Season 5: Episode 212
In this episode of North American Ag Spotlight, Chrissy Wozniak is joined by Jaime Jerrels, Senior Director of Policy and Outreach at the Florida Farm Bureau Federation, to discuss one of the most powerful and overlooked challenges in agriculture today: farmer mental health. Florida Farm Bureau, in partnership with UF/IFAS and the Mind Your Melon Foundation, has released its first-ever statewide mental health report—and the findings are deeply personal, alarming, and a call to action.
Jaime brings more than just her professional insights to the conversation. Raised on a peanut and cattle farm in Levy County and now raising five children on that same land with her husband, she speaks from the heart—both as a policy advocate and as a woman of faith. Her passion for standing in the gap for farmers who often carry the weight of the world in silence is rooted in her belief that agriculture is more than an industry—it’s a mission field.
The conversation goes far beyond statistics, touching on hurricanes, financial stress, isolation, and the unique burdens of rural life. Jaime shares her firm belief that faith, prayer, and community can bring healing and strength where it’s needed most. She encourages struggling producers to lean on their relationship with God, seek out trusted connections, and remember that telehealth and other support tools are available—and confidential.
Chrissy and Jaime also explore the critical role churches, Farm Bureau, and peer-to-peer relationships play in restoring connection and hope to those silently struggling.
Learn more and view the full 2025 Mind Your Melon Farmer Wellbeing Survey at: https://www.floridafarmbureau.org
North American Ag is devoted to highlighting the people & companies in agriculture who impact our industry and help feed the world. Subscribe at https://northamericanag.com
Want to hear the stories of the ag brands you love and the ag brands you love to hate? Hear them at https://whatcolorisyourtractor.com
Don't just thank a farmer, pray for one too!
Subscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com
Popular Podcasts
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!