Meditations on Farming
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Regular price
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Unlike any other territorial species, humans have evolved to become agrarians. The unique drive of farmers to cultivate crops and undertake animal husbandry, their tenacious attachment to the land, and their stoic self-reliance are beneficial, but these same qualities also can lead to self-blame and heightened propensities for anxiety, depression, and suicide. Meditations on Farming celebrates nature and agriculture, while tackling a very serious subject: the mental health of food producers. In this collection of essays and stories, Rosmann - a farmer, clinical psychologist, public speaker, policy advocate, professor, and syndicated columnist - traces the development of behavioral health management and other methods for improving the well-being of agricultural producers. Sometimes tragic, often funny, and always engaging, Meditations on Farming shares the insights gained over a lifetime devoted not only to understanding farmers, but to helping and advocating for them.
Dr. Michael Rosmann has dedicated his life to advocating for the well-being of food producers. A clinical psychologist and farmer himself, he cofounded AgriWellness, Inc., which conducted research to identify the best practices in mental health care that help farmers, ranchers, farm workers, their families, and communities manage stress and deter suicide. Their findings became the basis of the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network that is part of the current U.S. Farm Bill. He writes a syndicated column about behavioral health and related topics for approximately four million regular readers of farm and rural newspapers. His first book, Excellent Joy: Fishing, Farming, Hunting, and Psychology, received the Silver Award in Nature from Foreword Reviews. He has been a guest on NPR, PBS, BBC, and many other media programs. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, Forbes, the Guardian, and Time, and he routinely gives talks around the world.