OCALA, FL (352today.com) – From peanut fields in Williston to watermelon and sunflower farms in Dunnellon, farmers in the 352 are known for their grit, resilience and long days in the sun. But behind the rows of crops and roadside stands, these hardworking growers face mounting challenges—from unpredictable weather to rising costs—that threaten the sustainability of their operations. Even the toughest farmers aren’t immune to the stress that comes with trying to keep a family farm afloat.

A new statewide mental health report from the Florida Farm Bureau Federation, conducted with the UF/IFAS Center for Leadership and the Mind Your Melon Foundation, found that Florida farmers and ranchers are experiencing increasing emotional distress, compounded by financial pressures and severe weather events such as hurricanes.

Mental health concerns in agriculture

“Our mission statement is to increase the net income of farmers and ranchers and to improve the quality of rural life,” said Jaime Jerrels, Florida Farm Bureau Federation senior director of policy and outreach. “We believe without healthy farmers, there can be no healthy you. They are the ones that produce the food, fiber, fuel and clothes, that all sustains us. We want our members healthy and happy. We want them sustainable, so that we can maintain the rest of America that we supply.”

Jerrels said the data shows that despite the growing need for mental health care, most people nationwide with a mental illness don’t seek treatment.

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“There are a lot of barriers to that,” said Jerrels. “The data shows geographic barriers, others like cost and stigma, just not feeling comfortable about this subject or feeling judged, can really impede their access to resources. Individuals like farmers and ranchers, who typically live in a rural area, these problems are compounded. There’s significant provider shortages for mental health providers, and they’re often disproportionately affected.”

Stigma and silence in rural areas

Stressors often go unseen due to stigma, especially in tight-knit agricultural communities where everyone knows one another.

“We at Farm Bureau want to approach this subject in a proactive way and take actionable steps to increase the level of resources available in those rural communities. 9% is an alarming rate [farmers having suicidal thoughts] among farmers. We’re relieved that that rate isn’t any higher. We’re hoping that we can be proactive instead of reactive in this space.”

A call for collaboration

Although the Farm Bureau provides many resources, Jerrels said more help is needed.

“We are the largest general agricultural membership association in the state. Unfortunately, we’re not a healthcare provider,” said Jerrels. “We don’t have those resources in the mental healthcare space at our fingertips. We do wish to partner with those organizations in rural communities, just to make them known and spread awareness that they are available.”

Future of farming under pressure

Stressors such as market volatility, public misunderstanding, work-life imbalance and financial insecurity take a toll.

“They just compound upon each other. When we come into hurricane season, and the data is showing us it’s going to be a very prevalent hurricane season unfortunately,” said Jerrels. “I will tell you having worked in the agricultural industry for 13 years, and growing up in this industry, farmers and ranchers are the most resilient group of individuals. They work without complaint. They adapt with efficiencies and innovation to stay in business and to stay economically viable.”

But the biggest concern, Jerrels said, is how this affects the next generation.

“The next generation of young adults coming up seeing how difficult it is to stay in business in agriculture, seeing all of the stressors that come in and all of the things that you can’t control.”

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