Hope & Hardship in Agriculture: How Disappearing Family Farms Impact Every American episode artwork

EPISODE · May 6, 2026 · 1H 1M

Hope & Hardship in Agriculture: How Disappearing Family Farms Impact Every American

from The Rural Dispatch · host Behrens & Co

Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you!Family farms are the backbone of rural America, but the reality isn't always what it seems from the outside. In this episode, Brian Reisinger unpacks what's really happening across American agriculture and why it matters far beyond the farm. Brian grew up on his family's farm in Wisconsin before stepping into a career in journalism and public policy, giving him a dual perspective on farming firsthand and the systems shaping today's ag economy. We talk through the deeper history behind the pressures facing family farms, what's changed through generations, and why many producers today are operating in an entirely different environment than those before them. We dig into what's at stake for every American, from food security to long-term stability of our supply chain if current trends continue. At the same time, we highlight the resilience of farm families that keeps them moving forward even when times are tough. Perhaps most importantly, we have an honest conversation about mental health in our rural communities - why it matters, why it's often overlooked, and what resources are out there. Finally, we talk solutions. What can YOU do, whether you're a farmer, consumer, or ag professional, to support the future of family farms. Whether you're involved in agriculture or simply want to better understand the system that feeds this country, this episode delivers a clear picture of what's really going on. Links & ResourcesLand Rich Cash Poor *affiliate linkFarmer Angel NetworkNational Farmer Mental Health AllianceFollow Brian: Website | Facebook | X | LinkedInSupport the showBEHRENS & CO | Join Our Email List — BEHRENS & COFacebook | Instagram | TikTokSubscribe, leave a review and share this episode to support rural voices! 

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published May 6, 2026

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Send us a text or leave a voicemail - we’d love to hear from you! Family farms are the backbone of rural America, but the reality isn't always what it seems from the outside. In this episode, Brian Reisinger unpacks what's really happening across American agriculture and why it matters far beyond the farm. Brian grew up on his family's farm in Wisconsin before stepping into a career in journalism and public policy, giving him a dual perspective on farming firsthand and the systems shapi...

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Hope & Hardship in Agriculture: How Disappearing Family Farms Impact Every American

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