Standing Together: A Message on Hope and Support
In agriculture, we know both the beauty and the burden of working the land. This year has been especially heavy. Between unpredictable markets, rising input costs, and the relentless pressure to make ends meet, many farm families are carrying more than just the weight of their operations—they’re carrying the weight of worry, uncertainty, and sometimes loneliness.
Your life and well-being matter more than any market report or yield number. Farming is not only a business; it’s a way of life, and that life is worth protecting.
The Struggles We Don’t Always Talk About
Farmers are known for grit, resilience, and perseverance. But even the strongest among us can feel stretched thin.
• Economic pressures: Low grain prices, higher input costs, and market volatility cut into margins.
• Isolation: Long hours in the field and distance from town can leave many feeling alone.
• Generational expectations: The weight of continuing the farm legacy can add unseen stress.
Breaking the Silence: Suicide Awareness in Agriculture
According to recent studies, farmers face one of the highest suicide rates of any profession. That statistic isn’t just a number—it’s a neighbor, a friend, or even a family member. Recognizing the signs and offering support can save lives.
Warning signs may include:
• Withdrawing from family, friends, or community
• Talking about hopelessness or being a burden
• Sudden mood changes, anger, or sadness
• Giving away possessions or “tying up loose ends”
How We Can Support Each Other
As a business serving this community, we want to be more than just a seed, fertilizer, or crop insurance provider. We want to be partners in life.
1. Check in on your neighbors. A quick “How are you doing, really?” can mean more than you think.
2. Share resources. Sometimes people don’t know where to turn. You can be the bridge.
3. Normalize asking for help. When equipment breaks down, we don’t hesitate to call for repairs. In the same way, it’s okay to reach out for help when our hearts and minds feel worn down.
Local South Dakota Support Contacts
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
• Avera Farm & Rural Stress Hotline: 1-800-691-4336
• Helpline Center: 211
• SD Dept. of Ag & Natural Resources: danr.sd.gov
The fields may test us, markets may shake us, but we are not alone. As your partners in agriculture, we want you to know that your health, your families, and your futures matter deeply to us. Let’s stand together, not just as colleagues and customers, but as a community that looks out for one another.
If you ever find yourself in a place of despair, please remember: help is only a phone call away, and hope is closer than it feels.
Jamie & Brianna VonEye
605-530-5404
Midwest Seeds
Pro Ag Solutions
Midwest Crop Insurance Solutions
“Together we grow. Together we endure. Together we thrive.”