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Some weeks/months/seasons don’t go according to plan.

In this shorter, more personal episode of Barn & Soul, Kendall shares what it feels like to fall behind, feel overwhelmed, and still show up—because on a farm, the work doesn’t pause.

Through quiet moments with the animals at Dalby Farm, this episode explores the difference between pressure and presence, and why farming has a way of grounding us when everything else feels like too much.

From the steady rhythm of daily chores to the deeper truth that heritage farming isn’t about perfection - but continuity - this is a reminder that showing up, even imperfectly, is enough.

If you’ve been feeling off your rhythm, behind, or stretched too thin… this episode is for you.

🐐 Fast Facts Featured in This Episode

• Over 70% of small farmers report experiencing burnout during peak or transitional seasons
• Decision fatigue can reduce productivity by up to 40% over time
• Livestock care requires daily consistency, regardless of external stress or workload

🌿 In This Episode, We Explore

• What overwhelm actually looks like in day-to-day farm life
• The mental weight of “falling behind” in creative and physical work
• Why animals don’t measure productivity—and what we can learn from that
• The concept of continuity vs. perfection in heritage breed farming
• How farms naturally guide us back to presence and prioritization

📍 About Dalby Farm

Dalby Farm is a historic family farm in Scituate, Massachusetts, dedicated to preserving rare and endangered heritage breeds, including Arapawa Island goats, Ossabaw Island hogs, Shetland sheep, and more.

💬 Let’s Stay Connected

Have a question about farm life, rare breeds, or something you’d like covered in a future episode?
Reach out or leave a comment—we’d love to hear from you.

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🎙 Barn & Soul Podcast - Where farming meets heart, history, and a mission to preserve the past for a more sustainable future. Episode 36 - Why Humans Need Animals (More Than We Admit).

If animals are no longer required for survival, why are we still so deeply drawn to them?

In this episode of Barn & Soul, we explore the historical, psychological, and emotional reasons humans continue to need animals in modern life. From the Agricultural Revolution to therapy dogs, from childhood empathy to rising loneliness statistics, this conversation looks at the human–animal bond through both research and lived experience.

Animals helped build civilization. They powered agriculture, transportation, communication, and trade. Today, they regulate our nervous systems, shape childhood development, reduce stress, and quietly anchor our sense of connection in a world that often feels disconnected.

The question is not whether animals are useful.
The question is whether humans are fully human without them.

Until next time, take care—and don’t forget to appreciate the rare and wonderful things in life.

References and Sources

American Pet Products Association
National Pet Owners Survey and Industry Spending Reports
https://www.americanpetproducts.org/

Human Animal Bond Research Institute
Research on pet ownership, loneliness, and mental health
https://www.habri.org/

U.S. Surgeon General Advisory (2023)
Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation
https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf

National Institutes of Health
Human–Animal Interaction Research and cortisol studies
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets

American Heart Association
Dog ownership and mortality risk meta-analysis published in Circulation
https://www.ahajournals.org/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Health Benefits of the Human–Animal Bond
https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/health-benefits/

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Service Dogs and PTSD Research
https://www.research.va.gov/

University of Cambridge
Research on children’s empathy and pet ownership

Waltham Petcare Science Institute
Child development and pet interaction studies
https://www.waltham.com/

United States Department of Agriculture
Census of Agriculture and agritourism data
https://www.nass.usda.gov/

United States Department of Agriculture
History of domestication and livestock agriculture
https://www.usda.gov/

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
History of animal welfare in urban settings
https://www.aspca.org/

Grand View Research
Animal-Assisted Therapy Market Projections
https://www.grandviewresearch.com/

Morgan Stanley Research
Global Pet Industry Growth Projections
https://www.morganstanley.com/

International Society for Anthrozoology
Human–animal relationship research and Anthrozoös journal
https://www.isaz.net/

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What does it really mean to care for animals?

In this episode of Barn & Soul, we explore the quiet but powerful difference between loving animals and being responsible for their lives every single day. From daily routines and financial realities to emotional bonds and unseen sacrifices, this conversation takes an honest look at what animal care truly involves.

This is not a judgment of animal lovers. It is a compassionate, behind-the-scenes look at the commitment, responsibility, and lifelong dedication that animal caretakers carry.

Whether you visit farms, share your home with pets, or simply feel a deep connection to animals, this episode offers a thoughtful perspective on the work that happens long after the joyful moments end.

Because animals are not experiences. They are lives.

Until next time, take care—and don’t forget to appreciate the rare and wonderful things in life.

References and Sources

American Pet Products Association (APPA)
APPA National Pet Owners Survey and Industry Spending Reports
https://www.americanpetproducts.org/

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
Pet Statistics and Shelter Intake Data
https://www.aspca.org/helping-people-pets/shelter-intake-and-surrender

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Livestock and Poultry Care, Daily Labor Requirements and Husbandry Resources
https://www.usda.gov/

Journal Anthrozoös
Human–Animal Interaction Research on Compassion Fatigue and Caregiver Stress
International Society for Anthrozoology
https://www.isaz.net/

University of Lincoln, School of Life Sciences
Research on Animal–Human Bond and Recognition of Primary Caregivers
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Veterinary Care Costs, Access to Care, and Industry Trends
https://www.avma.org/

American Veterinary Medical Association Economic Reports
Trends in Veterinary Service Costs and Pet Healthcare Spending
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/reports-statistics

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