Martha Skelley on Recovering from Workaholism in Ranching
Music attribution:
Wanderlust by Scott Buckley | www.scottbuckley.com.au
2:47- Martha’s background in ag, Warren Wilson College
4:56- Grew up in Shenandoah family 2 generations removed from agriculture, wasn’t what her parents thought she would be pursuing.
6:07- Wondered how farming worked out West, joining New Agrarian Program at San Juan Ranch while they were in extreme drought
8:50- Working on other farms after San Juan Ranch, came back to work as a foreman, then Alabama, then Paicines Ranch
11:48- Workaholism in agriculture at the expense of hobbies, family, personal life. Do you feel like you’re searching for who you are again now that you have more time off?
15:00- Thought I’d have a family by now. Self-talk has to change that narrative, more delegation, getting out more, making time for enjoying my time.
15:53- Do you value your manager role and the flexibility of not owning the business?
17:40- Advocating for time off, boundaries on a ranch, balancing your work with enjoyment
22:10- Can many employers offer the benefits of time off/good pay?
23:30- How long does it take to reach competency for a ranch management role? Martha talks about her “accelerated role” and the pitfalls of that.
24:42- Take it slow, have a social life, have fun, meet people along the way.
26:30- Getting to the age when amenities, time off, work/life balance matters.
28:04- How to make space and time for relationships and friends
31:15- Finding community in rural places
34:15- Dating, finding friends while ranching
39:55- Is regenerative ranching working for anyone? Is it a viable path with benefits and balance?
47:00- What keeps you inspired? Relationships.
51:00- Privilege in ranching, unjust food system, wants to spend more time feeding people
53:32- Job descriptions! Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition Director Position.
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