I think the loneliness and isolation aspect of this report is projection by a possibly urban author. Most rural farmers I know are at least third generation an

I think the loneliness and isolation aspect of this report is projection by a possibly urban author. Most rural farmers I know are at least third generation and grew up in the sticks. They get anxious when they go to the city, itching to get back to the of rural life of 'isolation'. Folks in these small communities are physically far apart but closer than most communities I've experience in cities and even suburbs. That said, if you get sideways with your rural community, you can be ostracized by the whole and it's nearly impossible to overcome that stigma - it can last a lifetime. That may have involvement in the mental illness issues for sure.