Unspoken AG

We're BACK! And we are featuring the wonderful Josie Lonetti, public policy extraordinaire, in this episode while we begin to unpack the increased rural vs. urban divide, politics, voting, policy impacts on agriculture and so much more. In all honesty, we're going to be bringing Josie back to deep dive into some more in depth topics in the future because we think these things are important to discuss. We may not always agree on everything - you'll hear a variety of stances and ideas in this episode alone, but we know the conversation is important.

In this episode we chat with Tyler Nelson, a young farmer from Northern Minnesota who has slowly worked to transition his crop acres to organic while milking a conventional dairy herd. Hear about some of his struggles, advice and why he worked out a plan to transition part of his farm to organic. Like what you hear? Don't forget to rate our podcast.

The conversation around mental health and seeking help typically stems around suicide awareness. What if we put into motion the tools we need to combat that before that even becomes a thought? What if we seek help in a variety of forms to give us the tools we need to unpack trauma, work through tough situations, evaluate and understand our emotions, learn how to communicate and so much more? Front end mental health work is SO important. In today's episode we talk about why seeking help during all times in our lives will make us and our lives better for the long run and that there is no shame in seeking help to get the resources and tools you need to sort through trauma, emotions, challenges, etc.

In today's episode, we catch up with Matt Braun, a farmer from southern Minnesota. Although he is maybe out of the "young farmer and rancher" status - he is still a beginning farmer, after choosing to strike out on his own with his farming operation. Matt discusses the tough choices of farming on your own, being a good family member and not comparing your operation to others with social media's highlight reels. He also talks about why showing up and taking the time to volunteer is so important to your community.

Raise the Rent - says young farmer Matt Adrian when it comes to your mental health. Find out just what that means in today's episode. Listen in to learn more about Matt's struggle with mental health and depression as a farmer and how he utilized tools to overcome, find hope and reach his goals. Stress & Crisis Help for Farmers: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/about/mnfarmerstress/copingstress Minnesota Farm & Rural Helpline: 833-600-2670 x 1

Everyone's picture of success for their operation looks differently. In today's episode we discuss why you shouldn't let others' opinions of your operation define your views of your success. You never know how hard someone has worked or the obstacles they have encountered and conquered to continue to farm. Make a plan. Work the Plan. Adjust the plan when needed and work it some more. You do you!

We've seen some big changes and a resurgence in the direct to consumer market, especially in how consumers are purchasing meat. Check out this latest podcast to hear some of Grant & Sara's thoughts on things like pricing your product to make money (farmers don't sell yourself short), how the pig market isn't the norm right now, and what consumers and farmers need to know about processing and following the law. Don't forget to rate the podcast and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/unspokenag

Today we bring you an interview with Pam Uhlenkamp, a Farm Business Management instructor in southern Minnesota. Don't know what FBM is? Curious as to how a FBM instructor can help your farm? Well, then you will want to tune in to this podcast. Helpful links to learn more: https://agcentric.org/what-we-do/education-training/farm-business-management/ https://www.centerofagriculture.org/farm-business-management/farm-business-management https://www.cffm.umn.edu/

COVID-19 has turned the world upside down. Is your farm prepared if something were to happen to you or your spouse? In this episode, we discuss why it is so important to have information written down and in easy to find places in case something were to happen to you. Would someone be able to pick up and run your operation tomorrow if you were in the hospital? It is difficult to think about but necessary for your farm operation.

Decisions on what is best for your farm operation can be difficult, and we want to clarify, we mean YOUR farm. As young farmers, we need to build our own operations outside of parents. You have to do the next right thing for your farm and family. That might mean leaving the family farm, going out on your own, deciding to stop farming or going to work full time. In this episode, Grant & Sara tackle some tough choices they both made with their operations and how that has helped them alleviate stress, change their operations or just plain do something different. If you liked this podcast, please share with your friends. Visit us on Facebook at Unspoken AG!

