Tools For Today's Farmers

Join the Farm Stress Team as we interview Rob Braun, former Cincinnati TV News Anchor and now farmer in Kentucky. In this episode, we hear about Rob's journey to doing what he enjoys. Rob talks about the good and bad that come with farming and how he has overcame some challenges along the way. You won't want to miss this.

Tony Evangelo with World Wide Sires talks about the Dairy Industry, global markets, impacts of foreign conflict and the overall resiliency that ties it all together. No matter where you go, Tony sees the community of farmers helping each other and overcoming challenges. World Wide Sires is a subsidiary of Select Sires. https://wwsires.com/ https://www.selectsires.com/

Dr. Carmen Jones explains the concept of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how they affect physical, mental and social emotional health. Relating to the Ag Industry, we talk about how ACEs may affect farmers and farm families.

Bruce Kettler, Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture shares his experiences over 30 years in the ag industry. His experiences with stressful situations and how people react bring up good points and remind us to slow down and take a deep breath in a world that is primarily reactive to stress.

Lt. Governor of Indiana Suzanne Crouch shares her experiences with stress, her role in state agencies and how people perceive mental health. Her personal experiences combined with her position allow her to impact the lives of Hoosiers for the better.

Susan Baughman talks about the experience of planning the 2022 College Football Playoff Championship held in Indianapolis. From growing up on a farm to running huge events, her insights on stress management create a unique perspective when applied to on-farm life.

Abby and Bryan sit down with Scott Mitchell, the President and CEO at Sumitomo Chemical America Inc., Regional Headquarters Americas to discuss lifestyles, experiences, corporate agriculture and impacts on the well being of farmers as well as some of his personal experiences that got him where he is today.

Ginger Zee, chief meteorologist and managing editor for the climate unit for ABC News talks about her experiences with natural disasters of all kinds, both physical and mental. Her experiences with weather and the lack of control it brings helps her to understand her own mental health struggles and cope with the unpredictability of life. Ginger has authored two books that are now out for readers that focus on mental health; "Natural Disasters: I cover them, I am one" and "A Little Closer To Home: How I Found The Calm After The Storm".

Farm Rescue is an organization providing harvest assistance for farmers who need help with planting or harvest. Visit farmrescue.org for more information, to donate or to voulnteer.

Dale talks about how he copes with stress, finding peace in doing what he loves and his hopes for the future. Check out Dale Brisby online at dalebrisby.com follow him on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. You can also watch his Netflix special "How To Be A Cowboy".

There's not much in farming that Mike Wilson hasn't seen. From being a fifth generation farmer to working nearly 30 years in the Ag industry, Mike has seen his share of adversity. Mike share his stories of overcoming adversity, and how his experiences and people that helped him has inspired a career where he works to help farmers make their jobs easier and less stressful.

Purdue Extension Food Safety Educator talks about the numerous programs available to farmers for Food Safety support. From mock audits to readiness reviews (and more), Scott encourages growers to look into programs that can be customized for their farm. To learn about free and confidential programs designed to assist farmers with compliance to produce safety rules, visit safeproducein.com or ag.purdue.edu/extension/safeproduce. safeproducein.com ag.purdue.edu/extension/safeproduce

Beth Archer, Executive Director of AgrIInstitute, shares how her organization is working to build the leadership capacity for adults in agriculture. Beth provides information about the Indiana Agricultural Leadership Program and the upcoming collaboration with the Indiana Rural health Association and Purdue Extension, "Healthy Minds, Healthy Lives". For more information, please visit the AgrIInstitute website: https://www.agriinstitute.org/

Nathaan Demers has lived and worked in small towns and rural areas, and knows keeping your privacy while seeking mental health services can be difficult. A Clinical Psychologist, Nathaan teamed up with technology professionals to create web-based mental health services that would be of high-quality and confidential. Mantherapy.org is a free, confidential site that a brief self-assessment and many resources that has been helpful to those that have tried it. Nathaan and his team are also working at creating new web-based services for veterans, first responders, and more. For more information, visit gritdigitalhealth.com. To give Man Therapy a try, click the link below: https://mantherapy.org/

Gene Marks @genemarks -- you have probably seen Gene as a regular contributor on Fox Business or read his articles in The Guardian, Washington Times, or Forbes. In this episode, Gene talks about business challenges such as working with employees from younger generations, if and when to outsource a function of your farm, areas of your business to consider investing additional resources into, coping with COVID-related restrictions, and his outlook on positive trends in agriculture. Stick around for the entire information-packed episode, because at the 36 minute mark, Gene shares how current bills in congress (infrastructure bill, American Families Act, minimum wage increases, overtime rules changes, independent contractor classification changes, and more) will impact your small farm.

