Lending a Hand
At Midwest Ag, we believe the strongest communities are built one conversation, one partnership, and one neighbor at a time.
Our work is guided by a Barn Raising Philosophy. Years ago, neighbors came together to raise a barn, each bringing their own skills, time, and willingness to help. Many of those barns are still standing today. The same spirit that raised them can help strengthen the farmers, families, and rural communities who continue their legacy. While the work may look different, the need for neighbors helping neighbors has never been greater.
Midwest Ag brings together farmers, farm families, rural communities, and trusted partners to share ideas, build connections, and find practical solutions to the challenges rural communities face. Whether we're offering education, connecting people with resources, building partnerships, or simply gathering around a table for a cup of coffee, it all begins with listening.
Because when neighbors come together, good things can grow.
Click the button above to share through this anonymous community survey designed to help Midwest Ag better understand the experiences, strengths, and needs of agriculture and rural communities
About Midwest Ag
At Midwest Ag, we believe the strongest solutions grow from the people who live and work in our rural communities. Midwest Ag is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening agriculture by bringing people together. We connect farmers, farm families, agricultural professionals, and rural communities with trusted resources, practical education, meaningful partnerships, and opportunities to learn from one another. We are neighbors.
Everything we do is guided by our Barn Raising Philosophy—the belief that strong communities are built when neighbors help neighbors. Rather than assuming what rural communities need, we begin by listening. Through outreach, workshops, and agricultural mental health education, we help strengthen the network of support.
What We Do
Midwest Ag meets rural communities where they are — at farm shows, county fairs, schools, meetings, and kitchen tables. We listen, connect people with resources, and bring practical education and support directly into our communities.
We Show Up
Agricultural Outreach • Youth & Family Outreach • Educational Outreach
From farm shows and community events to classrooms and local meetings, Midwest Ag brings practical support and education directly to the people and places that make up rural communities.
Agricultural Outreach
“Meeting farmers and farm families where they are with practical information, resources, and support.”
Youth & Family Outreach
Educational Outreach
“Supporting young people and farm families through education, prevention, and connection.”
“Bringing useful, relevant education to rural communities through presentations, workshops, and community events.”
We Connect
Resource Navigation • A Place to Begin
“Finding the right help can be overwhelming. Midwest Ag helps connect farmers, farm families, and rural residents with resources and a practical place to begin.”
Resource Navigation
“Helping people find trusted local, regional, and national resources without having to navigate the system alone.”
A Place to Begin
“Not sure what you need or where to turn? Start here. We’ll listen and help you identify a practical next step.”
We Bring People Together
Community Conversations
“Some of the best solutions begin with a conversation. Midwest Ag creates opportunities for neighbors to share experiences, identify needs, and work together on practical solutions for their communities.”
Community Connections
American Thresherman Association's Annual Steam, Gas & Threshing Show Pinckneyville, IL
2026
Strong rural communities are built by neighbors showing up for one another. Midwest Ag is proud to be part of the communities we serve — listening, lending a hand, sharing resources, and building connections that strengthen farmers, farm families, and rural communities.
IL State Fair
Springfield, IL
4-H Display
2026
Upcoming Events & Workshops
Join us as we bring neighbors together to learn, connect, and strengthen our rural communities. Whether it's a workshop, community conversation, or educational program, there's always a place at the table.
on the horizon
Midwest Ag is continuing to grow through new programs, partnerships, and community initiatives designed to educate, connect, and strengthen agriculture and rural communities.
-
Tell Us What It's Really Like – An ongoing Rural Community Listening Project that helps Midwest Ag understand the experiences, strengths, challenges, and priorities of the people who know agriculture best.
-
Kitchen Table Talks – Small-group conversations where neighbors gather to share experiences, ideas, and practical solutions.
-
Barn Raising Discussions – Bringing communities together to strengthen agriculture through collaboration, education, and local partnerships.
-
Mental Health First Aid Training – Equipping community members to recognize, respond to, and support someone experiencing a mental health challenge.
-
Farmer Wellness Days – Bringing together health, wellness, agricultural, and community resources in one convenient location.
-
Community Film Screening – Hosting SHIFT: Do What Moves You from Tell MyStory, followed by a community conversation about resilience, hope, and mental well-being.
-
Agricultural Leadership Workshops – Encouraging and developing the next generation of agricultural and rural community leaders.
-
Community Story Series – Sharing authentic stories from farmers, farm families, and rural neighbors that inspire hope, understanding, and connection.
-
Weathering the Storm - A series of financial well-being resources to help understand farm financial stress.
-
Beyond the Barn - Exploring the everyday activities, hobbies, and connections that help people recharge, build resilience, and support their well-being—from gardens and chicken coops to front porches and community gatherings.
