In my role as President of Missouri Farm Bureau, I spend a lot of time behind a windshield. Anyone who has logged hours on a highway, a gravel road or an open field knows that staring through the glass gives you plenty of time to think. Your mind drifts to the past, the present and the future. Yet while there are many phrases and verses reminding us to not worry about tomorrow (since it’s not even promised), it’s hard not to circle around one word: longevity.
We think about the longevity of our bodies and how we care for them through diet and exercise. We wonder about the longevity of our multigenerational farms in an era of rising costs and shrinking margins. We hope our equipment displays that durability and longevity we were promised when we signed the check or swiped the card. But May offers us a chance to focus on another kind of longevity that we often set to the side: our mental health.
I’ve written about this before because the arrival of May always reminds me to look inward and quiet the noise that life piles on. Mental Health Awareness Month is a clear, honest reminder that a healthy farm or ranch starts with a healthy me. It starts with a healthy you. Farmers and ranchers are experts at checking on crops, livestock and machinery, but checking in on ourselves is just as important.
That’s why we’re proud to partner with the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) to support and promote the “Farm State of Mind” campaign. Throughout this month, and the rest of the year, we’ll be highlighting a new tool designed to help build the kind of longevity that sustains what matters most to you: your family, your farm and your livelihood. AFBF’s new “Weathering the Storm” checklist promotes six key practices: nourishment, movement, unplugging, pausing, connecting and sharing.
Farming is a highly rewarding occupation, but it’s also stressful. The current weather and markets alone can make things feel out of control. While the checklist isn’t a substitute for a therapist, AFBF and Missouri Farm Bureau are encouraging farmers and ranchers to take steps forward toward wellbeing. It’s been put together with suggestions by mental health professionals and the experiences of farmers. Simply put: it’s been developed for you, by people like you.
If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or has concerns about their mental health, visit the Farm State of Mind website at FarmStateOfMind.org. Your longevity depends on recognizing the overwhelming moments and finding clarity in the middle of them. Join me in focusing on reducing the stigma around mental health this month, and take time to check in on the most important inventory on your farm today – yourself.
