EPISODE · May 12, 2026 · 57 MIN
Cultivating Resilience
In this episode, Ashleigh and Amanda sit down with Sarah Zastrow—a multi-generational crop farmer, farm-stress guru, and the voice behind the Throwing Wrenches, Mending Fences podcast. Farming is often romanticized, but the reality involves a unique set of pressures that can weigh heavily on families and mental well-being. Sarah shares her journey from joining the Farm Bureau to find a "better way of doing things" to becoming a leading advocate for mental health in the agricultural community.We dive into practical strategies for managing stress, the importance of building a supportive network, and how to find joy in agriculture again, even when the "wrenches" start flying. Whether you're a lifelong farmer or new to the industry, this conversation offers the tools and encouragement needed to balance the demands of the farm with personal wellness.Show NotesMeet Sarah Zastrow: An introduction to Sarah’s background farming 1,400 acres of corn and soybeans in Midland and Saginaw counties alongside four generations of her family.The Path to Leadership: How Sarah’s involvement in the Michigan Farm Bureau led her to win the 2021 State Discussion Meet and the 2022 Young Farmer Leader Award.Defining "Cultivate Balance": Sarah explains the mission of her business, which provides workshops and coaching to help farmers manage stress and prevent burnout.Throwing Wrenches, Mending Fences: Insights from Sarah’s own podcast about life, family, and finding peace in the middle of farm chaos.Practical Stress Tactics:Recognizing the "volcano" of stress before it erupts.Low-cost strategies for better sleep and mental clarity.The power of a strong support network like the Young Farmer program.Agriculture Advocacy: Why Sarah believes it’s vital to be a "voice for agriculture" in communities that may feel disconnected from the farm.Connect with Sarah:Podcast: Throwing Wrenches, Mending FencesSocial Media: @throwingwrenchesmendingfences on Instagram and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What this episode covers
In this episode, Ashleigh and Amanda sit down with Sarah Zastrow—a multi-generational crop farmer, farm-stress guru, and the voice behind the Throwing Wrenches, Mending Fences podcast. Farming is often romanticized, but the reality involves a unique set of pressures that can weigh heavily on families and mental well-being. Sarah shares her journey from joining the Farm Bureau to find a "better way of doing things" to becoming a leading advocate for mental health in the agricultural community.We dive into practical strategies for managing stress, the importance of building a supportive network, and how to find joy in agriculture again, even when the "wrenches" start flying. Whether you're a lifelong farmer or new to the industry, this conversation offers the tools and encouragement needed to balance the demands of the farm with personal wellness.Show NotesMeet Sarah Zastrow: An introduction to Sarah’s background farming 1,400 acres of corn and soybeans in Midland and Saginaw counties alongside four generations of her family.The Path to Leadership: How Sarah’s involvement in the Michigan Farm Bureau led her to win the 2021 State Discussion Meet and the 2022 Young Farmer Leader Award.Defining "Cultivate Balance": Sarah explains the mission of her business, which provides workshops and coaching to help farmers manage stress and prevent burnout.Throwing Wrenches, Mending Fences: Insights from Sarah’s own podcast about life, family, and finding peace in the middle of farm chaos.Practical Stress Tactics:Recognizing the "volcano" of stress before it erupts.Low-cost strategies for better sleep and mental clarity.The power of a strong support network like the Young Farmer program.Agriculture Advocacy: Why Sarah believes it’s vital to be a "voice for agriculture" in communities that may feel disconnected from the farm.Connect with Sarah:Podcast: Throwing Wrenches, Mending FencesSocial Media: @throwingwrenchesmendingfences on Instagram and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Cultivating Resilience
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