Podcast appearances and mentions of debbie weingarten

Journalist and former vegetable farmer Debbie Weingarten talks with Sarah Smarsh about the dark side of rural existence for people watching their family's way of life be turned upside down—and how a society that relies on their labor can begin to value farmers. Weingarten is a writer and fellow with Community Change. A former vegetable farmer, she now works with the Female Farmer Project to document the rise of women in agriculture. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Guernica, The Guardian, Economic Hardship Reporting Project, Longreads, and Vela, among many other outlets, including the Best of Food Writing 2016 and 2017 anthologies. She was a 2019 James Beard Award nominee for her story exposing discrimination against Louisiana's Black sugar cane farmers. Learn more at TheHomecomers.org and follow the show on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Warning: This episode deals with topics surrounding suicide, and may not be appropriate for all audiences. Suicide rates among farmers and farm workers are among the highest of any occupation in the United States (CDC data). In part two of this series on farmer mental health, we talk to members of the Washington Young Farmers Coalition about the organizing they launched in response to the loss of founding member Justin McClane in 2017. We also hear from Matt Perdue of the National Farmers Union, Joe Schroeder of Farm Aid, and journalist Debbie Weingarten, author of the pivotal Guardian piece on farmer suicide, "Why are America's farmers killing themselves?" We hope this series will contribute to the effort to break down the stigma surrounding farmer mental and behavioral health, inspire policy change, and grow support for programs addressing the farmer mental health crisis in this country. Take action today. Text "Farm Crisis" to 40649 to be connected with your Members of Congress to tell them to fully fund the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Hotline at (800) 273-TALK (8255). You can also speak with someone directly at the Farm Aid Hotline at (800) FARM-AID (327-6243). For further resources, please visit: Policy Victories for Family Famers from Farm Aid: https://www.youngfarmers.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Farm-Advocacy-Policy-Changes-List.pdf Joe Schroeder at Farm Aid: https://www.farmaid.org/author/joeschroeder/ https://farmcrisis.nfu.org/. https://www.facebook.com/wayoungfarmers/photos/a.243951272306662/1374009989300779/?type=3 http://www.washingtonyoungfarmers.org/political/hb-2671/ http://www.seattleweekly.com/news/sowing-the-seeds-of-mental-health/ https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/06/why-are-americas-farmers-killing-themselves-in-record-numbers Recorded at Radio Kingston and edited by Hannah Beal.

"Building a wall" at the US/Mexico border is an abstraction for many Americans--but not for people who live in the borderlands, and those who listen to those who do.

Did you know that farmer suicides have become a global epidemic? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn, for her interview with Debbie Weingarten, writer and food justice advocate.  Weingarten discusses her research into the tragic but growing global trend of farmer suicides, and why her story was so difficult to place in media outlets. She addresses what young farmers need to succeed, and how we (eaters and citizens) can change farm policy through the power of our pens and voices. Farmers need us now more than ever. To read Weingarten’s article in the Guardian, see: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/06/why-are-americas-farmers-killing-themselves-in-record-numbers Weingarten hopes listeners will share the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 with anyone going through rough times. Related website: www.cactuswrenwriting.com

Episode 1.0 features Female Farmer Project Founder, Audra Mulkern and co-host Kate Doughty discussing why farming in Arizona is the first issue tackled here on the podcast. Joined by Debbie Weingarten, we interview those who farm in the balance. Our guests include Anastasia who ranches 160 acres in the Sulphur Springs Valley in Cochise county and is in the process of closing her operation. Also featured is Julie Pierson, a member of the Tohono O'odham tribe and San Xavier land allottee and board member. Joining her is Cie'na Schlaefli the San Xavier farm's food production manager. Sheryl Wiser is our featured farming advocate/musician.

Sleeping Frog Farms is an intensive 75-acre farm nestled in the Cascabel corridor of the San Pedro River Valley. Founded on permaculture design and biodynamic growing principles, Adam Valdivia, Debbie Weingarten, CJ Marks, and Clay Smith are dedicated to providing their community with seasonal heirloom fruits and vegetables through farmer’s markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), Farm to School, Food Coop, and restaurant sales. Their laying hens, dairy goats, honey bees, and earthworms are integral to pollination, soil-building, and recycling crop waste into food and fertilizer. They harvest a diverse selection of produce daily and at its peak ripeness, in order to bring the finest taste and nutrition to Southern Arizona. This episode is sponsored by White Oak Pastures. “Our hope is that in 10-15 years that we can be doing a small scale grain operation to feed the animals.” –Adam Valdivia on Greenhorn Radio