By Kay Vinje and Penny Peterson | Valley City, N.D.,
and Paul Behle, Adrian, N.D.
A combine stuck in the field is frustrating. Leaving an annual salary until spring is devastating. Lifelong farmers are saying they’ve never experienced anything this bad.
It’s important to remember - what impacts farm families affects us all.
As the Ag Committee of the Valley City Chamber of Commerce, our role is to bridge the relationship between local farmers and the public. That relationship is evident today – both economically and socially.
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When farmers can’t harvest their crops, they don’t have the money to spend on next year’s seed, chemical and equipment. They also don’t have the money to spend on home repairs, groceries, medical care, donations to charity, etc. Without those dollars, our entire community suffers.
And while economics are important, the social impact is even more so.
Financial health, or lack of it, influences the mental health of our farm families. We already know the suicide rate amongst farmers is 1.5 times higher than the national average – even in good years.
As the holidays approach, now more than ever is a great time to check in with the farmers in your life.
Call them.
Connect over coffee.
Invite them for dinner.
If the mental health need is dire, dial 211 or visit myfirstlink.org. The FirstLink Helpline provides confidential listening and support on a variety of topics, including financial assistance and mental health support.
To the farmers, you are not alone. We support you.
Vinje, Peterson and Behle are members of the Valley City Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee and wrote this letter on behalf of the committee.
