Schmick: We Still Have A Long Way To Go On Farmer Mental Health

Agriculture was a topic of many conversations, both directly and indirectly, during the 2026 Washington legislative session in Olympia.  One of the biggest issues discussed this year was mental health in rural Washington.

State Representative Joe Schmick sits on a task force focused at looking at the stressors and mental health challenges before today’s growers and producers.

“We've written a report and we continue to keep talking about that," Schmick said.  "You know, we lose two farms a day in Washington and it's been that way since 2017. I don't think you have to think very hard to think of somebody who's committed suicide in the Ag community. And so, we keep talking about that. We keep talking about stressors. And right now it's, you know, a lot of it's financial. It's tough out there. And so yes, I think we're making some progress, but we've got a long ways to go.” 

Many Washingtonians Don't Know How Their Food Gets To Them

The Colfax Republican added advocacy has become even more important in Washington.  He stressed many people don’t understand what takes place on today’s farm, or even how food gets to their plate.

“They don't connect the dots from a grower who's out raising carrots out in his field. and how that gets to Safeway that people go and buy their produce," Schmick said.  "There is a disconnect there, and that is something we continually work on in telling ag story.”

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