That Farm Life

When Farmers Ask for Help: The Courage to Heal

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

The path to healing often takes unexpected turns. Dr. Todd Clements reveals his remarkable journey from farm boy to respected psychiatrist, through the darkness of addiction, and back to redemption in this powerful conversation about mental health in rural America.

We'd love to hear your feedback! Please reach out to us if you have ideas for future shows or how we can make That Farm Life even better! Email us at info@agrihealth.net!

That Farm Life is produced by Agri Health Network in conjunction with Grounded Faith Ministries. For more information and to find more resources, check out AgriHealth.net.

Building Bridges in Blended Families

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Ron Deal, therapist, speaker, and author, shares his wisdom on building successful blended families after decades of experience in the field of marriage and family ministry. His personal journey from Iowa to leading Family Life Blended demonstrates his deep understanding of the unique challenges blended families face.

Strengthening Marriages Through Emotional Connection

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0500

What happens when you combine agricultural wisdom with cutting-edge relationship science? Kenny Sanderfer, a former agriculture professional turned marriage counselor, bridges these worlds with profound insights into how our relationships fundamentally shape our wellbeing.

Faith, Family, and Flying: Conversations with Ag Pilots Stan and Robert Ferguson

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0600

The sky above our farms tells stories most of us never hear—until now. In this revealing conversation with father-son agricultural pilots Stan and Robert Ferguson, we discover the unseen world of those who navigate the challenging intersection of advanced aviation technology and traditional farming practices.

Weathering The Farm Cash Flow Squeeze

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0600

The trade-show floor buzzed, but our table got quiet as the numbers came out: operating loans will be tougher, cash flow is tight, and projections are the hardest many have seen. We brought together a veteran ag lender, a grain storage seller–farmer, and a cattle-and-row-crop producer to chart a practical path through a winter that tests both head and heart. No fluff—just the steps to get your books sharp, your lender aligned, and your acres set up for the least-loss outcome when prices and policy won’t cooperate.

Health Coverage On The Farm

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0600

Pull up a chair at the Arkansas Farm Bureau Convention and hear a clear, no-spin guide to getting covered—whether you farm 5,000 acres, run a small crew, or just want a human to help you choose a plan. We sit down with Alan Hudson from Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield to break down real options you can access at a Farm Bureau office in every Arkansas county. No membership gatekeeping, no jargon maze—just practical paths for under 65 marketplace plans with tax credits, the Farm Bureau Health Plan that’s underwritten and often more affordable, and over 65 choices like Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage in select counties, and prescription drug plans.

Why Farm Bureau Membership Protects Your Food, Towns, And Future

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0600

The hum of a trade show floor in Hot Springs sets the stage for a candid conversation with Arkansas Farm Bureau president Dan Wright about the realities of farm life and the policies that shape it. We walk through the big picture—why rural towns are struggling, what’s happening in poultry right now, and how a $40 membership scales a single voice into statewide and national advocacy that actually moves the needle.

Feeding Families, Backing Farmers

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0600

Rows of booths, the hum of old friends catching up, and a thousand farmers under one roof—our conversation with Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Jarrod Yates brings the energy of the convention floor straight to you. We get real about the squeeze on row crop producers, how policy keeps your grocery bill in check, and why advocacy—not handouts—anchors a resilient food system.

Farmers Share How They’re Fighting Debt, Policy Gaps, And Sleepless Nights

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0600

The hum of a trade show floor fades when the numbers don’t pencil. We sat down with Arkansas farmers and an ag professor to talk plainly about what’s pushing families to the edge: $5,000 parts runs, service calls that start at five figures, and a rice price that looks like the 1980s while everything else has climbed. It’s an unvarnished look at the farm economy from the ground level—where a March 1 loan deadline can determine who plants and who steps aside.

Farming With Diabetes

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0600

Blood sugar doesn’t care about heat, broken bearings, or a rice field that needs water right now—so how does a row‑crop farmer keep working when Type 1 diabetes throws curveballs? We sit down with Scott Gibson to map a life built on routine, readiness, and hard‑won peace of mind, from a first‑grade diagnosis to managing harvest in July heat.

