Grit and Grace in the Heartland: Women In Agriculture

Mary Lewis

Grit and Grace in the Heartland: Women in Agriculture is the podcast celebrating the strength, resilience, and wisdom of women who work the land and feed our communities. Through honest conversations and real-life stories, we explore the challenges, triumphs, and everyday realities of women in agriculture—from farms and ranches to policy and rural life. Rooted in the heartland, this podcast amplifies voices that blend hard-earned grit with enduring grace.

  1. 2d ago

    Winter Gardening on the Wyoming Prairie with Heather Goddard

    Winter gardening in a harsh climate is possible, and Heather Goddard of Lusk, Wyoming, is here to tell us how she does it! Join Mary and Leah for a conversation about growing food for a family of eight, improving challenging soil, conserving water, and keeping fresh vegetables available well into winter. Heather shares practical tips for overwintering root vegetables, choosing cold-hardy crops, using deep mulch and plastic for insulation, and preparing the garden for colder weather. She also explains how compost, aged manure, cover crops, and gray water can help make a garden more productive and sustainable. Along the way, we talk about seasonal eating, food security, the value of traditional gardening knowledge, and why sometimes the best way to prepare for winter is to work with nature instead of against it. In this episode, we discuss: How Heather gardens in Wyoming's challenging Zone 4B climate Preparing and improving difficult garden soil Using buckwheat and rye as cover crops Planting fall vegetables at the right time Protecting carrots, beets, and turnips through winter Using straw mulch and plastic to insulate crops Conserving water and making the most of available resources Growing food to stretch the family budget Why seasonal eating and traditional food storage still matter Heather is a busy ranch wife, homeschooling mom of six daughters, photographer, and passionate gardener who has learned to make the most of the resources available to her family. Her experience is a wonderful reminder that growing food is about more than gardening. It is about resilience, creativity, and providing for the people we love. Find Heather: Look for Heather Goddard on Facebook and Goddard's Garden on social media. Visit gritandgraceintheheartland.com or find Grit and Grace in the Heartland: Women in Agriculture on Facebook to connect with Mary and Leah. Thanks for listening, and until next time, have some grit and grace!

  2. Oct 12

    Calves, College and the Chaos of Fall

    Fall is one of the busiest seasons on the ranch, but there is more to this time of year than harvest and cooler weather. Mary and Leah catch up on family life, the challenges of changing seasons, and the important reminder that we all have value, no matter what our work looks like. Leah shares reflections from a women's Christian retreat, where conversations about comparison, grief, purpose, and finding joy in different stages of life made a lasting impression. She also talks about how Maggie is adjusting to college, learning to face academic challenges, and finding her own way away from home. Then the conversation heads to the ranch, where Leah explains what fall and winter look like in a diversified farming and ranching operation. From weaning calves and monitoring their health to managing harvest delays and preparing for winter, there is plenty of work to keep everyone busy. In this episode, we talk about: Fall weather, pesky insects, and delayed harvest Carol Connare and the new 2027 Old Farmer's Almanac Letting go of comparison and learning to appreciate others Finding purpose through life's changes and challenges The emotional ups and downs of sending a child to college What calf weaning involves and why animal care never takes a day off The demanding rhythm of harvest season Why ranching is about responsibility, purpose, and caring for God's creation Join Mary and Leah for an honest conversation about family, faith, farming, and finding meaning in every season of life. Connect with us: Visit gritandgraceintheheartland.com or find Grit and Grace in the Heartland: Women In Agriculture on Facebook.

  3. Oct 5

    From Lavender Dreams to a Growing Nebraska Farm

    What happens when you take a dream, plant 1,500 lavender plants, lose the entire crop, and decide to keep going? Donnita Jimmis of Loup Lavender in Nebraska knows the answer. In this episode, Mary and Leah talk with Donnita about building a small agricultural business while working a full-time job and raising a family. She shares the challenges of growing in sandy soil, dealing with unpredictable weather, drought, wildfire, weeds and the loss of her first lavender crop. Donnita also talks about starting flowers from seed, running a weekend farm stand, creating bouquets, using conservation funding to install drip irrigation and establish pollinator areas, and her dreams of eventually opening a storefront and gathering space. It is a conversation about perseverance, learning as you go, family, community and finding new ways to make agriculture work. In this episode: Starting a lavender farm from seed Losing a crop and starting over Growing in Nebraska's sandy soil Conservation grants and drip irrigation Flower farming and building bouquets Farm stand life and community support Dried flowers and future plans for lavender Balancing farming with a full-time job Keeping land productive for future generations Dreaming about a storefront and community gathering space Connect with Loup Lavender LLC on Facebook or visit louplavender.com. A big thank you to Donnita for sharing her story and reminding us that sometimes the biggest part of farming is simply deciding to keep going.

  4. Sep 28

    Land, Water and the Future of Agriculture

    What does it take to navigate the complicated world of agriculture, and what challenges are facing the next generation of farmers and ranchers? In this episode, Mary and Leah welcome Becky McTaggart of Agricultural Resources Consulting to talk about wetland and highly erodible land determinations, USDA programs, and the roles of the Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service. Becky explains why the paperwork and requirements connected to agricultural assistance can be complicated, why land and water are such significant barriers for young people entering agriculture, and why stewardship matters to producers of every size. The conversation also explores the growing disconnect between consumers and where their food comes from, the role of community gardens and urban agriculture, and some ideas for reconnecting people with the land and food production. Along the way, Mary, Leah and Becky talk about the women who quietly help hold agricultural families and operations together. It is a thoughtful conversation about agriculture, stewardship, food systems, and finding ways to keep the next generation connected to the land. Find Becky: Visit growscorn.com to learn more about Agricultural Resources Consulting and get in touch with Becky.

