Mary and Leah welcome Eliza from Sunstone Orchard & Rabbitry in Vermont. From growing up on a dairy farm to building a thriving homestead and online community, Eliza shares her journey of raising meat rabbits, teaching sustainable food production, and helping others reconnect with where their food comes from.

The conversation goes beyond farming to explore the realities of sharing life online, handling criticism with grace, and building authentic connections through honesty and education. Eliza offers thoughtful insights on resilience, community, and why small steps can lead to big results.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Eliza's path from dairy farming to homesteading and meat rabbits
• Why rabbits are a sustainable option for small scale food production
• How education helps bridge the gap between consumers and agriculture
• The realities of sharing farm life on social media
• Dealing with online criticism and misinformation
• Why vulnerability creates meaningful connections
• The importance of supporting farmers in all forms
• Balancing homesteading, business, and family life
• Building community through teaching and storytelling

Connect with Eliza:

Facebook: Sunstone Orchard & Rabbitry

Instagram: @farmer_jane

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share Grit and Grace in the Heartland with a friend. Your support helps us continue sharing the stories of the people who keep agriculture moving forward.

Dairy farmer Dawn Blodgett of VT Blodgett Family Farm joins us for a wide ranging conversation about agriculture, food, and the importance of asking good questions. From fresh eggs and milk myths to beef, dairy, and the realities of modern farming, this episode explores how misinformation shapes the way we think about our food.

We also discuss regulations, food waste, consumer education, and why agriculture needs more voices at the decision making table.

Connect with Dawn on Facebook at VT Blodgett Family Farm.

Mary and Leah celebrate six months of Grit and Grace in the Heartland. They reflect on how the podcast began, what they've learned from one another, and the friendships, conversations, and community that have grown along the way.

They also discuss this season's gardens and crops, the challenges facing agriculture, why sharing stories matters, and how podcasts can connect people across different backgrounds and experiences. It's an honest conversation about gratitude, growth, and the importance of listening with an open heart.

Thank you for being part of this community. If you've enjoyed the podcast, please share this episode with a friend and help us continue growing the conversation.

This week, Mary and Leah welcome Shelby of Echoed Roots, a southwest Nebraska flower farmer, mom, and entrepreneur. Shelby shares how flowers became part of her healing journey after motherhood, how she's building a local flower business, and why growing beauty is about so much more than bouquets.

In this episode:

• Shelby's journey from floral design to flower farming

• Raising three young daughters while building a business

• Growing flowers in Nebraska's challenging climate

• Supporting rural communities through local agriculture

• Exciting news about Shelby's new NRCS high tunnel grant

Learn more about Shelby and Echoed Roots on Facebook.

You can find Grit and Grace in the Heartland at gritandgraceintheheartland.com and on Facebook.

Market Entry Fund

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves rural life and agriculture.

How do we bridge the growing gap between agriculture and the people who depend on it every day?

This week, Mary and Leah welcome Indiana agricultural advocate Angie for an honest conversation about urban growth, farmland loss, and the importance of helping people understand where their food comes from.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why agricultural advocacy matters now more than ever

• The challenges of educating communities with little connection to farming

• The impact of development on farmland and rural relationships

• How 4 H, FFA, and Extension programs help connect young people to agriculture

• Why respectful conversations are the key to building understanding across different backgrounds

You can contact Angie at angelawi@yahoo.com

This episode is a heartfelt reminder that every conversation has the power to create connection, encourage curiosity, and strengthen the future of agriculture.

Thank you for listening to Grit and Grace in the Heartland. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who cares about the future of food, farming, and rural communities.

Leah and Mary tackle an issue that deserves every livestock owner's attention, the return of the New World screwworm. While many people assume this is only a concern for ranchers in the southern United States, the conversation explains why every animal owner, from cattle producers to pet owners, should understand the risks and know what to watch for.

Leah shares why biosecurity matters more than ever and explains how screwworm infestations differ from ordinary maggots. They discuss prevention, early detection, treatment options, and why awareness is the most powerful tool available.

The conversation also explores the importance of personal responsibility, critical thinking, and staying informed without becoming overwhelmed by constant headlines. From wildlife observations to AI generated misinformation, Leah and Mary encourage listeners to pay attention to what is happening in their own communities while protecting their peace of mind.

• Why the New World screwworm has become a growing concern

• How screwworms affect livestock, pets, and wildlife

• Why biosecurity practices matter for every animal owner

• Prevention versus treatment and what producers should know

• The role of veterinarians and reporting suspected cases

• How ranchers are working to protect animal welfare every day

• Why consumers should remain confident in the safety of the U.S. food supply

• The importance of questioning sensational headlines and misinformation

• Personal responsibility, community awareness, and practical preparedness

• Wildlife observations, including black bears and cougars in Minnesota

• Finding hope, staying grounded, and focusing on what you can control

Awareness saves lives. Regularly checking livestock, pets, and wildlife can help identify problems before they become widespread.

