Pa. Farmers And Agriculture Experts Highlight Need for Mental Health Support at Public Hearing

 By Sydney Roach

Pennsylvania farmers and agricultural experts spoke at a public hearing in Harrisburg Wednesday, saying they’re dealing with a mental health crisis and need more support from the state.

Jeff Corle is a former dairy farmer in Somerset County. He said he had to shut down his family’s farm in 2022 due to financial pressures, like many small dairy farmers in recent years. According to a 2018 analysis by Farm Aid, the number of American dairy farms has dropped by more than 93% since 1970. Industry leaders point to low milk prices and increased competition with larger dairy farms.

Corle told lawmakers the story of the last day he saw his cattle as he loaded them onto a truck.

“When the last of my cows, my stubborn little Dolly, was finally loaded onto the trailer and that trailer door slammed shut, well... Reality began to set in," Corle said. "My life as a dairy farmer was over.”