For every 100 farmers Jon Paul Driver talks to, about four reach out to him for help afterward.

“Everyone is struggling one way or another, whether you have three sheep or 1,000 acres of tree fruit,” Driver told the Capital Press.

Driver is a farm and ranch management specialist, part of Washington State University Extension’s farm stress suicide prevention program.

“The reality is, everybody needs help,” Driver said. Of the farmers who reach out to him, “These are folks who have self-selected, that are ready to make a change.”

Driver tries to convey information about macroeconomics. That’s everything going on in the market, and how it translates into what farmers see on their farms.

“The reality is, Washington farmers play in global markets,” Driver said. “So everything across the world, from conflicts to even interest rates in different countries matters.”

The variability of farm economics has been “tough” across all sectors, Driver said.

“Higher interest rates make it so farmers have to sharpen their pencils more frequently,” he said. “I want them to know they’re not alone. Everybody has financial challenges. Period, end of story.”

Driver foresees more variability throughout 2024.

“Still a lot of uncertainty around exchange rates, interest rates, employment levels, inflation,” he said. “There’s nothing more important to watch out for than macroeconomics right now.”

Driver has spoken to roughly 2,000 farmers at various industry events in the last two years. He has worked further with about 100 individual farmers in about 170 consulting sessions.

“We have representation at nearly every farm meeting going on in Washington,” he said.

Those farmers who follow up are guided to additional resources within the WSU system.

Resources are available to every Washington farmer, whether through financial assistance or the free therapy voucher program through WSU’s Psychology Clinic.

“That’s free counseling available to every farmer and farm worker in the state of Washington, and their families,” Driver said.

The governor’s budget includes a proposal to finish the work, with $133,000 in 2024 and $137,000 in 2025.

Signs to watch for can include changes to the homestead or changes in behavior.

“We have an obligation to watch out for those in our communities,” Driver said. “That neighbor component is so important, and just having that awareness of, maybe someone is struggling.”

• Thoughts of hurting oneself.

• Care of livestock declines.

• Increase in agriculture-related accidents.

• Appearance of farmstead declines.

• Children show signs of stress.

• Lack of energy/motivation to do usual tasks.

• Loss of interest in favorite activities.

• Alcohol and/or substance abuse/addiction.

• Withdrawal from others.

• Relational tension.

Source: WSU Agricultural Suicide Prevention Program

https://extension.wsu.edu/skagit/free-therapy-voucher-program/

https://extension.wsu.edu/skagit/suicide-prevention/