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Minnesota lawmakers seek solutions to farm stress

The chair of the Minnesota House Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy Committee is looking for ways to alleviate stress on farmers.

Representative Jeanne Poppe of Austin heard presentations last week that included former Minnesota Soybean Growers president Theresia Gillie of Kittson County.
“She gave her personal testimony regarding the suicide of her husband, and what that has meant before, during and after that really horrific situation. And everybody on the committee and in the audience were riveted by her story.”

Poppe says farmers are concerned about aspects out of their control like the government shutdown and trade disputes.

“That has closed markets (and) has lead to a deeper depression for many people because what might’ve been a marginally successful year has really become a horribly bad year for many people.”

Poppe says efforts at the state level to address some of these challenges include funding for additional farm advocates and mental health providers.