The Millennial Ag Podcast

Continuing this week with our May Mental Health Month series, we are joined by Idaho State Representative Chenele Dixon. Chenele represents District 24 Seat A. Chenele is a passionate champion for rural Idaho, and has channeled her energy into many worthy causes, chief among them as an architect for the state Behavioral Health Council. The Council, a bipartisan effort that is also a private and state government effort, focuses on identifying and helping people experiencing difficulties in their behavioral health. Listen in as Chenele talks about why the council was founded, how it operates, and the hope, healing, and real change it's bringing to Idaho residents. This is a refreshing episode in terms of politicians and state government actually working together for meaninful change. It's exciting to hear what the council is doing, and the trail it's blazing as an example for other states and communities to build resources and help people. 

 

If you or someone you know needs help with mental health challenges or substance abuse, please reach out. Here are some resources to consider:

Lifeline Chat and Text is a service of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline connecting individuals with crisis counselors for emotional support and other services via web chat or texting 988.

The American Psychological Association has many great resources for whatever distress you may be experiencing. Visit apa.org to find resources including:

Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741

Narcotics Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous Gamblers Anonymous Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline (800) 662-4357

and many other excellent resources for all kinds of support and difficult experiences.

Some agriculture-focused resources are:

https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/mental-health 

https://www.nmpf.org/resources/mental-health-and-wellness/

https://www.dairyherd.com/news/business/free-help-available-those-farmers-struggling-mental-health

https://www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/programs-resources/stress-wellness-resources/

https://www.fb.org/initiative/farm-state-of-mind

Please, please reach out for help if you are hurting. You are loved, you are worthy, you are needed, you are wanted. You don’t have to do this alone.

With love and hope, Katharine and Valene

As always, like, subscribe, share and review!

www.millennialag.com

[email protected]

Instagram: @millennialag

Facebook: Millennial Ag

Twitter: @millennialag

Make sure to spell Millennial correctly ;)*

Don't forget to review us! It really does help our ratings, and we really appreciate your feedback.

Love, Katharine and Val

Welcome to our first full length episode in our 2024 May Mental Health Series. Our favorite returning guest, Dr. Nora Feldpausch, graciously joins us again to share her many (excellent) thoughts and perspectives about mental health and agriculture. 

Nora says that agriculture is not just a job, it's almost a religion. We found ourselves nodding our heads and we're sure that many of our listeners will too. While this is something we can be (and are!) proud of, it can also present some serious challenges when you or someone you love finds themselves in a difficult mental health situation. We discuss the importance of community, of finding the courage to ask for help, of the challenges and opportunities in rural mental health care access, and the hope that there is for everyone, no matter what you're facing, big or small. 

As always, Nora is a wealth of knowledge and information, but more importantly, she is warm, funny, and the kind of person you want to sit down and talk for hours with. We're lucky to have her for one, and know that you will agree as you listen to this episode. 

If you or someone you know needs help with mental health challenges or substance abuse, please reach out. Here are some resources to consider:

Lifeline Chat and Text is a service of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline connecting individuals with crisis counselors for emotional support and other services via web chat or texting 988.

The American Psychological Association has many great resources for whatever distress you may be experiencing. Visit apa.org to find resources including:

Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741

Narcotics Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous Gamblers Anonymous Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline (800) 662-4357

and many other excellent resources for all kinds of support and difficult experiences.

Some agriculture-focused resources are:

https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/mental-health 

https://www.nmpf.org/resources/mental-health-and-wellness/

https://www.dairyherd.com/news/business/free-help-available-those-farmers-struggling-mental-health

https://www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/programs-resources/stress-wellness-resources/

https://www.fb.org/initiative/farm-state-of-mind

Please, please reach out for help if you are hurting. You are loved, you are worthy, you are needed, you are wanted. You don’t have to do this alone.

With love and hope, Katharine and Valene

As always, like, subscribe, share and review!

www.millennialag.com

[email protected]

Instagram: @millennialag

Facebook: Millennial Ag

Twitter: @millennialag

Make sure to spell Millennial correctly ;)*

Don't forget to review us! It really does help our ratings, and we really appreciate your feedback.

Love, Katharine and Val

 

 

Welcome back listeners! We are so excited to be back with a regular schedule for Millennial Ag, where agriculture is always on tap and no topic is off limits. We're back with a splash and are continuing our annual tradition of a series on mental health topics as our country celebrates May Mental Health Month. 

In this week's episode, we share what we've been up to while we've been away, some of what we've got coming up with the show, and most importantly, why we're still so passionate about  mental health, and especially the conversation around it in agriculture. 

Pour a drink, pull up, and tune in as we return to having conversations about the gray areas in agriculture and life. 

