Environmental Resource Management

Food Waste is a Growing Problem in the U.S.

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 20:42:12 GMT

A new report shows over one-third of the food produced in the U.S. is never eaten. Not only does this waste resources used to produce food, but it also creates a myriad of environmental impacts, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said in its latest report .

Food waste is the single most common material landfilled and incinerated in the U.S. In its report, “From Farm to Kitchen,” EPA pointed out that wasted food presents opportunities to increase food security, foster productivity and economic efficiency, promote resource and energy conservation, and address climate change.

Nearly seven years ago, the U.S. announced a goal to halve U.S. food loss and waste by 2030, but EPA said significant progress has not been made toward this goal.

“Globally, food loss and waste represent 8% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions (4.4 gigatons CO2e annually), offering an opportunity for meaningful reductions,” EPA said in the report.

(Farm Journal)

A Sustainable Approach

Reducing food waste can help feed the world’s growing population more sustainably. The United Nations (UN) predicts that the world population will reach 9.3 billion by 2050. This increase will require a more than 50% increase in food production from 2010 levels.

“Decreasing food waste can lessen the need for new food production, shrinking projected deforestation, biodiversity loss, greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and water scarcity,” the report noted.

Estimates that include food lost or wasted during all stages of the food supply chain (from primary production to consumption) range from 161 to 335 billion pounds per year, or 492 to 1,032 pounds per person per year, equal to approximately 35% of the U.S. food supply.

Each year, U.S. food loss and waste embodies:

• 140 million acres agricultural land – an area the size of California and New York combined
• 5.9 trillion gallons blue water (fresh surface and groundwater) – equal to annual water use of 50 million American homes
• 778 million pounds pesticides
• 14 billion pounds fertilizer – enough to grow all the plant-based foods produced each year in the United States for domestic consumption
• 664 billion kWh energy – enough to power more than 50 million U.S. homes for a year
• 170 million MTCO2e GHG emissions (excluding landfill emissions) – equal to the annual CO2 emissions of 42 coal-fired power plants

The report also examines how U.S. food loss and waste compares to other countries. The U.S. currently wastes more food and more food per person than most any other country in the world.

“Closing yield gaps and increasing productivity alone will likely be insufficient to prevent further deforestation and environmental degradation,” the authors of the report said. “Even under the most promising scenarios of yield increases, up to 20% more land will be needed by 2050. Thus demand-side measures, such as reducing food loss waste or dietary shifts, will also be needed to sustainably increase the food supply.”

The full EPA report can be accessed here.

Read More:

Want Not, Waste Much: 5 Ways to Reduce and Recycle Food Waste

Cyber Threats Are A Real Threat To Modern Agriculture’s Expanding Digital Infrastructure

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 13:05:40 GMT

A malicious cyberattack in late May 2021 forced the shutdown of all of JBS’ beef plants and many of its pork and poultry plants. This attack on the world’s largest meat processor spotlighted the vulnerability of another critical American industry. This time, agriculture was the target.

According to the Harvard Business Review, the amount that companies paid to hackers grew by 300% in 2020. In the first 10 months of 2021, just six ransomware groups were responsible for breaching the cybersecurity defenses of 292 organizations. From those attacks, these criminal organizations had tallied up more than $45 million in ransom money.

Of all the cyberattacks and ransomware attacks in 2021, the breach of Colonial Pipeline in late April had the most news coverage. A ransomware group known as DarkSide with ties to Russia was responsible for the attack that shut down 5,500 miles of pipe and halted the flow of countless barrels of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel from the Gulf Coast to the Eastern Seaboard. To avoid further disruption, Colonial Pipeline eventually gave in to the ransomware group’s demands and paid the group $4.4 million in bitcoin.

Agriculture Is An Easy Target

Experts warn that as an industry, agriculture has a very soft digital underbelly that’s easily breached due to very limited investment in cybersecurity to date.

For an industry that is betting the farm on becoming increasingly digitally connected and automated, this should set off alarm bells in all sectors and all levels of agriculture—from the back 40 to the halls of Congress. As more devices are hooked up to networks and more tasks are turned over to automation, the opportunity and potential reward for cyberattackers will only grow exponentially during the next several years.

According to Vantage Market Research, the size of the global agricultural robot market is expected to reach $15.93 billion by 2028. That’s up from $3.63 billion in 2020 and represents a compound annual growth rate of 20.31% during the forecast period—2021 to 2028.

A private industry notification issued by the FBI’s cyber division on Sept. 1 listed five major attacks that occurred in the food sector since November 2020. The list included everything from a bakery company to a well-known beverage company to a large farming operation. Two more attacks—on grain co-ops, Iowa’s NEW Cooperative and Minnesota’s Crystal Valley—came less than a month after the FBI’s warning.

As with many of these “events,” the aftermath involves plenty of finger-pointing. In the fallout of the JBS attack, a good deal of blame was shifted on the government for not creating cybersecurity guidelines and compliance mandates for agriculture.

Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst from Iowa recently went to the floor of the Senate to stress that more must be done related to cybersecurity within agriculture. They advocated: “Agricultural security is national security.”

It is foolish to think government alone can fix the issue or prevent future attacks. But, government can develop guidelines and performance goals. One of the first things that could be done is to adopt standards related to manufacturing automation equipment that is secure by design. IoT devices need to have additional security measures before they are deployed to the field. Because of the lack of a law, both the users and manufacturers blame each other for not adopting even minimum security measures for these pieces of equipment. This issue has become a significant cybersecurity liability.

What you can do

The rest of us must become increasingly aware and vigilant in fighting this war. Pardon the pun, but one could “lose the farm” because of an unforeseen cyberattack. Whether you are a CEO of a multilocation co-op or an individual farmer who has connected your operations and data to the “cloud,” you are a target, and this threat is not going to go away.

FBI Puts Ag on Alert: Ransomware Attack Potentially Timed to Critical Seasons

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 20:40:53 GMT

Farmers and ag cooperative employees need to be on high alert this spring. That’s according to the FBI , which is predicting cyber criminals might attack the industry during planting and harvesting seasons.

Why? Cyber criminals believe their prey could be more vulnerable and willing to pay off the extortion.

