Editor’s note: Dr. Val Farmer is returning to write monthly about rural health. Dr. Farmer has a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Arizona. He was professionally active for 22 years in South Dakota, nine years in Fargo, N.D., and six of his past 18 years in Wildwood, a suburb of St. Louis. By resuming writing, Dr. Farmer wants to call attention to his writing on rural life, archived on his website at www.valfarmer.com. The website leads with rural topics which he has broken down into four main categories: 1. Farm Stress, 2. When Marriage and Farming Clash, 3. Conflict in Farm and Ranch Family Operations and 4. Life in Rural Communities. In addition, Dr. Farmer has kindled desire to write and comment on current issues: the advent of new technology, the impact of the loss of traditional values and religious participation, and degrading influence of popular culture.
