Barn & Soul Podcast: Episode 33 - The Ones Who Stay: Why Some People Don't Leave Farming and Why Some Start

Barn & Soul Podcast: Episode 37 - When You're Overwhelmed, The Farm Still Waits...

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2464512/fan_mail/new] Some weeks/months/seasons don’t go according to plan. In this shorter, more personal episode of Barn & Soul, Kendall shares what it feels like to fall behind, feel overwhelmed, and still show up—because on a farm, the work doesn’t pause. Through quiet moments with the animals at Dalby Farm, this episode explores the difference between pressure and presence, and why farming has a way of grounding us when everything else feels like too much. From the steady rhythm of daily chores to the deeper truth that heritage farming isn’t about perfection - but continuity - this is a reminder that showing up, even imperfectly, is enough. If you’ve been feeling off your rhythm, behind, or stretched too thin… this episode is for you. 🐐 Fast Facts Featured in This Episode * Over 70% of small farmers report experiencing burnout during peak or transitional seasons * Decision fatigue can reduce productivity by up to 40% over time * Livestock care requires daily consistency, regardless of external stress or workload 🌿 In This Episode, We Explore * What overwhelm actually looks like in day-to-day farm life * The mental weight of “falling behind” in creative and physical work * Why animals don’t measure productivity—and what we can learn from that * The concept of continuity vs. perfection in heritage breed farming * How farms naturally guide us back to presence and prioritization 📍 About Dalby Farm Dalby Farm is a historic family farm in Scituate, Massachusetts, dedicated to preserving rare and endangered heritage breeds, including Arapawa Island goats, Ossabaw Island hogs, Shetland sheep, and more. 💬 Let’s Stay Connected Have a question about farm life, rare breeds, or something you’d like covered in a future episode? Reach out or leave a comment—we’d love to hear from you. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2464512/support]

Barn & Soul Podcast: Episode 36 - Why Humans Need Animals (More Than We Admit)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2464512/fan_mail/new] 🎙 Barn & Soul Podcast - Where farming meets heart, history, and a mission to preserve the past for a more sustainable future.  Episode 36 -  Why Humans Need Animals (More Than We Admit). If animals are no longer required for survival, why are we still so deeply drawn to them? In this episode of Barn & Soul, we explore the historical, psychological, and emotional reasons humans continue to need animals in modern life. From the Agricultural Revolution to therapy dogs, from childhood empathy to rising loneliness statistics, this conversation looks at the human–animal bond through both research and lived experience. Animals helped build civilization. They powered agriculture, transportation, communication, and trade. Today, they regulate our nervous systems, shape childhood development, reduce stress, and quietly anchor our sense of connection in a world that often feels disconnected. The question is not whether animals are useful. The question is whether humans are fully human without them. Until next time, take care—and don’t forget to appreciate the rare and wonderful things in life. References and Sources American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey and Industry Spending Reports https://www.americanpetproducts.org/ [https://www.americanpetproducts.org/] Human Animal Bond Research Institute Research on pet ownership, loneliness, and mental health https://www.habri.org/ [https://www.habri.org/] U.S. Surgeon General Advisory (2023) Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf [https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf] National Institutes of Health Human–Animal Interaction Research and cortisol studies https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets [https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets] American Heart Association Dog ownership and mortality risk meta-analysis published in Circulation https://www.ahajournals.org/ [https://www.ahajournals.org/] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Health Benefits of the Human–Animal Bond https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/health-benefits/ [https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/health-benefits/] U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Service Dogs and PTSD Research https://www.research.va.gov/ [https://www.research.va.gov/] University of Cambridge Research on children’s empathy and pet ownership Waltham Petcare Science Institute Child development and pet interaction studies https://www.waltham.com/ [https://www.waltham.com/] United States Department of Agriculture Census of Agriculture and agritourism data https://www.nass.usda.gov/ [https://www.nass.usda.gov/] United States Department of Agriculture History of domestication and livestock agriculture https://www.usda.gov/ [https://www.usda.gov/] American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals History of animal welfare in urban settings https://www.aspca.org/ [https://www.aspca.org/] Grand View Research Animal-Assisted Therapy Market Projections https://www.grandviewresearch.com/ [https://www.grandviewresearch.com/] Morgan Stanley Research Global Pet Industry Growth Projections https://www.morganstanley.com/ [https://www.morganstanley.com/] International Society for Anthrozoology Human–animal relationship research and Anthrozoös journal https://www.isaz.net/ [https://www.isaz.net/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2464512/support]

Barn & Soul Podcast - Episode 35: The Difference Between Animal Lovers and Animal Caretakers