Since 2021, FBI reports multiple agricultural cooperatives have been impacted by a variety of ransomware variants:

In March 2022, a multi-state grain company suffered a Lockbit 2.0 ransomware attack. In addition to grain processing, the company provides seed, fertilizer, and logistics services, which are critical during the spring planting season.
In February 2022, a company providing feed milling and other agricultural services reported two instances in which an unauthorized actor gained access to some of its systems and may have attempted to initiate a ransomware attack. The attempts were detected and stopped before encryption occurred.
Between Sept. 15 and Oct. 6, 2021, six grain cooperatives experienced ransomware attacks. A variety of ransomware variants were used, including Conti, BlackMatter, Suncrypt, Sodinokibi, and BlackByte. Some targeted entities had to completely halt production while others lost administrative functions.
In July 2021, a business management software company found malicious activity on its network, which was later identified as HelloKitty/Five Hands ransomware. The threat actor demanded a $30 million ransom. The ransomware attack on the company led to secondary ransomware infections on a number of its clients, which included several agricultural cooperatives.

These attacks resulted in service issues, production disruptions and loss of access to administrative functions.

In a public advisory , federal officials say a major disruption of grain production would impact the entire food chain.

What You Can Do

The FBI is asking those in agriculture to take defensive measures against the potential threat. Those steps include:

Regularly back up data, air gap and passwords. Make backup copies offline. Ensure copies of critical data are not accessible for modification or deletion from the system where the data resides.
Implement a recovery plan that includes maintaining and retaining multiple copies of sensitive or proprietary data and servers in a physically separate, segmented, secure location (i.e., hard drive, storage device, the cloud).
Identify critical functions and develop an operations plan if systems go offline. Think about ways to operate manually if it becomes necessary.
Implement network segmentation.
Install updates/patch operating systems, software and firmware as soon as they are released.
Use multifactor authentication where possible.
Use strong passwords and regularly change passwords to network systems and accounts, implementing the shortest acceptable timeframe for password changes. Avoid reusing passwords for multiple accounts and use strong pass phrases where possible.
Require administrator credentials to install software.
Audit user accounts with administrative or elevated privileges and configure access controls with least privilege in mind.
Install and regularly update anti-virus and anti-malware software on all hosts.
Only use secure networks and avoid using public Wi-Fi networks. Consider installing and using a virtual private network (VPN).
Consider adding an email banner to messages coming from outside your organizations.
Disable hyperlinks in received emails.
Focus on cyber security awareness and training. Regularly provide users with training on information security principles and techniques as well as overall emerging cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities (i.e. ransomware and phishing scams).

Tools and Resources

Tips for Protecting Yourself Against Ransomware Attacks

For additional resources related to the prevention and mitigation of ransomware, visit Stopransomware.gov

CISA’s Ransomware Readiness Assessment (RRA) is a no-cost self-assessment based on a tiered set of practices to help organizations better assess how well they are equipped to defend and recover from a ransomware incident.

CISA offers a range of no-cost cyber hygiene services to help critical infrastructure organizations assess, identify, and reduce their exposure to threats, including ransomware. By requesting these services, organizations of any size could find ways to reduce their risk and mitigate attack vectors.

Watch our report on AgDay TV:

Read More

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John Phipps: Is a Possible Cyberwarfare Attack Looming for Your Farm? Why Tractors May Be Next

John Phipps: Is North Korea the New Breeding Ground for Cyber Warfare?

Cyber Threats Are A Real Threat To Modern Agriculture’s Expanding Digital Infrastructure

House Passes Farm Workforce Modernization Act

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:27:48 GMT

The House of Representatives on March 18 passed H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act by a 247-174 vote.

Backed by numerous agricultural groups, the legislation was introduced Rep. Newhouse, R-Wash, with Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif,, to ensure a legal and reliable workforce for American agriculture, according to a news release.

“In the first two and a half months of 2021, illegal immigration has reached a crisis point. In order to maintain the rule of law and keep criminals out of our country, Congress must continue working to enhance our border security,” Newhouse said in the release. “One way to enhance our border security is the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which is the bipartisan, targeted labor solution our agriculture industry needs. By creating a viable and desperately-needed agriculture labor program, we are removing opportunities to work illegally in the United States, strengthening our border security, and ensuring we have a reliable, legal workforce for our farms and ranches for years to come.”

Lofgren said in the release that the legislation will stabilize the agricultural workforce and protect the future of U.S. farms and the food supply.

“The Farm Workforce Modernization Act accomplishes this by providing a path to legal status for farmworkers and updating and streamlining the H-2A temporary worker visa program while ensuring fair wages and working conditions for all workers,” Lofgren said in the release. “I look forward to working with Senators on both sides of the aisle to get this bipartisan legislation that serves the best interests of our country to the President’s desk.”

The National Potato Council praised the House action on the legislation.

“Yesterday’s bipartisan passage of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act sends a strong message that the time to address agricultural labor reform is now,” RJ Andrus, National Potato Council’s vice president of legislative affairs, said in a news release. “Last Congress, NPC and our partners throughout the agricultural industry were disheartened when the Senate was unable to move forward on ag labor reform. We are now focused on keeping the up momentum and are grateful that Senators Crapo and Bennet have committed to working together to introduce a bill in the Senate to ensure growers and workers are provided long-term certainty, security, and competitiveness.”

Bill sponsors say the legislation will:

Establish a program for agricultural workers in the United States to earn legal status through continued agricultural employment and contribution to the U.S. agricultural economy;
Reform the H-2A program to provide more flexibility for employers, while ensuring critical protections for workers. The bill focuses on modifications to make the program more responsive and user-friendly for employers and provides access to the program for industries with year-round labor needs; and
Establish mandatory, nationwide E-Verify system for all agricultural employment with a structured phase-in and guaranteed due process for authorized workers who are incorrectly rejected by the system.

How to change the face of agriculture

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 16:57:11 GMT

It’s no wonder Michael Smith wasn’t comfortable with pursuing a career in agriculture when he started college at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo.

He wasn’t aware of all opportunities in this broad field, and, as a young African American man growing up in Chicago, it wasn’t something anyone he knew was doing.

But while in college, Smith discovered the local chapter of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS), and learned that he could make an impact and pursue a meaningful career in food and agricultural sciences. Now, Smith is a senior, an agriculture major and president of the school’s MANRRS chapter.

“Agriculture was a major I wasn’t real comfortable with, but when I joined MANRRS, it was like family. And it wasn’t just one ethnicity. It was black, it was white, it was a good mixing pot,” Smith said. “I appreciated that because it had the feeling of inclusion. MANRRS offers that, but people have to be open to being included.”

This is the kind of broader awareness and change advocates for minorities in agriculture are seeking.

