AgWellness Episode 7: Interview with Hailey Holden
Josh Dallin 00:09
Hello, and welcome to episode seven of our AgWellness podcast. We are fortunate enough to have Hailey Holden, the livestock program coordinator in Juab County, who is a female in the ag industry and works with youth in agriculture. Join us today for this podcast. Thanks so much for joining Jake andI today, Hailey.
Hailey Holden 00:29
Oh, I really appreciate the invitation. I'm happy to be here.
Josh Dallin 00:34
We're really grateful to be able to get your perspective on some of the things that we dive in depth on in our AgWellness podcast, and we're going to ask you some questions and and hope that your perspective can relate to our listeners that that we have on our AgWellness podcast. So we'll ask you first to please give us a short introduction. And tell us a little bit about your connection to the ag community.
Hailey Holden 01:03
No problem. So I come from a ranching family. I'm a sixth generation cattle rancher. And we've ranched the same ranch on the west desert of Utah, since my ancestors immigrated from Holland, so very proud of that. And then I've also been raising sheep for 12 years now, I showed livestock 4-H showed sheep and steers for all 10 years loved that great experience, I learned so very, very much from that experience and opportunity to raise my own lambs and see the whole process. And now I've kind of shifted from the club lamb thing into direct marketing lamb. It's still in the in the beginning process. But that has been a really fun opportunity as well, to take my sheep a little bit different direction. Always immersed in agriculture growing up, I worked for a rancher as well in high school for five years. And they do the wagyu, Angus cross thing. So a little bit more of the niche market. And then cover crop operation. And Hank, so kind of a little bit of everything that I after high school, I attended Snow College and got my Associates in animal science. loved my time there, I learned so very much from those amazing professors and was able to connect with people from all over the West, through traveling and through the programs there. So currently at this position and working on my bachelor's in ag business, and I plan on living the rest of my life in agriculture, because it's pretty dang neat.
Jake Hadfield 02:47
That's awesome. Thank you, Hailey, again for joining us. We're excited to have you. So Josh kind of introduced you earlier talking about a livestock program coordinator. So I don't know, this is kind of a newer position for us an extension. And so can you kind of describe what you do as a livestock program coordinator and talk about how you work with, you know, the young people in the ag community and Juab County,
Hailey Holden 03:13
Of course. So we had recently, within the past five years, the Utah County and Juab County, normal Agriculture Natural Resource agent retire. And there was a need for a little bit different of a program in both of those counties. And since they border, they split that normal ag agent position into three. So we have a horticulturalist and an agricultural economist Jake Hadfield, here on the podcast today, and then myself as the livestock program coordinator, so that position is kind of split into three. And we each handle part of that normal Ag Natural Resource position. So being the livestock coordinator, I handle all of the 4-h livestock programs in the county. Everything from small animal and poultry to the livestock show, fair week. And then I also have a county livestock Ambassador team that helps me put on some events and clinics and things that we can offer to the kids in our county. I also run the horse programs here in Juab. And both of running both of those programs has been absolutely amazing. The kids here, just working with the very, very bright young people of Juab County has been a big blessing in my life to see the bright future that this county has for agriculture because of the way that those kids are driven to continue and to learn about it. So.
Josh Dallin 04:48
Thank you so much, Hailey you in your initial introduction, kind of talk to us about your involvement historically throughout your family and also currently um in the ag industry and I'd maybe like for you, if you wouldn't mind to speak about your experience in that industry and how maybe you've seen the industry change over time for you.
Hailey Holden 05:16
Okay. Yeah, I feel like over the past 20 years, there has become to be seen a lot more female involvement in this industry. Historically, females were usually cooking for the ranch hands and all of that. And now there's been a little bit more of a shift to where we're doing everything alongside of the males. And it's been really, really cool to see. Personally, I was my dad's right hand, man growing up on the ranch, I was his oldest. So I didn't really have a choice if he needed help, I was the one that got grabbed and went to help him. And that has really taught me that I can pretty much do anything I set my mind to. And it's okay to ask for help. Still, because there are some things that I can't, I can't do on my own. But that shift has been really cool to see. And it's been amazing to associate with some very strong willed females. And in my same situation that have have overcome some obstacles, and have been able to be very successful in this industry. So I had some very, very powerful, strong female role models growing up. My mother, I can't remember a single childhood memory, that she wasn't helping my dad with anything outside, no matter the tasks, she was there with him. My grandmother was a 4-H leader horse and livestock for over 45 years. And she really set a path for me that I that I've intended to follow. So like, I tried to follow her footsteps, but she's always she's been the cowboy in my life, too. She grew up on on the family homestead. And she was, I mean, her dad had four girls and no boys. And so they were, they were cowboys, and they had to do what the men had to do, to keep the ranch going. So it's just it's been very influential on the way that I've lived my life and the way that I've gone about breaking into the ag industry for myself, that I follow in the footsteps of those that have come before me. So
Jake Hadfield 07:32
That's awesome, Hailey, and thank you for sharing those examples. I think that's really cool and neat that you have that connection, you know, with those examples, you know, your mom, your grandma, that goes way back, like you have those connections for years and years. And it's pretty awesome to see that. So this next question we have for you were just kind of interesting, as you've been in the ag industry, you know, whether it's been with your own operation, as well as working with the youth and 4-H and you know, the livestock programs. What kind of mental health issues have you seen in the ag industry? And in your work? How have you seen those issues manifesting?
