The myths we perpetuate in the world of agriculture come from a place of good intentions, but often lead to actions that can be damaging for our mental health. In this blog post we would like to tackle some of the myths that are prevalent in agriculture. 

The farm comes first

The love and pride we have for our farms is easy to see. We know that planting and harvest require long hours, waiting on the right weather, and hoping that all the equipment works when we need it to. Livestock require feeding and constant care. What we must remember is while the farm requires attention, so do we. Making time to care for ourselves and our relationships is critical to the success of the farm. Going to a child’s sports game, having a date night with a partner, or taking a nap aren’t signs of neglecting the farm. Putting ourselves first is the best way to ensure that the farm can thrive. 

Real farmers don’t take days off

There are some farmers who take it as a point of pride that they never leave the farm. Sometimes the “it must be nice” comments come out when we see another farmer going on a family holiday. In what other career would we expect people to work without breaks? We would be concerned if our doctor never took a day off because we would assume they could not effectively do their job. Agriculture should be no different. We work in high stress environments and depleting our resources, be they physical or mental, does not improve our performance. 

Bigger is better

The myth that bigger farms are better farms does us all a disservice. No matter the size or appearance, each farm is unique. What works for one farm in terms of acreage, livestock numbers, debt load, business structure, outputs, and people supported by the enterprise is completely different from another. The amazing thing about the agriculture industry is that we each get to run our farms in ways that work for us. 

Tradition is the most important thing, AKA, “That’s the way we’ve always done it”

We saw a quote the other day that read “Tradition is just peer pressure from dead people.” Doing something because that’s how the previous generations did it doesn’t serve us or them. Valuing tradition doesn’t mean never making changes. We can admire the work of our ancestors while simultaneously honouring our own decisions and the choices of our children, should they choose to farm. We believe that our predecessors would want us to be successful and healthy. 

Arlene Hunter is a dairy farmer and mother of 4 from Ontario and Caite Palmer is a beef and sheep farmer and mother of 2 in Iowa. They can be found on Instagram @barnyardlanguage. Together they host the Barnyard Language Podcast which they describe as “honest talk about running farms and raising families.”

Episode 2 of The Rural Well Podcast is live and your hosts are discussing Farm Safety.Follow the link in our bio for further information on The Rural Well.#ruralmentalhealth #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #lifeontheland #theruralfarmer #ruralwomen #rurallife #farm #community #mumlife #country #AG #canadianagriculture#americanagriculture #anxietysupport #anxietymanagement #Resilience #anxiousmind #depressionsupport #MoodSupport #anxietytip #ruralag ... See MoreSee Less
Cultivating gratitude is a powerful practice that can transform our mindset! Taking time each day to reflect on what we’re thankful for—big or small—helps us appreciate life’s blessings and navigate challenges with a positive outlook.Here are five tips for cultivating gratitude:Daily Reflection: Set aside time each day to reflect on the positive aspects of your work. Consider keeping a gratitude journal where you jot down three things you’re thankful for, whether it’s a good weather day or the support of friends and family.Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate small achievements, like a successful planting or a healthy animal. Recognizing these milestones can help shift your focus from challenges to the positive outcomes of your hard work.Appreciate Nature: Spend time in your fields or with your livestock and take a moment to appreciate the beauty around you. Notice the changing seasons, the growth of your crops, and the well-being of your animals to foster a deeper connection to your land.Gratitude in Community: Engage with fellow farmers and ranchers to share experiences and express gratitude for each other’s support. Building relationships within your community can enhance your sense of belonging and appreciation for shared challenges.Volunteer or Give Back: Find ways to contribute to your community, whether through mentoring new farmers, participating in local events, or donating produce. Giving back can deepen your sense of gratitude and connection to the agricultural community.#cultivatinggratitude #gratitude #thanksgiving #givethanks #nfmha #nfmhalliance#farmersupportfarmers #farmstrong #farmermentalhealth #farmerwellness #agmentalhealth #farmfamily #agmorethanever #ruralrooted #ruralwellbeing #therapistsofinstagram #psychotherapistsofinstagram #socialworkersofinstagram #supportoneanother ... See MoreSee Less
🌾💚 Here at the National Farmer Mental Health Alliance we offer Ag Informed Therapy (AIT) training to support our farming community. This vital program equips mental health professionals with the tools to understand and address the unique challenges faced by farmers. Together, we can cultivate resilience and well-being in agriculture! 🌾💚AIT includes four tiers that teach the unique needs of farmers and ranchers to therapists and students The course will teach you how to effectively build and maintain a therapeutic alliance with your rural clients.Find more info on our website, send us a DM or an email and we'd love to connect with y#likesharesavethisposts#mentalhealthmatterst#FarmersSupportp#aginformedtherapye#AIT#aginformedtherapye#nfmhan#nfmhalliancei#farmersupportfarmersr#farmstrongt#farmermentalhealthe#farmerwellnessl#agmentalhealthe#farmfamilya#agmorethanevern#ruralrootedo#ruralwellbeingb#therapistsofinstagrama#psychotherapistsofinstagrama#socialworkersofinstagrama#supportoneanotherother ... See MoreSee Less
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