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

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;🌾🌾

Eric Schnelle: The S&H Farm Supply Legacy

What happens when the heavy loads we carry move past everyday stress into a silent crisis? In this essential episode of Beyond the Gate, Jamie sits down with Laclede County native and nationally recognized psychologist Dr. Jeff Brown to discuss mental health in rural America.

With the agricultural community facing a suicide rate four times the national average, Dr. Brown breaks down the dangerous mix of physical isolation, overestimating worst-case scenarios, and the stigma that views asking for help as a weakness. He offers practical strategies on how to spot when a loved one is just "feeling off," how to leverage anonymous resources like 988, and why teletherapy is a game-changer for modern farmers. From raising resilient kids to managing the stress of farm succession, this candid conversation provides a roadmap for protecting your most valuable asset—your mind.

What happens when the heavy loads we carry move past everyday stress into a silent crisis?&nbsp;In this essential episode of Beyond the Gate, Jamie sits down with Laclede County native and nationally recognized psychologist Dr. Jeff Brown to discuss mental health in rural America.
With the agricultural community facing a suicide rate four times the national average, Dr. Brown breaks down the dangerous mix of physical isolation, overestimating worst-case scenarios, and the stigma that views asking for help as a weakness. He offers practical strategies on how to spot when a loved one is just "feeling off," how to leverage anonymous resources like 988, and why teletherapy is a game-changer for modern farmers. From raising resilient kids to managing the stress of farm succession, this candid conversation provides a roadmap for protecting your most valuable asset&mdash;your mind.

Dr. Jeff Brown: Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health in Rural America

What actually happens when a neighbor's livestock crosses your line, or a handshake agreement from decades ago turns into a modern property dispute? In this episode of Beyond the Gate, Jamie sits down with Dallas County native, cattleman, and shareholder attorney Travis Elliott to unpack the complex (and often deeply emotional) world of agricultural and rural property law.  
Travis brings a highly practical approach to the legal world, breaking down the crucial differences in Missouri’s bifurcated fence laws, how to properly protect your operation from livestock liability, and what you need to know about boundary lines, easements, and eminent domain. Whether you manage a massive cattle operation, own a quiet few acres in the sticks, or just want to learn how to avoid a costly neighbor war, this conversation is essential listening. 

What actually happens when a neighbor's livestock crosses your line, or a handshake agreement from decades ago turns into a modern property dispute? In this episode of Beyond the Gate, Jamie sits down with Dallas County native, cattleman, and shareholder attorney Travis Elliott to unpack the complex (and often deeply emotional) world of agricultural and rural property law. &nbsp; Travis brings a highly practical approach to the legal world, breaking down the crucial differences in Missouri&rsquo;s bifurcated fence laws, how to properly protect your operation from livestock liability, and what you need to know about boundary lines, easements, and eminent domain. Whether you manage a massive cattle operation, own a quiet few acres in the sticks, or just want to learn how to avoid a costly neighbor war, this conversation is essential listening.&nbsp;

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

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