Episode 38

full
Published on:

20th Jun 2024

So You’ve Married a Farmer, Now What? The Ultimate Farm Wife with Katja Williams

Katja Williams, a farmer from Dubbo, New South Wales, shares her experience of managing a family farming operation and raising kids. She discusses the challenges of moving to a family farm and the importance of setting boundaries and effective communication with in-laws. Katja also talks about her podcast, The Rural Mum, where she shares stories and provides tips and advice for women who have married into farming families. The conversation in this part focuses on the rebranding of Katja's show to 'The Ultimate Farmwife' and the challenges and adjustments she faced as a farmwife and mother. It also touches on the importance of setting boundaries, managing expectations, and adjusting to the farming dynamic. The discussion explores the transition to parenthood, the impact on relationships, and the need for support in the farming community. The concept of the 'ultimate farmwife' is introduced as someone who is adaptable, problem-solving, and constantly adjusting to the demands of farm life. Katja Williams, a farmer and mother, shares her experience of managing farm work and parenting. She discusses the challenges of balancing domestic tasks, farm work, and childcare. Katja emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and creating a structured schedule to maintain productivity and ensure the well-being of both herself and her children. She also highlights the need for support and understanding from the farming community when it comes to addressing concerns and seeking help. Katja's love for the space and freedom that raising children on the farm provides shines through, despite the struggles she faces.

Connect with Katja Online

We're glad you're joining us for another episode of Barnyard Language. If you enjoy the show, please tell a friend (or two) and be sure to rate and review us wherever you're listening! If you want to help us keep buying coffee and paying our editor, you can make a monthly pledge on Patreon to help us stay on the air.

 You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as BarnyardLanguage, and if you'd like to connect with other farming families, you can join our private Barnyard Language Facebook group. We're always in search of future guests for the podcast. If you or someone you know would like to chat with us, get in touch.

If you have a something you'd like to Cuss & Discuss, you can submit it here: speakpipe.com/barnyardlanguage or email us at barnyardlanguage@gmail.com.

Takeaways

  • Moving to a family farming operation requires learning new skills and managing different dynamics.
  • Setting boundaries and effective communication are crucial for maintaining healthy relationships with in-laws.
  • Podcasts like The Rural Mum provide a platform for women to share stories and offer tips and advice for navigating life on a farm.
  • Being part of a farming family involves wearing many hats and juggling various responsibilities.
  • Preserving family heirlooms and managing expectations around them can be a challenge.
  • Recognition and praise from family members can be a significant validation for newcomers to the farm. The rebranding of Katja's show to 'The Ultimate Farmwife' reflects her focus on providing practical advice and solutions for farmwives.
  • Setting boundaries and managing expectations are crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance as a farmwife.
  • The transition to parenthood can be challenging, especially in the context of farm life, but it also provides opportunities for growth and adaptation.
  • Support from the farming community is essential in navigating the unique challenges of being a farmwife and mother.
  • The 'ultimate farmwife' is someone who is adaptable, problem-solving, and constantly adjusting to the demands of farm life. Balancing farm work and parenting requires setting boundaries and creating a structured schedule.
  • Support and understanding from the farming community are crucial when addressing concerns and seeking help.
  • Raising children on the farm provides space and freedom for them to explore and play.
  • Trusting your intuition as a parent and farmer is essential in ensuring the well-being of yourself and your children.
  • Finding joy in the small moments and appreciating the connections made through shared experiences.

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction and Farming Background
  • 03:02 Managing Livestock and Crops on the Farm
  • 06:27 Transitioning to a Family Farming Operation
  • 08:30 Setting Boundaries and Communicating with In-Laws
  • 11:02 Managing Working and Personal Relationships in a Family Farm
  • 26:23 Preserving Family Heirlooms and Managing Expectations
  • 27:28 Recognition and Praise from Family Members
  • 29:12 The Ultimate Farmwife: A Rebranding Journey
  • 34:04 Setting Boundaries and Managing Expectations
  • 39:27 The Transition to Parenthood in the Context of Farm Life
  • 49:29 The Importance of Support in the Farming Community
  • 56:19 The Ultimate Farmwife: Adapting and Problem-Solving
  • 00:03 Introduction and Background
  • 08:58 The Importance of Support and Understanding
  • 14:54 Raising Children on the Farm
  • 26:53 Finding Joy in the Small Moments
  • 30:10 Conclusion
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About the Podcast

Barnyard Language
Real talk about running farms and raising families.
Real talk about running farms and raising families. Whether your farm is a raised bed in your backyard or 10,000 acres and whether your family is in the planning stages or you've got 12 kids, we're glad you found us!

No sales, no religious conversion, no drama. Just honest talk from two mamas who know what it's like when everyone is telling you to just get all your meals delivered and do all your shopping online, but your internet is too slow and you've got cows to feed.

About your host

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Caithlin Palmer