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Taking Time Off From Farm Work

Rest is part of running a farm well. This guide covers how to plan a real break, from arranging care for animals to making peace with being away.

Why does time off matter for your wellbeing?

In the US, if you ever feel overwhelmed or hopeless, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and in an emergency you should call 911. Time off is one way to ease strain, though it is not a substitute for care when you need it.

Rest helps mood, thinking, patience and physical health. A worn-out person makes more mistakes and has less to give to family and animals.

Treat time off as maintenance, the same as servicing equipment.

• Call or text 988 if strain feels too heavy
• Call 911 in an emergency

What stops farm families from taking a break?

Animals need daily care, crops run on weather and money may feel too tight for a trip. Many people also feel guilty or worry that nothing will be done right in their absence.

These are real concerns. Yet doing without any break for years can lead to burnout or health problems that cost far more in the end. Even small breaks help, so start with what is realistic.

Cost is a factor, but a break can be modest and local. Time away is more about stepping out of the work routine than about spending money.

How do you plan coverage for chores and animals?

Begin early and write things down. A clear plan makes it easier for a helper to step in and easier for you to relax.

Choose people you trust and, where possible, test the arrangement with a short trial before a longer absence. Check with your insurance provider and an attorney or advisor about any questions of liability or pay for helpers, and with the U.S. Department of Labor if you employ anyone and have wage questions.

Offer something in return, such as a swap of favors, so that the arrangement feels fair.

• A written list of daily chores, feeding amounts and routines
• Contact numbers for your vet, equipment dealer and a backup person
• Where keys, gates, water sources and shutoffs are
• What to do and whom to call if something goes wrong
• Your own phone number and when you can be reached

What kinds of breaks can work?

Time off does not have to mean a week away. A protected half day, a long weekend, a regular day off or a seasonal pause during the slower months can all give your mind and body a chance to reset.

Some families schedule one longer break during the quietest part of the year and plan it a year ahead so that it becomes part of the routine.

Choose what helps you rest, which may be activity, quiet time, family time or all of these.

How do you make the time off count?

Try to truly step away. Check messages only at set times, or not at all if someone else can handle calls. Let your helper know when it is appropriate to reach you.

Rest includes sleep. If you can, spend the first day recovering rather than packing it with activity. Eat regular meals and spend time outdoors away from work.

Tell your family and helper how much contact you want. Some people find a quick check-in each evening is enough.

What if you cannot get away at all?

Some seasons and situations make leaving impossible. In that case, create small pockets of rest within the day, such as a real lunch break, a short walk or an evening with no farm talk.

Ask neighbors, relatives or local groups whether they can lend a hand for a few hours. Many communities have informal networks, and your county extension office may know of local options, such as labor sharing or farm relief programs. Availability differs by area.

If a break depends on others, offer to return the help in kind. Many farm communities run on this kind of exchange.

How do you return without losing the benefit?

When you return, notice what ran well without you and what did not. Use that to improve your instructions or delegate more next time.

Keep one or two of the habits you adopted, such as an earlier stop time or a weekly day of rest. Thank those who helped, and plan the next break so that it does not remain a wish.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.