With those goals in mind, Aug. 22-28 has been declared Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) Week by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson. The proclamations, which coincide with the KC Animal Health Corridor’s Digital Animal Health Summit beginning Aug. 24, are to help change perceptions of agricultural careers and encourage greater inclusion of minority-represented populations to build a more prosperous, creative and innovative industry.

It’s needed: The ratio of professionals in the agriculture industry is not representative of the American population.

Of the 3.4 million farmers nationwide, about 7% are minorities — including Hispanic, American Indian, African American and Asian. That ratio that has remained relatively flat in recent years, according to a 2019 Western Growers Association article .

Almost 62% of the U.S. population identify as white alone, so that means 38% of the population identifies as another race or ethnicity, either alone or in combination with white or other groups, according to the 2020 U.S. Census .

To recruit more minorities in agriculture sciences and related food industries, the young people need to be aware of these fields and what they involve, before college and during college, according to a 1997 Journal of Agricultural Education article by Zelia Wiley, assistant dean and director of diversity programs at the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University.

Minority populations need exposure to these fields of study, and then, once they gain that knowledge, their perceptions and attitudes can shift, which ultimately leads to behavior change.

“Our goal is to change the face of agriculture. We know we can do it, one day at a time,” Wiley said. “Most ethnic groups that are underserved, most have a negative view of agriculture.”

For instance, many African Americans think of slavery when they think of agriculture, so changing that perception requires a lot of outreach and education.

Today, Wiley has been a member of MANRRS for more than 30 years, is the Kansas State University MANRRS chapter advisor and president of the national society of MANRRS. In 2003, she was the first black woman hired with a doctorate degree in agriculture and extension education at Kansas State’s agriculture college.

Of course, there’s the FFA and the 4H, where all people are invited to join, “but all students don’t feel included or embraced. It’s all about having an informed choice,” she said.

Everybody is part of an ethnic group, Wiley said.

“I’m doing this for everyone. We want to get more individuals knowledgeable. The only way we can work together, is that we all have to be informed of each other. Diversity and inclusion are the way,” Wiley said.

The MANRRS chapters hold outreach events, fundraisers, take students on farm tours and hold trainings in professional etiquette, such as in interviews, Zoom calls and on social media. The organization also connects students with large agriculture companies, serving as an empowering networking resource.

To succeed at retaining young professionals in agriculture, employers need to make people like Smith feel like part of the team, offer chances for them to have a voice, and provide motivation for what they’re doing, he said.

Many students — especially those who are the first generation in their family to go to university — don’t know what to do when they get there, Smith said.

“MANRRS helped me find where I needed to go and helped put me in the direction that, even though it was scary and it was unknown, I was willing to take a chance,” he said. “How are we ever going to integrate, how are we ever going to be one, if we don’t try?”

Adopt An Attitude Of Gratitude

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 18:20:24 GMT

How can you keep your chin up this growing season, which will likely be sprinkled or slammed with stress?

Take a gratitude walk, suggests Dave Gordon, an author and motivational coach. For five minutes each day, walk around your farm and clear your mind of everything stressing you out.

“I started this practice 15 years ago, and it changed my life,” he explains. “Say out loud what you are thankful for. This will set you up for a positive day.”

Gratitude is like a muscle, Gordon says, the more you exercise it the stronger it becomes. Build your muscle by reading uplifting books, spending time with positive people and thanking important people in your life.

“We know people who reﬂect on gratitude are happier, feel valued and experience fewer health issues,” says Mary Kelly, CEO of Productive Leaders. Use Kelly’s tool below to inventory your blessings.

Monitor Your Personal Check Engine Light

Research shows people who work in agriculture tend to have a higher rate of mental and physical health concerns, explains Sean Brotherson, family science specialist for North Dakota State University.

You owe it to your family and team to monitor and manage your stress signals.

“Signs of stress are like the warning signs on your vehicle dashboard,” Brotherson explains. “They indicate there’s a problem with your engine. So, you need to take steps to remedy what’s going on.”

Unhealthy patterns such as headaches, increased irritability, sleep difficulty, increased use of alcohol or drugs, communication difficulties and isolation are all signals to slow down and focus on wellness.

“Health is the most important asset to any operation. If it is the most important asset, it also needs to be the most important priority,” he says.

Brotherson and Karen Funkenbusch, University of Missouri Extension farm health and safety specialist, offer these suggestions for farmers, ranchers and their families:

Know the warning signs of stress.
During stressful times, do a stress self-inventory.
Slow down and prioritize sleep.
Eat a healthy diet.
Get a physical checkup.
Seek local resources, including clergy and medical professionals. Talk with other farm families and neighbors.
Exercise daily. Take regular breaks throughout the day.

For more strategies to cope with stress and a tool to assess your stress zone, visit AgWeb.com/farm-stress

Sprawling Urban Development Threatens Livestock Production

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:38:38 GMT

Two thousand acres of farmland are lost every day, increasing the pressure for farmers to grow more food on less land to feed a growing population.

Low-density residential (LDR) development claimed 7 million acres of agricultural land between 2001 and 2016, according to a new report, “ Farms Under Threat: The State of the States ” by the American Farmland Trust .

“Protecting farmland and ranchland is critical for all types of agriculture, but livestock producers are some of the hardest hit by sprawling, LDR development,” says Mitch Hunter, research director at American Farmland Trust.

Large-lot housing on 1-to-20-acre parcels is stifling out farmland.

“All across the country, scattered, large-lot housing has been fragmenting and disrupting farming and ranching for years,” says John Piotti, president of American Farmland Trust. “Until this report, no one has been able to map and measure it.”

This is not a surprise to farmers and ranchers with medium- to large-city neighbors, and it is cause for concern. Agricultural land in LDR land areas was 23 times more likely to be urbanized than other agricultural land.

“When non-farming neighbors start moving in, it gets much harder to farm,” Piotti says.

For pig farmers, in particular, the rise of LDR development is causing more and more challenges as people move into closer proximity with animal agriculture.

For North Carolina, the No. 2 most threatened state for agricultural land conversion, this increase of people moving closer to animal agriculture has resulted in more nuisance lawsuits.

“Many non-farmers aren’t aware of what it takes to raise livestock, which can lead to disputes and even nuisance lawsuits over odors and noises that are a standard part of livestock husbandry. Even having a few scattered houses on the landscape, which may not look like it threatens agriculture, can make it a lot harder to farm,” Hunter says.

From 2001 to 2016, 11 million acres of agricultural land were paved over, fragmented, or converted to other uses, according to the report.

“That means, farmers and ranchers, on average, have 2,000 less acres every day on which to work to feed our communities, to sequester carbon, to make a living and support their families,” Piotti says.

