Watch the first episode of Finding Hope Together: A Farm State of Mind® Insights Series

Today, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Farm State of Mind initiative released the first episode in a five-part video series, Finding Hope Together: A Farm State of Mind® Insights Series. Every Wednesday in September, we’ll share new episodes that explore different aspects of mental health challenges among farmers and rural communities, and innovative ways people are coming together to find solutions.

In this first episode, three farmers with different farm businesses and experiences — Davis Peeler of South Carolina, Steve Breeding of Delaware, and Whitney Lawson of Oklahoma — sit down with series moderator Lydia Johnson for a brave and honest conversation about how generational dynamics, divorce, alcohol use, and circumstances that are unique to farming like time spent alone and overworking have impacted their lives, and how they’ve overcome those challenges.

Almost anyone involved in farming will relate to pieces of our guests’ stories, and their message is one of encouragement, optimism and support. In addition to opening up, they share suggestions for farmers who may be concerned about a neighbor, or who are wondering where they might find resources for themselves.

When asked why it’s important for more farmers to tell their stories, Davis Peeler said, “You never know how your story may impact someone. It’s not easy to share your story … but the only weak person is one who won’t seek help. Farming is hard on its own, much less with life’s struggles that come in on top of it.”

View the full episode, and subscribe to receive others in your inbox, at FarmStateOfMind.org.

This series will air in September, in observance of Suicide Prevention Month, but our hope is that the conversations spur action year-round. Future episodes will feature grassroots advocates, clinical experts, storytellers and industry stakeholders. The series is meant for anyone looking to support mental health well-being in rural America, whether that’s in your hometown, among your co-op or other network, or on a regional or national scale. 

If you or someone you know needs help, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.

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The Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement of several small refinery exemptions offered mixed news for U.S. farmers. Chad Smith reports.

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American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement regarding small refinery exemptions, which impact biofuel demand by exempting refineries from blending renewable fuel as required under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

“Renewable fuels have been a tremendous success story for the country and the rural economy. They reduce our country’s dependence on foreign oil, lower prices at the pump for consumers, support farm income, and provide good-paying jobs in rural America.

“While we have concerns about granting any small refinery exemptions that undercut a strong domestic biofuels market for farmers, we are pleased to see EPA’s commitment to 100% reallocation of exempted volumes before the end of October. Reallocation is necessary to maintain robust demand for American grown crops. We called on the president to carefully consider the impact of changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard that would destabilize this important market, and we’re pleased that our concerns were heard.

“Farmers are proud to answer the call to help meet America’s energy needs. Farm Bureau looks forward to working with the administration to ensure 100% reallocation of exempted renewable fuel volumes, strengthening the biofuels market that supports America’s farmers while moving our country closer to energy independence.”

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Key Takeaways 

• USDA voluntary and incentive-based conservation practices are widely used by America’s farmers and ranchers. They have proven to be an effective tool for contributing long-lasting benefits to soil, water and wildlife habitat resources while helping farmers and ranchers diversify their income streams.

• CRP has an annual enrollment cap of 27 million acres, as established in the 2018 farm bill. USDA accepted 2.2 million acres in Conservation Reserve Program enrollment for 2026, expanding the reach of this voluntary land retirement conservation program in its 41st year.  

• Grasslands CRP, which allows haying and grazing on CRP land, has become the most widely used CRP contract category within recent years.

• Farmers have employed conservation practices (now widely recognized as part of regenerative agriculture) for decades. In 2023 alone, farmers and ranchers enrolled nearly 70 million acres in conservation practices now categorized as regenerative.

USDA’s Largest Conservation Program

For more than 40 years, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has remained the largest voluntary private lands conservation program in the U.S. Administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) under the guidelines set forth in Title II of the farm bill, CRP aims to protect natural resources while providing economic benefits to farmers and ranchers. Through annual rental payments, the program encourages farmers to idle agricultural lands from production. Additionally, the program incentivizes the use of plant vegetation practices (intentionally planting or restoring native plant communities on land that has been taken out of crop production) to improve water quality, prevent erosion and restore natural wildlife habitat. CRP offers contracts between 10 to 15 years in length, paying landowners annually. The use of CRP contracts provides a diversified income stream for farmers and ranchers. 

FSA offers three variations of CRP contracts: General, Grasslands and Continuous CRP. Each contract category focuses on various practices, including but not limited toestablishing native grasses, implementing riparian buffers, wetland restoration and the development of sustainable grazing methods. Key differences across these contracts include enrollment period, land focus and required conservation practices.

