Farm Stress Real Talk with Penn State Extension

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 Nace Additional Resources (mentioned in episode): Communicating with Farmers Under Stress WebinarMental Health First Aid WebinarsQPR Lead 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-5kdzTCpUeNQ Follow Jeff on TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook Lead 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 Trust Image 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.edu Episode 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 pay103@psu.edu 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 Hughes The 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