Tackling the Unseen Challenges in Farming

Did you know that more than 50,000 Americans died by suicide in 2023? It’s the highest rate on record. Even more alarming, farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population, according to the National Rural Health Association. Farming consistently ranks among the top ten most stressful jobs in the U.S., and in Illinois, many farmers feel this weight daily.

Farmers face unique challenges; unpredictable weather, fluctuating prices, rising input costs, and long hours are part of the job. On top of that, personal stressors such as health issues, family concerns, and farm succession questions add to the burden.

This year, the University of Illinois predicts that an average Illinois farmer will lose $129 per acre. The forecast doesn’t get better for the coming years. Farm families are looking into a brewing storm that looks a lot like financial crisis and that sort of pressure can be difficult to manage. To protect our communities, our neighbors, and our own families from the threats of mental and emotional crisis as well, agriculture and its rural communities must prioritize mental and emotional health.

The American Farm Bureau Federation found that 75% of rural adults and 66% of farmers believe reducing the stigma around mental health in agriculture is crucial. That's where the Farm Family Resource Initiative steps in. Their confidential, 24/7 helpline at 1-833-FARMSOS (1-833-327-6767) is available to anyone in the agricultural community. You can call or text for support, and it’s completely free.

“Farmers are the backbone of our food system, and their well-being—both physical and mental—is essential to keeping our farms running. Let’s break the stigma around mental health, look out for one another, and ensure no one feels alone in this journey,” says Karen Stallman Ag Resource Specialist at Farm Family Resource Initiative.

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By Tara Desmond • October 30, 2025

When northern Illinois farmer Dan Sanderson started farming in the 1980s, cover crops weren’t exactly mainstream. Government set-aside programs required planting something like oats, but what stuck with Dan wasn’t the paperwork. It was the difference he noticed in those acres the next year—healthier plants and stronger soils. Decades later, that observation led him down a lifelong road of conservation and soil health improvement. In this episode of IL Corn TV, Dan joins IL Corn board member Shane Gray to talk about his path toward regenerative farming, what he learned at a 2017 Soil Health Academy that changed everything, and why he now treats soil as a living system, not something to manipulate. Dan’s story is one every farmer can relate to—trial and error, lessons learned the hard way, and realizing that “good soil” is about more than yield. 🎥 Watch Part 1 now and catch Part 2 soon, where Dan dives deeper into how he’s reducing inputs, improving soil function, and still keeping his yields strong.