USDA recently announced new CRP enrollment figures for 2026 at 2.2 million acres. Federal law caps total CRP acreage contracts at 27 million acres, an area similar in size to the state of Tennessee. In fiscal year 2025 (the latest full year of available data), Colorado held the largest acreage, followed by South Dakota and Nebraska at 2.96 million, 2.63 million and 2.4 million acres, respectively. While we don't have official state-by-state enrollment totals for 2026, FSA has indicated that the top three states remain unchanged.

CRP Contract Differences

To enroll farmland into the CRP General program, farmers and ranchers submit an offer that includes their requested rental rate and FSA soil assessment scores. Each offer uses the Environmental Benefits Index (EBI), a six-factor national ranking system with five factors that quantify environmental value such as wildlife habitat, water quality, soil erosion, air quality, carbon sequestration and long-term (post contract period) benefits and one factor that scores cost-competitiveness. From there, FSA accepts offers top-to-bottom based on the land’s total EBI score until the acreage available under the statutorily imposed cap is filled. General CRP contracts accounted for just over 29% of the acres enrolled in CRP in April 2026, representing nearly 7.6 million acres.

Grasslands CRP, widely used by ranchers in Western states, uses a similar structure, awarding contracts based on factors that include conservation priority, contract structure and rental rates. Grasslands CRP contracts accounted for nearly 39% of the acres enrolled in CRP in April 2026, a total of nearly 10.3 million acres. Enrolled Grasslands CRP acres have increased each year since the program’s inception following the 2018 farm bill. It is the most popular of the three contract categories beginning in fiscal year 2024.

Unlike General and Grasslands CRP, Continuous CRP contracts are not competitively bid. Land is enrolled automatically, on a rolling basis, so long as it meets the eligibility criteria for an approved conservation practice. Continuous CRP contracts accounted for roughly 32% of the acres enrolled in CRP in April 2026, or roughly 8.3 million acres.

Rental Rates

For General CRP, FSA sets a maximum Soil Rental Rate (SRR) using the productivity of the soils within each county. This number is measured against the average cash rental rates per acre for non-irrigated cropland (using a three-year average of National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) data adjusted for inflation) for the predominant crop of each soil type within a soil survey area. That county baseline is then adjusted by a Soil Productivity Index (SPI) specific to each soil map unit, weighted across the predominant soil types on the offered tract, and subject to an 85% proration for general signup. Continuous CRP rental rates are similarly calculated; however, rental rates under this contract category are subject to a 90% proration. Notably, the range of CRP rental is quite large, with Iowa maintaining average CRP rental rates near $260/acre within the last five years, while states such as Wyoming maintaining average CRP rental payments of less than $16/acre.

Unlike General and Continuous CRP, the Grasslands CRP program is not inherently a land retirement program. Under Grasslands CRP, ranchers are allowed to keep land in production through livestock grazing or hay production. Baseline Grasslands CRP rental rates are calculated by taking 75% of the NASS annual pasture rental rate for the specific county, as long as the specific county rental rate is at or above the minimum contract level of $13 per acre per year. Notably, the CRP Grasslands average rental rate has eclipsed the NASS pastureland average rental rate several times in the last decade, largely due to factors such as the $13 per acre per year minimum contract rate and the presence of national priority zone bonuses (such as within the Yellowstone ecosystem) that receive an extra $5 per acre per year. For fiscal year 2026, Arizona had the lowest statewide average Grasslands CRP rate at $2.93 per acre, while Iowa had the highest average rate at $48.17 per acre.

The FSA releases a monthly summary of the CRP rental rates to reflect current market rents. These rates are used to directly determine the foundation for annual per-acre rental payments that participants receive. Average CRP rental rates vary widely depending on the program and location. National averages for 2026 were $57 per acre for General, $148 per acre for Continuous, and nearly $16 per acre for Grasslands CRP.

CRP Enrollment Reflects a Commitment to Regenerative Agriculture

The growth in CRP enrollment is yet another example of the multigenerational dedication to conservation and land stewardship exhibited by America’s farm and ranch families. Regenerative agriculture has become a prominent focus among policymakers at all levels of government. USDA defines regenerative agriculture as “a conservation management approach that emphasizes natural resources through improved soil health, water management, and natural vitality for the productivity and prosperity of American agriculture and communities.” Through participation in CRP and other voluntary, incentive-based USDA conservation programs, farmers and ranchers are advancing conservation and maintaining the long-term health and productivity of their land, with recent investments expanding these efforts through the Regenerative (Agriculture) Pilot Program. As discussed in a recent Farm Bureau Intel, American farmers and ranchers enrolled nearly 70 million acres in federally supported conservation practices now classified as regenerative in 2023.

