Farm Stress Real Talk with Penn State Extension

Join Penn State Extension's Farm Stress team members as they review and discuss this year's Ag Forum held in Lancaster, PA. Episode Hosts: Chi Catalone, Ginger Fenton, Sonya Nace, and Amber Otis

Join the Extension Farm Stress Real Talk team as they reflect on their participation in the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show and their favorite events and activities of the week. 

Listen in as Ginger, Chi, Amber, and Sonya provide their reactions and thoughts to the ambiguous loss series interviews and how there are resources available to help individuals cope with feeling stuck or unsure of how to move forward from a challenging situation. Episode Speakers: Ginger Fenton, Chi Catalone, Amber Otis, and Sonya NaceAdditional Resources (mentioned in episode): Pennsylvania AgriStress Hotline- available 24/7: 833-897-2474Suicide & Crisis Hotline: 988Communicating with Farmers Under Stress WebinarMental Health First Aid WebinarsQPRLead Image Credit: Ginger Fenton

Rob and Phillip from Horizon Farm Credit talk with Sonya about how planning and preparation can be solutions for financial farm stress.

Listen in to Sonya's chat with Eric Finkenbinder, Chief Meteorologist from ABC 27, as they discuss weather and farm stress. 

Jill Varner discusses farm stress and family dynamics, exploring how various stressors and crises can impact farm families and emphasizing the importance of identifying ways to communicate and strengthen the family unit in the times of uncertainty and loss. 

Join the conversation between Jeff and Amber to hear how Jeff used the loss of his dairy cows as a medium to connect with others experiencing significant farming losses. Learn more about Jeff at his website: https://jeffcorlemusic.com/Listen to Jeff's Music: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC30acLMpdWF-5kdzTCpUeNQFollow Jeff on TikTok, YouTube, and FacebookLead image photo credit- Amber Otis

Dr. Gregory Martin, a Poultry Extension Educator with Penn State Extension, describes his firsthand experiences with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) as it has taken a toll on poultry farms in Pennsylvania. Episode Host and Speaker: Ginger Fenton (host), Gregory Martin (speaker)

In this episode, we'll talk with Jake Jacobs, the Northeast Cooperative Extension cohort coordinator for the Farm and & Ranch Assistance Network. Jake will talk about ambiguous loss in agriculture.  Important Resources shared in the podcast are the AgriStress Hotline 1-833-897-2474, and the National Suicide and Crisis Hotline, 988. Primary Host/Moderator: Chi Catalone 

In this episode, Jill talks to Gregory Summerson from Lake City Fire Department to share information about wildfires. We will discuss causes, how to prevent wildfires, and how to identify if you are in a high risk area. Gregory is the Assistant Fire Chief who shares his knowledge and experience to help people before, during and after a potential time of crisis.Host: Jill Varner, Guest: Gregory Summerson

In this episode, Amber talks with Bob Smerbeck from Accuweather to get insight into weather trends and how Accuweather services can help farming families. Bob is a Senior Meteorologist who shares how his interest in weather-watching developed into a career. To stay up-to-date on changing weather conditions, check out Accuweather's website at https://www.accuweather.com/ or download the Accuweather app for on-the-go updates.Episode host: Amber Otis Guests: Bob Smerbeck, Accuweather

In this episode, we'll talk with Dr. Billingsley from Penn State Health. Dr. Billingsley, an experienced dermatologist, talks about sun safety and skin cancer prevention strategies for the agricultural community. She shared the resource https://www.aad.org/public/public-health/skin-cancer-screenings to locate a free skin cancer screening near you. Episode host: Chi Catalone, Guests: Dr. Billingsley, Penn State Health

While farmers may not think about climate change on a regular basis, cumulative changes in day to day farm operations due to changes in our climate can impact farm operations. Join Addie Candib and Dr. Bonnie McGill of American Farmland Trust as they share insights on agriculture can be part of the solution. Episode host: Ginger Fenton, Guests: Addie Candib and Dr. Bonnie McGill, American Farmland TrustImage credit: Ginger Fenton, Penn State Extension

