April is Stress Awareness Month, held annually since 1992 to raise public awareness of the causes and solutions of stress. Many organizations use this month to talk openly about the impact of stress and mental health.
For many farmers across North Carolina, stress, uncertainty, and emotional strain are part of everyday life, especially as the 2026 planting season begins under record drought conditions and rising input costs. While they often recognize the weight they’re carrying, figuring out where to turn for support isn’t always straightforward.
“Farmers know they are stressed,” said McKayla Robinette, Farm Stress Program coordinator for the North Carolina Agromedicine Institute. “But they don’t always know what to do about it.” Her work through the North Carolina Agromedicine Institute’s NC Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network aims to change that—providing pathways to support and breaking down the barriers that keep farmers silent.
“Agriculture is more than a job—it’s an identity,” said Robinette. “That identity can make failure feel personal, and stress feel inescapable. Farmers don’t control the weather, animal health, market prices, cost of inputs, or regulations. This lack of control can leave many feeling powerless since farmers often feel at the mercy of something else.”
There is also generational pressure. “A farmer could feel like their grandfather made it work, their dad made it work, and wonder why they are struggling,” Robinette added. “Nobody wants to be the generation that loses the farm.”
National data also points to a sobering statistic: suicide among farmers occurs at 3.5 times higher than the rate of the general population. That’s why Robinette emphasizes the importance of the Institute’s farm stress programs. “The goal is to be proactive in the work we are doing—reach out before they are drowning,” Robinette said.
For those looking for assistance, there are several options:
NC Farm Help Line
Agricultural producers, workers, and families can call the NC Farmer Help Line. The number is 844‑325‑3276.
This confidential line is staffed by trained staff at the NC Agromedicine Institute and Hopeline NC. According to Robinette, “This is the number to call when you don’t know who to call.” Multilingual options are also available.
The network also provides an online NC Farm Help Resource Directory. Robinette encourages farmers to use the digital directory on www.NCFarmStress.org. “It’s the place to go before you start googling what to do,” she said.
The directory includes:
- Financial and legal resources
- Health and wellness services
- Crisis contacts
- Agricultural community programs
Free Mental‑Health Counseling
One of the most utilized services is the fully funded counseling voucher program. Farmers and their family members receive:
- Three free sessions at a time (extensions available)
- Providers trained to work with agriculture
- In‑person or telehealth options
- Completely confidential billing
“We also contract with a licensed therapist to provide immediate assistance until we get them set up with a provider who can provide long-term support,” said Robinette. “Once someone reaches out, we want to make sure they know that someone is there for them from the beginning.”
Support for this program has been provided in partnership by the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, the North Carolina Farm Bureau, the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and the JoCo Grange. To learn more about the mental health counseling program, visit www.ncfarmstress.org/counseling.
Peer Support: Farmer-to-Farmer
During the pandemic, the Peer Support Program emerged and remains widely used today. It matches growers, insurance agents, consultants, and others within agriculture with training that enables them to support neighbors.
Many mentors now share stories of noticing struggles in unexpected places—restaurants, churches, feed stores—and stepping in. “The encouraging news is there are now trained mentors who are able to step in when they see a neighbor struggling,” said Robinette. “This is a strength of the community.”
To learn more about accessing peer support or participating as a mentor, visit www.ncfarmstress.org/peer-support-groups.
Mini‑Grants Supporting Farm Families
(Opportunities available through October 2026)
Farm families can also apply for mini‑grants through the NC Agromedicine Institute to help offset costs such as:
- AED purchases (up to $2,000)
- Financial or legal services (up to $200 per session)
- Medical‑related caregiving support (up to $2,500 per household)
More details are available at www.ncagromedicine.org.
North Carolina’s farmers show up every day for their land, their animals, and their communities. Now, resources are showing up for them. The NC Agromedicine team wants farmers to know that support is real, confidential, and available today. Stress does not have to be handled alone.