Farm Safety Week: Health and Social Issues Facing Farm Families

Theresa Long and Theresa Pittman joined us on behalf of the AgriSafe Network to discuss the health and social issues impacting families in agriculture.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — Keeping the farm in the family is a top priority for many agricultural operations, but achieving that goal requires a strong focus on family health and resilience. With National Farm Safety and Health Week underway, experts are spotlighting the unique challenges farm families face.

Theresa Long and Theresa Pittman from the AgriSafe Network joined us on Tuesday’s Market Day Report to discuss the health and social issues affecting families in agriculture.

In an interview with RFD-TV News, Long and Pittman outlined the most pressing health and social concerns facing farm families, including farm stress, mental health issues, and physical well-being. They also shared how primary care providers can better support agricultural families and offered practical steps farm families themselves can take to address these challenges.

The pair emphasized that safeguarding health and resilience is just as crucial as preserving land and livestock when it comes to ensuring the farm remains in the family for future generations.

Farm families can visit the AgriSafe Network for additional resources.

Related Stories
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was once again on the national stage, front and center this week before the House Agriculture Committee.
Experts estimate the flooding from Hurricane Helene caused more than $1.3 billion in damage to Tennessee agriculture.
Lewie Pugh, with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report with his insights on the incident and a deeper dive into the issues at hand.
As the Trump Administration seeks out new global trade partnerships, Congress is considering more support for farmers, which comes as the Federal Reserve warns that farmers need a safety net.
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins will travel to Europe and Asia to seek new trade partnerships for U.S. crops after China reduced imports due to tariffs.
The $221 million will help farmers and ranchers cover losses from Hurricane Helene that USDA programs didn’t cover. They’ll focus on infrastructure, markets, timber, and future economic losses.
The agriculture workforce’s struggles with labor issues in recent years have opened the door to more automation and integration of artificial intelligence (AI).
Raising crops requires hard work and dedication, and the same can be said for raising a child. In Virginia, a group of moms is leading the way in combining nurturing with farming.