So what's funny about fertility?  For anyone going through the 'fertility treatment journey',  probably not a lot. But we meet two rural women who are sharing their stories; the ups, the downs... and the downright funny ... as a way to break the silence and stigma around what actually happens in assisted reproduction.

From being told you have 'juicy follicles,"  to having to keep a sperm sample warm while racing down a country highway... these are just some of the strange realities of what it can take to make a baby in the regions.

Hear from:

* Dimity Smith - founder of GRO Group, based in Tamworth NSW. Dimity has decided to freeze her eggs, so she can have the option of having children when the time is right for her.

* Jennifer McCutcheon - ABC journalist in Dubbo, and based on a farm in Gilgandra, NSW. Jen talks about a highway sperm dash to the lab, as the best option they had, due to the lack of fertility services in regional Australia.

Infact, there is a lack of fertility and women's health options across rural and regional Australia. We dive into the deeper issues of healthcare for women... and whether we have a 'right' to have a baby

Would you like to sponsor an episode? Get in touch to promote your business on our podcast which has had 58 thousand downloads.
Email: [email protected]

This podcast is brought to you by Rural Podcasting Co. Want to launch your own podcast? Or want us to make a podcast for you? Book a call or send a message!

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Should you go to sleep on an argument with your partner? Why do we sometimes get along better with our partner... when we are away from each other?

Step Schmidt, founder of Farm Life Psych and South Australian farmer, answers these questions and so much more, in this third and final episode in our Dealing With Stress collaboration series.

In this episode, Steph gives us practical tips, to help us turn up as the best version of ourselves in our relationships.

Harvest, shearing, sowing... these are all times when both partners or even the entire family unit is likely to be feeling under pressure. We discuss a realistic approach to nurturing our closest relationships when times are hard.

Steph also has a discount to her coaching program for Ducks on the Pond listeners. Listen to the episode for the promo code!

** Would you like to sponsor an upcoming episode of Ducks on the Pond and get your brand out there to rural women across Australia and NZ? Email us: [email protected]

This podcast is produced by the Rural Podcasting Co.

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When it comes to managing your stress levels, do you need to sort yourself out?

We can be so busy with life that we forget to do those little things, that keep us level headed and bring us back to centre, after a stressful time.

So in part 2 of our collaboration series with Steph Schmidt, of Farm Life Pscyh, we discuss how to find the good de-stressing activities that work for you. No, going for the chocolate bar or glass of wine every night is not the answer. Although Steph explains we so often do that.

We also talk about the importance of not taking on too much, knowing our values and how to know whether you're in the right frame of mind to be making those big life decisions like selling the farm or quitting your job.

Steph also has a discount to her coaching program for Ducks on the Pond listeners. Listen to the episode for the promo code!

** Would you like to sponsor an upcoming episode of Ducks on the Pond and get your brand out there to rural women across Australia and NZ? Get it touch! [email protected]

This podcast is produced by the Rural Podcasting Co.

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When a small group of farmers put their hands up to say, "Hey, our community needs help." You listen.

So we're supporting the Farmers Helping Our Own initiative, which is running workshops across parts of New South Wales and Queensland.

They say it's a rally cry; to help farmers dealing with the current perfect storm of high input costs, high interest rates, dry conditions, and low cattle prices.  There are tough farming decisions being made right now. Or worse; not being made. People are stuck.

In this episode we speak to one of the organisers, grazier at Chesney Pastoral, Gem Green.

Just 8 weeks ago, Gem along with a few other farmers, noticed the need in the community. So, instead of waiting until crisis point, they wanted to be proactive in creating a safe and open space, to combat decision-paralysis and improve farmer wellbeing.

There are 10 workshops from Roma, down to Cooma:

• Monday, 13 November – Roma, Explorers Inn
• Wednesday, 15 November – Goondiwindi, Gateway To Training
• Thursday, 16 November – Inverell, Inverell Services Club
• Friday, 17 November – Tamworth, Sanctuary Inn
• Saturday, 18 November – Hernani, Hernani Hall
• Monday, 20 November – Narrabri, Crossing Theatre
• Tuesday, 21 November – Walgett, Barwon Inn
• Wednesday, 22 November – Dubbo, Quality Inn
• Thursday, 23 November – Bathurst, Bathurst RSL
• Friday, 24 November – Cooma, The Alpine Hotel

All workshops are free of charge but do require registration, via bit.ly/farmershelpingourown

This is a Rural Podcasting Co production.

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It's hard to imagine farm life, without stress.  But how do you know, if you're "just a bit stressed" or that perhaps you might need to look more seriously at your mental health?

This is the first episode of a 3-part series on "Dealing with Stress", featuring Stephanie Schmidt of Farm Life Psych. Steph is a clinical psychologist, South Australian farmer and mother of three. So, she gets it.

Steph shares her own mental health struggles, including post natal depression... and the strategies she uses to better deal with every day farm stress.

For many farmers, these past few years have been incredibly tough, going from droughts, to floods and even fires... with two years of Covid-19 lockdowns in the middle.  So what's the effect of cumulative stress?  And how can we better cope?

