AGRICULTURAL STRESS


In Crisis?



Farmer to Farmer

Stress, anxiety or loneliness got you down? Need to talk to someone confidentially who’s non-judgmental & understands farming?

Farmer to Farmer provides peer support for farmers and farm family members experiencing difficult times. Peers are farmers/farm family members or others working in agriculture that have received special training in peer support. To request a peer farmer and/or to learn more about Farmer to Farmer, please call 252.744.1008 or email agromedicine@ecu.edu. In the subject line, please indicate 'Farmer to Farmer Request'.

Concerned about a farmer or farm family member?

To refer them to the Farmer to Farmer Program, please call 252.744.1008 or download, complete and email the Farmer to Farmer Referral to agromedicine@ecu.edu. In the subject line, please indicate 'Farmer to Farmer Referral'.

Interested in volunteering as a peer farmer?

The Institute is looking for farmers, farm family members or others working in agriculture who are trustworthy, good listeners, have time to visit others by phone, online, or in-person and know when to ask for help. Peer farmers receive training to become a peer farmer including Mental Health First Aid & Talk Saves Lives with supervision from NC Agromedicine Institute staff. To learn more about Farmer to Farmer and/or to apply to be considered for becoming a peer farmer, please call the Institute at 252.744.1008 or download, complete and email the Peer Farmer Volunteer Application to agromedicine@ecu.edu. In the subject line, please indicate 'Peer Farmer Application'. Click here to read more.

Farmer to Farmer is made possible with support from the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission.


About Tape & Twine

Whether you are a farmer, forester or fisherman, working in agriculture can be an emotional roller coaster. When the weather is good, the crops and livestock are actively growing, the catch is good, timber harvest is plentiful and the family is all getting along, it is easy to feel your best. When the tough times come though, it is just as easy to be at a low point. Tape & Twine will help you learn more about agricultural stressors, common signs and symptoms of stress-related conditions like depression and anxiety, and provide you with tips to reduce stress.


Coping with Agriculture-related Stress Media


"A Situation Getting As Bad As The 80s Some Say"

Lamar Grafft was a sixth generation farmer in Iowa some 30 years ago. He lost the farm. Today, he has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with farmers about the current extraordinarily stressful times. Click to Listen

"Farmers Matt and Joey"

Duplin County hog producers Matt and Joey Carter share their story about coping with stress associated with nuisance law suits in the pork industry.


"Farmer & NC Cooperative Extension Director, Dr. Rich Bonanno,

NC Cooperative Extension"

Listen to Dr. Rich Bonanno, Director NC State Extension shares advice about dealing with farm stress farmer-to-farmer.

"Farmer & NC Commissioner of Agriculture, Steve Troxler,

NC Commissioner of Agriculture"

NC Commissioner of Agriculture, Steve Troxler, shares his story about managing farm stress during difficult times.


"Friday Night Lights, My Dad And My Profane Friend"

Institute Associate Director, LaMar Grafft, shares his experiences of coping with farm stress over the years. Click to Listen


"Let's Raise the Barn Together

Institute Associate Director, LaMar Grafft, and Trauma and Relationship Therapist, Barbara Dunn, discuss stress factors for farmers and share ways farming communities can be mentally and physically supportive to each other through thesetrying times."


BACK TO TOP

Learn more about Agriculture-related stress and how it's being addressed


 Farmer Standing in Wheat Field[Photo Courtesy of Cliff Hollis]
BACK TO TOP

Agriculture-Related Stress Resources


   Storms, tariffs, trade wars — where do farmers turn when they face unprecedented stress?
   NC Medical Journal: Behavioral Health Issues of NC Farmers
   Financial woes, mental health struggles plaguing North Carolina's farmers

Get Adobe® Reader
BACK TO TOP