The stigma surrounding mental health is very prevalent in our rural communities and is often a barrier to farmers seeking help. On this episode of the Rural Realities podcast, Susan Townsley talks with Karen Endres of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), about myths and facts around farmer mental health. Susan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Stonehouse Counseling in Viroqua. She has 20 years of experience working with clients in a rural setting.  Experiencing a challenge with a change on the farm? Contact DATCP’s Wisconsin Farm Center! Wi ..read more

40 Acres Deep is a tale of farmer Harold facing a long winter alone. In his small rural community, many farmers and small businesses have left, and the good old days are now just memories. On this episode of the Rural Realities podcast, Michael Perry talks with Karen Endres of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), sharing about his book, background as a writer and Wisconsinite, connection to farming, and the topic of mental health in rural Wisconsin. Michael, who has written 18 books, calls himself an “accidental” New York Times bestselling author. He ..read more

Youth are the next inventors, creators, and business owners for our agricultural enterprises. Hear from one Wisconsin youth who came into agriculture in an nontraditional way,  but quickly embraced ag, and is now helping other teens discover their passion for farming by serving as a Wisconsin State FFA Officer. Parker Litterick shares her energy and enthusiasm for agriculture with Farm Center’s Karen Endres on this episode of the Rural Realities podcast. Experiencing a challenge with a change on the farm? Contact the Wisconsin Farm Center! With more than 100 years of collective agricultur ..read more

Growing up on a farm can be stressful, but it also helps develop resiliency. Listen to how growing up on a Wisconsin dairy farm, and having a life in agriculture, helped Sydni Mell and her family adapt after a farm accident. Sydni and Sam used the same mindset that they have used on the farm to keep their heads up, push forward, and make strides in Sydni’s recovery. Enjoy this inspiring conversation of tragedy, hope, and determination as Sydni and Sam share their story of a farm accident with Farm Center’s Karen Endres.  Experiencing a challenge with a change on the farm? Contact the Wisc ..read more

Difficult conversations can be stressful, especially for farmers working with their families. Dairy Farmer and Mental Health Advocate Randy Roecker discusses how he approaches communications on his generational dairy farm with the Farm Center’s Karen Endres. They touch on using positivity and gratitude, and having a community of people you can talk to when feeling stressed.   Experiencing a challenge on the farm? Contact the Wisconsin Farm Center! With more than a hundred years of collective agriculture experience, the Wisconsin Farm Center team offers free and confidential financial and ..read more

Coping with stress through substance use is not uncommon. Nearly 50 percent of rural Americans and 74 percent of farmers have been directly impacted by opioid misuse, according to a 2017 survey by the National Farmers Union and the American Farm Bureau Federation. Dual Diagnosis Counselor Megan Wolf discusses the signs of addiction, recovery options, and that there is hope for people who struggle with substance use with Farm Center’s Karen Endres. Experiencing a challenge on the farm? Contact the Wisconsin Farm Center! With more than a hundred years of collective agriculture experience, the Wi ..read more

We all go through times when we feel down or blue. How do you know when you should ask for help?  Whether you are dairy farmer, livestock producer, or produce farmer, you and your family experience business challenges that can cause anxiety, stress, and depression. Licensed Clinical Social Worker Jessica Beauchamp discusses the signs and symptoms of depression and where to find information on depression with Farm Center’s Karen Endres. They discuss some useful online resources and how you may also be experiencing physical symptoms.  Experiencing a challenge on the farm? Contact the W ..read more

Farmers and their families constantly experience business challenges that can lead to additional stress, mental health issues, and even suicide. Sara Kohlbeck, a suicide prevention advocate, discusses why we are seeing a higher rate of suicide among farmers with the Farm Center’s Karen Endres. They look at the research Sara has been doing, why farmers are at a higher risk for suicide, and available trainings for Wisconsinites looking to become more comfortable reaching out to someone struggling emotionally.  Experiencing a challenge on the farm? Contact the Wisconsin Farm Center! With mor ..read more

"Let’s Talk Anxiety & Depression on the Farm” with Jes Beauchamp, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Stress is something farmers typically face each day, but when it gets to be too much, it can lead to anxiety and depression. Jes Beauchamp, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Karen Endres from the Wisconsin Farm Center discuss anxiety and depression on the farm in this episode. They share signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression, self-care tips that can help you feel better, and when you should seek professional counseling. Taking care of you will help your farm business, your relatio ..read more

"Identify & Reset Unhealthy Default Settings” with Penn Vieau, Professional Speaker & Coach  It is easy to overemphasize the negative and dismiss the positive things in our lives. Penn Vieau, professional speaker and coach, and Karen Endres from the Wisconsin Farm Center share how these unhealthy default settings can cause stress, fatigue, resentment, and get us off track. In this podcast, they share how and why our minds come pre-wired to focus on the negative and how identifying the positive, establishing a personal board of directors, and planning your priorities can help you ..read more