Overview
This research examines how transitioning to regenerative agriculture (RA) intersects with mental health and wellbeing among Australian farmers. Bridging sustainable agriculture and mental health – highlighting how thoughtful transition strategies can support farmer resilience during times of change.
Key insights
- Australian farmers face numerous pressures – including severe weather events, market unpredictability, technological demands, regulatory burdens and social isolation – that significantly affect their mental health.
- Regenerative agriculture is emerging as a promising approach not only for environmental and production goals, but also for supporting farmer wellbeing through more connected and adaptive farming systems.
- The study identifies distinct phases as farmers transition to RA – such as triggering, acceptance, adoption, and adaptation – and underscores that mental health vulnerabilities differ across these phases, requiring tailored supports.