You ever just need someone to say, "Hey, me too!" - there is more of that than you think when it comes to farmers and agriculturalists dealing with a variety of stressors and mental health scenarios. So here's us saying "Me too!" because you aren't alone. You are not alone with what you are dealing with. As two friends who have utilized mental health professionals as well as seen and dealt with our fair share of the stuff you like to keep behind closed doors, we are here for you. Lets all work to remove the stigma around mental health. Here are some helpful links we want to share: The Minnesota Farm & Rural Helpline connects callers to financial help, mental health counselors, legal assistance, and more. Calls are confidential, but counselors may ask for a first name and phone number in case of a dropped call. Translation services are available in all languages. The toll free number is (833) 600-2670. The Helpline is also available to people who are worried about family or friends and aren’t sure how to help. The Farm Information Line can connect you to farm financial counseling. Extension farm financial experts provide free, one-on-one financial counseling to farmers who are experiencing financial stress. 1-800-232-9077 Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Afterhours: Leave a voicemail and we'll return your call the next business day. Email: fil@umn.edu

Does your farm have a safety plan in place? What safety measures are you taking on your farm operation? How do you ensure you make it home each day to your family when agriculture is one of the most dangerous careers to be in? Today, we welcome guest Mark Hewitt, EMT and firefighter, to the podcast to discuss agricultural safety as well as some helpful resources along with Grant. As firefighters, both Mark and Grant look at emergency rescues and preparedness on farms a bit differently. Ag safety week is March 1-7. How are you ensuring your farm operates safely? #ASAP20 #KeepFarmsSafe #VisionOnAgSafety Leave us a rating, share the podcast and like our Facebook page!

Have you ever thought about what you would be doing if you weren't farming? Have you considered what passions you might pursue if your life looked different? What about skills you have acquired farming and how that might translate into the workforce? In this podcast, we take a look at what we would be doing and encourage others to take a look at remembering to find time to pursue passions outside of farming. Like what you are hearing? Leave us a review! Have an idea we should tackle? Email unspokenag@gmail.com

Today we bring you an interview with Chandra Pagel, who grew up a city kid, but moved to the farm when she married her dairy farming husband. Chandra brings some insights into what it was like to learn everything from scratch and what surprised her most about dairy farmers. Like the podcast? Give us a rate or share it on your social channels. Have something we should cover? Email unspokenag@gmail.com with your idea.

You've probably watched one of Derrick Josi's videos before. He's better known as TDF Honest Farming on social media and has frequent meetings with his "girls" aka his herd of jerseys on the Oregon coast. We sat down with Derrick to discuss a topic that farmers really don't like to address - what happens when livestock die on the farm. Don't worry, he also gave us some great nuggets about social media and how to handle those situations when they arise too. Like what you hear? Please rate us! Have an idea for the podcast? Email unspokenag@gmail.com

There are a wide variety of career opportunities available in agriculture. Whether you a farm kid, a farmer or someone interested in the agriculture industry, there are jobs in everything from accounting to IT to mechanics to product development. In this podcast, Grant & Sara discuss the variety of pathways they've encountered while working that involve agriculture and why employers look for agriculture connections when hiring. Don't forget to give us a follow on Facebook at: http://facebook.com/unspokenag Have an idea for a podcast? Email unspokenag@gmail.com. Liked this podcast? Leave us a review.

Did you know majority of family farms bring in off-farm income? The dream of "farming full-time" just isn't realistic in today's farm economy for most young farmers. Here Grant and Sara tackle why they have off-farm income and why it is valuable to their ability to farm.

Find yourself a farm organization to get involved with. There are so many benefits with being involved in a farm organization from creating a network to speaking with legislators.

Cost of living can be a huge draw on farm operations. Is what you are spending your hard earned money on keeping you from reaching your goals?

Welcome to the show...where we are unscripted and just chatting about what no one else wants to in agriculture.

Welcome to UNSPOKEN AG where two farm friends from Minnesota will tackle the issues affecting young farmers that no one wants to talk about.