Beyond The Crops

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106. The Safest Energy You're Scared Of: Unpacking Nuclear Power with Jena's Brother Joe Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this unique and enlightening episode, Jena is joined by a very special guest: her brother, Joe! Joe is a Navy veteran who served as a nuclear operator on an aircraft carrier and now works in civilian nuclear power. He's here to demystify nuclear energy, address common concerns, and explain why it's a crucial, safe, and reliable part of our energy future, especially for rural communities.

📌 What We Cover in This Episode:

✨ Nuclear power is a remarkably safe, efficient, and reliable source of carbon-free energy with a much smaller environmental and land footprint than often perceived.
✨ The public perception of nuclear energy has been heavily influenced by a few major incidents and media portrayals, often overshadowing the facts about its safety record and benefits.
✨ Understanding the true risks and benefits of different energy sources is crucial for informed discussions about our energy future.
✨ Nuclear energy plays a vital role in providing baseload power, ensuring grid stability, especially when intermittent renewables are not producing.
✨ Talk to the people who work in the industry! They are often the best source of factual information.

🙌 Join the Conversation!
What did you learn about nuclear power in this episode? Did anything surprise you? Share your thoughts and any questions you might have for Joe by DMing us @beyondthecrops_.

#NuclearPower #EnergyFacts #BeyondTheCropsPodcast #NavyNuke #CleanEnergy #SustainableEnergy #RuralAmerica #FarmLife #EnergyEducation #DebunkingMyths #PoweringTheFuture

This episode of Beyond the Crops is brought to you by Beck's Hybrids. Built on faith, family, and a deep love for agriculture since 1937, Beck's is the largest family-owned retail seed company and the third largest seed brand in the US. They are committed to helping farmers succeed for generations. Learn more about their story and offerings at beckshybrids.com.

105. So You Married a Farmer... Now What? Wisdom for New Wives (From Two Who've Been There) Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! Join your hosts, Jena Ochsner and Mary Pat Sass, as they take a candid look back at their very different journeys into becoming farm wives. From big city dreams to growing up on a dairy farm, they share their unique perspectives, the lessons learned over nearly a decade (for Jena, a 10-year anniversary is just days away!), and heartfelt advice for anyone navigating the complexities of marrying into a farm family.

📌 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ Jena and Mary Pat share their distinctly different paths to becoming farm wives.
✅ They discuss the realities and adjustments of early marriage within a farm family.
✅ The infamous "farm laundry" debate and game-changing mother-in-law advice is revealed.
✅ Valuable lessons learned and heartfelt advice are offered for new (or aspiring) farm wives.
✅ They explore the journey of finding your unique place and voice within a multi-generational farm.
✅ The critical role of communication, especially with your spouse, in navigating farm family dynamics is highlighted.
✅ Jena and Mary Pat emphasize being open to God's evolving plan for your life and role.
✅ The importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing family time amidst farm demands is discussed.
✅ They underscore the power of connecting with other farm women for support and understanding.
✅ Listeners are reminded to have grace for themselves and enjoy the journey of farm wife life.

💡 Key Takeaways:

✨ Every farm wife's journey is unique, shaped by her background, her husband's farm, and the family dynamics involved.
✨ Open communication with your spouse is paramount; they are often the best bridge to navigating conversations with the wider farm family.
✨ It's okay to not know everything when you marry into a farm. Be curious, ask questions, and be patient with yourself as you learn and grow into your role.
✨ Don't be afraid to advocate for your needs and the needs of your immediate family, even if it means challenging long-standing traditions (respectfully, of course).
✨ Finding a community of other farm women, whether in person or online, can provide invaluable support, understanding, and encouragement.
✨ Trust God's timing and be open to how your role and life may evolve. What you envision today might not be what brings you the most fulfillment tomorrow.

🙌 Join the Conversation!
We’d love to hear from you! If you're a farm wife, what's one piece of advice you'd give to your newlywed self? Or, if you're new to farm life, what's one question you have? Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_.

This episode of Beyond the Crops is brought to you by Beck's Hybrids. As farmers, we pour so much trust into every decision. That's why we're proud to partner with Beck's Hybrids, a company built on faith, family, and a love for agriculture since 1937. From localized support to research-backed insights, Beck's is committed to helping farmers succeed for generations. Learn more at beckshybrids.com.