Navigating H2A: How Congressman Crawford’s Team Helps Arkansas Producers Hire Seasonal Workers

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0600

The trade show floor is buzzing, but the real action is behind the scenes where applications, interviews, and clearances decide whether seed meets soil on time. We sit down with Sherry Mitchell, a district casework manager for Congressman Rick Crawford, to unpack how H2A actually works, why three different federal agencies can stall a season, and what to do when the process goes quiet. If you’ve ever thought “we can’t harvest without our crew,” this conversation gives you a roadmap and a way to get help when the clock is ticking.

Building Skills And Community With Valley View FFA

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0600

Sparks fly, trailers roll, and futures take shape as we go live from the Arkansas Farm Bureau convention with three Valley View FFA students who bring their best to the ag mechanics competition. Taylor, Luke, and Evan walk us through the workbench—welding deer stands, fabricating fire pits, and crafting a full-length mirror framed with shelves and cowhide—while explaining how these projects teach real-world skills you can’t get from a worksheet.

Inside Tractor Supply’s New Direct Sales For Farmers

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0600

A trade show floor can be noisy, but some ideas cut through the hum fast: stop burning half a day hauling pallets and let the supplies come to you. We sit down with Tractor Supply’s Little Rock team to unpack a new direct sales program that brings bulk feed, minerals, fencing, T‑posts, and shavings straight to the farm gate, coordinated by a specialist who knows your operation and your calendar.

Nashville FFA, Big Skills

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0600

A buzzing trade show floor sets the stage for a grounded, no-spin conversation about how FFA turns curiosity into real careers. Archie Mason sits down with three Nashville, Arkansas students who walk us through the projects, tools, and routines that changed how they see work, learning, and the future. From design software to the weld booth, they show what happens when young people get to build things that matter.

Hiring Help That Works; H-2A Made Clear

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0600

Labor can be the most stressful part of running a farm, especially when the work is seasonal and the clock never stops. From the Arkansas Farm Bureau Convention floor, we sit down with Caleb from Agri Placements to pull back the curtain on H-2A: what’s changed, what it really costs, and how to bring in reliable help without tripping over red tape.

Tailgate Time For Farmers

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0600

The cab gets quiet, the hours get long, and the mind starts to race. From the Rice Research Station in Harrisburg, we sit down with Ryan, a lifelong ag hand turned entrepreneur, to trace a road that runs from co-ops and crop consulting to Apex Ag’s rapid growth—and a new mission to protect farmer mental health with Tailgate Time. The stakes are real: a tightening farm economy, long nights in the planter, and a string of suicides in our region that demanded more than thoughts and prayers.

Resilience In A Hard Year

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0600

The combines are still running and the coffee shop is quiet—signs of a year that pushed farm families to their limits. We’re live at the University of Arkansas Research Rice Station with fourth-generation farmer Jennifer James, who lays out a simple but powerful framework for getting through a hard season: the four chambers of a farmer’s heart—family, resilience, sustainability, and work ethic. It’s a grounded look at what happens when markets sag, input costs climb, and the weather won’t play fair, and how growers steady themselves for the next pass.

How Tailgate Time Brings Mental Health To The Shop Door

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0600

The field may be quiet after harvest, but the pressure is loud. We went live from the University of Arkansas Rice Research Station to talk plainly about where the farm economy is right now, why stress is spilling past the shop door, and how to build a support system that actually fits rural life. Therapist Mandy Young shares a frontline view from veteran care, civilian clinics, and church-based counseling, then introduces Tailgate Time—a practical, mobile way to bring mental health to shops, co-ops, and feed stores so folks can take a load off without the stigma. Precision ag trainer Hunter Young adds the dealership and technology angle, tracing how low commodity prices ripple into jobs, sales, and family routines—and how smarter tools can free up time to reconnect.

