TREMPEALEAU COUNTY, Wis. (WEAU) – Former host of “Around the Farm Table” Inga Orth invited the community to her farm Sunday. For several years, the dairy farmer used Isidore’s Dairy in Trempealeau County to support other local farmers with her annual market.
“So, we have our annual event here at the farm every September where we want to invite the public out to see what’s happening on a working dairy. Today, we are supporting a cause that’s near and dear to my heart, which is the Farmer’s Angel Network,” said Orth.
She is now using this time to further support farmers on a deeper level.
“So, today, I am going to auction off all of the clothes I used to wear on Around the Farm Table for that cause. I want to give all the money to the Farmer’s Angel Network. Because, they’re also an organization that helped me out of my own burnout and my own depression,” said Orth.
The farm life is something Orth believes could grow into a life or death situation.
“Farmers have traditionally been there supporting everyone, right? We feed you guys three times a day. Right now, what’s happening to farmers is the suicide rate of farmers is skyrocketing. It’s the highest of every profession right now,” said Orth.
“My good friend, Leon Stoss, died by suicide in 2018,” said Dorothy Harms, the chair of the Farmer’s Angel Network.
She has been helping farmers with their mental health for more than six years.
“One of the first efforts was to bring resources to folks. And, just make them aware of what’s available,” said Harms. “We generally raise about $20,000 a year. In our budget, over $5,000 goes directly to farmers to help them in times of financially need.”
Donations are appreciated, but there is something priceless Harms wants everyone to do.
“We really just ask you to check in on your neighbor every once in a while. Some times you notice things don’t seem quite right. Don’t be afraid to go, hey how are you doing? I care about you,” said Harms.
Here is a link to Farmer’s Angel Network.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, there is help available.
The national suicide hotline is 988.
Here is a link to resources from Wisconsin.
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