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Given the ongoing challenges facing the agriculture industry – low prices, uncertain markets, trade uncertainty, and inclement weather - it’s no surprise that farmers and farm families are experiencing more stress. “Rural Realities” focuses on helping farmers tap into their resilient nature by presenting advice from experts that can help reduce stress, improve a farm’s financial situation, implement good farm family communication skills, and more. ***The department is providing this podcast as a public service, but it is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of department policy. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the department. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by department employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of the department or any of its officials. If you have any questions about this disclaimer, please contact our Department’s General Counsel.
32 Episodes
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The Wisconsin Farm Center focuses on helping farmers establish, sustain, grow, or effectively transition their agriculture businesses. Join Dan Bauer, Farm Center Supervisor, as he talks with Rural Realities host Karen Endres about the wide variety of free and confidential programs the center offers. Along the way you will learn a little bit of history of the Farm Center and how to easily access the services their experienced team provides. Experiencing a challenge on the farm? Contact...
Kevin Plante and Mark Schmitz help Wisconsin farmers navigate the process of transferring their farms to the next generation. Both work at the Wisconsin Farm Center as Farm Transition Advisors, and in this episode of our podcast, they offer some tips to farmers thinking about transition planning or already in the process. They connected with their colleague, Karen Endres, to discuss transition planning, how the Farm Center works with families, and what to do if the process isn’t moving forwar...
This episode digs into a topic that’s a little different from Rural Realities’ usual content, but it’s something that affects us all and can be especially relevant during the holidays: consumer protection. The Wisconsin Farm Center’s Karen Endres sat down with Michelle Reinen, Division Administrator for the Division of Consumer Protection at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, to talk about scams that can affect small businesses--including farms--and consumers, and h...
Monica McConkey, Rural Mental Health Specialist, works with farm families every week in Minnesota and knows stress and family relationships impact the process of business transition planning. The Wisconsin Farm Center’s Karen Endres connected with Monica at World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin, when she was there presenting on farm stress. Monica shared insight on the emotional issues that farmers working on a transition plan may face, along with some techniques that she finds most helpful ...
Living with loss and vowing to help others so they never have to experience this pain is what gets Jennifer Webster through her grief after losing her father, Brian Webster, to suicide last year. The Wisconsin Farm Center’s Karen Endres met up with Jennifer and her other guest Sara Kohlbeck at an event in Baldwin, Wisconsin, to help educate our community, including healthcare providers, about farmers’ unique mental health needs and to kick off the new Western Wisconsin Farmer Angel Network. S...
The stigma surrounding mental health is very prevalent in our rural communities and is often a barrier to farmers seeking help. On this episode of the Rural Realities podcast, Susan Townsley talks with Karen Endres of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), about myths and facts around farmer mental health. Susan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Stonehouse Counseling in Viroqua. She has 20 years of experience working with clients in a rural setti...
40 Acres Deep is a tale of farmer Harold facing a long winter alone. In his small rural community, many farmers and small businesses have left, and the good old days are now just memories. On this episode of the Rural Realities podcast, Michael Perry talks with Karen Endres of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), sharing about his book, background as a writer and Wisconsinite, connection to farming, and the topic of mental health in rural Wisconsin. ...
Communicating effectively is important to running a successful farm business, but often farmers aren’t taught how to be good communicators. On this episode of the Rural Realities podcast, Ted Matthews chats with Karen Endres of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), sharing his tips on improving communications with your family and your farm partners. Ted has two decades of experience working with farmers as a rural mental health practitioner in Minneso...
Youth are the next inventors, creators, and business owners for our agricultural enterprises. Hear from one Wisconsin youth who came into agriculture in an nontraditional way, but quickly embraced ag, and is now helping other teens discover their passion for farming by serving as a Wisconsin State FFA Officer. Parker Litterick shares her energy and enthusiasm for agriculture with Farm Center’s Karen Endres on this episode of the Rural Realities podcast. Experiencing a challenge with a c...
Spring can be a very stressful time for farmers and this year, the weather and markets have given us plenty to worry about. Monica McConkey, a rural mental health specialist, shares three simple tips to help you manage stress, and three things you can do to benefit your relationships on your family farm, with Farm Center’s Karen Endres. We need to be intentional about improving our emotional health and relationships and this conversation gives listeners tools that you can start implementing i...
