Dr. Val Farmer
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Rural Mental Health & Family Relationships
  1. Val Farmer 35 Years of Counseling
  2. Rural Topics
  3. II. Farming and Marriage

6. Debt, Farm Stress and Marital Problems

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    Articles

    Farm Women React To Financial Stress (April 1998)

    For the past five years there has been wet weather - way too wet for the traditional crops grown in northwestern Minnesota and parts of eastern and northeastern North Dakota. The wheat crops have had low yields, been diseased and bring low prices.

    The winter of 1997 was a devastating. Even more devastating were the summer rains of late June and early July. For many farm families, this represented the last blow in a valiant battle against incredible forces beyond their control ...

    Going Home From A Stressful Job (March 1997)

    In today's time pressured world of two income families, how do families manage to find time and energy for their relationships? How do you shift gears from an aggressive, high powered work environment to the nurturing world of relationships and

    Breaking Through Denial During Hard Times (February 1999)

    During February and March many farm and ranch families will be coming to terms with the reality of facing another season with great anxiety and uncertainty. This is not the time for wishful thinking or for avoiding the bills, budgets or the lender.

    The thing that farmers and ranchers do best is trouble shooting and problem-solving. With the day-to- day challenges of production agriculture, a farmer or rancher has no equal. It is when they have to deal with the gloomy reality of markets, high operating expenses, and rapidly escalating debt that they may be paralyzed into inaction.

    Marital Support During A Time Of Crisis (January 1999)
    This article dramatizes the differing expectations farmers and farm women have of each other during a time of crisis. This is useful as a springboard for discussion between the genders about coping styles.
    When Debt Comes In The Door, Love Goes Out The Window (September 2002)
    This article reviews the conflicts in a farm marriage when heavy debts affect a farm couple. The dynamics of how conflicts mushroom during fiancial stress are highlighted.
    Farm Couples, Hang Together Or Else Hang Separately (January 2003)
    This article describes various ways farm couples react to each other during times of crisis.Their history together prior to the crisis often determines how much trust and support they are able to give each other.
    Fight The Dragon Of Drought Together (September 2003)
    This article offers ideas for farm couples facing drought conditions and how to best cope with the uncertainty and probable negative impacts of family finances.
    Two Farm Women Describe Broken Dreams (November 2003)
    This article describes the reactions of two farm women to two of the main frustrations of family farming, economics and farming with the in-laws. What was hoped for isn't working out and there is a lot of sadness and hopelessness to their lives.
    What To Do When The Bottom Falls Out (June 2005)
    This article outlines a "here and now" approach to coping when major setbacks occur.
    Why Do Farmers Avoid Counseling? (June 2009)
    This article explains why farmers are reluctance to seek mental health counseling.