The agriculture industry has been grappling with the challenges of mental health for years, but recent efforts to support farmers have shown promising results. Dr. Florence Becot from Penn State University’s Agricultural Safety and Health Program explains that the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network was established by the 2018 Farm Bill and needs reauthorization to continue its work. This network has been instrumental in providing mental health resources for farmers and has seen significant growth in the number of organizations offering such services between 2019 and 2022.
However, there are concerns among mental health advocates that the progress made by the USDA’s Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network may be at risk in the next farm bill. Senator Debbie Stabenow’s farm bill framework includes more funding for this program, while the Republican outline in the House does not mention it. This highlights the importance of supporting the mental health of farmers in the agriculture industry, and ensuring that resources and services continue to be available to those who need them.
Research conducted by Becot in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota shows that there has been a significant increase in awareness and access to mental health resources for farmers between 2019 and 2022. This has resulted in greater openness among farmers to discuss their mental health struggles and seek help. With more funding for programs like this, we can continue to make progress towards a healthier agricultural community.