Growing up on a farm can be stressful, but it also helps develop resiliency. Listen to how growing up on a Wisconsin dairy farm, and having a life in agriculture, helped Sydni Mell and her family adapt after a farm accident. Sydni and Sam used the same mindset that they have used on the farm to keep their heads up, push forward, and make strides in Sydni’s recovery. Enjoy this inspiring conversation of tragedy, hope, and determination as Sydni and Sam share their story of a farm accident with...
Navigating change can be stressful for farmers and their families. When we think about operating a successful farm business, planning is critical. Oftentimes, those plans include change. It may be as simple as a new job responsibility or as complex as a farm transition. Peggy Coffeen, Uplevel Dairy Podcast Host & Owner, discusses change with the Farm Center’s Karen Endres. They discuss preparing for change, how to respond to a change, and what can help you through a change. Ex...
Difficult conversations can be stressful, especially for farmers working with their families. Dairy Farmer and Mental Health Advocate Randy Roecker discusses how he approaches communications on his generational dairy farm with the Farm Center’s Karen Endres. They touch on using positivity and gratitude, and having a community of people you can talk to when feeling stressed. Experiencing a challenge on the farm? Contact the Wisconsin Farm Center! With more than a hundred years of collec...
Coping with stress through substance use is not uncommon. Nearly 50 percent of rural Americans and 74 percent of farmers have been directly impacted by opioid misuse, according to a 2017 survey by the National Farmers Union and the American Farm Bureau Federation. Dual Diagnosis Counselor Megan Wolf discusses the signs of addiction, recovery options, and that there is hope for people who struggle with substance use with Farm Center’s Karen Endres. Experiencing a challenge on the farm? Contact...
We all go through times when we feel down or blue. How do you know when you should ask for help? Whether you are dairy farmer, livestock producer, or produce farmer, you and your family experience business challenges that can cause anxiety, stress, and depression. Licensed Clinical Social Worker Jessica Beauchamp discusses the signs and symptoms of depression and where to find information on depression with Farm Center’s Karen Endres. They discuss some useful online resources and how yo...
Farmers and their families constantly experience business challenges that can lead to additional stress, mental health issues, and even suicide. Sara Kohlbeck, a suicide prevention advocate, discusses why we are seeing a higher rate of suicide among farmers with the Farm Center’s Karen Endres. They look at the research Sara has been doing, why farmers are at a higher risk for suicide, and available trainings for Wisconsinites looking to become more comfortable reaching out to someone struggli...
"Let’s Talk Anxiety & Depression on the Farm” with Jes Beauchamp, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Stress is something farmers typically face each day, but when it gets to be too much, it can lead to anxiety and depression. Jes Beauchamp, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Karen Endres from the Wisconsin Farm Center discuss anxiety and depression on the farm in this episode. They share signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression, self-care tips that can help you feel better, and when...
"Identify & Reset Unhealthy Default Settings” with Penn Vieau, Professional Speaker & Coach It is easy to overemphasize the negative and dismiss the positive things in our lives. Penn Vieau, professional speaker and coach, and Karen Endres from the Wisconsin Farm Center share how these unhealthy default settings can cause stress, fatigue, resentment, and get us off track. In this podcast, they share how and why our minds come pre-wired to focus on the negative and how identifyi...
"International Markets Provide Opportunities for Wisconsin Farmers and Agri-Businesses" with the International Agri-Business Center at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Wisconsin exported nearly $3.37 billion in agricultural and food products to 145 countries in 2020. The International Agri-Business Center (IABC) staff, shares how they work with Wisconsin farmers and agri-businesses to grow Wisconsin’s exports. They talk about their activities, how to get...
AgrAbility helps farmers with disabilities or limitations obtain assistive technology and support so they can continue to do their job safely and successfully. Amanda Harguth, Outreach Specialist at AgrAbility of Wisconsin, explains the wide variety of disabilities and limitations that farmers can face and resources available to help them continue farming in this podcast episode. Experiencing a challenge on the farm? Contact the Wisconsin Farm Center! With more than one hundred years of colle...
"Maintaining Farm Viability Through Volatile Times" by Kevin Bernhardt, UW-Platteville & UW-Extension Navigating day-to-day operations on the farm can be extremely stressful and, even more so when farm viability needs to be evaluated and discussed. Kevin Bernhardt, Professor of Agribusiness at UW-Platteville and UW-Extension Farm Management Specialist, defines farm and economic viability, how it changes over time, and the key steps to maintaining the viability of your farm in this podcas...