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2464512/fan_mail/new] What does it really mean to care for animals? In this episode of Barn & Soul, we explore the quiet but powerful difference between loving animals and being responsible for their lives every single day. From daily routines and financial realities to emotional bonds and unseen sacrifices, this conversation takes an honest look at what animal care truly involves. This is not a judgment of animal lovers. It is a compassionate, behind-the-scenes look at the commitment, responsibility, and lifelong dedication that animal caretakers carry. Whether you visit farms, share your home with pets, or simply feel a deep connection to animals, this episode offers a thoughtful perspective on the work that happens long after the joyful moments end. Because animals are not experiences. They are lives. Until next time, take care—and don’t forget to appreciate the rare and wonderful things in life. References and Sources American Pet Products Association (APPA) APPA National Pet Owners Survey and Industry Spending Reports https://www.americanpetproducts.org/ [https://www.americanpetproducts.org/] American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Pet Statistics and Shelter Intake Data https://www.aspca.org/helping-people-pets/shelter-intake-and-surrender [https://www.aspca.org/helping-people-pets/shelter-intake-and-surrender] United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Livestock and Poultry Care, Daily Labor Requirements and Husbandry Resources https://www.usda.gov/ [https://www.usda.gov/] Journal Anthrozoös Human–Animal Interaction Research on Compassion Fatigue and Caregiver Stress International Society for Anthrozoology https://www.isaz.net/ University of Lincoln, School of Life Sciences Research on Animal–Human Bond and Recognition of Primary Caregivers https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/ [https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/] American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Veterinary Care Costs, Access to Care, and Industry Trends https://www.avma.org/ [https://www.avma.org/] American Veterinary Medical Association Economic Reports Trends in Veterinary Service Costs and Pet Healthcare Spending https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/reports-statistics [https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/reports-statistics] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2464512/support]

Barn & Soul Podcast: Episode 34 - What Farm Animals Actually Need in a New England Cold Snap

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2464512/fan_mail/new] Bitter Cold Survival: What Farm Animals Actually Need in a New England Storm What do farm animals actually need during a bitter New England cold snap? After weeks of snow, ice, and forecasts hinting at more, this episode is a practical winter survival guide for animal care during extreme weather. We’re talking about what truly keeps animals safe in storms, what people often get wrong, and why winter care is less about gadgets and more about systems. In this episode, we walk through the essentials of cold-weather animal care: * Why dry + wind protection + calories + unfrozen water matter more than heat * The real risks of heat lamps and why they can become dangerous in coops and barns * How chickens, sheep, goats, and pigs actually handle cold temperatures * Practical winter strategies like deep bedding, ventilation, staging water, and storm preparation * The sustainable, low-tech “storm hacks” that make winter chores safer and more manageable If you’re caring for animals during winter storms—or just curious about how farms operate when the world outside looks like a snow globe with consequences—this episode is for you. Because winter animal care isn’t about perfection. It’s about systems that work when conditions don’t. Fast facts in this episode * Frostbite risk in poultry is driven by cold + moisture, not cold alone. * Sheep and goats tolerate cold well but struggle with wet conditions and wind exposure. * Fire safety organizations warn that heat lamps and heaters are major coop and barn fire risks. * Extension guidance consistently emphasizes water access, dry bedding, wind protection, and monitoring as the foundations of cold-weather livestock care. Resources & further reading * University of Maine Cooperative Extension & Maine Dept. of Agriculture — Cold weather livestock care guidance * University of Minnesota Extension — Caring for chickens in cold weather (ventilation, moisture, frostbite) * University of Maine Cooperative Extension — Winter Care of Laying Hens bulletin * Michigan State University Extension — Preparing goats and sheep for winter weather * Ohio State University Extension — Cold stress and shelter guidance for small ruminants * USDA National Agroforestry Center — Windbreaks for livestock operations * National Fire Protection Association — Chicken coop fire and electrical safety * Penn State Extension — Barn fire prevention resources * New Hampshire DOT — Salt brine anti-icing concept (for walkways and human safety) Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2464512/support]

Barn & Soul Podcast: Episode 33 - The Ones Who Stay: Why Some People Don't Leave Farming and Why Some Start

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2464512/fan_mail/new] 🎙 Barn & Soul — Episode 33 The Ones Who Stay: Why Some People Don’t Leave Farming, and Why Some Start Why would anyone choose farming, especially now? In this episode of Barn & Soul, Kendall takes a grounded, first-hand  AND data-informed look at one of the most enduring questions in agriculture: why some people stay in farming despite the odds, why others leave, and why new people continue to begin anyway. Using the latest U.S. agricultural census data, income reports, and research on farm structure and wellbeing, this episode explores the realities behind romantic ideas of farming and the quieter truths that don’t always make it into the conversation. This episode isn’t about glorifying hardship or offering easy answers. It’s about seeing farming clearly- as work that is relational, meaningful, demanding, and deeply human. Whether you farm, hope to someday, or simply care about where food comes from and who produces it, The Ones Who Stay offers context, compassion, and clarity for a system that holds more people together than we often realize. 📚 References & Sources * USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 2022 Census of Agriculture Highlights: Farms and Farmland (March 2024) * USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 2022 Census of Agriculture Highlights: New and Beginning Producers (2024) * USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 2022 Census of Agriculture Highlights: Farm Producers (Average Age Data) * USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) Farm Household Income Estimates (January 27, 2025) * USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) Farm Household Income Forecast (September 3, 2025) * USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) Charts of Note: Direct-to-Consumer and Other Direct Marketing Sales, 2022 Census (March 21, 2024) * USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) Access to Farmland by Beginning and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers: Issues and Opportunities (AP-096, 2022) * Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Suicide Rates by Industry and Occupation — MMWR (2023) * CDC / NIOSH Farm community mental health and occupational risk research collections * National Young Farmers Coalition 2022 survey and reporting on beginning farmer challenges, land access, and priorities Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2464512/support]