Rural Realities
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.
Episodes
50 episodes
Permission to Pause - May is Mental Health Month
Spring is a busy time of year for those in agriculture. Taking the time to pause seems counterintuitive but in this first episode of our four-part series for May Is Mental Health Month, host Karen Endres from the Wisconsin Farm Center talks abo...
Someone is Listening and Making Things Happen – A Conversation with Wisconsin DATCP Secretary Romanski
Supporting the mental health of farmers and their families takes leadership, a vision and action. Host Karen Endres from the Wisconsin Farm Center talks to Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Randy Roman...
Redefining Legacy: Family Farm Transitions, Stress, & Clarity
Family farm transitions is one of the most emotionally complex and stressful topics in agriculture. Host Karen Endres from the Wisconsin Farm Center talks to Jace D. Young about how stress can build when expectations, communication and financia...
Finding Gratitude on the Farm
It is easy to focus on the challenges on the farm but in this episode of Rural Realities, host Karen Endres from the Wisconsin Farm Center talks to Katy Schultz of Tri-Fecta Farms about gratitude and what fuels resiliency in our family business...
Getting Unstuck in the New Year and Chasing Your Goals
As we enter the new year, many of us think about resolutions, but what if the real work isn’t just a new habit, but getting free from what is holding us back? In this episode of Rural Realities, host Karen Endres from the Wisconsin Far...
Preventing Scams and Fraud During the Holidays
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. Michelle Reinen, the Administrator of ...
Protect Yourself and Your Farm Business This Holiday Season
We are resharing this episode as we approach Black Friday and Cyber Monday! 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 duri...
Connecting with Farmers Online
Tom Moos and Deb Jakubek are the peer leaders for the Wisconsin Farm Center’s “Rural Relations” Online Support Group. “Rural Relations” is an online group for Wisconsin farmers and their families that is a safe space to share resources, encoura...
You’re Not Alone, Part 2: Suicide Prevention in Rural Communities with the Farmer Angel Network
Dorothy Harms and Vicky Meinholz, two of the leaders of the Farmer Angel Network, continue their conversation with the Wisconsin Farm Center’s Karen Endres about suicide prevention and the importance of hope in rural communities.Farmer A...
You’re Not Alone, Part 1: Suicide Prevention in Rural Communities with the Farmer Angel Network
Dorothy Harms and Vicky Meinholz, two of the leaders of the Farmer Angel Network, join “Rural Realities” to share their story and mission. The network was created after the loss of their friend, Leon Statz, who died by suicide. Since then, Doro...
"Suicide & Mental Health are REAL Problems on the Farm” with Sara Kohlbeck, Director of the Division of Suicide Prevention at the Medical College of Wisconsin
In September each year we recognize world suicide prevention day on September 10. In recognizing this we are sharing a previous episode with Dr. Sara Kohlbeck, a suicide prevention advocate. Farmers and their families constant...
Supporting Wisconsin Agriculture: Inside the Wisconsin Farm Center with JoAnn Peterson
JoAnn Peterson's passion for Wisconsin agriculture runs deep—from her roots in a Wisconsin farm family to her current role as an Ag Program Specialist at the Wisconsin Farm Center. Whether educating young people about farming, helping producers...
"Building Trust as a Foundation for Assisting with Transition Planning” with Nikki Lennart, New Wisconsin Farm Center Team Member
From working with beginning farmers to helping farmers navigate the process of transferring farms from one generation to the next or transitioning from one type of agriculture to another, Nikki Lennart is ready for the call. Nikki joined ...
Rooted in Resilience, Growing in Grace: An Update with Sydni Mell
Growing up on a farm can be stressful, but it also helps develop resiliency. In this update episode, we reconnect with Sydni Mell, who experienced a life-changing farm accident as a college freshman that left her paralyzed and without the use o...
Cultivating Gratitude on the Farm
In this episode of Rural Realities, Part 4 of our special series for Mental Health Month, host Karen Endres of the Wisconsin Farm Center shares how a simple daily gratitude practice can help farmers stay positive through the ups and do...
Strong Roots: Growing Resilience on the Farm
In this episode of Rural Realities, Part 3 of our special series for Mental Health Month, host Karen Endres from the Wisconsin Farm Center talks directly to farmers about building resilience through the ups and downs of farm life. From...
The Power of Hydration and Nutrition
In this episode of Rural Realities, Part 2 of our special series for Mental Health Month, host Karen Endres from the Wisconsin Farm Center dives into two powerful wellness basics: hydration and nutrition. Karen shares easy, practical t...
Self-Care for Farmers: Keep It Simple
Join host Karen Endres from the Wisconsin Farm Center for a special Rural Realities series in honor of May as Mental Health Month. In this episode, Karen shares practical ways farmers and agricultural workers can prioritize self-care, ...
The Wisconsin Farm Center, Here to Help Farmers
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 var...
Talking Farm Transition
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 som...
Protect Yourself and Your Farm Business This Holiday Season
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 Endr...
Stress in Farm Transition – Tips to Help
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 w...
After Suicide, a Lesson in Loss and Resiliency to Help Others
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 ...
Myth Busting Mental Health: Know the Facts
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 Dep...
Real-Life Farming Struggles: Bestselling Author Michael Perry's Latest Work Draws Upon Stories of Rural Life
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...
