BeachBum2BarnHand

30 years of marriage…
countless miles between ocean tides and country roads…
boardrooms, barns, babies, storms, prayers, harvests, and ordinary Tuesdays that shaped everything.

This life — from beach girl to farm wife — taught me that growth isn’t loud. It’s built in early mornings, hard seasons, dirt under your nails, and faith that carries you when strength runs out.

Marriage taught me commitment.
Faith taught me surrender.
Farm life taught me patience.

None of it was glamorous.
All of it was worth it.

I’m not the woman I was when we started…
and I’m grateful for that.

More steady.
More grounded.
More aware of what actually matters.

Standing here, looking at the horizon with the man who’s been beside me through it all, I don’t see an ending but I do see proof that the long game is the good game.

Still growing.
Still grateful.
Still becoming. 💛

❤️

On this Veterans Day, we honor the courage, sacrifice, and service of those who have worn the uniform. To every veteran—past, present, and fallen—your dedication to our nation will never be forgotten.
Thank you for your service. 🇺🇸

Share this post then share your friends and family that are serving or have served.

This weekend, we pause to honor the brave men and women who gave everything in service to our country.

For many, this is more than just a long weekend—it’s personal. If you’ve lost someone who wore the uniform, whose sacrifice echoes in your family, my heart is with you. 💔🎖️

Feel free to share their names below or share this post to your story and add your loved one’s name.

Let’s speak their names out loud. Let’s remember the stories, the love, the laughter, and the courage.

Their legacy lives on in us.

It’s no joke this little lady needs a name. She was a twin and mamma said “nope, I’ve already got my calf”.

She is small (twins are usually smaller)
She is rambunctious (now that we have her warm and fed)
She has a long journey ahead (so do we, bottle calves are a lot of work!)

So what suggestions do you have for us? Let’s hear them

You never know what a new recipe will be like. But things a winner and will be on repeat! Also really stretched how far the hamburger went. Let me know what you think.
Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)
• 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough (e.g., Pillsbury)
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder (for topping)
• Optional: ketchup, mustard, or ranch for dipping

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. Cook the Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until browned (about 5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and well combined. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
3. Prepare the Dough: Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into 8 triangles. Place about 2 tablespoons of the beef-cheese mixture in the center of each triangle.
4. Form the Bombs: Fold the edges of the dough over the filling, pinching to seal and form a ball. Place the bombs seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Add Topping: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Brush this mixture generously over the top of each bomb.
6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and cooked through.
7. Serve: Let cool for a few minutes, then serve warm with ketchup, mustard, or ranch for dipping, if desired.

As we enter this season of Lent, I want to focus on prayer—lifting up others and standing in faith with those who need it. If you have a prayer request, please feel free to share it here or send me a private message. Whether big or small, I’d be honored to pray for you. ❤️🙏

Just like my soybeans, our love is deeply rooted, strong, and always growing. Happy Valentine’s Day to my favorite farmhands! May you all feel the power of soy and 💕

Small Family Farms, Big Conversations. 🚜💡

Yesterday, I had the incredible opportunity to be a panelist at the BioSTL Agri-Food Summit for Innovators—a room full of bright minds working to shape the future of agriculture. 🌱🔬

As a first-generation farmer managing a multi-generational operation, I brought the perspective of small family farms—the backbone of agriculture. While innovation is exciting, it must be practical, affordable, and beneficial to those who provide food, fuel and fiber to the world.

We talked about:
✅ The real cost of adopting new technology (Hint: It’s not just the price tag!)
✅ How innovation can serve both big and small farms
✅ Bridging the gap between tech developers and farmers—because if it doesn’t work in the field, it doesn’t work.

I walked away inspired—and with a few things to say:
📢 sustainability and regenerative ag are not just buzz words and can be incorporated on various levels (my square farm will not fit in a round hole)
📢 Farmers especially generational farm families have deep rooted knowledge and Erica SchwoepperReid Thompsoneat at the table when innovation is MOFB East-Central RegionuMissouri Farm BureausLincoln County - Missouri Farm BureausLincoln County Soil & Water Conservation Distriction must also be adaptable for a 500-acre farm.
📢 If we want to keep innovating and adopting new technology, we must collaborate, not compete.

I’d love to hear your thoughts:
🔹 What’s one challenge in agriculture you tNick Robertsogy can solve?
🔹 If you’re a farmer, what’s one innovation you wish existed?

Drop your thoughts in the comments! Let’s keep the conversation going. 👇



Some photos courtesy Nick Roberts

Special thanks to Erica Schwoeppe Reid Thompson for sharing their perspectives and MOFB East-Central Region Missouri Farm Bureau Lincoln County - Missouri Farm Bureau Lincoln County Soil & Water Conservation District for allowing to us to serve our communities.

Spread joy like confetti it’s contagious. Brightens someone with a smile.

it’s free
It’s easy
It doesn’t require any heavy lifting
But the Impact can be huge.

Smiling uses less muscles than not smiling. So forget the creams and Botox just be kind.

Celebrating the farmers who nourish us & our planet! Here’s to sustainable agriculture for a healthy future.

Speechless.

Rob provided the keynote at this years Missouri Farm Bureau Young Farmer’s and Rancher’s conference. He left us all speechless.

His talk was inspiring. As a young adult failing in a new business endeavor and being told to file bankruptcy… devastating. But they didn’t. They worked to pay off their debt. 🙌

As beginning outfitters they struggled and almost gave up before taking help. Humbling but it made his business the success it is today.

Working with your farm family and the previous generation can be hard but he gave great talking points for all sides. And Farm family discussions can be hard. Rob shared advice for the next generation (you are not entitled to anything) 💯 and the previous generations (don’t use the farm against them). 💯. Rob spoke about the support and understanding both sides need. But most importantly to have the conversations.

Rob talked about failing, loss and moving forward.

Losing a father is hard. Losing a son is indescribable. As he fought back tears to talk about Ian I was so proud of him for showing his emotion and keeping his son’s memory alive.

From podcasts to tv shows there is a few reasons he continues to thrive. His love of agriculture, his ability to listen, his fun and creative spirit and his ability to learn and of course Emily beside him organizing planning and directing.

Farm family discussions can be hard and Rob shared advice for the next generation (you are!not entitled to anything) 💯 and the previous generations (don’t use the farm against them). 💯. Rob spoke about the support and understanding both sides need. But most importantly to have the conversations.

If you have not heard him speak, you need to. My heart hurts but this family gives me hope for our world. From the time he entered the building he took photos with people and they talked to everyone that stood in line after. EVERY SINGLE PERSON.

They were present in the moment. Emily even wrote names down and took notes of personal conversations.

So when you see someone as a successful content creator, influencer or business owner. Lean in, get to them know and their journey. We have a lot to learn from each other.