Farm State of Mind offers support through tough times

Farmers and ranchers face countless pressures every day, from unpredictable weather and rising costs to market uncertainty and labor shortages. Those challenges can weigh heavily on mental health and overall well-being. The American Farm Bureau Federation is working to address those struggles through its Farm State of Mind initiative, which provides resources and support for farmers and ranchers navigating stress, anxiety, and depression.

As part of the initiative, Farm State of Mind recently introduced a new resource built around six practical steps that helped South Carolina farmer Davis Peeler improve his own mental health.

“Nourish, move, unplug, pause, connect and share. The most important of the six is sharing. You’ve got to share with your doctor or share with a counselor to be able to get the ball moving in your life to change,” Peeler said.

Peeler knows firsthand how overwhelming stress can become. About a decade ago, he experienced serious health problems tied to anxiety and stress.

“The stress, anxiety-inflicted heart attack was on the rise, that my doctor had told me that I wasn’t going to live to see 40. Today, I’m 70 pounds lighter, I’ve learned how to cope with anxiety, and not be on anxiety medicine anymore. These six things can make such a huge impact in your life, also,” he said.

The Farm State of Mind campaign was created to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in agriculture while helping producers access tools and support. According to the initiative, farmers experience elevated levels of stress due to factors such as extreme weather, financial uncertainty, labor shortages, trade disruptions, and the isolated nature of rural life.

Peeler said it is important for farmers and ranchers to recognize that asking for help is not a weakness.

“The importance for the American farmer to feed this country, to be there for his family, it’s so important to try to make a change, to be better, to be healthier. Call or text 988 for free counseling or help, or visit 988lifeline.org,” he said.

Farm State of Mind offers resources including peer-to-peer support, stress management tools, mental health training, and crisis resources for farm families. More information is available at farmstateofmind.org.

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