  5. Sep 21

    The Extraordinary Power of Ordinary Women

    What if an ordinary life is actually an extraordinary one? In this episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland, Mary and Leah sit down with author Gretchen A. Carlson, whose life has included farming, ministry, quilting, teaching, and writing historical fiction. Gretchen shares the story behind her books More Than Grit and I Be Brave, both inspired by her family's history and the strength of ordinary people who step up to help others. The conversation touches on farming, rural life, family stories, community, friendship, faith, aging, and the importance of passing skills and wisdom from one generation to the next. Gretchen also talks about learning from the women who have shaped her life, why community matters so much, and why she believes there is no such thing as an ordinary person. This is a heartfelt conversation about remembering where we came from, sharing what we know, building friendships, and recognizing the impact we can have simply by showing up. In this episode: Gretchen's years farming in Colorado The women who taught her important skills The inspiration behind More Than Grit The story of rural electrification in 1939 Her second book, I Be Brave Why ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference Preserving family stories and history Friendship and community at every stage of life Why women need one another The importance of sharing our own stories Gretchen is generously giving one listener a copy of More Than Grit. Listen to the episode for details on how to enter. Find Gretchen's books on Amazon and learn more about her work at GretchenCarlson.com. And remember: there is no such thing as an ordinary person.

  6. Sep 18

    Pumpkins, Pets and Pals: Growing an Agri-Tourism Business

    What happens when you combine pumpkins, livestock, family, and a whole lot of entrepreneurial spirit? Mary and Leah welcome Crystal, owner of Pumpkins, Pets and Pals in southwest North Dakota. Now in its fourth year, Crystal's pumpkin patch has grown into a family-friendly destination where visitors can pick pumpkins, enjoy a petting zoo, explore a corn maze, ride the barrel train, play in the corn box, and even try a 250-foot zip line. Crystal shares what it has been like to build the business from the ground up while also running a ranch with cattle and sheep and raising four daughters. She talks honestly about the challenges of growing pumpkins in a dry year, learning through experience, using social media to promote the business, and figuring out how to make an agritourism venture work alongside the rest of the family operation. The conversation also highlights something especially important to Mary and Leah: giving children opportunities to experience agriculture firsthand. Crystal welcomes school groups to the pumpkin patch and uses those visits to teach kids about pumpkins, corn, sheep, and where some of the things we use every day come from. She also talks about keeping the experience affordable for families. It's a fun conversation about agriculture, entrepreneurship, family, community, and creating something special right where you live. In this episode: Starting and growing a pumpkin patch Building an agritourism business on a family ranch Growing pumpkins in dry conditions Learning through trial and error School field trips and agricultural education Pumpkins, livestock, alpacas, goats and a petting zoo Creating affordable family experiences Social media and old-fashioned promotion The challenges of making a new business profitable Supporting locally owned businesses Crystal's plans for growing Pumpkins, Pets and Pals Find Pumpkins, Pets and Pals on Facebook for seasonal updates and information about visiting the pumpkin patch. Find Grit and Grace in the Heartland: Women in Agriculture at gritandgraceintheheartland.com.

  7. Sep 14

    Real Christmas Trees, Small Business, and the Magic of Community

    As summer winds down, Mary and Leah look ahead to fall, the holidays, and the importance of supporting small businesses and rural communities. In this episode, they welcome Kara from Inspiration Acres Christmas Trees and Gift Market in Wisconsin. Kara shares the story of how she and her sister started their Christmas tree business during the pandemic, eventually purchasing an established Christmas tree farm. They talk about what goes into growing a Christmas tree, why it can take seven to ten years to bring a tree to market, which varieties have the best fragrance, and why real Christmas trees continue to hold such a special place in family traditions. Kara also shares practical tips for caring for a real Christmas tree, creative ways to reuse a tree after the holidays, and how Inspiration Acres is creating an experience around Christmas trees through wreath and porch pot classes. Mary and Leah also talk about shopping locally, making meaningful Christmas memories without spending a fortune, and how our purchasing choices can help strengthen the communities around us. It is a warm conversation about agriculture, entrepreneurship, tradition, family, and finding a little joy in a busy season. Find Inspiration Acres: inspirationacreswi.com Facebook and Instagram: Inspiration Acres Christmas Trees and Gift Market Find Grit and Grace in the Heartland: gritandgraceintheheartland.com Have a woman in agriculture with a story to share? Mary and Leah are looking for guests!

  8. Sep 11

    Remembering 9/11: Be the Good

    In this episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland, Mary and Leah reflect on the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001 and the lasting impact that day had on their lives and on America. They share their very personal memories of 9/11, including where they were when they heard the news, their concerns for family and friends, and the uncertainty that followed. They also remember something they believe was especially meaningful in the days immediately afterward: Americans taking care of one another. From farmers showing extraordinary kindness at a farm show to strangers stopping to help with a flat tire, Mary and Leah talk about the compassion, courage and sense of community they witnessed. The conversation also explores how much has changed since 9/11, including airport security, technology, political division and the growing concern about desensitization to violence. Their message is simple but powerful: practice empathy. Help your neighbor. Serve your community. Do something good. As Mary and Leah say, the heart of the podcast is really about being the good you want to see in the world, one act at a time. Find Mary and Leah at gritandgraceintheheartland.com.

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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Grit and Grace in the Heartland: Women in Agriculture is the podcast celebrating the strength, resilience, and wisdom of women who work the land and feed our communities. Through honest conversations and real-life stories, we explore the challenges, triumphs, and everyday realities of women in agriculture—from farms and ranches to policy and rural life. Rooted in the heartland, this podcast amplifies voices that blend hard-earned grit with enduring grace.

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