160. Prepping for Harvest and Picking Homeschool Curriculum

2026-08-11

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In this episode of Beyond the Crops, Jena and Mary Pat catch up on the realities of late summer farm life, about starting a new homeschool year, choosing curriculum, creating routines, and finding flexibility when farm life, harvest, and family responsibilities don’t always go according to plan. Jena also shares an update on their tiny house project and the challenges of figuring out housing and homeschooling while preparing for harvest and a new baby.The conversation also covers drought, wildfires, farm stress, and the impact o...

In this episode of Beyond the Crops, Jena and Mary Pat catch up on the realities of late summer farm life, about starting a new homeschool year, choosing curriculum, creating routines, and finding flexibility when farm life, harvest, and family responsibilities don’t always go according to plan. Jena also shares an update on their tiny house project and the challenges of figuring out housing and homeschooling while preparing for harvest and a new baby.

The conversation also covers drought, wildfires, farm stress, and the impact of weather on farmers and ranchers, along with a recent family trip to Idaho, hot springs, and making the most of time together before harvest.

Plus, they dive into homesteading and food preservation, including canning salsa, marinara, tomato juice, applesauce, pickle relish, and beef.

And finally, Mary Pat opens up about struggling with her mental health and ongoing dizziness, finding a new hobby in crochet, and the importance of giving ourselves grace when life feels overwhelming.

In this episode:

Homeschooling and choosing curriculum
Creating routines around farm life and harvest
Building a tiny house on the farm
Pregnancy, health, and family transitions
Drought, wildfires, and farming challenges
Family travel and making time for fun
Canning, gardening, and preserving food
Salsa, marinara, tomato juice, and canned beef
Finding hobbies and coping with difficult seasons
Mental health and giving yourself grace
Encouragement for farm moms heading into a busy season

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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

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