Supporting the People Behind the Produce

Running a farm is deeply rewarding — but it can also be demanding, exhausting, and emotionally heavy. Long hours, seasonal pressure, family responsibilities, and the unpredictability of agriculture can make it difficult to maintain balance between work and personal well-being.

At NAFDMA, we believe supporting farms means supporting the people behind them. That’s why our Education Center includes resources focused on mental health, wellness, and work-life balance for farm operators and their teams.

These sessions from NAFDMA speakers and members offer practical strategies, honest conversations, and encouragement for navigating the realities of farm life while protecting your physical and emotional well-being. Below are a few examples of what awaits you in NAFDMA's Education Center!

To access these resources:

1. Visit NAFDMA.com
2. Click on Education Center
3. Log in to your account
4. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select Work-Life Balance



Mental Health on the Farm

This powerful session opens the door to an important conversation happening across agriculture: mental health.

As the stigma surrounding mental health begins to fade, more farmers are sharing their experiences and supporting one another. In this session, Christy Heimstra of Clovermead Adventure Farm, Phil Quinn of Quinn Farm, and Colleen McKay of Your Farm Market share personal stories of navigating mental health crises that impacted their families and businesses. Their experiences remind us that no one in the NAFDMA community has to face these challenges alone.

Yesterday’s Gone: Thriving in Your Business Today

Presented by Bob Phibbs

This session focuses on practical strategies for resetting your mindset and creating positive momentum in your daily routine. Bob Phibbs shares tips for starting and ending each day with intention, along with an interactive exercise designed to build a “positive energy shield” to help you stay focused and energized in your work and leadership.

Staying Emotionally and Physically Healthy on the Farm

Presented by Deanna Black

Balancing health and business during a busy farm season is no easy task. In this workshop, Deanna Black explores how farms can support both financial wellness and personal wellness.

Topics include:

• Developing pricing systems and programs that support both profitability and personal balance
• Reframing the “J.O.B.” mindset — Justifying Others’ Business vs. Joy of Being
• Maintaining physical wellness during the busiest parts of the farm season

Keep Calm and Farm On

Presented by Deanna Black

Stress is inevitable in farm life — but managing it effectively is a skill that can be learned.

This session helps participants:

• Recognize stress triggers and behavioral tendencies
• Identify activities that restore energy and focus
• Utilize tools and resources that support healthier stress management both at home and on the farm

Wellness vs. Fitness Within Farm Life

Presented by Deanna Black

Wellness and fitness are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. This session explores how farmers can understand the difference and create realistic strategies for maintaining both.

Participants will:

• Learn the benefits of both wellness and physical fitness
• Identify areas of life that support — or hinder — health
• Develop two practical wellness programs: one for peak season and one for the off-season

Positive Farm Fitness

Presented by Deanna Black

Being healthy on the farm doesn’t require gym memberships or complicated routines. This session focuses on simple, sustainable ways to maintain energy, happiness, and productivity throughout the season.

Participants will discover how small moments of movement, laughter, and intentional care can make a significant difference in both personal well-being and farm performance.

A Healthier Farm Starts with a Healthier Farmer

Agritourism is built on passion, hospitality, and community. But none of those things can thrive if the people running the farm are burned out or overwhelmed.

Taking time to care for your mental, emotional, and physical health isn’t a luxury — it’s an investment in your farm, your family, and your future. The NAFDMA community is here to support you every step of the way.