From Fields To New Frontiers

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0600

A decade in the fields can teach you a lot about crops—and even more about people. We sit down with longtime crop consultant Chad Duckworth for a candid, ground-level look at what happens when record yields still end in red ink, prevented planting swallows acres, and a trusted scout decides it’s time to pivot. Chad opens up about his path from an internship at RiceTech to building Sentinel Consulting across rice and soybeans in northeast Arkansas, then making a tough, timely move to Rosens to help retailers and growers with adjuvants and custom seed treatments.

Grief: Losing a Loved One to Suicide

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0600

This week's episode, we talk with Mardon Layne. He has farmed for over 40 years in southern Missouri and grows mostly cotton. He started farming with his father and is now a partner with his son. This week's episode deals with the loss of a loved one to suicide.

For those who are considering suicide, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is 988.

Visit AgriHealth.net for more information and links to resources and email us at info@agrihealth.net with comments or questions.

Stop Yelling, Start Healing: Why Your Spouse Isn’t The Enemy

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0600

Storms at home don’t always start loud. Sometimes they begin with a look, a sigh, a missed cue—and suddenly you’re stuck in a loop of fear, shame, and blame that feels bigger than both of you. We sat down with licensed marriage and family counselor James Barham to unpack how unseen wounds of the heart can steer a marriage, why those wounds surface under stress, and how a grace-centered approach brings couples back to each other.

Steady Hearts In An Unsteady Season

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0600

When the fields flood and the numbers don’t pencil, peace can feel out of reach. We sit down with Arkansas Farm Bureau’s Mark Horton to get real about uncertainty—prices, labor, weather—and how faith and preparation can calm a storm that spreadsheets can’t. Mark brings 27 years of walking with farm families, plus a personal story of having his priorities flipped overnight that reshaped his outlook on work, worry, and trust.

Don’t Tune Up the Tractor and Forget Your Marriage

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 10:00:00 -0500

What if the map back to each other has been in front of us all along? We explore a clear, grace-filled path for couples who feel stuck in repeating arguments, growing distance, or the grind of long seasons in the field. With licensed marriage and family counselor James Barham, we unpack how the fear–shame cycle quietly reshapes communication and connection—and how small, intentional choices can reset a marriage toward trust, safety, and rest.

Life after Farming

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500

When the bank asks for your house, what do you do? We sit down with Bill Shannon, who tells the unvarnished story of stepping away from a lifetime of farming and finding a different kind of harvest on the other side. From learning the clutch as a kid to managing large operations across Arkansas and Mississippi, Bill charts the highs of good years, the gut-punch of droughts and thin irrigation, and the quiet courage it took to hold his home instead of another operating note.

Why “Tune-Ups” Save Marriages in Tough Farm Seasons

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Hard seasons on the farm don’t pause for your marriage—and that’s exactly why we brought in licensed marriage and family counselor James Barham to map out a simple, repeatable way to protect your bond when the pressure spikes. James grew up in the Delta, still lives the farm rhythm, and speaks to the real weight of long hours, money stress, isolation, and the quiet drift that sneaks in between chores and late-night repairs. What he offers is a clear, field-tested blueprint he calls the Way of Grace: a shift from fear and shame toward love and respect, anchored in faith and built on small, steady habits.

When Markets Aren't Free: How Global Powers Are Squeezing Out American Farmers

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500

The current farm crisis threatens American food security and rural communities as global powers engage in economic warfare against US agriculture. Eddie Martin, President and CEO of Influence Media Network, explains how countries like China and Brazil are using government resources to create an unfair market that American farmers cannot compete in alone.

What's Really Behind Today's Violence? A Biblical Perspective

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0500

The violence and darkness we witness in our world today point to something deeper than political division or mental health issues alone. In this powerful episode, we're joined by Pastor Larry Bailey, who brings wisdom from years of missionary work in Togo, West Africa, where spiritual warfare wasn't just theoretical—it was visibly manifesting before his eyes.