Aside from federal programs, many farmers and ranchers participate in state, local, private sector and even self-funded conservation initiatives that emphasize critical regenerative agriculture practices and applications. When it comes to protecting and preserving the land and environment through regenerative agriculture practices, America’s farmers and ranchers will continue to lead the way.

Conclusion

Land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program reduces soil erosion, improves water quality, increases soil health, and provides critical habitat for wildlife. These environmental improvements can create lasting value for agricultural operations by preserving natural resources that are essential for future production. By balancing economic stability with conservation stewardship, CRP enables farmers and ranchers to diversify their income while investing in the long-term health and productivity of their land, benefiting both rural communities and the environment.

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• A small refinery exemption lets certain small oil refineries temporarily avoid part or all of the federal requirement to use renewable fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel.

• When exempted obligations are not reassigned to other refiners, the overall renewable fuel requirement effectively shrinks, reducing demand for RINs and weakening the incentive to blend renewable fuels.

• For farmers, unreallocated exemptions mean weaker demand for agricultural products, particularly corn used for ethanol and soybean oil used for biomass-based diesel.

The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) requires minimum volumes of renewable fuels to be used in the U.S. transportation fuel supply. The program is important to agriculture because one of its objectives is to support rural economies by expanding demand for crops used to produce biofuels. Corn is the primary feedstock for conventional ethanol, while oils from crops such as soybeans, and other fats, are important feedstocks for biomass-based diesel.

But not every refinery is required to fully comply with the RFS. Qualifying small refineries can petition the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for temporary relief through a small refinery exemption, or SRE, if they demonstrate that RFS compliance would cause “disproportionate economic hardship.”

How Does the RFS Work?

Each year, EPA sets Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for fuel importers and oil refiners to comply with the RFS. RVOs are set across four categories: total renewable fuel, advanced biofuel, cellulosic biofuel, and biomass-based diesel. These national volumes are converted into percentage requirements that determine how much renewable fuel individual refiners and fuel importers must account for based on their gasoline and diesel production or imports.

Compliance is tracked through Renewable Identification Numbers, or RINs. A RIN is generated when qualifying renewable fuel is produced or imported. Once the fuel is blended, the RIN can be separated and traded. Refiners comply by obtaining RINs through blending renewable fuel or purchasing RINs from other market participants. The RIN is ultimately turned in or “retired” to demonstrate compliance with the refinery's RVO. Different fuels generate different types of RINs:

• D4 RINs represent biomass-based diesel

• D5 RINs represent advanced biofuels

• D6 RINs primarily represent ethanol

• D3 and D7 RINs represent cellulosic fuels

RINs trade in a secondary market, and their prices change because they balance the supply of biofuels with the amount needed to satisfy RFS obligations. When meeting the mandate becomes more difficult or expensive, RIN prices generally increase because a stronger incentive is needed to produce or consume the required renewable fuel. When compliance requirements become easier to meet, RIN prices generally fall.

Where Do Small Refinery Exemptions Fit?

The RFS allows qualifying small refineries to seek an extension of the program's original small-refinery exemption when they can demonstrate disproportionate economic hardship. When EPA grants an SRE, that refinery is relieved of some or all of its RFS compliance obligation.

That matters beyond the individual refinery because reducing an effective RVO reduces the number of RINs needed for compliance. Fewer required RINs mean lower demand for RINs, which can lower the market price of RINs.

SREs for the 2016 through 2018 compliance years ultimately exempted approximately 4 billion RINs from RFS obligations. Those exemptions effectively reduced RVOs, and RIN prices fell sharply as the market adjusted to the smaller compliance requirement. However, falling RIN prices do not mean fuel prices will be lower.

Why Farmers Care

For agriculture, the connection runs through biofuel demand. The RFS creates demand for renewable fuels because obligated parties must acquire and retire RINs to meet their thresholds. D6 RINs are primarily tied to corn ethanol, while D4 RINs are tied to fuels produced from feedstocks including soybean oils.

SREs therefore matter because they can change the size of the effective renewable fuel requirement. A smaller requirement means fewer RINs are needed, which weakens the compliance-driven incentive for renewable fuel use. That does not mean every exempted RIN translates directly into a lost gallon of biofuel or lost bushel of corn, but it does change one of the policy mechanisms supporting biofuel demand.

