This episode digs into a topic that’s a little different from Rural Realities’ usual content, but it’s something that affects us all and can be especially relevant during the holidays: consumer protection. The Wisconsin Farm Center’s Karen Endres sat down with Michelle Reinen, Division Administrator for the Division of Consumer Protection at the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, to talk about scams that can affect small businesses--including farms--and consumers, and how we can protect ourselves. Michelle shares some tips about scam prevention, digital security, charitable giving, buying gift cards, and more.

Experiencing a challenge on the farm? Contact the Wisconsin Farm Center! With more than a hundred years of collective agriculture experience, the Wisconsin Farm Center team offers free and confidential financial and transition planning services, conflict mediation, veterinary diagnostic analysis, and more. They can be reached at 800-942-2474 or farmcenter@wisconsin.gov. More information on programs and services is available at https://farmcenter.wi.gov.

If you are experiencing increased stress, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or just need a welcoming ear to talk to, please contact the free and confidential 24/7 Wisconsin Farmer Wellness Helpline at 888-901-2558 for immediate support. In-person and tele-counseling sessions are also available by request.

Monica McConkey, Rural Mental Health Specialist, works with farm families every week in Minnesota and knows stress and family relationships impact the process of business transition planning. The Wisconsin Farm Center’s Karen Endres connected with Monica at World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin, when she was there presenting on farm stress. Monica shared insight on the emotional issues that farmers working on a transition plan may face, along with some techniques that she finds most helpful for families working through this process.

Experiencing a challenge on the farm? Contact the Wisconsin Farm Center! With more than a hundred years of collective agriculture experience, the Wisconsin Farm Center team offers free and confidential financial and transition planning services, conflict mediation, veterinary diagnostic analysis, and more. They can be reached at 800-942-2474 or farmcenter@wisconsin.gov. More information on programs and services is available at https://farmcenter.wi.gov.

If you are experiencing increased stress, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or just need a welcoming ear to talk to, please contact the free and confidential 24/7 Wisconsin Farmer Wellness Helpline at 888-901-2558 for immediate support. In-person and tele-counseling sessions are also available by request.

Living with loss and vowing to help others so they never have to experience this pain is what gets Jennifer Webster through her grief after losing her father, Brian Webster, to suicide last year. The Wisconsin Farm Center’s Karen Endres met up with Jennifer and her other guest Sara Kohlbeck at an event in Baldwin, Wisconsin, to help educate our community, including healthcare providers, about farmers’ unique mental health needs and to kick off the new Western Wisconsin Farmer Angel Network. Sara shared her research on why farmers are at a higher risk for suicide and how we can develop more prevention measures. Jennifer shared her personal story about losing her dad and her mission to help other farmers.

Experiencing a challenge on the farm? Contact the Wisconsin Farm Center! With more than a hundred years of collective agriculture experience, the Wisconsin Farm Center team offers free and confidential financial and transition planning services, conflict mediation, veterinary diagnostic analysis, and more. They can be reached at 800-942-2474 or farmcenter@wisconsin.gov. More information on programs and services is available at https://farmcenter.wi.gov.

If you are experiencing increased stress, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or just need a welcoming ear to talk to, please contact the free and confidential 24/7 Wisconsin Farmer Wellness Helpline at 888-901-2558 for immediate support. In-person and tele-counseling sessions are also available by request.