What happens when a dairy farmer decides to raise reindeer? Sara from Santa’s Crew LLC in Wisconsin joins Mary and Leah to talk about her unexpected journey into the world of reindeer, starting with just a few animals and growing into a busy seasonal agritourism business.

Sara shares what it takes to care for reindeer, the surprising differences between reindeer and caribou, how reindeer are used around the world, and what it is like taking her reindeer to nearly 30 holiday events in a single season.

She also talks about life on the dairy farm, raising young children, selling milk to a local cheese plant, and finding creative ways to bring joy and education to people through agriculture.

This is a fun conversation about farming, family, entrepreneurship, and having the courage to try something a little different.

In this important episode of Grit and Grace in the Heartland, Mary and Leah have an honest conversation about melanoma, skin cancer, and why women in agriculture need to take sun protection seriously.

Leah shares her personal experience with a melanoma diagnosis, while Mary reflects on childhood sunburns and her family's experience with skin cancer. Together they discuss prevention, early detection, and the importance of paying attention to changes in your skin.

If you spend time outdoors, this episode is a reminder that protecting your health is one of the most important things you can do.

Thank you for listening to Grit and Grace in the Heartland. If this episode was meaningful to you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who spends time working outside.

Mary and Leah catch up after an unforgettable week at the county fair. What began as an extreme heat challenge quickly turned into an overnight flash flood that threatened livestock, campers, and the fairgrounds.

Leah shares the remarkable story of volunteers coming together to safely evacuate cattle in the middle of the night, the emotional highs and lows of her daughter Maggie's final 4-H fair, and the resilience shown by young exhibitors facing circumstances completely beyond their control.

The conversation also explores the realities of raising livestock, how county fair livestock sales work, the lessons children learn through 4-H, and why community matters most when life takes an unexpected turn.

In this episode:

• Surviving dangerous heat at the county fair
• The overnight flash flood that changed everything
• Volunteers stepping up to protect people and animals
• Maggie's final 4-H fair and the emotions that came with it
• Raising resilient kids through agriculture
• How livestock auctions and premium sales work
• Looking ahead to fall, new podcast guests, and cooler weather

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 appreciates rural life, agriculture, and the power of community.

Mary and Leah catch up on life during county fair season, family visits, and the challenges that come with farming and homesteading. They talk about how windmills pump water across the Great Plains, share stories about unpredictable animals, discuss the realities of living alongside wildlife, and reflect on what setbacks can teach us.

They also dive into concerns about artificial intelligence in healthcare, the importance of understanding animal behavior, and why community and shared experiences matter so much in agriculture and everyday life.

Whether you're a farmer, homesteader, or simply enjoy honest conversations about rural life, this episode is full of relatable stories, humor, and heart.

Visit us at gritandgraceintheheartland.com and join the conversation on Grit and Grace in the Heartland: Women in Agriculture on Facebook.

Until next time, have some grit and grace.

Mary and Leah chat about summer heat, local food, favorite garden vegetables, and the value of supporting local farmers. They also share exciting news about a new online community designed to bring people together to learn, connect, and share practical homesteading and agriculture knowledge.

The conversation explores forgotten uses for common plants, the importance of preserving food and reducing waste, supporting small creators, and how simple acts of kindness can make a lasting difference. It is an uplifting reminder that community grows when we choose to help one another.

In this episode:

• Why local food matters more than ever
• Garden harvest celebrations and favorite vegetables
• Edible and medicinal plants you may already have growing nearby
• The vision behind Mary's new online community
• Supporting small farms, creators, and rural communities
• Why kindness and encouragement are more important than ever

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who believes in the power of community. Every share helps us reach more people and continue these conversations.

You can find Mary and Leah at GritAndGraceInTheHeartland.com and on Facebook at Grit and Grace in the Heartland: Women in Agriculture.

Life has a way of throwing unexpected challenges at all of us. Whether it's a family emergency, financial stress, loss, or the daily uncertainties of life in agriculture, adversity is something no one escapes.

In this heartfelt conversation, Mary and Leah share deeply personal stories about facing fear, navigating crisis, and learning how resilience is built one difficult moment at a time. From a frightening medical emergency with a child to the realities of ranch life and the emotional weight carried by farming families, this episode explores what it means to keep moving forward when life feels overwhelming.

Most importantly, they remind us that we are not meant to carry our burdens alone. Community, kindness, and the courage to ask for help can make all the difference.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The four common stress responses: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn
• Parenting through frightening emergencies
• The unique challenges and uncertainties of agriculture
• Why resilience is learned over time
• The importance of asking for help and accepting support
• Mental health, grief, and processing difficult experiences
• How our actions teach the next generation to face adversity
• Finding hope and strength through community

If this conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who may need the reminder that they are not facing life's challenges alone.

You can find Mary and Leah at gritandgraceintheheartland.com and on Facebook at Grit and Grace in the Heartland: Women in Agriculture.

What makes farmers markets so special? Mary and Leah explore the joy of shopping local, connecting with the people who grow and create your food, and why these community gatherings have become such an important part of rural life.

They also share stories about parenting, raising independent kids, summer on the farm, and the simple moments that remind us to slow down and appreciate the season.

In this episode:

• Why farmers markets create lasting community connections
• The realities of being a market vendor
• Fresh food, local businesses, and supporting your neighbors
• Favorite summer memories and traditions
• Why slowing down helps us appreciate the beauty around us

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 loves agriculture, rural life, and strong communities.

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.