajhine.com Facebook: AJ Hein Author Instagram: @author_ajine Find Mary and Leah at gritandgraceintheheartland.com and on Facebook at Grit and Grace in the Heartland: Women in Agriculture.

Mary and Leah catch up on everything from Nebraska's unpredictable fall weather to the joys and challenges of farm life in this lively conversation on Grit and Grace in the Heartland: Women in Agriculture. The conversation begins with changing weather, the approaching winter season, and the importance of getting crops out of the fields. In honor of National Black Cat Day, Mary and Leah share stories about their beloved cats, including the funny, affectionate and sometimes heartbreaking realities of caring for outdoor and barn cats. They also discuss the growing presence of artificial intelligence in everyday life, concerns about privacy and financial security, and why human connection and independent thinking still matter. Along the way, they celebrate the creative people, small businesses and entrepreneurs who make agriculture such a diverse and fascinating world. As Mary and Leah look ahead to the holiday season and their upcoming podcast anniversary, they reflect on the friendships they've built and the wonderful people they've met through the show. In this episode: Nebraska weather, fall harvest and preparing for winter Black cat stories and the realities of outdoor cat life Artificial intelligence, privacy and protecting our critical thinking skills Creative entrepreneurs and the many faces of agriculture Building friendships and sharing inspiring stories through podcasting Family traditions, Thanksgiving plans and the joys of everyday life Join Mary and Leah for an honest, funny and heartfelt conversation about agriculture, community and finding common ground. Visit gritandgraceintheheartland.com to connect with the show and share ideas for future episodes. Until next time, have some grit and grace!

Content warning: This episode includes discussion of sexual assault and personal experiences involving inappropriate sexual behavior. Listener discretion is advised. Harvest season brings long hours, physical demands, and the need to look out for one another. But this week, Mary and Leah take a deeper look at an issue that reaches far beyond the farm: sexual assault, consent, and the importance of teaching personal responsibility. In this candid and emotional conversation, Mary and Leah discuss the challenges facing young adults, the importance of talking with children about bodily autonomy from an early age, and why consent matters in every relationship. Mary shares a personal experience from her teenage years and reflects on how fear, embarrassment, and uncertainty can keep people from speaking up. Together, they explore the role of parents, education, communication, and community in preventing sexual assault and supporting survivors. They also discuss campus safety, alcohol, peer pressure, and the importance of accountability. This is a difficult but important conversation about respecting others, protecting our children, and building a culture where people feel safe, heard, and supported. In this episode: The importance of consent and bodily autonomy Talking with children about boundaries at an early age Why sexual assault is never the victim's fault Campus safety, alcohol, and peer pressure Supporting survivors without judgment The roles of education, communication, and community Teaching personal responsibility and accountability Find Mary and Leah at gritandgraceintheheartland.com or on Facebook at Grit and Grace in the Heartland: Women in Agriculture. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, support is available through the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or online at RAINN.org. Thank you for joining Mary and Leah for another honest conversation from the heartland.

Winter gardening in a harsh climate is possible, and Heather Goddard of Lusk, Wyoming, is here to tell us how she does it! Join Mary and Leah for a conversation about growing food for a family of eight, improving challenging soil, conserving water, and keeping fresh vegetables available well into winter. Heather shares practical tips for overwintering root vegetables, choosing cold-hardy crops, using deep mulch and plastic for insulation, and preparing the garden for colder weather. She also explains how compost, aged manure, cover crops, and gray water can help make a garden more productive and sustainable. Along the way, we talk about seasonal eating, food security, the value of traditional gardening knowledge, and why sometimes the best way to prepare for winter is to work with nature instead of against it. In this episode, we discuss: How Heather gardens in Wyoming's challenging Zone 4B climate Preparing and improving difficult garden soil Using buckwheat and rye as cover crops Planting fall vegetables at the right time Protecting carrots, beets, and turnips through winter Using straw mulch and plastic to insulate crops Conserving water and making the most of available resources Growing food to stretch the family budget Why seasonal eating and traditional food storage still matter Heather is a busy ranch wife, homeschooling mom of six daughters, photographer, and passionate gardener who has learned to make the most of the resources available to her family. Her experience is a wonderful reminder that growing food is about more than gardening. It is about resilience, creativity, and providing for the people we love. Find Heather: Look for Heather Goddard on Facebook and Goddard's Garden on social media. Visit gritandgraceintheheartland.com or find Grit and Grace in the Heartland: Women in Agriculture on Facebook to connect with Mary and Leah. Thanks for listening, and until next time, have some grit and grace!

