Grit and Grace in the Heartland: Women In Agriculture

Ranch Life, Real Life, and the Spaces Between

Mary and Leah reflect on a gentle, much needed rain and how perspective shapes how we value it, from golfers to farmers. They discuss the importance of stepping outside personal silos to better understand others’ realities.
The conversation shifts to spring on the farm, including crop and tree concerns, and a joyful recap of a daughter’s birthday celebration filled with friendship, gratitude, and simple moments.
They explore traditions like small town baking, cottage food producers, and supporting local businesses, along with a deeper look into cattle management practices such as pelvic measuring and responsible breeding decisions.
A difficult story about livestock loss highlights the realities of animal husbandry and the dangers of mismatched breeding, leading into a broader discussion about social media behavior, online criticism, and the erosion of etiquette.
Mary and Leah emphasize the importance of respect, personal responsibility, and modeling good behavior, both online and in person. They share personal stories about kindness, manners, and raising children with strong values.
The episode takes a serious turn into concerns about artificial intelligence, including misuse of likeness and voice, misinformation, and the potential loss of human judgment and creativity. They question the long term societal impact and the balance between progress and ethics.
The episode closes with reflections on community, upcoming celebrations, and excitement for future podcast guests and stories from women in agriculture.
Topics Covered:
Perspective and rural versus urban viewpoints
Spring weather and farming updates
Celebrations, family, and traditions
Supporting local food producers
Cattle health and breeding practices
Social media culture and etiquette
AI concerns and ethical challenges
Community, connection, and storytelling

Grit Built the Life She Lives

Planting season is underway and this episode opens with a real time snapshot of spring in the Midwest, from corn going in for next year’s silage to the rollercoaster of rain, frost, and greening fields.
Leah and Mary are joined by Brandy Von Holten, a Missouri based entrepreneur, horsewoman, and self described “shot of whiskey.” Brandy shares her journey from a tough upbringing to competing internationally as a heavyweight fighter, and how that drive for success shaped everything she does today.
The conversation covers:
Spring planting updates and weather challenges across the region
Brandy’s path from martial arts and Olympic dreams to life on a ranch
Discovering horses early in life and returning to them with purpose in her 30s
Building a multi faceted business including mounted archery, clinics, events, and agritourism
Creating community through programs like Chicks in the Sticks and Country Tough Trail Versatility
The realities of running a rural business including insurance, marketing, and wearing all the hats
Advocacy for women, especially those rediscovering themselves later in life
Health, strength, and longevity, from ice baths to fitness accountability
Handling criticism online and creating safe, supportive digital spaces
The impact of showing up authentically and inspiring others to change their lives
Brandy also shares her passion for writing children’s books with agricultural life lessons, her plans to grow the horse industry in Missouri, and her belief in turning hard chapters into powerful stories.
This episode is a mix of grit, humor, honesty, and motivation for anyone building a life on their own terms.
Find Brandy online at her website and on social media under Brandy Von Holten, author, speaker, instructor.
For more from Leah and Mary, visit gritandgraceandtheheartland.com
Until next time, keep showing up with grit and grace.

Ranch Life, Real Talk, and Raising the Next Generation

Mary and Leah catch up during a hectic spring in the Midwest, sharing updates on unpredictable weather, calving season, and the realities of rural life. They reflect on everything from late snow and drought concerns to the emotional weight of graduation season and shifting family roles.
This episode features a thoughtful conversation with Amy Blum, a South Dakota rancher, writer, and mother of four. Amy shares her journey into agriculture, her transition from nonprofit work to full-time ranch life, and how her role has evolved over the years. She opens up about raising kids in agriculture, preparing them to leave home, and the importance of letting them choose their own paths.
The discussion explores the challenges of multigenerational ranching, caring for aging parents, and navigating identity as both family and business partners. Amy also talks about her writing, how it began as a way to combat isolation, and why storytelling matters in agriculture.
Throughout the episode, themes of community, mental health, resilience, and connection take center stage. The conversation highlights the quiet strength of rural communities and the importance of supporting one another through both hardship and change.
Amy can be found online at The Writing Rancher on Facebook and at thoughtfullyamy.com.
As always, Mary and Leah close with encouragement for listeners in the thick of busy seasons and a reminder to carry both grit and grace.

