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Beyond The Crops
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Beyond The Crops

Author: Mary Pat Sass + Jena Ochsner

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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.ย 

Subscribe today and be a part of their journey as they cultivate a deeper appreciation for the remarkable world of agriculture.


142ย Episodes
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Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this inspiring episode, Jena and Mary Pat are thrilled to welcome their friend and fellow entrepreneur, Katie Dowson. As the founder of Seed Life, a mom of three girls, and a farm wife, Katie's story is one of faith, grit, and incredible passion. She shares her journey of leaving a job she hated to build a business from the ground up, the realities of balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood and farm life, and the powerfu...
Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! As Holy Week approaches and the pre-planting buzz is in the air, Jena and Mary Pat sit down for a candid catch-up on everything happening in their worlds. After opening with a beautiful prayer for the Easter season and the upcoming planting rush, they dive into spring break recaps, health updates, and a powerful discussion about the role of agriculture in the national conversation. From cookie competitions and wildfire relief ...
Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! As planting season quickly approaches, Jena and Mary Pat sit down for a much-needed catch-up on all the exciting things happening in their lives. From big business launches and ambitious new fitness goals to a major vehicle upgrade, this conversation is packed with life updates, practical tips, and a heartfelt reflection on what truly matters. ๐Ÿ“Œ What We Cover in This Episode: โœ… Weather Whiplash & Planting Prep: A real-time...
Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! After a couple of weeks apart, Jena and Mary Pat are catching up on everything they've been up to, and this episode is all about Commodity Classic. With Jena holding down the fort at home, Mary Pat reports back from the massive farm show in San Antonio. From haunted hotels and exciting new ag tech to connecting with listeners and putting a big idea out into the universe, she's sharing all the highlights. Plus, they get into so...
Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this incredibly practical episode, Jena and Mary Pat tackle the number one question they get asked: "How do you find the time?" Inspired by a listener question, they dive deep into the art and science of time management, prioritizing what truly matters, and building habits that stick. This isn't about finding more hours in the day; it's about taking control of the 24 you've been given. ๐Ÿ“Œ What We Cover in This Episode: โœ… The...
Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this super-practical, listener-requested episode, Jena and Mary Pat are tackling a big question: "How do you transition to a healthier, non-toxic lifestyle without breaking the bank or losing your mind?" Drawing from their own years-long journeys, they offer a step-by-step guide to making cleaner swaps in your food, cleaning supplies, and personal care products. This is your ultimate primer on reading labels, finding better...
Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life. This week, Jena and Mary Pat are tackling one of the most critical topics in agriculture: grain bin safety. They are joined by two special guests, sisters Missy and Maddie of "The Central Illinois Sisters," for a conversation that is both harrowing and hopeful. Missy shares her powerful, first-hand account of a near-fatal accident with a sweep auger and the miraculous moments that saved her life. This episode is a must-listen ...
Welcome back to Beyond the Crops for the first episode of 2026! After a much-needed January break, your hosts Jena Ochsner and Mary Pat Sass are back behind the mics to catch up on life, travels, and what's on their hearts for the new year. This episode is a classic front-porch chat, filled with stories from their recent vacations, significant health updates, new hobbies, and their intentions for the year ahead. ๐Ÿ“Œ What We Cover in This Episode: โœ… We're Back! Kicking off the new season with a...
Welcome back to Beyond the Crops for our final episode of the season! In this special solo episode, Jena is flying solo as Mary Pat is under the weather. After opening with a heartfelt prayer for health and a Christ-centered holiday season, Jena takes a moment to reflect on the year that was, the lessons learned, and whatโ€™s on the horizon for 2026. She shares a vulnerable and transparent look at her familyโ€™s intensive health and healing journey this past year, from startling lab results to th...
Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! Get ready for another rapid-fire Q&A episode where Jena and Mary Pat tackle your heartfelt and practical questions. After opening with a prayer, they dive straight into some of the most relatable struggles of motherhood and farm life. From navigating the tough transition to being a stay-at-home mom and recovering from burnout, to the secrets of a happy marriage and the daunting world of healthcare, this conversation is pac...
Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! This week, Jena and Mary Pat are asking the question "What is Total Acre, and is it worth it?" They're joined by two very special guests who are deep in the trenches with this high-yield network: Mary Pat's husband Josh and fellow Wisconsin farmer Caleb Walters. From the community and networking to the data-driven trials and mindset shifts, they're breaking down what it takes to be a member, the biggest benefits they've seen o...
Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! As the Advent season begins, Jena and Mary Pat are kicking off the holidays with a fun, rapid-fire Q&A episode, tackling a sleigh-full of listener questions. After opening with a beautiful prayer for a Christ-centered season, they dive into everything from favorite Christmas traditions and non-toy gift ideas to the hilarious realities of making adult friends. Get ready for a conversation packed with laughter, practical adv...
Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! Fresh off the Thanksgiving holiday, Jena and Mary Pat are back for a classic catch-up episode that's equal parts heartfelt, hilarious, and helpful. They kick things off with a prayer for gratitude and peace as the holiday season begins. From there, they dive into everything from frustrating health updates and unlucky travel stories to decluttering tips, listener mail, and exciting news from their small businesses. ๐Ÿ“Œ What We Co...
Welcome back to Beyond the Cops, where farm life meets real life! In this episode, Jena and Mary Pat are giving a real-time update on the end of harvest and answering some fantastic listener questions. They kick things off by responding to a heartfelt voicemail from a listener navigating a tough season, which leads to an encouraging conversation about finding your place, embracing change, and trusting God's plan. From there, they dive into a fun and practical Q&A, covering everything from...
Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this candid catch-up episode, Jena and Mary Pat dive into the realities of the late-harvest season and the unique pressures it brings. From navigating the "double whammy" of harvest and hunting season to sharing hilarious family stories this conversation is the perfect mix of laughter and life lessons. ๐Ÿ“Œ What We Cover in This Episode: โœ… A Prayer for Harvest & Health โœ… Funny Hunting Stories โœ… Food, Glorious Food โœ…...
Welcome back to Beyond the Cops, where farm life meets real life! Jena and Mary Pat are here to answer your questions! From practical questions about their favorite cab snacks and how to monetize social media, to thoughtful discussions on Bible study and navigating holiday family schedules, this episode is packed with stories, tips, and plenty of fun tangents. What We Cover in This Episode: โœ… Harvest Updates โœ… A Tangent on Farm Laundry โœ… Things We're Loving Lately โœ… Answering Your Quest...
Welcome back to Beyond the Cops, where farm life meets real life! In this raw and relatable harvest season check-in, Jena and Mary Pat get real about what it's like to navigate the busiest time of year when life throws you curveballs. Mary Pat opens up about feeling defeated after another vertigo episode sidelines her from the field, leading to a heartfelt conversation about self-preservation, giving yourself grace, and the pressures we put on ourselves. From harvest updates and homeschool re...
Welcome back to Beyond the Cops, where farm life meets real life! In this insightful and highly relatable episode, Jena and Mary Pat are tackling a thief that steals joy and paralyzes progress: comparison. After a quick harvest update filled with rain delays and breakdowns, they dive deep into why we compare, how it shows up in the ag world, and the practical, powerful steps you can take to break free. From social media pressures to finding your unique role on the farm, this conversation is a...
Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this truly special episode, Jena and Mary Pat are honored to sit down with a woman whose life is woven into the very fabric of agricultural legacy: Glendia Beck. As the wife of CEO Sonny Beck and a pivotal figure in the Beck's Hybrids story, Glendia shares a lifetime of wisdom, from the hilarious story of how she and Sonny really met (it started in the womb!) to the foundational principles that have guided their family and ...
Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life. In this special and deeply personal episode, Jena and Mary Pat take a moment to pause amidst the harvest rush to honor the incredible women who shaped them. Between the two of them, they lost three beloved grandmothers this past summer, all of whom had deep roots in agriculture. Join them for a heartfelt conversation as they share cherished memories, funny stories, and the timeless values passed down from their family matriarc...
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Commentsย (4)

Emily Guthmiller

Jena what sauna did you get?!

Apr 1st
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Emily Guthmiller

I would certainly love joining a retreat!!!! ๐Ÿฅฐ

Apr 1st
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Emily Guthmiller

can you share what you used to detox liver ?!

Apr 2nd
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Emily Guthmiller

Loved this episode! You ladies have truelly found great friendships with eachother through ag! I hope to find that one day!

Aug 29th
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