Fall is one of the busiest seasons on the ranch, but there is more to this time of year than harvest and cooler weather. Mary and Leah catch up on family life, the challenges of changing seasons, and the important reminder that we all have value, no matter what our work looks like. Leah shares reflections from a women's Christian retreat, where conversations about comparison, grief, purpose, and finding joy in different stages of life made a lasting impression. She also talks about how Maggie is adjusting to college, learning to face academic challenges, and finding her own way away from home. Then the conversation heads to the ranch, where Leah explains what fall and winter look like in a diversified farming and ranching operation. From weaning calves and monitoring their health to managing harvest delays and preparing for winter, there is plenty of work to keep everyone busy. In this episode, we talk about: Fall weather, pesky insects, and delayed harvest Carol Connare and the new 2027 Old Farmer's Almanac Letting go of comparison and learning to appreciate others Finding purpose through life's changes and challenges The emotional ups and downs of sending a child to college What calf weaning involves and why animal care never takes a day off The demanding rhythm of harvest season Why ranching is about responsibility, purpose, and caring for God's creation Join Mary and Leah for an honest conversation about family, faith, farming, and finding meaning in every season of life. Connect with us: Visit gritandgraceintheheartland.com or find Grit and Grace in the Heartland: Women In Agriculture on Facebook.

What happens when you take a dream, plant 1,500 lavender plants, lose the entire crop, and decide to keep going? Donnita Jimmis of Loup Lavender in Nebraska knows the answer. In this episode, Mary and Leah talk with Donnita about building a small agricultural business while working a full-time job and raising a family. She shares the challenges of growing in sandy soil, dealing with unpredictable weather, drought, wildfire, weeds and the loss of her first lavender crop. Donnita also talks about starting flowers from seed, running a weekend farm stand, creating bouquets, using conservation funding to install drip irrigation and establish pollinator areas, and her dreams of eventually opening a storefront and gathering space. It is a conversation about perseverance, learning as you go, family, community and finding new ways to make agriculture work. In this episode: Starting a lavender farm from seed Losing a crop and starting over Growing in Nebraska's sandy soil Conservation grants and drip irrigation Flower farming and building bouquets Farm stand life and community support Dried flowers and future plans for lavender Balancing farming with a full-time job Keeping land productive for future generations Dreaming about a storefront and community gathering space Connect with Loup Lavender LLC on Facebook or visit louplavender.com. A big thank you to Donnita for sharing her story and reminding us that sometimes the biggest part of farming is simply deciding to keep going.

What does it take to navigate the complicated world of agriculture, and what challenges are facing the next generation of farmers and ranchers? In this episode, Mary and Leah welcome Becky McTaggart of Agricultural Resources Consulting to talk about wetland and highly erodible land determinations, USDA programs, and the roles of the Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service. Becky explains why the paperwork and requirements connected to agricultural assistance can be complicated, why land and water are such significant barriers for young people entering agriculture, and why stewardship matters to producers of every size. The conversation also explores the growing disconnect between consumers and where their food comes from, the role of community gardens and urban agriculture, and some ideas for reconnecting people with the land and food production. Along the way, Mary, Leah and Becky talk about the women who quietly help hold agricultural families and operations together. It is a thoughtful conversation about agriculture, stewardship, food systems, and finding ways to keep the next generation connected to the land. Find Becky: Visit growscorn.com to learn more about Agricultural Resources Consulting and get in touch with Becky.

What if an ordinary life is actually an extraordinary one? In this episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland, Mary and Leah sit down with author Gretchen A. Carlson, whose life has included farming, ministry, quilting, teaching, and writing historical fiction. Gretchen shares the story behind her books More Than Grit and I Be Brave, both inspired by her family's history and the strength of ordinary people who step up to help others. The conversation touches on farming, rural life, family stories, community, friendship, faith, aging, and the importance of passing skills and wisdom from one generation to the next. Gretchen also talks about learning from the women who have shaped her life, why community matters so much, and why she believes there is no such thing as an ordinary person. This is a heartfelt conversation about remembering where we came from, sharing what we know, building friendships, and recognizing the impact we can have simply by showing up. In this episode: Gretchen's years farming in Colorado The women who taught her important skills The inspiration behind More Than Grit The story of rural electrification in 1939 Her second book, I Be Brave Why ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference Preserving family stories and history Friendship and community at every stage of life Why women need one another The importance of sharing our own stories Gretchen is generously giving one listener a copy of More Than Grit. Listen to the episode for details on how to enter. Find Gretchen's books on Amazon and learn more about her work at GretchenCarlson.com. And remember: there is no such thing as an ordinary person.

What happens when you combine pumpkins, livestock, family, and a whole lot of entrepreneurial spirit? Mary and Leah welcome Crystal, owner of Pumpkins, Pets and Pals in southwest North Dakota. Now in its fourth year, Crystal's pumpkin patch has grown into a family-friendly destination where visitors can pick pumpkins, enjoy a petting zoo, explore a corn maze, ride the barrel train, play in the corn box, and even try a 250-foot zip line. Crystal shares what it has been like to build the business from the ground up while also running a ranch with cattle and sheep and raising four daughters. She talks honestly about the challenges of growing pumpkins in a dry year, learning through experience, using social media to promote the business, and figuring out how to make an agritourism venture work alongside the rest of the family operation. The conversation also highlights something especially important to Mary and Leah: giving children opportunities to experience agriculture firsthand. Crystal welcomes school groups to the pumpkin patch and uses those visits to teach kids about pumpkins, corn, sheep, and where some of the things we use every day come from. She also talks about keeping the experience affordable for families. It's a fun conversation about agriculture, entrepreneurship, family, community, and creating something special right where you live. In this episode: Starting and growing a pumpkin patch Building an agritourism business on a family ranch Growing pumpkins in dry conditions Learning through trial and error School field trips and agricultural education Pumpkins, livestock, alpacas, goats and a petting zoo Creating affordable family experiences Social media and old-fashioned promotion The challenges of making a new business profitable Supporting locally owned businesses Crystal's plans for growing Pumpkins, Pets and Pals Find Pumpkins, Pets and Pals on Facebook for seasonal updates and information about visiting the pumpkin patch. Find Grit and Grace in the Heartland: Women in Agriculture at gritandgraceintheheartland.com.