While the 11 million acres of agricultural land is only about 1% of the 897,400,000 acres in farms in 2019, it does show a steady trend in the decline of farmland acres.

The AFT report layers on the productivity of the farmland to identify nationally significant land. This designation includes the most productive, versatile and resilient (PVR) land for sustainable food and crop production.

Learn more at farmland.org/farmsunderthreat .

Key Stats about U.S. Farmland

10%: The U.S. is home to 10% of the planet’s arable soils—the most of any country.

From 2001 to 2016, 11 million acres of agricultural land were paved over, fragmented or converted to other uses. Of that total,

4 million were converted to urban and highly developed land (ex: subdivisions, big-box stores and parking lots)
7 million were converted to low-density residential land (ex: large-lot housing)

Agricultural land in low-density residential land areas was 23 times more likely to be urbanized than other agricultural land.

Top Forces Behind Agricultural Land Conversion

Development pressure
Weakened farm viability
Challenges of transferring land to a new generation

The Most Threatened States for Agricultural Land Conversion*

Texas
North Carolina
New Jersey
Tennessee
Georgia
Rhode Island
Connecticut
South Carolina
Massachusetts
Delaware
Florida
Pennsylvania

*based on the amount of agricultural land converted from 2001 to 2016. The rapid pace of conversion in these states can be partly explained by population growth and weak land use policies, according to American Farmland Trust

This map from American Farmland Trust shows, in red, where non-federal farmland and rangeland were converted to urban and highly developed land or low-density residential land.

See maps, policy scorecards and more in the American Farmland Trust’s “Farms Under Threat: The State of America’s Farmland” report .

Read More
Our Incredible Vanishing Resource

Farmland Disappearing at an Alarming Rate

How Farms Can Adapt Hiring For Greater Resilience And Diversity

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:45:23 GMT

To ensure farm businesses have the best talent and are most reflective of their customers and the marketplace, it’s important to emphasize diversity as part of the hiring process, says Shannon Kellner, AVP of Merck Animal Health’s livestock team.

People with diverse backgrounds—including differences in age, gender and race—bring rich perspective to the table that can better inform how farms operate.

“We really believe in that collective thought process and diverse inputs that really give us the opportunity to grow and be very successful as a business,” explains Kellner, who participated in a panel titled “Scaling Diversity & Inclusion Across U.S. Agriculture” as part of the recent Farm Journal Field Days virtual conference.

(To watch the diversity panel, register for your free Farm Journal Field Days account , then navigate to the Farming For Today + Tomorrow Pavilion.)

As one of just three Black CEOs at the helm of a Fortune 500 company, Merck’s Kenneth Frazier leads by example, Kellner says, creating a culture that values all people. Frazier spoke publicly in an MSNBC interview this summer highlighting how being bused away from inner city Philadelphia to a different school system changed the trajectory of his career. Kellner notes that experience has led Frazier to position Merck as a company whose global scale can be a force for good in creating a more equitable world and business environment.

Farmers seeking to accelerate their own commitment to diversity and talent can start by thinking about their intern and hiring pipeline, Kellner says. Merck has updated its internship programs from a one-way approach of training young people into a two-way dialogue that allows Merck employees to learn—and identify talent they want to bring into the company full time. They’re hiring more people fresh out of college than waiting for them to get five to seven years of experience elsewhere.

“We’ve started to create positions we’ve never had before to bring younger individuals in to help us, either specifically in the areas of technology or through the intern program, to find a talent know you can’t let go because they’re a rock star,” Kellner explains.

“Resources are starting to become more prominent and available,” he says.

Productive Days on the Farm Start with a Morning Meeting

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 00:55:16 GMT

It’s early. You haven’t had enough coffee. Everyone already knows what needs to be done. You don’t have time. The list of excuses goes on about why you don’t need to hold a morning meeting for your team.

But some leaders suggest rethinking that choice.

“You always have time to plan and get your staff ready for the day. If you don’t decide to plan your day out or how you’re going to use your resources, you are doomed to fail,” said Benjamin Stajkowski of Grand View Farms during the Carthage Veterinary Service Swine Health and Production Conference.

He believes morning meetings set the tone each day on the farm to be productive and just busy. Here are five things to consider doing at your next morning meeting, Stajkowski said.

1. Take attendance.
Who’s here? Who’s missing? Find ways you can lift and shift to cover for anyone who is not present.

2. Go over daily or routine tasks and assignments.
Discuss what you are going to do – it could be someone’s first day or their 10th year, reinforce key tasks. Don’t assume your employees know what to do.

3. Discuss weekly tasks.
We all know the weekly tasks, but when will they happen? Is today the day for a weekly task or is it only a priority if there is extra time in the day? Stajkowski said that’s why it’s so important to share the priorities of the weekly tasks.

4. Talk about the non-routine items that will happen.
What are special jobs we need to do this week? Things that aren’t routine? Keep repeating them, he added. You may think employees know, but the more who know, the better.

5. Keep the team informed about what’s going on.
Go over safety issues. We want to keep our people safe because they are the best asset on our farm, he said. Discuss production numbers. Are you winning or losing? Is there more work to be done? Provide positive feedback for an individual or a group, but only share constructive feedback as a group.

“All the plans in the world are great, but we all know something’s going to go wrong in the first 30 minutes in the day,” Stajkowski laughed.

That’s another reason why morning meetings can be so beneficial. They allow leaders to reconfigure how the day will go more easily because everyone has been informed about the bigger picture.

To keep things moving all day, he recommended conducting a mid-day check-in at lunch or at a mid-day break to see how progress is coming along.

At the end of the day, encourage all staff or at least farm leadership to review what was accomplished throughout the day, he said. Determine what still needs to be completed tomorrow and start planning other tasks and chores for the week ahead.

“Then ask yourselves the most important question, ‘What can we do better tomorrow?’” Stajkowski said. “There’s always opportunities every day for improvement, regardless of whether it’s the most perfect day on the farm or not.”

In the end, it comes down to planning, he said. Planning is the key to success in any endeavor.

“Are you going to use your most important asset to your advantage and get the most out of it?” Stajkowski said. “Having everyone on the same plan is even more critical when lacking labor, time or resources.”

More from Farm Journal’s PORK:

Proof That People Make All the Difference on Successful Pig Farms

It’s Time to Up Your Game

Don’t Let Pork Industry Careers Become Undesirable

Technology Is… Considering A CTO

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 16:00:00 GMT

Is now the time to expand your tech expertise?