Conclusion

Small refinery exemptions provide relief to qualifying refineries facing disproportionate economic hardship, but when exempted volumes are not reallocated, the effects can extend beyond the refinery and into farm country. Unreallocated exemptions reduce the effective RFS requirement, lowering the number of RINs needed for compliance and potentially weakening the incentive to blend renewable fuels. For farmers, that can translate into softer demand for corn, soybean oil, and other biofuel feedstocks. Farm Bureau opposes small refinery exemptions, but if exemptions are granted, the associated RFS obligations should be reallocated to preserve overall renewable fuel demand the RFS was designed to support.

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The trade relationship between the U.S. and Canada is best described as “tense.” Chad Smith has details.

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American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall commented on the presidential proclamation issued today by President Trump that allows beef imports to increase by 300,000 metric tons – more than 660 million pounds – over a 90-day period, undermining the U.S. cattle sector’s recovery.   

“One of the few bright spots for U.S. agriculture right now – the cattle sector – just became dimmer because of today’s presidential proclamation. The timing of this proclamation is a gut punch to ranchers’ bottom line. The claim of ensuring these added imports do not ‘disrupt the orderly marketing of commodities in the U.S.’ falls flat when ranchers are now selling their cattle into a market in sharp decline. It’s not too late to reverse this decision, and we urge the president to consider the economic harm this causes America’s ranchers.   

“A strong domestic food supply is easy to take for granted … until it’s gone. We also urge the administration not to make any changes to the renewable fuel standard that would further destabilize farmers who raise corn, soybeans and other crops. Farmers and ranchers are proud to raise the food, fiber and fuel America’s families rely on, but pride doesn’t pay the bills in an upside-down farm economy.”  

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The President’s plan to facilitate record imports of beef will have a significant impact on farmers and ranchers who are rebuilding their herds devastated by drought. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the potential consequences of increased imports in the latest Farm Bureau Intel. Also today, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall sent a letter to President Trump urging him to reconsider his plan to flood the market with foreign beef.

President Trump announced last week that he plans to import up to 300,000 metric tons of beef over a 90-day period in an attempt to ease record-high ground beef prices. But the timing could work against ranchers who are deciding whether to expand their herds. It’s estimated that 70% of spring-born calves are sold between September and November, which fall within the increased import window. A glut of foreign raised beef could drive down prices paid to ranchers at a time when critical farm business decisions are made.

Falling prices paid to farmers would be the latest blow to a sector that just recently began a fragile recovery. AFBF economists write, “The reason for the historically small beef cow herd is multifaceted. First, drought conditions across much of the U.S. has forced ranchers to liquidate cattle or put cattle on feed because of the lack of homegrown forage. Second, according to USDA’s Economic Research Service’s cost and return data, input costs for cow-calf producers, i.e., ranchers who maintain a herd of beef cows for breeding purposes, reached a record high of $1,762 per head in 2025. Nearly every line item for cow-calf operators is more expensive today than ever before. Since 2020, prior to the most recent inflationary environment, production costs are up more than $400 per head, or nearly 30%.”

In his letter to President Trump, Mr. Duvall wrote, “A key tenant of your reelection campaign was affordability, including the costs of essentials like groceries and gas. Bringing down the price of cattle will not bring the price of beef down for American families. Instead, it will discourage American farmers and ranchers from making long-term investments in herd rebuilding, extending the cycle of tight cattle supplies, high production costs and elevated beef prices for consumers. To put it simply, allowing 300,000 metric tons—equivalent to more than 660 million pounds—of foreign beef into the United States at a 25% discount 'below market prices' will undermine America’s ranchers who work tirelessly to grow food for American families.”

America currently has the lowest beef cow inventory in more than 50 years.

To read the Farm Bureau Intel, click here.

To read the letter to President Trump, click here.

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Key Takeaways

• Today’s beef price challenges are a supply problem years in the making. Record ground beef prices are the result of the lowest beef cow inventory since 1971, driven by drought-forced liquidation and production costs that have jumped nearly 30% since 2020 — not a sudden or easily reversible shortage.

• Herd rebuilding is finally happening, but it's fragile. A 3% increase in beef heifers kept for replacement signals ranchers are starting to retain heifers rather than sell them, but this is happening alongside falling prices paid to farmers (down 14%) — a combination that could easily discourage the very rebuilding that's needed.

