Q. What led to the collaboration among you, the state behavioral health department and UGA extension regarding farmers and their mental health?

A. Well, a couple of things. This is something that’s kind of been an ongoing collaboration but something Commissioner [Kevin] Tanner and myself and the folks at the University of Georgia have decided to make a little more of a priority for our agencies.

We want to ensure that we’re raising awareness of mental health in rural Georgia and the resources that are available to our farmers and producers across the state, and ensuring that they have access to the care they deserve. Another thing that made this more of a priority is the study that Mercer University did last year on the ag sector. We found some pretty staggering statistics. That’s one of those things that led to us focusing more on those issues.

I’m really excited about the partnership. It’s become a priority of ours.

Q. Now that you’ve made this issue a priority, will you seek legislation or some action through the Legislature next year to address the problem?

A. We absolutely are supportive of the state allocating more funds to address mental health in our rural communities. As for the Department of Agriculture’s efforts, our state funds are entirely dedicated to carrying out our regulatory mission, so we rely on federal grants available through the farm bill to fund our mental health programming.

Q. The farm bill remains stalled in Congress. How concerned are you about that and its impact on Georgia farmers?

A. Well, it’s something that’s got to get addressed and got to get across the finish line. When it comes to ag policy, it is very vital. And I’ll be honest with you, it is one of those things that impacts farmers. The fact [that] we don’t have a Farm bill passed, this is part of those things that weigh on the decisions that [farmers] make and help them address the issues that need to be addressed. Getting a farm bill done is a priority. There are resources in the farm bill related to mental health and insurance. The federal government understands it’s something that we need to work to address and I look forward to continuing to work with our delegation here in our state to ensure we get the resources that we can in the farm bill and all the appropriate areas, including mental health resources.

Q. The ag department and the two other agencies have spent a combined $5.3 million in the last few years on various programs to make farmers and others in rural communities across the state aware of available resources. Is that enough money to address mental health challenges in agriculture, given what you’re finding?

A.  That’s something we’ve got to continually evaluate to ensure that we’re putting the appropriate resources where they’re needed. I think the more we get into this, the more opportunities we have to speak with those that are impacted. I think [it] will give us a clearer picture of the resources we need.

Q. You’re a seventh generation farmer. Have you had times when the stress of farming has overwhelmed you personally? If so, what did you do?

A. Well, you know even in my own operation, you face those challenges and some of the difficulties and you find ways to address them, whether that’s through talking with family or working that out through those that are close to you. I think every producer gets faced with those situations, including myself. So you’ve got to ensure that you’re willing to reach out to those that can help you address those situations when you need them.