In this episode of the Crop Insurance Podcast, I’m joined by Jeff Winton, a dairy farmer and the founder/chairman of Rural Minds — a national nonprofit focused on improving mental health equity in rural America. Jeff shares the personal story that sparked Rural Minds, what he’s hearing across farm communities, and practical ways to start the conversation, reduce stigma, and connect people to real help.

We also walk through Rural Minds’ Rural Mental Health Resilience Program — a “meeting-in-a-box” toolkit with free, downloadable materials that local groups can use right away.

Resources mentioned (start here):

• Rural Minds (main site): https://www.ruralminds.org/
• Rural Mental Health Resilience Program toolkit: https://www.ruralminds.org/resilience
• Rural Minds presentation: https://www.ruralminds.org/s/PowerPointPresentation-ImprovingMentalHealthinRuralAmericav4.pdf
• Social Media Links;
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ruralmindsus
  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/ruralminds
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ruralmindsus
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruralminds_/
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN-AvVFwDiQhs7KQ_ZUl_ew
• Rural Minds email contact: info@ruralminds.org
• Rural Minds phone: 800-226-8113

If you (or someone you know) needs support:

• Call/Text/Chat 988 (24/7): 988lifeline.org
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 (24/7): crisistextline.org

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Why rural communities face unique barriers (privacy, distance, broadband access)
• Why asking directly — “Are you thinking about harming yourself?” — matters
• Practical “neighbor radar” signs to watch for
• How to use existing trusted community groups (Grange, Farm Bureau, schools, faith groups) to get help closer to home

Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of agriculture, risk, and real life.