Cutting Fences & Bridging the Gap
Laurel, MT
Written by Cyd Hoefle
Photography contributed by Kendra Joyce
Kendra Joyce loved growing up with her three brothers on her family’s ranch at Geraldine. But it was her family’s fuel and feed store, in the family since 1916, that launched her entrepreneurial spirit and helped her to believe that she has what it takes to do what she does.
Kendra, who prefers “Kenny,” lights up as she talks about her newly formed LLC, Cutting Fences. It’s easy to see that she’s passionate about her new career.
It’s hard enough at times to be a farmer or rancher, but incredibly difficult to operate with a disability. I was hoping that my podcast would bring an awareness of the need for occupational therapy for those that are suffering.
- Kendra Joyce
After graduating from Montana State University, Kenny received her doctorate in occupational therapy from Rocky Mountain College in Billings. But before she even considered finding work, she found herself moving forward with what started out as her capstone project in her final semester of school. Her background in ag and her doctorate in occupational therapy allow her to combine the two things she enjoys the most.
“I’ve always had a heart for people with disabilities and special needs. I was a peer tutor in high school and knew that someday I wanted a career serving them somehow,” she said.
For her project, Kenny’s plan was to develop a podcast that featured individuals in the ag industry with disabilities.
“I reached out to several friends that might know someone with a disability that I could interview. In just a few minutes I had the names of several. I had my lightbulb moment, and this was something that I needed to pursue.”
That project launched her into what has become a successful startup company that makes a difference in the lives of farmers and ranchers suffering from injuries, accidents, disabilities, and mental health issues. She even touches on suicide prevention.
“It’s hard enough at times to be a farmer or rancher,” Kenny said. “But incredibly difficult to operate with a disability. I was hoping that my podcast would bring an awareness of the need for occupational therapy for those that are suffering.”
From the start of her podcasts just over a year ago, Kenny has interviewed dozens of farmers and ranchers across the state who have been willing to share their stories about how they adjusted after their accidents and how they’re coping on a daily basis.
With her background in agriculture, and her caring personality, Kenny connects with her guests immediately and sets them at ease.
“The people I’ve met have changed me in so many ways,” she continued. “Several of them have said it wasn’t easy to tell their story, but that it was therapeutic at the same time.”
Her interviews are done through Zoom making it possible for her guests to share their stories from their own homes. She then does all the editing and cuts herself before she posts the podcast on her website and social media platforms.
“I’ve learned a lot myself this year,” she said. “I had no idea how to do a podcast before I got started.
“People in farming and ranching are so resilient and they’re ready to push forward because they have to. I hope to be able to provide them with tools and equipment to make their lives easier.”
Her first podcast interview was with Scobey rancher DuWayne Wilson, who was paralyzed from the waist down after a ranching accident six years ago. He has since become one of her greatest advocates.
“I think what Kenny is doing with Cutting Fences is a great idea,” DuWayne said. “The kind of support she is offering wasn’t available when I got hurt. If I’d have known for example, about the Life Essentials Lift, I maybe would have gone that route and not spent all the time and money buying other things. I just didn’t know about it.”
The Life Essentials Lift is a platform lift specially made to fit on farming equipment such as tractors and combines or on the back of a flatbed truck, making it quicker, easier, and safer to access equipment.
“Cutting Fences will become a real clearinghouse for others who get hurt,” DuWayne continued. “Kenny’s trying hard to bring us information on the latest equipment and therapy available.”
Kenny hopes that by providing a platform to share their experiences, farmers and ranchers with disabilities will reach out not only for their needs, but to help others dealing with similar circumstances.
“It’s very special to me that people are willing to share what they’ve gone through,” Kenny said. “I hope their stories impact those that are hearing them, and a connection is made.”
“Ag people are so independent,” added DuWayne, who is already acting in a peer mentor role to several other disabled ag people. “They just don’t ask for help. Maybe some of us can make the first call.”
As the months have passed, Kenny has sharpened her vision for what the business could be. She wants to eliminate barriers experienced by disabled folks and unite the agricultural and occupational therapy fields. Hence the name Cutting Fences, which to Kenny is something that not only surrounds farmers’ fields and ranchers’ pastures, but also symbolizes the opening up of community, compassion and connection.
“People in farming and ranching are so resilient and they’re ready to push forward because they have to,” Kenny said. “I hope to be able to provide them with tools and equipment to make their lives easier.”
Kenny has set up booths at agricultural trade shows and has met with businesses that are now sponsoring her endeavor. She’s working toward making Cutting Fences LLC a nonprofit so she can apply for grants and accept monetary donations. Equipment such as the Life Essential Lift can cost upwards of $30,000.
“I am working on a crisis fund to help with financial assistance to those that have needs but aren’t able to get them because of the costs,” Kenny said. “My hope is that a financial barrier would never be a reason for someone to quit ranching or to not have the equipment they need.”
To help, Kenny’s also started a clothing line with the proceeds going toward financial costs.
“Most insurance covers just one piece of equipment,” she said. “They need more than that. The proceeds from the sales of clothes will go directly into that account.”
In addition, she hopes to continue to add resources and has met with an adaptive equipment company that manufactures wheelchairs with all terrain tracks on them.
“So many wheelchairs are perfectly adequate for inside homes, but these people are still trying to be part of the working ranch and need equipment that can get them on their tractors and checking livestock,” Kenny said.
As she tirelessly works to bring comfort and maneuverability to the industry that she loves, she also is working on a way to offer her occupational therapy to patients.
“Montana is pretty large, and logistically I can’t be everywhere, but I still want to meet with as many people as I can and help them adapt to their new lifestyle or improve on what they are working with,” she said. “I also hope to help them become part of a supportive community that understands what they are going through. I just want what I’m doing to mean something to someone.”
To learn more about Cutting Fences, log onto cuttingfencesllc.com
Follow Cutting Fences on Facebook and Instagram