Where Grit Meets Generosity

Leah shares a firsthand update from Nebraska as multiple wildfires impact her community, highlighting the strain on volunteer firefighters, the dangers of extreme conditions, and the importance of rest and support for those on the front lines.
The conversation shifts to a heartfelt reminder of connection and care as Mary reflects on the deep bond formed through the podcast and the emotional weight of hearing about Leah’s experience.
This episode features guest Jessi Grote, founder of Foster Love with Beef. Jessi shares her journey from growing up in South Dakota to building a life ranching in western Nebraska, her path through infertility, and how she and her husband became foster parents.
Jessi explains how Foster Love with Beef began as a simple idea to support foster families with locally raised beef and has grown into a multi-state effort. The program provides beef to families when children enter foster care and during the holidays, offering both practical help and a tangible reminder that these families are supported.
Key themes include:
The realities of wildfire and rural emergency response
The power of community and volunteerism
Foster care challenges and the need for strong support systems
Agriculture as a way to give back in meaningful, local ways
Food as nourishment for both body and soul
Jessi also shares how the program operates, its grassroots growth, and how listeners can get involved or support the mission.
Learn more:Foster Love with BeefWebsite: fosterlovewithbeef.orgEmail: fosterlovewithbeef@gmail.comSocial: Facebook
Connect with the podcast:Grit and Grace in the HeartlandWebsite: gritandgraceintheheartland.com
Until next time, keep showing up with grit and grace.
 
 

When a Detour Becomes a Destination

Mary and Leah welcome Elle Worley to share her unexpected journey from the East Coast to the Nebraska Sandhills. What began as a short visit to say goodbye to family land turned into a permanent move rooted in legacy, resilience, and faith.
Elle opens up about navigating family conflict, long-distance marriage, and the challenges of rural life, including isolation and limited access to services. She reflects on finding community, purpose, and healing in a slower, quieter place.
The conversation highlights Elle’s viral rescue of Juni, a dog found injured and later discovered to have been shot. Ellie recounts the emotional experience of saving her, the overwhelming online support that funded her care, and her ongoing advocacy for animal welfare and accountability.
Tails From The Prairie
They also discuss how social media became a force for good again when Elle helped a kindergarten class receive cards and gifts from around the world, creating connection and joy in a small rural town.
Elle shares her creative path through photography, her background in nursing, and her current focus on health and herbalism. The episode closes with an honest look at the grit and grace required to build a meaningful life in rural America and encouragement for anyone considering a bold life change.

Holding On in the Heartland

This episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland includes an honest and emotional conversation about mental health and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.
Mary and Leah open with a glimpse into spring on the Plains, from unpredictable weather and much needed rain to drought conditions and tough decisions facing ranchers. They also share a bit of everyday life, from thunderstorms and barking dogs to community connections and small personal wins.
Guest Morgan Cole of Cole Canyon Farm joins the conversation to share her story as a veteran, mother, and first generation farmer in Montana. She talks about building a life in agriculture, raising animals, and using farming as a way to support both her family and her mental health.
Morgan speaks candidly about her experience with PTSD, the challenges veterans face, and the realities of suicidal thoughts. She describes farming as both a source of healing and a source of stress, where the highs are meaningful and the lows can be overwhelming. The discussion highlights how agriculture, especially in rural areas, carries a high mental health burden with limited resources.
The conversation explores the importance of community, purpose, and being connected to something larger than yourself. Morgan shares how caring for animals, raising her son, and working the land give her a reason to keep going. Leah adds perspective on the broader mental health crisis in agriculture and the need for stronger support systems, especially for veterans.
They also discuss parenting, resilience, and teaching the next generation to face discomfort, take responsibility, and understand where their food comes from. Throughout the episode, there is a strong emphasis on honesty, accountability, and showing up for others.
Resources mentioned:
Call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Veterans can contact their local VA or use the Veterans Crisis Line for immediate support
Key takeaway: Reaching out for help is a sign of strength. Whether through community, therapy, or simply talking to someone, no one has to face these struggles alone.
Morgan encourages listeners to connect, seek support, and remember that even small actions can make a difference in someone’s life.