Sonya Nace, Penn State Extension educator, talks with Hannah Smith-Brubaker, a farmer and advocate for the agricultural community, about the importance of resiliency and new resources for those working on farms.Episode host/Speakers  Host: Sonya Ryan Nace  Guest: Hannah Smith-Brubaker

Sonya Nace from Penn State Extension, talks with Brett Reinford, a Central Pennsylvania farmer, about strategies to prevent stress while working on a multi-family farm operation and tips for those who employ farm workers.Episode host/Speakers  Host: Sonya Ryan Nace  Guest: Brett Reinford

Join the Penn State Extension farm stress team for a discussion with members of the Animal Systems unit, Melanie Barkley who leads the livestock team, and Samantha Gehrett who is a co-leader of the dairy team. The educators will share tools and resources to assist livestock and dairy producers in Pennsylvania. Episode host and speakers: Host is Ginger Fenton with guests Melanie Barkley and Samantha Gehrett.

In this episode, we'll talk with Megan Luke and Andrew Holden from the Penn State Extension Horticulture Team. They're here to discuss the many ways the Horticulture Team serves as a vital resource and provides support to agriculture producers. Megan and Andrew play significant roles in the Collaborative Lake Erie Regional Grape Program Team, a collaborative effort between Penn State Extension and Cornell Extension. During our conversation, they'll be shedding light on their contributions to the team and outlining the various resources and support strategies they offer. Additionally, they'll share an inspiring success story detailing their recent assistance to the grape growers' community. Follow the series for more insights into the valuable support Penn State Extension offers. For more information about the Horticulture Team, check out https://extension.psu.eduEpisode host: Chi Catalone 

For our fourth series of interviews, WE ARE...focusing on units and resources for farming communities available within Penn State Extension. Penn State Extension has a variety of resources available in all 67 counties throughout the Commonwealth. From alternative energy to farm transition teams, learn more about what Penn State Extension has available for everyone in farming communities. WE ARE...here to help! In this episode, we speak to Daniel Brockett, the state leader of the Penn State Extension Energy team. Episode host:  Jill Varner

For our fourth series of interviews, WE ARE...focusing on units and resources for farming communities available within Penn State Extension. Penn State Extension has a variety of resources available in all 67 counties throughout the Commonwealth. From alternative energy to farm transition teams, learn more about what Penn State Extension has available for everyone in farming communities. WE ARE...here to help! This episode features Paula Ledney, an educator from the Penn State Extension Farm Transition team. Paula talks about the multitude of programs, workshops, and webinars to help farm families through the succession planning process. She is based in Somerset County and can be reached for more information via e-mail at [email protected] or phone at 814-445-8911.Episode Host: Amber Hughes

In this episode, Jayne Sebright, the Executive Director of the Center for Dairy Excellence and its Dairy Excellence Foundation, talks about resources available from the Center to help farm families navigate various challenges. This interview was part of the You’re in Good Company: The Farming Community Cares Panel, which was held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in January 2024. Episode host:  Amber HughesThe Center for Dairy Excellence is a non-profit organization initiated by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture in 2004. Bringing together people from more than 40 different dairy organizations in Pennsylvania, the Center's mission is to enhance the profitability of the dairy industry by empowering people, creating partnerships, and increasing the availability and use of resources.

Join our team for a conversation with Rich Galutia, the current President of the Penn Ag board, who will share thoughts from his experience working with the ag community during stressful times including the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in Pennsylvania. Episode host: Ginger Fenton, Penn State Extension

In this episode, we will speak with Andy Bater, a fourth-generation farmer who was a guest panelist for the You’re in Good Company: The Farming Community Cares Panel, which was held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in January 2024. In this episode, we continue our conversation from the panel discussion by talking about the unique challenges farmers face and elaborate on the valuable community resources available for farmers. Andy highlights the Farm Foundation and how farm families can turn to it for peer support and anonymous counseling. Listen to learn more and see the link below for more information. Episode host: Chi Catalone, Penn State Extension

In this episode, we have a conversation with JJ Barrett from West Virginia University Extension about the importance of starting a conversation among family members about the future of the farm. We explore strategies to open lines of communication even when family members may disagree on the next phase of farm life. Host, Sonya Nace is an Extension Educator for Penn State.  She works with the Food, Families, and Community unit.  Guest, JJ Barrett is a West Virginia University Extension Agent with Agriculture and Natural Resources.  His office is in Wood County, West Virginia. 

