Life as a New Mom in Agriculture: Balancing Farm and Family

Always Meant to Be “Mom”

“Mom.” A title I’d always known I was destined to have. In every friend group, I was the mom of the group-the one with the snacks, the Advil, the Chapstick, and the schedule of events—the ultimate planner.

Everyone tells you how life will change when you become a mom.

“You’ll be so tired all the time?”
“Your house will never be clean again.”
“You won’t have time for anything fun.”
“You won’t have time for yourself.”

Well, they were right. Everything did change. And I mean everything. But what most people don’t tell you is how wonderful those changes can be.

In June of 2024, I experienced everything everyone warned me about. But I also experienced something more – something life-changing. The overwhelming amount of joy that a tiny 7-pound, 11-ounce baby girl brought into my life in unexplainable. Unimaginable, until I became a mom to Rory Jeanne on June 7, 2024.

Finding Out I was Pregnant During Harvest

I found out I was pregnant in October 2023- right in the middle of harvest, just before heading out to the tractor to run the grain car. I rushed around the house, found a few Beck’s onesies I’d bought for friends’ babies, made a little sign, and grabbed my first baby (Margo, the Rottweiler). I had big plans to surprise my husband, Michael, with the sign and onsies out in the field.

But when your husband owns a small business, plans change-constantly. So I adjusted. I decided I’d tell him that night at home, no matter how late it was. Once he got in the door, his first stop was the bathroom (as you probably guessed). I set up the little display in the kitchen, hit record on the camera, and waited.

And waited.

And waited some more.

Finally, I yelled, “Michael, come out here-I have a surprise for you!” He came out, grumbling…. and wearing only his underwear. So there went my cute TikTok reveal. But honestly? His reaction was perfect. The excitement on his face said it all. We were about to start the most exciting adventure of our lives: parenthood.

Changing Plans, Changing Priorities

The panic set in about a week later- not because I was becoming a mom (I had always wanted that), but because just a month earlier, I had announced my candidacy for Indiana Farm Bureau’s 2nd Vice President. A volunteer role that would take time, energy, and resources…. all while I was already working a more-than-full-time job at Beck’s.

Could I do it all? Yes. But did I want to?

I knew something would have to give. And I knew it wasn’t going to be my family. I made the incredibly tough- yet absolutely right- decision to withdraw from the election. I give 100% to everything I do, and I knew I couldn’t give that to the position if I were also raising a newborn. Being a mom had to come first.

From Seed Sales to a New Season

I didn’t realize just how much my role in agriculture was about to change. I’m the 7th generation to grow up and work on our family grain farm. I showed livestock in 4-H and on the national level. I now judge livestock shows throughout the Midwest. I had a career at Beck’s on the marketing team and was thriving.

My career mattered. Farming mattered.

But now? The most important thing in my life is being Rory’s mom.

After she was born, my priorities truly shifted. Suddenly, nothing else mattered the same way. This was the shift everyone talks about, and it hit me like a freight train- Mom. Momma. Mommy. The greatest title I’ve ever had. This was the moment I realized my true purpose.

Leaving a Dream Job to Build a New One

I had always believed I was a “lifer” at Beck’s. I loved the job, loved the company, and loved the people. But in my role, travel was a big part of the job-and I loved that too…until I had a little baby at home calling me “Momma.”

Add to that: Michael’s “little side gig” had turned into a full-blown business that he now needed help running. I could feel it-everything was changing again. And I had to make another choice.

I chose family.

I left the security of corporate life to start my own business- a marketing consulting firm where I set the hours, choose the clients, and get to be fully present for my daughter. If you’d asked me two years ago if I thought this is where I’d be, I would’ve said HECK NO… but now? HECK YEAH I’m proud.

Farming with a Baby on Board

Just one harvest after I found out I was pregnant, I had a new little sidekick in the cab. A 4-month-old baby girl riding shotgun in the tractor and combine.

As a woman in a male-dominated industry, I’ve always felt the need to pull my weight. I stay late. I finish the field. I get dirty. But as a new mom? I had to do it differently.

Sometimes I couldn’t finish the field. Sometimes I couldn’t start on time. Sometimes I had to head home early to get Rory to bed. I was breastfeeding in the cab, stopping to change diapers, rotate her in and out of the carrier, and hold her when she needed it.

Sure, kids add challenges to farming, but they also add joy. So much joy.

And here’s the truth: for the farm to survive another generation, we have to raise that generation first.

Embracing the Beautiful Mess

Things look different now. They are different. But that doesn’t mean they’re bad.

Being a mom is a superpower. Being a mom in agriculture, in an industry that quite literally feeds, clothes, and fuels the world, is an absolute gift.

God had entrusted us with raising the next generation of farmers. And I couldn’t be more honored to do just that.