If you or someone you know needs help with mental health challenges or substance abuse, please reach out. Here are some resources to consider:

Lifeline Chat and Text is a service of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline connecting individuals with crisis counselors for emotional support and other services via web chat or texting 988.

The American Psychological Association has many great resources for whatever distress you may be experiencing. Visit apa.org to find resources including:

Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741

Narcotics Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous Gamblers Anonymous Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline (800) 662-4357

and many other excellent resources for all kinds of support and difficult experiences.

Please, please reach out for help if you are hurting. You are loved, you are worthy, you are needed, you are wanted. You don’t have to do this alone.

With love and hope, Katharine and Valene

As always, like, subscribe, share and review!

www.millennialag.com

[email protected]

Instagram: @millennialag

Facebook: Millennial Ag

Twitter: @millennialag

Make sure to spell Millennial correctly ;)*

Don't forget to review us! It really does help our ratings, and we really appreciate your feedback.

Love, Katharine and Val

In this special episode, we're thrilled to spotlight an inspiring program that embodies the spirit of community, compassion, and the beef industry- Beef Counts. Join us and our five special guests, Melissa Delgadilo, Liz Moore, Laurie Lickley, Shari Gulledge, and Morgan Wilson, as we delve into how this program, in collaboration with the Idaho Food Bank, Idaho Beef Council, ranching producers, and AgriBeef, is making a difference by providing high-quality beef protein to those in need.Discover the core mission of Beef Counts and how it aims to address food insecurity in the local community. Learn about the program's unique approach, combining the strengths of various stakeholders to create a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and families facing nutritional challenges. Listen to touching stories from individuals who have benefited from the Beef Counts program. From offering a hand up during challenging times to fostering a sense of community support, these stories showcase the profound impact that a nutritious meal can have on people's lives.As we conclude this episode of Millennial Ag Presents Beef Counts, we're reminded of the power that agriculture, community, and collaboration hold in transforming lives. Beef Counts stands as a shining example of how sustainable practices, partnered with a sense of responsibility, can nurture communities and foster change. You can find more information at https://idahofoodbank.org/about/corporate-partners/beef-counts/#:~:text=Beef%20Counts%20is%20a%20program,made%20by%20Idaho%20cattle%20ranchers. Thank you for tuning in!

This week Valene and Katharine fly solo and dive into their respective industries. They share what things are currently looking like for producers. It has been a bit since an episode has launched with life happenings, but we are back and excited to bring some perspective of what has been happening!Katharine shares that dairy's prices are not looking very good this year after coming off a record high priced year. Tune in to find out why this might be and learn that the hardest part with low milk prices is the high input costs. Valene dives into a more positive market with beef cattle. The industry has the lowest number of beef cows they have seen in years. There is still a strong demand for beef. Therefore, cattle prices are super strong. Input costs, especially for feeders are still high, but there is a lot of demand for beef and are able to keep their margins!Tune In and Let Us Know what you are hearing and seeing!!

Happy June Dairy Month! To highlight one of our two favorite categories of food, Marty McKinzie, Chief Growth Officer with DairyMAX, joins us to share everything his organization does to promote milk and dairy products. DairyMAX, a regional dairy promotion agency in the United States, takes its mission to ensure advocacy and access to dairy products seriously. Marty highlights their many efforts, including strategic partnerships, school education and nutrition programs, and partnering with social media influencers to spread the good word of dairy. Their projects range from working with dairymen to interface with consumers, to video tours of actual dairy farms, to the Dairy Discovery Zone, a mobile exhibit that visits fairs, festivals, and more to provide an immersion experience for consumers (and especially kids!) to learn more about how milk gets from cow to table. One of our favorite parts of our conversation was learning about DairyMAX's commitment to food banks. Milk is the consistently the most requested item at food banks. It's not something that's hugely donated, and food banks also struggle to have enough refrigerated space to make sure milk stays fresh and cold if they do receive it. DairyMAX donates milk, coolers, and money to make access to this critical food easier for people in need. Marty also highlights a lot of really cool innovations coming from inside dairy promotion, as well as the (scientific!!) reasons behind why chocolate milk is his favorite dairy product.Pull up a seat, grab a scoop of ice cream or frosty glass of milk, and enjoy our tribute to June Dairy Month!

