Dairy Gal Val talks with Stacy Rethman, fourth-generation dairy farmer from northeast Kansas
Hosted by Dairy Gal Val (Val Lavigne) – Val is a speaker, panelist, dairy farmer, mom to three and a dedicated ag-vocate for all things Agriculture. She shares online and presents in the Ag community as Dairy Gal Val. See all new podcast episodes here.
Posted on 21 Feb 2024 · 44 minutes
Guest:
Stacy Rethman on Instagram as @blessed.farm.mama
Summary
Welcome to the Dairy Hour podcast with your host, Val Lavigne and special guest, Stacy Rethman, Fourth-generation dairy farmer from northeast Kansas. Get ready to dive into the world of dairy farming with Stacy Rethman (Blessed Farm Mama ) on the latest episode of the Dairy Hour Podcast! Join us as we chat about navigating winter on the farm, finding balance with farm and family, and the joys of caring for cows.Tune in for some farm-fresh insights and a whole lot of fun- on your favorite podcast platform or on YouTube.
Opening Remarks:
Val welcomes the audience to the Dairy Hour podcast and introduces the guest, Stacy Rethman. Discussion about surviving the winter on a dairy farm and the challenges it brings.
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.
Conclusion and Final Words of Wisdom:
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 farm life are discussed.
21 Feb 2024 · 44 minutes
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