County Farm Bureau Receives National Recognition for Mental Health Initiative

October 2024

Sumter County Farm Bureau has been selected as a winner in the American Farm Bureau Federation County Activities of Excellence (CAE) program with the “988 It’s OK” Mental Health Initiative. With more than 200 entries, AFBF selected the top 24 activities to be showcased at the 2025 American Farm Bureau Convention in San Antonio, Texas, January 24-29, 2025. 

The “988 It’s OK” Mental Health Initiative began as a partnership between Sumter County Farm Bureau and Everglades Equipment Group to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention in the agricultural community. Through this alliance, every EVERGLADES John Deere CAB tractor sold throughout Florida will now feature a decal with the 988-suicide prevention and lifeline hotline. This initiative seeks to destigmatize conversations around mental health within the farming community and ensure that support is accessible. 

Since its launch in May, the initiative now encompasses other tractor manufacturers like Case IH and New Holland. In addition to the 988 decals, Florida Farm Bureau has created a companion flyer that provides signs to look for when someone may be hurting and includes the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline call or text number and resources such as the American Farm Bureau Federation Farm State of Mind resource directory.