In the wrap-up episode for our May Mental Health series, we reflect on what we've learned from our three outstanding guests. We also share our perspectives and experiences with our own mental health challenges, and ask ourselves and our listeners on how we can take care of ourselves and each other better. Thanks for joining us for this series, and as always, if you would like more content about this topic, please let us know!!!If you or someone you know needs help with mental health challenges or substance abuse, please reach out. Here are some resources to consider:Lifeline Chat and Text is a service of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline connecting individuals with crisis counselors for emotional support and other services via web chat or texting 988.The American Psychological Association has many great resources for whatever distress you may be experiencing. Visit apa.org to find resources including:Crisis Text LineText HOME to 741741Narcotics AnonymousAlcoholics AnonymousGamblers AnonymousSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline(800) 662-4357and many other excellent resources for all kinds of support and difficult experiences.Please, please reach out for help if you are hurting. You are loved, you are worthy, you are needed, you are wanted. You don’t have to do this alone.With love and hope, Katharine and ValeneAs always, like, subscribe, share and review! www.millennialag.com [email protected] Instagram: @millennialag Facebook: Millennial Ag Twitter: @millennialag Make sure to spell Millennial correctly ;)* Don't forget to review us! It really does help our ratings, and we really appreciate your feedback. Love, Katharine and Val

In this third episode of our May Mental Health series, we are joined by returning guest Dr. Nora Feldpausch. An accomplished and practicing psychiatrist, Nora has a unique perspective on mental health. In her current role, she supports students at rural colleges across the US with a team of over 200 providers she has built from the ground up. Her depth and breadth of knowledge is augmented by her role in the dairy industry, running a successful dairy in Colorado with her husband and children. Her compassion runs deep, and her desire to fuel change in how mental health is both viewed and treated brings a message of encouragement and hope to anyone listening, but particularly folks who may be struggling with mental health challenges. A unique part of this conversation is the language Nora uses – it’s far less condemning and dare we say destructive than traditional vocabulary used to describe mental health challenges. She shares many excellent resources, and towards the end of our episode, we talk about where worth and value are really found – intrinsically – rather than the physical labor or tangible work that we in agriculture so often find ourselves identifying with. Tune in – this is another outstanding episode with a fascinating and fun guest that you won’t want to miss in our critical series about mental health in rural America.If you or someone you know needs help with mental health challenges or substance abuse, please reach out. Here are some resources to consider:Lifeline Chat and Text is a service of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline connecting individuals with crisis counselors for emotional support and other services via web chat or texting 988.The American Psychological Association has many great resources for whatever distress you may be experiencing. Visit apa.org to find resources including:Crisis Text LineText HOME to 741741Narcotics AnonymousAlcoholics AnonymousGamblers AnonymousSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline(800) 662-4357and many other excellent resources for all kinds of support and difficult experiences.Please, please reach out for help if you are hurting. You are loved, you are worthy, you are needed, you are wanted. You don’t have to do this alone.With love and hope, Katharine and ValeneAs always, like, subscribe, share and [email protected]: @millennialagFacebook: Millennial AgTwitter: @millennialagMake sure to spell Millennial correctly ;)*Don't forget to review us! It really does help our ratings, and we really appreciate your feedback.Love, Katharine and Val

In this second episode of our series for May Mental Health, we're joined by Daniel Hayes, a farmer from South Carolina. Daniel is a different kind of guest than we've had before - generally, our guests who come to speak with us about mental health and other struggles are women. It's difficult to find men who are willing to talk about their struggles with mental health, addiction, and other issues, let alone speak about it publicly. We're really grateful to Daniel to breaking that ceiling for our series, but especially for you, our listeners, and the communities we all belong to. Daniel opens up about his struggles with substance abuse. He is very honest and forthright about how he got there, and how hard, but ultimately worth it, his recovery was and continues to be. There may be some hard parts of this episode to listen to for some of our listeners, but if you're able, we encourage you to tune into Daniel's conversation, perspective, and message of hope. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges or addiction, please consider these resources as a first step to finding the help you need. If you or someone you know needs help with mental health challenges or substance abuse, please reach out. Here are some resources to consider:Lifeline Chat and Text is a service of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline connecting individuals with crisis counselors for emotional support and other services via web chat or texting 988.The American Psychological Association has many great resources for whatever distress you may be experiencing. Visit apa.org to find resources including:Crisis Text LineText HOME to 741741Narcotics AnonymousAlcoholics AnonymousGamblers AnonymousSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline(800) 662-4357 and many other excellent resources for all kinds of support and difficult experiences.Please, please reach out for help if you are hurting. You are loved, you are worthy, you are needed, you are wanted. You don’t have to do this alone.With love and hope, Katharine and Valene

In the first episode of our series for May Mental Health Month, we're joined by Karen Hall, who is a middle school counselor in Southern Idaho. Karen presents a different perspective on mental health than we've had on the podcast before. She is seeing middle school students in crisis, dealing with mental health challenges exacerbated by the pandemic, and families facing a lack of critical and available resources to deal with these problems. Karen is passionate, cares deeply about her students and the mental health issues facing our society today, and speaks with compassion and concern not only for the students she works with, but for their families, the community they live in, and everyone struggling to find help. Tune in - we're very proud of this series and hope that everyone can find something helpful or needed within these episodes.