When Farming Costs More Than It Pays: Navigating the Current Agricultural Crisis

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0500

The current agricultural crisis has created a perfect storm that threatens the very foundation of family farming in America. With input costs skyrocketing and commodity prices plummeting simultaneously, farmers are caught in a financial vice grip with seemingly no escape.

Joining us to unpack this critical situation is Brett Provost, Vice President and Trust Farm Management Officer at Farmers and Merchants Bank, who brings both professional expertise and personal experience as a landowner from a century farm family.

Weathering Financial Storms in Agriculture

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:00:00 -0500

The financial rollercoaster of agriculture demands both resilience and strategy. Nathan Sanders brings 28 years of agricultural lending expertise as VP and Branch Manager of Farm Credit Mid-South to share hard-earned wisdom about weathering financial storms in farming.

Veterinary Insights: The Journey from Chuck Wagon Racing to Rural Animal Care

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:00:00 -0500

The veterinary profession is filled with stories of dedication, but few are as compelling as Dr. Bland Smith's journey from chuck wagon racer to pioneering rural veterinarian. On this landmark 100th episode, host Archie Mason welcomes a sixth-generation cattle producer whose family brand—now her practice name—stands as one of the oldest registered in Kansas.

The Equipment Legacy: Three Generations of Cox Implement Company

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:00:00 -0500

Ever wonder what it takes to build a business that stands the test of time? Blake Cox, third-generation owner of Cox Implement Company, reveals the remarkable journey of his family's equipment dealership and farm operation - now the oldest continuous business in Lawrence County, Arkansas.

From Marine Corps to Agriculture: Secretary Wes Ward's Journey

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:00:00 -0500

The remarkable journey of Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward takes center stage in this compelling episode that bridges two seemingly different worlds – military service and agricultural leadership. Growing up in rural Lake City, Arkansas, Ward's path took him from Marine Corps boot camp in San Diego to law school and eventually to his role as one of Arkansas' most important agricultural voices.

Stronger Than Yesterday: How a Cattle Farmer Overcame a Life-Changing Accident

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:00:00 -0500

What happens when your entire life changes in an instant? When the unthinkable occurs, forcing you to reimagine everything about your future? Cattle farmer Carey Portell knows this reality intimately, having survived a devastating collision with a drunk driver that left her permanently disabled but remarkably determined.

Plowing Through Challenges: Agriculture, Mental Health, and Divine Purpose

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:00:00 -0500

Faith, farming, and unexpected purpose converge in this powerful conversation with Arkansas State Representative DeAnne Vaught. Despite initially rejecting a political career, Vaught's journey changed when her teenage daughter posed a faith-challenging question: "When have you ever taught us to be Jonah and run from Nineveh?" That divine nudge launched her into becoming the first Republican elected to her seat, where she's now serving her fifth term while simultaneously managing a diverse 1,200-acre farm operation.

The Unpaid Ranch Manager: Tales from a Farm Wife's Perspective

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:00:00 -0500

Stepping away from his usual solo format, Archie Mason welcomes his wife Angie to the microphone for an intimate glimpse into the realities of farm life through a woman's perspective. As the self-described "unpaid ranch manager" of their family operation, Angie shares her journey from classroom teacher to full-time cattle wrangler with candor and humor that only comes from lived experience.

The Dairy Girl Fitness Revolution: Empowering Women through Sustainable Wellness

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:00:00 -0500

The powerful connection between physical wellness and mental health takes center stage as Archie Mason welcomes Emily Shaw, the dynamic force behind Dairy Girl Fitness, to That Farm Life Podcast. Emily's remarkable journey from Pennsylvania dairy enthusiast to Florida-based fitness entrepreneur reveals how seemingly separate passions can merge into a fulfilling life mission.

Rural Roots: How Family Farms Shape Our Educational Approach

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:00:00 -0500

Jessica Angel's story beautifully illustrates how deep agricultural roots can flourish into powerful community initiatives. Raised in tiny Cord, Arkansas—a one-stoplight town where farming forms the community's backbone—Jessica's childhood immersion in agriculture shaped her future path in unexpected ways.