As summer winds down, Mary and Leah look ahead to fall, the holidays, and the importance of supporting small businesses and rural communities. In this episode, they welcome Kara from Inspiration Acres Christmas Trees and Gift Market in Wisconsin. Kara shares the story of how she and her sister started their Christmas tree business during the pandemic, eventually purchasing an established Christmas tree farm. They talk about what goes into growing a Christmas tree, why it can take seven to ten years to bring a tree to market, which varieties have the best fragrance, and why real Christmas trees continue to hold such a special place in family traditions. Kara also shares practical tips for caring for a real Christmas tree, creative ways to reuse a tree after the holidays, and how Inspiration Acres is creating an experience around Christmas trees through wreath and porch pot classes. Mary and Leah also talk about shopping locally, making meaningful Christmas memories without spending a fortune, and how our purchasing choices can help strengthen the communities around us. It is a warm conversation about agriculture, entrepreneurship, tradition, family, and finding a little joy in a busy season. Find Inspiration Acres: inspirationacreswi.com Facebook and Instagram: Inspiration Acres Christmas Trees and Gift Market Find Grit and Grace in the Heartland: gritandgraceintheheartland.com Have a woman in agriculture with a story to share? Mary and Leah are looking for guests!

In this episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland, Mary and Leah reflect on the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001 and the lasting impact that day had on their lives and on America. They share their very personal memories of 9/11, including where they were when they heard the news, their concerns for family and friends, and the uncertainty that followed. They also remember something they believe was especially meaningful in the days immediately afterward: Americans taking care of one another. From farmers showing extraordinary kindness at a farm show to strangers stopping to help with a flat tire, Mary and Leah talk about the compassion, courage and sense of community they witnessed. The conversation also explores how much has changed since 9/11, including airport security, technology, political division and the growing concern about desensitization to violence. Their message is simple but powerful: practice empathy. Help your neighbor. Serve your community. Do something good. As Mary and Leah say, the heart of the podcast is really about being the good you want to see in the world, one act at a time. Find Mary and Leah at gritandgraceintheheartland.com.

Mary and Leah welcome Emily O'Byrne, also known as Housewife in the Good Life, from Southwest Nebraska. Emily shares what life is like as a ranch wife, mom of five, writer, artist, and advocate for women. We talk about ranching through drought, the importance of rotational grazing, a frightening hay fire, and what it means to find your place in agriculture even when you are not the person driving the tractor or working cattle every day. Emily also opens up about breastfeeding, food intolerances, motherhood, and the importance of women supporting other women through the challenges of raising babies. And because Emily is an artist at heart, we talk about creativity, paint parties, canning, preserving, learning from older generations, and why having interests beyond your work is so important. This conversation is a wonderful reminder that agriculture is about much more than a job. It is about family, partnership, community, creativity, resilience, and knowing that you have value in many different roles. Find Emily: Housewife and the Good Life on Facebook Find Grit and Grace in the Heartland: gritandgraceintheheartland.com Grit and Grace in the Heartland: Women in Agriculture on Facebook Thanks for listening, and until next time, have some grit and grace!

Mary and Leah talk about a big week of transitions, from sending a daughter off to college to getting the cattle home from pasture. Then the conversation turns to beef, food prices, imports, and what consumers really know about where their food comes from. Leah shares her perspective from inside the cattle industry and explains why the current conversation around beef prices, Mexican cattle imports, labeling, and the shrinking American cattle herd is so complicated. They also dig into food literacy, supporting local farmers and ranchers, and why relationships with the people who produce our food still matter. And, as always, the conversation goes a little deeper. What do we actually need to live well? Maybe it is less stuff, more connection, good nutrition, rest, and a stronger connection to the people who help feed us. This episode is a thoughtful conversation about food, agriculture, consumer choices, and what it means to take more responsibility for the food we put on our tables. Find Mary and Leah at Grit and Grace in the Heartland: Women in Agriculture.

In this episode, Mary and Leah talk about the life and legacy of Dolly Parton, reflecting on the grit, grace, humor, generosity, and integrity that made her such a remarkable woman. From her humble Appalachian beginnings to her incredible success, Dolly never forgot where she came from. They talk about her commitment to literacy, her generosity toward her community, her ability to stand up for herself with grace, and the example she set for women everywhere. They also share some lighter memories and observations about Dolly, her music, her career, and the authenticity that always seemed to shine through. The biggest takeaway? What would Dolly do? Maybe we could all use a little more grit, a little more grace, and a lot more kindness. Have a great day, and go live like Dolly.