Speakers: Take Time to Refresh Your Ag Passion
Published: Friday, December 6, 2024
The list of challenges on farmers' minds is a long one, from low prices at harvest to funds for machinery repair. That list can grow during winter's short days and cold weather. But two Purdue Farm Stress Team members say it's possible to thrive, not just survive, during winter on the farm.
Angela Sorg, DeKalb County health and human sciences educator, said that the low prices at harvest time created uncertainty about the future.
"We are seeing a lot of heartfelt concern," Sorg said. "There's an attitude of 'I don't know what's going to happen'. We saw that a lot with 2018, 2019 with the dairy industry. Farmers did quite well with harvest this year but they aren't getting compensated for their great crops."
Machinery repairs, big and small, are tasks for the winter, as well.
"One farmer's combine caught fire," Sorg said. (The repair) would cost $50,000-60,000, and he didn't have (the money)."
Elysia Rodgers, DeKalb County ag and natural resources educator, encouraged livestock producers to purchase hay if they hadn't already.
"We may see a hay shortage because of the drought," Rodgers said. "It's a good thing to find hay sooner rather than later."
The extra effort of feeding livestock in the winter with breaking ice on water tanks or finding hoses frozen in the morning can add to the stress of finding hay. But Sorg encouraged farmers to prioritize themselves as a farm resource.
"You are the most important asset on your farm," Sorg said. "As much energy as you put into the soil and the ground, livestock, harvest, it is okay to put energy into yourself, as well."
Stress can affect overall health, including effects on the digestive and cardiovascular systems, mental health and sleep habits.
"If you're highly stressed out and not incorporating some type of feel-good activities, your stomach will hurt, back will hurt, migraines, headaches, sleep patterns will feel disrupted," Sorg said. "Pay attention to your body."
Shorter days can trick the brain into believing we should be hibernating. Sorg suggested opening windows and using a light therapy box or lamp to uplift mood.
Diet also can affect mood, anxiety and stress.
"If you look at your general diet and you're eating lots of sugars," Sorg said, "it doesn't work well for stress hormones. If you're eating fruits, vegetables, starch, protein and dairy, you're pretty good to go."
Long walks, ice fishing or other outdoor activities can help people relax, too.
Sorg suggested limiting phone use, as screen light can trigger brains into staying awake rather than sleeping when people need to. She added that certain apps can help people through their day, such as meditation apps.
"Find things you enjoy and that calm you down," Sorg said.
Rodgers said that while taking care of livestock in winter can be stressful, caring for animals also can provide some down time.
"Watching these animals can be the quiet moment in the day," Rodgers said. "With big holiday gatherings, if you 'peopled' too much, spending quality time with the animals can help bring some of that stress down."
Rodgers said that little things to make chores easier can make a big difference. She shared some tips from her own family's farm:
"If we know we have several family gatherings coming up, we'll put a few bales down at one time from the loft," Rodgers said. "That saves us a step from the chores."
Tank heaters that prevent water in stock tanks from freezing are a helpful tool that can save time while doing chores. Using small implements like a scoop shovel to clear snow and a sled to take small square bales to outer pastures minimizes time spent warming up equipment.
Sorg said that during family gatherings, healthy boundaries are essential.
"It's particularly unique to our farming community, if talking multi-generational farms, that the people at a holiday meal are those you work with," Sorg said. "Do we have unfinished business? Create healthy boundaries that we don't discuss business. Enjoy your family for what they are, not for the business that they bring."
For supporting industries such as agribusinesses, educators and nonprofits, Sorg suggested supporting farmers by listening, building community and providing resources.
"Sometimes, we don't think there's any power in just listening," Sorg said. "That is a big deal. When we go to trade shows, farmers often want to tell us their story. We spend hours just listening. We can see them decompress their body posture just by talking about what's going on. There is a power in allowing someone a minute to sit and have a conversation."
Building community through "Lunch and Learns" or Saturday morning coffee get-togethers can provide a support system for those who struggle in the winter.
Red flags for a struggling family member or friend include declining livestock, an unusually unkempt farmstead, and isolating himself or herself, especially in pulling away from family members and close friends.
Seeing those red flags is a good sign to call 988 for questions about local mental health resources or assistance for the struggling family member or friend.
Other resources include the Purdue Farm Stress Team website and AgrAbility.
Rodgers encouraged farmers to include family members in chore time activities.
"Remember your inner lifestyle and try to incorporate joy as much as possible," Rodgers said. "You have other things to care for besides just humans. You have the animals, too."
Sorg said that taking small steps toward stress mitigation can add up.
"If you're not taking care of yourself during these winter months you will for sure see it during pre-planting, planting, and the next seasons." she said.
Return to Top of Page