As you look at your farm’s capital expenditures, how many are related to technology? Think broadly. The numbers probably climb pretty fast.

“An important part of our business is to try new things,” says Brian Watkins, Ohio farmer and CEO of CropZilla, a farm software provider. “Even if you’re not an early adopter, you still have to have an intentional innovation strategy.”

Your farm’s strategy should span management information, agronomic technology and equipment technology, Watkins says. To make sure your farm is ahead of the pack (or at least in the race) you need someone to own this part of the business.

A Strategic Move

A recent Farm Journal technology survey shows 68% of farmers say they don’t see their farm needing a chief technology officer or similar positions in the future. Yet, 58% of those same farmers say their data collection practices are adequate for now but probably not good enough for tomorrow.

(Farm Journal)

Don’t be intimidated by the title of chief technology officer, Watkins encourages. The job label isn’t important. Your goal is to have someone on the team at least spending part of their time evaluating technology options, determining what to buy into and chucking out products or services that are not a fit.

“The point is you don’t want to let other people lead you around in terms of technology,” he says.

Assess your technology needs to determine if you should have an in-house expertise or if you should hire an external person, suggests John Fulton, precision agriculture specialist for Ohio State University Extension.

“You need someone who at least spends time keeping up with the technology,” Fulton says. “This can include attending conferences, talking to neighbors, reviewing information online and reading articles — this person is responsible for the farm’s digital strategy.”

Fill the Need

Look around your family and team, suggests Peter Gredig, an Ontario grain farmer and technology developer with mobile app development company AgNitrion. Is there a child, sibling or new employee who geeks out on technology, is internet savvy or is a gamer?

“There are a lot of diamonds in the rough on farms,” he says. “We are hiring young people who may not be ag savvy, so we are teaching them the ag stuff. But we’re not letting them teach us what they know on the tech side.”

Technology will continue to change how you farm — make sure you’re ready to capitalize on it.

“I always say a successful tech strategy has nothing to do with what tech you’re using; it has to do with diligences and know what’s available and if it fits on your farm,” Gredig says.

What Does a CTO Do?

The responsibilities of a chief technology officer (CTO) can vary depending on the type of farm operation. Peter Gredig, an Ontario grain farmer and technology developer, says the job description can include the following tasks:

Develop a technology strategy aligned with the company’s business goals.
Discover and implement new technologies that create a competitive advantage.
Help staff use the technology profitably by cutting costs, boosting productivity or improving efficiency.
Ensure proper use and efficiency creation of new and existing technologies.
Make adjustments based on feedback from staff and clients to improve the use of technology.
Communicate the technology strategy to partners and investors.

Technology is… different for every farmer. Find resources on how to make smart technology investments.

4 Questions Farmers are Asking about Carbon Markets

Wed, 28 Jul 2021 17:36:27 GMT

As farmers wade through the ever-deepening amount of carbon information available, they routinely ask for answers to these four questions.

1. How do I know which carbon program makes the most sense for my farm?
It depends on your goals. Consider how much time and effort you want to invest, how long your land will be committed to the program and what kind of financial payback you want to achieve.

Know how each program will compensate you. For instance, some programs pay based on outcomes achieved.

“We actually model and measure both the soil sequestration and the emissions reduction from the field, which requires farmers to submit a bit more data but tends to provide them more economic benefit,” says Ben Gordon, carbon and ecosystems global portfolio lead for Corteva Agriscience.

Some other carbon programs pay farmers for implementing practices, such as using no-till or planting cover crops. This strategy tends to require less data and work on the farmer’s part. The downside is it’s likely to pay less per acre. However, you might be paid sooner versus with a program that is outcome-based, which can take up to a year before a payment is made because of the data collection and crunching required.

2. Why should I bother participating?
In years when margins are thin, an annual carbon payment can help bulletproof your balance sheet.

Beyond income, some farmers are interested in the carbon industry as an opportunity to learn practices and benefit from technology that can help them build a strong, more sustainable future.

“Agronomy, agronomy, agronomy is the name of the game,” says Dan Hansen, who farms near Avoca, Iowa. “Obviously, there has to be an ROI, but we have to continue to examine our practices and grade ourselves on how we can do better and improve.”

In the past five years, Hansen says he has experimented with cover crops as well as different nitrogen tools that have helped him see value in variable-rate nitrogen or reduced nitrogen use, intensive grid sampling and variable-rate fertilizer.

“We want to continue to see soil health improve on our farm, so we’re evaluating (programs and practices) and risks while we’re trying to move the needle forward and improve ROI in the process,” he adds.

3. Are carbon markets going to be around, or are they just hype?
As in any new industry, not every program will succeed. However, companies both within and outside agriculture (Disney, IBM, Microsoft, to name a few) are making long-term commitments that extend into the next decade.

“We’re talking real transactions that are already happening, so that gives me confidence,” says Corteva’s Gordon. “I’d urge farmers to make sure that they’re signing up for programs that have the flexibility to evolve with the market, not against it,” he adds.

4. How can I protect myself from a bad decision or being taken advantage of?
Explore what the various companies are offering. Talk with other farmers, and seek counsel from your banker, agronomic consultant and legal representative, who can help you evaluate the fine print in contracts.

In addition, like with other practices, start small and scale up as you become more comfortable and confident with the various programs.

For more insights on the carbon marketplace, check out these resources:

Carbon Innovation Center | AgWeb

The rapid pace of U.S. carbon market activity has left many farmers dazed and confused. To help answer your questions, Farm Journal is sharing the first-ever carbon market comparison tool to assess how several of the most prominent frameworks stack up. We will continue investing in enterprise reporting as carbon markets mature and evolve.

Farmer Shares Top 10 Considerations With Carbon Markets

Will Carbon Markets Drive Farmers to Collect More Data?

Grassroots Carbon Targets Grazing and Pastureland

Field Work: Are Carbon Markets an Opportunity to Stack Multiple Benefits on the Farm?

Worried About Biden’s Tax Plan? Paul Neiffer Has Recommendations

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 19:51:05 GMT

It’s time to talk taxes again. President Joe Biden’s tax plan, which includes the American Families Plan and American Jobs Plan, has both good and bad news for farmers, says Paul Neiffer, a CPA and principal with CLA and author of the “Farm CPA” blog .

The proposed changes represent the most dramatic shifts in tax policy since 1986, Neiffer says. He shares an overview of the key changes in his online Farm Journal Field Days presentation.

In light of the proposed changes, Neiffer has the following recommendations for farmers.

