Grain silos are full
Farmers working every day
No time to rest
The poem above is a haiku that my 10-year-old cousin, August, wrote for school. He recently found out that his poem has been selected to compete in a statewide contest and will represent his school.
I was ecstatic when August’s dad told me that his poem had been selected. When I was a student, it was always a big deal to compete in state championships for various academic events. For August, this would be a great opportunity. His sister, Josie, was a little jealous that she hadn’t been able to compete in the championships when she was August’s age. Nothing is funnier than a little sibling rivalry.
But more importantly, and the main reason I’m excited, this haiku will shed light on the agricultural community. Too often, people outside of agriculture have the mindset that farmers are just lounging on their porch swings watching picturesque sunsets and watching their cows.
short period
Mental Health Awareness Month, which runs through May, has been a huge success in uncovering some harsh truths about the state of mental health in the agricultural community: companies are posting tips on managing their mental health, farmers’ stories are being featured, and everyone is sporting the title of “advocate.”
But to make big changes, we need to continue to prioritize mental health beyond May — and that’s something that will take effort from both sides.
August’s poems help raise awareness for those outside the farming community by providing a brief glimpse into what life on a farm is like: busy, exhausting, and never easy.
But we in agriculture also need to do our part: that means checking in with our own mental health and not dismissing it as a frivolous concept that doesn’t apply to farming life, and taking advantage of the resources available from various commodity groups and farming organisations that can help us better manage our mental health and promote a positive mindset.
Going a step further, it would be fantastic if people from all sectors of the agriculture industry could attend mental health training so they could identify the warning signs of others who need help.
Whatever you decide to do to keep mental health top of mind, make sure it continues beyond your promotion in May. Mental Health Awareness Month shines a spotlight on the subject and encourages conversation, but it’s up to you to percolate that conversation into the rest of the year.
Be like August. Think of some challenges you might face on the farm. If it helps, write them down. Or even write a poem that calls for further reflection. If you dare, please share it. You might inspire others to do the same.
