In a Nutshell: Listen to the Summary

Every so often, I get a call that hits me like a gut punch. A grieving wife. A friend gone too soon. Another grower lost not from an accident or disease, but from the slow, silent wear of stress.

And it’s happening more than we talk about.

Farming, especially in nuts, is one of the toughest jobs out there. You’re up before the sun, juggling markets, labor, government rules, water, weather, family. It never stops. And most folks in this industry carry it all without ever saying a word.

But here’s the truth: We weren’t built to run nonstop. Even the best machines break down when you never give them a break.

The Real Cost of “Pushing Through”
Look, I get it. I come from this industry. I’ve walked the fields, sat at the tables and lived the calendar of orchard life. But I’m also trained in mental health, and I’ve seen what burnout can do.

It sneaks up on you. You’re tired. Irritable. Not sleeping. You drink a little more. You stop enjoying things. You snap at people. And then one day, it’s not just stress. It’s a health scare, or a breakdown, or worse.

This isn’t about weakness. It’s about wear and tear. Mental, emotional, physical. It all adds up.

You Deserve a Breather
There’s this idea in ag that rest is earned at the end. After harvest. After you retire. After everything else is handled.

But I’ll tell you what I’ve learned: If you wait that long, you might not make it that far.

Taking care of your mental health doesn’t mean checking out. It means checking in with yourself, your family, your crew. It means taking small steps that keep you in the game for the long haul.

What Can You Do?
Here are five simple things that can make a big difference starting today:
1. Give yourself permission to rest.

2. Take the morning off. Go grab coffee. Walk the orchard with no agenda. Your worth isn’t tied to how busy you are.

3. Talk to someone you trust.

4. Whether it’s your spouse, a friend, a pastor or a counselor, don’t carry it alone. Talking about what’s on your mind isn’t complaining. It’s maintenance.

5. Notice the warning signs.

If you’re constantly tired, feeling numb or short-tempered, that’s your mind waving a flag. Don’t ignore it.

Check In with Your Crew
You’re not the only one under pressure. Ask your team how they’re doing. Be the kind of leader who makes space for real conversations.

Ask for Help When You Need It
Professional support isn’t just for crisis. It’s for clarity. You’d hire an expert for irrigation or marketing. Why not for your own well-being?

We Can’t Afford to Keep Quiet
At West Coast Nut, we talk a lot about production, markets and innovation. But we also need to talk about the people (the growers, the families, the legacies) that make this industry what it is.

So here’s my ask: Don’t wait until it’s a crisis. Take the walk. Make the call. Slow down, even just for a moment.

Because at the end of the day, the most valuable thing on the ranch isn’t the crop. It’s you.

If this hits home for you or someone you know, pass it along. Let’s start normalizing these conversations so no more families have to make those phone calls.