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!

Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, Fieldview. Both Jena and MP have used Fieldview on their farms for the past several years and it's been an integral data and decision making tool for their operations.

Check them out here

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!

Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, Fieldview. Both Jena and MP have used Fieldview on their farms for the past several years and it's been an integral data and decision making tool for their operations.

Check them out here

In this episode of Beyond the Crops, Jena and Mary Pat catch up on all things summer — from marathon training and recovery wins to building intentional family bucket lists for the season ahead.

MP shares an encouraging update on her healing journey and Jena celebrates a huge milestone in her half-marathon training with her first pain-free eight-mile run, and together they dive into the realities of race prep, heart rate training, recovery, and learning to trust their bodies.

The conversation shifts into summer mode as they talk through family bucket lists, homeschooling freedom, fishing trips, library adventures, zoos, kayaking, gardening, county fairs, and all the little moments they want to prioritize before the season slips away.

This episode is your reminder that summer doesn’t have to be packed full to be meaningful. Sometimes the best plans are the ones that leave room to breathe.

In this episode, we cover:
• MP's chiropractic update and possible root causes of dizziness
• Jena's pain-free 8-mile training breakthrough
• Half-marathon prep, heart rate training, and running mindset
• Summer bucket list ideas for farm families
• Homeschooling, libraries, and hands-on science fun
• Zoo trips, fishing, kayaking, and family adventure days
• Gardening, preserving sweet corn, and freeze-drying food
• Funny farm-life mishaps with dogs and rendering lard
• Prioritizing date nights and connection in busy seasons
• Why simple summer memories often matter most

🙌 Join the Conversation!
What's on YOUR summer bucket list? Send us a message or connect with us on social media—we love hearing from our listeners! You can connect with us and share your thoughts by tagging @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!

Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, Fieldview. Both Jena and MP have used Fieldview on their farms for the past several years and it's been an integral data and decision making tool for their operations.

Check them out here

This week on Beyond the Crops, we're catching up on life lately. Jenna shares highlights from her family's trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota, including Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Jewel Cave, and their experience staying at Under Canvas Mount Rushmore. From family road trip tips to underrated vacation destinations, this episode is packed with travel inspiration.

Mary Pat also shares an update on her ongoing health journey, including new therapies she's pursuing, the frustrations of navigating chronic symptoms, and the importance of recognizing progress even when healing isn't linear. The conversation also touches on half marathon training, summer schedules, Vacation Bible School, and the power of setting boundaries that support your season of life.

Whether you're in the tractor, on a run, or tackling chores around the farm, grab a cup of coffee and join us for this honest catch-up conversation.

In This Episode

✅ Mary Pat shares an update on her health journey and current treatment plans

✅ The emotional challenges of navigating long-term health struggles

✅ Why recognizing progress matters, even when you're not fully "healed"

✅ Jenna recaps her family's trip to South Dakota's Black Hills

✅ Highlights from Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Jewel Cave

✅ Why South Dakota might be one of the most underrated family vacation destinations

✅ Vacation Bible School, summer schedules, and setting healthy boundaries

✅ Running goals, half marathon training, and learning to trust your body

💡 Key Takeaways:

✨ "Health is so freaking hard."

✨ "A year ago I couldn't run the way I've been running now."

✨ "Sometimes progress isn't being completely healed—it's recognizing how far you've already come."

✨ "South Dakota is underrated. Let's keep it that way."

🙌 Join the Conversation!
Have you visited the Black Hills? What's your favorite family road trip destination? Send us a message or connect with us on social media—we love hearing from our listeners! You can connect with us and share your thoughts by tagging @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!

Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, Fieldview. Both Jena and MP have used Fieldview on their farms for the past several years and it's been an integral data and decision making tool for their operations.

Check them out here

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this fun, start of summer episode, Jena and Mary Pat dive into the reality of balancing busy farm seasons with making intentional family memories. From summer travel plans and farm-life logistics to parenting reflections, boundaries around time off, and the bittersweet realization that we only get so many summers with our kids, this episode feels like a front porch conversation with friends who just get it.

Jena shares details about an upcoming family trip to the Black Hills and why she’s become more intentional about booking vacations—even during busy seasons—while Mary Pat reflects on family systems, summer rhythms, and protecting time for what matters most. Together, they talk honestly about farm guilt, marriage dynamics, saying no to overcommitment, and creating meaningful summers without adding pressure.

📌 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ The “18 Summers” Perspective: Why the reminder that we only get so many summers with our kids feels both motivating and emotional—and how it’s shaping their priorities as moms.

✅ Farm Life + Family Vacations: Can farm families really leave during busy seasons?

✅ Summer Travel Plans & Family Adventures

✅ Why Boundaries Matter on Family Farms

✅ Saying “No” to Make Room for What Matters

✅ Summer Joy in the Small Things

✅ Family, Grief & Making Memories While We Can

✅ Making Time for Yourself in Busy Seasons

💡 Key Takeaways:

✨ You don’t have to wait for the “perfect” time to make family memories. In farm life, there will always be one more thing to do—sometimes you just have to book the trip.

✨ The farm will still be there when you get back. Taking time away isn’t selfish—it’s often exactly what your family (and marriage) needs.

✨ Boundaries reduce resentment. Whether it’s scheduled time off, protected family time, or saying no to overcommitment, structure can create freedom.

✨ The little moments matter most. Campfires, bike rides, fishing trips, camp weeks, gardening, and spontaneous lake days often become the memories kids remember forever.

