A healthy farm cannot exist without healthy farmers.
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s “Care for Your Farm Neighbors” campaign encourages rural residents to talk to and check in on their farm neighbors throughout the year, not just during busy periods. (Logo provided)
MADISON, Wisconsin — There’s no doubt that May is a very busy time of the year. Trees and flowers are blooming, people are working in their gardens, and farmers are working in the fields. While these conditions are easing for many, farmers are working hard and relying on Mother Nature to cooperate so they can get crops in the ground to feed their communities.
Although I didn’t grow up on a farm, I knew from an early age that farming would be my future. As an agribusiness leader and novice farmer, I have first-hand experience that busy seasons like spring planting and fall harvest can negatively impact mental health.
According to a survey conducted by the American Farm Bureau, many farmers, farmworkers and rural adults struggle with mental health issues, but the stigma and cost associated with treatment prevent them from getting the care they need.
Farmers and farmworkers surveyed said financial problems, farm and business problems, and fear of losing their farm were the biggest impacts on their mental health. Other factors include stress, weather, economics, isolation, and social stigma.
Three in four rural adults (75%) say reducing the stigma around mental health in the farming community is important, as do two in three farmers/farmworkers (66%).
A healthy farm cannot exist without healthy farmers. Working from early morning until late at night in the barn or behind the wheel of a tractor takes a toll on farmers, both physically and mentally. Mental health is just as important as physical health. Eating right, getting enough sleep, and finding ways to relax are just a few examples that can help improve both.
Farming can be a lonely profession and it’s time to end the stigma around mental health. Some farmers go days or even weeks without leaving the farm or speaking to anyone outside their family when they should be working. Relationships are a preventative tool for dealing with stress and a lifeline for those struggling with depression, suicidal thoughts and substance abuse.
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Farm Neighbor Care Campaign encourages rural residents to talk to their farm neighbors and check in on them at all times of the year, not just during busy seasons. Whether it’s a neighbor, friend, or stranger, a simple phone call or stop by the farm can make a farmer’s day easier.
There are plenty of other mental health resources here in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Farm Center’s Farmer Wellness Program offers a variety of counseling services, including a 24/7 Farmer Wellness Helpline (888) 901-2558.
Similarly, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a regional crisis center that provides free, confidential psychological support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, to people experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress by simply dialing 988. is a nationwide network.
It’s okay if you’re not okay, but it’s not okay to try your best alone. Small acts can have a big impact. Take the opportunity to check in with your rural neighbors and show them specifically why they care.
For more information about WFBF’s Farm Neighbors Care campaign, visit wfbf.com/programs/rural-resilience.
— Greene County Farm Bureau member Eric Wuthrich
Wisconsin Agricultural Society
