Our local farmers are under financial pressure, face unpredictable weather and market swings, and are under an overwhelming cultural expectation to “rub some dirt on it” or “cowboy up” and get through it regardless of how they feel. All of these things just compound the strain and lead to silence and, in some cases, tragedy.

Stress comes from the outside, strain comes from within.

The demands of life and the dynamics of society are increasing the mental and emotional strain on many of us. This is true in all walks of life, including Idaho’s rural agriculture communities.