by Karen Endres & Joy Kirkpatrick

Every day, farmers and farm families face financial challenges, demands of the job, and changes outside of their control that impact their lives and livelihoods. Market volatility for inputs and outputs, access to labor, challenging weather conditions, and the pressure to grow and modernize are underlying drivers of this occupational stress. With the growing recognition of farm stress and mental health and well-being, several efforts to help farmers and their families have been established in Wisconsin.

Karen Endres is the Farmer Wellness Program Coordinator at Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection's Wisconsin Farm Center.

Joy Kirkpatrick is the Farm Succession Outreach Specialist for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension.

The Resilient Farms & Families website features a NEW Resource Page for Farmers, Farm Families, & Farm Workers.

With the growing recognition of farm stress and mental health and well-being, several efforts to help farmers and their families have been established in Wisconsin. Farmer wellbeing and rural mental health cannot be treated like the crises of before. To break through the stigma and encourage self-care, a consistent and constant support network needs to be built and remain in place. Head to the links below to learn more about the resources available in your county and across the state.

University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension events page

Visit the UW-Madison Extension events page to find out about extension events happening across the state, including your area! The list is available to the public and includes events for children, teens, adults, and seniors on topics ranging from farm management and crops & soils to aging and health & wellbeing.

Changing Our Mental and Emotional Trajectory (COMET™)

Looking to support your friends and neighbors this March? UW-Madison Extension educators are offering a short, two-hour COMET™ program to help people take the next step after noticing someone might be struggling. COMET™ is a gentle introduction to supporting friends and neighbors in a vulnerable space to help them shift their mental health trajectory back to a place of wellness and away from the path of a mental health crisis.

This FREE training will be available statewide on Friday, March 17, 2023, 12:30 – 2:30 pm.

Can’t make it to the March training? There will be training in April as well! Find out more about COMET™ and upcoming trainings here.

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