Balancing a thriving career and a busy household is no easy task—especially when your mornings start with a microphone and your evenings end with bedtime stories. But for Wisconsin-based farm broadcaster Joanna Guza, it’s a life built on intention, flexibility and family.
“I think it’s something people probably don’t talk about enough,” she said. “Being a mom and a farm broadcaster is exciting, but it’s also a big challenge—especially when your successor was a male and didn’t have the same challenges.”
Guza, who joined her local radio station as a farm broadcaster in March 2022, wasn’t new to agriculture or communication. A 2016 graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, she earned a degree in communication studies with an emphasis in rhetoric and public advocacy. Her roots in ag communication run even deeper—Guza served as a Wisconsin state FFA officer from 2012 to 2013 and worked for nearly six years with the Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative.
“I did social media, marketing, email communication—basically, I was on the communication team,” she said. “When this job came open again, I reached out and asked if I could do it part-time.”
The answer was yes.
“They had a system in place from when my predecessor wanted fewer hours, so it worked out,” Guza said.
Today, Guza is doing exactly what she hoped: building a career while raising a family of four. Her children include Mary, who is five, Bruce, age three, Eva, age two, and the newest addition—baby Amy, born in March.
Guza broadcasts on-site two days a week—Mondays and Wednesdays—which line up with childcare availability for her younger children. Still, Guza says the only way it all works is with strong support at home.
Most recently, she was honored as a finalist and award recipient in five categories at the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (WBA) Gala. She was awarded first place in three and second place in two categories. While representing WTAQ at the gala, Joanna was honored for her work with WiscoAg News. On the state level, she was recognized for her excellence within agriculture.
“It definitely takes a team. If you don’t have a supportive spouse, none of this is possible,” she said. “My husband’s an engineer, and when the kids are sick, he’s the first to offer to stay home. He has PTO. I don’t, since I’m only part-time.”
Her parents also live nearby, stepping in when help is needed with transportation or last-minute childcare. And when work obligations arise, Guza has learned to get creative.
“I’ve learned it’s okay to tell people no,” she said. “I always ask, ‘Can I do something virtual?’ That’s way more doable at this stage in my life.”
Despite the challenges, Guza says this season of life is filled with joy, and she’s trying to savor it.
“This time around, the pregnancy was more fun because the kids knew what was going on,” she said. “They were old enough to understand, and they really adore having a younger sibling.”
She encourages young women not to fear starting a family while growing in their careers.
“When I was in college, I didn’t think about how a job would work with family life,” she said. “But as I became a mom, I was able to advocate for myself more.”
by Gardner Hatch published on NAFB’s Airing on the Side of Agriculture blog find original here.
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