AgWell: A Thought for the Season

As we enter production season, this is the time of year where grass is greening, calves and lambs are dropping, and seeds are going into the ground. The word “busyness” tends to define this season for many farmers and ranchers throughout our region. It is also the time of year when the burden of what needs to be done looms in the distance.

In early April we had our first regional AgWell Summit in Thermopolis, Wyoming; we heard from a variety of different behavioral health professionals on the importance of stress management, building internal mechanisms of support, and how to become more resilient in our personal and professional lives. One of the key take aways from this summit was that we all must remember, as farmers and ranchers, our operations are only as healthy as we are. But how do we take the time to focus on wellness when we have so many responsibilities, and our time is already stretched too thin? It begins with a simple grounding practice that we can practice each day. Practices such as: taking a moment to focus on your breath and stress management, physical activity, healthy eating, spending time with loved ones, and making time for the people and activities that we love even in the midst of endless tasks; and most importantly taking a moment to express gratitude for what we do have and the many possibilities of personal growth that define the season of Spring.