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Farmers provide. We are shepherds, committed to treating our families and the earth right. 

Are we doing the same for ourselves?

We’re focused on so many things, and rightfully so, but most likely none of them can grow without us being healthy.

It’s time farmers, our families and our communities ask a tough question.

Are we OK?

It’s easy to brush off stress. It’s easy to push it down and instead focus on what’s in your field, or in your barn, or under your roof. It’s easy to think that not being mentally tough is weak.

It’s not. In fact, it’s the opposite.

It takes someone strong to realize help is out there. It’s confidential and it’s free.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture has joined the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, The Ohio State University and other state agencies and organizations to create a new, first-of-its-kind anonymous survey to address mental health on our farms, within our families and in our communities.

This survey will help the experts offer the most helpful resources to you, to make sure you continue to thrive in agriculture. By scanning the QR code with your phone, or clicking this link, you can take the survey. Again, you will stay anonymous.

Please know the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a free, confidential resource, is always available to anyone going through struggles and at any stage. It’s OK to reach out by calling, texting, or chatting, after a tough day, week, or month.

The most recent information from the Ohio Department of Health shows that in 2021, 1,766 died by suicide. 

In that year:

• Suicide was the second-leading cause of death in Ohio for people 10-34 years old.
• Adults 25-44 had the highest rate of suicide in our state.
• For men, ages 75 and up had the highest rate of suicide.
• For women, it was ages 45-54.

Stress affects everyone.

It’s hard to talk about ourselves, even for me. 

I’ve dealt with farm stress throughout my entire life. Running a seventh-generation family farm comes with its share of worries. And the pressure to carry on the family legacy has kept me up on many occasions wondering if this is how my ancestors would have handled a big decision with our farm, like increased costs of doing business each year and how I will make the mortgage. 

The what ifs seem to stay with us longer than anything.

I’ve lost friends and acquaintances to mental health struggles. I still question if I should have seen the signs.

I think I can call a spade and spade and say I could have done more. I could have checked in. I could have kept going after the jokes and light conversation. 

Our burdens carry a lot of weight. By opening up, you are lightening your load and able to take on more. Farmers are selfless. By doing this, you are absolutely not putting that load on someone else. You are not imposing. You are not weak. 

By talking about it, we can erase the stigma that comes with mental health. 

I am more than a farmer and the director of our great state’s Department of Agriculture. I am a father and a grandfather. I want them to know that, just like my farm, I am here to help them grow. I am here to make sure their lives are better than my own. To me, that involves a little discipline and a lot of love, including teaching them to love themselves.

As a farmer, you have a lot on your plate. It’s your hard work that puts food on the table for all Ohioans. One of the best things about being part of the farming community is that it’s tight-knit. From all corners of the state, we can understand what one another is going through. 

So, when you want to talk, we are here.