RICHMOND—May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and agricultural organizations are reminding farmers and others in the industry that there are resources, tools and listening ears to help weather the storm.
Farmers in Virginia and across the U.S. are under increasing stress as they face unique daily challenges. In addition to the physical demands of the job, farmers contend with natural disasters that can devastate crops, fluctuating commodity prices, trade disruptions, price increases and other uncontrollable stressors that can weigh down even the most resilient.
“And when the farming community is suffering, all of those businesses and employees associated with agriculture are struggling too,” noted Lynwood Broaddus, Caroline County Farm Bureau president. “There’s a lot of stress out there that people hold in, and it might not come out until it’s too late.”
Since receiving training through the American Farm Bureau Federation Farm State of Mind program, Lynwood and Becky Broaddus have led farm stress presentations for farmers, agricultural professionals and other audiences across the state—raising awareness of critical resources, tools, and signs of stress, and reminding those who are struggling that they’re not alone.
While presenting at a meeting with area producers in January, the Broadduses handed out farm stress brochures developed by the AgriSafe Network—inspiring a collaborative effort to display the materials in U.S Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency state offices.
An agency employee in attendance reached out to Wilmer Stoneman, state executive director of the FSA in Virginia, about displaying the materials in her FSA office. The next day, Stoneman received a phone call from another office about a distressed farmer in need of resources.
“The Farm Service Agency, Virginia Cooperative Extension and Farm Bureau offices are places that farmers come to get help,” Stoneman said. “The least we can do is provide information that can help a farmer through a stressful time.”
Virginia Farm Bureau printed and distributed copies of the materials to display on counters in every state FSA office—ensuring visitors can readily access information on farm stress resources, including the AgriSafe Network’s AgriStress Helpline®. The helpline is a confidential resource available to the farming community 24/7. Call or text 833-897-2474 to receive direct emotional support, advice and resources from a trained professional.
“The ‘S’ in FSA stands for Service, so it’s our mission to help farmers with all the things they’re dealing with,” Stoneman added. “That’s why this project was so important to us, and I firmly believe that it has helped a number of people. I know it’s helped at least one.”
Broaddus, who helped distribute the brochures to state FSA offices, said that “if we can help one person get through a difficult time, we’ve been successful.”
Anyone who is interested in hosting the Broadduses for a mental health workshop or presentation should contact Lynwood.
Additionally, AFBF unveiled a new resource this month for helping farmers consider how to respond when stress becomes overwhelming and they don’t know what to do.
AFBF’s Farm State of Mind Checklist: Weathering the Storm is intended to serve as a set of simple actions that farmers and their family members can take to manage overwhelming feelings, prevent burnout and find clarity—like giving the body needed nutrition, hydration and rest; pausing for meditation, prayer or a breathing exercise; connecting with friends and peers; and sharing your story.
Visit FarmStageOfMind.org to download the full checklist.
-Virginia Farm Bureau