NDSU Extension Provides Tips and Resources to Reduce Stress During Harvest Season

By Sean Brotherson

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.