Roots That Hold

Mary and Leah welcome Brenda, a South Dakota farm woman and leader behind Women in Blue Jeans, for a powerful conversation about resilience, community, and life in agriculture.
Brenda shares her journey from growing up on a family farm to building a farming operation with her husband and raising a family through the challenges of the 1980s farm economy. She reflects on balancing off-farm work, motherhood, and the evolving needs of their operation over time.
The heart of the episode focuses on a devastating windstorm that destroyed their farm, and the long road to recovery. Brenda offers honest insight into the emotional toll across generations, the practical realities of rebuilding, and the unexpected lessons learned along the way.
She highlights what truly helps in times of crisis, from neighbors showing up with equipment and meals to the importance of documentation, strong relationships, and preparation. She also shares what was not helpful and how communities can better support those facing disaster.
The conversation closes with Brenda’s work helping create Women in Blue Jeans, a conference designed to support, connect, and uplift women in agriculture through education, networking, and encouragement.
This episode is a reminder of the strength found in community, the importance of preparation, and the grit and grace required to keep going when life takes an unexpected turn.

Grace in the Middle of Change

Mary and Leah catch up during a busy and emotional season on the ranch. With calving in full swing and a high school graduation just weeks away, the conversation weaves between the realities of agricultural life and the personal transitions of motherhood.
Leah shares what it feels like to watch her daughter step into adulthood while juggling the demands of calving season. The discussion explores how intense seasons of life can bring both exhaustion and gratitude, and why it is okay to feel deeply during major transitions.
The episode also dives into ranch life during calving, including:
Whether witnessing new life ever becomes routine
The realities of loss and hard decisions in livestock care
What a “freemartin” calf is and how ranchers manage them
How animal care decisions differ between livestock and pets
Mary and Leah reflect on the emotional weight of caring for animals responsibly, including when euthanasia is the most humane choice. They talk candidly about the balance between compassion and practicality in agriculture.
The conversation expands into bigger topics such as:
The difference between situational and clinical depression
Why modern culture struggles with allowing space for difficult emotions
The growing disconnect between consumers and food production
Perspectives on meat consumption, sustainability, and cultural differences
They also touch on everyday life, from grocery shopping habits and reading food labels to dreams of adding quail or pygmy goats to the homestead.
The episode closes with a reminder to focus on small, present blessings during overwhelming times and to stay connected to what truly matters.
Key Themes
Change and transition
Emotional resilience
The realities of agriculture
Food systems and personal responsibility
Gratitude in hard seasons

Be Brave, Paisley: Finding Courage in Ranch Life

Mary and Leah welcome rancher and advocate Janie VanWinkle for a powerful conversation on agriculture, resilience, and connection.
Janie shares her journey as a fourth-generation producer in western Colorado, building a ranching operation from the ground up alongside her family. She talks about growing a direct-to-consumer beef business and balancing multiple roles while staying rooted in her purpose.
The conversation highlights the importance of advocacy in agriculture. Janie reflects on finding her voice, connecting with consumers, and showing up in spaces where ranchers are often misunderstood. She emphasizes that sharing personal stories builds trust and helps bridge the gap between producers and the public.
Janie also recounts the devastating wildfire her family experienced, the emotional toll it took, and the lessons learned about leadership, decision-making, and community support during crisis. From organizing cookie donations for firefighters to working alongside crews from across the country, her stories reveal the strength of human connection in difficult times.
The episode explores themes of courage, kindness, and the responsibility of being a visible voice for agriculture. Janie, Mary, and Leah discuss how even small conversations can create meaningful change and why it is more important than ever to show up, speak up, and support one another.
Find Janie online at VanWinkle Ranch and See Jane Ranch on Facebook.
Learn more about the podcast at gritandgraceintheheartland.com.
Until next time, have some grit and grace.

Showing Up When It Matters Most

Mary and Leah talk through a week of weather extremes, from dust storms and heat to spring rain and the welcome sound of frogs returning. The conversation shifts to active wildfires in Nebraska, where dry lightning and high winds have sparked fast-moving grass fires across already drought-stressed land.
They highlight the critical role of volunteer firefighters and organizations like Hot Meals USA, emphasizing how much rural communities depend on people who show up, often while managing their own losses. The discussion explores the strain on aging volunteers, the decline in community participation, and why inspiring the next generation to serve matters.
Leah explains how wildfires impact ranching beyond immediate destruction, including long-term loss of grazing land, tough decisions about livestock, and the broader implications for the food system. Mary reflects on how disconnected many people are from agriculture and the realities of weather-dependent livelihoods.
They also touch on mental health, the weight carried by families and kids during crises, and the importance of small comforts like pets and moments of rest.
This episode is a candid look at resilience, community, and the people working behind the scenes to hold things together when conditions are at their hardest.