Farm Safety

In lieu of some daunting statistics about mental health issues among farmers and rural communities, farm groups are reminding farmers of the many resources available to them.

Mental Health Awareness Month, observed during May, marks an important opportunity to spotlight the unique struggles many farmers face, and the resources available to help them.

Agricultural life presents unique pressures that may result in silent suffering among older farmers. Stigmas surrounding behavioral health and a lack of access to resources can exacerbate substance abuse issues, including high-risk drinking.
 

Whether you’re blowing yard debris from walkways or driving a tractor through a field, noisy equipment can exacerbate hearing loss.
 

To reduce the risk of roadway incidents, Floyd County hay farmer Robert Janney sometimes chooses odd hours to move heavy equipment on rural roads, like an early Sunday morning.

Grain bin fatalities continue to be a concern in rural America, and Chesapeake farmers are working to prevent similar tragedies in their community.

Grain bin fatalities continue to be a concern in rural America, and Hanover County farmers are working to prevent similar tragedies in their community.

Coping with stressors on the farm is a learning process, and there’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. That was a key takeaway from a Jan. 8 workshop called “Helping Farmers Cope with Stress and Anxiety” held during the 2023 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention. 

“Who are you, and what have you done with my husband?’ Jane Doe suddenly didn’t recognize the man she married when an unforeseen emotional crisis blindsided their Central Virginia farm family in 2020.