NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665

December 23, 1998

Multiple Sources of Rural Stress, Community Resources

Many farm and ranch families and others living in rural areas of North Dakota may be experiencing stress stemming from three primary sources, says a researcher at North Dakota State University. The good news is that help in dealing with finances, emotions and relationships is readily available—if only the people needing these community resources will ask.

The primary source of stress for many rural families currently is rooted in the price cycles inherent in selling agricultural commodities and livestock. But these financial concerns extend beyond families managing agricultural enterprises because as the ag economy goes, so go the economies of rural communities and other rural residents, says Sean Brotherson, extension family science specialist at NDSU.

"The most important stress is whether families can make ends meet," Brotherson says. "Often, the little expenses that are important to a family's lifestyle, like paying for kids to participate in certain activities at school, are the first expenditures that start to go by the wayside."

Families dealing with financial stress are often subject to deteriorating personal relationships, the second type of stress. Financial stress may cause some family members to feel lonely and isolated. Some may become depressed. In some cases, increased frustration can lead to anger and perhaps even violence. Such types of emotional stress can also produce physical ailments, some severe.

A third source of stress comes from the struggle to balance work life with family life. This may be especially true—and a new form of stress—for some farm families, as spouses seek off-farm employment to supplement income being generated by ag enterprises.

"If it's a part-time job to supplement family living expenses, then that's another 15 or 20 hours a week that the family has to work hard to balance so they can find time for each other and find time for management of the farm or the ranch operation," Brotherson says.

People experiencing stress, regardless of the source, should not try to solve their problems alone, Brotherson says. Rather, they should begin talking about their concerns, with family members first and then with other relatives and trusted friends.

"Men, in particular, need to be willing to communicate about the challenging circumstances that the farm or ranch is facing," Brotherson says. "The mentality that we can be stoic about this, that we don't need to seek help, can be a barrier to solving the problems."

Beyond seeking help from personal resources—family and friends—people experiencing stress can access a number of community resources, both local and statewide. For example, NDSU now offers "An Alternative Career Program for Experienced Farmers and Ranchers." To find out more about this program, write to College of Agriculture, Morrill Hall 315, NDSU, Fargo, ND 58105, or call (701) 231-8790.

In addition, Julie Hudson-Schenfisch, interim family economics specialist with the NDSU Extension Service, has compiled a community resources directory that includes information about extension publications, mediation services, adult education opportunities, and vocational guidance counselors, as well as details about other training programs and social services. For more information about this publication, titled "Changing the Way You Farm Workshop Resources," contact a nearby county extension office.

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Source: Sean Brotherson (701) 231-6143

Editor: Dean Hulse (701) 231-6136