"Healing After Farm Stress Turned to Tragedy" by Brenda Statz, farmer and mental health advocate From fluctuating prices to long work hours, farmers experience an extensive amount of stress every day. It is key to reach out for help and support when that stress starts to impact mental or physical health. Brenda Statz, a farmer and mental health advocate, shares how she lost her husband to suicide, her journey as a suicide survivor, signs and symptoms of distress, and the importance of reachi...
"Farmers Facing the Future After 2020" by the Wisconsin Farm Center including Tracy Brandel, Frank Friar, Mike Lochner, Kevin Plante, Jack Ourada, Jeff Swenson and Norm Monsen. From fluctuating prices to supply chain disruptions, 2020 has been a difficult year for farmers. The Wisconsin Farm Center team, comprised of eight individuals with collectively more than five decades of agriculture experience, provides a look at what farmers faced in 2020 and how farmers can overcome a challenging ye...
"Navigating Marriage on the Farm" by Ted Matthews, Rural Mental Health Specialist Unlike other occupations, farming often involves the entire family being actively engaged in the operation. As farming comes with daily challenges, it is easy to let stress and tension get in the way of a happy marriage. Ted Matthews, a rural mental health specialist in Minnesota, gives insight on how to overcome and prevent marital challenges on the farm in this “Rural Realities” podcast episode. Experie...
"Farm Children: They Experience Stress Too!" by Monica McConkey, Rural Mental Health Specialist Farming generally comes with a significant amount of stress that can negatively impact everyone involved in the operation including youth of any age. Monica McConkey, a rural mental health specialist from Minnesota, discusses the signs and symptoms of stressed children on the farm and how parents can help struggling youth in this "Rural Realities" episode. Experiencing a challenge on the f...
"Finding Fairness in Farm Transition" by Elaine Froese, Farm Transition Specialist Farmers navigate tough conversations and situations every single day but talking about farm succession and transition is a once-in-a-lifetime event that can come with its own unique set of challenges. Elaine Froese, a farm transition specialist, shares tips and tricks on setting yourself up for success when transitioning the farm to the next generation in this "Rural Realities" episode. Experiencing a challen...
"Farm Financials: When to Reach Out for Help" by Paul Dietmann, Compeer Financial In today’s ever-changing agricultural economic climate, navigating financials on the farm can be difficult and stressful. Paul Dietmann, a senior lending specialist with Compeer Financial, shares tools that can help you better evaluate your financial situation, key indicators of financial distress and where to reach out for help. Experiencing a challenge on the farm? Contact the Wisconsin Farm Center! With mor...
Discussing the "Undiscussabull" by Elaine Froese, Farm Transition Specialist Whether you need to discuss farm viability, succession to the next generation, future visions or just a simple operation change with your family, going into the conversation with healthy conversation tools and the right mind set is key. Elaine Froese, a farm transition specialist and lifelong farmer, shares insight on conflict resolution and how to start and properly discuss these “undiscussabull” topics on th...
"Navigating Change When the World has Changed" by Dianne Deaton Vielhuber, Author and Pastor Farming tends to come with a lot of unprecedented changes. From bad weather to ever-changing markets, these changes can be stressful and cause anxiety. Dianne Deaton Vielhuber, an author and pastor, explores how to navigate change in these uncertain times in this “Rural Realities” podcast episode. Experiencing a challenge on the farm? Contact the Wisconsin Farm Center! With more than a 50 years...
"Your Brain on Stress" by John Shutske, UW-Division of Extension Given the variety of ongoing challenges facing the agriculture industry, it comes as no surprise that Wisconsin farmers and their families are experiencing extreme amounts stress. While it is normal for everyone to experience stress at some point in their lifetime, prolonged stress can negatively impact you mentally and physically. John Shutske, a professor and agricultural safety and health specialist with the University of Wi...
"Breaking the Stigma on Mental Health" by Renee Sutkay, Journey Mental Health From fluctuating prices to inclement weather, the uncertainty that comes with farming can create a lot of pressure and stress that weighs on you and your family. When the pressure becomes too much and starts to negatively impact your life, there is no shame in reaching out to a mental health professional for help. Renee Sutkay, Associate Director at Journey Mental Health, shares the importance of seeking mental hea...
"Use a Positive Mindset & Gratitude to Handle Daily Farm Stress" with Penn Vieau, Professional Speaker & Coach You face many stressors owning and operating a farm business, and for many of you, a multigenerational farm business. Penn Vieau, professional speaker and coach and Karen Endres from the Wisconsin Farm Center share how adopting a positive mindset with a focus on gratitude can help you better handle these stressors. In this podcast, they explore how the mind works...
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