Farm Stress Real Talk with Penn State Extension
The Farm Stress podcast focuses on supporting farmers, farm families, and workers in the commercial agriculture industry who are experiencing stress. In each podcast, we will tackle topics that challenge our farming community, provide constructive suggestions, and build awareness around the potentially stressful conditions affecting farmers.
Episodes
32 episodes
2026 Ag Forum Roundtable Recap
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
Pennsylvania Farm Show Highlights Team Efforts
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.
Roundtable Recap on the Ambiguous Loss Series
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 ch...
Real Talk Farm Stress with Rob, Phillip, and Sonya
Rob and Phillip from Horizon Farm Credit talk with Sonya about how planning and preparation can be solutions for financial farm stress.
Real Talk Farm Stress with Eric and Sonya
Listen in to Sonya's chat with Eric Finkenbinder, Chief Meteorologist from ABC 27, as they discuss weather and farm stress.
Building Resilience in Farm Families
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 uncertai...
Talking Personal Losses with Singer/Songwriter Jeff Corle
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:
Experiencing Loss During an Disease Outbreak on a Farm with Dr. Gregory Martin
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 ...
Ambiguous Loss with Jake Jacobs
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 po...
Wildfires
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...
Weather trends with Bob Smerbeck
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 i...
Sun Safety with Dr. Billingsley
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
Stress Due to Climate Change with Addie Candib and Dr. Bonnie McGill
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 a...
Resources and Resiliency
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&nbs...
All in the Family
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/Sp...
We're Here to Support You–Animal Systems with guests Melanie Barkley and Samantha Gehrett
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...
We Are Here to Support You, Horticulture Team with guests Megan Luke and Andrew Holden
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....
We are Here to Help, The Penn State Extension Energy Team
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 Commonwealt...
Talking Farm Transitions with Paula Ledney of Penn State Extension's Farm Transition Team
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 Commonwealt...
The Farming Community Cares with Jayne Sebright
In this episode, Jayne Sebright, the Executive Director of the Center for Dairy Excellence and its
The Farming Community Cares with Rich Galutia
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 out...
The Farming Community Cares with Andy Bater
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...
Talking About the Farm’s Future with JJ Barrett
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 communicat...
Advanced Care Planning with Licensed Social Worker Dawn Foringer
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 bet...
