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Farm Women’s Symposium focuses on stress

A coordinator for the Farm Women’s Symposium says farmers are feeling emotional and financial stress in this down ag economy.

Sheryl Oswalt, a loan officer for Dairy Farmers of America, tells Brownfield there’s always a bad year for farmers but with the current ag environment, it’s starting to seem like there’s no relief in sight.  “We see a lot of postings and people talking about depression and being willing to share that they’re stressed out financially, and we feel like sometimes you just don’t know how to respond to those comments when people are admitting that they’re in a bad place.”  She says this year’s Symposium will provide ways of coping with mental and financial farm stress and supporting family and friends.

Oswalt says whether women are hands on the farm, work in ag business or are part of a farm family, the symposium can help them feel less isolated.   She says they’ve had a surge in attendees from all over the Midwest.  “The things that you go through on a daily basis are just a little bit different than those that have a nine to five job, I think the availability of a place to go and share your laughs and your sorrows and your hard times with some other women that may be feeling the same things, it makes you feel like you’re not alone.”

This year’s Farm Women’s Symposium is March 8-10 in Port Huron, Michigan. It will also focus on working with family members, disaster preparation and building consumer trust.

AUDIO: Interview with Sheryl Oswalt