A growing body of literature documents the mental health impacts of climate change on the general population, but there is little focus on agricultural populations in the United States — even though farmers may be disproportionately affected due to their close contact and reliance on natural systems.
By strengthening the mental health and resilience of food producers, the project ultimately contributes to the stability and sustainability of Oregon’s rural communities.
Historically, farmers have been less likely than non-farmers to seek mental health support. However, emerging evidence shows that this trend is shifting: more farmers are actively seeking treatment due to the stress and mental health impacts caused by the increasing uncertainty surrounding the future of farming, much of which is tied directly to climate change. These stressors not only affect emotional well-being but also impose significant physical and mental burdens with long-term consequences.
By increasing awareness and providing venues for discussing climate grief and stress, farmers can learn to take proactive measures to improve their emotional resilience. During the 2022 climate resilience training for Oregon’s agricultural professionals, climate grief and stress were introduced, and the training received extensive positive feedback from participants who expressed a desire for more training sessions.
In response to this feedback, Oregon State University Extension Service and community partners in Southern Oregon formed a working group to address these issues. They aimed to help food producers better identify and understand stress and grief related to climate change, identify strategies for greater mental health resilience, and learn about available mental health resources. The working group designed a 30-minute module on climate-related stress and grief for food producers.
Additionally, a research effort funded in January 2024 by OSU Extension and the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences collected qualitative and quantitative data from 51 Oregon producers. Participants shared their experiences with climate-related stress and grief, their perceptions of these challenges, and their willingness to join workshops focused on emotional resilience.
The survey also gathered data on their professional roles, years of experience and exposure to extreme weather events such as drought, flooding, wildfires and erratic weather patterns — along with the resulting operational and financial impacts.
Findings from the study revealed that 88% of respondents emphasized the importance of addressing climate stress and grief within their communities. Many farmers reported experiencing grief as they watched soil fertility decline, extreme weather events increase, and the ecosystems they rely on degrade. These insights underscore the need for targeted mental health support and interventions that address both the physical and emotional pressures facing agricultural communities.
The Climate Stress and Grief: Building Resilience in Farmers and Ranchers Initiative, based at the OSU Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center, offers workshops and training sessions to help farmers and ranchers recognize and manage the emotional impacts of climate change. Participants have access to practical tools like the Climate Emotion Wheel and a directory of climate-aware therapists to help navigate their emotions.
These training sessions address topics such as climate grief, emotional resilience strategies and stress management. By building emotional resilience, the initiative helps farmers strengthen their overall well-being and improve their ability to adapt to the growing uncertainties of farming in a changing climate.
The initiative has received funding from three agencies to continue educating farmers and agricultural service providers about the mental health impacts of climate stress and grief. It has been well-received by participants, many of whom have expressed interest in continued learning and support.
By strengthening the mental health and resilience of food producers, the project ultimately contributes to the stability and sustainability of Oregon’s rural communities. Healthy, emotionally resilient farmers are better able to maintain their operations, support local economies, and uphold regional food security.