North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center: 2020-2023: Outcomes, Lessons Learned, and Recommendations for the Future

Abstract

Agricultural producers (i.e., farmers, ranchers) and agricultural workers (i.e., hired labor, farmworkers) have worse mental health than the general population and often lack access to mental healthcare. In response, the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture funded four regional Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Networks in 2019. In the north central region, the <em>North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center (NCFRSAC) </em>was created in 2020 to develop, deliver, and expand stress and mental health assistance to agricultural producers, workers, and families in 12 states. Since 2020, the NCFRSAC has expanded a telephone helpline for agricultural producers and workers and published a clearinghouse website. In addition, the network has trained over 11,000 agricultural supporters in mental health programming, trained over 18,000 agricultural producers in stress management and mental health awareness programming, engaged over 850 farmworkers in support groups, and delivered more than 1200 hours of professional behavioral health services. As circumstances and conditions within agriculture change, such as commodity prices and export policies, NCFRSAC can continue to be responsive by modifying approaches and offering new resources to agricultural communities.