Reclaiming balance in farming

My body decided to quit being a diversified vegetable farmer long before my mind did. After 15 years of relentless planning, hiring, training, marketing, planting, weeding, irrigating, harvesting, selling, and delivering - the toll was evident.

Adding to that were the challenges of climate change, a global pandemic, social unrest, a persistent shortage of employees, and the complexities of farming with my spouse.

My body and mind eventually broke. I remember one particular day when a sudden panic overwhelmed me as I walked to the mailbox. The gravel lane seemed to disappear, and I gasped for air as things went black. It was terrifying. Insomnia, deep sadness, regret, irritability, chest pains, heart palpitations, migraines, and pervasive physical pain became my norm. I was broken and burnt out. 

You might wonder why I didn't just quit. If you're a farmer, you likely know the answer. I loved farming and the work itself. I had invested everything into this farm. When the diamond fell out of my wedding ring a few years into farming, we used the insurance money to buy a tractor. Customers and employees depended on me, and I had a new packshed to pay for. I had left a cushy corporate job for this farm. What else could I do? The farm was my identity. I was too tired and emotionally spent to consider quitting. 

One day, while making deliveries, I ran into an old customer. She asked how I was, and I smiled and said "good" because, being from the Midwest, that's what we do. She saw through me and invited me for coffee. I knew she was a life coach and suspected she wanted to pitch me her services, but I agreed anyway. It was the best decision I had made in a long time. 

Over a cup of coffee and a blueberry muffin, I spilled it all. I told her how much I loved and hated farming. She listened empathetically, asked insightful questions, and created a safe space for me to consider my options. I walked away with hope and the self-empowerment to make significant changes. I also felt inspired to offer farmers the same experience I had just had. 

Before the year was over, with help from the awesome folks at FairShare, Peer to Peer Farm Coaching was born. Farm coaching is a unique program designed to address the many challenges faced by farmers. Unlike traditional consulting or therapy, farm coaching offers a personalized approach focused on well-being, problem-solving, and practical solutions tailored to each farmer's needs. 

It's not about prescribing fixes, but rather empowering farmers to uncover their own solutions, creating a sense of ownership and confidence. What makes this program truly effective is that the coaches have walked in the farmers' shoes. They genuinely understand the unique struggles and challenges farmers face. 

My journey from the vegetable fields to co-creating the Farm Coaching program and becoming a certified life coach has been deeply fulfilling and healing. This program has provided a much-needed lifeline to farmers, offering support that is both empathetic and practical. By empowering farmers, this program is helping many achieve better work-life balance, manage stress, and make informed decisions about their farming operations.

In the end, my husband I stopped being diversified vegetable farmers. It was for many reasons, not just burnout or stress. But having regular support and investing in farm coaching made the transition easier. I am confident we made the right decision. My coach helped me feel empowered to reclaim my life and wellness, and I am now committed to helping farmers navigate their challenges and find sustainable paths forward. 

~ Katie Bishop

Farm Coach

You can support the Peer to Peer Farm Coaching program, and other programs that invest in & empower farmers, at fairshare.kindful.com.

Growing Farmer resilience through community

It was a rainy day in April, but farmers and farm workers braved the drizzle to join FairShare and UW Extension at Squashington Farm for a training on ergonomics, safety, and well-being. The attendees were diverse, but they all shared a common goal: to find ways to keep their bodies healthy while working the land they love.

During the workshop, participants learned practical advice on how to modify tools and how to "lift with their butts" to reduce the chance of injury. Everyone practiced a quick warm-up to prime their bodies for field work, and learned techniques for self-massage. These learnings were all built into a larger conversation around farm safety culture, and farmers were able to have discussions with their peers around successful ways to address the physical and environmental challenges they face.

Field days like the one at Squashington are important spaces for farmers to get support. They not only get tangible, real-life suggestions to improve their farm life (like "lifting with your butt") but also get to connect with other farmers and have meaningful discussions. These are more than just workshops - they are places where farmers can build community and support one another in the lived experiences they all face.

Farming is a physically demanding job that can wear not only on farmers' bodies but also their mental and emotional wellbeing - especially when aches turn into chronic pain. Throughout the month of July, FairShare and UW Extension, in partnership with the Midwest Vegetable Growers Network (MVEG) and Farm Labor Dashboard, are hosting a series of workshops throughout Wisconsin, focused on ergonomics and body mechanics. Groups in these trainings are intentionally small, so all participants can have their specific questions answered about modifications for their body and their personal history of injuries and discomfort. 

I personally am very excited to be continuing the work of increasing field days and programming for the greater Milwaukee area as I started as the Diversified Vegetable Educator in this region in January. I hope to support and grow the work of FairShare and UW Extension by expanding the growers we are reaching and serving, and I think an important piece of that puzzle is outreach to the diverse growers in the Milwaukee metro area.

~ Emilee Gaulke

Diversified Vegetable Educator

You can support peer connections between farmers, and the workshops that help them build resilience, at fairshare.kindful.com.

Learnings from an apprenticeship journey

It's been just over a year since I began my apprenticeship at Crossroads Community Farm, and it has definitely been a year of learning!

When I stumbled across the Organic Vegetable Farm Manager Apprenticeship Program while looking for farm jobs, I knew the mixture of on farm learning and classes would be a perfect fit for me to learn everything I needed to know about running a diversified organic vegetable operation.

But when I showed up last May, I knew very little. From going on field walks to operating heavy equipment, I have learned so much from my wonderful farm mentors. I also spent the winter taking three classes and attending other learning opportunities such as the Organic Vegetable Production Conference and TEAMs (Training and Education for Aspiring Managers) hosted by FairShare.

Fast-forward to this season and my skill set and confidence has skyrocketed. As the new crew started, it has been cool to reflect on how just one year ago that was me. I am now helping train and manage the crew, running transplant teams, and helping identify and solve pest problems.

Just a few days ago I was in the truck with a new crew member and she asked, "Did you know how to do any of this before you came here?" I said "nope!" And she said, "So you have learned all of this in the past year?" And to me, this showcases the beauty and effectiveness of this apprenticeship.

One of my favorite aspects of the apprenticeship is being able to connect with and learn from fellow apprentices. There are about 10 of us in my cohort and we have been able to get to know each other at field days and through our classes in the winter. It has been invaluable having a peer support network of people going through a similar experience as I am, and being able to celebrate each other’s wins and offer advice or personal experiences with struggles faced on the farm. I know that I will be able to rely on this support network even after we have all moved on from this apprenticeship.

I don't know yet what my next step will be after completing this apprenticeship in the fall. I do know that I could enter a farm manager position at another organic diversified vegetable farm and feel confident in my abilities because of this apprenticeship and everyone who has supported me along the way.

~ Marit Hovey

Apprentice at Crossroads Community Farm

You can support the apprenticeship program, and other programs that invest in farmers, at fairshare.kindful.com.