You are more important than your work. Your life...
Dear farmer, your life matters more than your balance sheet
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Eggs, Angus, & healthy animal proteins: Episode 136
With the rise of Avian flu, should consumers take caution when buying eggs? What do dietitians need to know about the safety of animal proteins? And why are egg prices so high?
Ranching, your relationship with food, & wellness: Episode 103
The biggest hurdle for so many people pursuing health and wellness, including healing their relationship with food and being intentional about nutrition, has so much more to do with their mental and emotional state that we often realize. I believe that health should be pursued in a holistic approach, not sacrificing one aspect of health while in pursuit of another.
Growing agriculture’s people: a stress management tool
Farm owners and workers are more likely to die by suicide than any other occupation. Veterinarians are 2.7x as likely to attempt suicide than the general population. Startling statistics, but a very real look at the stress levels impacting all of us in agriculture. These numbers call for compassion for the people raising our food.
Stress management tools for the humans of agriculture
Weather, Changing markets. Lost contracts. Working with family. The chronic stressors in agriculture are prevalent and 2021 brings a whole new level of uncertainty, which is why I’m livestreaming conversations about stress management tools to celebrate National Ag Week. I believe the best people in the world work in agriculture, and I want to be a part of equipping them with tools to combat stress during the pandemic and beyond.
Pharmacist talks food, drugs, & rural mental health: Episode 72
Jason Meadows is a pharmacist and rancher in rural Missouri who started a mental health podcast after a burning baler and a long drive home from Dallas changed his perspective. He explains why rural pharmacists may be the most underutilized mental health resource in agriculture – and what it costs farmers to never ask for help.
The family business struggles of agriculture: Episode 56
“Have good resources, be a good neighbor and check in with farm families” says Jolene Brown, a real “Farmer Brown.” From Eastern Iowa, she’s an internationally known professional speaker in agriculture. Her consultations in family business earned her the reputation as the “Dr. Phil of Agriculture.” In this episode, she’s shares experience, insight, and tools to help make a good family business even better.
H.O.P.E. for Agriculture
What if we cared for the people of agriculture the same way we do with the products we grow? We often adopt an attitude of “let’s not talk about it” when it comes to mental health, embracing the idea of “pull yourself up by your bootstraps.” Data clearly shows that’s not working in the face of a global pandemic, constantly changing markets, weather problems, and all of the pressures piled on farmers and ranchers. You’ve likely read about suicide rates; the people of agriculture need to do better at self-care so we quit losing loved ones.
Stress, Uncertainty, & the Coronavirus: Episode 33
If you are feeling unsettled, stressed, or have jangled nerves as we all weather changes due to COVID19, there is a good reason. Michele and Eliz discuss why your brain likes a predictable environment and how uncertainty creates stress. Eliz shares her research on stress and some tips to decrease the impact of these unsettling times. As always, there’s humor, real talk about food insecurity, bullying, and even Michele’s stress brought on by a drunk driver destroying her cattle fence.
Starbucks, are you contributing to farmer suicides?
Just as it takes more than one formula to create a latte at Starbucks, sustainability includes multiple ingredients. Sustainability in food production takes a big picture look at the environment, the ability of family businesses to succeed long-term and contribute to their local communities – AND the nutrition value food brings to society. Expanding plant-based beverages does not necessarily mitigate climate change, but it does have consequences – many that impact farmers in a mental health crisis.
How do moms overcome food bullying at school, at the gym, and in their own head?
Mom and fitness instructor Ellen Frost explains...
How are farm families stressed by food bullying?
In this episode, we approach farming from a...
Lessons learned on the show halter
A personal look at lessons learned on a show halter from a first year in 4-H showing dairy cattle. Win or lose graciously. Persevere. Leverage skills and willpower. Know the needs of individual animals to provide the best care. And yes, part of being in 4-H & FFA is telling the story of your own experience to those “city slickers.”
Did 9/11 push us into cowardly rudeness?
Did 9/11 numb our society to common courtesy and turn us into cowards? Michele points to distrust in Muslims and lack of courtesy in conversations around food as evidence in the loss of civility – particularly when firsthand experience is missing. She believes more respect is needed for the freedom of choice – and greater decorum should be brought to the food debate.
Dream big for a better agriculture
A challenge to dream bigger for agriculture and food conversations to celebrate the AgChat Foundation’s second anniversary. Michele shares words that have inspired her for years. “Because with an idea, determination, and the right tools, you can do great things. Let your instincts, your intellect and your heart guide you…”
Is true leadership about me or we?
Sarah Bedgar Wilson and Marie Bowers are leaders for agriculture that focus on the “we” factor instead of getting hung up on ego, politics and bright shiny objects. Michele writes about how they made the leap to “we” and the resulting impact they’ve had in bringing others to the cause of agriculture.
Decide. Stress. Pray. Farm.
What happens when it’s a bad year on the family farm? Guest blogger MRS shares her family’s concerns and experiences following a stressful growing season on the farm. When a family lives where they work, their “job” become a lot more personal.
Are farmers and ranchers ever happy?
Is it time for farmers and ranchers to stop complaining and get the job done? Michele thinks agriculture needs to do something about the many concerns related to farming. And you can begin on September 22.
