Climate change increasingly taking a toll on Oregon farmers, ranchers
Alejandro Figueroa, OPB July 11, 2024
Oregon farmers and ranchers are increasingly dealing with severe droughts, wildfires, sweltering heat waves and pests that can all-together decimate entire fields. With stress and uncertainty about the future because of climate change, agriculture researchers say more farmers are seeking ways to cope.
There are resources for Oregon food producers dealing with general stress, depression or anxiety, like the Agristress Helpline, but there has not been not much focus on the effect of climate change on the mental health of farmers, said Maud Powell, a farmer and professor of practice in small farms at Oregon State University.
Powell, along with a team of colleagues, launched the Climate Stress and Grief: Building Resilience in Farmers and Ranchers project to help fill that need.
