It is usually around the time the farm is handed over, either shortly before or immediately after, when the generational conflicts break out the most violently,” says agricultural state councilor Michaela Langer-Weninger. “Different ideas then collide: the young want to do things differently, the older ones don’t feel valued – or don’t give up the reins at all,” said Langer-Weninger at a press conference.
The helpline for farmers was presented. The advice center was set up at the beginning of February – and the offer has been very well received, says the President of the Chamber of Agriculture, Franz Waldenberger.
Human problems are not new. “What’s new is that people are more willing to talk about it these days,” says psychologist Jennifer Schreiner, who heads the project.
And in her experience, these are the things that cause farmers the most stress and worry:
Handing over the farm: Nowhere is this topic as important as it is in family farms. The most important thing is to be clear about the wishes, goals and plans of everyone involved in good time and to talk about them. That can do a lot.
In addition to the coexistence of young and old, relationship problems are also a major topic. “Partnerships and marriages have also changed in agriculture. What was unthinkable generations ago has now also arrived there: separations and divorces,” says Schreiner. At the same time, the expectations of a couple relationship are high and often do not do justice to everyday life at court. Even day-to-day cooperation harbors the potential for conflict in many cases.
Last but not least, farmers also suffer from stress and overload. “There’s always enough work on farms, and as in other industries, the pressure to perform has increased here too. Not everyone can deal with it equally well,” says Schreiner. Burnout and depression are the result. Here, too, an outside view can be helpful. “By rethinking your attitude towards work, you can relearn to see and appreciate all the beauty that life on a farm brings.”
worry phone
The new advice center is integrated into the existing initiative “Quality of Life on the Farm”. Around 1130 calls were recorded here in 2021 – most of the inquiries came from Upper Austria at 34 percent.
The Upper Austrian Chamber of Agriculture’s helpline is available from Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on 050/69021800.
Source: Nachrichten
