A new statewide mental health report found that Florida farmers and ranchers face emotional distress, which is worsened by financial pressures and natural disasters. The Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) in partnership with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Center for Leadership and Mind Your Melon Foundation released the report.
The 2025 Mind Your Melon Farmer Wellbeing Survey gathered responses from hundreds of individuals across Florida’s agricultural community. It is the first inclusive study of its kind in the state.
Among the most urgent findings based on data collected between August and November 2024:
- 67% reported feeling sad or depressed.
- 63.3% reported feeling nervous or worried about the future.
- 9% experienced suicidal thoughts.
Top stressors included weather, market volatility, lack of public understanding of agriculture, work and home balance and financial insecurity.
“A healthy farmer means a healthy you,” said Jaime Jerrels, senior director of policy and outreach at FFBF. “It is our priority to support the wellbeing of Florida farmers and ranchers so they can continue to provide a healthy, safe and affordable food supply.”
The report shows that access to care is limited, and that more than half of respondents were unfamiliar with community-based mental healthcare.
These findings come at a critical time, as NOAA forecasts an above-normal 2025 hurricane season. With many farmers still recovering from last year’s storms, the psychological strain of bracing for potential disasters compounds already significant pressures within the agricultural community.
The survey also outlines strategies to support the health and well-being of the agricultural community. Some of these include more mental health screenings and education at farm events, greater access to telehealth counseling and partnerships with faith-based and community organizations.
The full results from the 2025 Mind Your Melon Farmer Wellbeingsurvey are available here.
Source: FFBF
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