Thank a farmer

Prince Edward County is in the midst of a drought.

An exceptionally dry spring has led to a poor growing season in most of eastern Ontario, with near record lows in rainfalls. Rivers and marshes are drying up or are at the lowest they’ve been in recent memory.

We can’t control the weather, but many farmers in the County are gritting their teeth and praying for rain.

Farming is a noble, often idealized, profession. Most of us would not be able to get along without farmers. They grow the food we eat, and without that, all the money in the world is useless.

But as it turns out, it’s also an intensely stressful profession.

Along with drought, nearly all commercial crops are on a downward trend in the markets. A farm owner manages insects and disease, government regulations, the value of their crops and of course, the weather.

Running a farm means constantly fixing and adjusting—tending to one problem only to tackle another. It’s a small business with an exceptional number of moving parts, from managing machinery to navigating constantly changing market demand to working with a constantly changing climate.

All that stress, it turns out, is bad for you. A study from the University of Guelph’s population medicine department found that about 60 per cent of Canadian farmers suffer from depression, anxiety and other mental health issues.

That makes farming one of the most stressful jobs in Canada, and puts Canadian farmers ahead of their American colleagues in problems with mental health.

The study’s author suggests along with the stresses of the job, there is social isolation. Farmers also often work where they live, and being responsible for the proper growth of plants and animals makes it difficult to escape for a vacation, or even get away for the weekend.

Although the study only included 1,100 farmers, it shines a light on a group of people who are often seen as tough and resilient.

It’s a good reminder that, bearing enough stress, anyone can suffer mental illness.

Farming comes in many forms in this community, from old family farms to new, experimental gardens, from sheep and cattle to vineyards and cash crops.

Agritourism is a great contributor to the local economy as urbanites flood the countryside, seeking the beauty of idyllic lush, pastoral farmland.

And yet, the hot, dry, sunny weather persists. It’s great for tourists, but terrible for farmers.

Doubtless, you’ve seen those bumper stickers that remind readers that if they’ve eaten anything, there is a farmer somewhere who had something to do with that food.

So perhaps, next time you get a chance, thank a farmer. But also offer a hug or a sympathetic ear. It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it.

mihal@mihalzada.com