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Farm Groups Partner to Help Farmers Manage Stress
USAgNet - 12/12/2019

Recognizing the high levels of stress affecting America's farmers and ranchers, Farm Credit, American Farm Bureau Federation and National Farmers Union have partnered on a program to train individuals who interact with farmers and ranchers to recognize signs of stress and offer help.

Based on the farm stress program Michigan State University Extension developed for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency, this combination of online and in-person trainings is designed specifically for individuals who interact with farmers and ranchers.

It provides participants the skills to understand the sources of stress, learn the warning signs of stress and suicide, identify effective communication strategies, reduce stigma related to mental health concerns and connect farmers and ranchers with appropriate mental health and other resources.

"Farm Credit loan officers are on farms working with producers every day, and they see firsthand how this difficult farm economy is causing emotional stress for farmers and their families. We hope this training initiative will help our lenders recognize the signs of severe stress and get farm families the support they need," said Farm Credit Council CEO Todd Van Hoose. "We are very excited to partner with Farm Bureau and Farmers Union to make this training available throughout our rural communities."

AFBF President Zippy Duvall said, "Farm Bureau is a family, and when a member is hurting, we all feel it and are eager to help. But we may not always know how to spot the warning signs that someone is overwhelmed. This training program will help our members recognize the warning signs and empower them to get help for their friends, family, neighbors or even themselves. We're honored to partner with Farm Credit and Farmers Union to strengthen rural resilience in farm communities."

In a national Morning Consult poll commissioned by AFBF in April 2019, a strong majority of farmers and farmworkers said financial issues (91%), farm or business problems (88%) and fear of losing the farm (87%) impact the mental health of farmers and ranchers, and nearly half of rural adults (48%) said they are personally experiencing more mental health challenges than they were a year ago.


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