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Illinois ag director: farmer mental health support ‘more important than ever’

The director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture says farmer mental health resources are more important than ever.

Jerry Costello says farmers are feeling the effect of increased input costs at a time when commodity prices are below break-even for many.

“Nitrogen is up 10% literally in just the last 9 or 10 months.”  He says, “Pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, they’re up 20%.  Ag machinery, the tariff there is up 13%. New tractors are up 16%.”

He tells Brownfield…

“Farmers are three and a half times more likely to commit suicide than any other occupation,” he says.

Costello says farmers who might be struggling can reach out for help via the national Farm Aid Farmer Hotline at 1-800-FARM-AID.

In Illinois, he says the state is committed to finding more funding for the Farm Family Resources Initiative (FFRI).

“A helpline for anybody in agriculture experiencing any type of financial stress or otherwise.”  He says, “It gives you access to six free telehealth visits with a mental health professional.”

Costello says Illinois farmers and their families can reach the FFRI confidentially, 24/7, at 1-833-FARM-SOS.

AUDIO: Jerry Costello – Illinois Director of Agriculture