Beyond The Crops - podcast cover

Beyond The Crops

Mary Pat Sass + Jena Ochsnerbeyondthecrops.buzzsprout.com

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.


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Episodes

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 bette...

Nov 12, 202421 min

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...

Nov 05, 202433 min

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 pr...

Oct 29, 202458 min

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 ep...

Oct 22, 202455 min

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...

Oct 15, 202444 min

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 actuall...

Oct 08, 20241 hr 4 min

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 yie...

Oct 01, 202454 min

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 recount...

Sep 24, 202429 min

75. Her Husbands Hand Was Caught in a Bailer {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. Calli Williams (Millennial Rancher on Instagram) shares about her husband's accident involving a bailer belt and how they had to advocate for their needs. She provides valuable advice, makin...

Sep 17, 202449 min

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...

Sep 10, 202445 min

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...

Sep 03, 202437 min

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 p...

Aug 27, 202435 min

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 men...

Aug 20, 202439 min

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 a...

Aug 13, 202451 min

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 dyn...

Aug 06, 202448 min

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 ...

Jul 30, 20241 hr 16 min

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 ...

Jul 23, 202441 min

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 enjo...

Jul 16, 202456 min

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 ...

Jul 09, 20241 hr

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 chang...

Jul 02, 202442 min

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 pr...

Jun 25, 202454 min

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 React...

Jun 18, 202447 min

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: DEW...

Jun 11, 202450 min

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 conversati...

Jun 04, 20241 hr 11 min

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, 202434 min

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...

May 21, 202432 min

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 07, 202435 min

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 @‌beyo...

May 07, 202440 min

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 co...

Apr 30, 202443 min
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