In this episode, we will speak with Licensed Social Worker Dawn Foringer. She will discuss the benefits for farmers and farm families, proactively discussing and completing advance care planning documents. She will highlight the differences between advance directives, living wills, and power of attorney documents. Listen to learn more about the importance of advanced care planning. 

In this episode extension educator, Jill Varner will be talking to Dr. Matthew Kaplan about how and the benefits of having difficult conversations about succession planning.

Farm succession planning can be incredibly overwhelming and a significant stressor for farm families. While it can be a heavy burden for families to initiate and move through the succession planning process, it is ultimately a stressor that farm families can control. Join our Extension team as we talk with Jennifer Wetzel of Mette, Evans, and Woodside Attorneys At Law.Jennifer has extensive experience working with farm families throughout Pennsylvania and is recognized for her in-depth knowledge of business succession planning, real estate, and asset preservation within the agricultural law context. She has given presentations on these topics for the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Pennsylvania Farm Link, and Pennsylvania Bankers Association.Jennifer was appointed by Secretary of Agriculture, Russell Redding, to the Advisory Board for the Agricultural Business Development Center. She is a licensed title insurance agent and is a Succession Coordinator for the International Farm Transition Network and the Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence. Previously, she served as the Vice-Chairman of the Agricultural Law Committee of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.Jennifer graduated cum laude from the Pennsylvania State University – Dickinson School of Law and summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Bucknell University. While attending Dickinson, she was a member of the Penn State Law Review, the Appellate Moot Court Board, and the Woolsack Honor Society.A native of Schuylkill County, Jennifer lives with her husband and two daughters in Perry County, where she is an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Liverpool.  Jennifer can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at (717) 232-5000

Join Penn State Extension Program Associate and Financial Analyst Paula Ledney as she shares insight and tips for planning ahead to reduce the stress with financial planning for farmers. Ginger Fenton hosts with Paula Ledney as guest. 

Join our Penn State educators as we talk briefly about some of major regulations that can cause significant stress for farmers and their loved ones. While many of these regulations are beyond our control, Jill and Sonya discuss some helpful strategies for farmers and their families to handle these regulations to avoid creating additional stress when regulations are not met.

While disease outbreaks can often be an uncontrollable stressor for farmers and their livestock, there are measures that can be taken to prevent catastrophic losses. In this episode of Farm Stress Real Talk with Penn State Extension, our educators discuss some general preventative steps to mitigate the presence of disease outbreaks among their commodities while discussing farmers' wellness and how this stress can translate into potential health concerns for producers. Our educators provide suggestions for effective coping strategies for farmers who are dealing with the aftereffects of disease outbreak on their properties. 

In this episode, Chi and Amber introduce and discuss some everyday financial stressors that farmers and their families face. While many of these stressors fall outside an individual's control, Chi offers some stress management techniques for dealing with these stressors, along with some proactive suggestions to mitigate the effects of financial strain.

Farmers have a high risk of being involved in a work-related accident due to the labor-intensive nature of their work. While some accidents are definitively unavoidable, it is crucial to learn how to manage the aftereffects of an accident through healthy coping mechanisms. This episode also briefly discusses how consistent healthy wellness practices can play in preventing farm accidents from occurring.

In this episode, Extension Educator Jill Varner will provide practical insight for managing stress related to topics that are beyond our control like the weather. Episode host: Ginger Fenton w/ speaker Jill VarnerImage: Photo by Ginger Fenton, Penn State Extension