Introducing a Future Farmer’s Daughter
Guest mom blogger introduces her new daughter, Daisy, and the adjustments to becoming a family of four on the farm.
Audacious Leadership for Agriculture
Does agriculture have the authenticity, audacity and action to really lead the conversation about food? Michele asks what the food and farming picture looks like in 2021 in this thought provoking post. She believes agriculture has fallen into a dangerous mode of reacting rather than slowly and carefully building relationships through our every day actions.
Giving Back: the first 10x Connect Grants
Pics are in Gallery Name of Organization: Farm...
Life on the Couch
Guest blogger MRS writes of her struggles to write about farming, food & family as she deals with pregnancy complications and bedrest.
Do you know your legacy?
Being a mom has made Michele a better person. She writes what she’s learned from motherhood, her legacy (in life and agriculture) and challenges readers to find their own legacy – which often isn’t on your business card.
Growing up a Muddy Little Farm Kid
Farm kids get dirty and that’s a good thing! Guest mom blogger, MRS, shares a story of Blue playing and exploring the outdoors and the enjoyment she finds in watching him play outside.
Stepping up, Reaching out & Accepting Help
When difficulties arise, it’s easy to get caught up in stress and worry. Guest mom blogger, MRS, talks about finding inspiration and encouragement in her small town farming community while experiencing complications during pregnancy.
Being part of a family business is NOT a birthright!
Want to go back to the farm or already there and banging your head against the wall? Hundreds in family business have taught Jolene Brown that there is a key to stacking the odds toward generational success and family business longevity. It begins with honest answers to 6 questions for the “incoming” generation, writes this professional speaker and farmer in a guest blog post.
Life in a Small Town
Feeling a little nostalgic, guest mom blogger MRS, reminisces about growing up in a small town community and looks forward to raising her children the same way.
FFA: More Than Just a “Social Club”
Guest mom blogger MRS talks about her lack of knowledge of FFA and agriculture despite growing up in a farming community. She encourages those involved in FFA to educate others after learning of the leadership, business & communications skills her husband acquired through ag ed classes and FFA.
Skip Days & Comfort Food
Is the holiday rush getting to you? Maybe you should do what this mom blogger did – take a “skip” day. She shares family activitiesand cooking that her family enjoyed – plus a recipe for soup sure to cut down the chill of the winter.
Foodthanks: 100 Pieces of Gratitude (Almost)
The first 50 of 100 reasons Michele will be giving a lot of “Foodthanks” this Thanksgiving. Great links for a variety of people around the food plate, from nutrition professionals to technology to spinach to ice cream to food producers. This agvocate filled the list with humor and heartfelt reflection.
Making Memories in Blue Corduroy
With the 83rd National FFA Convention just around the corner, FFA alumni member Laura Padgett shares her advice to current agriculture education students on how to make the most of their experience. Make the most of your time in Indianapolis and cherish memories to last a lifetime.
Nine Years After 9/11: College Student Finds Inspiration
As the U.S. reflects on 9/11, Oklahoma State student Laura Padgett helps shed light on the the national security that our agrifood system affords North Americans. She provides insight on what it was like to be a nine year-old watching the tragedy unfold and the pride in the country’s unity – while asking the question about what that security and unity look like long-term for the U.S.A.
Balancing Harvesting & Parenting
A full-time mom struggles with how her family should balance the time demands of harvest, her husband’s full time job and their one year-old. If any other farm wives/mothers or farmers have any suggestions, she would love to hear them!
Food for Baby Blue: Introducing a New Mom
First guest post from MRS, a new mom who’s excited opportunity to learn more about where food comes from, how it’s grown and harvested so she can make informed decisions regarding the foods her family eats. “Because my goal, as a mom, is to raise a healthy child and a very important part of that are the foods we eat!”
Life Away from Work…
Time off? Vacation? Many people on a farm don’t buy into the rationale of taking time away and summer is a busy time for everyone in agriculture. After all, if you love what you do, so every day is a vacation, right? “Wrong!” is Michele’s response – with some questions about how you might benefit from time away.
Profits in Volunteerism
Since I was raised as a 4-Her and FFA member on...
Celebrating Small Town America
The joy of summer holidays in small towns,...
Inspiration
Agricultural speaker Michele Payn talks about how farmers and ranchers inspire her to continue helping agriculture champion its’ cause!
Humility
In the past 8 years of speaking, I have stood on...
How Is Your Resiliency?
Professional speaker and agricultural advocate Michele Payn points to the need for resiliency in these trying times. Resiliency can be illustrated as a rubber ball being dropped; the harder you fall, the harder you need to bounce. Mayo Clinic says “People with resilience harness inner strengths and rebound more quickly from a setback or challenge, whether it’s a job loss, an illness or the death of a loved one.”
Are You Honoring Your Roots?
As the harvest season winds down, have you...
Building Young People
This past week (and month) has been consumed by...
Are You About Success or Value?
“Try not to become a man of success but...
The Frustration of a Price Taker
Are you a price taker or price maker? The...
Passion: The Light of Leadership
Leadership is passion. Without passion, a person will have very little influence as a leader.
Lessons Learned at the County Fair
Michele’s reflections on the valuable opportunities that exist at the age-old tradition of rural fairs.