Agriculture is Montana’s largest industry, generating an average of $2 billion annually in cash receipts. Montana’s 56.5 million acres of farmland ranks second in the nation with 24,500 farms and ranches, averaging close to 2,100 acres in size

An important 2016 CDC report and subsequent data review in 2018 shows that farmers (which in this study included farming, ranching, fishing, and forestry) suffer disproportionate rates of suicide in comparison to other occupations.

Researchers have demonstrated that one suicide deeply impacts 25 people, and another 115 are exposed to suicide’s devastating impact. 140 people can be a significant portion of many communities in Montana and other frontier/agricultural states. We need to take action now to save lives.