Hailey Holden 08:11
Okay, um, and the ag industry as a whole, I think that there has been a mindset for many, many years that it is not okay to ask for help that you need to just toughen up and continue plowing along and no pun intended, I guess. But you just it's, it's been frowned upon for many, many years to reach out if you're struggling or even something as small as asking a neighbor for help with cattle or anything that you're doing. Just kind of a stubborn mindset. And I think that on the flip side, it's a good thing to be stubborn, and to be strong minded, and to toughen up and, and push yourself to limits that you don't think are possible. But when concerning mental health, I think that with the resources that we have today, and the similar situations that we find our friend and friends and neighbors in that it's important to humble yourself a little bit and ask for help. And if it means reaching out to a professional, then do it those resources have never been available like they are to us today. And even if it's just calling a friend and talking about your situation with them, and maybe finding some common ground, but I have seen a shift in that stubborn mentality and in my little realm of people that I associate with and it's been a it's been a good shift, it's been a shift that we talk about things and we we keep in mind that others are struggling around us and and we have changed that mindset a little bit. And so I think that we're shifting to a little bit better mentality but it's it's always going to be a problem and an industry that is as physically and mentally demanding as this so just just use your resources and really don't be afraid to ask for help. Concerning the youth that I work with, I think, I mean, I know when I was their age media, the media has a really big pull and force over you, if you let it. I think that when you're when you're that young, it's, it's really important to understand and to regulate what you what you're taking into yourself and what you're thinking about. And what you're seeing. If you want to have a strong mindset, then you have to put the building blocks into place to get there, right. And so anything that you consume, or the people you associate yourself with, are part of that. And, and it's important to choose wisely. But um, I think that mental health and youth is a really big issue. It's just, this world is a little bit crazy, and continues to get a little bit more crazy every day. But like I said, the people that you surround yourself with and the things that you consume, and the way that you live your life really will impact how how you're doing mentally. So I guess just choose wisely. But I've been very, very impressed with the youth that I'm able to work with on a daily basis. They are strong willed, good minded kids that are going places because of the people that they associate with and the things that they consume in the way that they spend their time and I'm excited for their futures. And it's it's really fun to be a small small part of getting them there. So
Josh Dallin 11:37
Well Hailey we we really appreciate you sharing those things. I agree with you. I think that the future and the ag industry is bright thanks to the the youth that are involved the traditions and ethics that they're learning from, from their their families and the industry that they're involved in. Our last question for you is pretty simple. It's if you could have the chance, which you do right now, what are some key things that you'd like to share with others in the ag community?
Hailey Holden 12:13
Well, I think that based off of my experience, the morals and values that you're that you grow up with, and the things that you learn from being able to experience ag whether that's on the daily or whether you you show a horse one summer or any any immerse in ag the experiences and the things that you learned from that are how you should continue to live your life and base your dealings with your fellow man off of I don't think that you'll find a better community of people to associate with a better place to learn morals and and work ethic. And I think that if you strive to do your best and you continue to work hard that you will find your you will find yourself in the place that you aim to be. I've seen it with a lot of the people that I've been able to associate with while at college and in this in this job that they they it didn't come easy to get where they're at, it takes a lot of hard work and mental toughness, that something you have to practice on the daily. Asking for help is okay. And practicing those values on a daily is very, very important.
Josh Dallin 13:37
Well, Hailey, we really appreciate you taking the time to visit with us today. And you know, if I might say Hailey plays a very important role and other coordinators that are throughout the state play a very important role as they work in our agricultural communities. Specifically, with our farmer and rancher communities, as well as the 4-H youth through the extension programs, Jake and I have had the opportunity to go and present a Youth Mental Health specifically focused on agriculture to a lot of the youth that Hailey and other program coordinators serve. And it's really interesting to see their insight, their their thought processes, and how they are very aware of the mental health problems that exist. And as Hailey mentioned, there is a shift that's starting to happen. And that shift is certainly why what we're hoping is an outcome from talking about these things on our podcast, and also providing the resources and the helpmates that are available. But I just want to say thank you to you Hailey for your time today. Thank you for your service in the community. I know that you guys have a wonderful program down there and Juab county thanks to your efforts. And especially for your exceptional job that you do with the youth.
Hailey Holden 15:05
I appreciate that Josh, thank you so much, Josh and Jake for having me and I've really enjoyed my time. Appreciate it.
Josh Dallin 15:12
This has been episode seven of our AgWellness podcast. This is Josh Dallin and Jake Hadfield saying See you next time.
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