Planting Seeds of Awareness: Farm Safety and Mental Health

Supporting the mental health of farmers and their families takes leadership, a vision, and action. Host Karen Endres from the Wisconsin Farm Center talks to Melissa Ploeckelman Brown, Outreach Specialist for the National Farm Medicine Center and the National Children's Center for Rural Agricultural Health and Safety. From her roots on a family dairy farm to her work spreading lifesaving mental health training like Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) Conversations and Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), Melissa shares how to recognize warning signs, start difficult conversations, and connect struggling farmers to support. She also previews the new Farm, Rescue, Education, Safety, and Health (FRESH) area at Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, July 14-16, 2026 in Stratford, Wisconsin. This new area will be a hub for farm safety education, farmer mental health, free health screenings, and hands-on rescue demonstrations.Experiencing a challenge on the farm? Contact the Wisconsin Farm Center! With more than 100 years of collective agriculture experience, the Wisconsin Farm Center team offers free and confidential financial and transition planning services, conflict mediation, veterinary diagnostic analysis, and more. They can be reached at (800) 942-2474 or [email protected]. More information on programs and services is available at https://farmcenter.wi.gov.If you are experiencing increased stress, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or just need a welcoming ear to talk to, please contact the free and confidential 24/7 Wisconsin Farmer Wellness Helpline at (888) 901-2558 for immediate support. In-person and tele-counseling sessions are also available by request.