Compassion is a powerful way we connect with others – but how often do we extend it to ourselves when we really need it? Not often enough. In this session we talk with Amanda Coorough, Health and Wellbeing Educator, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Division of Extension and Shawn Monson, Program Coordinator, Farmwell Wisconsin, a service of Southwest Wisconsin Community Action Program. They not only share with us why self compassion is so important to our well-being, but they provide examples of how self compassion can be a source of strength in very difficult times.
Taking a moment to appreciate the simple things in life not only helps us stay safe, but keeps us rooted in the present and allows us to plan for a better, less stressful future. In this episode we speak with Dr. Larissa Duncan, State Specialist for Health & Well-Being at the Division of Extension and Faculty at University of Wisconsin – Madison and David Unbehaun, a Richland County farmer whose family has been on the land for four generations. They explain how a little bit of mindfulness can go a long way in helping to cope with daily life stressors and prevent us from not dwelling on things outside our control.
What we are good at and how we can contribute to the broader world is often a very important way we express ourselves and connect with others. In this episode, we speak with Gene Schriefer, Wisconsin State Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency, and Dorothy Harms, who is a farmer, active community volunteer, and a member of the Farmer Angel Network. Every situation is unique; knowing what strengths you bring to your life and farm can help you plan for a positive future.
Having things to be grateful for and being grateful are often two different things. In this episode we speak with Beth Smetana, a retired clinical social worker and Brianne Mossman founder of the Will P Project developed after her brother, a farmer died by suicide. They will talk to us about how the smallest, simplest things in life can helps us connect with gratitude.
The stress that comes from managing the ups and downs of everyday life in agriculture can be challenging. In this episode Dr. Judy Moskowitz, the original developer of WeCOPE and Dr. John Shutske, Professor and Extension Agricultural Safety & Health Specialist at UW–Madison Division of Extension help us understand how the skills of WeCOPE can help manage this stress.
There is typically a 3-5% increase in milk and butter sales in the United States during the fall months, compared to the summer period. This rise is largely attributed to the holiday season, with November and December witnessing a significant surge in dairy product purchases.
Taking time to plan with trusted advisors—whether you’re farming on your own or with farming partners—is a key to success. However, building that meeting habit takes time and some effort.
Table of Contents Introduction In the ever-changing landscape of agriculture, staying competitive requires more than just identifying challenges; it includes identifying opportunities as well. Both demand a deeper dive. Explore the power of defining strategic issues on your family farm. Taking this step can help you find creative solutions that lie beneath the surface, that […]
If you are considering a change to your farm business, it can feel like you are starting a new journey. You have cows to milk, fields to prepare, seeds to plant, and a future to plan. But, just like a road trip needs a map, your farm needs a plan, too. That’s where a destination […]
Do you look forward to and dread the holiday season at the same time? The holiday season can be even trickier when you are a part of a family farm. Farmers are often juggling the end of crop harvest, year-end financial decisions and changing weather as we step into the full swing of the holiday season. A family farm blends home and workplace, creating a mix of family ties and work duties.
Every day, Wisconsin farmers and farm families face financial challenges, physical demands of the job, and challenges outside of their control that impact their lives. These challenges can lead to chronic stress that can affect a farmer’s mental and physical well-being, their relationships, and decision-making and create unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as alcohol and substance use.
Understanding the proposals is critical for informed participation in the hearing process, effective advocacy, and the strategic planning of various stakeholders in the U.S. dairy industry. Testimony is in progress by subject area, in the following order proposal wise classified on the basis of
The farm bill is an omnibus, multiyear law that governs an array of agricultural and food programs. It provides an opportunity for policymakers to comprehensively and periodically address agricultural and food issues. In addition to developing and enacting farm legislation, Congress is involved in overseeing its implementation.
Dairy markets are facing downward price pressures from increased milk production, slower demand, and competition in export markets.
Financial Planning Month is observed during October. For farmers, this time of year may be focused on harvesting the crops that were planted earlier this spring or summer. But in this day and age of farming, crops can be harvested all year long with many different types of crops, season extensions like high tunnels, and indoor spaces such as greenhouses.
In this video, Andy Larson, farm financial consultant with the Food Finance Institute and also the Wisconsin Small Business Development Centers, talks about financing options for a rural food or farm business. We’re going to spend most of our time talking about traditional banks and traditional lending, but also bring up a number of options that are more non-traditional, if you don’t want to use a bank or you can’t.
In this instructional video, Gaonou Thao, an Extension Specialist specializing in HMoob/Hmong Farmer Outreach, delivers comprehensive guidance on completing a land lease application in HMoob. This video is specifically tailored to cater to the needs of farmers who may not be proficient in English.
What makes for a fair, robust and resilient ag or farm lease agreement? This video is part of a series that will include an example dialog between land/farm owner and renter as they negotiate the specific details of a lease agreement, highlighting important resources, tools and considerations to inform a resilient and robust agreement that serves both parties as well as discussing specific leasing topics