✨ You only get so many summers with your kids at home. Don’t wait for a tragedy or milestone to prioritize togetherness—create the memories now.

✨ Summer doesn’t have to look Pinterest-perfect to be meaningful. Sometimes joy is found in slowing down, saying no, and protecting what matters most.

We love hearing from you and continuing the conversation beyond the podcast. Send us a voice message and tell us what topics you’d love to hear next!

🙌 Join the Conversation!
What does summer look like for your family? Are you planning a trip, protecting slower rhythms, or creating special traditions with your kids? We’d love to hear what intentional summer looks like in your home. 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!

Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, Fieldview. Both Jena and MP have used Fieldview on their farms for the past several years and it's been an integral data and decision making tool for their operations.

Check them out here

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this incredibly vulnerable and emotional episode, Jena and Mary Pat catch up on the realities of planting season before Jena shares the long-awaited, and heartbreaking, results of her home mold inspection. After a 12-hour inspection by a team of specialists from Florida, she walks through the devastating findings, the emotional toll of feeling betrayed by her "safe space," and the overwhelming decisions her family now faces. This is a raw, honest look at a family's journey through a complex health crisis and a powerful reminder to trust your gut when it comes to your well-being.

📌 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ A Tale of Two Springs: A real-time planting update from both farms. Mary Pat's crew is fighting through rain delays and wet conditions, while Jena's family is over 75% done but dealing with extreme dryness, cold snaps, and pre-planting irrigation.
✅ Jena's Long-Awaited Mold Update: The main focus of the episode is the result of the extensive mold inspection.
* The Devastating Diagnosis: The inspectors reveal that the original advice to salvage the 1970s foundation was flawed, leading to a decade of slow, widespread moisture intrusion.
* The Inspection Findings: A breakdown of the issues found, including long-term water damage in the boys' basement bedroom and separate moisture problems behind the walls in the master shower and kitchen island.
* The Emotional Toll: Jena gets incredibly vulnerable about feeling betrayed by her home, using the analogy "my home is my crop, and my crop failed and made us sick" to explain her grief and frustration.
* What's Next?: The overwhelming options for remediation—from tearing the house down again to digging out and sealing the foundation—and the difficult, expensive decisions that lie ahead.
* A powerful reminder of why this journey began and the importance of being your own health advocate.

💡 Key Takeaways:

✨ Planting season looks different for everyone. Don't compare your progress, weather, or stress levels to someone else's. Every farm is fighting its own unique battle.
✨ Your home should be your safe space. When your environment is contributing to illness, the emotional and mental impact can be just as profound as the physical symptoms.
✨ Be your own biggest health advocate. If you feel that something is wrong and aren't getting answers, keep digging. Trust your intuition and seek out specialists who will take your concerns seriously.
✨ Sometimes a delayed project is a blessing in disguise. The delay of their garage addition, while frustrating at the time, was a God-send that prevented them from building onto a compromised structure.
✨ Lean on your faith and your spouse when facing overwhelming news. In times of immense uncertainty, open communication and a shared faith are the anchors that will get you through.

🙌 Join the Conversation!
This was a very vulnerable episode to share. If you feel led, please send your prayers and encouragement to Jena and her family as they navigate the difficult decisions ahead. 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!

Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, Fieldview. Both Jena and MP have used Fieldview on their farms for the past several years and it's been an integral data and decision making tool for their operations.

Check them out here

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! It's the thick of planting season, and in this episode, Jena and Mary Pat are catching up on everything from their very different weather situations to some major updates on the home front. Jena finally has the long-awaited mold inspector at her house, and she's sharing all the details of what it's like to navigate this complex and stressful process. Plus, the "OnlyGrans" retreat idea is gaining serious steam, and they're diving into listener feedback and brainstorming what this amazing event could look like.

📌 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ Planting Progress & Weather Whiplash
✅ The New Planter Advantage
✅ The Mold Inspection Saga Continues
✅ The "OnlyGrans" Retreat is Happening (Maybe!): The hype is real! They dive into the amazing listener feedback they've received about their "OnlyGrans" retreat idea.
* What You Want to Learn: Listener requests include canning, sewing, bread making, mending coveralls, homeopathy, and more "granny skills."
* The Vibe: An overwhelming vote for a "cozy and slow" retreat over a structured and productive one.
* Brainstorming Session: They start spitballing ideas for timing (January!), location (Broken Bow, Oklahoma?), and logistics for making this dream a reality.

💡 Key Takeaways:

✨ Every farm faces its own unique challenges. Whether it's too much rain or not enough, every region and every season brings a different kind of "hard."
✨ Efficiency is a game-changer for mental health. Investing in more efficient equipment doesn't just save time; it can significantly reduce stress and create more space for family during busy seasons.
✨ Be your own health advocate, and don't give up. Navigating a complex health issue like mold illness is a long, expensive, and frustrating journey. Keep searching for the right professionals who will take your concerns seriously.
✨ There's a real hunger for community and shared wisdom. The enthusiastic response to the "OnlyGrans" idea proves that women are eager to connect, slow down, and learn timeless, practical skills from one another.

🙌 Join the Conversation!
We’d love to hear from you! What do you think of the "OnlyGrans" retreat idea? What "granny skill" would you want to learn or teach? 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!

Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, Fieldview. Both Jena and MP have used Fieldview on their farms for the past several years and it's been an integral data and decision making tool for their operations.

Check them out here