BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Kentucky is a large agriculture state with over 73,000 farm operations in 2022, according to the state agriculture overview.
But for the people in the farming industry, the unpredictability and physical demands of it can lead to mental health issues.
Because of this, one organization is working on making farmers feel more valued and cared for.
Quint Pottinger bags grain, a task that happens a lot on Affinity Farms in LaRue County, Ky.
“To have something to do to keep my mind busy, (because) even if I can’t work the field, if I can’t host the meeting, if I can’t rent more ground, I can always go out to the shop and bag corn and sell it. At the end of the day, I can have a little bit of control over that,” said Pottinger, the owner of Affinity Farms.
Pottinger comes from a family of farmers and knows the industry can be uncontrollable.
“There's always something happening. How am I going to pay land rent if grains not coming in on time? If the vendors aren't paying us on time, how are we going to be able to make payments to the bank on land or equipment?” Pottinger said.
That stress can weigh heavily. The University of Kentucky reports 109 farmers in the state died by suicide from 2004 to 2017.
Dale Dobson is part of Raising Hope, an organization connected to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.
The grain farmer is on a mission to prevent farmers from taking their own lives and make farmers feel significant.
“Everybody's in a rush, you know," Dobson said, using examples of people complaining about equipment in the road or in their way. "But nobody ever walks up and comes to you and tells you appreciate it."
Dobson helped to come up with the idea of Challenge Coins, a symbol to help others know that the work they are doing is important.
“I appreciate you being a farmer. I appreciate your being a friend. I appreciate what you're doing here. And I appreciate long hours sometimes just feeling appreciated after your kind words — you do not know what the person dealing with that day,” Dobson said.
Dobson and agriculture nurse, Cheryl Witt, came up with the idea for the coins.
Witt grew up on a farm in South Central Kentucky and also works with Raising Hope.
“As far as mental health and seeking help for mental health, we have there's a stigma in the culture of farmers, well, in mental health in general, that poses a barrier for seeking help from your mental health. And we want so we wanted to reduce the stigma,” Witt said.
Pottinger encourages other farmers to not suffer in silence.
“Talk to people. Don't let stuff build up in your head. There's always a way forward. A quick exit out of life is never the answer,” Dobson said.
Raising Hope said signs of suicidal behavior include talking about wanting to die, feeling empty, hopeless or lacking a reason to live.
For those who need help, call or text 988 for free and confidential support.