As harvest season hits the region and families seek to manage their farming efforts in the coming days and weeks, many farmers, farm laborers, agricultural professionals and family members are facing increased stresses linked with uncertain markets and prices, input costs and other factors.

“Taking time to focus on simple wellness practices can aid in managing and reducing such stresses during harvest time,” says Sean Brotherson, North Dakota State University Extension family science specialist.

The emotional and physical needs of those who are undergoing stress from tough conditions in agriculture are sometimes forgotten during efforts to manage farming impacts from external events.

“The hours they must spend in dealing with price concerns, reviewing financial decisions and making farming decisions can be long, stressful and tiring,” says Brotherson. 

Individual farmers, ranchers and laborers may not consider their own needs, or they may feel too occupied with other responsibilities to handle personal or family needs.

“Farmers and others working in agriculture sometimes try to be invulnerable to fatigue, stress, frustration and depression,” says Brotherson. “Perhaps the demand on their energies is so great they think they can muddle through.”

However, farmers and other agricultural workers need help, encouragement and assistance in times of higher stress levels.

NDSU Extension has resources on its website (ndsu.ag/managingstress) designed to assist individuals, families and community professionals for managing stress in agriculture.

Farmers, their family members and other agricultural workers need to take care of themselves to have the emotional and physical resources to deal with stresses, says Brotherson:

“Your health is your most important asset on your farm or ranch operation. Taking time daily to invest in your own health through wellness practices is vital during stressful times.”  

Brotherson provides a few tips and resources to consider for addressing emotional and physical well-being:

• Get sufficient sleep. Sleep is the most powerful wellness practice for restoring energy and good mental health.
• Eat well-balanced meals as much as possible. Avoid junk food or unhealthy snacks. Plan snacks and meals, and make healthy eating a priority.
• Set up and maintain a structured routine if possible. Daily habits or schedules allow people to build in predictable, healthy habits to improve health and reduce stress.
• Learn to say no without feeling guilty during times of demand. Conserve energy for where it is most needed.
• Take time for breaks to rest and renew energy (5-10 minutes every hour). Just like a cell phone needs to recharge, so does one’s body and brain with regular breaks.
• Engage in daily exercise activities. Stand up, do some stretching, walk or exercise briefly. Physical activity for 20 minutes or more daily brings robust health benefits.   
• Realize when a situation or problem requires help from others and ask for support. Be willing to engage some support. Asking for support is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of wisdom and strength.
• Delegate tasks to others or call for additional support if needed. Be thoughtful about tackling tasks and engage all the resources available.
• Be aware of energy limits and stop when these limits have been reached.
• Prioritize time and attention. Planning five minutes now can save frustration later. Daily planning for 10 minutes can help with focusing when pressures rise.
• Know strengths and weaknesses. Focus on strengths and seek help for areas that need to grow.
• Communicate with people who understand these tasks and challenges. Talking with a supportive friend, family member or professional can greatly reduce stress.
• Practice optimism and humor. Laughter is a great source of stress relief.

Brotherson also notes a variety of useful resources specifically for farm and ranch family members and others in agriculture to get support or focus on wellness:

• Visit the NDSU Extension farm stress website: ndsu.ag/managingstress. Access useful resources such as Farming and Ranching in Tough Times or 12 Tools for Your Wellness Toolbox in Times of Farm Stress.
• Contact the Farm to Farm Services program with Together Counseling: This program offers ag-specific counseling and support (701-404-0997). Limited or no-cost options are available.
• Support from trained crisis counselors is available 24/7 at 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, or chat at https://988lifeline.org/.
• Visit Regional Behavioral Health Clinics in North Dakota: Mental health and substance use services are available statewide. Find a location at hhs.nd.gov/HSC.
• Reach out to supportive agencies in North Dakota: Agencies that can link people with needed resources for a farm or ranch operation include the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, North Dakota Farm Service Agency and North Dakota Mediation Service and Credit Counseling.

NDSU Agriculture Communication – Sept. 19, 2025

Source: Sean Brotherson, 701-231-6143, sean.brotherson@ndsu.edu

Editor: Dominic Erickson, 701-231-5546, dominic.erickson@ndsu.edu