FARM FIRST

Farm Stress and Emotional Well-being on the Farm
Where do you turn when the balance of life and stresses feels overwhelming? Farm life can be a roller coaster. Although it can look idyllic from the outside, farming is often punctuated by stressful, demanding and dangerous work. Farmers are used to long hours, money worries, weather, crises, and social isolation. But we’re all under stresses these days. Stress challenges our emotional well-being and mental health. Farmers are natural planners, but those planning has been really challenging this growing season. It’s important to resolve many stresses before they mushroom into debilitating situations.
The fears, frustration and confusion caused by this spring’s coronavirus and loss of life has especially challenging for most of us. From time to time, issues involving family relationship problems, accidents or illnesses, financial or legal questions, sadness/anxiety/stress, or labor and management challenges can become overwhelming. Farm First connects you with the resources and personal support to assist in addressing the wide range of issues impacting you at any given time.

Using video and phone conversations, our licensed counselors across Vermont connect farmers and their families with free support about the stressors related to both their farm operations and personal lives. Counselors can talk with you about the stressors related to personal issues and relationship challenges on the farm. In addition to consulting with farmers about their concerns, Farm First can connect you to the resources, links and professional and personal supports your overall emotional well-being.

Farm First is available during the week at 802-318-5538 and through our hotline during afterhours 24/7 by calling 877-493-6216 or online at www.farmfirst.org (password: farm) Farm First is here to connect with farmers and their families for emotional well-being and mental health support during these stressful times.