Anonymous Survey Asking Ohio Farmers About Their Stress, Mental Health

The Ohio Farm Bureau, Department of Agriculture and Ohio State University created a survey for farmers and other agriculture workers to voice their stressors and access help. The survey is available online until the end of July.

Ty Higgins, spokesman for the Ohio Farm Bureau, said the survey is looking at three main points. “This survey is looking at what the stressors are in Ohio agriculture, how farmers and farm workers and agribusiness professionals are dealing, coping with those stresses and then where the resources are and where they aren't,” he said. Higgins said he hopes this project will help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in the agriculture community and bring awareness to help that’s available. About 1.5% of U.S. society is involved in agriculture according to Higgins. That can make farmers feel more isolated in their mental health needs. The project started with the creation of Got Your Back Ohio in 2019 which offers Ohioans working in agriculture help and resources during stressful times. The Ohio survey opened nine months ago and will remain open through July. Results will be presented in September at the Farm Science Review.