Agritourism: Diversifying Farm Income and Educating Communities

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:00:00 -0500

Step into the dynamic world of agritourism as we chat with Cass Capen Housley from Arkansas Tech's Department of Agriculture and Tourism. This conversation goes beyond traditional farming to explore how agricultural experiences are reshaping rural economies and connecting consumers with food sources.

Beyond the Harvest: How Mental Health Mondays Changed Our Farm

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:00:00 -0500

Kelley Lammers shares how her background in education and counseling has helped transform the culture of her family's farm through intentional leadership and weekly mental health meetings. Her journey from small-town Arkansas to the mission field in Uganda and back again offers valuable insights on creating supportive farm environments where teammates feel valued beyond their agricultural contributions.

Field of Dreams: Rethinking Rural Income Through Agritourism

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:00:00 -0500

Could the future of farming include welcoming tourists to your land? Dr. Susan West thinks so. As Associate Professor of Agriculture and Tourism at Arkansas Tech University, she's witnessing firsthand how these two powerhouse industries—ranked first and second in Arkansas's economy—are creating natural partnerships with tremendous potential.

When the Farm Life Gets Too Heavy: A Widow's Story of Depression and Hope

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:00:00 -0500

Dr. Tori Linemann shares her family's journey from building a successful registered Angus seed stock operation to facing the devastating reality of her husband's depression and eventual suicide. Through her story, she illuminates the critical importance of mental health awareness in agriculture and offers hope to those facing similar struggles.

Finding Peace Through Risk and Faith

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:00:00 -0500

Steve Watkins shares his journey from a cotton farm in Northeast Arkansas to becoming an author and property owner at Real Foot Lake. Through multiple life restarts, he discovered the importance of serving others and embracing risk as essential steps toward finding purpose and peace.

From Animal Science to Insurance: One Man's Farm Life Journey

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:00:00 -0500

Marcus Creasy lives a life where faith, family, and farming intertwine to create a uniquely modern agricultural experience. From his rural Arkansas homestead, Marcus navigates the complexities of running a commercial cattle operation while simultaneously managing a specialized agricultural insurance business that serves clients across multiple states.

Empowering Farm Women

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:00:00 -0500

Dr. Lauren Hendricks shares her journey from growing up on a poultry farm to becoming an accredited financial counselor and advocate for women in agriculture through Annie's Project. She explains how Family and Consumer Sciences addresses critical components of quality of life including financial management, particularly important for farm families dealing with volatile income.

Who Speaks for Farmers When Policy Shapes Their Future?

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:00:00 -0500

Navigating the complex landscape of modern agriculture demands strong advocates who understand both policy and practice. This revealing conversation with John McMinn, Director of Commodity Activities and Economics at the Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, offers a fascinating glimpse into how agricultural advocacy organizations support farmers across diverse sectors.

Rural Entrepreneurship: How One Arkansas Family Transformed a Pecan Operation

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:00:00 -0500

The transition from corporate life to full-time farming isn't just a career change—it's a complete lifestyle transformation that few successfully navigate. John Bruhl is making this journey alongside his wife and two young children, having recently purchased a pecan operation in Arkansas after working there seasonally for five years.

When Tornadoes Strike: A Community's Path to Recovery in Wynn, Arkansas

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:00:00 -0500

A devastating EF-3 tornado slashed through the heart of Wynn, Arkansas on March 31st, leaving a community in pieces but not broken. Shannon Hobbs, a lifelong resident, local business owner, and school board member, takes us through those terrifying moments when the storm hit and the remarkable aftermath that followed.

Dirt-shy teen builds thriving gourmet mushroom business through FFA

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 12:00:00 -0500

Alaina Reeves transforms from a girl who "doesn't like to get dirty" into a successful mushroom entrepreneur through her FFA experience. Her accidental journey into agriculture shows how educational programs can spark unexpected passions and business opportunities for today's youth.

Respecting the Past and Adapting to the Present