LUBBOCK, Texas — In the past few years, Texas farmers and ranchers have endured historic droughts, high production costs and low commodity prices. Many are waiting on the passage of a new farm bill and are wondering how they can make ends meet.
“The strain on production, agriculture and the mental state of most farmers, it’s tough right now and it’s not just cotton farmers. It’s across the nation,” Organic Cotton Farmer, Jeremy Brown said about seeing the struggle first-hand.
According to the National Rural Association , farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population, and after a hard couple of years, Texas Agricultural Commissioner Sid Miller said he saw a need for mental health support for farmers and ranchers, especially since he knows it’s not always easy for farmers to reach out for help.
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“We’re kind of a different breed. We’re for the most part introverts. We don’t socialize a lot. We stay out on the farm on a tractor 12 to 14 hours a day or in the milking parlor or on horseback. We’re a very proud bunch … it’s not easy for us to ask for help,” Miller said…