What does it actually take to lead 30,000 members across the state? In this episode of Beyond the Gate, Jamie sits down with newly elected Missouri State FFA President Ellie Samek. Ellie opens up about her roots on a Southwest Missouri dairy farm, but this isn't your average farm-kid story. 🐄

She pulls back the curtain on the grueling, multi-day state officer selection process and shares a wild, unexpected side project: partnering with a local zoo to build a national blueprint for raptor rehabilitation. From winning four consecutive state titles to a massive plot twist on the day she found out she won the presidency, Ellie shares what true leadership looks like for the next generation. 🚜

What does it actually take to lead 30,000 members across the state? In this episode of Beyond the Gate, Jamie sits down with newly elected Missouri State FFA President Ellie Samek. Ellie opens up about her roots on a Southwest Missouri dairy farm, but this isn't your average farm-kid story. 🐄
She pulls back the curtain on the grueling, multi-day state officer selection process and shares a wild, unexpected side project: partnering with a local zoo to build a national blueprint for raptor rehabilitation. From winning four consecutive state titles to a massive plot twist on the day she found out she won the presidency, Ellie shares what true leadership looks like for the next generation. 🚜

Join host Jamie Johansen for Beyond The Gate, a podcast sharing the grit, growth, and spirit of rural life. From fields to front porches, this is where the heart of agriculture comes alive as we celebrate the people, challenges, and triumphs that define rural life.

Whether you’re in the tractor, at the kitchen table, or on the road, we’re bringing the heart of agriculture straight to you. The gate’s open… are you ready to step through?

Join host Jamie Johansen for&nbsp;Beyond The Gate, a podcast sharing the grit, growth, and spirit of rural life. From fields to front porches, this is where the heart of agriculture comes alive as we celebrate the people, challenges, and triumphs that define rural life.
Whether you&rsquo;re in the tractor, at the kitchen table, or on the road, we&rsquo;re bringing the heart of agriculture straight to you. The gate&rsquo;s open&hellip; are you ready to step through?

Beyond The Gate

Join host Jamie Johansen for Beyond The Gate, a podcast sharing the grit, growth, and spirit of rural life. From fields to front porches, this is where the heart of agriculture comes alive as we celebrate the people, challenges, and triumphs that define rural life.

Whether you’re in the tractor, at the kitchen table, or on the road, we’re bringing the heart of agriculture straight to you. The gate’s open… are you ready to step through?

Episodes drop every other Wednesday, starting TOMORROW, on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Join host Jamie Johansen for Beyond The Gate, a podcast sharing the grit, growth, and spirit of rural life. From fields to front porches, this is where the heart of agriculture comes alive as we celebrate the people, challenges, and triumphs that define rural life.
Whether you&rsquo;re in the tractor, at the kitchen table, or on the road, we&rsquo;re bringing the heart of agriculture straight to you. The gate&rsquo;s open&hellip; are you ready to step through?
Episodes drop every other Wednesday, starting TOMORROW, on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Ellie Samek: The High-Stakes Journey Behind the Blue Jacket

How did a 12-page catalog printed by a 17-year-old launch a global movement to save rare seeds?


In this episode of Beyond the Gate, Jamie sits down with Michelle and Andrew from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company in Mansfield, Missouri. They take us inside one of the most biodiverse farms in the Midwest to explore how founder Jere Gettle built a seed empire, why Y2K supercharged the heirloom movement, and what it takes to trial 1,300+ rare plant varieties. Plus, get practical, stress-free advice on soil health, seed saving, and picking the right crops for your garden!

How did a 12-page catalog printed by a 17-year-old launch a global movement to save rare seeds?
 In this episode of Beyond the Gate, Jamie sits down with Michelle and Andrew from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company in Mansfield, Missouri. They take us inside one of the most biodiverse farms in the Midwest to explore how founder Jere Gettle built a seed empire, why Y2K supercharged the heirloom movement, and what it takes to trial 1,300+ rare plant varieties. Plus, get practical, stress-free advice on soil health, seed saving, and picking the right crops for your garden!

Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company: How a 17-Year-Old Started a Global Gardening Movement

How do you bridge the gap between 42 million consumers and the 3,600 dairy farm families who feed them? 🐄🥛

In this episode of Beyond the Gate, Jamie sits down with Stacy Dohle, a dairy advocate who literally wears two hats: one in corporate communications for Midwest Dairy and one in the barn at Ol' Rock Barn Creamery.

Stacy breaks down how the dairy industry has transformed over her 26-year career, the inner workings of the dairy checkoff, and why consumer trust relies on authentic storytelling. She also shares the terrifying yet rewarding leap her family took to diversify their farm by bottling their own cream line and A2 Jersey milk right near Pleasant Hope, Missouri. 

Plus, Stacy busts common consumer myths around raw milk, antibiotics, and homogenized milk, and gives a behind-the-scenes look at running the fan-favorite Gerken Dairy Center at the Missouri State Fair! 🎡

How do you bridge the gap between 42 million consumers and the 3,600 dairy farm families who feed them? 🐄🥛
In this episode of Beyond the Gate, Jamie sits down with Stacy Dohle, a dairy advocate who literally wears two hats: one in corporate communications for Midwest Dairy and one in the barn at Ol' Rock Barn Creamery.
Stacy breaks down how the dairy industry has transformed over her 26-year career, the inner workings of the dairy checkoff, and why consumer trust relies on authentic storytelling. She also shares the terrifying yet rewarding leap her family took to diversify their farm by bottling their own cream line and A2 Jersey milk right near Pleasant Hope, Missouri.&nbsp;
Plus, Stacy busts common consumer myths around raw milk, antibiotics, and homogenized milk, and gives a behind-the-scenes look at running the fan-favorite Gerken Dairy Center at the Missouri State Fair! 🎡

Stacy Dohle: The Truth About Raw Milk, Antibiotics, and Dairy Myths

What happens when you combine $1,000, a kitchen table, and a farm garage with a massive vision? 🚜

In this episode of Beyond the Gate, Jamie sits down with Eric Schnelle of S&H Farm Supply to chart the incredible growth of a family business that started in 1969 and expanded into seven physical locations across rural Missouri. Eric shares behind-the-scenes family history—including how a member of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils penned their legendary "S&H Country" jingle over a plate of cheeseburgers—alongside the modern realities of managing a multi-location equipment dealership in 2026.

From navigating global manufacturer boards and smart tractor telematics to recruiting high school FFA students straight into hands-on trade careers, Eric breaks down why trusting your gut and valuing local relationships beats a textbook business plan every single time. 👨‍🌾🌾

What happens when you combine $1,000, a kitchen table, and a farm garage with a massive vision? 🚜
In this episode of&nbsp;Beyond the Gate, Jamie sits down with Eric Schnelle of S&amp;H Farm Supply to chart the incredible growth of a family business that started in 1969 and expanded into seven physical locations across rural Missouri. Eric shares behind-the-scenes family history&mdash;including how a member of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils penned their legendary "S&amp;H Country" jingle over a plate of cheeseburgers&mdash;alongside the modern realities of managing a multi-location equipment dealership in 2026.
From navigating global manufacturer boards and smart tractor telematics to recruiting high school FFA students straight into hands-on trade careers, Eric breaks down why trusting your gut and valuing local relationships beats a textbook business plan every single time. 👨&zwj;🌾🌾

Ellie Samek: The High-Stakes Journey Behind the Blue Jacket

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