Farm, Family, & Finding Balance! With Stacy Rethman

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Introduction:

• Welcome to the Dairy Hour podcast with your host, Val Lavigne and special guest, Stacy Rethman.
• Discussion about surviving the winter on a dairy farm and the challenges it brings.

About Stacy Rethman:

• Fourth-generation dairy farmer from northeast Kansas.
• Operates the farm with her parents and husband, with grandparents stepping back into retirement.
• Transitioned from teaching to full-time dairy farming in 2020.
• Married with two children.

Early Farming Experience:

• Stacy recalls early childhood experiences helping with farm chores, such as dipping cows after milking.
• Despite initial reluctance, Stacy developed a passion for farming, especially through involvement in 4-H and showing cattle.
• Graduated from Washburn University with a degree in education and worked as a middle school math and science teacher for seven years.

Transition to Full-Time Farming

• Started part-time farming while teaching, gradually increasing involvement over time.
• Transitioned to full-time farming in 2020, finding flexibility and fulfillment in managing her own schedule.
• Balancing work and personal life remains a challenge but allows for greater autonomy.

Family Dynamics on the Farm:

• Stacy's husband works full-time off the farm but occasionally helps out.
• Siblings have varying degrees of involvement in farming, with Stacy being the most heavily invested.
• Stacy's younger brother currently works part-time on the farm and may explore other options after high school.

Adoption of Robotic Milking:

• The farm began implementing robotic milking in fall 2019, initially installing four robots and later adding four more.
• The decision to transition from traditional milking to robots was driven by efficiency and labor considerations.
• The farm is gradually increasing its robotic milking capacity while maintaining a balance with traditional milking methods.

Labor on the Farm:

• The transition to full-time farming and adoption of robotic milking represent significant changes for Stacy and her family.
• Challenges and opportunities lie ahead as the farm evolves and adapts to new technologies and practices.

Working with Spouse:

• Stacy expresses her enjoyment of working with her husband without any significant issues, attributing their smooth collaboration to their complementary roles on the farm.
• They discuss occasional challenges, such as needing assistance when stuck in a situation on the farm.

Balancing Work and Family:

• The conversation delves into the topic of balancing work and family life, with Stacy emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries to prevent burnout.
• Stacy shares her strategies for managing time effectively and ensuring quality time with her family while fulfilling farm responsibilities.
• They reflect on the transition when Stacy's husband worked off the farm, highlighting the adjustments they had to make in their daily routines.

Farm Life Flexibility:

• Stacy discusses the flexibility of farm life, enabling her to weave in errands and other tasks around her farm duties.
• She shares anecdotes about driving a tractor home for lunch and the convenience of living close to the farm.

Challenges and Rewards of Farming:

• Stacy reflects on the challenges and rewards of returning to the farm, emphasizing the satisfaction of working outdoors and caring for the animals.
• The conversation touches on the unique personalities of cows and the joy of watching them thrive under her care.

Social Media Advocacy:

• Stacy talks about her decision to share her farming journey on social media, aiming to educate the public about dairy farming and promote the care of animals.
• She highlights her involvement in programs like Adopt a Cow, which fosters connections between students and dairy farms, promoting agricultural education.

Random Questions and Inspirational Saying:

• Stacy shares her love for hiking in the mountains as her dream vacation and her preference for mozzarella cheese.
• She discusses the importance of prioritizing tasks and shares a meaningful quote about juggling responsibilities, resonating with her experience as a mom and farmer.

Closing Remarks:

• Thank you Stacy for sharing your insights! Please follow her on Instagram (@Blessed.farm.mama) for more farm adventures.
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Guest Information:

• Guest: Stacy
• Social Media: Instagram (@Blessed.farm.mama)