by Karen Endres

You face many stressors owning and operating a farm business, and for many of you, a multi-generational farm business. Adopting a positive mindset with a focus on gratitude can help you better handle these stressors.

Having a positive mindset does not mean you are the leader of the pep squad!  It is how you choose to view your world.  It is your outlook, and most importantly, it is your choice. Constantly focusing on your problems can lead to stress, fatigue, anger, and resentment, but changing your mindset to focus on the positive in your life can help improve your life.

Karen Endres is the Farmer Wellness Program Coordinator at Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection's Wisconsin Farm Center.

To learn more about cultivating a positive mindset and gratitude, listen to the "Use a Positive Mindset & Gratitude to Handle Daily Farm Stress" podcast episode on Rural Realities where Penn Vieau, professional speaker and coach, shares how adopting a positive mindset with a focus on gratitude can help you better handle these stressors. The episode explores how the mind works and leads you through examples so you can make immediate changes in your work and personal life to achieve your goals while effectively managing daily stress.

Experiencing a challenge on the farm? Contact the Wisconsin Farm Center! With more than one 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 farmcenter.wi.gov.

Online Farmer and Farm Couple Support Groups

This event is focused on bringing farmers and farm couples together in a safe space to share challenges and offer encouragement, comfort, and advice. It is open to any farmer, farm couple, or farm family member located in Wisconsin. A licensed mental health provider with experience serving farmers and/or a trained peer leader will be on hand to help facilitate.

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