Agricultural organizations in Virginia announced on May 21 that they are working together to provide farmers and those in the industry with resources and support to address farm-related stress during Mental Health Awareness Month.
The effort aims to help farmers cope with the unique pressures of their profession, which include physical demands, unpredictable weather, market changes, and other challenges. These issues can affect not only individual farmers but also businesses and employees connected to agriculture.
“There’s a lot of stress out there that people hold in, and it might not come out until it’s too late,” said Lynwood Broaddus, Caroline County Farm Bureau president. Broaddus and his wife Becky have led presentations across Virginia since receiving training through the American Farm Bureau Federation Farm State of Mind program. Their work includes raising awareness about available resources and recognizing signs of stress within the farming community.
A recent initiative began when the Broadduses distributed AgriSafe Network brochures at a January meeting for area producers. This led Wilmer Stoneman, state executive director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Virginia, to coordinate placing these materials in FSA offices statewide after hearing from agency staff about distressed farmers seeking help. “The least we can do is provide information that can help a farmer through a stressful time,” Stoneman said.
Brochures now appear on counters at every state FSA office so visitors can access information about confidential support services like AgriSafe Network’s AgriStress Helpline (833-897-2474), which is available around-the-clock for emotional support and advice from trained professionals. “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,” Stoneman added.
Broaddus said distributing these materials could make a difference: “If we can help one person get through a difficult time, we’ve been successful.” Those interested in hosting mental health workshops or presentations are encouraged to contact him directly.
Additional tools have been introduced this month by AFBF such as the “Farm State of Mind Checklist: Weathering the Storm,” which outlines simple steps for managing overwhelming feelings including nutrition, rest, connecting with peers, or sharing experiences. Farmers seeking peer-to-peer support may also use Togetherall—an anonymous online community designed for agricultural families—and further resources are available via AgriSafe.org or Virginia Farm Bureau’s safety web page.
Virginia Farm Bureau Foundation AGPAC relies on an annual membership fee for funding; promotes agricultural prosperity; focuses on enhancing member success; extends its operations across Virginia; advocates for agriculture in the General Assembly; and partners with companies such as Case IH and John Deere to offer savings on equipment purchases—all according to the official website.