Don’t panic. The changes are still proposals. “The final rules will likely happen in December, if they happen at all,” he says.
Be ready to make gifts. “You definitely want to be ready to make some large gifts this year because your ability to do those gifts after this year may be curtailed or eliminated,” he says. “But do not make gifts if it’s going to curtail your retirement funding.”
Discuss your options with your income and estate tax advisers.
Keep posted on the changes. With each new proposal that affects farmers, Neiffer will share his thoughts on his blog and in Top Producer magazine.

The bottom line, Neiffer says, is these changes could just be temporary.

“If there’s a complete change in the House, Senate or President in four years or so, a lot of these proposals that become law may get taken out,” he says. “Be aware of the proposals but realize not all of them are going to go through.”

To hear Neiffer’s thoughts on the estate tax proposals, transfer tax, 1031 exchanges, discounts, charitable remainder trusts and more, register or log in to Farm Journal Field Days.

Read More
The Farm CPA Blog

The Proposed Transfer Tax Can be Much Worse for Most Farmers Than the Estate Tax

How the American Families Plan Might Impact Your Operation

Paul Neiffer: What the “Green Book” Might Mean for You

McDonald’s Commits $5 Million to Accelerate Climate-Smart Farming Solutions

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 21:40:34 GMT

McDonald’s USA is committing $5 million and partnering with AgMission, a global collaboration to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in agriculture and to develop and implement climate-smart farming solutions over the next five years.

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA), and the World Farmers’ Organization (WFO) established AgMission to unlock agriculture’s potential to reduce GHG emissions, a release said.

Their goal? To make the agriculture sector net-negative for GHG emissions by bringing farmers, ranchers and scientists together to co-create science-based solutions that can be rapidly deployed, increasing on-farm resiliency while mitigating the impacts of climate change.

A Threat to Food Security

“Climate change threatens our environment, food security as well as farmer and ranchers’ livelihoods. We are elated that McDonald’s sees the value of AgMission’s approach and is partnering with us on this unprecedented initiative,” FFAR’s Executive Director Sally Rockey said in a release.

Research and data are fundamental to reaching this goal. Integrated, interoperable data is critical to coordinating this research and accelerating adaptation and adoption of climate-smart solutions that reduce GHG emissions, AgMission said.

“AgMission’s expansive, coordinated effort builds on existing research to coordinate agriculture’s climate-change response, connecting data from one part of the world that could benefit another,” Rockey said.

Although agriculture accounts for 9.9% of GHG emissions in the U.S. and roughly 24% globally, it is the only sector with the natural potential to be net negative for GHG emissions, AgMission said.

“Soil and farmlands already sequester 100 more times carbon than is emitted in a year,” Erin Fitzgerald, CEO of USFRA said in a release. “But farmers and ranchers cannot do it alone. This effort requires a response that rivals the magnitude of the challenge we are overcoming.”

A Thriving Planet

McDonald’s commitment exemplifies the progressive actions the business is taking to help deliver net zero emissions across its global operations by 2050, AgMission said in a release. McDonald’s joins Pepsico as a Founding Partner of AgMission.

“We’re striving to feed more people in increasingly sustainable ways by creating a food system in which communities, animals and the planet thrive,” Marion Gross, McDonald’s senior vice president and chief supply chain officer, North America, said in a release. “It’s been proven time and again that real action comes through convening of partners around steady science-based strategies.”

A Stronger Supply Chain

Companies are understandably concerned when they see less resilience in the food supply chain. Jason Rowntree serves as the C.S. Mott Professor of Sustainable Agriculture at Michigan State University, and he works with everyone from farmers to major fast food chains like McDonald’s. He says the decision to invest in climate initiatives in agriculture isn’t something just coming from consumers, as extreme weather is having a direct impact on the food products they source.

“The threats are real. I think we would be naïve to just continue to think that this is a normal,” Rowntree says. “With that said, I think we need to more aptly consider, ‘How does our farm look by the year 2040? And what are the things we have to have in place to add resilience to be able to hand off our farm to the next generation?’ I think it [reducing carbon footprint] needs to be definitely higher up in our priorities. But, I think that should come from policy that is supporting agriculture, and I think it should come from industries that depend on agriculture.”

Read More:

USDA Awards More Than $7.5 Million in Farm to Food Bank Project Funding

World Leaders Are Placing Big Bets On Agriculture In The Growing Climate Crisis Debate

Demand Uncertainty, Rising Costs Will Hinder Growth in Pork Market

Where Do Alternative Proteins Fit in the U.S. Market?

California Company Says the Future of Tractors Is Electric

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 15:00:55 GMT

Mani Iyer thinks it’s the right time and he’s targeting the right market segment with the right products to bring battery powered tractors to the forefront as a solution.

“This is the perfect time to launch a truly renewable, electric powered tractor, which is repowered with solar energy,” he says. “These tractors have a lot of advantages, and they perform much better than diesel.”

Iyer joined Solectrac as CEO in the middle of 2021. He’s spent nearly 30 years in the ag machinery market including nine years as president and CEO of Mahindra North America. Solectrac is a California-based company focusing on battery powered tractors–specifically focusing on the 70-hp and below market.

What’s the best power ranges for battery-powered tractors?

So far the company has sold 50 plus tractors—mostly into applications for vineyards, specialty crops and rural lifestyle customers.

“We have a sweet spot with three products in the lineup: 30 hp, 40 and 70 hp,” Iyer says.

He says the company has introduced first generation products in each category, however, each is going through upgrades to expand their use with attachments and accessories. Standard loaders and backhoes can be mounted on the tractors, and the three-point hitch allows for all standard implements to be used. Additionally, the 40 hp will be upgraded to 50 hp and additional versions of current products are on the drawing board.

“Customers have been extremely excited—and I appreciate their patience in our roll out,” Iyer says. “Tesla has proven how a product and a company can scale. And thanks to Tesla for showing us the way to make people believe in these products. Rural lifestyle customers are very close to automotive customers—so there’s been a lot to learn from.”

What are the greatest advantages for battery-powered tractors?

Iyer says the coined term around Solectrac’s performance is “Quiet Power,” as the electric-powered motors can provide up to 75 hp equivalent of diesel power with only 65 decibels—which is about the same sound range as a normal conversation. The Lithium iron phosphate batteries last three to eight hours, depending on the application, and the tractors can be ordered with an optional exchangeable battery pack.

“There’s no noise. We aren’t generating any pollutants. And you have full torque at zero RPM,” Iyer says. “You have power and torque across the power scale. Operators are getting close to 90% power at the wheels.”

