GFP004: Berni Ortensi of Ortensi Family Farm, Learning to Appreciate Success When Faced With Burnout

Show summary:

There are times in life that you need to stop and smell the roses. It is important whether you are running a small business, or you just generally lead a busy life. It is important to take stock of why you are working so hard, and to appreciate your accomplishments.

I often find it is in these moments of reflection that good things happen. I firmly believe that the harder you work, the luckier you get (not my saying, but I'll borrow it). While it is good practice to work hard at what you do, it is also good practice to take a step back once and a while so you do not burn out.

Today's farm podcast talks about burnout and appreciating success. It is about those moments when the planets align, and things lok up for you.

That leads me into my interview with Bernadette Ortensi, of the Ortensi Family Farm.

In this farm podcast you will learn about:

  • The importance of taking time to "stop and smell the roses"

  • Appreciating successes both large and small

  • Avoid burnout! What to do when you feel it coming on.

  • Free choice for animals

  • Why should you choose to grow organic?

Interview with Bernadette Ortensi of the Ortensi Family Farm:

Bernadette and Gregory Ortensi farm on 450 organic acres in Richfield Springs, NY. Their family farm is home to grass-fed cattle, pigs, turkeys, working dogs, chickens, and horses. Not to mention a slew of grains and crops. They are certified organic through NOFA NY.

The wonderful thing about Berni is that you can know her for only a few minutes, and she'll feel like a life long friend. She takes pride in the welfare of her animals, the cleanliness of her farm, and the transparency of a truly sustainable family farm.

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Items mentioned in this farm podcast include:

Take aways:

When was the last time you got close to throwing your hands up and walking away from what you are doing? Are you there now? DON'T DO IT!!!

Take a real hard look around your farm property. Is there stuff laying around? Rusted old farm implements, broken tools, dilapidated buildings, rubbish? It is important to work in a clean place for your mental health, as marketing for your customers, and for the environment in general. That time spent making your farm beautiful pays off in more way than you know.

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I need you!!!

Do you or someone you know own or work on a farm? Are they making a living from that farm? It doesn't matter if they are organic, conventional, 1 acre, or 10,000 acres. I do not discriminate. I have a whole lot of interviews lined up, but I want to make sure I really front load my recordings while it's winter and farmers have a little more time.

If you're up for a chat, CONTACT ME, and let me know. Give me some details:

  • Your (or their) name and contact info

  • Farm Website (if you have one)

  • A summary of why you should be on the show and what you have to share

  • How you heard about the podcast

You can also reach me through Facebook and Twitter. The Growing Farms Podcast is as much my farm podcast as it it yours.

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My skills are ever-evolving as an interviewer. Thanks for taking the time to listen in, and let me know what you think. You can leave a comment below, send me an e-mail, reach me on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a rating in iTunes if you liked the show.