Kansas Farm Bureau Honors Sarah Gideon and Thomas Eisenbarth

Awards Recognize Rural Advocates Supporting Mental Health

• Bonnie Johnson
• October 03, 2025
• Media Article

Kansas Farm Bureau recognizes Sarah Gideon and Thomas Eisenbarth as 2025 Rural Minds Matter Advocate of the Year award winners for their leadership and commitment to rural mental health support.

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Kansas Farm Bureau (KFB) announces the winners of its 2025 Rural Minds Matter Advocate of the Year awards. This recognition honors Kansans who show strong leadership and dedication to raising mental health awareness in rural communities.
 

Sarah Gideon of Jackson County receives the Above 35 Advocate of the Year award. As the executive director of the Health Innovations Network of Kansas (HINK), she creates new outreach efforts such as the Coffee Cup Project, QPR and COMET training, and education for primary care providers.
 

These programs expand awareness and access to mental health services in northeast Kansas and beyond. “Sarah’s leadership has brought together hospitals, ag organizations and local communities to address the unique stresses facing farm families,” says Joe Newland, KFB president. “Her work ensures critical resources are available where they are most needed.”
 

Thomas Eisenbarth of Pottawatomie County is honored as the Young Advocate of the Year. A farmer, rancher, and precision agriculture instructor at Highland Community College’s Baileyville campus, he openly shares personal connections to mental health struggles.
 

His thoughtful writing in Grass and Grain helps farm families better understand challenges and access needed resources. “I’ve always felt led to speak up and advocate,” Eisenbarth says. “Life has given me this opportunity and placed me here — I need to use my God-given talents in this space.”
 

Winners receive recognition at KFB events, including Gideon at the Annual Meeting in December and Eisenbarth at the Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference in early 2026. Both also receive visibility through feature stories online and financial support to continue advocacy work.
 

The Rural Minds Matter program is Kansas Farm Bureau’s statewide effort to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and ensure access to resources for rural Kansans. Nominations for the 2026 awards open in May.
 

Photo by: kansas-farm-bureau