Derrick Josi is a 4th generation Dairy Farmer, but you might know him from his popular videos about farming on social media. Derrick talks about the unique challenges of running a multi-generational farm and the different things he does to handle that pressure. He also talks about the unique ways social media can benefit farmers. You can find Derrick at: https://tdfhonestfarming.com/ https://www.instagram.com/tdf_honest_farming/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCeoIS2pfSYZ8cFRuZt95dA https://www.facebook.com/tillamookdairyfarmer

Financial challenges are a common stressor and many farms seek to diversify income streams. More farmers are adding solar energy fields into their business model than ever before. In this episode we talk with Jerrod Bley, Clean Energy Program Director for the Adirondack North Country Association, about things to consider when thinking about incorporating solar energy fields into your farm business.

After seeing farm stress impact her community, high school student and western Boone County FFA Chapter President Jaden Maze decided she wanted to help. Jaden reviewed farm stress research and developed her speech, "Stop the Stigma" for her FFA program in an effort to reduce the stigma of reaching out for mental health support. Through the Rural Communications Project, she has talked about stopping the stigma at her county and at the state level. Jaden joined the Tools For Today's Farmers podcast team to share her experience and how youth can get more involved to help.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall shares why he is optimistic for the future of farming and how to get more involved with the Farm Bureau family. President Duvall also talks about farm stress, how he copes with stress, and how the Farm Bureau resource "Farm State of Mind" can help farmers get through tough times.

Under former Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, Ted McKinney served as Under Secretary of Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. He shared the motivations and considerations that shaped his approach to creating policies and the pursuit of global trade opportunities, his appreciation for farmers, and why he is hopeful for the future of agriculture.

Educators from the Purdue Extension Succession Planning Team talk about how it's never too early to begin succession planning. They also share information about their upcoming live online series, "Keeping the Farm Resilient in Uncertain Times". To attend this online three-part series, you must register by February 3rd -- more information and registration links are available through the Purdue Women in Agriculture website.

Dr. Jason Lusk and Dr. Todd Keuthe from the Agricultural Economics and Center for Commercial Ag at Purdue University discuss risk management options, interpreting Ag indexes, and share where to find the many Purdue programs and reports available to help Indiana farmers.

Andy and Sara Dillhoff talk about the many farm-related stresses they face, but find working to complete the many small tasks within the work itself can help relieve stress -- and that the overall pride of purpose of "the life" is a reward that makes it all worth it, year after year.

Dr. Joe Molnar, Professor of Agricultural Economics in Rural Sociology, discusses his research on stress specific to Farmers and shares resources and ideas to better cope and prepare for the variety of stressors in Farm Life.

Angela Sorg, a Health and Human Sciences Education with Purdue Extension with over 20 years of experience as a Mental Health professional, discusses the stressors unique to the farming community, healthy ways to cope with stress, and how Purdue Extension programs like "Weathering the Storm" can help.

Randy Kron shares Indiana Farm Bureau initiatives that work to give farmers a voice and provide support. He is especially excited about a brand new program, INFB Health Plans, designed to make healthcare more affordable for Indiana farmers.

Gary talks about his connections to the Indiana agricultural community and the pride he takes in serving the needs of farm families for over 35 years. He also shares information about the Indiana Farm Equipment and Technology Expo, an event that showcases the latest tech to help farmers farm better and more profitably.

Coach Painter shares how he leads, motivates, and encourages his players to become mentally and physically stronger and develop into well-rounded individuals, and talks about his hopes for the upcoming season.

Dr. Jason Henderson, Senior Associate Dean and Director of Extension in the College of Agriculture, shares how Purdue Extension continues to serve as an ally to Indiana Farmers.

Max Armstrong reflects on his lifelong connection to Agriculture, the best advice he was ever given, and the upcoming Farm Progress and Husker Harvest event, the Farm Progress Virtual Experience -- available live September 15, 16, and 17 at farmprogressshow.com or huskerharvestdays.com.