He says customers in applications where noise levels are sensitive—vineyards, municipal maintenance, equestrians etc—users are boasting about the benefits of being able to operate at the low noise levels.

“For rural lifestyle customers, riding the tractor is like therapy. They love spending time on their machine and on their land. And with our tractors, they can really enjoy what they are doing without generating loud engine noises or breathe pollutants,” Iyer says.

Iyer says in addition to the environmental and power benefits, the Solectrac tractors are assembled in the U.S. with a t percentage of their components made domestically and batteries packs created in their factory. In February 2022, the company is planning to move to a facility five times bigger than its current factory.

“We want to deliver tractors with strong performance, high efficiency, low operating cost, better for the environment, charged renewably, and are quiet and safe,” he says.

How much do battery-powered tractors cost?

Prices for the Solectrac tractors can be expected to be 15% to 20% more than a diesel model, but Iyer says the goal is to provide a return on the cost difference in less than two years, and operators save money over time not buying diesel & oil and they can use their existing attachments.

As for a future with higher horsepower models, Iyer says it’s in the making, understanding how big of a battery pack is required for high horsepower applications and performance.

“But for chicken farms, horse farms, hog farms, using this tractor for their purposes and their property—there is no reason why this shouldn’t perform for them,” he says. “Failure is an option, but fear is not an option for us. We will keep going and innovate daily on these solutions for a cleaner, healthier and safer world.”

In June 2021 Solectrac was acquired by Ideanomics, which is a company that focuses on renewable energy and electric vehicles. Solectrac was founded by Steve Heckeroth in 2012.

Newest Tax Proposal in Washington Won’t Impact Most Farmers Today, But Tax Expert Warns it Could Be a Trojan Horse for Higher Taxes

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 18:08:47 GMT

Senate Democrats are pushing for a new tax proposal this week in order to help fund two impending spending bills in Washington D.C. What’s being proposed is called The Billionaires Income Tax, and it will do just that: impose a tax on billionaires. One farm tax expert thinks the proposed tax changes tied to the plans could turn into a trojan horse for farmers.

As Democratic leaders in the House work to secure a vote on the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure plan yet this week, legislators are also hoping to reach an agreement on Biden’s Build Back Better Act. In total, the spending package comes with a price tag of $2 trillion and includes everything from climate initiatives to social safety nets the Biden administration is trying to pass.

“In a package that’s supposed to be about giving everybody a shot to get ahead, it would be a big mistake, from both a policy and political perspective, not to ask billionaires to pay a fair share,” said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore.

Newest Tax Proposal Wouldn’t Impact Most Farmers

Since spring, the issue with the massive spending plan is how to pay for it. The new proposal would impose a tax on unrealized capital gains and also hit the step up in basis.

“I wouldn’t call that a wealth tax, but it would help get at capital gains, which are an extraordinarily large part of the incomes of the wealthiest individuals, and right now escape taxation until they’re realized, and often they’re unrealized in the death benefit from so-called step Up of basis. So, it’s not a wealth tax but a tax on unrealized capital gains of exceptionally wealthy individuals,” says Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen

Eliminating the step up in basis is an idea many farmers have worried about since the Biden administration started floating around possible tax changes.

Farm CPA Paul Neiffer says as the tax proposal sits today, the majority of farmers won’t be hit with the tax change since they have to bring in at least $100 million dollars of net farm income, for at least three consecutive years.

“I’m not saying I think there’s lots of things that will probably be in there would affect farmers, but strictly based on this proposal that Janet Yellen outlined, this proposal won’t impact the majority of farmers,” says Neiffer.

The Farm CPA says at this point, only farmers who are already billionaires would be included in the newest tax proposal.

“There might be a couple billionaires out there that are doing a lot of farming,” says Neiffer with CLA. “We know that there are some billionaires that have farm operations. So yes, it would impact those farmers. But for the rank and file farmers, as it’s currently proposed, it would really not affect them, because they have to have at least $100 million in net income for at least three consecutive years, or they have to be worth at least a billion dollars.”

A Trojan Horse for Higher Taxes?

Neiffer says even though the proposal would impose capital gains tax on liquid assets, it’s only triggered when they sell those assets. However, he thinks it’s a proposal that opens the door for changes down the road that could end up impacting farm families.

“The issue is if they get this in place, it starts at $1 billion, and then suddenly, it’s going to drop to $500 million. Then it’s going to drop to $100 million, then it’s going to drop to $50 million, and eventually, it’s going to drop to $10 million. And then that’s when it’s really going to affect our farmers, especially if the income is going to drop down to $1 million or less. So, this is just sort of like the Trojan Horse. Let’s get that Trojan horse into the gates, so to speak, and then we’ll let the lower amounts drop, not in the next year or two, but within 10 years, and that’s when it will definitely affect farmers.”

AgDay reported Tuesday that The Wall Street Journal’s estimates show the proposal would likely only affect less than 1,000 of the nation’s wealthiest citizens. Democrats are also eyeing a 15 percent corporate minimum tax. If progress is made this week, it puts the plan on track to be passed before surface transportation funding runs out on Oct. 31.

The Biden administration’s tax changes originally proposed earlier this year showed those tax changes could be costly for family farms. The report from Texas A&M University’s Agricultural & Food Policy Center (AFPC) showed the original proposal from the White House would have produced a significant tax liability across all the U.S. farms. In fact, the only farms that wouldn’t have seen impacts would have been ones that rent 100% of their ground.

How to Recognize the Warning Signs of Stress and Deal with Hard Times in Farming

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 00:54:03 GMT

From epidemic illnesses impacting pigs to falling commodity prices to increasing farm debt load, many factors cause stress among pig farmers today. Find out how to recognize the warning signs of stress, practical ways to deal with tough times and 3 tips to get your health on track in Farm Journal’s PORK’s new e-book, “ Your Guide to Mental Health .”

As National Mental Health Awareness Month draws to a close, check out these 10 articles that tackle mental health and suicide awareness to help reduce the stigma so many experience.

10. Alleviate Stress on the Farm with These 5 Steps

Life on the farm is unpredictable at best – especially when many factors impacting your day are out of your control. Here’s why it is important to be proactive when it comes to farm management.

9. Why Mental Health Matters on the Farm

A little bit better is a little bit better, said Ted Matthews, director of Minnesota Rural Mental Health. Matthews dispels myths about mental health, counseling and anxiety on the farm.

8. Break the Stigma: It Starts With You and Me

What would it look like for suicide to be a topic we don’t avert our eyes to? I think it starts with understanding and a willingness to break the stigma.

