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
Building on the USDA’s recently released Grazing Action Plan, the agreement formalizes collaboration between the USDA, Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management to ensure more efficient, transparent, and responsive grazing management across federal lands.
SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler breaks down the Grocery Guarantee Program, its goals for expanding farmer access to capital, and its potential impact on food production and prices.
The five-day auction drew up to 6,000 people and saw steady prices throughout the event
Sponsored
Like a lot of things, the more you fall in love with a hobby, the more you realize how much you don’t know. Backyard Smart answers the lawn-and-garden questions homeowners are looking for.
Longview FFA gives students practical experience from meat processing to floral design in their unique curriculum.
Cattle farmer Scott Porter, Kentucky Farm Bureau’s 2025 Farmer of the Year, discusses his commitment to mentorship and the importance of strengthening the future of agriculture.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The 2026 Farm Bill advances out of committee, but political divisions delay final passage as lawmakers push to protect farmers, SNAP, and crop insurance programs.
PLC and NCBA Chief Counsel Kaitlynn Glover reacts to the USDA’s new Grazing Action Plan, regulatory relief for ranchers, and the industry’s efforts to improve access to public lands.
Secretary Rollins is signaling a possible reopening of the southern border to Mexican feeder cattle as officials work to manage the threat of the New World Screwworm.
On this week’s Rural Health Matters, Dr. Jeffrey Gold raises awareness about Parkinson’s disease, shares insights on early detection, and offers guidance for patients and families in rural communities.
Nebraska Farm Bureau President Mark McHargue joined us to discuss wildfire recovery efforts in the state, impacts to agriculture, and conditions heading into the spring planting season.
USDA’s Quarterly Grain Stocks report shows increased supplies across all major commodities, with corn, soybeans, and wheat stocks all rising compared to a year ago. Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities discusses producer and market sentiment ahead of the key report.