#FarmWifeLife #MarryingAFarmer #BeyondTheCropsPodcast #FarmFamilyDynamics #NewlywedsOnTheFarm #FarmLifeAdvice #CommunicationInMarriage #FindingYourPlace #RuralWomen #Agriculture #FaithAndFarming

104. Reducing the Chaos: Big Farm & Family Shifts for a Simpler Life Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! Join your hosts, Jena Ochsner and Mary Pat Sass, for a candid and inspiring conversation about making big, intentional changes to remove chaos and prioritize what truly matters. Jena drops some significant news about shifts on their farm and in their family life, leading to a heartfelt discussion about choosing your hard, trusting God's plan, and the courage to pivot.

📌 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ Big Changes on the Ochsner Farm:
* Selling the Sprayer
* Shifting the Calving Date
* The Homeschool Decision
✅ Removing Chaos & Choosing Your Hard
✅ The Power of an Open Hand
✅ Mary Pat's Perspective
✅ It Doesn't Have to Be Permanent

💡 Key Takeaways:

✨ Sometimes, removing chaos means making bold, unconventional decisions that prioritize family well-being and time over financial savings or traditional paths.
✨ "Choose your hard." Every path has its challenges, but choosing the "hard" that aligns with your values and long-term goals can lead to greater peace and fulfillment.
✨ Listen to your heart and God's prompting. What might seem overwhelming or impossible can become clear when you're open to change and trust the process.
✨ Don't underestimate the value of your time. Reclaiming hours spent on logistical necessities can open up incredible opportunities for connection and learning.
✨ It's okay to pivot. If a current situation isn't serving your family well, have the courage to explore alternatives, even if they seem daunting at first.

🙌 Join the Conversation!
We’d love to hear from you! What big or small changes have you made (or are considering) to remove chaos from your life? What does "choosing your hard" look like for you right now? Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_.

#RemovingChaos #FarmLifeChanges #HomeschoolingJourney #BeyondTheCropsPodcast #FarmWife #FaithAndFarming #IntentionalLiving #FamilyFirst #ChoosingYourHard #FarmLifeBalance #OxidativeStress #CalvingSeason #Spraying

103. Summer Kick-Off: Navigating School's Out, Schedules, and Tips for Farm Wives with Kids at Home May 29, 2025

Show notes

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! Join your hosts, Jena Ochsner and Mary Pat Sass, as they officially kick off summer! With the kids now out of school, they dive into the joys and challenges of shifting family rhythms, managing kids at home, and finding ways to embrace the beautiful chaos of summer.

📌 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ Summer Has Begun!
✅ The Four-Day School Week Debate
✅ Memorial Day Weekend Recap
✅ Summer Rhythms & Keeping Kids Engaged
✅ Mindset & Mom Guilt

💡 Key Takeaways:

✨ Summer brings a welcome shift in pace, but also new challenges in balancing kids, work, and home life.
✨ Creating some structure with chores and routines can help summer days run more smoothly for everyone.
✨ Be patient with boredom! Kids often need time and space to tap into their own creativity and independent play.
✨ It's okay to set boundaries with your time and say no to over-scheduling, allowing for more spontaneous family fun.
✨ The narrative you tell yourself about motherhood and your current season significantly impacts your experience. Choose to embrace the chaos and find joy in the little moments.

🙌 Join the Conversation!
We’d love to hear from you! What are your go-to strategies for managing kids at home during the summer? Do you have a favorite chore system or screen time boundary? Share your tips and tag us @beyondthecrops_.

#SummerBreak #FarmLife #BeyondTheCropsPodcast #FarmWife #ParentingTips #SummerWithKids #ScreenTimeBoundaries #ChoreCharts #MomGuilt #EmbraceTheChaos #FamilyTime #RuralLife #SummerRoutines

102. Post-Planting Pep Talk: Healing, Homeopathy & Finding Our Rhythm Again May 20, 2025

Show notes

Planting season is over! - Or is it?!?! In this candid and relatable episode, Jena and MP are keeping it real about feeling a bit under the weather, the shift in seasonal rhythms, and some interesting health and parenting nuggets they've been exploring.

