I never thought I'd love this life as much as I do.

And I also never expected it to feel so hard.

In this episode, I open up about the emotional tug-of-war so many farm wives experience — the reality that you can love your life on the farm and still hate the parts of it that leave you feeling lonely, overlooked, and completely exhausted.

I share what life looked like for us in the early years with three boys under four, how I carried the load through drought, newborns, and endless solo parenting, and how I finally stopped pretending it was all fine.

You’ll hear honest stories about missing milestones, crying in hospital alone, resenting wet towels on the floor, and the mindset shifts that helped me stop bottling it all up.

I also talk about the little changes that made a big difference — from bundling the kids up to take dinner to the paddock, to finally having those hard conversations with my husband about what we needed as a family.

And I share the unexpected gifts in it all — the flexibility the farm actually gives us, and the privilege of being able to show up for our kids in ways not every family can.

This is a vulnerable one, but it’s real. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “Is this what I signed up for?” while still feeling proud of the life you’ve built — you’re not alone.

• Why it’s okay to love and hate the farm at the same time
• What solo parenting looked like during the early years
• The emotional and financial pressure of farming life
• When the resentment creeps in and how I’ve learned to name it
• How I stopped pretending everything was fine
• The small shifts that helped us survive busy seasons
• Why asking for help isn’t weakness — it’s wisdom
• How the flexibility of farm life is also a gift
• A reminder that this life needs to work for your whole family

✨ You’re not doing it wrong if it feels hard. You’re just being honest.

💬 Let’s keep the conversation going: message me on Instagram and tell me what part of this episode you related to most.

Resources and Links

• Grounded Farm Wife Journal
• Values Bundle

Connect with JESSICA:

Follow me on Instagram Instagram

Join my newsletter community Join my newsletter community

Check out my website Website

Find the complete show notes here: https://www.groundedfarmwife.com.au/podcast-1/40

Winter has arrived with a bang here on the farm—frosty mornings, short days, and that bone-deep cold that makes everything feel just a little bit harder. But this year, it feels a little easier than it has in the past. I think that’s because I’ve been paying attention to the small things—the simple comforts and routines that are helping me stay grounded and get through this season with a bit more ease.

In this episode, I’m sharing the five things that are helping me through this cold farm winter. These aren’t big, fancy solutions—they’re real, everyday things like the slow cooker bubbling away in the kitchen, a crackling fire (even if I forget to keep it going), warm clothes from the dryer, and the moments I get to be present for my boys, whether it's at the library or the sidelines of their footy games.

I also chat about how this winter feels different—how the cold set in fast, but my routines and rhythms are making all the difference.

Whether you’re a rural woman navigating a busy farm season or a mum just trying to keep the house warm and the kids fed, I hope this episode encourages you to take a moment and notice what’s helping you get through the season too.

In this episode I share:

• Why the slow cooker is my best friend right now (and how I keep it super simple)
• A funny story about trying—and failing—to keep the fire going on my own
• The pride I feel watching my boys become readers and our weekly library rhythm
• Why I finally built a backyard fire pit and how it’s getting us outside more
• What it’s like showing up for winter sport when you don’t know all the rules
• How good routines are helping me feel more motivated this winter

I’d love to know—what little things are getting you through winter right now? Come say hi on Instagram @groundedfarmwife and share your winter comforts with me.

Resources and Links

• Grounded Farm Wife Journal
• Values Bundle

Connect with JESSICA:

Follow me on Instagram Instagram

Join my newsletter community Join my newsletter community

Check out my website Website

Find the complete show notes here: https://www.groundedfarmwife.com.au/podcast-1/39

Episode Summary:

Winter is well and truly here on the farm, and while Stephen complains the second it gets cold, I actually love the slower pace, the warm mugs of coffee, and the chance to reflect. In this episode, I give you a behind-the-scenes look at what’s happening on our dairy farm right now — from breeding season and weaning calves, to prepping our new block and making tough feed decisions as the weather turns.

But the second half of the episode is where things really heat up. After one of my recent reels about milk prices went unexpectedly viral, I had a flood of comments and questions about how dairy farmers are actually paid. So today, I’m answering those questions — openly and honestly.

I break down how the dairy code of conduct works, what “milk solids” really are, and why most dairy farmers supply the big companies (spoiler: we often don’t have another choice). I also explain why selling our own milk sounds simple but would cost millions, and how you can make informed choices to support Australian farmers at the supermarket.

Whether you’ve been around dairy your whole life or are just curious about what’s in your fridge, this episode brings clarity, real-life context, and a reminder that every litre of milk starts with a farmer.

Key Points Covered in this Episode:

• A seasonal update from our farm: breeding, weaning, drying off, and managing feed shortages
• What winter looks like for dairy farmers and how we plan ahead for calving
• Why June is such an important month for the dairy industry
• How dairy farmers are paid and what the Dairy Code of Conduct means for us
• The truth about milk solids, price variations, and seasonal premiums
• Why most farmers can’t process or sell their own milk (even if we wanted to)
• What happens to our milk after it leaves the farm (spoiler: it’s not always bottled)
• How to support Aussie farmers through the dairy products you buy

💛 If this episode helps you understand our industry a little better or makes you feel more connected to where your food comes from, I’d love if you shared it with a friend or on your stories.