What Farmers Think About Stress and Mental Health

We all know that farming is a stressful occupation and the discussion on farmer mental health wellness has become more commonplace. Academic institutions, non-profits, government and Farm Bureau are all talking about the impact that farm stress has on the wellbeing of farmers and their farms. But what do farmers have to say? In this session, you will hear first-hand accounts of farm fires, livestock loss, divorce, farm transition challenges, suicide, extreme business risk, financial devastation, and so on. What is a farmer supposed to do? Farm Bureau members will share their perspective, what has helped, and how Farm Bureau volunteers can help others in their local communities.

Speakers:

Jon Iverson

Jon Iverson is a third-generation farmer from Woodburn, Oregon, where he serves as the farm manager of Iverson Family Farms Inc. He returned full-time to the farm in 2011 and has since grown over 50 different crops. They currently grow grass seed, tulips, wheat, grapes and organic sweet corn. In addition to crop production, they also operate Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm which specializes in agritourism and welcomes 130,000 visitors annually during their tulip festival. Jon has held multiple Farm Bureau leadership positions at the county, state and national level, most recently on AFBF’s YF&R Committee, including serving one year as chair. Currently, he serves on the Oregon Farm Bureau board of directors representing Region 7. His experience managing a diverse farm operation has given him insights into a broad range of issues facing agriculture, including water, labor, land use, agritourism and pesticides. These experiences have provided a wealth of opportunities for Jon to speak on issues that are critical for agriculture. He looks forward to strengthening his advocating skills through the PAL program.   

Jon received a bachelor’s in crop and soil science and a minor in agricultural business from Oregon State University. 

Whitney Lawson

Whitney Lawson is the fifth-generation owner of Wah Wah Ranch in central Oklahoma, where she specializes in breeding American Quarter Horses and producing hay. With a B.A. in Communications, an M.B.A., and over 23 years of experience in oncology biotech and pharmaceutical sales, Whitney is committed to expanding her family’s farm, implementing sustainable practices, all while balancing a full-time career outside of agriculture.

A suicide survivor and passionate mental health advocate, Whitney is dedicated to breaking the stigma around mental health, particularly within the agricultural community. She hopes to provide support and foster open conversations about mental health.

Whitney is active in the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, the American Quarter Horse Association, and the American Paint Horse Association, and serves on the East Canadian County Conservation District Board.

Davis Peeler

Davis is a full-time farmer living in Anderson with his two children. He and his family own and operate a raw milk dairy, Milky Way Farms, where they also farm dry hay and baleage. Over the years, Milky Way Farms has had to adapt to the many difficulties of the dairy industry. The farm now bottles its own milk and has recently added robotics to prepare the farm for the future. Davis is a past South Carolina YF&R Committee Chair. He is a former state Achievement Award winner and placed runner-up nationally. He has been active in FFA and 4-H, and currently serves on the Anderson County Farm Bureau Board of Directors.

Steve Breeding

Steve Breeding is a fourth-generation cattle and sheep farmer from Delaware. Although Steve grew up raising cattle and loves the cattle industry, once he learned to sheer sheep, his passion for the lamb market exploded. Steve and his mother now raise a flock of 200 polypay ewes in an intensively managed accelerated production model. Steve is very active in the American Sheep Industry Association where he sits on the lamb council national committee and was elected to the USDA Lamb Board. During his time in Farm Bureau, Steve has served as YF&R county chair, county board president, and state Farm Bureau first vice president. Steve is active in the Delaware Promotion and Education Committee and now also serves on the AFBF P&E Committee. In his free time when he is not volunteering or spending time with family, Steve dabbles in training border collies used for sheep herding and enjoys spending time with hunting buddies in a goose blind.