USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has appropriated $1.92 million towards four grants supporting projects to provide stress assistance programs to individuals involved in farming, ranching, or other agriculture-related occupations.
The four grants were awarded to regional entities to help launch the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). Funding was authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill.
“Our farmers, ranchers, and producers need help and programs that provide professional agricultural behavioral health assistance and referral for other forms of support, as necessary,” said NIFA Director J. Scott Angle.
The program creates a network to provide assistance in times of stress, and improves behavioral health awareness, literacy and outcomes for individuals and their families.
One example, the Building an Inclusive and Comprehensive Network for Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance in the Northeast project will convene a network of farm service providers to build connections and collaboration.
The project will also develop online resources and train service providers on the network on how to work with farmers under stress.