• Import timing could work against the herd-rebuilding goal. With roughly 70% of spring-born calves sold between September and November, the 90-day import window overlaps directly with this critical selling period, likely driving prices down further just as ranchers are weighing whether to expand their herds.

The administration recently revealed plans to allow up to 300,000 metric tons of beef – equivalent to more than 660 million pounds of beef – to be imported into the U.S. over a 90-day period in an attempt to reduce consumer prices for ground beef. This plan is being considered largely because Bureau of Labor Statistics data reveals that the average retail price for ground beef reached a record $6.90 per pound in April 2026 and remains near that level. Importantly, this announcement comes when beef imports into the U.S. are already record high and during the very window of time that many ranchers will be selling their cattle.

Historically Low Beef Cow Inventory and Plant Closures

One of the primary reasons beef, and in particular ground beef prices, reached a record high in 2026 is the historically low beef cow inventory. According to USDA’s July Cattle Inventory report the number of beef cows as of July 1 was 28.5 million head, the lowest level since the series first began in 1971. The calf crop also remains historically low at 32.5 million head but beef heifers kept for replacement was up 3% compared to prior year levels – signaling heifer retention has begun across the U.S.

Efforts to rebuild the U.S. cattle herd are fragile at best. Anecdotally, approximately 70% of the spring-born calves are sold during the months of September to November – months that overlap heavily with the 90-day import window announced by the administration.

Despite the historically low cattle herd, due to a number of packing plant closures across the U.S., continued efforts to increase beef imports, and the phased reopening of the border with Mexico, cash cattle prices have fallen 14%, or nearly $40 per hundredweight, in recent months. Meanwhile, the beef cutout value, an approximation of the wholesale value of beef, has climbed to near historic highs, contributing to higher retail prices.

Record-High Production Expenses

The reason for the historically small beef cow herd is multifaceted. First, drought conditions across much of the U.S. has forced ranchers to liquidate cattle or put cattle on feed because of the lack of homegrown forage. Second, according to USDA’s Economic Research Service’s cost and return data, input costs for cow-calf producers, i.e., ranchers who maintain a herd of beef cows for breeding purposes, reached a record high of $1,762 per head in 2025. Nearly every line item for cow-calf operators is more expensive today than ever before. Since 2020, prior to the most recent inflationary environment, production costs are up more than $400 per head, or nearly 30%.

Positive Returns for the First Time in a Long Time

When evaluating total costs of production against revenue, there are two metrics to review: returns over variable costs and returns over total costs. If returns over variable costs are greater than zero, then the optimal business decision is to raise the livestock or crop and pay down the fixed expenses and debt. If the returns over total cost are positive, then the market returns exceed both the operating costs and the fixed costs. In the cow-calf space, and on average, that has never been the case, according to USDA data.

Recent years have been among some of the best economic years for cow-calf producers, allowing them to make reinvestments into their farm and ranch operations such as making capital purchases, updating equipment, and improving facilities such as fencing or barn roofs, among other investments. However, the positive returns are above variable costs only. When considering fixed costs such as land, taxes and machinery, returns above the total cost of production for cow-calf operations have been negative for 30 consecutive years. It is for these reasons that efforts to increase beef imports will further undermine the economic incentive for ranchers to make the investment to rebuild the herd.

Summary

The administration's plan to import up to 300,000 metric tons of beef is aimed at easing record-high ground beef prices, but it arrives at a moment when the underlying economics of the cattle industry are already fragile. The beef cow herd sits at its lowest level in over 50 years, not because ranchers lack incentive to rebuild, but because drought and record production costs have made expansion a financial risk.

Finally seeing the returns needed to justify reinvesting in their herds, cow-calf producers are beginning to hold on to their heifers and starting to rebuild. A surge of imports coinciding with the fall calf-selling season and the drop in cattle prices that would come with those imports would jeopardize that. The result could be a policy that offers short-term relief at the grocery store while working against the longer-term goal of a larger, more resilient American cattle herd.

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Across rural America, the strength of our communities has always been rooted in looking out for one another. Yet, behind the resilience of our farms, ranches and small towns are real people facing real challenges, including mental health struggles that too often remain unseen and unspoken about. 

This September, in observance of Suicide Prevention Month, Farm State of Mind® is releasing a new five-part video series that offers real-world insights and showcases innovative, grassroots strategies designed to move the needle on mental well-being in rural communities. All conversations are moderated by Lydia Johnson, a veteran farm broadcast journalist who now works as a policy communications manager at Farm Credit Council.

