More Iowa farmers calling mental health hotline

AMES, Iowa (KWQC) – The Iowa Concern Hotline is experiencing an increase in calls from farmers across the state.

The hotline, created in response to the farm crisis of the 1980s, saw a 5% increase in agriculture-related calls during September.

“Some farmers, when they’re taking their soybeans to the co-ops, they’re being turned away because the co-ops don’t have ongoing contracts signed to sell the grain. They don’t have storage space for it,” said Tammy Jacobs, coordinator of the Iowa Concern Hotline.

Multiple stressors affecting farmers

Jacobs said the primary concerns farmers are reporting include tariffs, low corn yields due to moisture and rust, and pressure from lenders regarding loan payments…

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