You Don't Have to Walk it Alone
Real Estate Taxes:
One More Farm Stress
I married into a generational farm family over 40 years ago. So many wonderful family memories, lunch through the week, family dinner on Sundays. Family members working together and spending quality time together. Early on, it supported our families financially until it didn’t. Some of us needed to obtain work outside the farm yet still help when we could after hours. The ups and downs became more extreme and so many struggles developed. As the families grew so did the hardships. I lost a daughter in law to mental illness, and my world has not been the same. Blessed with friends and my involvement in mental and behavioral health, we move on. Good days and bad days but thankful for a support system that shares the ups and downs with me. So many people don’t talk about it and it is so lonely alone. There is hope. Others have walked this path with me, and I want to do the same for others. Find someone to walk it with you.
Input costs keep going higher and higher. Everything costs more. The price we receive for corn and beans does not keep up with inflation. Equipment, fuel, seed and fertilizer costs skyrocket. Our fixed costs trend up every year. Real Estate taxes and insurance are a must have. Super stressful when you cannot pay your real estate taxes on time. Name gets published on a list, then everyone knows you are financially struggling. In Illinois, home of the highest real estate taxes in the nation, you have 3 years to get them paid or a vulture company that preys on the misfortunate, will buy your land for back taxes and take control and ownership of your hard-earned land and there is nothing you can do about it. (if you let it go for 3 years). The earlier you start working on getting the taxes paid, the less stress you will have. Talk to your bankers, maybe sell something, even consider land sales to get the taxes paid under that 3-year deadline. I wish Illinois done something different. I have heard other states handle their real estate taxes differently.
75 Years - Will It Continue
We have a small farm. It has been in our family for 75 years. The equipment we have is not new and is always breaking down. Some things eventually wear out. New equipment is unaffordable and too big for what we do. I would like to keep farming, but it just does not pencil out anymore. Sometimes I wonder if it is my generation when the family farm stops? I don't want it to. I feel like I am letting the family down if I decide to stop farming. Stressful to think about. I am planning on attending some meetings about other options and things to grow and raise to hopefully find something that will let the farm continue.
We Asked. You Answered.
We are Listening.
At the heart of our Barn Raising Philosophy is listening to our neighbors. What you share helps us see what’s needed, what’s missing, and where we can help. And we’re not done asking. We’ll keep listening as needs change and new challenges come along.
Where Responses Are Coming From
Responses are coming in from across the region. Results update as more surveys are completed.
County information is optional and reflects responses where a county was provided.
A quick survey to check in on the wellness and resilience of our local farm families.
What Rural Communities Are Telling Us
Resources & Connections
Sometimes you need information, a connection, or someone to listen. Midwest Ag helps farmers, families, and community leaders find trusted resources and people who can help support rural life.
You don't have to know exactly what you're looking for before reaching out.
Don't Know Where to Start?
That's okay. Give us a call or email. If we don't have the answer, we will
help you find someone who does.
(618) 579-4716
info@midwestagwellness.org
https://www.midwestagwellness.org/
Southern Illinois Mental Health Resources
Crisis & Immediate Support
-
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988 (24/7)
-
911 – For immediate emergencies
-
Local Emergency Departments for psychiatric emergencies
Community Mental Health Centers
-
FindHelp Southern Illinois – Search by ZIP code for mental health providers, food assistance, transportation, housing, financial help, veteran services, and hundreds of other community resources across Southern Illinois.
-
Comprehensive Connections – Mount Vernon
-
Outpatient counseling
-
Crisis intervention
-
Community support services
-
Substance use treatment
-
-
Egyptian Behavioral Health Services – Fairfield
-
Adult & youth counseling
-
Crisis services
-
Family services
-
Community behavioral health
-
-
Community Resource Center – Centralia
-
Individual & family counseling
-
Psychiatry
-
Substance use services
-
Recovery programs
-
-
ComWell – Multiple Southern Illinois locations
-
Counseling
-
Psychiatry
-
Recovery services
-
Community support
-
Hospital Behavioral Health Programs
-
SSM Health Behavioral Health (Angela Center) – Centralia
-
Psychiatry
-
Counseling
-
Medication management
-
Adult behavioral health
-
-
Integrated Health of Southern Illinois – Carterville
-
Counseling
-
Behavioral health
-
Primary care integration
-
-
Southern Illinois Healthcare Behavioral Health Services
-
Outpatient therapy
-
Psychiatry
-
Inpatient behavioral health
-
Crisis stabilization
-
Specialized Resources
-
NAMI Southern Illinois
-
Family support
-
Peer support
-
Mental health education
-
-
Mental Health America of Illinois
-
Education
-
Screening
-
Community resources
-
Agricultural & Rural Support
-
Midwest Agricultural Wellness Institute
-
Farm Family Resource Initiative (SIU School of Medicine)
-
Farm Bureau resources
-
Illinois Extension
-
Farm Stress resources
-
Veteran resources
-
Faith-based partners
-
Peer support opportunities
-
Kitchen Table Talks
-
Barn Raising Community Conversations
Tell Your Story
Every person has a story worth telling.
Whether you're a farmer, farm family member, neighbor, or friend, your experiences may give someone else hope, encouragement, or the courage to ask for help. Share as much or as little as you'd like. Whether you choose to share anonymously or include your name, every story is welcome.