By DOUG GRAVES

Ohio Correspondent

LONDON, Ohio — New numbers released by the USDA confirm what many Ohio farmers already knew: Crop production is in bad shape and it could be the lowest in recent memory.

More than 15 percent of Ohio’s nearly 10 million acres went unplanted this year, equating to one in every seven acres. This discouraging data comes at a time when The Ohio State University is trying to help farmers cope with stress they’re facing, through a new program called the Rural and Farm Stress Task Force.

The task force is made up of people who can help connect farmers and their families with specialists either within OSU extension or their community. Among many suggestions, the task force encourages farmers to visit county extension offices where specialists can provide ideas on how to keep farms running or find jobs away from the farm.

Dee Jepsen, co-chair of this task force and state safety leader for extension, will be at this year’s Farm Science Review (FSR) and will be one of the keynote speakers at its “Ask the Expert” forum. She and a panel of experts will address visitors on the “Farm Stress – We Got Your Back” topic all three days of the show, at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center near London from Sept. 17-19.

Jepsen will offer some tips how producers can relieve that stress. “Farmers are so resilient, or they wouldn’t be doing the job they’re doing,” she noted, “but they oftentimes are surrounded with stress in their lives.

“For decades, farmers have dealt with weather challenges as well as shifts in markets and prices, and they have persevered. Sometimes with that strong will to persevere comes a resistance to seek help. Farmers are tough. They may not want to talk about their problems.

“Some might see their struggles to keep their farm viable as a sign of personal failure. Even just admitting that or asking for help can be challenging, but that can also lead someone closer to a solution,” she explained.

Jepsen and others say farmers should plan ahead and not procrastinate, set priorities on a daily basis and decide which chores can wait until tomorrow, say no to extra commitments, simplify one’s daily life – and more.

“Farmers are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of stress and mental illness because of the nature of the job,” said Kathy Goins, an Ohio State extension educator in Family and Consumer Sciences.

“Farmers spend a lot of time in isolation, and it’s a job with a high demand for work time. This can lead to family problems and other stressors. Many are tempted to shrug off mental problems like depression, which may seem less urgent than physical illnesses.”

According to Goins, studies have linked chronic untreated stress to a range of physical problems, from headaches and sleeplessness, to life-threatening illnesses such as heart disease, arthritis, stroke, and diabetes.

Ian Sheldon, an OSU professor of international trade, spotlights the escalating trade war with China and Mexico as having put pressure on farmers.

“Basically, we’ve introduced a huge amount of uncertainty into the market and we’ve generated the potential for a very significant effect on U.S. farm income,” said Sheldon, who added that if tariffs are left in place and market share loss continues at the current pace, farmers could face up to a 59 percent reduction in net farm income by 2024.

Jepsen will spearhead the “Farm Stress – We Got Your Back” discussion each day of the FSR: 11:20 a.m. on Tuesday, 1 p.m. Wednesday, and 10:20 a.m. Thursday.