Stress is also hormonal. Women react differently to external pressures depending on where we are in our menstrual cycle. It's great to be a woman right?! But understanding this, can make life a lot easier.

So, breathe in... and out... and listen to the first episode in this 3 part series aimed at reducing the stress in your relationships, in your farm life... and making that little voice in your head, a whole lot friendlier!

Steph also has a discount to her coaching program for Ducks on the Pond listeners. Listen to the episode for the promo code!

** Would you like to sponsor an upcoming episode of Ducks on the Pond and get your brand out there to rural women across Australia and NZ? Get it touch! [email protected]

This podcast is produced by the Rural Podcasting Co.

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Starting a soil carbon project is exciting right? Well it is...  but there are a few Government regulation hoops you'll need to jump through.

In part two of our series on how to build a soil carbon project, Sarah Whinney of Chatsworth House Pastoral, offers her advice on how to make sure you start off on the right foot, from project registration to making sure you have "a newness factor" (which is a government requirement).

Sarah explains how she, along with her husband Tom, approached baselining their grazing property in Victoria's Western Districts, as well as testing for soil carbon.  She also speaks about the work she's done on her personal and business mindset and how it's helped in their transition from a more traditional mixed farm, to adopting regenerative grazing practices.

This podcast is brought to you by the Rural Podcasting Co. Want to make your own podcast? We can help!

Interested in doing a collaboration with Ducks on the Pond? Let us know: [email protected]


 

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Ever considered starting a soil carbon project? It's hard to decide if it's right for your farm and what the opportunities might be in the future.

So, in this two-part collaboration series, we look at why you would consider a soil carbon project and how to actually do it.

Sarah Whinney is a farmer, mum and co-director of Chatsworth House Pastoral, in Western Victoria. She lives in a a historic homestead, that was even used by British Royalty in the 1800s. And while the history of the property is very interesting... what Sarah and her husband Tom, are doing to improve the land around it, is just as fascinating.

In part one of this series, hear how Sarah built a soil carbon project for her livestock grazing property and why she believes carbon accounting and emissions reporting will become increasingly important in the future.

This podcast is brought to you by the Rural Podcasting Co. Want to make your own podcast? We can help!

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A bonus episode to celebrate "Flanno for a Farmer Day!"

Tess Brookman,  who found love on Farmer Wants a Wife last year with "Farmer Harry" joins us for this special episode. Tess is helping to raise money for the Drought Angels' new charity initiative, Flanno For A Farmer Day,  August 25.

In this episode, Tess talks about what it's really like behind the scenes of the reality TV show.

Tess is living at Airlie Beach, QLD while she finishes off her psychology degree and Harry works with stud cattle.  Tess also discusses the importance of knowing what you want in a relationship, the importance of well being, and her future plans for rural life when she returns to Harry's family property in Kyabram, Victoria (one day!).

And yes, we did ask when they're getting married.

Make a to Drought Angels for Flanno For a Farmer Day

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Hi! We've been busy during our Ducks on the Pond "off season" (shall we call that, Ducks Off the Pond?) Anyway.... we want to tell you all about it!

In this episode we discuss:

•  The Rural Podcasting Co - Kirsten's new biz! If you've ever wanted to create your podcast, Kirsten can help. She's offering podcast coaching to launch your new podcast in less than 3 months (among other pod related things!)
• Rural Women's Day - Can you believe Jackie has expanded her not-for-profit to 12 events around Australia! Coming to a town near you in October. And there's a magazine coming as well.
• Coming up on Ducks on the Pond - You'll have to listen to the pod for this one! Plenty of new and exciting things.

This ep is really just to say 'hi', have a laugh .... and that we'll be coming back soon! (There are a few shout outs to some awesome rural women too)

If you'd like to sponsor an episode for our next Season to get your brand out there, let us know: [email protected] (or DM over Insta!)

We're also loving the response to our collaboration mini series - if you'd like to do one with us, then send us an email or DM on Insta!

Catch you soon, ducks.

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What does your farm office look like? Is it a mess... or does it exist only as a pile on the kitchen bench?  The bigger question to ask yourself though is....  is this the space where you are most productive?

If you, answered "no," then never fear! Alison Hamilton is back for our third and final episode in this collaboration series, "Being the Boss of Your Farm Office".  As a farm office coach, Alison says having a comfortable, functional space that you actually want to be in (ie. no cold, dirty shed offices, ladies!), is vital to your productivity.

So in this episode, we look at decluttering your physical office, as well as your mind. This includes how to deal with those paper pile ups, keeping on top of your emails and how to assess whether any of the new digital organisational tools are worthwhile.

Again, this all goes back to owning your role, as the farm office boss... or Queen! And every Queen, needs her own throne room.

Alison is also offering Ducks on the Pond listeners a 20% off deal on her 6-week coaching program: The Functioning Farm Office. Listen to the episode to hear the exclusive code for Ducks on the Pond listeners.

 **Interested in sponsoring an episode or collaborating with us at Ducks on the Pond? We’d love to hear from you! Email: [email protected]

This episode was made in collaboration with Alison Hamilton.

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