Farmers Talk Mental Health: Recent Episodes
PodBooth
Arran Heideman is a permaculture market gardener from a farm near Brisbane. He loves farming, and says this is what makes the challenges manageable. He says fluctuating sales and disposing of good crops that cannot be sold can be challenging to his mental health.
Simeon Ash is a market gardener from Melbourne who also has no family background in farming, and fell in love with it after being a part-time farm worker. Simeon talked about the challenges of the large financial and debt outlay required in farming, particularly when you don't have a family background in farming.
Ben Brooksby is a cattle farmer from the south east of South Australia whose family comes from a farming background in Victoria. Ben describes himself as a shy and anxious person, and is known as the 'Naked Farmer' because he works in his community raising awareness of mental health challenges.
Ant Wilson is a NSW based organic fruit farmer with no family background in farming, who had always dreamt of being a farmer. Ant tells his story of exiting farming and the distress of coming to the decision to sell his property.
Will Mercer is a fourth generation farmer in Victoria's western districts. Will's family is in the process of succession planning. He says it’s been helpful to involve a mediator to help manage family succession to ensure everyone feels good about the decisions being made.
Jordan Collin is a market gardener with his partner near Bendigo, Victoria. Their farm grows fifty to sixty crops including vegetables which supply groceries and restaurants. Jordan and his partner use regenerative farming practices. He talked about the challenges he and his partner had after his partner was injured, which culminated in closing the farm for three months. This crisis caused financial and emotional stress for both.