Farmwife Life: A Chat with Miranda Neville on being a Small Farm Wife, Mom, and Advocate!

This episode runs on @WonderCowColostrum shop.wondercow.com/DAIRYGALVAL or Use code DAIRYGALVAL to save $$   Title:   Farmwife Life: A Chat with Miranda Neville on being a Small Farm Wife, Mom, and Advocate!   Host: Val Lavigne @DairyGalVal www.dairygalval.com   Guest: Miranda Neville TikTok: @Miranda.Neville  https://www.tiktok.com/@miranda.neville?_t=ZT-8udNcjHfJqV&_r=1   Instagram: @Miranda.neville1 https://www.instagram.com/miranda.neville1?igsh=MTFsbDE5bDdjNDF1cg==    Summary In this episode of the Dairy Hour podcast, host Val Lavigne speaks with Miranda Neville, a dedicated farmwife and mother who shares her experiences in agriculture, from her upbringing in Northeastern New York to her current role on a family dairy farm in Pennsylvania. Miranda discusses her journey through education, her career in agriculture, and the challenges of managing a small family farm in a rapidly changing industry. She also highlights the impact of social media, particularly TikTok, in connecting with the farming community and advocating for small farms. In this engaging conversation, the speakers explore the intersection of agriculture, family, and social media. They discuss the importance of youth engagement in farming, the challenges of navigating public life while protecting family privacy, and the significance of sincerity in building community connections. The dialogue also touches on personal anecdotes, holiday traditions, and the lighter side of life on the farm, culminating in a reflection on what drives success in both personal and professional realms.   Takeaways Miranda is a farmwife and mom, emphasizing her pride in her role. She shares her experiences growing up near a dairy farm, which influenced her career path. Miranda's education in dairy production and management shaped her future in agriculture. She transitioned into family farm management after her father-in-law's passing. Social media, especially TikTok, has become a platform for advocating small family farms. Miranda discusses the challenges of maintaining a small farm in a competitive industry. She highlights the importance of community and connections in agriculture. Miranda's love for brown Swiss cows reflects her passion for farming. She expresses the struggle of balancing off-farm work with family farm responsibilities. Miranda's journey illustrates the evolving role of women in agriculture. The power of political engagement in agriculture is significant. Farming is essential, regardless of political affiliation. Imposter syndrome is common among farmers. Social media can be a double-edged sword for family privacy. Protecting children in the digital age is crucial. Sincerity attracts like-minded individuals in the farming community. Holiday traditions strengthen family bonds. Personal preferences reveal the lighter side of life. The importance of mental health in farming is paramount. Success is rooted in a love for one's work.   Sound Bites "I'm a farmwife and mom." "I take pride in being small." "I didn't grow up on a dairy farm." "I found my love for brown Swiss." "I just kind of winged it, honestly." "I have imposter syndrome." "I just milk cows." "I just want to enjoy my life." "It's a crazy world out there."   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Miranda's Life and Work 02:48 Growing Up and Early Influences in Agriculture 05:48 Education and Career Path in Agriculture 09:03 Transitioning to Family Farm Management 12:03 The Role of Social Media in Agriculture 14:51 Challenges and Future of Small Family Farms 24:43 Navigating Power and Politics in Agriculture 27:14 The Humble Farmer's Journey 30:53 Protecting Family in the Digital Age 33:10 Rapid Fire Fun: Personal Preferences 39:38 Holiday Traditions and Family Connections 41:59 Sincerity as a Key to Success