Biosecurity is everyone's responsibility. Preventing the spread of disease and parasites requires vigilance from producers, pet owners, veterinarians, and the public.

The U.S. food supply remains safe. Animals showing signs of screwworm infestation do not enter the commercial food chain.

Not every alarming headline tells the full story. Verify information through trusted sources and avoid making decisions based on sensational claims or AI generated misinformation.

When challenges arise, focus on practical action. Small steps taken by many people make a meaningful difference.

Thank you for listening to Grit and Grace in the Heartland. If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who cares about agriculture, animal health, and preserving our rural way of life.

In this episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland, Mary and Leah welcome Nebraska farm wife, healthcare professional, agriculture advocate, and writer Michaela Gasseling.

The conversation begins with a look at current drought conditions across Nebraska, including the ongoing challenges facing western Nebraska producers. Michaela shares firsthand insight into what her family and neighbors are experiencing as drought, wildfire recovery, and difficult agricultural decisions continue to impact daily life.

Michaela discusses her journey from growing up on a Nebraska farm to pursuing a career in healthcare, becoming an ultrasound technologist, and eventually returning to rural life after insisting she would never live on a farm again.

Topics in this episode include:

• Current drought conditions in western Nebraska and their impact on ranching and farming operations

• Feeding cattle through June due to lack of pasture and forage

• The realities of purchasing hay and making difficult management decisions during extreme drought

• Rural communities supporting one another through wildfire response and recovery

• Balancing multiple careers and responsibilities in agriculture

• Working in rural healthcare while also helping operate a family farm

• Why agricultural advocacy matters and the importance of hearing farming stories directly from farmers

Michaela also shares the remarkable story of a life-changing health crisis that unfolded shortly after the birth of her fourth child in 2020.

After months of severe headaches, hearing loss, and balance issues that were initially attributed to pregnancy, Michaela was diagnosed with a six-centimeter brain tumor just days after giving birth. She opens up about emergency brain surgery, recovery during the COVID era, and the incredible support she received from family, friends, and her rural community.

Additional topics include:

• Navigating trauma, recovery, and postpartum life simultaneously

• The importance of mental health support, counseling, and therapy

• Processing gratitude alongside grief and anger after a traumatic experience

• Why it is okay to acknowledge that something difficult happened even when the outcome was positive

• The challenges women face when balancing family, career, and agricultural responsibilities

• Letting go of expectations and defining fulfillment on your own terms

• Returning to healthcare work and rediscovering purpose outside the farm gate

This episode is an honest conversation about resilience, community, motherhood, mental health, and finding the courage to embrace the life that truly fits you.

Facebook

Website: gritandgraceintheheartland.com

Facebook: Grit and Grace in the Heartland Women in Agriculture

Thank you for listening. Until next time, have some grit and grace.

In this episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland, Mary and Leah begin with a seasonal check-in from the ranch and farm. From branding calves and wrapping up calving season to hopes for much-needed rainfall, they share a glimpse into late spring life in rural America.

The conversation then shifts to a topic Leah has wanted to tackle for a long time: artificial intelligence and the rapid expansion of AI data centers across the United States.

Growing up in agriculture, "AI" meant artificial insemination. Today, it means artificial intelligence, and both hosts have serious questions about how quickly AI infrastructure is expanding and what the long-term consequences may be.

Topics discussed include:

• The proposed PEACE Act in Oregon and concerns about its impact on agriculture and livestock production

• The growing number of AI data centers being built across the country

• Environmental concerns surrounding data centers, including water consumption, energy use, electronic waste, and noise pollution

• Erin Brockovich's involvement in tracking and raising awareness about data center development

• Questions surrounding local control, zoning regulations, and whether communities truly have a voice in approving large projects

• The strain that data centers may place on water resources, especially in regions dependent on aquifers

• The potential costs of infrastructure upgrades and who ultimately pays for them

• Privacy concerns related to AI, data collection, and the storage of personal information

• The growing use of AI in customer service, healthcare, and other industries

• Frustrations with automated systems that replace human interaction

• The impact of technology on jobs, social connection, and community life

• Whether convenience has come at a greater cost than many people realize

Mary and Leah reflect on how technology has changed daily life, from online shopping and digital medical records to automated customer service systems. While both acknowledge the benefits that technology can provide, they challenge listeners to consider the environmental, economic, and social costs that may accompany these advances.

The episode closes with a broader discussion about innovation, unintended consequences, and whether society is asking enough questions before embracing major technological changes.

• What role should local communities have in approving large-scale data center projects?

• Are the conveniences of AI worth the environmental and infrastructure costs?

• How comfortable are you with the amount of personal information stored digitally?

• Have automated systems improved your life, or made everyday tasks more frustrating?

• What technologies have genuinely improved your quality of life, and which ones have not?

Thank you for listening to Grit and Grace in the Heartland. If this conversation resonated with you, share the episode with a friend and continue the discussion in your own community.