7. By Her Own Hand: A Farm Girl’s Miraculous Journey from Death to Hope

Maddison Caldwell woke up on Dec. 19, 2019, with a plan for the ultimate act of finality. Death by her own hand. For those who know Maddison, it’s difficult to understand why she attempted suicide. But a young girl with limited vision could see no other options. Here’s her story.

6. Breaking Taboo: Parent’s Worst Nightmare, Child’s Near-Fatal Decision

Early mornings and late nights on the farm have provided Todd and Kim Caldwell with the unique opportunity to spend quality time with their children. The extra work required to raise and show livestock keeps the family of five busy together. That’s why Kim Caldwell was caught completely off guard when her oldest daughter, Maddison, attempted suicide on Dec. 19, 2019. “We felt like we were spending all this time with our kids and yet we were missing something with Maddison,” Kim says.

5. Toxic Grit: Is Our Greatest Strength Our Greatest Weakness on the Farm?

“Suck it up buttercup.” This familiar phrase is one many farmers and ranchers learn early in life: be tough, self-reliant and resilient. Although those aren’t bad traits, Shannon Ferrell, an ag law specialist at Oklahoma State University, said that line of thinking can cause us to become inward-facing and discourages us to talk about our feelings.

4. Connect With Farmers In-Person On Mental Health

When it comes to mental health information, a new study shows farmers want to receive information face-to-face from their innermost circle. Limited access to mental health care in rural areas often makes it challenging for farmers coping with stress and uncertainty due to economic and environmental conditions.

3. Simple, Daily Habits to Help Manage Stress

Health is the most important asset for any operation, says Sean Brotherson, an Extension specialist at North Dakota State University. He shares a few ways to prioritize your health, especially in times of crisis.

2. 7 Tips to Help You In Tough Times

Here are some ideas, tips and strategies that can help you turn lemon days into lemonade.

1. When Your Trampoline Breaks: Avoid Isolation

Trampolines are like your friends during a crisis, says Sean Brotherson, an Extension family life specialist at North Dakota State University. “If you’ve ever bounced on a trampoline, you know it will catch you and bounce you back up. That’s what supportive relationships are like in our lives,” Brotherson says.

Click here to download the eBook.

You can find online resources on how to prevent suicide from the Centers for Disease Control website or by calling the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.

Why Mental Health Matters on the Farm

Wed, 11 May 2022 20:10:31 GMT

A little bit better is a little bit better, said Ted Matthews, director of Minnesota Rural Mental Health, an outreach program that supports farmers and the extreme pressures they face.

When it comes to mental health, Matthews told AgriTalk’s Chip Flory on Tuesday, “People think you’ve got to hit the home run, or it doesn’t count. That’s so untrue. If I feel better, I’m building towards something that was better than what I had. So why wouldn’t anyone want to do that?”

There seems to be a growing willingness in agriculture to participate in the conversation about mental health, Flory said.

Matthews attributes this to people beginning to look at mental health not as a disease, but as mental health.

“People are focusing on being healthier,” Matthews said. “Like anything else, if you take care of yourself early, you won’t have to worry about taking care of yourself later. It truly is a lifetime commitment to feel better about yourself. If you feel better about yourself, you’ll be able to deal with other people a lot better, and life will be a much more pleasant experience.”

Does Talk Result in Action?

It’s not just talk, Matthews said. More people are reaching out to Minnesota Rural Mental Health earlier during challenging situations. Instead of calling because there’s a crisis, more people are calling when they’re having difficulty with one situation or another.

Matthews said seeking advice or guidance means you’re trying to find a solution – that’s a positive step forward. The most important part is to be honest about how you are feeling in that moment.

“Is talking to someone helping you?” Matthews asked. “For example, clergy can be a great resource, and clergy can be a bad resource. It just depends - just like talking to your spouse, your friends, your neighbors. Remember we are all different and if those things help you, that’s great.”

He said his concern is when people avoid talking to someone because they think it’s easier to just handle on their own.

“Why not give it a shot? Why not talk to a professional if you’re feeling there’s still a lot of anxiety around a situation?” he asked. “You don’t have to see somebody for 50 sessions. Sometimes one will work, sometimes just a few.”

What Holds People Back?

When it comes to anxiety specifically, Matthews said some people can handle 150 things, while some people can handle three.

“We’re all different,” Matthews said. “In farming, there’s always anxiety. When is there not?”

Because of this, he said it’s especially important for farmers to understand what they can and can’t handle, and what they need to do to take care of themselves.

“For some people, that means they have to deal with [the source of anxiety] right away. For other people, they can handle things for a lot longer,” Matthews said. “We’re wired differently. Taking care of ourselves can have a lot of different ways of going.”

What Can You Expect in Counseling?

Flory said he was talking to a farmer who opened up that it made him anxious to reach out to a professional. He asked Matthews to explain what people can expect when they talk to a counselor.

Find someone you’re comfortable talking to, Matthews advised. If you’re not comfortable with one professional, don’t stop trying until you find someone you connect with.

“Understand all you’re doing [in counseling] is identifying things,” he added. “You get to decide whether that’s helpful or not. If it’s not helpful, then what other directions can you go? If it is helpful, then how do you get more of it?”

Most importantly, don’t categorize counseling before you even start, Matthews said. You have nothing to lose from trying it.

For more information, contact farmcounseling.org .

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, raising awareness about mental illness and related issues in the U.S., and helping reduce the stigma so many experience.

Read More:

Break the Stigma: It Starts With You and Me

By Her Own Hand: A Farm Girl’s Miraculous Journey from Death to Hope

Breaking Taboo: Parent’s Worst Nightmare, Child’s Near-Fatal Decision

Mental Health Adversity Allowed Wisconsin Dairy Couple to Learn the Value of “Best Yes”

More Resources on Mental Health Wellness:

Pay Attention to Warning Signs of Stress

Toxic Grit: Is Our Greatest Strength Our Greatest Weakness on the Farm?

Stress: Action is Key

Farmers, Ranchers Have Ways to Manage Stress

Suicide Prevention: Your Worth Isn’t Measured By The Markets

Don’t Let Social Distancing Lead to Social Isolation

Connect With Farmers In-Person On Mental Health

Simple, Daily Habits to Help Manage Stress

Pay Attention to Warning Signs of Stress

When Your Trampoline Breaks: Avoid Isolation

7 Steps to Reduce Farm and Financial Stress

How and Why to Laugh, Even When it’s Hard

Watch for Signs of Suicidal Risk on Your Farm