Elevating the Farm State of Mind– Farm Bureau
“How are you doing?” It’s a simple question, but it can make all the difference if we’re willing to ask and stop to listen to the answer. Anyone who’s been under the weight of stress or grief knows how a friend—or even a stranger—taking a moment to care and listen can help lift that burden. For farmers and ranchers, it can be tough to take that first step. We are known for our grit and resilience. We are people who don’t shy away from a challenge, but we are not immune to the stresses of life and the toll they can take. But we are getting better at facing these challenges together.
At the American Farm Bureau, we have grown our efforts in recent years to remind everyone that it’s OK not to be OK. We began working with National Farmers Union in 2017 on the Farm Town Strong campaign to address the opioid epidemic in rural America. Our organizations found common ground on the dangers facing our rural communities, the misconception that it’s just an urban problem, and the stigma that causes barriers to treatment. Our focus then expanded to the larger issues of farm stress and mental health, and we are seeing promising, steady growth in building awareness and getting farmers and ranchers the training and tools they need through our Farm State of Mind campaign. No one enjoys talking about these topics, but lives depend on our willingness to tackle these issues head on.