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.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Eric Arzubi (Frontier Psychiatry) to talk about the mental health challenges facing rural agricultural producers—and what practical support and resources are available right now.

This conversation is especially relevant for crop insurance agents, FSA employees, lenders, and ag professionals who often hear the hard stuff first. We’re not trying to turn anyone into a therapist—this is about awareness, better language, and knowing where to point people when help is needed.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why rural producers often carry stress silently

• The “language of feelings” and why it matters

• Warning signs ag professionals may hear on the phone

• How to listen without trying to “fix it”

• When to ask direct questions and how to avoid shutting the conversation down

• Why you don’t have to wait for a “crisis” to reach out

• Mental health resources (including text and phone support)

• Beyond the Weather and how Frontier Psychiatry is helping Montana’s ag community

00:00 Intro

00:20 Opening Credits

00:56 Ad – Crop West Insurance Group

01:25 Dr. Eric Arzubi Introduction

05:20 What makes rural communities different?

09:18 Why do producers remain silent?

13:16 What can crop insurance agents do to help?

22:32 When is it more serious than just a conversation?

33:32 What is Beyond The Weather?

37:44 Mental health resources (741741 & 988)

39:03 Final thoughts

Resources & Help (Please Share)

Frontier Psychiatry (Beyond the Weather / Appointments):

Website: https://frontier.care Phone: (406) 200-8471

Crisis Text Line (U.S.) (you don’t have to be in a “crisis” to use it):

Text 741741 (text “HELLO” or “HELP”)

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.) (call or text):

Dial 988

If you’re outside the U.S., please use your local emergency number or local crisis resources.

Disclaimer This episode is for education and awareness only and is not medical advice. If you believe you or someone else is in immediate danger, call emergency services right away.

If you work in agriculture…

If this resonated with you, consider sharing this episode with someone in ag who might need it. Like • Subscribe • Comment — it helps more people find the episode.

This isn’t a normal episode.

To close out the season, Mike shares a short holiday story from farm country — one about tough years, quiet conversations, and how sometimes the most important thing is simply sitting down with someone and listening.

It’s a lighter episode, a little different, and a reminder that even in difficult seasons, hope has a way of showing up — often over a cup of coffee.

From our family to yours, happy holidays. We’ll see you in the new year.