When Farming Feels Heavy: Helpful Reads for Tough Times

Farming comes with pride, purpose, and pressure. Lately, many farmers and ag families are carrying more stress than ever — financial strain, uncertainty, conflict, and the quiet weight of mental health challenges.

We’ve pulled together a short list of articles from the last month that are worth your time. These pieces offer real‑world insight, encouragement, and practical ideas for anyone facing difficult circumstances in agriculture.

What You’ll Find in These Reads

• Why many farmers are open to mental health support — and what still gets in the way

• How psychological safety helps farm families and crews communicate and work better together

• Ways to handle tension before it turns into conflict

• Encouragement to adapt, survive, and even thrive through hard seasons

• What research tells us about stress, anxiety, and alcohol use among Midwestern farmers

• Stories highlighting women in agriculture and the road to mental wellness

• Why suicide prevention in farming can’t stay silent — and how change is happening

Curated Articles

• Dairy Herd Management | How to Handle Tension Before it Becomes Conflict

• UW Farm Management Division of Extension | Psychological Safety in Agriculture: Belong, Learn, Speak and Innovate

• Ag Daily | Key informants say farmers accept mental health help but face barriers

• National AgrAbility | Surviving, Adapting, and Thriving (video)

• American Psychological Association | Mental health and alcohol use risk by gender in Midwestern agricultural producers

• WBUR | Onslaught of challenges worsening farmers’ mental health

• The NAU Review | Women in agriculture on the road to mental wellness

• Farming Life | “For too long, suicide has been the silent crisis in farming” – Young Farmers leading prevention efforts

A Reminder from Farmer Angel Network

Needing support doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’re human. Stress looks different for everyone, and help can start with something as simple as reading, reflecting, or starting a conversation.

You’re not alone — and you don’t have to figure this out by yourself.