Farm State of Mind Alliance: A New Chapter in Taking Care of Our Own

Farming has always taken resilience. But it takes honesty, too. Honesty about the stress, worry and exhaustion, which so many farmers and ranchers carry quietly.

When I talk with farmers and ranchers across the country, I hear stories that are both familiar and deeply personal. Markets swing overnight. Weather doesn’t cooperate. The cost to raise a crop keeps rising. And even on the good days, there’s the constant weight of responsibility—to our families, to our land, and to the legacy we’re building for the next generation. That’s a lot for anyone to shoulder.

We don’t always talk about the impact these pressures have on our mental wellness, but we should. Because, sadly, the truth is farmer suicide rates are two to five times higher than the national average. Behind those numbers are people we know—neighbors, friends and family members—who have struggled in silence for too long.

At Farm Bureau, we believe that strength is not measured in bushels or bales. It’s measured in our willingness to look out for one another. To admit, “I’m not okay,” and to say, “You’re not alone.” That belief has fueled our work to make mental health resources accessible and practical for farmers and our rural communities. And this year, we’re taking another big step forward.

I’m so proud that American Farm Bureau is joining forces with Farm Foundation’s Farm Family Wellness Alliance to create the new Farm State of Mind Alliance. This is the next phase of our ongoing commitment to rural mental wellness. This expanded coalition brings together agricultural organizations across the country with a shared goal: to make sure every farm family has the resources they need to take care of their mental health.

The Alliance builds on the progress we have made through Farm State of Mind, advancing access to tools, training and support that meet people where they are. Our resources include programs like Togetherall, a 24/7 online peer-to-peer community moderated by licensed mental health professionals, and Personal Assistance Services, which provides confidential counseling, financial consultations, and stress management resources to anyone who needs them. These services are completely free to farm families nationwide.

What makes this effort powerful isn’t just the programs themselves. It’s the fact that agriculture is coming together to lead the charge. We are combining the trusted voices of organizations farmers already know, starting with our founding members—Farm Bureau, National Farmers Union, National 4-H Council and Farm Foundation—to reach further and respond faster. The Alliance will amplify the impact of Farm State of Mind, allowing for greater reach into rural communities.

Whether you’re looking for help, or just want to support the cause, there’s a place for you in the Farm State of Mind Alliance. Partners, advocates and neighbors can all play a part by sharing these resources, starting conversations, and helping to break down the stigma around mental health.

We’ve seen the difference it makes when one person reaches out. All it takes is asking a friend how they’re really doing, or sharing a resource that might just save a life. Those small steps are how we show each other: “It’s okay not to be okay, and it’s okay to ask for help.”

The health of our farms depends on the health of our farmers. Together, we can make sure that when the next generation takes over the fields and herds we have built, they inherit a culture that values mental wellness just as much as hard work.