Military vets find healing in agriculture

GREENVILLE, Iowa — Many military veterans find that farming promotes self-healing, purpose and self-identity upon return from active duty.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 370,019 agricultural producers are U.S. veterans, and over 290,000 have spent over 10 years on their farms.

Dr. Crystal Kyle, biological science specialist in the Institute of Youth, Family and Community, is also a vet-turned-farmer.

She gave a presentation about her experience during a webinar by AgriSafe Network.

“As with many military veterans, I don’t often like to talk about it,” Kyle said. “In the past it was something I hid or didn’t talk about. But as I’ve gotten more involved in talking to veterans, I know it’s important to also talk about my past and my experiences.”

“Some of the challenges I face include hearing loss in my left ear, extreme migraines and back, knee, and neck injuries,” she said.

“But that doesn’t take away from who I am. I’m still a veteran. I’m still a student.”

She is also a farmer, with 30 acres in Kansas, where she raises goats, chickens and pigs.

“Moving to the farm changed my life,” Kyle said. “I started to talk again. I started to talk to my family, friends and children.

“I started to be able to have communication and relationships. Owning my own farm has been very self-healing and has increased my mental health greatly.”

As part of her academic studies, Kyle has conducted research on agriculture and military veterans.

“Resilience is definitely key,” she said. “We know resiliency can guard against PTSD. Lack of it can cause depression, anxiety, behavior and adjustment disorders, or suicide.

“High resilience equals higher self-esteem, trust, ability to be resourceful, self-efficacy and internal locus of control. However, lower resilience equals frequently experienced social problems, loss of trust, and psychological challenges.”

A large amount of veterans come from farms and rural areas, she said.

Farmers and veterans share the highest rate of suicide.

“We need to look after each other,” Kyle said. “It’s all about respect.”

She shared tips for interacting with veterans or those with disabilities:

• View others as people, not impairments. Their disability is only a part of who they are.

• Focus on the person at hand and their individual personality.

• If you must put a label on the disability, it’s best to ask what terminology they prefer and stick to the terms they choose.

• Avoid saying things like “hey, blind girl” or “the girl in the wheelchair.”

• Labeling norms vary a great deal between people and groups.

• Never ask “how many people have you killed?” or “what was war like?”

• Instead of “thank you for your service,” say “I know you and your family sacrificed a lot. I appreciate you.”