The Power of Prioritizing Happiness in Agriculture with Brandi Buzzard

This episode runs on @WonderCowColostrum shop.wondercow.com/DAIRYGALVAL or Use code DAIRYGALVAL to save $$   Title: The Power of Prioritizing Happiness in Agriculture with Brandi Buzzard    Host: Val Lavigne @DairyGalVal www.dairygalval.com   Guest: Brandi Buzzard Instagram - @brandibuzzard   Facebook - Buzzard's Beat by Brandi Buzzard AcresTV - https://www.watchacrestv.com/brandibuzzard Summary In this episode of the Dairy Hour podcast, host Val Lavigne interviews Brandi Buzzard, a rancher, advocate, and rodeo competitor from Southeast Kansas. Brandi shares her journey from corporate agriculture to self-employment, her experiences in the rodeo circuit, and the challenges of balancing family life with ranching responsibilities. The conversation delves into the culture of rodeo, the importance of family involvement in agriculture, and the lessons learned from training horses and managing cattle. Brandi emphasizes the need for awareness about the demands of ranch life, especially for her daughters, as they grow up in this environment. In this engaging conversation, Brandi discusses the balance between her passions for rodeo and ranching, emphasizing the importance of self-care and mental health in agriculture. She reflects on the evolving mindset of her generation, which prioritizes happiness and family alongside agricultural responsibilities. Brandi shares her travel experiences, love for music, and the significance of pursuing diverse interests. The discussion culminates in her belief that hard work is the foundation of perceived luck, and she encourages others to find joy in their lives while contributing positively to the agricultural community.   Takeaways Brandi Buzzard is a rancher and rodeo competitor. She transitioned from corporate agriculture to self-employment. Family involvement is crucial in ranching and rodeo. NFR week is a significant event in the rodeo community. Brandi emphasizes the importance of balancing work and family life. Training horses requires understanding their individual needs. Ranching can be monopolizing of time and energy. Brandi wants her daughters to be aware of ranching demands. She enjoys the lifestyle despite its challenges. Personal goals in rodeo include making circuit finals.  Being self-employed allows her to pursue her passions. It's important to prioritize mental health in agriculture. You can't pour from an empty cup; self-care is essential. Our generation in agriculture is focusing on happiness and family. It's okay to be selfish and prioritize your own happiness. Rodeo is a passion she refuses to give up for work. She wants her daughters to have a healthy relationship with agriculture. Traveling and experiencing different cultures enriches life. Luck is often the result of hard work and preparation. You only have one life to live; make it fulfilling.   Sound Bites "I wanted to be able to go to every single day." "We need another TV because the NFR is on." "I love having the cattle and I really enjoy them." "I didn't know what I was getting into." "I want to caution them about the time it takes." "I don't want to give up rodeo." "You can't pour from an empty cup." "I want my daughters to know they don't have to." "You only have one life to live." "You need to be a little bit selfish." "I have lots of different interests." "I love Germany." "I want to spend more time in Austria." "Luck looks like hard work."   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Brandi Buzzard 02:52 Life as a Rancher and Rodeo Competitor 06:04 NFR Week and Rodeo Culture 08:52 Personal Goals and Challenges in Rodeo 12:12 Horse Training and Experiences 14:58 Family Life and Ranching Responsibilities 17:46 Breeding Season and Cattle Management 21:04 Growing Up in Agriculture 24:04 Balancing Work and Family Life 26:53 Future Aspirations for Daughters in Agriculture 38:20 Balancing Passion and Profession 41:04 Prioritizing Mental Health in Agriculture 45:22 The Importance of Self-Care 49:42 Embracing Strategic Ignorance 51:24 Sweet Tooth Confessions 54:42 Travel Tales and Concert Adventures 01:01:20 Cultural Experiences and Bucket List Destinations 01:08:35 Shaping Agriculture for Future Generations 01:10:14 The Hard Work Behind Luck