Farm Stress Real Talk with Penn State Extension

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. 

  1. Sep 12

    Yes, A Trip To Rural King Counts

    Farm life doesn’t come with an off switch, and “work-life balance” can feel impossible when the weather writes your schedule and chores keep coming. We sit down with Amanda Balon, a fifth-generation farmer in Elk County, Pennsylvania, to talk honestly about what balance really looks like in agriculture and why flexibility is a survival skill for farm families. We get specific about farm stress and farmer burnout, including the signs Amanda notices in herself: feeling cranky, losing focus, not wanting to do anything, and getting set off by small problems. From there, we dig into what actually helps, like taking a pause to cut decision fatigue, leaning into teamwork on the farm, and finding realistic ways to recharge during the busy season. Sometimes that “break” is as simple as getting off the farm together to run errands and talk, and sometimes it’s making sure the kids get their own time away to reset. We also address the hardest part for many rural communities: asking for help. Amanda shares why it’s OK to reach out to other farmers, even when it feels like everyone is competing, and we highlight two key mental health resources: the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and the AgriStress Hotline at 833-897-2474, where counselors understand the unique pressures of farming and ranching. If this conversation helps, subscribe, share it with a farm friend, and leave a review so more people in agriculture can find support when they need it.

  2. Sep 11

    Finding Farm Life Balance: The Female Perspective

    Farm Stress Real Talk with Penn State Extension

  3. May 29

    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

    2026 Ag Forum Roundtable Recap

  4. Apr 6

    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.

  5. 09/01/2025

    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 challenging situation.  Episode Speakers: Ginger Fenton, Chi Catalone, Amber Otis, and Sonya Nace Additional Resources (mentioned in episode):  Pennsylvania AgriStress Hotline- available 24/7: 833-897-2474Suicide & Crisis Hotline: 988Communicating with Farmers Under Stress WebinarMental Health First Aid WebinarsQPR Lead Image Credit: Ginger Fenton

    Roundtable Recap on the Ambiguous Loss Series

  6. 07/07/2025

    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.

  7. 07/01/2025

    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.

  8. 06/16/2025

    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 uncertainty and loss.

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About

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. 

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