Talk Saves Lives

Did you know that people working in agriculture are on the list for being the highest risk for suicide?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, people working in agriculture, which includes farmers,farm laborers,ranchers,fishermen and lumber harvesters, take their lives at a higher rate than any other occupation.  I did not realize this until  listening to a presentation at the Arkansas Farm Bureau Women's Leadership conference earlier this month.



Suicide. It's not anything I want to really think about or talk about but it is a reality that I want to understand and learn how to help myself, my family and my friends. Suicide is a health issue. It can be the result of a genetic risk, depression, prolonged stress or a combination of these factors.

It's easy to see why farmers are at high risk for suicide.According to Mike Rosman, an Iowa farmer and psychologist who has dedicated a great part of his life to helping farmers in crisis states," people engaged in farming have a strong urge to supply essentials for human life, such as food and materials for clothing,shelter, fuel and to hang on to their land and other resources needed to produce these goods at all cost. When farmers can't fulfill  this purpose, they feel despair. The drive that makes a farmer successful is the same that increases factors that sometimes lead to suicide."

We never really know how others may be thinking or feeling but if you are aware of changes in how they are talking, behaving or exhibiting increased moodiness, it's time to talk. It's been found that --Talk Saves Lives.

 During these stressful times for those of us involved in agriculture or any other occupation, it's critical to make mental health a priority. Self care strengthens our mental health. Make a point to get exercise,  the proper amount of sleep, consume a healthy diet and manage  stress. When things just don't seem right--see a doctor, get an evaluation, discuss treatment options and find what works best for you.

It's never too late to reach out for help. Talk Saves Lives.

You can find help by  contacting  the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or
use the crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

It's been a week of celebrations for us down on the dairy farm.

Monday we celebrated  my sweet Mother's 87th birthday.

Tuesday we celebrated National Ag Day 

 with the birth of several calves

 and the arrival of spring in Northwest Arkansas.

                               
                                 I'm thankful for the special days of celebration that allow us to
                                    pause from our daily routine and realize the blessings that we
                                                           often take for granted.

Arkansas Grown Fruit Smoothie

One of our workshops at the Arkansas Farm Bureau Leadership Conference was a cooking workshop promoting the use of Arkansas grown foods.Our cooking expert, Arkansas Cooperative Extension Agent Leigh Ann Bullington, was highlighting  Arkansas fruits and vegetables. It didn't take the dairy farmers in the room too long to point out that milk was also a featured Arkansas product!

It would be hard to have a smoothie without dairy products and the featured fruit at the workshop was strawberry. The strawberry smoothie  was delicious and made us all look forward to trying all the other Arkansas fruits that will be available soon.

Arkansas Grown Fruit Smoothie

Ingredients:

1/2 cup fresh or frozen Arkansas grown fruit

  (blackberries,blueberries,strawberries,peaches

     or other fruit of your choice) no sugar added

1 cup low fat vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup low fat milk

1/4-1/2 cup ice, to desired consistency

Directions:

Add all ingredients to the blender pitcher and mix until desired consistency.

Tip: If you think it needs to be a little sweeter, you might add a little Arkansas honey!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

"Many Farms,One Voice" 

was the theme for the 2018 Arkansas Farm Bureau  Women's

 Leadership Conference in Little Rock  last weekend.

Farm Bureau women from across the state gathered to learn more about

 how to use our collective voices in promoting agriculture and educating

 others how we work everyday on the farm to ensure we have plenty

 of food,fiber and fuel for all of our families.

I'm thankful for these women and my friends from across the state 

that choose to spend their time and talents to share their passion about 

agriculture and speak with one voice

about a subject that impacts each of us everyday.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

We felt just a tease of spring this past week with temperatures 

above 60 degrees for a couple of days and the birth of a calf.

Even though we see calves born throughout the year,

it was the perfect reminder of many good things to come!

Spring brings the birth of many calves from the heifers we have raised 

from birth. These first calf heifers have been cared for

 everyday of their lives for at least two years before giving birth.

Our heifer birthing watch started this week with the arrival

 of 10 heifers  to the pasture by the house.

All of our heifer calves grow up to become the cows that 

produce  high-quality milk,

so we make it a priority to get them off to a healthy start.

I'm thankful for the many signs of  hope that are provided when

we so desperately need them down on the dairy farm.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Who would have thought that the lights of the new Walmart.com warehouse

 would be lighting up my bedroom at night down on the dairy farm!

As you look to the east of the calf hutches and the pasture where 

our pregnant cows rest, you can see the new structure. 

This gigantic change to the neighborhood began last summer when we

 realized we could see Highway 12 after all the trees were removed. 

I'm still adjusting to the new landscape

but

I'm thankful that the cows and calves aren't bothered

one bit by the change of scenery 

and 

                                 
                             our commitment to providing high-quality milk by caring for our
                         cows and the land continue regardless of the rapid changes around us.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

The ordinary days down on the dairy farm become extraordinary when 

viewed through the eyes of an inquisitive nearly  2 year old.

The blandness of winter scenery becomes more vivid as Hattie Claire and I 

talk about all that we see looking from our perch on the windowsill. 

We're not talking in great detail about all the ways we manage cow manure to

 help improve air and water quality or how we care for our cows everyday but 

we share an appreciation of all the activities and the farmers working at every task.

This week ,when looking to the left, our conversation was about the big tractor

 working to spread cow manure for anticipated green spring grass. 

To the right we saw  the cows busy eating their daily grain .

Tractors and cows just couldn't compare with the excitement of 

seeing the bright red headed woodpecker in the tree by the window.

                                   I'm thankful  for the opportunity we have to share life down
                                    on the dairy farm with the next generation and to enjoy the
                                                      spark of color in the dead of winter.