Posted on 12/16/2017 2:52:14 PM PST by Kaslin
NORWALK, WIS. — Not long ago, a local farmer here plunged into a depression so intense that he could barely muster the strength to leave his bed.
The 40-something father of eight went dark for weeks, despite the enormous amount of daily work needed to keep his family farm going.
“If you are running a small farm, you still have to get up and milk the cows. You got to go put the crops in. There are demands that nature doesn’t let you forget,” explained Jerry Menn, a farmer and doctor who was familiar with his friend’s crisis. “His massive depression immobilized him. He couldn’t even get out of bed for two or three weeks. Young guy, but he got himself worked into a hole.
“It’s his wife who’s taken over the operation, and she has, let me tell you. She’s a force of nature. This woman, she gets things done. You know, eight kids, mountain of debt, but she’s out there busting her butt to make things happen.”
It could have been worse for his friend, said Menn. “Depression can lead to suicide. He’s recovered from the deeper parts but in terms of the leadership in the family, that’s now been transferred to his wife.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
I used to farm myself, so you have my sympathies.
I was forced to quit because of carpel tunnel from endorsing checks.
Sad day.
Farming has been an independent pursuit but now has been industrialized. So, yes it is difficult for some to adjust. And yes, there is always a bigger fish around the corner ready to eat you.
My daughter and her husband are trying to survive on a small family farm. It’s not an easy life.
How the state of the economy is literally killing people
U.S. Suicide Rate Surges to a 30-Year High
US suicide rate rises sharply, especially among middle-aged whites
Appears you eat 50% cheaper than next in the world, as measured, waste 33% of that , and yet have a tremendous amount pre-prepared ready to eat............do the math on 150 million family units at 50% cheaper...vrs the amount of farm bill that actually goes to farmer (vrs food stamps historically)......
that extra 600 billion of disosable income buys alot of iphones and ford f150’s..
As always Govt intervention in any market, drives the price of doing business higher......ie Land, Land rental with corn donwn from 7.00 in 2012 to 3.30 ave farm price
——farmers are their own worst enemy at renting land.
eat well this Christmas, Merry Christmas
Small farmers who are successful all of their lives are very self-sufficient and can repair or build nearly anything they need for work. They study and learn throughout their lives, save money whenever possible, avoid overspending, and above all, avoid mortgages and other loans.
They aren’t able to feed America however.
They produce enough food for a small number of people, but not enough to feed the millions we have.
There are farmers who lease parcels of land and do well with their business, but they really know what they’re doing in advance and follow the aforementioned tenets as closely as possible.
“And for the ones that are succeeding there is not contentment. I see burnout coming for some of the younger ones.”
From what I’ve observed, now that I live in Farmville, it’s almost like the Corporate World.
You’re going to have Winners and Losers, and it truly all comes down to smarts, savvy, a great Banker who will give you credit when needed based upon past performance, AND knowing how to manage a business. (Either innately, or through education.)
We have friends that are VERY successful farmers, but they took it a step at a time and SLOWLY built their empire. Plus, they had sons and daughters that WANTED to keep the Family Business growing, versus the friend that is losing everything because he expanded too quickly and his kids (for whatever reason) do NOT want to farm.
It’s kinda like The Mafia, LOL! Just when you think you’re OUT - THEY SUCK YOU BACK IN!
I grew up on CEMENT in Milwaukeestan, WI. I worked on my Aunt’s farm (very successful; they were the FIRST Certified Organic Farm in Wisconsin, bucking all ‘ideas’ of the day) every Summer and I just fell in LOVE with growing food and raising animals for milk and meat and eggs. I STILL think The Humble Chicken is the GREATEST of G-d’s creations!
Now, in retirement, I’m trying to find a way to help others understand and appreciate where their @#$%^&*! FOOD comes from.
I’ll figure it out. ;)
I totally understand. I read the whole thing. I’m just not sure where Selina is coming from these days. She used to post here!
“Depression is an important part of spiritual growth. The drugs merely delay the process.”
That is SO wise! My Grandma on my Dad’s side had depression - debilitating - to the point where it was ‘A Good Day’ if Grandma could get up, get dressed and play with us (her Granddaughters.)
It really does effect everyone in the family.
I hope you don’t think I was making light of it.
GEE I CAN BE SUPER CONDESCENDING, TYPE IN ALL CAPS, USE MULTIPLE EXCLAMATION MARKS!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND POST SUCH NONSENSE TWICE.
WELCOME TO FREE REPUBLIC NOOB.
Though you may have extensive experience in haircutting industry, clearly you don’t have a background in agriculture (my spouse has PhD in Agriculture btw) nor do you wish to have an intelligent debate.
It’s Christmas and I am not wasting time to educate you.
And, oh, tthe return on investment is razor thin—not like a yard-mowing business.
Why depression and suicide are rampant among American farmers
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Another side effect of exposure to Monsanto chemicals? I’m not joking.
God bless the large family. They are keeping his farm going with the help of his wife.
I’m as much a “small government” guy as you’ll find but one thing I support is government help to small farmers who suffer as the result of drought,insects and crap products imported from Mexico,China and other 4th World cesspools.
It also helps to minimize and mitigate food-supply interruptions and huge price fluctuations.
Would you post a link or cite the source of suicide by occupation data? I can’t find it in the National Vital Statistics Report.
While there are a host of outward but superficial reasons these people suicide, the real reason is quite simple: lack of recognition by the public in general. No one cares what farmers do or don’t do - food is from grocery stores and is grown in boxes and cans. Most have absolutely no idea what a farmer does or how demanding farming actually is - and do not care as long as there is food in the grocery store.
Farmers and commercial fishermen are the stewards of the land and sea; they work extremely hard to feed other people only to be ignored or derided by those same people.
It is very wearing to love doing something only to be told you are just a statistic and some corporation can do a better job by mass producing chemically made, but “wholesome” food.
Yes, it effects everyone.
When I had severe depression about 30 years ago, I left my wife and two young children as I loved them and did not want to drag them down with me. I actually wanted to die as a result of an NDE.
I died of meningitis, left my physical body, went to and fully experienced Heaven, and then returned to my physical body. After that, everything in my life on earth was meaningless. I just wanted to die to re-experience the bliss of Heaven.
The depression was caused by feeling as though I was rejected from Heaven by being sent back. I now have zero fear of death and am learning to Love Life in a new way.
So is having a robust domestic manufacturing base. Even more so. We need a tariff.
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