Finding Hope Together: A Farm State of Mind® Insights Series is an invitation to have honest conversations, share practical insights and discover how each of us can play a role in creating stronger, healthier communities. The series is meant for anyone looking to support mental health well-being in rural America, whether that’s in your hometown, among your co-op or other network, or on a regional or national scale. New episodes will premiere every Wednesday in September, but we hope the insights will inspire people year-round to take action.

How to Watch

Each episode will be available on American Farm Bureau’s YouTube channel and at FarmStateOfMind.org. In addition, you can subscribe here to receive each episode delivered directly to your email inbox each week.

Episode Guide

Episode 1 - Perspectives from the Field: Firsthand Farmer Experiences 

Premieres Wednesday, Sept. 2

Tune in for a candid conversation with farmers Davis Peeler (South Carolina), Steve Breeding (Delaware), and Whitney Lawson (Oklahoma) as they share firsthand experiences navigating the mental load of farming — from loss and divorce to farm disasters. This episode dives into the realities of the agricultural way of life, offering a message of hope and actionable advice for how to support farmers through difficult seasons.  

Episode 2 - Turning Concern into Action at the Grassroots Level 

Premieres Wednesday, Sept. 9  

Grassroots advocates are essential to effective outreach, and many have identified tactics that are currently working in rural communities. Hear from Marshal Sewell (founder of the Mind Your Melon Foundation), Adrienne DeSutter (founder of Sow Hope, Grow Hope), and John Sachse (founder of RanchFIT coaching) as they discuss the unique programs they’ve built to improve mental well-being among farmers and ranchers. These leaders share what inspired them to "get off the fence," along with the practical insights gained along the way toward reducing stigma and creating a culture where mental health is supported proactively, rather than only at a point of crisis.  

Episode 3 - Expanding Access to Mental Health Resources for Rural Communities

Premieres Wednesday, Sept. 16

Clinical voices are key to closing the rural health care gap and offering proactive support to farm communities. Tune in for an exploration of rural care gaps and practical approaches for overcoming barriers with Dr. Ben Locke (Togetherall), Dr. Josie Rudolphi (University of Illinois), and Dr. Tara Haskins (AgriSafe Network). These experts will discuss evidence-based programs, technology and alternative support models that serve as innovative strategies for improving care access and navigating critical situations in farming and rural communities. These insights will help the practitioner and community member alike.

Episode 4 - The Power of Storytelling to Address Stigma

Premieres Wednesday, Sept. 23

Storytelling has the power to capture people’s attention, drive a conversation around rural mental health, and ultimately break through the stigma that too often is a barrier to seeking help. Hear from Brandee Izquierdo (Pew Charitable Trusts), Chris Files (“Out of the Shadows" 2025 documentary) and Sam Goldberg (2017 film “Silo,” 2026 limited tv series “Perfect Sundays") to explore how storytelling reshapes mental health engagement in rural communities and fosters a culture of proactive support.

Episode 5 - The Importance of Ag Stakeholder Involvement

Premieres Wednesday, Sept. 30

Explore the critical role of industry leadership in supporting farmer and rancher well-being. Join Anne Thompson (Farm Credit Council), Jessica Cabrera (American Farm Bureau Federation) and Tim Brennan (Farm Foundation) as they discuss how agricultural stakeholders are investing in mental health wellness. This episode delivers practical insights into leveraging collective influence and industry partnerships to support farm families nationwide.

Additional Mental Health Resources

American Farm Bureau Federation’s Farm State of Mind initiative has a two-fold objective: to build awareness to reduce stigma and provide access to information and resources that promote farmer and rancher mental health wellness. Visit FarmStateOfMind.org to access a national directory of mental health resources by state; tips on recognizing warning signs and how to start a conversation; Togetherall: an anonymous peer-to-peer support network that is free to all farmers and farm family members (ages 16+)​; no-cost counseling and consultation services for farm families nationwide​; free on-demand Rural Resilience training; and more. If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.

Farm State of Mind Alliance

This series would not be possible without the support of the Farm State of Mind Alliance, which brings together the nation's largest farmer membership organizations and the industry's most trusted brands to further support farmer and rancher well-being. By coordinating efforts under one initiative, the Alliance expands access to mental health resources and strengthens the culture of care among farm families and rural communities. To learn more about the Alliance, or if you are interested in joining, visit Fb.org/fsom-alliance.

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