📌 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ Planting Season Wrap-Up (Mostly!)
✅ Not Feeling Their Best

✅ Mary Pat's Dizzy Spell Journey
✅ Jena's Dive into Homeopathy

✅ Mouth Taping & Jaw Development

✅ Workout Consistency & Starting Small

✅ Summer Rhythms & Kid Life

💡 Key Takeaways:

✨ Even when planting is "done," the farm work (and worry!) continues. Weather and field conditions keep farmers on their toes.
✨ Prioritizing your health is crucial, even when you're not "sick." Listening to your body and seeking root-cause solutions can make a huge difference.
✨ Homeopathy and functional medicine can be powerful tools for addressing various health concerns for the whole family.
✨ Small, consistent efforts in areas like exercise can lead to significant long-term progress and milestones.
✨ It's okay to not feel 100% all the time. Sharing struggles and supporting each other is part of real life.

🙌 Join the Conversation!
We’d love to hear from you! Are you wrapped up with planting, or still in the thick of it? Have you ever explored functional medicine or homeopathy? What are you doing to take care of yourself as the seasons shift? Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_.

#PlantingWrapUp #FarmLife #BeyondTheCropsPodcast #FarmWife #FunctionalMedicine #Homeopathy #HealthJourney #Candida #DizzySpells #Parenting #SummerOnTheFarm #WorkoutMotivation #RealLife

101. The Power of Precision: How FieldView is Shaping Modern Farming with Tom Verseman (Sponsored by FieldView) May 13, 2025

Show notes

This episode of Beyond the Crops is brought to you by Climate FieldView.

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! Join your hosts, Jena Ochsner and Mary Pat Sass, as they sit down with Tom Verseman, Digital Enablement Marketing Lead for Climate FieldView. They dive deep into the world of digital agriculture, how FieldView has evolved, and the practical ways it's helping farmers make better decisions.

📌 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ The FieldView Story
✅ How Jena & Mary Pat Use FieldView
✅ Real-World Wins with FieldView
✅ Untapped Potential & Hidden Gems
✅ The Future of Ag Tech & FieldView
✅ Drive 2.0 Deep Dive
✅ FieldView Tiers Explained
✅ Learning More & Getting Support

💡 Key Takeaways:

✨ Climate FieldView is a powerful digital agriculture platform that helps farmers collect, analyze, and utilize data across all stages of the growing season – from planning and planting to in-season management and harvest.
✨ The platform has evolved significantly over the past decade, becoming an indispensable tool for many millennial farmers and beyond.
✨ From optimizing hybrid selection and input applications to identifying in-field issues and aiding in estate planning, FieldView offers tangible benefits.
✨ Don't be afraid to explore all the features! Simple tools like enhanced scouting pins and understanding different subscription tiers can unlock significant value.
✨ The new Drive 2.0 offers improved performance and is designed with future advancements in mind.

🙌 Join the Conversation!
How are you using digital ag tools like FieldView on your farm? What's one feature you can't live without, or one you're curious to learn more about? Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_.

Learn more about Climate FieldView and its offerings at FieldView.com.
Whether you're looking to efficiently scout fields with health imagery, gain access to record-based scouting and weather forecasts, utilize custom seed scripts, or tap into advanced features like "Your Farm at a Glance" and local cash bids, FieldView has a subscription tier designed to help every farmer succeed. Learn more and explore what FieldView can do for your operation at FieldView.com.

#ClimateFieldView #DigitalAg #PrecisionAg #FarmTech #Sponsored #BeyondTheCropsPodcast #Farming #Agriculture #DataDrivenFarming #PlantingSeason #Harvest #FarmManagement #AgTech #Bayer

100. It's Our 100th Episode! Celebrate With a Look Back May 06, 2025

Show notes

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

99. Planting Season Kick-Off: Farm Updates, Faith Reflections & Tallow News! Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

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

98. On-Farm Seed Treating with Ryan Sass Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

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

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97. Mindset Shifts To Help You Thrive During Planting Season Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

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

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